Superchick

The name "cult movie" is often given to films which continue to be screened, or to sell in home movie format, more than a generation after they were first released. Superchick, which was first released in 1973, now comes into this category. Its cult status is largely due to ongoing interest in it by those women who regard it as an early and effective feminist film.

Despite the "Superwoman" connotation, "Superchick" is not a cartoon character but a very competent young lady working as an air stewardess - a career option which in the 1970's was commonly regarded as one of the most glamorous open to any girl, and which also enables her to emulate the traditional matelot who reputedly has a wife in every port. Since she holds black belt status in karate, she is in a position to make it quite clear that she is very happy with her bachelor existence, and is in no way beholden to any of her extensive suite of male admirers. This film is a situation comedy which avoids the generally much shorter lived appeal of outright farce. Its appeal to feminists is also heightened by a climax in which our heroine uses her karate abilities to avert a hijacking and save all the other passengers on her plane from a potentially unpleasant fate. To ensure that this film will appeal to men as well as to their partners, the Director has wisely ensured that is liberally sprinkled with eye candy.

Superchick can be enjoyed by those who are not too critical and want a very light easy to watch comedy which they will forget soon after viewing. It is so forgettable that they will probably find it equally enjoyable if watched again in a year's time; despite its age it may therefore retain its status as a cult movie for some time to come. However the dialogue and acting would make it hard to give this film a rating of more than 4/10.

Isn't everybody dreaming about a job on an airplane. In every city your lover and having parties all the time. That's exactly what this picture shows although most stewardesses are as boring as hell. It's a world full with ego's and girls who think that they are IT. But I'm off track so back to this flick.

For people thinking that this is some kind of superwoman they are wrong. This has nothing to do with bionic powers or supernatural gifts. By superchick they mean a girl who is only out to make love to men all over the world. So in fact, on board of the airplane she's a nerdy looking stewardess (like in the real world) but once she is the airport she do go to the restroom to change into a vixen. Played by Joyce Jillson, who really looked nice and do go nude with her boobies a lot of times. She just came out of the smasher series Peyton Place (1986) as Jill Smith. She did really well here with her disguise and performance which lead to bigger roles (in TV series) but she stopped acting in 1981 and died in 2004 due kidney failure. But she became notorious too as an astrologer and she even claimed that she advised Reagan campaign aides to select George Bush as Reagan's running mate in 1980. Also in this flick is John Carradine, father of Chris Carradine, David Carradine, Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine. Also notice the quick performance of big boobies by Candy Samples, one of Russ Meyer's favourites.

But at the end of the day, it doesn't has a lot to offer except stupid situations with some gangsters and a marine. It's just a no-brainer to have fun at pot parties and a flasher. Nothing more nothing less, not a superflick.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 2/5 Effects 0/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 1,5/5

Suggesting nothing less than a movie-length version of the 1970s TV hit "Love, American Style," decked out with flashes of nudity, "Superchick" (1973) is a lighthearted piece of fluff that somehow still manages to entertain. And the lead character here, Tara B. True, really IS some kind of superchick. A stewardess (not flight attendant) who's so good-looking that even her plane's autopilot has made a pass at her (!), and with a hunky boyfriend in every port, this wingin', swingin' gal really does put the "lay" in "layover." What with her germaphobe surgeon beau in New York, her playboy with gangster problems in Miami, and her creatively challenged rock star dude in L.A., Tara sure does keep busy. And when she's not draining these guys of all their manly energies, as the viewer learns, she's liable to be taking a karate class, mile-high clubbing, fending off flashers and rapists, attending groovy pot parties AND stopping a hijacking attempt on her airplane. As I said, lighthearted fun, and surely good for a night when you're feeling somewhat brain-dead and just want to veg out in front of the tube. Future astrologist Joyce Jillson does bring some vacuous charm to her role as Tara, and the film looks handsome enough to please. Disappointingly, buxom '70s faves Uschi Digard and Mary Gavin (aka Candy Samples) are wasted here in very small roles, but still get to do what they do best--show off their chesticles! Though the picture is never laff-out-loud funny and doesn't really have many thoughts in its metaphorical head, it does succeed in being consistently amusing, and I suppose that is something. Strange that the end credits should call attention to Ms. Jillson's body double, however; don't think I've ever seen THAT before!

Tara B. True works for Crown International Airlines (yes, really) as a demur airline hostess by day. By night, she becomes…Superchick! Under the guise of the latter she transforms into a blonde bombshell who not only proves irresistible to men but who also fights crime whenever necessary. She holds a black belt in karate and has a doting man at every major flight destination, namely unwitting dopes in New York, Miami and Los Angeles; while at 40,000 feet different rules apply and she bags a young army stud in the airplane restroom.

Despite what its title and poster suggest, this one only barely qualifies as an action movie at all with a very thin supply of martial arts combat. The focus is squarely on comedy scenes. We follow the Superchick go from man to man, from one episode to another and marvel at the japes that accompany her. Truthfully, the comedy is only occasionally amusing and is often pretty clunky stuff, although the whole endeavour stays just on the right side of likability. It definitely has one foot in the sexploitation genre though, with a smattering of nudity throughout. Lead actress Joyce Jillson isn't too shy here and there are also a couple of very eye popping appearances for us to savour from busty 70's icons Uschi Digard and Candy Samples - going under the moniker of Mary Gavin. Yummy. We also have John Carradine turn up for one of the many bizarre cameo roles he made in all manner of low budget fare, in this one he is a retired actor with an S&M fetish and, needless to say, his character makes absolutely no sense and has no impact on the story as a whole but, as the saying goes, it's nice to know he was there. In the final analysis, this is one strictly for forgiving fans of 70's b-movies. While it has its problems, it ultimately ticked a few boxes for me.

Joyce Jillson seemed to be a shaggy dog type waiting for the studio bosses and celebrities to adopt. She did well on stage, but on screen a peculiar deadpan voice seemed to emerge not very appealing in this film. Since she wasn't given many chances to improve, she found a niche for herself as an astrologer. Her suggestions for new projects weren't that bad, after all, The Love Boat became a long running hit TV show. Superchick is of course a low budget spoof of Superman and Supergirl. Meanwhile disguised as homely airline stewardess Tara B True, Superchick fought for truth, justice and the American way! Not a bad idea for a TV series, either. But you know nobody ever wants to put a good show on TV, so we're stuck with this turkey. Tara has 3 men she's in love with in different cities, and can't decide which one she wants to marry. Nice karate work, though. Somebody younger might have given the part a little more enthusiasm.