Cult Classic? Switchblade Sisters
I recently jumped into the “cult classic” Switchblade Sisters, also known as The Jezebels, from 1975. It features the usual tropes: adults playing teenagers who inexplicably hang out in run-down, power-supplied buildings. These hangouts are surprisingly well-stocked with pool tables and beer fridges, and the teenagers’ parents seem unusually lax. But it’s a movie, so I get it. Despite not being impressed, I watched the entire film. Filmed in California during the 1970s, the movie had just enough of the era’s vibe to keep me engaged. Let’s explore what I liked—and didn’t like—a little further.
The Grating Voice of Lace in Switchblade Sisters
Switchblade Sisters irritated me in ways most movies don’t, especially when it came to Robbie Lee’s character, “Lace.” As the lead role, she was on screen a lot, and her frequent presence was grating. One thing, in particular, bothered me: her habit of clenching her teeth and speaking whenever she got angry or tried to intimidate someone. It was a mannerism that, while not unique to her, was uniquely irritating in this context. I would’ve preferred if she had just screamed instead. This quirk made it obvious she was trying to act, rather than simply acting. While I’m no actor and hesitate to critique acting too harshly, this performance just rubbed me the wrong way.
Memories Triggered by a Peacock Chair in Switchblade Sisters
When my grandmother passed away, I had the chance to take a clawfoot bathtub and several skeleton key doors with crystal knobs. Although I’ve always been fascinated by antiques, I passed on the opportunity and regret it to this day. My brother, on the other hand, took some cabinets, keeping her memory alive through these family heirlooms. One of the few things I enjoyed about Switchblade Sisters was spotting a “Peacock” chair—the exaggerated round-back wicker chair that used to sit on my grandmother’s back porch. That small detail brought back a flood of memories, though, unfortunately, there wasn’t much else I enjoyed about the film.
Switchblade Sisters: A Neon Twist on Classic 70s Style
The color schemes on posters and the art in the opening and closing credits of old movies always catch my eye. A recent film that did this well was Thanksgiving (you can read my thoughts on that here). In Switchblade Sisters, the opening scenes, and possibly the closing ones too, were shot in black and white, with neon overlays. The contrast between the black-and-white footage and the neon accents was striking—a great choice by the film’s art director. It’s a technique that always works, especially with the desaturated 70s flair.
Some Things I Enjoyed From Switchblade Sisters
Switchblade Sisters’ story is interesting, but it isn’t a great movie. The plot revolves around teenage gangs, a common theme in movies from that era. Each gang member dons a leather jacket, has a nickname, and, of course, carries a switchblade. However, the movie adds its own twist: the gangs are separated by gender, with the girls led by Lace and the boys led by her boyfriend. Predictably, tension arises when a new girl, Maggie, enters the scene. Interestingly, it’s the boy who turns out to be the real villain, not Maggie. As the story unfolds and gang warfare breaks out, another group is introduced.
This new group is a militant, all-female Black gang. Maggie knows their leader from a past friendship, and these heavily armed women bring a surprising twist to the plot. The gang admires communist leaders like Mao Zedong and eagerly agrees to help the white girl gang attack a rival group, led by a man named “Crabs.” The movie never delves deeply into this political subplot, which I found intriguing because it’s not something I’ve seen before in a street gang film.
In the final showdown, the unified female gangs face off against Crabs and his posse in a downtown gunfight. As expected, the scene is filled with 70s-style guns, which adds to the movie’s retro charm. I love experiencing time travel through movies, and this scene didn’t disappoint. The cheesy death scenes continue until the Black gang unveils their “surprise”—an improvised armored vehicle with steel plates and gun ports. This addition tips the scales in the battle, providing a memorable, if somewhat bizarre, climax.
The Cult Classic Conundrum: What Makes Switchblade Sisters One?
According to Tubi, where I watched Switchblade Sisters, it’s considered a cult classic. I’m still trying to figure out why. If any fans are reading this, I’d love to hear what makes this film special to you. While the story was engaging in parts, I’m curious about what elevates it to cult status. For me, the standout elements were the switchblades, leather jackets, old skating rinks, makeshift armored cars, vintage guns, and a few stylish period sundresses worn by the girls. The bolo chain weapon was another unexpected highlight—something I’d expect to see in a Kung Fu movie, not an American gang flick.
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