The Bonnie Parker Story

Don't turn on this flick for a lesson about the real life gangsters here. Bonnie is the brains in this mob. Throw in some 1950s rockabilly on the radio from the future and enjoy the ride.

When this story began, I noticed that this low budget film didn't even bother to try to look the correct period. While it was set in 1932, clothing and dress mostly looked like it was from 1958....and both had changed dramatically over this period of time. I can only assume the filmmakers simply didn't care about getting the look right or they had so little money to spend, they didn't bother. The real life Bonnie Parker looked about as much as Dorothy Provine as a tomato!

Either way, I wasn't very impressed.

The same can be said about the story itself. While it's supposed to be about Bonnie of Bonnie and Clyde fame, the story is only VERY broadly about them. Heck, they even call Clyde 'Guy' in order to avoid problems with royalties and permission to film the story in the first place! Had they stuck to the facts, such permission probably wouldn't have been needed but the film is essentially fiction.

Because of these problems, my advice is to just watch the film and accept it on its own terms. Ignore that it's not really Bonnie's story and ignore that the look of the film is all wrong...otherwise, finishing the movie will be very difficult! Ditto with the WAY over the top behaviors by Bonnie....she's played like a complete maniac with zero subtlety. And, at least this way, you CAN enjoy it because it's so ridiculous and overdone.

The Bonnie Parker story is very different from many other American International movies. It doesn't deal with monsters or spaceships, but with a tough gangster, Bonnie Parker. Bonnie is played very well by Dorothy Provine, who's absolutely smashing in this picture (for all 50s style fans: she's a very good reason for watching this movie!). The story may not be as truthful as "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967), but there are many similarities between these two films. A difference is the fact they changed Clyde Barrow, Bonnie's partner, into Guy Darrow. I don't know why they did this, but it may very well be AIP wasn't allowed to use the real name, as has been the case with many classic true stories made in those days. Considering the low budget they had for making this movie, it's very well done. Some people complain about the 50s style approach to the story and to the music, but it didn't bother me at all. If you like the 50s style B-movies, you'll love this one!

BONNIE AND CLYDE happens to be my favorite film, but as far as "exploitation" flicks go, this one is much fun and I wish I owned it. Ms. Provine is a jewel - sassy and bold and beautiful! Sidney Lassick from CUCKOO'S NEST has a small part as well. A 5 out of 10. Best performance = Dorothy Provine.

Late 50's and 60's exploitation flicks come with varying qualities, but this should be a camp classic, for it's inaccuracies, name changes, and outright hilarious dialogue, but Ms. Provine is a tough little cookie and means what she says and makes it a worthwhile film experience. Definitely hunt this one down!

AIP makes a 30s gangster movie, starring a very 50s looking Dorothy Provine as bombshell and bank robber Bonnie Parker. Why the screenwriters felt compelled to keep Clyde Barrow OUT of the story is only one of the confusing things about this film; instead they substituted a character called Guy Darrow!! And dig the so-close-to-rock-n-roll-it-made-me-put-on-my-blue-suede-shoes music on the soundtrack. Obviously aimed at the teen market of the time, The Bonnie Parker Story just looks weird now. Provine is actually pretty good if you can get past her Mamie Van Doren hair and bustline, but there's not much else to recommend here.