Funky Friday meets The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu-
Issue # 2 Penitentiary(Leon Issac Kennedy)vs Wonder Women(Nancy Kwan- Two from Vinegar Syndrome
Let’s get this story off to a rockin and funky start… and I can’t think of anyone better than Dr. John with 1974 Right Place, Wrong Time Cajun, jazz fused beat.. and one with a more appropriate title regarding the two films we are about to explore…so take it away Dr.
Vinegar Syndrome brings us 2 late entries into the Black Action Films or Blaxplosion of the 70’s with the Penitentiary I & II and a crazed, funked out martial arts flick blended with some truly exploitative/grindhouse moments plus a slew of cheezy medical procedure shots consisting of organ transplant scenes all done to add a little bit of gore to this action extravaganza, none other than Wonder Women. -all with special treatment that all of Vinegars releases are subject to: remastered from the best possible source with either a 2K OR 4K Bluray and whenever from a 35mm original camera negative and this is the case in regards to P I (1979) & II(1982) which is the source on these new editions.
Below : Vintage ad for original engagement
The first Penitentiary is legend in it’s totally independent, way outside the studio environment. Lending itself to a very realistic and gritty prison story. The filming was a short schedule done in days as opposed to the second one that had more money behind it and the studios also. It also marked a late entry in the Black Action films of the 70's.
Jamaa Fanaka ran a tight ship on the first Penitentiary and it paid off. It is a riveting and well paced film. Stand out performances by the cast and a salute to the production crew and the writers.
The continuing exploits of Martel Gradone with the second feature also boasted a who’s who of the Blaxploitation films from the early to mid 70’s with Rudy Ray Moore(Dolemite) plus up and coming stars Ernie Hudson(Ghostbusters/The Crow) and Mr T(Rocky III/TV’s A Team) of the early 80's.
Extras:We also are being treated to interviews with the star Leon Issac Kennedy who is a fireball of energy and that alone should be encouragement to pick up a copy of these pieces of cinematic history and indeed it is. On PII an option for an isolated soundtrack and archival commentaries by Director Jamaa Fanaka
Fashion Break,Seventies style- hot pants, jump suits and platforms…
Above- a dress that combines all- halter top/hot pants/skirt…plus matching shoes with ankle ties…and my favorite color -blue
And talk about platforms-you just might need a ladder to get in and out of those- and I hope your not afraid of heights.
Food at the cinema- Boston Baked Beans(really it was peanuts inside,not real beans)
a Coke & popcorn, Eggs Rolls(Drive-In) and Fresca? (originally a grapefruit flavored sugar free soft drink)…or a TAB- 0 sugar…
good ol’, mouthwatering Onion Rings..um umm
Coming Attractions-
Playing on TV in the early ’70s
and mid -Seventies-
The Magician Television series only saw one season… It starred the ever talented Bill Bixby both in front of and behind the camera as Tony . A ex-prisoner from an unnamed Central/South American country who was imprisoned falsely. And was helped by a fellow inmate. One who had considerable wealth and means. It was all left to Tony. Who decided to use for good. Through what he learned from the older man in terms of escaping he became not only a professional escape artist but also world renowned magician.
In the series half way through the season he ended up moving to the Magic Castle..in La-which is a real place. There he resided above the main floor in an apartment. **trivia- The apartment never existed in real life. But what is real and true is that Bill Bixby performed all the magic himself. In fact even after the series was canceled, Bill went on to host a series of magic specials over many years. You see the show was a hit — the problem was it was one the most expensive series on the air(remember no cable). It offered lots of fantastic illusions and sleight of hand plus stunts. Bill most of his own… He also got to drive a very sleek corvette and fly around in his own private plane … on the show of course… it is available from VEI on DVD..
Time for a retro commercial break or an intermission
And folks please before you leave just make sure you return your our speaker to it’s proper place..thanks and enjoy the show!!!!
Wonder Women-1973
Above: “Only one man can stop them, if he can stay alive long enough”
Right: This guy(Ross Hagen) just does not get. Stay away from the girls!!! Especially ones that are toting machine guns. Just not a good situation.
It’s Wonder Women not Wonder Woman this time. And they are not coming to the rescue of anyone. They are the ones delivering the mayhem and it’s down to one man to stop’em. Ross Hagen is the man!!! While the lovely Nancy Kwan(Flower Drum Song and The Wrecking Crew) plays a mad scientist/doctor dealing in organ transplants and super soldiers/assassins. But villains have more fun. Ross Hagen(TV Daktari 13 episodes / Angel) aka Mike Harber gets his a** handed to him more times than I care to count. I mean this has grit…karate chopping females. a boot down the stairs and machine gun toting beauties..what’s a guy to do? However he never gives up.
Dr Tsu(Kwan to the left) has an unstoppable all girl army of supermodels/martial arts experts. Advanced in organ and body part transplants- the Doctor has decided it would be a good thing to kidnap all the top athletes in the world and sell their “wares” to the top bidders. This is one film where it does not pay to be in good shape considering the consequences. Prolonging the life of the ner-do wells. I guess it pays to live the “Lifestyle of the rich n famous”-remember that show? So it’s no wonder Ross has his work cut out for him.
What I love this movie is it’s sense of fun and adventure-maintaining a balance between camp and the serious. Plus the locale -, an exotic island off the coast of Manila. We are provided several of my favorite character actors from the 70's- Sid Haig, Vic Diaz . These two alone appeared in over … 300 films and TV appearances. Vic was small roly poly actor who was best known for the villainess roles he played. This guy was so convincing as an evil, greedy fat detective or Col. it was hard for him to do much else. The Boys in Company C, Black Mama, White Mama and The Losers( one of my favorites since it stars my boy- William Smith)
Sid Haig could be a good “bad” guy or a good “good” guy. But when he was bad look out. He was known for his role as the main antagonist Dragos( just the name gives me chills oooh hoo)on the ever popular Saturday Morning series — Jason of Star Command. And his appearances alongside Pam Grier(who recently celebrated a birthday- Happy B-Day Pam!!! Big Bird Cage, Coffy and Friday Foster.
Leslie McRay-a Miss Universe/Miss World (2nd runner up), Miss Hawaii, Miss Los Angeles competitor-she was known as a model who could act. Leslie appears here uncredited and has done so in other productions. But by being so flexible as a background actor she can be seen in many popular TV series(Man From Uncle,Love, America Style,Police Story) from the 60’s & 70’s as well as some iconic feature films from those eras including Valley of the Dolls, Girl in Gold Boots, The Female Bunch, Coffy(Pam Grier), and
Roger Corman’s cult classic Death Race 2000 riding along with Sylvester Stallone as his partner in crime.
Left: Japanese release poster
Rounding out the titler “Wonder Women” are Shirley Washington as Maggie (Bamboo Gods and Iron Men), Roberta Collins as Laura (Big Doll House and appearances in The Night Stalker & Rockford Files), Maria De Aragon( The Cremators & Star Wars IV- Greedo-uncredited), Claire Poland-Hagen as Vera (Angels Wild Women & TV — Here Come the Brides). One time up on the big screen- Eleanor Siron as Mei Ling and Gail Hansen as Gail.
Sporting a funked up soundtrack and just the music played over the titles is a blend of spy and 70’s black action films like Hell up in Harlem(Fred Williamson), Three the Hard Way( Jim Brown) and Truck Turner(Issac Hayes).
Hey for all you martial arts fans don’t touch that dial because in the weeks to come we will be bringing you back to where it all started more than 40 years ago…and I promise it’s just heating up… and don’t count the ladies out because they are some times more deadlier than the male… Sister Street Fighter and Angela Mao… til then be dangerous and Diabolik and please wear a mask….
Next week- A retrospect on one of the most influential mags of the ‘70s- Marvel’s Deadly Hands of Kung Fu
***The above titles are available on Amazon and straight from Vinegar Syndrome. See links below.
Out now A rollicking good time — Vice Academy 1–3 Bluray
Who said Vice isn’t fun?!!!
Starring Ginger Lynn Allen and Linnea Quigley…two of the hottest cops on the force and vying for Queen of the B’s …
Links to Vinegar Syndrome-
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Related faire- The Million Eyes of Su Muru- 1967 starring Shirley Eaton(Goldfinger) Bond on Acid…with Frankie Avalon and George Nader…
on Bluray from Blueunderground
