Mudhoney/Review

Set against the dusty backdrop of 1933 Depression era Missouri, Russ Meyer's southern fried drama Mudhoney tells the story of an ex-con drifter named Calif McKinney (John Furlong) who comes to the doorstep of farmer Lute Wade (Stuart Lancaster) looking for work.

Calif is warmly greeted by Wade's sexy daughter Hannah Brenshaw (Antoinette Cristiani) who immediately takes a shine to him. There wouldn't be a film without drama and that is caused by Hannah's leering, hard drinking, cheating hubby Sidney (Hal Hopper) Whenever This guy appears he chews up the scenery like a redneck gorilla.

While Calif becomes closer with Lute and Hannah earning their trust and admiration, Sidney grows more irritated, drinking and carousing even harder. One day he sets his sights on a local beauty, the busty mute neighbor Clara Belle (Lorna Maitland). Sidney's plan is to take overLute's farm after he dies and meanwhile he is biding his time.

Sidney becomes more estranged from Hannah so he seeks the aid of a local man of God, Brother Hansen (Frank Bolger). Hansen inspires Sidney to attack Calif with a smear campaign which soon brings up his past in prison. This plan riles all the local residents up and soon the entire town is embroiled in the family drama. Calif and Hannah who have fallen in love, decide to leave together but Sidney, as much of a bastard as he is, still has some grasp on his wife.

The end of the film is truly thrilling and a throwback to classic Westerns with its theme of frontier justice. Along with Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! and Beyond The Valley of the Dolls, Mudhoney is one of Russ Meyer's very best efforts. Recommended.