Truckin' Man (1975)

Let's be realistic.

Good concept, poorly executed.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

TRUCKER'S WOMAN is a solid little independent thriller of the 1970s. It's not as slick or as exciting as higher-budgeted trucking-themed fare but it's not too bad. If you want the best of this genre, check out HELL DRIVERS and SORCERER. Anyway, this film's hero is an ordinary Joe who investigates his father's death and soon discovers that a local businessman is responsible. Murder attempts, minor shoot-outs, and much romancing of the ladies ensues. This film has some good turns from quirky cast members (including a youthful Larry Drake, later a Hollywood name) and the alluring Mary Cannon as the love interest with a secret background. There isn't much action but the pace is nonetheless fast and I found this more than watchable as a whole.

A rare example of the 'corruption in the trucking industry' genre, this shot in South Carolina indie includes most everything you'd expect from a '70s drive-in circuit cheapie. There's risible dialogue ("something's not copacetic"), hideous wardrobe (star Michael Hawkins sports a tacky white two-piece), unbelievable hair (as modeled by co-star Mary Cannon), a splash of nudity, lots of country music, and a memorable performance by a drunken Doodles Weaver. The story revolves around Kelly (Hawkins), an independently-inclined trucker not willing to cooperate with the crooked guys running the local terminal. Naturally, trouble ensues when he and pal Ben (Weaver) set out to establish their own terminal. There's lots of footage of roadside attractions like the Flaming Pit Restaurant and, of course, the every classy Ramada Inn, and look for the waitress's uniform that shows up again 20 minutes later as a maid's uniform!

Starting with its title, which contains a typo ("Truckers Woman," with no apostrophe) this little gem is the ne plus ultra of truly bad film-making. The cast consists of an oddball group of truly bad "actors". Michael Hawkins (who is actually Christian Slater's father)gives a hilariously off-kilter performance as the ersatz butch "Mike Kelly". His leading lady (Mary Cannon) is probably the most unattractive actress ever to be featured in a "starring" role, and couldn't act to save her life. She wears a helmet-like, streak-frosted fright wig throughout, even in her unfortunate nude scenes (she repeatedly exposes only one breast, mysteriously). Doodles Weaver (Sigourney's uncle) play's Mike Kelly's sidekick, Ben, and is obviously smashed throughout. Also, in a bone-chillingly over-the-top performance as "Diesel Joe," Larry Drake (who later won multiple Emmys for his role on TV's "L.A. Law") is hilarious. The writing, the dismal sets and appalling 70's polyester fashions all combine to make this one heck of a great bad film. I'm surprised more folks haven't caught onto this one yet. It's on DVD now on the Turner Classic Movies site...I suggest you RUN to get a copy!