Little Laura and Big John (1973)

the audience applauded

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

"Little Laura and Big John" is an obviously low, low budgeted, and regional production that may not be based on the "Bonnie & Clyde" story, but certainly owes something of a debt to it. It actually tells the true story of the John Ashley gang, which terrorized the Florida countryside in the 1920s. Ashley (former singing idol Fabian Forte) is the charismatic ringleader, and beloved character actress Karen Black is "Little Laura", his sweetheart. They ultimately run afoul of a Sheriff (noted character actor Paul Gleason) who realizes that he will have to shut them down, but GOOD.Taken on its own terms, "Little Laura and Big John" is an okay movie, no more. Fabian and Black won't make you forget Beatty and Dunaway anytime soon, but they do alright. (However, one might wish that Black were given a little more to do.) Directed by a man named Luke Moberly, and scripted by Moberly and Bob Woodburn, it doesn't overflow with filmmaking talent, but does get by thanks to its flavourful rural atmosphere. Moberly and company do whatever they can to recreate the period, with whatever limited means they had. The film actually begins with a narrated overview of criminal activity during this era, citing key players like Capone and Schultz, and the activities of people like Pretty Boy Floyd in the more rural areas. Then it segues into the story proper. The oddest element is that the character of Laura's mother (Ivy Thayer) does some of the narration, straight to the camera. An offbeat score and some silly but catchy songs are - how shall I put it? - interesting to hear. Some viewers may be pleased to note that the film is violent without being particularly gory. However, the storytelling can get awfully incoherent at times.Not very many people in this cast have substantial acting experience, other than Black and Gleason. Even Fabian comes off as more professional than a lot of the locally selected thespians hired for the production. Still, this viewer will give some of them credit for at least being fairly spirited, in particular Ken Miller as goofy, upbeat Hanford.While this viewer doesn't feel that the picture is nearly as worthless as some people make it out to be, there's really nothing all that great about it either.Five out of 10.

The Florida Everglades in the 1920's. Shrewd, handsome John Ashley (a surprisingly solid turn by 50's rock'n'roll teen idol Fabian Forte, who also played Pretty Boy Floyd in Larry Buchanan's "A Bullet for Pretty Boy") and his sweet, flighty steady gal pal Laura (a charming performance by the ever-radiant Karen Black) are the leaders of an outlaw gang. The wild'n'rowdy bunch achieve considerable notoriety by robbing banks, running booze, breaking out of jail, and eluding the cops while embarking on a jolly crime spree in the southeast. Directed with a reasonable amount of flair and style by Luke Moberly and Bob Woodburn (who also wrote the colorful and eventful script), this picture sizes up an an immensely enjoyable little "Bonnie and Clyde" cash-in copy. Fabian and Black make for a rather unlikely, but genuinely appealing and attractive criminal couple. Nice supporting contributions by Ken Miller as lecherous gang member Hanford, Paul Gleason as a hard-nosed sheriff, and Ivy Thayer as Laura's forlorn, regretful mother. Cliff Frates and Evie Karafotias are extremely cute and endearing as John and Laura as little kids in touching flashback sequences. Edmund Gibson's pretty, picturesque cinematography, Bill Walker's jaunty swing band score, the flavorsome period atmosphere (the sepia-tinted black and white opening newsreel with a stern Walter Winchell-like narrator is especially tasty), and several rousing shoot-outs all likewise hit the spot. My sole criticism: the frequent groovy modern rock songs and music are painfully inappropriate and anachronistic. That minor quibble aside, this film overall rates as a tremendously fun and spirited romp.

"Little Laura and Big John" was not based on Bonnie and Clyde, but on the true story of the capture of the infamous Ashley Gang at the Sebastian inlet bridge in Florida. It is not particularly well done, however, it is very interesting to residents of the Treasure Coast because of its historical significance. The movie depicts the gang as they rob banks and kill on a northward path along the Gold and Treasure Coasts of Florida, running just ahead of the then sheriff of Palm Beach County, who was determined to end their violent rampages. In addition to the well known professional cast, numerous local citizens (amateurs)took extra parts as deputies, bystanders, etc. While this was great fun for the locals, the practice of utilizing so many amateurs did nothing to enhance the quality of the film. The movie is something Karen Black probably wishes she had never done. It is poorly acted, poorly directed and generally as captivating as a high school video class's production.

It's hard to believe that Karen Black appeared in this terrible, extremely low=budget travesty, when she was already established as a star. Perhaps it was filmed years earlier and released after she became popular. Filmed in Florida, it's pretty torturous to sit through, and is recommended only for Karen fans, since she does look especially attractive, in black eyeliner. Aside from this, there's little else to remark on.