Sam Panico
There was a time that roller derby was one of the most popular sports on UHF TV, vying with pro wrestling for ratings and attendance. And much like its cousins in the squared circle, it had predetermined finishes and storylines. Don't blame me for breaking kayfabe - Unholy Rollers does this right off the bat, explaining how everything has to go according to the game plan and how fights and falls really work!Karen (Claudia Jennings, Truck Stop Women, 'Gator Bait) wants a better life than working in a canning factory, but has no idea how to do so until she discovers the glamourous and oh so dangerous world of roller derby (there was a rival film that followed a similar storyline, Kansas City Bomber starring Racquel Welch).Unlike any other rags to riches story you've ever watched, Karen might be the hero, but she's a horrible person. She uses and abuses everyone in her way. And the fact that she becomes a star by going against the script goes to her head, leading to her never listening to anyone.Along the way, Karen battles her team's star, Mickey Martinez (Betty Anne Rees, Sugar Hill), a tough, muscular lesbian who comes on to her. This leads to the entire team stripping Karen in a bar and her having an affair with the team captain, Nick. That affair starts with her riding on his motorcycle, shooting his gun at LA landmarks and then kicking his ass on the track and then getting ass on said track.And the ending! Karen knows she's on the way out, so she flips out on everyone. Her opponents, her team, the audience, cars in the parking lot and even raises her fist to the police as the credits roll.This is a grimy, tough little movie with plenty of fun to be had. Roberta Collins (Death Race 2000, Eaten Alive) is in it and so is Joe E. Tata (Nat from the Beverly Hills, 90210 Peach Pit). It's directed by Vernon Zimmerman, who also wrote Teen Witch and directed Fade to Black. And its editor? Martin Scorsese!
SnoopyStyle
Karen Walker is tired of the grabby pervert supervisor at her crappy cannery job. She quits and joins the roller derby. She clashes with team leader Mickey Martinez.This is a bit of the exploitation genre. It's cheesy, amateurish, and surprisingly funny at times. There is only so much before it gets boring. The story is nothing special. The acting is strictly amateur hour. Former playmate of the year Claudia Jennings has the prerequisite energy to lead but not much in terms of acting skills. They try for inventive camera work. This is probably better than most exploitation films but that's a slight compliment.
Scott LeBrun
From executive producer Roger Corman comes this energetic ode to the lively and exploitative sport of roller derby, focusing on one team, the L.A. Avengers, and their newest acquisition, a former cannery employee named Karen Walker (70's drive-in picture goddess Claudia Jennings). Karen quickly becomes a fan favourite with her moves and picks up some endorsement deals in the bargain. But not everybody is rooting for Karen. She finds a rival in the bitchy Mickey (Betty Anne Rees, "Sugar Hill"), and her reign as queen of the roller derby circuit is eventually challenged by up and comer Beverly Brayton (Charlene Jones).Jennings makes the most of her vibrant role (and yes, she shows us some of the goods); her performance is exuberant and engaging. The supporting cast is packed with some familiar faces and is likewise entertaining to watch: Candice Roman ("The Big Bird Cage") as Karens' best friend Donna, Alan Vint ("Macon County Line") as Donnas' boyfriend Greg, Roberta Collins ("Death Race 2000") as Karens' teammate Jennifer, Louis Quinn ('77 Sunset Strip') as team owner Mr. Stern, Joe E. Tata ('Beverly Hills, 90210') as Sterns' son-in-law Marshall, Jerry Lewis foil Kathleen Freeman in a cameo as Karens' mother, John Steadman ("The Longest Yard" '74) as a guard, Dan Seymour ("Key Largo") as a used car dealer, Victor Argo ("Bad Lieutenant") as the trainer, Hunter von Leer ("Halloween II" '81) as a thief, and Rick Hurst ('The Dukes of Hazzard') as a mover.Vernon Zimmerman ("Fade to Black" '80) made his fictional feature film directing debut here, working from a screenplay by Howard R. Cohen ("Saturday the 14th"), and gives the viewer an eyeful of the go-for-broke crazy atmosphere of the sport. The action is often breathless, and the pacing very effective. Particularly impressive are the editing (supervised by a young Martin Scorsese) the costumes (by Cornelia McNamara), and the camera-work (by Scott Lloyd-Davies and Arthur R. Botham). Kendall Schmidt ("Neon Maniacs") composed the score. The colourful characters such as Angie Striker (Maxine Gates) and Horace McKay (John Mitchell) add to the fun. The final act is quite rousing as the spectators get into the act, and in the end there is a message about how people can't remain on top of the world forever.Must viewing for any Claudia Jennings fan.Eight out of 10.
VerhoHo
This is actually a good film. I recommend it for any fans of b-movies/exploitation, or for those who (like myself) remember watching the female roller fights on TV in the 70's and 80's. The plot of this film is very similar to SHOWGIRLS, with an antagonistic, unlikable main character. Believe it or not, the film was edited by the future director of RAGING BULL...
