The Bonnie Parker Story

For those who don't know who Bill Witney was, let me explain, he was the most famous serial maker ever. The most gifted in that domain. Besides this, he also directed films and also TV episodes. Grade Z westerns too, starring Allan Rocky Lane, Gene Autry or Roy Rogers, singing cowboys. So, you see...This one, made in the late fifties, tells a topic in the early sixties mode ( rebel youth, juvenile delinquency) but which actually takes place in the thirties. Bill Witney, long before Arthur Penn, told Bonnie Parker's story using this juvenile revolt; smart, isn't it? Dotty Provine is outstanding here. It is taut, tense, tragic, and an excellent film noir from a serial specialist. But after all Spencer Gordon Bennet, also a vet serial director, gave us THE BOUNTY HUNTER, which was for him BONNIE PARKER STORY was for Witney. Try one day to watch, also from Witney, STRANGER AT MY DOOR, a strange film really worth; don't worry I will talk about it later.

I hadn't heard of William Witney until this movie. Checking his profile on IMDb, I find that he was a complete filmmaker, a very prolific director, "Bonanza" and "Mike Hammer" being two of the most famous things he worked on. Now, about the salt and pepper in this movie: the very beautiful Dorothy Provine! Very beautiful! And very gifted! She is the film, it's worth seeing only because of her. I never thought I'd see her in such an extremely tough gangster role, after seeing her in very soft parts in movies like, "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World", "Good Neighbor Sam" "The Great Race", "That Darn Cat!", "Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die", "Never a Dull Moment", all 6 excellent comedies that delighted my adolescence and that I have seen each many times, especially "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World", which is also the best of all. Only 42 credits as an actress on IMDb but, due to her unique personality and talent, I'm convinced, she deserves to be discovered in all the movies in which she starred.

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!

Do not look for a Penn-like movie,you would be disappointed ; in this film ,as the title reads, the star is Bonnie and Bonnie only;the others serve as foils to her .The poster tells the whole story.

The names were changed ,even Clyde's ; Buck and Blanche's appearance is short-lived .Blanche is not the ugly shrew (Estelle Parsons) of the sixties film : anyway the real sister-in-law always claimed she was more good-looking than Bonnie.Paul,Bonnie's husband, also shows up ,but he actually took no part in Bonnie's dangerous adventures, having not seen her after his time in jail .Gone are the "Robin Hood" side and Bonnie' s "trail's end" poem .

Here ,Bonnie is the gang's boss ,her authority over her accomplices is stunning . Fortunately ,Dorothy Provine -even though for today's audience Bonnie has Faye Dunaway's face forever- is up to scratch and it's for her you should watch this.

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!