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

Back in the 1970's there was a lot of exploitation films: Sexploitation, Blaxpoitation, and others to mention. In "Superchick", you won't find it in a comic book! Here you have a stewardess(Joyce Jillson, 1945-2004) who wears her stewardess uniform. When she's off duty, she goes from brunette, to long hair blonde. The short hair brunette her is meek and mild. Her Superchick mode is adventurous and uninhibited. Consider this, the ultimate lover. She has three: A brain surgeon in New York; a beach bum in Miami; and a musician in Los Angeles. Each one knew nothing about the other. But the one in Miami was involved with a criminal mastermind. Unaware of the situation, she does her regular job as usual. In California, she goes to karate class where she meets the champion who is secretly bilingual. After a fine jostling, he gets the surprise of his life. After thwarting a hijacking, she has her "coming out" party. The funny part during the interview is when has her "news flash". This one is subtle, still true to its name. At least she didn't wear a cape and fly all over the US looking for love. That would be too corny! 2 out of 5 stars.

Tara B. True (Jillson) is the ultimate party-girl; she has enough love to share with the world, so she became a stewardess to romance the world. With a guy in every port, Tara hides her blonde bombshell body disguised as a brunette. This movie is so 1970's, that the fashions have returned. For those fans in the know, poor Louis Quinn probably went blind (see Archie Bunker's Place) by Tara's dazzling beauty. John Carradine has a wonderful cameo.

I'm not a "bad movie" fan, but this one has to be one of the exceptions. Probably unwatchable in 1973, the lifestyles, the lingo, and the attitudes are so comically dated that they lift the film to the level of unintentional satire. The plot is terrific. At least I think it is. I never really figured out what the plot is. But the atmostphere is like Valley Of The Dolls with 1/3 the calories. Superchick wanders from bed to bed without any apparent reason, and stops to deliver a few ridiculously bad Karate shots on the unsuspecting bad guys. Well worth watching if you understand that you aren't getting The Maltese Falcon.