Kitten with a Whip

Kudos to Amazon for releasing long lost titles w/ wonderful transfers in widescreen format - this is one of their firsts, and its`s a joy to behold, assuming you like 60`s cult flix. This was primarilly a drive-in release that didn`t get mass circulation when released, due to its subject matter, basically a home invasion by delinquent teens - parents were afraid of its influence on their young`ins. (The fact that we have a 40 year old man harboring a 17 year old girl wasn`t an issue back then...). This is one of those rare times when a low budget cult film becomes trancendant and elevates itself to an art form, kinda like Sam Fuller`s 'Naked Kiss' or 'Shock Corridor', partly due to the two leading actors, Ann Margret and John Forsythe, who add an element of class usually unheard of in these films. Ann Margret is on fire throughout. And you can`t help but feel sorry for John Forsythe as the film progresses, even though it was poor judgement on his part that instigated the entire affair. A tight, solid script didn`t hurt either. This one`s a joyride in a stolen car from start to finish, with a superb ending, a great soundtrack, marvelous performances, tension and humor, schlock and sophistication. And it holds up over repeated viewing, too. I can`t recommend this film highly enough to those 'in the know'. Grab yours now and enjoy...

This is one of the first DVD-Rs in the new Universal/Amazon series, which is obviously modeled on the similar Warner Archives program. The burned disc is widescreen (1:85-1) and in anamorphic format. The print used for this transfer has few visual markings of any kind (other than a bathrobe with a herringbone pattern that "sparkles" in the first 15 minutes, which is an artifact that is sometimes caused by a sharp digital transfer). Overall, the image is in great shape and looks much clearer than the old VHS release). John Forsythe plays a modest, middle-aged senatorial hopeful whose estranged wife and daughter are out of town for the week. Into his home sneaks a troubled runaway teenager (Ann-Margret) whom Forsythe tries to help. Unfortunately, his friends, political backers, and in-laws have a habit of dropping by his house unannounced, and he really can't afford to be seen harboring an underage "bad girl." Ann-Margret eventually invites some young friends to party in Forsyth's San Diego home. Things go from bad to worse when the group coerces Forsythe to drive them to Tijuana. In 1964, this modest thriller was considered somewhat shocking, due to Forsythe's house being picked at random by disaffected, thrill-seeking youths. The movie opened theatrically, but didn't play much in the second-run "family" theaters that served suburban locations. It also wasn't shown much on TV either, and was considered rare for a long time. Now, the film is available again, thanks to the new Universal/Amazon.com promotion.

Watching "Kitten With a Whip" I was reminded of so many other movies and genres. This is not to suggest that it's derivative but it's influences are apparent. Pulp Fiction. Film Noir. "Night of the Hunter". "Cape Fear". "A Touch of Evil". Despite these images the film is not the sum of it's influences. What the film lacks is any real artistry. The makers don't seem to understand or are unable to exploit the camp possibilities of the material they were given. That said, Ann-Margret clearly understood and when given the opportunity deliciously chews the scenery magnificently. Reading the other reviews much space has been devoted to Ann-Margret's turn here and rightly so but they was another terrific performance here. Little is said of Peter Brown as a philosophy quoting juvenile thug. I'm not familiar with any of Brown's previous or subsequent work but he takes advantage of what he's given here. "Kitten With a Whip" is regarded by many as a cult classic and in a way I can see it. To me, though, it was a missed opportunity.

I recent read the original (out-of-print) pulp paperback novel that this movie is based on, and I must say that the movie did not disappoint. Sure, they left out the implied sex scene between the politician (Forsythe) and the fugitive jailbait (Ann-Margret), but everything else is pretty much intact from the novel -- and more tightly scripted to boot. The movie is a real hoot. Barely two minutes go by without some amazing bit of dialogue or scenery-chewing by A-M and company. Plus, the soundtrack is the same seedy noir jazz used in Touch of Evil (an uncredited Henry Mancini from his early days). All around brilliant. This is the ultimate pulp camp movie. Must be seen to be believed.

SEXY ANN MARGRET MAKES IT WATCHABLE

Good movie for a blind by at the first time watch

The title says it all. Ann-Margret in her follow-up to "Viva Las Vegas" and this is not a "Beach Party" film. This 1964 exploitation classic bridges the gap between the juvenile delinquent movies of the mid to late 1950s and the 60s hippie/biker/LSD exploitation movies. On the par with - and should be watched as a double-feature with "Lady In A Cage", a similar teens-gone-wild film released the same year. The [Imprint] blu-ray is region free, packed with special features, intelligent, insightful commentary track and a cardboard slipcase. Oh yea...the film is a favorite of director John Waters, as you might have guessed. Buy it Now!

I think that this DVD is marvelous as far as the entertainment factor is concerned, but one couldn't help notice that John Forsythe's bathrobe glitters during the first few minutes of this black and white film. Moreover, there was at least one acquaintance of mine who thought that the film looked faded. Beyond that, the movie was enjoyable and full of suspense.

i like it ANN - MARGRET she one of my fave star (pin - up)

I'm a simple engineer, not a film critic, so I'll withhold my comment.

¿Qué me gustó? La presencia de Ann-Margret quien estaba en su mejor momento en esos tiempos, pero el argumento de la cinta es absurdo y mete al protagonista en acciones totalmente innecesarias.

I love it! Item as described. Perfect! Thanks for prompt shipping.

Great service, item came as described.