Calling All ‘Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls’ Fans: Russ Meyer’s ‘Motorpsycho’ Reviewed

In their commentary track film historian Elizabeth Purchell and filmmaker Zach Clark bring up that one of the films Motorpsycho was paired with at drive-in theaters was Kitten with a Whip. If you’re familiar with both movies this makes complete sense, but also points to the hypocrisy of Hollywood. While Kitten with a Whip has certainly been looked down on before (however wrongly so), it’s still a Hollywood movie starring Ann-Margaret. Motorpsycho gets no such respect. These films are on the same level, yet because of Meyer’s association with more X-rated fare he’s not allowed the same prestige. In a video interview Haji brings up being advised not to include Meyer’s films on her resume, yet from the moment she appears in Motorpsycho she commands the screen. Surely that’s a performance you’d want to capitalize on?

For those not sure what to expect from a Meyer film, Motorpsycho is a great choice for the Meyer fan who’s seen, for example, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls and knows what a genius he can be but maybe is a little weary or uncomfortable with his more explicit titles like Up! (where sex scenes aren’t just included but make up a large chunk of the runtime).

If anything, Motorpsycho stands out for its lack of nudity. It may say Bosomania on the cover, but there aren’t many bosoms to be seen. There are even obvious points where Meyer deliberately avoids and goes out of his way not to show cleavage. I’d be curious to know whether that was out of respect for the actress’ wishes or more of a creative decision.

Motorpsycho does include multiple scenes of sexual violence. The “Motorpsychos” of the title are rapists and the film is about what happens when the husband (Alex Rocco) of one of their victims (Lane Carroll) goes after them.

Corey – the husband in question – is no hero. He can’t even resist the allure of rich horse owner, Jessica (Sharon Lee), who he meets on his day job as a veterinarian, but he’s evolved enough to realise he’s using her and apologize for that, before turning down Jessica’s offer to take things to the bedroom, and that’s not nothing.

In their commentary, Purchell and Clark talk about Meyer’s handling of the sexual assault scenes and they are rough scenes but Purchell and Clark also note how it always feels like Meyer is on the side of women and I agree with that assessment. You never have that moment (which you see in some of Motorpsycho‘s mainstream contemporaries) where the woman clearly says no and the man forces himself on her and, instead of condemning him, the woman will be shown fighting back but then liking it. None of the husbands participate in victim blaming. In fact, the main character who tries to suggest women are asking for it is the sheriff (played by Meyer himself in a cameo) and he’s immediately shut down. Even the doctor (played by assistant director George Costello, who isn’t in front of an audience, so could’ve stayed silent) tells off the sheriff for peeking under the sheet unnecessarily and yeah, of course he should do that. People shouldn’t be getting medals for this stuff but, at the same time, if you’re cynical you don’t take any of these actions for granted and they stand out in a film that could’ve been pure exploitation but strives and achieves more.

Making the leader of the motorpsychos (Steve Oliver) a Vietnam vet is in itself a fascinating choice (Meyer was a combat photographer during WWII) and adds this subtext around how Vietnam vets were treated and the lack of mental health resources made available to them.

There are some continuity issues – like how does Corey go from riding in the back of the ambulance with his wife to having his car back so he can pursue the motorpsychos? But there’s also a snake bite scene that will go down in infamy so, yeah, Motorpsycho gets my highest recommendation. The bonus features add to this release as well. I’ve already mentioned the commentary a few times but Purchell and Clark really cover all the bases from the music to Meyer’s editing style (instead of showing the motorpsychos break into Corey’s home or letting viewers know of their intentions, they’re just there) to the genre switch from motorcycle movie to western that takes place.

There’s also an excellent video interview with Haji and Rocco. Both actors initially read for smaller parts (specifically the fisherman and woman in the striped bikini who were played by Steve Masters and Arshalouis Aivazian) before they were cast as the leads and only have positive things to say about working with Meyer (less so Oliver).

Motorpsycho is on sale now from Severin Films.