The Great Texas Dynamite Chase (1976)

One of my all time favorites.

Absolutely Fantastic

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Starring the late, great Claudia Jennings and the very interesting Jocelyn Jones. The film has a very simple, straightforward story-2 girls rob banks using sticks of dynamite to force the tellers to hand over the cash. They then hit the road in a stolen car to do the same thing all over again somewhere else.The film actually has some very unique ideas. I won't give those away here. What is the interest in this film though? Why has it become a cult film? I think the answer is the actors. Claudia Jennings photographed very well. Jocelyn Jones has a good screen presence in everything she does-a sort of innocence and Johnny Crawford looks very good on camera. Let's be honest here: what woman or gay man doesn't look at Johnny nude on film and find him very attractive. And a surprise-we actually see a quick glimpse of male genitalia from two different men here. Something that most actors don't allow especially once they've made a name for themselves. So, attractive actors, good acting and some chase scenes that really hold your attention, I can see why there is still interest in this. Sure, nothing too deep here but it is obvious that Claudia Jenning's short shorts inspired the "Daisy Dukes" costume and I would imagine that the idea for Thelma and Louise was born out of a viewing of this film. It's not bad. I think most people will probably enjoy it.

"The Great Texas Dynamite Chase" has built something of a cult over the more than thirty-five years since its theatrical release, for reasons I'm not completely sure of. Yes, the movie does boast a performance by cult actress Claudia Jennings. Yes, there is quite a bit of nudity and sex scenes. And the female empowerment theme pre-dates movies like "Thelma & Louise". Still, I found it hard to warm up to this movie. The reasons the female pair in the movie rob banks comes across as more selfish and less desperate than usual. The movie doesn't really explore the characters of both the women as well. And the women do some other unlikable actions such as kill policemen who are just trying to enforce the law. I would really only recommend this movie to people who are into B movies and want to see a movie that's had a lot of influence over the years, though even they will probably be somewhat disappointed.

Busting out of prison, sexy blonde Claudia Jennings (as Candy Morgan) gets out of her jumpsuit and robs a small Texas bank, with lighted sticks of dynamite. Ms. Jennings is assisted by sexy blonde bank teller Jocelyn Jones (as Ellie-Jo Turner), who has just been fired for "total lack of character." Lingering in bed with men causes Ms. Jones to be late for work. Later, Jennings picks up Jones hitchhiking. The two tightly outfitted women decide to team-up and become a modern day "Bonnie and Clyde" (or "Bonnie and Bonnie"). They meet ex-"Riflemen" cowboy Johnny Crawford (as Slim) robbing a convenience store, and take him hostage. Knowing good gigs when he sees them, Mr. Crawford makes the dynamite duo a threesome.This is an excellent "exploitation" flick, thanks to the deft comic performances of the stars, and sneaky direction by Michael Pressman. Jennings and Jones are fantastic (both as a duo and a quartet). Jennings, who so sadly died in a car crash, was rumored to be considered for "Charlie's Angles" (replacing the departing Kate Jackson); and here, she looks like a combination of Farah Fawcett-Majors and Shelley Hack. All of these women had a refreshingly natural, sexy look. Lip and breast injections were not needed. Crawford provides a perfect male attachment for the women, with "Dark Shadows" star Chris Pennock (as Jake) and lucky bellhop Eric Boles (as Johnny) also appearing. And, all three men show off their nakedness, too.The film is a success while it stays fun and sexy. You see a lot of explosions during the running time, but without the relative bloodiness, which helps keep the tone light. Generally speaking, everyone runs away before something blows up. All of this is tossed aside for a scene involving Crawford, Jennings and a couple of cops. Then, the film's tone changes too sharply. Also, the scene (you'll know it when you see it) looks fake. Too bad it wasn't better when it got bad, but when "The Great Texas Dynamite Chase" is good, it's very, very good. Having met Crawford and Pennock, and not mentioned this film, you guys should be proud. Hope it was as fun as it looks. (Hey CP, looking forward to "FB part 2" and your "Big Finish" debut.) ******* The Great Texas Dynamite Chase (7/76) Michael Pressman ~ Claudia Jennings, Jocelyn Jones, Johnny Crawford, Christopher Pennock

Whatever legend this film has that is positive definitely is not deserved. Thing is, this movie just blows. It fails to even be an entertaining bad movie. It's just a boring, horribly acted bad flick.Sure, it's got Claudia Jennings, and she's probably the only reason this film hasn't been completely forgotten about. But if you haven't seen this film in a while, you may have forgotten that even she doesn't look too hot in it - even when she's wearing her Daisy Dukes, she just looks like basic unattractive white trash from the backwoods, not sexy at all. Same with her partner. The film has no sex appeal.There's no big 'chase' either. You never see the effort to track down the girls (and their male friend who joins up). There's not even a decent car chase - the one chase in the film doesn't stand up at all to other 70's schlock film chases. Even "Bobby Jo and The Outlaw" had a much better car chase (and it was a far more entertaining film).Poor acting, poor action, almost no story, virtual complete boredom here. The only reason I can suggest for someone to seek this film out, is if they have a Claudia fetish, and don't mind looking at her even though she dosn't look too good here.