STORYLINE: The “Dagger Debs” are a gang of snarling girls, and Maggie is their newest member. Lace, the ever-teeth-gritting leader, befriends her but soon has doubts; it seems Lace’s man, Dominic, head of the “Silver Daggers” fancies the new recruit. Lace struggles to keep control of the Debs and a handle on Nick as they face off against the rival gang of pushers led by Crabs.  (IMDb)

    Exploitation films saw their peak in the 1970’s.  Some such as Shaft have seen remakes in recent years.  Others such as Foxy Brown (1974) have been kept untouched in their original form, from their era.  Films are a snapshot of the times they are made. Exploitation films tend to show a more brutal side of reality then their  mainstream counterparts. This is why I say films like Switchblade Sisters (1975) would not be made the way they were today. 

    After attending a recent screening of the grindhouse classic I realized the power of the film. The film features stykized violence, at times over the top.  Through the violence, the story shows the social struggles of women, from the 1970’s. 

    This violence, imvkuding a subplot that if I wrote about would feature spoilers and that’s not my style, would come under scrutiny in the court of public opinion in 2025. That’s progress. However we would miss out on this powerful piece of art. 

    The questiion I have is when times change, fifty years from now what films from today would not be made because of social standards?

    I always enjoy watching films abd seeing their influence on other films.  This time I saw the influence on Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. That, in part, came in the form of the violence, abd the creation of one of his characters.  Circling back, after twevty years I think the consecration about violence in film would be raised in Kill Bill. It normally is in relation ton Tarantino’s work.  Kill Bill is the crown jewel for that stylized violence. In the time since it’s rekease it seems culture has become increasingly violent and that would be the talking point.  Still I enjoyed the films. 

   It was a pleasure ti see Switchblade Sisters in a theatrical setting because I enjoy the film and am a supporter of movie theaters. 

     Until next time Ineill see you at the movies!