Review of Mama's Dirty Girls

Shrewd con woman Mama Love (an impressively fierce portrayal by the redoubtable Gloria Grahame) and her three lovely daughters -- shameless strumpet Becky (the ravishing Candice Rialson of "Pets" and "Hollywood Boulevard" fame), lusty Addie (delectable redhead Sondra Currie), and meek Cindy (pretty Mary Stoddard) -- fleece unsuspecting rich men out of their money. After their latest victim proves to be a bust, the gals move on to a desolate desert community to continue their naughty ways: Mama marries shady resort owner Harold (an excellent performance by Paul Lambert), Becky ruthlessly teases slow-witted handyman Willy (solid Joseph Anthony), and Addie falls for the hunky, but married Sheriff Roy Collins (a sound turn by Christopher Wines). Director John Hayes, working from a suitably sordid and mean-spirited script by Gil Lasky, makes no bones about the film being an unapologetic piece of low-grade trash that blithely panders to the lowest common denominator: From the gloriously sleazy and leering opening shot of a deliciously topless Rialson checking herself out in the mirror to the extremely grim conclusion in which everybody gets their just desserts, this picture certainly delivers the satisfyingly seamy goods. While the majority of the characters aren't remotely appealing, it's still a nasty blast to watch this nest of vipers prey on each other. Better still, there's a generous amount of tasty female nudity courtesy of the aforementioned Rialson and yummy brunette former "Penthouse" Pet of the Year Anneka di Lorenzo as Collins' bitter and possessive estranged wife Charity. Henning Schellerup's plain, but acceptable cinematography, the alternately bluesy and funky score by Don Bagley and Steve Michaels, and tough, gritty tone all further enhance the considerable scuzzy entertainment value of this worthwhile drive-in item.