She-Man: A Story of Fixation

Jaw-droppingly awful; "She-Man: A Story of Fixation" is another Z-movie out to shock, in this case with a tale of transvestism and lesbians. It was directed by Bob Clark; yes, the same Bob Clark who made "Porky's" and at 66 minutes it certainly doesn't outstay its welcome. If you haven't heard of it, that's understandable as it's unlikely to have seen the light of day outside of those cinemas that were once popular in London's Soho and New York's 42nd Street. It may aim for seriousness but settles instead for sleaze and the kind of production values you might associate with a horror film of the trashiest kind as if 'she-men' were just one step away from vampires. A curio, then, but one that now seems positively prehistoric and definitely a must to avoid.

This movie is best described as weird, strange, bizarre, and freaky. Aside from Jeff Gillen(Famous among cult-movie buffs for his role as "Fats" in the 1967 Biker flick, Wild Rebels) this grade "Z", no budget film has a cast of unknowns. As a matter-of-fact I believe the two leading actors never acted again. It's clear that staring in this mess must of ended their acting careers on the spot! Directed by Bob Clark(he went on to direct Porky's I and II), the film is about a soldier who is black-mailed into wearing women's underwear and such! The acting is stiff, over-the-top, and wooden. The script is cheesy and the film's texture isn't much better. The film tries to be serious, but it's so bad it's funny. The whole thing however leaves a bad taste in your mouth. She-Man is not a He-Man. Skip this one. I'd rate it a minus 10. It's awful!

I won't disagree with those who say this an awful movie. But it is an interesting bit of movie memorabilia. This movie was most notable for two things: First, Clark's directorial review. Second: The fact that Jayne Mansfield was slated to star in this movie but her untimely death saved her that agony. I still have the original poster with her name on it.

The movie was not filmed exclusively in Miami, but parts of it were filmed in the Southeastern Pictures studio in Lehigh Acres, Florida. Producer and investor David Putnam was the famed owner of Binney-Smith Crayola Crayons and Putnam Publishing, as well as the step-son of Amelia Earhart.

I know all of this because my father was lighting director on all of Southeastern Pictures' films, as well as a sometimes stunt man. If this movie isn't your cup of tea, then you should definitely try out "Cotton Pickin' Chicken Pickers." The script isn't gold, but the cast is, featuring, among others, silent star Lila Lee, Slapsy Maxy Rosenbloom, and Slim Pickens. Oh, the movie is perfectly awful, but I'll watch it a dozen times just for the chance to see my father drive an air-boat across land or bend an amphi-car in half.

God bless!

Let me first say I LOVE many of Bob Clark's films, and that is the main reason I checked this one out. I also love cheesy movies (ie Robot Monster, Plan 9 From Outer Space, Glen or Glenda etc). But this film that comes in at 68 minutes, was dreadful. There are several other films of this genre that are much more entertaining. Avoid this one. You've been warned.

This early effort from Bob Clark trods the hoary old boards of the sexploitation flick by bookending the actual film with pseudo-authoritative commentary by an MD that purports to give information to dispel myths and educate the audience about the pressing issues portrayed in the film. Yeah right. People really need a 70 minute PSA about the dangers of malevolent transvestites who blackmail people into indentured servant-hood and forced cross-dressing. Something else this movie has in common with the sexploitation flicks of old is the sheer cheesiness of the sets: the same wood-paneled room is used again and again for an office, a bedroom, and a "gender reassignment" room, where the hapless victims are alternately shaved, plucked, made up, or bound with ace bandages, depending on which gender they are to become. Necessity is the mother of invention!