Blonde on a Bum Trip Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Blonde on a Bum Trip Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 28, 2024

1936’s “Reefer Madness” is generally considered the gold standard of anti-drug exploitation films, with its melodrama and behavioral extremity helping the picture work past its serious intent to become an unintentional comedy classic. 1968’s “Blonde on a Bum Trip” isn’t nearly as entertaining, but it also attempts to explore the dark side of experimentation, with director Raf Mauro trying to ride drug trends of the decade, creating a study of manipulation that turns into a night of murder. Or whatever. The events in the movie aren’t terribly clear, which is both a highlight and lowlight of the endeavor, as Mauro is basically forcing a crime story on what appears to be random footage he’s collected. Technical finesse isn’t welcome to this party, with “Blonde on a Bum Trip” slapdash and goofy. However, there’s fun to be had if you’re looking for it, as the effort captures the weirdness of the 1960s and its ragtag cinematic pursuits, watching Mauro try to piece together something coherent for a young audience.

Susan (Alexis Wassel) is a young woman ready to embark on a college adventure, attending Woodmere University. She’s a chemistry student paired with roommates Mickey and Vanessa, who immediately conspire to exploit her intelligence and training, talking Susan into using lab time to create a batch of LSD. Joining their cause is T.J., a good-looking pal instructed to help seduce Susan, pushing her to go through with the plan in the name of love. Susan eventually agrees, crafting a vial of acid for use at a party in New York City, taking a road trip with Mickey and Vanessa, with plans to enjoy a weekend away from campus. While clubs are visited and camaraderie is present, darkness soon comes for Susan, with her LSD resulting in the murder of Vanessa at a spaced out gathering. Now in the hospital trying to recover from a horrible night, Susan is confronted by Detective Harry, who wants answers as he searches for the real killer.

“Blonde on a Bum Trip” tries to pull viewers into the mess right away, with Vanessa’s murder serving as the opening sequence. We watch as Susan is placed into an ambulance and sent to a local hospital, where Dr. Goldman and his top nurse try to tend to their patient, looking to understand her trauma while Detective Harry is more interested in answers. T.J. and Mickey are also there for questioning, still lost on their acid trip, making the investigation difficult, putting pressure on Susan to recall her experience at school leading up to the night of the LSD-fueled freak out, hinting at a more investigative path for “Blonde on a Bum Trip.”

The feature returns to the beginning, introducing Susan as a nice, shy young woman trying to do her best at Woodmere University. Her naivete is instantly spotted by Mickey and Vanessa, who seem to love nothing more than to spend the day in their underwear, plotting how to make other lives unbearable. They target Susan, trying to get the chem student to make a vial of LSD, and a Shakespearean tale of manipulation is born, bringing in T.J. to claim the mark’s heart, giving her a reason and a formula to help create the drug during school hours. Perhaps there’s a plot here worth following, but Mauro doesn’t have the resources to craft a cruel tale of bad influence. Instead, there are random moments and lots of padding, with montages used to beef up the run time, and soundtrack selections are repeated as a rock mood is attempted by the filmmaker.

Perhaps most bizarre are the addition of sex scenes in “Blonde on the Bum Trip,” with the feature abruptly stopping to deal with the carnal interests of supporting characters. Offerings of sexploitation are random and shot without style, and Mauro delves into a strange grimness during a sequence where Max, a friend to T.J., Vanessa, and Mickey, suddenly decides to sexually assault his hotel housekeeper (there’s also focus on a cryptic “Support Fung Porter” button, because, why not?). It’s a puzzling moment that has nothing to do with the rest of “Blonde on a Bum Trip,” but that’s generally Mauro’s way, working hard to make it to the picture’s 65-minute-long run time, which also includes a lengthy driving sequence and real- time shower preparation with Susan. And there’s a visit to a local discotheque, where the college kids take in a full performance from the “psychedelic rock band,” The Bit’A Sweet.

Blonde on a Bum Trip Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "newly restored in 4K from the original 35mm camera negative." Clarity is generally excellent on this release, though "Blonde on a Bum Trip" isn't exactly a visual feast. Still, detail explores skin particulars and stiff hair, and clothing retains fibrousness as style from the era is displayed. Room interiors remain open for inspection, including a trip to a nightclub. Exteriors are limited, but maintain depth. Cinematography stays fresh, with sharp whites and deep blacks. Source is in decent condition, with a few points of damage and some general wear and tear.

Blonde on a Bum Trip Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix deals with the general weirdness of "Blonde on a Bum Trip," with actual recorded dialogue from the production a rare occurrence in the movie, and some sibilance issues are present. Most of the performances have been dubbed over, and not well, with terrible synch a seemingly inherent issue. There are a few moments when lips are moving without audible lines, but this appears to be the way things are in the endeavor. Soundtrack cuts are plastered all over the feature, keeping rock music repetitive, and while distinct instrumentation isn't available, a general appreciation of the tunes is.

Blonde on a Bum Trip Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Raf Mauro and producer Ed Adlum.

• Commentary #2features producer Jack Bravman.

• "Vintage Classroom LSD Scare Films" (HD) include "Beyond LSD" (23:12), ""Ups/Downs" (23:46), and "LSD-25" (26:35).

• Image Gallery (3:20) collects poster and marketing art, and film stills.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:09, HD) is included.

Blonde on a Bum Trip Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The big LSD party arrives in the final act(?) of "Blonde on a Bum Trip," with Susan entering a room of people ready to devour laced sugar cubes. Of course, a murder is eventually committed, but there's time spent with guest interactions, with Professor Paul claiming acid is a "completely harmless drug." Mauro livens up the trip with a distorted mirror effect, and there's more bedroom activity to endure, briefly turning the film into a British sex comedy. The picture goes everywhere as it tries to invent a story worth following, only to end up with a non-ending where nothing is solved. Only parental shame for an educational disaster is emphasized, with Mauro weirdly non-committal when it comes time to condemn or celebrate the LSD experience. The helmer seems more interested in finishing the endeavor than making sense of it, leaving a traditional appreciation of dramatic intent impossible. However, the effort does offer appeal as a time capsule, displaying fashion and attitudes of the era, and there's a certain Bad Movie Night element in play during the viewing experience, allowing for some amusement as Mauro scrambles to deliver a feature, almost simulating an acid trip with his nonsensical choices and random fetishes.