The CandySnatchers (1973)

The CandySnatchers (1973)

W: Bryan Gindoff

D: Guerdon Trueblood

“Money is the root of all happiness” is the opening song in this bizarre-o kidnapping movie that spent many years unreleased in any format. A true exploitation drive in movie, this one is worth seeking out!

I’ve spent many years searching for odd movies, especially obscure ones, whenever companies like Blue Underground or Synapse films bring one out I scramble for it. I finally got around to this one, and boy, what was I waiting for?

It’s the story of three kidnappers, Jessie (playboy playmate Tiffany Bolling), Alan (Brad David) her weird brother, and Eddy (a excellent Vincent Martorano) who plot to nab a girl named Candy (Susan Sennett) whose step father (Ben Piazza) runs a jewelry store. The Nabbers plot that her step dad will pay the ransom in diamonds, and pay a handsome amount. So they bury her alive waiting for him to deliver the ransom. However, when he doesn’t show up to a rendezvous point with money they believe their plan is unraveling and everybody starts losing control.

Its also gets complicated with a mute kid witness, the step dads affair and multiple double crossings.

Some of the scenes I really loved were the interactions with the criminals, their dialogue is fun and never predictable, also intense sequences. Also the scenes with the mute kid offer another unique perspective to the whole story. Its just a weird sub plot that flirts with his abuse from his wicked mother and him witnessing the bumbling criminals at work. I tell you the movie is really, really well though out. The film also hints at incest, and is controversial with rape scenes, murder and questionable motivations.

It also has a wicked surprise ending you really won’t believe.

I loved this movie for its undeniable charm, the ‘criminals’ are actually likable, while the people that we should care for are kind of despicable, in particular Ben Piazza’s performance as the step father. Also his character is one note, but I love his motivations, he uses his daughters kidnapping as an excuse to get inheritance money from her dead father and run off with his employee who he’s sleeping with. I actually thought the script was excellent, considering for an exploitation movie the plot weaves in an out of control every other scene adding more depth and action to each growing moment of tension. It’s a little dated, but it is still a gem.

There are some genuinely surprising moments in the film, and it never gets boring.

The dvd from Subversive Cinema has a featurette about the girls and is presented in 16:9 widescreen.

For fans of Thriller and any Tarantino flick.