La famiglia assassina di Mà Barker

I agree -- it was low budget schlock at its worst -- but I enjoyed it! I enjoyed seeing a Young Don Grady (of TV's My Three Sons fame) as one of the kids in the beginning of the film...Lurene Tuttle was quite 'campy' in her portrayal of 'Ma.' I only knew her from her days as the older nurse on the late 1960's TV series 'Julia' (starring Diahann Carroll).

I'll tell you how much I enjoyed this picture, I had gone to see a movie based on a Tony Award winning play earlier in the day, something that I had been looking forward to seeing, but I was thoroughly disenchanted and disgusted with it.

At least, with 'Ma', I did not expect HIGH expectations of it, but I enjoyed it!

I saw this with my family as a surprise studio preview to get reviews from the public. I was10 years old and this was in Burbank, CA. It was shocking to me then but I now know it was pretty campy. But Mr. Barker's killing was the worst for me. I think my parents were pissed off but we stayed through to the end.

A major disappointment. As the apocryphal prize-winning cook and master criminal, Laurene Tuttle (who later the same year had a hilarious cameo as Sheriff Chambers' wife in 'Psycho') could really have shone as Ma Barker if she'd been backed by a halfway decent script & production; but this drab-looking quickie bogs down in endless talk and poorly executed action.

The high spot is probably the eye-watering scene in which Byron Foulger plays a plastic surgeon too drunk to properly handle a scalpel.

Saw this free on youtube... This movie was hilarious. Imdb says Made in Sherman Oaks...CA (I need to watch it again since I live in Sherman Oaks.) I loved it.

It has surprise after surprise...I don't care if it's real history. Neither would Tarantino.

Look at those 1930's cars......real classics. Also has a great song performed...pure camp genius and fast pace.

"Ma Barker's Killer Brood" is a bad film. Most of the exploits of Ma Barker and her boys in this film are complete fiction. The gang did not have parties attended by all the most-wanted criminals (Dillinger, Machine Gun Kelly and many others). Additionally, the writing and characterizations were far from subtle. Yet, despite being a bad film, it has a certain kitschy quality that makes it fun viewing. I am pretty sure that Lurene Tuttle had a grand time acting as the leading lady!! In many ways, I think this film was an inspiration to John Waters, as you see a lot of Divine in this film. Don't believe me? Try watching "Pink Flamingos" and "Female Trouble" and you'll see what I mean. Herein lies the beauty of the film. It never strives for accuracy but instead tries very, very hard to be loud, outlandish and ridiculous--and VERY enjoyable. Although I gave the film a 5, it IS a must-see for bad movie freaks!

By the way, in a case of interesting casting, look of future "My Three Sons" actor Don Grady as a member of this hellish clan!