#78 Switchblade Sisters AKA the Jezebelles

IMDB Link

Plot:

The "Dagger Debs" are a gang of snarling girls, and Maggie is their newest member. Lace, the ever tooth-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 lead by Crabs.

A User Review:

Film focuses on two gangs--the Silver Daggers lead by Dominic (Asher Brauner) and the Dagger Debs lead by Dominic's girlfriend, Lace (Robbie Lee). A new girl in town Maggie (Joanne Nail) joins the Debs and becomes friends with Lace--but Dominic wants Maggie. Evil Deb Patch (Monica Gayle) knows this and manipulates Lace into hating Maggie. Also there's a rival gang, the Crabs, who are trying to take over.

Silly but very engaging trash movie--it's really an excellent movie OF ITS TYPE! There's prison fights, lesbian guards, rape, prostitution, feminism, politics, a black female gang and tons of violence and action. There's also a hilarious (and exciting) shoot out at a skating rink! There was a twist halfway through the movie that I didn't see coming and it all ends up with a climatic switchblade fight. I can honestly say I was never bored and enjoyed this thoroughly. The script is terrible but it never takes itself too seriously.

As for the acting--Brauner is OK as Dom; Nail is lousy as Maggie and Lee is TERRIBLE as Lace--easily one of the worst acting jobs I've ever seen in a movie (and that's saying something). Gayle was actually pretty good as Patch. Also of note is Kitty Bruce (Lenny Bruce's daughter) who's character (Donut) is treated like dirt.

The is NOT a good movie but an excellent trash film.

Trivia:

Director Jack Hill, when interviewed at the 1996 re-release of the film, pointed out that it did have some authenticity - he interviewed girl gang members and rewrote the script. "But the idea of doing a realistic movie about street gangs with beautiful blondes in hot pants was preposterous, so we tried to make it a wacky fantasy."

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Trailer: