Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Big Bad Mama Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 12, 2021

Roger Corman had a thing for movies with “Mama” in the title, and in 1974 he released one of his biggest hits with “Big Bad Mama,” not to be confused with “Bloody Mama” or “Crazy Mama.” Returning to his love of the gangster genre, Corman offers director Steve Carver a small budget and the star power of Angie Dickinson to make magic happen, with the feature a chaotic offering of violence and combustible character relationships. Carver keeps the picture in a state of unrest for as long as possible, looking to wow viewers with chases and shootouts, but “Big Bad Mama” is really Dickinson’s big show, and she delivers a wonderfully enthusiastic performance as the titular criminal.

“Big Bad Mama” explores the Depression-era panic of Wilma (Dickinson), who decides on a life of crime to fund her dreams of California living, joined by her children, Polly (Robbie Lee) and Billy Jean (Susan Sennett), and saddled with men, such as gangster Diller (Tom Skerritt) and crook Baxter (William Shatner). Primary focus is placed on Wilma’s hot-blooded adventures with guns, cash, and lovers, living her best life while trying to take the American Dream, unafraid of the violence she encounters, including pursuit from government officials. “Big Bad Mama” is almost shapeless, jumping around robberies and lecherous men, finding Wilma’s focus on her future the glue that barely holds the feature together.

Big Bad Mama Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) is sourced from an older master of the movie, offering softness throughout the viewing experience. Detail is acceptable but not remarkable, offering the basics in facial surfaces and period costuming. Distances are also passably dimensional. Colors are decent, with natural skintones and greenery. Clothing carries compelling primaries, along with location decoration. Delineation is acceptable. Source has wear and tear, with scratches and speckling common, while frame damage and rough reel changes are also present.

Big Bad Mama Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix does what it can with the limited soundscape of "Big Bad Mama," offering passable dialogue exchanges that occasionally deal with the chaos of group celebrations and violence. Voices aren't exact at times, but intelligibility remains. Scoring cues retain a comfortable presence, with clear instrumentation on guitar work and jaw harp additions.

Big Bad Mama Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Steve Carver and cinematographer Bruce Logan.

• Commentary #2 features actress Angie Dickinson and producer Roger Corman.

• "Mama Knows Best" (14:40, SD) is a making-of for "Big Bad Mama," featuring interviews with director Steve Carver, producer Roger Corman, writers Frances Doel and William W. Norton, and actors Angie Dickinson and William Shatner. With Corman finding success in the gangster genre, the idea for a female aggressor was born, presenting the screenwriters with multiple robbery scenarios in search of a story. Character development is explored, with Dickinson detailing her ideas on Wilma's mothering duties. Carver shares a few Corman-approved tricks of the trade, and casting is detailed, focusing on Dickinson's participation in the production, and her willingness to do nudity (she's also fine when discussing Tom Skerritt, but comes off downright disgusted when she mentions Shatner). Favorite scenes are highlighted and music is analyzed, revealing that Jerry Garcia of Grateful Dead helped with the guitar parts.

• Interview (5:28, SD) is a discussion of "Big Bad Mama" with producer Roger Corman, hosted by film critic Leonard Maltin. Corman explores the importance of a great title when star power is lacking, though the two men are quick to praise the cast, examining the hiring of Tom Skerritt and William Shatner, and celebrating Angie Dickinson's participation, along with her willingness to take off her clothes. Corman defines his participation as a producer, also sharing financial information about the value of drive-ins during the 1970s. A brief chat about "Big Bad Mama 2" and appreciation for director Steve Carver as also included.

• T.V. Spots (1:34, HD) provide two commercials for "Big Bad Mama."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:57, HD) is included.

Big Bad Mama Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Big Bad Mama" gets lost at times, with Carver laboring to keep the feature on the move, managing an episodic screenplay that's not always concerned with character details. What the movie enjoys is bedlam, which grows exhausting, but it always has Dickinson, who's a mighty force in the picture, having a grand time portraying a tough, powerful woman, which she does superbly.