The Candy Snatchers Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
It started as such a simple crime. For 16 year old Candy, dying would have been easier! Was a piece of Candy worth a fortune in diamonds?
Violence beyond 'Last House on the Left'!
What are they doing to Candy?
It started as such a simple crime. For 16 year old Candy, dying would have been easier! Was a piece of Candy worth a fortune in diamonds?
| Tiffany Bolling | Jessie |
| Ben Piazza | Avery |
| Susan Sennett | Candy |
| Brad David | Alan |
| Vince Martorano | Eddy |
| Bonnie Boland | Audrey |
| Jerry Butts | Dudley |
| Leon Charles | Boss |
| Dolores Dorn | Katherine |
| Phyllis Major | Lisa |
| Bill Woodard | Charlie |
| Christopher Trueblood | Sean Newton |
| Earl Hansen | Gun Store Owner |
| Harry Kronman | Deli Owner |
| John Bill | Policeman |
| Guerdon Trueblood |
6.90 out of 10 (359 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Bold in 1973, still pretty far out today.
posted on 31 Aug 2009The Candy Snatchers (Guerdon Trueblood, 1973)
Wow. I'm trying to imagine the guts it must have taken in 1973 to take the exploitation film and throw such a nihilistic twist on it that it goes farther than most noir films. What kind of mind would make a movie like this? Perhaps more importantly, what movie house executive would greenlight releasing such a thing? And is there a snowball's chance in hell that it would ever happen now, twenty-three years later? (Short answer: no.) While The Candy Snatchers falls short of true genius, it sure was a gutsy attempt to redefine the world of exploitation cinema.
Candy (Susan Sennett of Big Bad Mama) is the sixteen-year-old daughter of jewelry store manager Avery (Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon's Ben Piazza). Three wannabe criminals-- Jessie (Playboy playmate Tiffany Bolling), her psychotic brother Alan (Brad David, who never appeared on the big screen again), and their pal Eddie (Vince Martorano, who comes out of almost twenty years of retirement later this year in Lady Magdalene's)-- hatch a plan to kidnap Candy and hold her for ransom. Things go awry when Avery doesn't show up at the drop site, and the ineptness of the criminal element quickly comes to the fore. Adding to the hilarity is mute toddler Sean (Trueblood's son Christopher), who sees the kidnappers deposit Candy the first afternoon, and quickly becomes intrigued with the plot.
This is a nasty, nasty movie in every way. I haven't looked it up, but I'm guessing Quentin Tarantino watched this film at least once during the writing of the Reservoir Dogs script. What was pushing the envelope in 1991 was way out beyond the bounds in 1973. This is awesome. It's cheesy as all hell, but that's a whole lot of the charm. You're going to love this. ***
Everyone wants a piece of Candy...
posted on 31 Aug 2009I've always been partial to obscure, oddball films from the 1970s and the feature The Candy Snatchers (1973) certainly fits the bill, especially in terms of the former since it's never had an official home video release in any format until now. Written by Bryan Gindoff (Hard Times) and directed by Guerdon Trueblood, whose credits primarily consist of writing on such television films as The Savage Bees (1976) and Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo (1977), The Candy Snatchers features former playmate (April '72) Tiffany Bolling (Bonnie's Kids, Kingdom of the Spiders), Ben Piazza (The Bad News Bears), Susan Sennett (Big Bad Mama), Brad David ("Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker"), and Vince Martorano (Cornbread, Earl and Me). Also appearing is Bonnie Boland ("Chico and the Man"), Dolores Dorn (Underworld U.S.A.), Phyllis Major, one time wife to singer Jackson Browne prior to her 1976 death by overdose, and Christopher Trueblood, son of the director (he's listed in the end credits only as `Christophe').
As the film begins we witness a trio of amateur criminals, two men and a woman, in a funky van grabbing a Catholic school girl named Candy (Sennett) off the street and driving her into the hills of southern California. After binding, gagging, and blindfolding the girl, the trio proceeds to bury her in a box in the ground, with a small pipe protruding for air, near an abandoned cabin in which they've since taken residence. The three sociopaths are comprised of the following...an attractive blonde woman named Jessie (Bolling), who seems to be the leader, her stringy, switchblade wielding brother Alan (David), and a dopey looking ox/army veteran named Eddie (Martorano). Anyway, after they leave a doofy looking blonde kid named Sean, who happens to be mute, appears from the shrubs, apparently having witnessed the burial proceedings, and start messing around with the air pipe, even dropping pieces of food down the hole, but is soon called away by his weirdo mother (Boland) ringing an obnoxious cowbell (Sean and his parents live down the hill apiece). Alright, so now we begin to learn something of the kidnappers plans...seems Candy's father, Avery (Piazza) manages a jewelry store and the plan is to hold the girl hostage until pops pays them off with scads of jewels and such. Thing is, Avery doesn't seem all that concerned when he finds out what's happened, even to the point where he lies to his drunky wife about why their daughter hasn't returned home (given the fact Avery's wife is soused quite often she's easy to manipulate). Turns out Avery's got a chippie on the side (he's snogging an employee, played by Major), and for reasons which I won't reveal here, he's actually glad of what's happened so far. The kidnappers are suitably perturbed, believing they're not being taken seriously, and decide to up the ante, but given their overall ineptness, things continually go afoul. Eventually tensions (and paranoia) within the group push those involved further and further over the edge, forcing more drastic (and depraved) actions to follow...
The Candy Snatchers is one hell of an odd film, certainly not for everyone, but I sure enjoyed it...the kidnappers themselves come off pretty goofy, given their ineptitude, almost to the point of appearing like comical villains often depicted in some of the Disney live action films of the 1970s, except for the fact here they're homicidal sociopaths willing to resort to extreme violence to get what they want. Here they've spent an extensive amount of time planning what they believe to be the perfect crime, the kidnapping of a diamond dealer's daughter, and guess what? The guy doesn't even care...seriously, in his eyes, given his situation, it actually fits in with his plans. That's the main plot of the film, but there's secondary element thrown in that often includes some rather bizarre sequences involving the little mute boy Sean, played by the director's son. The kid, who appeared to have albino qualities, runs about with a scraggy white mop top, sometimes trying to communicate what he's witnessed, often ending up on the receiving end of some kind of punishment from his seriously wacked out mother (at one point she's so frustrated with the child she forces him to take a downer). My favorite scene is when the kid, trying to use the phone to call the authorities to help Candy, ends up calling a Jewish deli, apparently in New York. Since the kid can't talk, he tries to use a talking doll with a pull string on its back to communicate with the old man who answers, to which the man thinks it's all a prank by some punk and tells the caller to shove a salami up his ash. The real strength in this film was it's unpredictable, off the wall nature as the story featured a number of various twists that kept me guessing. I thought the performances were decent enough, although Ms. Bolling seemed to be the standout. The direction was tight (even if some aspects of the story weren't), and kept me thoroughly engaged (the finale was a real hoot). While this isn't a slick feature (the production values were minimal), it still looks decent enough. There is some strong violence throughout (including a couple of forcible violations, some gunshot wounds, beatings, etc.), so if you're squeamish towards that kind of thing, then this probably isn't the film for you. For the rest, enjoy a curious edgy, sleazy, sometimes rough nugget of exploitation that's rarely been seen in thirty years. By the way, this film is worth checking out if only to see the hilarious sequence where the gang tries to liberate a telephone company van from a lone worker (the worker turns out to be an uncooperative handful).
The picture, restored and presented in widescreen (1.85:1) format, enhanced for 16X9 TVs, looks excellent and the audio, available in both Dolby Digital stereo remix and original mono comes across crystal clear, so you all can chuck those old bootlegs you've been clinging to over the years. As far as extras on this Subversive Cinema DVD release, there's quite a few including a commentary track with stars Tiffany Bolling and Susan Sennett, moderated by Norman Hill, the producer of the DVD and Marc Eduard Heuck, a promotional still gallery, a featurette titled The Women of Candy Snatchers (31:53), extensive cast and crew bios, three 5x7 reproduction lobby cards, a nifty poster reproduction of some European artwork for the film, and various trailers including two for this film (one for the PG rated version and another for the R rated version), Freakmaker aka The Mutations (1974), Metal Skin (1994), Battlefield Baseball (2003), and The Witch Who Came from the Sea (1976). I have to say, I've purchased a number of Subversive Cinema's DVD releases and I've always been impressed with their superior efforts. Their releases may seem a bit pricey, but I've always felt I've gotten my money's worth.
Cookieman108
Speaking of obscure cinematic gems from the 1970s I'd like to see Subversive release another Tiffany Bolling drive-in feature favorite titled Bonnie's Kids (1973), as it's another film that's languished out of the public eye for far too long.
lost classic
posted on 31 Aug 2009This film,until this release,was indeed a "lost" classic,rarely seen after it's initial release in the early 70's.Subversive has changed that with this superior release.If your tastes run towards the grindhouse exploitation films from that era,you will be in "hog heaven",my friend - a true classic.If "grindhouse exploitation film" has you scratching your head in bewilderment,this film then may not be for you and you should head to Blockbuster for the "flavour of the week".....
Buy a "candy bar" instead of watching this crap...
posted on 31 Aug 2009Capt.Freaky here to describe yet another failed purchase of mine...first and foremost, this is the third title from Subversive Cinema that would not play in my $700 Philips DVD player! I had to watch it on my computer's DVD player!
Beyond that inconvenience...this film didn't come close to living up to its box cover! I expected some serious punishment to the kidnapped girl...instead you see her breast once for about 5 seconds while she is getting sexed up by a guy who is a lame actor!
Again....the whole purpose of making these kinds of films is to sexually excite the customers who watch them. This film is about as boring as it can get. No sexual tension whatsoever...the acting was typical "B" picture stuff...the musical background was straight out of a Karl Malden bad TV show! I think if ZERO stars were possible...I would have rated this film a ZERO!
Its such a big disappointment when something so promising turns out to be nothing better than a PG-13 rated bad film on Cinemax! Just to show you the deception this film company had when they packaged this thing...there is no rating anywhere on the outside of the case....but as it turns out...its a "R" rated film. Probably because you see a boob or two here and there....
This movie will keep your pole flat in your pants and leave your girlfriend dry as Las Vegas in August....
Where's the action?
posted on 31 Aug 2009I didn't like it. I've read dozens of reviews talking about this being a "brutal" "gritty" "exploitation classic", etc., but it's boring. I'm over here preparing to get blown away but instead I could barely stay awake.
Three dorks - one being a female dork - kidnap a "teenage" girl and demand her jeweler father to pay them in diamonds. Catch is the father could care less, so to show that they mean business the kidnappers tell him they're going to cut off the girl's ear. Naturally they're too weak stomached to do such a thing so they go to the hospital and pay a guy 50 bucks to cut the ear off a blinking corpse.
Things just go on and on like this until the exciting end...exciting cause I could finally turn it off.
Two minor topless scenes, including one from a bad angle.
Finally a decent version came out
posted on 31 Aug 2009This is an exploitation movie, so I won't say about the movie itself.
As far as the transfer goes, the picture quality is awesome.
This will be a very pleasant surprise if you were disappointed by its bootlegs before -- for one, I didn't know this movie was supposed to show blue skies! Well, one gripe is that now the fake blood looks too fakey bright, but perhaps that's about right for a '70s camp.
Before this, all internet movie stores appeared to carry copies of basically *one* version, and it must have been a video recording of a small projection screen.
The bonus material was generous. The fact that they were able to interview the 2 actresses after 30 years is just amazing. (However, poor Susan Sennett says a few times that she just needed rent money and would rather forget having made this movie.)
Classic 70's Exploitation. Thank You Subversive for this.
posted on 31 Aug 2009The Candy Snatchers is a totally awesome movie.There is nothing to hate in this classic exploitation.
Fantastic plot with fine one liner dialogue and a wicked black sense of humour!
The acting is way above average for a 70's low budget pic.
I was thrilled from start to finish, dare I even say that this is probably the best exploitation movie I have seen to date!
Tarantino must have seen this movie countless times, there are at least two scenes in the candy snatchers which reminded me of Kill Bill 2 and Reservoir Dogs!
Forget the ultra boring Thriller(They call her one eye) the one overhyped by Tarantino himself.
The Candy Snatchers is the way to go if you REALLY want to see a classic from an era that will undoubtly ever come again!
Although this is an exploitation movie, this movie is very light on violence and nudity, and I am glad it is!
You don't need to be extreme to make a great exploitation movie.
Well done Subversive for giving us a fantastic release.
The Candy Snatchers stands proud in my dvd collection.
10/10
Great Exploitation Crime Thriller!
posted on 30 Aug 2009Highly recommended and available now on DVD.What a rush! Only in the Seventies could a film that wallows in sleaze and depravity be this well-made and have an authentic feel to it. Later efforts that recall back to this type of atmosphere (Natural Born Killers being just one example from the 90's) just don't have the same gut-wrenching qualities and NBK seems like kind of a put-on. The Candy Snatchers has a more raw, gritty realistic vibe, even if the plot twists and turns are highly unlikely and will cause your mouth to drop open.A must see for fans of 1970's exploitation Drive-In fare.
Sweet!
posted on 30 Aug 2009If you're a fan of gritty 70s exploitation, but are looking for something a little different to your usual straight-forward sleaze, then try The Candy Snatchers. It's a weird and wonderful little film which starts off feeling like a TV movie of the week, but continually surprises with its unpredictable plot which gets quite nasty as it progresses, throwing in graphic murder and rape at the most unexpected of moments.Tiffany Bolling, Brad David and Vince Martorano play a trio of lowlifes who abduct Candy (Susan Sennett), a pretty schoolgirl, and hold her for ransom. But when Candy's slimy stepfather (Ben Piazza) refuses to cough up for the girl's safe return, the kidnappers are forced to reconsider their plans. Meanwhile, a mute (and possibly autistic) boy, who has witnessed the criminals at work, tries his best to help save the terrified girl.Smartly directed by Guerdon Trueblood, The Candy Snatchers is a real gem of a movie which delivers well defined characters, some lovely plot turns, and one hell of a powerful ending that will leave you absolutely gob-smacked.The cast are also brilliant and there is not a bad performance in the whole film. Particularly worthy of mention are Bolling, who is great as Jessie, the beautiful blonde who definitely wears the trousers in the gang (tight as you like jeans, to be specific!), Brad David who is extremely chilling as Alan, the psycho of the group, and Christophe, who, despite being very young, puts in a marvellous turn as Sean, the lad who may be able to help poor Candy—if only he could speak!And to make the whole experience all the more enjoyable, the film is blessed with a wonderfully fitting soundtrack (complete with funky 'wakka-wakka' guitars and a memorable folky theme song) and a hilarious speeded-up car chase.
Quintessential 70's exploitation!
posted on 30 Aug 2009"The Candy Snatchers" perfectly embodies why so many fans of the horror & cult genre worship the 70's decade! This is a hard-boiled and intense film, with a shocking and totally unpredictable storyline, utterly deranged characters and it literally doesn't take the slightest notice of political correctness and/or human emotions. Director Guerdon Trueblood and scriptwriter Bryan Gindoff take us on a wild & trashy 70's ride, covering controversial topics such as child abuse, mental handicaps, rape of minors, live burial, Vietnam traumas and brutal murders committed by unusual characters! A trio of ruthless thugs develops a seemingly waterproof plan to get rich with diamonds very fast. By kidnapping the cute 16-year-old stepdaughter of a diamond trader and demanding a huge ransom, they rest assured of success. Unforeseen complications arise when it turns out that the father isn't in a hurry to rescue his stepdaughter at all. Even more so, Candy's 'unfortunate' death would result in a huge financial triumph for him, so he sure ain't likely to come up with any type of ransom at all. The other – if possible even more brilliant – main storyline centers on a young and autistic boy who witnessed Candy's brutal live burial in a muddy grave with only a small tube for oxygen. He desperately attempts to warn his abusive parents about what he knows, but they're too caught up in their own crazy world of greed and self-pity. Purely talking in terms of grindhouse cinema-sickness, "The Candy Snatchers" leans damn close towards perfection! The atmosphere is constantly gritty, the violence & sleaze is very explicit and literally every character that walks through the screen is demented! Even the ones that only appear briefly, like the company manager who laughs hysterically at the poor boy's mental condition or the nasty gun store seller who deliberately ignores the reason why the gangster trio so urgently needs a shotgun. Sensitive viewers and/or people with a weak stomach beware, as poor young Candy goes through a hellish ordeal and the ending surely isn't cheerful. Even technically speaking, this production is far superior in comparison with the majority of 70's genre outings. Although obviously low-budgeted, the cinematography and editing are quite professional and the musical guidance is appropriately unsettling. The acting is top-notch, with an extra special word of praise for the director's young son Christopher in his first and only appearance on the big screen. "The Candy Snatchers" has recently been re-discovered and released in a fancy edition. The DVD is an absolute must have for every fan of the genre.
Sets the standard for the grindhouse
posted on 30 Aug 2009Many exploitation films promised a lot but failed to deliver. Not "The Candy Snatchers". This is as politically incorrect, sleazy, and entertaining as one expects their exploitation films to be. It really sets the standards for other grindhouse films to follow. Also, this is one of those rare exploitation films thats actually competently made! What more could you ask for? Flashy editing? Get outta here! There are several aspects to this production that impressed me. First off, the direction by Guerdon Trueblood is very quickly paced, leaving out any filler. Its a shame this was his only picture. Also, the film ultimately comes across as a very dark and pessimistic comedy. However, whereas the comedy sequences and occasionally light-hearted tone in "Last House on the Left" diluted its original impact, the addition of humor to "The Candy Snatchers" just makes it all the more disturbing. Also, the addition of an autistic character in the 70s was a daring move, whether or not its simply a plot device.What makes "The Candy Snatchers" stand out for me above all though is the dark world view. Absolutely none of the adult characters are likable, and the sleaziness in everyone is apparent. All of the finest grindhouse films should contain this, and its in spades in this one. Plus, Tiffany Bolling is a total hottie (and a decent actress to boot). For fans of vintage cult cinema, "The Candy Snatchers" comes with my strongest recommendation. (8/10)
Trivia
posted on 30 Aug 2009Two weeks after "The Candy Snatchers" was released in Italy, John Paul Getty III was kidnapped, after which his ear was cut off and sent to a newspaper in Rome by his Italian kidnappers, as an apparent incentive for the payment of his ransom - an act that mirrored a part of the film's plot.Regards the comment "Special Weird Appeal notice goes to Christophe as the mute hero of the tale; his performance must be seen to be believed and puts most child actors to shame; imagine a six-year-old Macauley Culkin on mushrooms and you'll get the picture." Christophe was played by the director's son Christopher Trueblood, who was learning disabled. One of the most difficult scenes in the picture to complete was the one in which Christophe ends up having to shoot Eddy, because (much to his credit) Christopher was unwilling to just 'pretend' to kill Vince Martanaro, who was in fact his close friend - in part because of Vince's lengthy relationship with Guerdon Trueblood and his family.
A true seventies exploitation classic!
posted on 30 Aug 2009Seventies exploitation is one of my favourite genres as despite generally poor production values and story lines, they're just so damn entertaining! The Candy Snatchers is clearly one of the best examples of the genre - as despite featuring the common poor production values, the entertaining plot line is nicely fleshed out with a number of sub-plots and deliriously depraved characters! The central plot isn't really all that important - it's the stuff surrounding it that makes this film what it is. Well...that and the completely sleazy atmosphere, which is achieved through the gritty cinematography, as well as the attention to depravity. The plot isn't exactly original, and basically follows a trio of would-be kidnappers who snatch Candy - the daughter of a man who handles diamonds at a bank, and naturally the kidnappers want a fistful of diamonds in exchange for the safe return of young Candy. However, the crime has a witness - but unfortunately for the young girl, the witness is a young autistic boy who can't talk! The Candy Snatchers features a handful of violent set pieces that are sure to delight anyone with a mind to see the film. The Candy Snatchers doesn't feature wall to wall violence, but there are enough memorably violent moments to make the film worthy of its high acclaim. It's not the violence that is the most shocking thing about this film, however, as it's clear that director Guerdon Trueblood was keen to make the film as nasty as possible and this is achieved through the way that remains completely nihilistic throughout. Of course, most of what is seen here has been seen in many modern films since, and as a result; The Candy Snatchers isn't as shocking these days as it no doubt was back in 1973, but despite that; the film does retain a lot of its shock value. The acting isn't the best, but the cast of unknowns come together well as an ensemble and most of them are memorable and entertaining in their respective roles. The plot moves quickly and there's never a dull moment - the ending is particularly strong as it manages to be exciting, nasty, and yet strangely funny in a sick sort of way all at the same time. Overall, The Candy Snatchers is a real seventies highlight and comes highly recommended!
"If this is one of them Smart-Alec god damned jokers...you should shove a salami up your ass!"
posted on 30 Aug 2009Even though the cover art and the tag lines used to promote this film are obviously blatant attempts to cash in on the "Last House on the Left" craze of the time this movie stands on its own 2 feet as a drive-in classic. Until it's recent DVD release, this film was rare and hard to find but well worth the search. It's difficult to categorize this movie because of it's humor it's not quite a horror flick and yet because of it's sex scenes it's not quite a comedy. Then again it's the comedy aspect of it that makes it not quite and exploitation flick either. "The Candy Snatchers" is in a unique class of it's own but whatever you categorize it as one thing is for sure you will be highly entertained when you view this rare little flick! The acting is above average and the storyline evolves quickly...there is little or no wasted film time or "fillers" in this movie. to top it all off there is a classic surprise ending to this one that will have you laughing till you pee! Classic line in "The Candy Snatchers"=any word coming from the mouth of the pint-sized deaf/mute child in the film. Check out this one...you'll be glad you did!
sick, twisted and essential !! a B-Grade Must See!!
posted on 30 Aug 2009If you are a fan of sleazy 70s American Drive in Exploitive fare like me..and I'm not talking by numbers trash like Friedman's TRADER HORNEE or WHAM BAM SPACEMAN or PLEASE Don't EAT MY MOTHER either. I'm talking high grade like BLOOD AND LACE, THE TODD KILLINGS, WHEN YOU COMING BACK RED RYDER,POOR WHITE TRASH II, FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE, WHITE DOG, LEMORA, SWITCHBLADE SISTERS and THE BABY. If you like 'em mean and bleak this underrated and highly disturbing flick is for you. In my opinion this surpasses the excellent but slightly disappointing LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT by miles in sheer queasiness. Powerful evil men and strong woman characters raise this well above the average b grade clunker. Make no mistake there are real messages to be found in this film about violence that predates even a CLOCKWORK ORANGE. I thoroughly recommend it and this DVD release by Subversive (thank you!!!) is absolutely lovingly brilliant. There is a awesome featurette with in depth, decent questions being answered both by Susan Senet and Tiffany Bolling who are both striking even today. I urge all horror enthusiasts to give this angry violent film a whirl. You may not love it as much as I do but you will have to admit it is way better than average in a genre that is full of clueless try hard crap. I give it 10/10.
As far as 1970s exploitation goes, this is one of the best!
posted on 30 Aug 2009An innocent Catholic schoolgirl named Candy (played by Susan Sennett of BIG BAD MAMA fame), daughter of a jewelry store manager, is kidnapped by a trio of small time criminals who plan on handing her back over to her family in exchange for diamonds from the father's store. In the meantime, poor Candy is tied up, gagged and even buried alive with only a pipe sticking out of the ground for breathing! If the criminals don't get what they want, they claim they'll kill her. Trouble is, Candy's father is actually a stepfather (not to mention an adulterous sociopath!) and he's happy she's been kidnapped because he wants her dead anyway so he can collect a multi-million dollar insurance policy! And that's not even half the story! THE CANDY SNATCHERS is a genuine sleeper that's well worth your time. It has what most other 70s exploitation movies lack; a well-written screenplay full of clever twists and turns. Just when you think you have an idea where the film is going, you're thrown for a loop. Also surprising is the overall quality of the acting. Playing the tough-as-nails female kidnapper, Tiffany Bolling (KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS) is the only one of the main stars I recognize in the cast, and this is easily the best performance I've ever seen from her. The other lead actors are also very competent, especially Ben Piazza as the most remorseless, cold, greedy, evil and completely unsympathetic stepfather imaginable. There's a lot of brutality, two violent rapes, child abuse, some gore (a shotgun blast to the face, a stabbing, etc.), a little (retarded?) mute boy who knows what's going on but can't communicate it to anyone and a brief cameo by James Whitworth (THE HILLS HAVE EYES) getting beat over the head with a board. The ending is absolutely PRICELESS and effectively ties up all the loose ends.Definitely a keeper. Check it out.
The film is slow, boring. The acting is plastic.
posted on 30 Aug 2009I read about the notorious The Candy Snatchers in a horror magazine here in the UK. The film apparently has been banned here since it's release back in 1973. Even to this day it is banned here in the UK and has never been available on VHS Video, Lazar Disc or DVD. Curious to see The Candy Snatchers I visited Amazon.com where it appears the film is freely available to US customers. So I ordered it and it arrived a few days later.The DVD came with a poster and 3 picture cards. The DVD has a number of extras contained on it. The extra's include a photo gallery, trailer and an interview with the woman who played Candy in the film. There's appears to be a lot effort gone into making the DVD. The film. The picture quality is great. Clear, colourful and no sign of dirt. Hard to believe it was made all those years ago, back in 1973.The film opens with a catchy country and western sounding song with featuring the lyrics money is the route to all happiness. To sum the film up, it's about a gang of 3 whole abduct a girl in order to obtain some diamonds from her father. I cannot see why the film was ever banned in the UK or became notorious. The subject matter, kidnapping of a school girl is distasteful. The film is comical, is filled with comical incidental tunes. Theirs is a small fight scene with the gang of 3 and a telephone engineer, the fight is very comical. There is no tension in the film and it drifts from one boring scene to another. Not a film I would recommend.The film is no where near as distasteful similar films, I spit on your Grave or Last House on the Left, to name two. The film is not grim, like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Comparing Candy Snatchers to other bad/poor banned horror films, I'd say the film is little better than Driller killer.
Very Well-Made 70's Exploit Gem...
posted on 30 Aug 2009THE CANDY SNATCHERS is a film that a lot of exploit fans have been buzzing about since it received a "proper" DVD release recently - and for good reason. This is definitely one of the better crafted films of the genre - with a very well thought out story-line, good acting, and just enough gritty sleaze (mostly towards the end of the film...) to place it firmly in the exploitation genre. Also a kick-ass ending really drives the whole production home...THE CANDY SNATCHERS starts with two men and a woman abducting a girl on her way home from school. Turns out that her father is the manager of a jewelry store, and the kidnappers want diamonds in exchange for his daughter. They hide the girl away (which is witnessed by a young mute boy...) and wait for her father to bring the diamonds to the drop-site...but...he never shows. Unsure of what to do next, the abductors decide to confront the father with "evidence" that they mean business - but not all is as it seems, as we find that Pops may have his own agenda that may just include the kidnapper's plans. As things start to spiral out of control - all of the major players become more desperate in their greed, leading up to the unexpected (and very cool) ending...THE CANDY SNATCHERS is a real gem of 70's exploit cinema. It is far more polished and well-done than some of the more "schlocky" entries - and this film could really have played as a mainstream crime film, if not for some of the "controversial" scenes and situations. Not all that shocking by today's standards as some would lead you to believe...but a very interesting and unique slice of 70's exploitation cinema history, and definitely a "must see" for fans of the genre. 8.5/10
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Money is the root of all happiness.......
posted on 31 Aug 2009The Candy Snatchers was a pretty good 70's exploitation flick, a lost gem that's been out of print for many years. This sleazy kidnapping story was also inspired by Last House on The Left, while it might look like a rippoff it's completely different and it also has a great and unique storyline. The Candy Snatchers is quite a treat and is almost like a crime thriller. The movie centers around 3 kidnappers - Alan (Brad David), his sister Jessie played by hot playboy model Tiffany Bolling and Eddy who plan on kidnapping young Candy and holding her ransom in exchange for a briefcase full of diamonds that her step-father has access to. Aside from Candy just about every character depicted here is despicable. Her stepfather refuses to give in to the ransom. Seeing as he'll receive half of her inheritance if she dies, he could care less what becomes of Candy. To keep Candy hidden while they figure out what to do they bury her alive in a makeshift coffin with an air tube.
The major subplot of the movie focuses on a young mute boy who sees them bury Candy alive. He tries to tell his parents but they're too caught up trying to impress the man's boss with whom they're going to have dinner with that night. The dinner seems to go okay until the boss tries to talk with the little boy. When his parents tell him the boy is mute the boss breaks out in uproarious laughter. If that's not bad enough, the parents relentlessly shout at the boy for this on the way home!. They were clearly upset and felt embarrassed somehow.
This message of how parents evils either destroy (or usually corrupt) their children is a bit heavy handed at times. Not only are we reminded of it with Candy's situation (her stepfather scum and her mother drinks to avoid the situation at hand) and the young mute boy, but it is also showed that Alan and Jessie were the product of an abusive upbringing. But still I really enjoyed this flick, it gives off a very realistic vibe of three desperate people looking to make it big off of poor Candy. And Candy spends most of the flick bound and gagged in a Catholic Schoolgirl uniform which is kind of humorous but in a dark and sadistic kind of way. The thieves have a hard time keeping their hands off of her. Tiffany Bolling in my honest opinion was a real standout as the hot kidnapper who tries to keep the boys in line and sometimes has to suffer their abuse. Overall The Candy Snatchers is a pretty good crime flick. It's a little sleazy, a little harsh and all around exploitative. If you like these kind of films then you should definitely check it out.