Tomboy - Junge, was für ein Mädche

Shamelessly riffing most of its narrative beats from Flashdance, but instead of Kevin Bacon dancing, it's the world's slowest stock car race, Tomboy is a real slice of endearing and exploitative 80s B-movie nonsense, a typically silly romantic sex comedy, filled with poor acting, bizarre direction and weirdly high-energy bangers on its soundtrack. Director Herb Freed offers oodles of cheap titillation which often left me equal parts wincing as it did laughing at how inept someone can be when it comes to directing this sort of thing, an exceptionally sweet Betsy Russell acting circles around the rest of the cast even when her character is one-note and completely irrational, a naff 'battle of the sexes' storyline that hilariously mishandles its core message and one of the worst car races in movie history which help to elevate the film from utter drivel to entertainingly hilarious cheese. Rather than providing a full service and mot, Tomboy instead offers an interim at a fraction of the cost, an uproarious delight of a bygone era, one that aims higher than the B-grade schlock it was always meant to be.

Despite her masculine sounding name and a love of traditionally male pursuits (fixing cars, basketball, baseball, driving like a maniac), there's nothing remotely butch about Tommy Boyd (Betsy Russell) when it comes to her physique: under the baseball cap and greasy overalls, there is an absolute babe waiting to get out, as stock car driver Randy Starr (Gerard Christopher) discovers when he invites Tommy (short for Tomasina) to pay him a visit at the mansion of his millionaire sponsor Ernie Leeds Jr (Eric Douglas).

A typically silly 80s romantic sex comedy, Tomboy is predictable, poorly acted and badly directed nonsense, but the oodles of cheap titillation courtesy of the awesomely sexy Russell (and Kristi Somers as her equally hot best friend, dancer Seville Ritz), a naff 'battle of the sexes' story-line, and one of the worst car races in movie history (Tommy's vehicle being equipped with a daft onboard computer and rocket propulsion) help to elevate the film from utter drivel to entertaining cheeze, making it more fun than it really has any right to be.

Not a flashback for anytime of my young boy to teenager 1970's, or my young adult to college BA and Master degree then first professional job in 1989, nor does it represent the hundreds of people I knew and worked or studied with during this time. However, it simply is a mindless ride into what might of been if all the stars were aligned and an actual UFO had landed inside your favorite college or NFL stadium and world peace had spontaneously broken out. Grab some popcorn, your favorite drink, put the top down on your convertible, and shot for the stars. A Crown International Picture, and thank God, not a Cannon production. I bought a used 12 pack of Too Cool for School as wanted to see The Van, and I will say that you get a full 1920 Kps with 12 chapter index, while a Cannon 4 pack had no chapter indexes and usually 75 minute run time, while AIP run a full 90 minutes. I also own AIP 200 movie pack of drive in both horror and sci fi and most US movies are filmed with professional care, unlike Canon and many International producers.

I had a lot of fun with this movie. Betsy Russell is charming as 'Tommy' and the film is pure teen 80s sexploitation cheesiness. Don't get me wrong, the movie would be considered trash by most standards and there is probably an excess of skin (is that even possible?), but there is also an honest innocence and a lot of nostalgic charm.

Another selection from the Mill Creek 200 drive in cult classics box set.

What can I say about this one. If you like lame comedy weak plot, cheesy soundtracks and ample amount of nudity you will love this.

Tommy is a misunderstood gal. She loves fixing cars being tough and racing. No one respects her for being herself they all want her to be more girly and get laid already.

These movies were a dime a dizen back in the 80's. To friends just having fun and getting in to trouble. There is a race and montages but really not much to say.

Great movie kept my interest and was never boring. Some really good stuff here. If you haven't seen it I would give it a watch.

Definitely a highlight in this box set so far.