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That's the power statement of Varla (Tura Santana), a go-go dancer turned criminal, as he faces young "All-American boy" Tommy (Ray Barlow) and his girlfriend Linda (Susan Bernard). Her statement might be born out of a general hatred and disgust towards specific men (like the ones screaming at them in the opening, "Go! Go!"), but it can also be seen as a statement of defiance against the established dominance of the traditional "All-American man".
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! follows Varla, Rosie (Haji), and Billie (Lori Williams), who end up getting rid of Tommy and kidnapping Linda. When they stumble upon an old man (Stuart Lancaster) and his two adult sons, they find out they might be hiding a lot of money, so they decide to con them.
This is only my second Meyer film, so I'm by no means an expert, but it does seem to include the two ingredients that he's mostly known for: voluptuous women and edgy violence. Whatever the story is, Meyer finds good excuses to have them shake their booties, roll around in the water or in the ground, and walk around topless after taking a shower.
I do find it interesting how in the midst of all these excesses, there seems to be an attempt to empower women, one way or another, while also putting men down, which you can see in the three main male characters: an old man with two sons, one strong, yet "dim-witted", and another smarter, yet "weak". After all, that's how the older one describes himself as he succumbs to the charms of Varla.
Although some of the performances are spotty, there are a few (especially Santana's) that are worth a watch, if anything for the scenery chewing. Williams is also pretty solid, but her performance is more muted than the other two actresses. Bernard also manages to hold her own. Unfortunately, her character doesn't have much to do other than run and scream.
One of my main problems with the film is that it doesn't really establish well who we are supposed to follow, which makes it feel a bit unfocused at first. Even though we start and finish with the three dancers, their motivations are never explored. Linda is the character that we might identify with the most, but her character behaves like the typical damsel in distress; and the man that ends up being her protector is "weak" and not well developed.
Regardless of that, if you're looking for a bombastic film with flashy performances and a good dose of excess, this might be worth a watch. In the words of Varla, "Wanna try me?"
Grade:
FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!
(1965, Meyer)
A film from Russ Meyer
(1965, Meyer)
A film from Russ Meyer
"I never try anything. I just do it. And I don't beat clocks, just people! Wanna try me?"
That's the power statement of Varla (Tura Santana), a go-go dancer turned criminal, as he faces young "All-American boy" Tommy (Ray Barlow) and his girlfriend Linda (Susan Bernard). Her statement might be born out of a general hatred and disgust towards specific men (like the ones screaming at them in the opening, "Go! Go!"), but it can also be seen as a statement of defiance against the established dominance of the traditional "All-American man".
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! follows Varla, Rosie (Haji), and Billie (Lori Williams), who end up getting rid of Tommy and kidnapping Linda. When they stumble upon an old man (Stuart Lancaster) and his two adult sons, they find out they might be hiding a lot of money, so they decide to con them.
This is only my second Meyer film, so I'm by no means an expert, but it does seem to include the two ingredients that he's mostly known for: voluptuous women and edgy violence. Whatever the story is, Meyer finds good excuses to have them shake their booties, roll around in the water or in the ground, and walk around topless after taking a shower.
I do find it interesting how in the midst of all these excesses, there seems to be an attempt to empower women, one way or another, while also putting men down, which you can see in the three main male characters: an old man with two sons, one strong, yet "dim-witted", and another smarter, yet "weak". After all, that's how the older one describes himself as he succumbs to the charms of Varla.
Although some of the performances are spotty, there are a few (especially Santana's) that are worth a watch, if anything for the scenery chewing. Williams is also pretty solid, but her performance is more muted than the other two actresses. Bernard also manages to hold her own. Unfortunately, her character doesn't have much to do other than run and scream.
One of my main problems with the film is that it doesn't really establish well who we are supposed to follow, which makes it feel a bit unfocused at first. Even though we start and finish with the three dancers, their motivations are never explored. Linda is the character that we might identify with the most, but her character behaves like the typical damsel in distress; and the man that ends up being her protector is "weak" and not well developed.
Regardless of that, if you're looking for a bombastic film with flashy performances and a good dose of excess, this might be worth a watch. In the words of Varla, "Wanna try me?"
Grade: