Review of Mudhoney! (1965) by Christopher S — 18 Sep 2009

I have seen films so sleazy that I ought to bathe and wash myself of the experience afterwards. You'd think it would be the same from the supposed king of sexploitation, Russ Meyer. Nope. I actually found this to be a very interesting watch and leaves you much to think about, believe it or not. I've only seen one other Russ Meyer film thus far - FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!, which I liked a lot. I'm thinking I like MUDHONEY a bit more.

I played part of it over after watching it - but turned the sound to mute just so I could concentrate solely on the visuals. (I turned off the sound because a couple of the characters are played a bit over the top which may turn some viewers off). Technically, it's a very well done film. Nicely photographed and edited. For the opening shots you only see the feet of the main character. In fact, 3 of the characters are introduced in this way - by first showing their feet.

The story takes place during the Great Depression. A drifter, Calif McKinney (John Furlong) stops by a dusty midwest town called Spooner. He is making his way to California (his mother named him after the state) but is short of funds. He is told that a nearby farm is in need of a farmhand so he stops by to inquire about the position.

At the farm, Calif meets owner Lute Wade (Stuart Lancaster) and his daughter, Hannah (Antoinette Christiani). Lute at first balks at hiring Calif because he is afraid that there might be problems with Hannah's husband, Sidney Brenshaw (Hal Hopper) - a sadistically ill-tempered drunkard who fought and seriously injured the previous farmhand. Hannah is the one who actually hires Calif because she knows Lute is in poor health and they desperately need the help.

Lute's son-in-law, Sidney Brenshaw doesn't seem to do anything around the farm except drink and occasionally beat his wife Hannah and force himself on her. Sidney boasts about inheriting and selling the farm after Lute dies. One day, Calif overhears one of their arguments and intercedes on Hannah's behalf. This makes Sidney very suspicious about Calif and Hannah having a relationship behind his back. Sidney's suspicions are well-grounded because Calif is very much attracted to Hannah.

When Sidney is not harassing Hannah or Calif - he spends his time at the nearby whorehouse run by a cackling, toothless woman, Maggie Marie (Princess Livingston) who adds much comic relief to the film. The two whores are Maggie's very own daughters, Clara Belle (Lorna Maitland) and Eula (Rena Horton). Two very buxom beauties in the Russ Meyer tradition. Eula happens to also be a deaf mute.

Adding to the dynamics of the Sidney/Hannah/Calif triangle is the fire & brimstone preacher, Brother Hansen (Frank Bolger) and his devout (and buxom) wife Sister Hansen (Lee Ballard). Plus an assortment of weird-looking characters sprinkled throughout.

But the one character that really stands out is Eula, the deaf mute. It's funny how she can be the embodiment of sexuality and yet exude an air of pure innocence. I don't recall ever seeing such a character like her. When the story reaches the point when madness and mob-violence seems to run rampant - it is Eula who gives hope for humanity.

This film is crazy & brilliant all at once.

8.5 for now...