Customer Reviews

Kitten with a Whip (Amazon.com Exclusive)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the first DVD-Rs in the new Universal/Amazon series, which is obviously modeled on the similar Warner Archives program. The burned disc is widescreen (1:85-1) and in anamorphic format. The print used for this transfer has few visual markings of any kind (other than a bathrobe with a herringbone pattern that "sparkles" in the first 15 minutes, which is an artifact that is sometimes caused by a sharp digital transfer). Overall, the image is in great shape and looks much clearer than the old VHS release).

John Forsythe plays a modest, middle-aged senatorial hopeful whose estranged wife and daughter are out of town for the week. Into his home sneaks a troubled runaway teenager (Ann-Margret) whom Forsythe tries to help. Unfortunately, his friends, political backers, and in-laws have a habit of dropping by his house unannounced, and he really can't afford to be seen harboring an underage "bad girl."

Ann-Margret eventually invites some young friends to party in Forsyth's San Diego home. Things go from bad to worse when the group coerces Forsythe to drive them to Tijuana.

In 1964, this modest thriller was considered somewhat shocking, due to Forsythe's house being picked at random by disaffected, thrill-seeking youths. The movie opened theatrically, but didn't play much in the second-run "family" theaters that served suburban locations. It also wasn't shown much on TV either, and was considered rare for a long time. Now, the film is available again, thanks to the new Universal/Amazon.com promotion.

Kitten With A Whip was a fairly entertaining film which also marked the beginning of Ann-Margret's debut as Universal's "bad girl". Contrary to popular opinion, I think everybody had the right Idea: 1) tense drama about a psychotic/troubled teenage vixen who, with a bunch of other delinquents hold a middle-class suburbanite virtually prisoner in his own home while his family was away; 2) choosing sexy/talented Ann-Margret as the lead, 3) and using the old black and white cinematography to give it the old forties flavor; but somehow like "most" movies, it fell into the mediocre catagory for the more dicriminating movie goer. For the less dicriminating (the viewer who goes just to enjoy a movie), it was suspensful, plenty to keep you interested as to what happens to the characters, and well acted by all especially Ann-Margret and John Forsyth. Ann-Margret (a musical actress at the time) was very convincing as the "teenage-vixen-from-hell"; and John Forsyth did his usual top-notch work as the sympathetic though traumatized victim. Highly recommended for A-M fans, not a bad risk for lovers of its type. Critics "STAY AWAY", you've had your fun.

Talk about sexy. In this film Ann-Margret has got it going on. She is indeed a Kitten With A Whip. Filmed in black and white it has film noir quality. I'm sure she turned on a million teenage boys back in 1964 playing Jody, a troubled JD who prays on the frailties of politician John Forstythe. This kitten made me purr.

Ann-Margret turns in a star-making performance in "Kitten With A Whip," alternately acting scared, sexy, angry and even psychotic. This kitten has claws and she's not afraid to use them! She breaks out of a girls' reformatory and breaks into what she thinks is a deserted house. Later that night, the owner of the house returns home. John Forsythe plays his straight-laced character to perfection. Ann-Margret decides that she'd rather stay with him instead of running from the law. When she invites her beatnik friends over for a party, the action really heats up. After the head beatnik accidentally gets cut with a straight razor, they hightail it to Tijuana. There's a doctor friend of theirs who will patch him up with no questions asked. The violence escalates until the movie reaches its surprise ending. Hopefully, Rhino will release the Mystery Science Theater 3000 version of this cult classic!

This movie usually invites a downright split from viewers between "I loved it" and "I hated it". It winds up on so many Razzie lists, you'd think it was a big dud. Far from that, "Kitten With a Whip" is a moody psycho-drama, its only fault is that it takes itself too seriously and invites nervous laughter. Ann-Margret seems deeply into her role as Jody, juvenile delinquent on the run who ends up in politician John Forsythe's house(his daughter's bed to be exact, with a stuffed animal staring scarily at the camera!). A-M's performance is edgy, flashy, cunning, calculated. This is often interpreted as over-the-top, but I don't see any other way this role could be played. She takes the cliched j-d plot to a new high, and at the end, when her fate is revealed, one can only stare in mildly amused shock and hope that the filmmakers are kidding. Nothing's gonna bring Jody down!

Jody (Ann-Margret), a juvenile delinquent, escapes from reform school by stabbing a matron and attempting to burn down the building and then takes refuge in a house owned by an ambitious politician David Patton (John Forsythe). Despite the hellcat's ample charms, the would-be Senator wants nothing to do with her and tries to drive her away. She responds by shortly returning to his house and invites a couple of delinquent pals (Peter Brown as "Ron," Skip Ward as "Buck", and Patricia Barry as "Vera." ) and taking him hostage. A sudden act of violence causes more trouble, leading Jody and her gang to hijack David and force him to drive a getaway car to Mexico.

Great '60's teen flick which is a cross between a b-movie and a "cult camp classic!" Ann-Margret purrs out goofy lines like, "all I want to do is party-party" and calls herself "Jody Doll." John Forsythe's character, David, tries to help Jody when first encountering her as a mixed-up, run-away kid and gives her some money and drives her to the bus stop. Then later, while having a drink with politcal colleage, Grant, (Richard Anderson) he learns the truth from a TV news channel of her crimes! When returning to his house he discovers he's not rid of Jody Doll and experiences an evening of "party-party," "goofy `60's philosophies" (I feel no pain, man!), and goes for a "life or death" ride to Mexico! It'd be great to have this "campy teenage delinquent" movie on dvd, along with Ann-Margret's "The Pleasure Seekers!" Highly recommended to fans of the classic 50's and 60's "teenage delinquent" movies! Be sure to check this one out and remember to watch it with the gang at your next "party-party!!"

I just saw this film on `Mystery Science Theatre 3000' (usually not a complement) and I must say it is worth seeing if you like pulp fiction. Its B&W film noir is quite good and certainly inspired the themes of Frank Miller's `Sin City' comics and film.

While being featured on `MST3K' is typically a condemnation, `Kitten With a Whip' is not a guilty pleasure. I will proudly defend this as great film making. The story is very intriguing and like all good pulp fiction keeps you enthralled as to what will happen next.

The plot: After a noir animated opening credits sequence we see Nordic goddess Ann Margaret running through the darkness in a sexy nighty. (I had no idea she could be this sexy.) The narrative hook is when she seeks refuge in the vacation home of a square middle aged John Forsythe whom is seeking to adventure as a US Senator. Senator Humbert is kind and tempted enough to help out the wayward teen. But when he sees on the news she is a wanted psycho he finds a reversal of good fortune as Margaret now black mails him with a scandal.

Is Forsythe a hero, victim, or a sinner only getting what he created and deserves? Can we feel any sympathy for Margaret? She's a Jezebel but oh so beautiful.

Truly noir pulp fiction, `Kitten With a Whip' takes place over the course of 24 hours mostly at night with only a few characters in only one setting. Yes the story really is enthralling as long as you don't take it too seriously and don't ask very much of the actors.

If you can find a bootleg copy of the `MST3K' version I highly recommend it. It was aptly chosen as Mike, Tom, and Crow provide side splitting comedy. As Forsythe finds Margaret in one of his beds, Mike says, "This is the very definition of "'Getting lucky"'." Crow comments, "Senator Kennedy may have handled this differently."

David Stratton (John Forsythe) an up and coming San Diego politician, finds a beautiful seventeen year old girl (Ann-Margret), asleep in his daughter's room. Her name is Jody, and she has a sad story to tell. The kind hearted Stratton decides against turning the girl over to the authorities, dropping her off at a bus stop, thinking he'll never see the young beauty again. The truth is she's a runaway from a reform school, who stabbed a staff member in making her escape, and is wanted by the law.

Stratton's wife and child are away from home, and later upon learning the facts about his recent houseguest, he is perhaps feeling fortunate that there are no serious repercussions from the young delinquent's visit. That is, until he returns home to find that Jody is back in his house again. Already compromised, he now has a guest who won't leave, and it gets worse when she invites three of her friends over for a party. The politician just wants to get out with his reputation intact, and is forced to go along with the game. An accident with a razor leads to a trip to Tijuana for medical attention. South of the border, Jody just can't keep from making trouble, and matters get more complicated, culminating in mad car chase with the wild child herself behind the wheel.

There is budding star quality evident in Ann-Margret's vampy performance. Displaying both innocence as well as a malicious dark side, Jody is a manipulative little sex kitten. Wild and troubled, but still with dreams of an ordinary life. John Forsythe gives a solid performance as a model citizen overwhelmed by circumstances and trapped by good intentions. A bit cliched, but interesting for the performances of the two stars.

I recent read the original (out-of-print) pulp paperback novel that this movie is based on, and I must say that the movie did not disappoint. Sure, they left out the implied sex scene between the politician (Forsythe) and the fugitive jailbait (Ann-Margret), but everything else is pretty much intact from the novel -- and more tightly scripted to boot. The movie is a real hoot. Barely two minutes go by without some amazing bit of dialogue or scenery-chewing by A-M and company. Plus, the soundtrack is the same seedy noir jazz used in Touch of Evil (an uncredited Henry Mancini from his early days). All around brilliant. This is the ultimate pulp camp movie. Must be seen to be believed.

Kudos to Amazon for releasing long lost titles w/ wonderful transfers in widescreen format - this is one of their firsts, and its`s a joy to behold, assuming you like 60`s cult flix. This was primarilly a drive-in release that didn`t get mass circulation when released, due to its subject matter, basically a home invasion by delinquent teens - parents were afraid of its influence on their young`ins. (The fact that we have a 40 year old man harboring a 17 year old girl wasn`t an issue back then...). This is one of those rare times when a low budget cult film becomes trancendant and elevates itself to an art form, kinda like Sam Fuller`s 'Naked Kiss' or 'Shock Corridor', partly due to the two leading actors, Ann Margret and John Forsythe, who add an element of class usually unheard of in these films. Ann Margret is on fire throughout. And you can`t help but feel sorry for John Forsythe as the film progresses, even though it was poor judgement on his part that instigated the entire affair. A tight, solid script didn`t hurt either. This one`s a joyride in a stolen car from start to finish, with a superb ending, a great soundtrack, marvelous performances, tension and humor, schlock and sophistication. And it holds up over repeated viewing, too. I can`t recommend this film highly enough to those 'in the know'. Grab yours now and enjoy...