Red-Barracuda Common Law Cabin is one of the more obscure directorial efforts from exploitation legend Russ Meyer. This was one of the ones which came from his 'soap opera' period from the late 60's, in which he made a few over-the-top melodramas. This one is set at a dilapidated tourist trap up the Colorado River run by a depressed middle-aged man, his ex-stripper helper and his sexy daughter. An alcoholic boatman rounds up three suckers to pay money to holiday in this dump, an uptight doctor, his sexually aggressive wife and an ominous stranger. Needless to say, it doesn't take long before things start to get out of hand.This one is a bit rougher round the edges than most Meyer movies, with less impressive photography and editing that we are used to seeing from him. Despite this, its unmistakably one of his movies and contains several elements common to many of his other films, such as married couples at war with one-and-other, violence, buxom women, hints of incest and all of it ultimately being played for laughs in a deadpan manner. The story is pretty lacking here it has to be said and it essentially boils down to a series of events. Like all Meyer movies, much of the success comes down to the women and in this case we have three, Babette Bardot, Adele Rein and Alaina Capri. They are all good value with Capri being the standout, although she was even better in Good Morning... and Goodbye! Which Meyer also released in the same year. It's probably worth pointing out that there isn't any actual nudity in this one, with the edits always cutting away before anything can be seen – so from an erotic standpoint this one is more about acres of cleavage and heaving bosoms. So, it's a relatively restrained affair I guess. It's certainly not in the upper bracket of the Meyer cannon but it's still an enjoyable enough romp nevertheless.

morrison-dylan-fan With having found auteur film maker Russ Meyer's Film Noir quartet to be a wonderfully deranged take on the genre,I decided to take my first look at what is,perhaps Meyer's most overlooked film era.The plot:Being the only family to own a cabin that is based in the middle of a huge river,recently widowed Dewey Hoople decides to take advantage of his families position,by arranging for the only near by resident who lives in the area that owns a boat (Cracker) to drop off any passers-by to the families cabin,so that Dewey can charge huge amounts for "unlucky" travellers's who have to stay at Hoople's cabin,whilst they wait for Cracker to make his return.Excited about getting asked by a husband (Dr.Martin Ross),his wife (Sheila) and a friend,(Barney Rickert-who seems to have some less then secret eyes for Shelia),to take them on a "surprise adventure",Cracker sets sail for Dewey's cabin,with a big smile on his face over the cash that they are about to make out of the unsuspecting visitors.Initially seeing dollar signs when the traveller's "actidentally" arrive,Hoople and his family soon begin to fear that the travellers's may know a lot more than they are showing,when Barney Rickert pulls out a less than clean looking pile of money from his wallet,and tells Dewey that he wants to be the cabin from the family right away.View on the film:Making his first ever non-Silent colour film,co-writer/ (along with Jack Moran)co-cinematography/co-producer/editor and directing auteur Russ Meyer uses the swamp-like setting to create a strong,warped-Soap Opera atmosphere,with Meyer hinting that Dewey may be getting a bit too close to his own daughter's,by having each of the stunning actress's circling Hoople uncomfortably close.Offsetting the Soap Opera sections of the film,Meyer also uses the brash colours to give the movie a huge "it's happening" influence,which disappointingly ends up dampening the gripping Soap Opera elements by feeling like an unnecessary add on to the film.Credited not only for the terrific tongue-twisting dialogue but also making his debut in front of the camera,Jack Moran gives a very good performance as Dewey,with Moran showing Hoople's creepy behaviour around his family,to only be equal by his chase to nab cash out of the hands of unwitting visitors.Joining Moran,Ken Swofford gives a tough,tobacco chewing performance as Barney Rickert,with Swofford slowly revealing his true motive for making a coincidence visit to the cabin.

Infofreak I very rarely hear anybody mention 'Common Law Cabin', which is a shame. While it obviously doesn't reach the heights of 'Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!' or 'Vixen!' it actually comes pretty damn close at times. Newcomers to Meyer will find it a bit of a shock, as it features his trademark flavour of almost innocent sleaziness, lots of buxom babes, hilariously stylized dialogue, and despite the kitschness, a darker, more disturbing undercurrent. One character (Hoople, played by Jack Moran who also wrote this and other Meyer movies) has forbidden incestuous desires, another (Rickert, played by Ken Swofford) is a misogynistic thug. The three chesty babes are all great to look at. Babette Bardot (great name!) plays a Kitten Natividad-ish free spirit, and Alaina Capri (the best looking of the three), a bitchy Eric Gavin type. The third actress, Adele Rein plays Hoople's sweet and uncorrupted teenage daughter. All three women allegedly have 42 inch chests and go-go dance for no apparent reason. The cast also includes Meyer regular Frank Bolger in one of his typical roles. Meyer fans will eat this baby up, others might find it a good starting point to his strange, twisted world which is quite unlike any other in movie history! 'Common Law Cabin' is quite possible Meyer's most underrated film, and should not be overlooked.

Paul Petroskey While not a classic like some of his other films, this is still a fine Russ Meyer movie with all the things you would expect: great characters, wild dialogue and women that make you lick your lips. If you are a fan you won't be disappointed.