Angie Dickinson was outstanding in this very comical, drama as (Wilma McClotchie) and her boy crazy daughters Danielle Briseboise(Billy Jean) and Julie McCullough(Polly). Robert Culp (Daryl Pearson) was a reporter who covered the wild and crazy bank robbers all over the countryside. Daryl even watched the daughters go skinny dipping in one scene and nearly had his head blown completely off. Angie Dickinson had lots of sparks and romance with Culp and nothing was left to your imagination. This film was a 4th of July fireworks with everything burning up in the END! This is a classic film for Angie Dickinson fans, a must see if you missed it.
17 Reviews
A weak re-tread, but still fun
Leofwine_draca10 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
BIG BAD MAMA II is the cheap, B-movie sequel to the first film, with Roger Corman still producing. This time it was directed by no less than Jim Wynorski, who plays it up as a skin flick for all its worth; there are body doubles, skinny dipping and sex scenes shoehorned into the mix. The plot is a weak retread of the previous film's, but Angie Dickinson has fun reprising her role and there's novelty value from the casting of Robert Culp in a sympathetic role as well as Bruce Glover as the antagonist. The violent shoot-out at the climax is a lot of goofy fun.
What the What?
gavin69429 September 2017
When their home is repossessed, Wilma McClatchie's husband is killed and she and her two nubile young daughters set out to rob anything belonging to the owner of the bank concerned.
First of all, being a Jim Wynorski movie, you have to have low expectations. But even for him, this is rather a dud. Not his worst, but far from his best. Second, you have to wonder why Angie Dickinson would agree to this. Being in the first one was "slumming it", so this is practically an insult. Though surprisingly for a Wynorski film, this may have less nudity than the original.
And then there is the strange overt political message. Maybe I missed it, but I don't recall the talk about Hoover shanties and the rich against the poor in the first film. This time it is really blunt, not even cleverly worked in. What exactly is the point?
First of all, being a Jim Wynorski movie, you have to have low expectations. But even for him, this is rather a dud. Not his worst, but far from his best. Second, you have to wonder why Angie Dickinson would agree to this. Being in the first one was "slumming it", so this is practically an insult. Though surprisingly for a Wynorski film, this may have less nudity than the original.
And then there is the strange overt political message. Maybe I missed it, but I don't recall the talk about Hoover shanties and the rich against the poor in the first film. This time it is really blunt, not even cleverly worked in. What exactly is the point?
Woman-watching cheese
vandino16 May 2006
You watch this film because of the attractive women, not because you expect The Godfather', 'Bonnie and Clyde', or even 'Scarface.' Angie looks great (although she may be body doubled during her sex scene with Culp), and McCullough and Brisbois are barely clothed throughout, thank you very much. Otherwise, this is a clumsily written, directed and acted pile of junk. The action scenes are some of the worst staged for the screen, with Glover, Culp and others standing around, unconcerned, as explosions go off and bullets fly around them. Cops fire endless rounds at Angie and her girls in their jalopy and neither the car or the girls are ever scratched. Plotwise, we've got Dickinson and her girls shooting up cops and blasting their way out of banks then racing off... but the cops never follow. In fact, nobody seems to be after these brazen criminals except Culp, the reporter. The cops are apparently stumped, but Culp finds them without any effort, time and time again. It's all so obviously stupid, and the leads know it. Culp and Dickinson treat the film like a 'Smokey & The Bandit' lark with barely suppressed laughter in many of their scenes. But, once again, you're here for the feminine pulchritude.
Dead cops and Politicians! Mama style!
blacktiefight24 October 2006
What a terrible movie! The acting in this film is about the quality of a high school play, or a story driven pornography film. This is not pornography in this film, but there sure is a lot of gratuitous nudity! This is one of the only redeeming qualities of the film, one of the only things that saved it from receiving a rating on one star. Also there are a million cops that die in this film. Hardly offensive though since the violence is so unrealistic we can only laugh. But breasts pop out and become exposed in the most surprising and hilarious times, if you enjoy really really bad movies check this one out. This is a Bonnie and Clyde type story, where a mother and her two daughters are out for revenge. This film also features a sex scene with two of the oldest people i have ever seen rolling around naked!
Somebody shoot Jim Wynorski before he tries to direct again
dave13-113 April 2012
The first Big Bad Mama was a quickie Bonnie and Clyde wannabe on a much lower budget and a much shorter shooting schedule. Angie looked good and seemed to be enjoying herself in a rare bad girl role, and there were enough car chases and shoot-outs to keep the viewer from falling asleep.
Big Bad Mama II is more (and less) of the same. Mostly less, since writer- director Jim Wynorski aims for camp, but can't manage to get laughs with anything. (This was a career-long failing for him.) Angie is back, but she's now over 50, and the Depression gangster genre has put on a few years too. With nothing new in the way of story ideas or screen visuals, there seems to be no point too having made a sequel beyond cashing in on the original for its video notoriety. More car chases, more guns, but little point. The sequel is only for die hard Angie fans. Collectors of celebrity nude will be disappointed that Angie's nude scenes were doubled (by former Penthouse model Monique Gabrielle).
Big Bad Mama II is more (and less) of the same. Mostly less, since writer- director Jim Wynorski aims for camp, but can't manage to get laughs with anything. (This was a career-long failing for him.) Angie is back, but she's now over 50, and the Depression gangster genre has put on a few years too. With nothing new in the way of story ideas or screen visuals, there seems to be no point too having made a sequel beyond cashing in on the original for its video notoriety. More car chases, more guns, but little point. The sequel is only for die hard Angie fans. Collectors of celebrity nude will be disappointed that Angie's nude scenes were doubled (by former Penthouse model Monique Gabrielle).
Once more
BandSAboutMovies8 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Roger Corman and Angie Dickinson are still on board for another Big Bad Mama a decade later, bringing on Jim Wynorski as the director. Yes, the writer of Forbidden World, Sorceress and Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time as well as the director of Chopping Mall and so many more. Remember when the Medved brothers decried Dickinson being nude in the first Big Bad Mama? They must have been in full cringe mode for this one, even though Monique Gabrielle was her body double for this sequel effort.
Despite dying at the end of the original, Wilma McClatchie's (Dickinson) home is foreclosed on, her new man shot and killed and she and her daughters Billie Jean (this time played by Danielle Brisebois, who was in The Premonition, TV's Archie Bunker's Place and a member of the band New Radicals) and Polly (Julie McCullough, Playboy February 1986 Playmate of the Month who also appeared in the 1988 remake of The Blob and was on TV's Growing Pains until being fired once Kirk Saving Christmas Cameron converted to evangelical Christianity) return to a life of crime.
Crispin Glover's dad Bruce is in this, as are Robert Culp, Charles Cypers (Sheriff Leigh Brackett!) and Lin Shaye in a brief part as a bank teller. It's nowhere near as good as the original, which wasn't all that good to begin with, but when it's 2:43 AM and you're up all night with a toothache, you could really do worse, I guess.
Despite dying at the end of the original, Wilma McClatchie's (Dickinson) home is foreclosed on, her new man shot and killed and she and her daughters Billie Jean (this time played by Danielle Brisebois, who was in The Premonition, TV's Archie Bunker's Place and a member of the band New Radicals) and Polly (Julie McCullough, Playboy February 1986 Playmate of the Month who also appeared in the 1988 remake of The Blob and was on TV's Growing Pains until being fired once Kirk Saving Christmas Cameron converted to evangelical Christianity) return to a life of crime.
Crispin Glover's dad Bruce is in this, as are Robert Culp, Charles Cypers (Sheriff Leigh Brackett!) and Lin Shaye in a brief part as a bank teller. It's nowhere near as good as the original, which wasn't all that good to begin with, but when it's 2:43 AM and you're up all night with a toothache, you could really do worse, I guess.
Small Bad Sequel.
rmax30482321 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
A reasonable review of this cheap exploitation of "Bonnie and Clyde" might consist of a single sentence: "See 'Big Bad Mama' for review." The original must have made a few shekels because "Big Bad Mama II" is as close to a remake as you can get without being put into a position in which you can bring suit against yourself for plagiarism.
This remake has most of the elements of the original -- the old cars twirling around the dusty streets, the chattering Tommy guns, the corrupt rich man, the self-interested guy hanging around with a healthy interest in Big Bad Mama. It even has Angie Dickenson and her two lovely daughters as the principals.
However, this isn't as good. Please don't trouble to deny it. Yes, it has the bloody shoot outs, but it doesn't have the bare nakedness of the original. Frankly, it's not enough just to see someone's hands running over unidentifiable lumps of somebody else's flesh. We get brief glimpses of the two daughters capering topless in a pool, but not enough, especially considering that neither can act and one of them looks like a factory reject. What happened to Angie Dickenson's magnificent chest? I was dreadfully disappointed. My heart sank, also my libido. My advice: Rent "Big Bad Mama," the original, a true masterpiece of cinematic poetry. The blood practically spills from the screen along with the breasts.
This remake has most of the elements of the original -- the old cars twirling around the dusty streets, the chattering Tommy guns, the corrupt rich man, the self-interested guy hanging around with a healthy interest in Big Bad Mama. It even has Angie Dickenson and her two lovely daughters as the principals.
However, this isn't as good. Please don't trouble to deny it. Yes, it has the bloody shoot outs, but it doesn't have the bare nakedness of the original. Frankly, it's not enough just to see someone's hands running over unidentifiable lumps of somebody else's flesh. We get brief glimpses of the two daughters capering topless in a pool, but not enough, especially considering that neither can act and one of them looks like a factory reject. What happened to Angie Dickenson's magnificent chest? I was dreadfully disappointed. My heart sank, also my libido. My advice: Rent "Big Bad Mama," the original, a true masterpiece of cinematic poetry. The blood practically spills from the screen along with the breasts.
great cheesy fun!
SavalasFan19 May 2005
Roger Corman does it again! I had a wonderful time watching Big Bad Mama II. It's not exactly a work of art, but it is a fun flick! It's great to see Angie back as Big Bad Mama. She's a hell of a lot of fun! Robert Culp brings plenty of panache to his role too. Danielle Brisebois and Julie McCullough are both charming, funny, and sexy. Bruce Glover makes a terrific despicable villain who is fun to hate. Both Big Bad Mama movies are great cheesy flicks to enjoy when you just need some fun escapism. Don't expect an artistic masterpiece. Just pop plenty of corn, settle back in your favorite comfy chair, and enjoy 'em with your favorite beverage.
Fun sequel to the enjoyable original
Woodyanders8 December 2010
Warning: Spoilers
1934. Shrewd and two-fisted no-nonsense matriarch Wilma McClatchie (a still lovely and sprightly Angie Dickinson) and her two nubile daughters -- brash Billie Jean (the insanely gorgeous Danielle Brisebois) and the sweet, but rather dim-witted Polly (adorable Julie McCullough) -- get revenge on crooked politician Morgan Crawford (a sublimely slimy Bruce Glover) by not only robbing various banks he owns, but also by kidnapping his nice guy son Jordan (likable Jeff Yagher). Director/co-writer Jim Wynorski relates the compact story at constant quick pace, offers a sharp line in amusing campy'n'cheeky humor, stages the exciting, if less than realistic action scenes with real gusto (said action includes a fierce sisterly catfight and a wild anything-goes brawl in a bordello), manages a few moments of humanity amid all the merry silliness, presents a credible enough evocation of the Great Depression era, and, of course, gives us a generous sprinkling of tasty female nudity (a skinny dipping sequence with Julie and Danielle rates as the undeniable yummy highlight). The solid acting from an able cast helps matters a whole lot: Robert Culp lends excellent support as helpful and compassionate journalist Daryl Pearson, Ebbe Roe Smith is appropriately hateful as Morgan's sleazy assistant Lucas Stroud, Charles Cyphers does well as ornery police chief Stark, and Kelli Maroney has a cool last reel cameo as fast-driving fugitive Willie McClatchie. Robert C. New's polished cinematography boasts plenty of neat cinematic flourishes (I really dug the bullet hole-style scene transitions). Chuck Cirino's twangy and jaunty score hits the harmonic spot. A hugely entertaining outing.
a retread of a drive-in mainstay
silentgpaleo1 July 2000
BIG BAD MAMA, the original, was essentially a remake of BLOODY MAMA, without Shelley Winters. Angie Dickenson played a mama out for money and revenge, and there was plenty of violence and nudity to satisfy the fans of BLOODY MAMA. However, since BLOODY MAMA is basically a rip-off of BONNIE AND CLYDE, BIG BAD MAMA can't help but to seem familiar.
BIG BAD MAMA II(which is more of an afterthought) is a very watered-down retread. The source material was over ten years old when they made this one, and the story lacks any surprises. In fact, besides the fairly solid cast(Dickenson, Robert Culp), the main attraction of BB MAMA II is in seeing TV star Danielle Brisebois in the buff. BIG BAD MAMA II recalls some past successes, but as it stands, it's no big bad deal. The Depression-era cars, sets, and costumes are all in place, but not much else.
BIG BAD MAMA II(which is more of an afterthought) is a very watered-down retread. The source material was over ten years old when they made this one, and the story lacks any surprises. In fact, besides the fairly solid cast(Dickenson, Robert Culp), the main attraction of BB MAMA II is in seeing TV star Danielle Brisebois in the buff. BIG BAD MAMA II recalls some past successes, but as it stands, it's no big bad deal. The Depression-era cars, sets, and costumes are all in place, but not much else.
Julie McCullough
januszlvii18 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I just watched Big Bad Mama 2 after many years, and I forgo just how hot Julie McCullough was. I think of the scenes where her character ( Polly Mc. Clatchie) was swimming topless with her sister Billie Jean ( Danielle Brisebois) and where she was feeding her eventual love interest Jordan Crawford (Jeff Yagher). Jordan is an interesting character. His father Morgan (Bruce Glover) is a greedy and corrupt banker running for Governor ( his goons murdered the father of Polly and Billie Jean and husband of Wilma ( the main star Angie Dickinson)), yet he turned against him and chose Polly and the life of crime of her family. Spoilers ahead:,Of course, Morgan gets his courtesy of a Wilma shotgun (as do the majority of his corrupt cops getting killed by the ladies) and it was noted only three people attended his funeral ( including the undertaker), Billie Jean ended up owing a casino in Nevada and Polly (who was considered stupid by Billie Jean and even her mother said to Jordan "She is not terribly bright" (turned out to not being so stupid and married Jordan ( who served 25 years as a US Senator) and had 7 grandkids. There is one line that Polly says that sums up the difference between the two sisters: "Billie Jean is boy crazy, I only want one boy." ( Jordan). As for Wilma she is shown at the end teaching her great granddaughter how to be a crook. Again I really liked the movie: Especially Julie McCullough. 9/10 stars.
unwarranted sequel, has its moments
silentgpaleo29 June 2000
Angie Dickenson is back, and this time she's old. She does look good in a bubblebath, though, and her daughters have a skinny-dip.
This sequel to a film that ripped-off one film(BLOODY MAMA), which in turn was a rip-off of another flick(BONNIE AND CLYDE).
Needless to say, BIG BAD MAMA II is a watered-down affair. And Robert Culp looks embarrassed. It's a time-killer, with the emphasis on "kill".
This sequel to a film that ripped-off one film(BLOODY MAMA), which in turn was a rip-off of another flick(BONNIE AND CLYDE).
Needless to say, BIG BAD MAMA II is a watered-down affair. And Robert Culp looks embarrassed. It's a time-killer, with the emphasis on "kill".
More like Robin Hood than the first one
GOWBTW20 April 2018
Angie Dickinson is back! And she's bigger and badder than before. It's 2 years later, and Wilma McClatchie and her two daughters are at home with her boyfriend . All the peace ended when a land baron foreclosed the home, and boyfriend dies in the shootout. Wilma, Biilie(Danielle Brisebois) and Polly(Julie McCollough) go on a state run of crime to avenge her boyfriend and the poor. They come across a journalist(Robert Culp) who is just going along with the ride. They even kidnapped son of the next governor. He was more willing to help the ladies rather than his father.
This movie is has more comedy to it. But I remembered Brisebois from "Archie Bunker's Place". It won't be the same.
Wilma McClatchie is a legend in her own right. In the first one, she took over a business. In this one, she was more like the female Robin Hood. This one is funnier than the first one. And a little more fun.
Too bad they couldn't do a third one. Oh, well what can you do.
2 out of 5 stars.
Cheaply Produced Sequel That Delivers Some Fun
Michael_Elliott31 May 2011
Big Bad Mama II (1987)
*** (out of 4)
This "sequel" to the 1974 cult classic is more of a remake since the events in the first film are overlooked and the characters are pretty much starting from scratch. This time out after her husband is murdered, Wilma McClatchie (Dickinson) takes her daughters Billie Jean (Danielle Brisebois) and Polly (Julie McCullough) on a crime spree so that they won't have to go to bed hungry at night. Mama decides to get even with a crooked politician (Bruce Glover) by kidnapping his son (Jeff Yagher) but things don't go as planned. BIG BAD MAMA II was shot in about two weeks for an extremely small amount of money so one should keep that in mind. What's so funny is that director Wynorski knows that this isn't going to be an Oscar-winner so instead of trying something fancy he just keeps the film moving at a nice pace and throws in as much action as he can. The movie certainly isn't high quality and there's no question that it's not nearly as good as the first movie but I think the characters are so memorable and the cast do such a good job with them that you can't help but have fun as long as you don't mind this type of "B" film. Dickinson does a fine job in her role as she has no problem playing tough and she's still quite believable in the part. Robert Culp plays a reporter/love interest and he too does a fine job. I've read some reviews that said he looked embarrassed but I don't agree at all as it seems he's having a wonderful time and he has some nice chemistry with Dickinson. Brisebois is fine playing the tough daughter while McCullough is awfully cute as the good girl. Even Yagher is enjoyable in his part and fans of HALLOWEEN will enjoy seeing Charles Cyphers in a quick bit. Glover really steals the film as the sleazy bad guy as you can't help but get a real kick because he's certainly a no-good snake that you love to hate. The director keeps the film moving at an incredibly fast pace and we're treated to all sorts of action with non-stop bullets going around and we even get several explosions. In true Roger Corman fashion we even get a sequence where some new footage is mixed in with mostly scenes from the original movie. The nudity on display, especially that of McCullough, just adds to the fun. One strange thing is that in 1987 just about anything could go in the direct to video market (this did hit a few theaters) but this film is actually a lot tamer than the original with much of the sleaze cut out.
*** (out of 4)
This "sequel" to the 1974 cult classic is more of a remake since the events in the first film are overlooked and the characters are pretty much starting from scratch. This time out after her husband is murdered, Wilma McClatchie (Dickinson) takes her daughters Billie Jean (Danielle Brisebois) and Polly (Julie McCullough) on a crime spree so that they won't have to go to bed hungry at night. Mama decides to get even with a crooked politician (Bruce Glover) by kidnapping his son (Jeff Yagher) but things don't go as planned. BIG BAD MAMA II was shot in about two weeks for an extremely small amount of money so one should keep that in mind. What's so funny is that director Wynorski knows that this isn't going to be an Oscar-winner so instead of trying something fancy he just keeps the film moving at a nice pace and throws in as much action as he can. The movie certainly isn't high quality and there's no question that it's not nearly as good as the first movie but I think the characters are so memorable and the cast do such a good job with them that you can't help but have fun as long as you don't mind this type of "B" film. Dickinson does a fine job in her role as she has no problem playing tough and she's still quite believable in the part. Robert Culp plays a reporter/love interest and he too does a fine job. I've read some reviews that said he looked embarrassed but I don't agree at all as it seems he's having a wonderful time and he has some nice chemistry with Dickinson. Brisebois is fine playing the tough daughter while McCullough is awfully cute as the good girl. Even Yagher is enjoyable in his part and fans of HALLOWEEN will enjoy seeing Charles Cyphers in a quick bit. Glover really steals the film as the sleazy bad guy as you can't help but get a real kick because he's certainly a no-good snake that you love to hate. The director keeps the film moving at an incredibly fast pace and we're treated to all sorts of action with non-stop bullets going around and we even get several explosions. In true Roger Corman fashion we even get a sequence where some new footage is mixed in with mostly scenes from the original movie. The nudity on display, especially that of McCullough, just adds to the fun. One strange thing is that in 1987 just about anything could go in the direct to video market (this did hit a few theaters) but this film is actually a lot tamer than the original with much of the sleaze cut out.
"I Want Him Alive, And Her... Dead!"...
azathothpwiggins1 July 2019
Evicted from their homestead in a bloody shootout, Wilma McClatchie (Angie Dickinson) and her daughters, Polly and Billie Jean (Julie McCullough and Danielle Brisebois) must fall back on their penchant for armed robbery to survive.
Let the fun begin!
Basically, one big gun battle after another, interrupted by nudity, BIG BAD MAMA 2 is Director Jim Wynorski's cheeeze-filled sequel to Roger Corman's cult classic. This time, Robert Culp is along for the frivolous festivities.
As with the first film, Ms. Dickinson is what saves it from being a total abomination. Without her, this wouldn't be just schlock, it would be far more burdensome schlock! While nowhere near as good as the original, it does have a certain charm, usually involving the McClatchie sisters!
Actually, what hurts BBM2 the most is the fact that the first movie was shot in the 1970's, and had that aesthetic going for it. This movie was made in the late 1980's, and definitely has that decade's low-budget clunk-i-tude going on!
The final conflict is especially amazing, as the apparently-immortal McClatchies take on the entire police force!
Sooo, STEP ONE: Remove your brain and put it in your pocket. STEP TWO: Pray for the best, but expect the worst. STEP THREE: Enjoy...
Let the fun begin!
Basically, one big gun battle after another, interrupted by nudity, BIG BAD MAMA 2 is Director Jim Wynorski's cheeeze-filled sequel to Roger Corman's cult classic. This time, Robert Culp is along for the frivolous festivities.
As with the first film, Ms. Dickinson is what saves it from being a total abomination. Without her, this wouldn't be just schlock, it would be far more burdensome schlock! While nowhere near as good as the original, it does have a certain charm, usually involving the McClatchie sisters!
Actually, what hurts BBM2 the most is the fact that the first movie was shot in the 1970's, and had that aesthetic going for it. This movie was made in the late 1980's, and definitely has that decade's low-budget clunk-i-tude going on!
The final conflict is especially amazing, as the apparently-immortal McClatchies take on the entire police force!
Sooo, STEP ONE: Remove your brain and put it in your pocket. STEP TWO: Pray for the best, but expect the worst. STEP THREE: Enjoy...
She should have stayed in bed
lor_21 March 2023
My review was written in October 1987 after a screening in Parkchester, the Bronx.
"Big Bad Mama II" isw a very embarrassing followup to the 1974 Angie Dickinson drive-in hit. Currently in regional theatrical release, cheapie was advertised to open at three Manhattan sites but bumped to bookings in the other boroughs only.
As with producer Roger Corman's novel redoing of hsi "Jackson County Jail" as a "parallel world" sequel called "Outside Chance", "Mama II" is not a sequel to the original pi. Only Dickinson encores, as Wilma McClatchie, a gun-toting, tough-talking 1930s gangster in the mode of Ma Barker and Bonnie Parker. Her sexy daughters (Susan Sennett and Robbie Lee in the 1974 film; Danielle Brisebois and Julie McCullogh currently) are left fatherless in a prolog wherein villain Bruce Glover has their dad killed and the family evicted from their homestead.
Dickinson vows to get Glover, who is running for governor of Texas. She kidnaps his son (Jeff Yahger) and inducts him into her family band of bank robbers. Pic at this point becomes virtually plotless, with a hapless Robert Culp along for the ride as a Philadelphia reporter out to exploit the outlaws' story (and romance Dickinson). An action montage of footage from the first film is used to suggest scope and save money.l When not straining for idiotic "socially redeeming value" in having Dickinson show solidarity with striking miners and Hoovertown denizens, pic is one long rehash with endless machine gun fire, exploding squibs and period car chases.
Ita main thrust is to provide some skin for those successors to the drive-in: home video and paycable. Big surprise is that former tv child star of "Archie Bunker's Place", Danielle Brisebois, goes topless in a requisite frolic in a pond with sis McCullogh and in the process handily proves to have a better body than the former Playboy centerfold model. Dickinson has a nude bed scene with Culp, but is obviously subbed for b a body double this time.
The Peter Principle has former Corman publicis and writer for "Castle of Frankenstein" magazine Jim Wynorski directing this mess, which falls into the "no retakes" school of cinema. Actors' readings suffer accordingly and sense of ripoff is underscored by Chuck Cirino's music which draws heavily (and without credit) upon the work of Ennio Morricone, particularly his "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" score. Idiotic ending features Dickinson in a white wig in 1987 with great-granddaughter Willie (played by Kelli Maroney) to carry on the family tradition.
"Big Bad Mama II" isw a very embarrassing followup to the 1974 Angie Dickinson drive-in hit. Currently in regional theatrical release, cheapie was advertised to open at three Manhattan sites but bumped to bookings in the other boroughs only.
As with producer Roger Corman's novel redoing of hsi "Jackson County Jail" as a "parallel world" sequel called "Outside Chance", "Mama II" is not a sequel to the original pi. Only Dickinson encores, as Wilma McClatchie, a gun-toting, tough-talking 1930s gangster in the mode of Ma Barker and Bonnie Parker. Her sexy daughters (Susan Sennett and Robbie Lee in the 1974 film; Danielle Brisebois and Julie McCullogh currently) are left fatherless in a prolog wherein villain Bruce Glover has their dad killed and the family evicted from their homestead.
Dickinson vows to get Glover, who is running for governor of Texas. She kidnaps his son (Jeff Yahger) and inducts him into her family band of bank robbers. Pic at this point becomes virtually plotless, with a hapless Robert Culp along for the ride as a Philadelphia reporter out to exploit the outlaws' story (and romance Dickinson). An action montage of footage from the first film is used to suggest scope and save money.l When not straining for idiotic "socially redeeming value" in having Dickinson show solidarity with striking miners and Hoovertown denizens, pic is one long rehash with endless machine gun fire, exploding squibs and period car chases.
Ita main thrust is to provide some skin for those successors to the drive-in: home video and paycable. Big surprise is that former tv child star of "Archie Bunker's Place", Danielle Brisebois, goes topless in a requisite frolic in a pond with sis McCullogh and in the process handily proves to have a better body than the former Playboy centerfold model. Dickinson has a nude bed scene with Culp, but is obviously subbed for b a body double this time.
The Peter Principle has former Corman publicis and writer for "Castle of Frankenstein" magazine Jim Wynorski directing this mess, which falls into the "no retakes" school of cinema. Actors' readings suffer accordingly and sense of ripoff is underscored by Chuck Cirino's music which draws heavily (and without credit) upon the work of Ennio Morricone, particularly his "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" score. Idiotic ending features Dickinson in a white wig in 1987 with great-granddaughter Willie (played by Kelli Maroney) to carry on the family tradition.
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