Wheeler (1975)

SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Excellent, a Must See

A Disappointing Continuation

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

This is one of those 70's movies I appreciate not because it's good, or even because it's "so bad it's good", but because it's so far out of the generally accepted cinematic universe that it's hard to believe it was ever made at all. The Southern-fried plot involves a kidnapping masterminded by the greedy son-in-law of a rich oil baron (which naturally goes completely awry). The hired goon he gets to do this "Wheeler, the titular "Psycho from Texas", is a completely unlikeable and physically unattractive sociopath, who the filmmakers for some reason try to turn into some kind of tragic, sympathetic anti-hero by showing flashbacks of him as a grubby little kid watching his prostitute mother service male clients while a strangely touching country music song plays on the soundtrack.The most famous scene by far in this movie though is where "Wheeler" makes a barmaid, played by a very young Linnae Quigley, take off all her clothes and dance for him him while he pours beer over her head (then for the coup de grace he makes her dry hump the corpse of a man he has just killed). This scene actually gave me a new appreciation for Quigley who I had previously known only as a 1980's "scream queen", where she always adopted this intentional bad-acting schtick, (which I assumed covered up a total lack of talent) in countless "horror" movies that in turn used her and other half-naked "scream queens" to cover up the fact that they were completely worthless dreck. Quigley looks really good here despite (certainly not because of)the degrading nature of the scene, but what is REALLY impressive, even in such a small role as this, is her acting. I don't want to make outlandish claims that she deserved an Academy-award nomination or anything, but how many Academy-award nominated actresses would have had the guts to do something like this? And how many of her fellow "scream queens" could have possibly pulled it off? This movie is not very good, but it is kind of interesting.

This film is UNIQUE. Its so bad yet soooo good. Its rich with wondrous little moments found in no other film. And it has an authentic southern American quality that Hollywood often fails to capture. The vintage 70's south is crystallized perfectly in all its glory. This film is just plain fun for anyone with a discerning eye for tongue in cheek audacity. The characters are sharply contrasted against each other - very colorful, very animated, and the bad acting seems to do them a service. The main character, Wheeler, is the funniest/creepiest psycho ever. I mean, this guy is chock full of insecurity issues and they bleed right through the screen. If I ever met a guy this socially inept in real life I'd run away in a fit of giggle terror.

This could easily be a cult classic for the south. to bad all those crappy changes were made from the original. young Weeler could have used some more clips. Those flash backs are part of the addition from the original. The face and horrific sound used is crap. I love the music on the juke box. All original music. Tommy as slick is brilliant. The chase scene is classic. The director is seen in the boat waving and giving no assistance as Wiiliam Phillaps runs for his life. I think most of all I love the original songs in the movie. Authentic southern radio sounds help capture the historical genius of an old 70's 16 mm film.

Less of a video, more of an experience! Follow the adventures of Wheeler (John King III) and Slick (Tommey Lamey) as they plot to obtain filthy lucre from local oil baron Mr Phillips (Herschel Mays). Watching this film may make you laugh or cry, but most probably it will make you do both! Check out the over the top dialogue e.g. Slick telling Phillips "Nowwwwwww I got Your Asss" after the chase through the woods, the flashbacks to Wheelers childhood (complete with shoddy editing and booming noise!), and the legendary beer pouring over barmaid at the end. A must for all bad movie fans.