Run Swinger Run

Run Swinger Run is a 1967 low-budget, black-and-white exploitation movie, largely forgotten by mainstream cinema but adorned by cult followers. It stars Gretchen Rudolph, Bob Strong, and Susan Evans. Developed during the grindhouse wave of the period, the film reflects a specific genre tradition of the era, featuring emphasis on human transgressions, moral ambiguities, and grittier aspects of life.

The film, directed by Barry Mahon, unfolds as a thrilling tale of a young woman named Laura who finds herself involved in a gritty and dangerous world. Portrayed by Gretchen Rudolph, Laura is an unassuming yet impressionable teenage runaway, desperate to escape her plighted life. Her charismatic character perfectly encapsulates the naivety and vulnerability of youth.

Bob Strong stars as Greg, a dubious manager of a model agency who first intercepts Laura when she lands in the city. Greg's character is a veneered gentleman with devious intentions which he expertly hides beneath his charming charisma. Strong's performance radiates a captivating essence of menace that lurks beneath his character's suave exterior.

Completing the trio is Susan Evans who plays Linda, an experienced model working under Greg's exploitative regime. Evans' portrayal brings an empathetic perspective to the otherwise seedy underbelly of the film's narrative.

Within the movie, Laura soon finds herself ensnared in the cobwebs of a hostile city life, the entity she once sought after to liberate her from a mundane existence. Instead of the bohemian livelihood she had envisioned, Laura is nose-dived into a world of seedy strip clubs, unscrupulous characters, and dark, unregulated corners of the show-business. The promise of a modeling career turns into a nightmarish reality refuting her fantasies of glamour, independence, and fame.

Director Barry Mahon, known for his erotic and exploitation films of the time, weaves this narrative with an artistically muted but potent representation of the city's underbelly. His choice for black-and-white imagery adds a layer of noir-like authenticity to the film, pulling viewers into the grungy atmosphere of the stripping industry and its lurking hazards. The turbulent 60s societal backdrop reflects through the character's struggles, their desperate scrambling for power, and their futile attempts to preserve innocence amidst moral decay.

Run Swinger Run also offers an implicit commentary on women's objectification, the dark side of the glamour industry, and the fashioning of sexuality for capitalistic gains, making it more than just an exploitation flick. It's also an intriguing exploration of freedom versus exploitation, of innocence lost too quickly, and of the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition.

Moreover, it's in the small moments that the film truly shines. The dimly lit strip clubs, the hardened expressions of the dancers on stage, the lingering gloom in the dressing rooms - these all make for an ambiance that sets the tone for the entire movie. The cinematography uses this imagery to its advantage, allowing the grim setting to speak volumes on the exploitation and moral ambiguities that the narrative explores.

Even though it may not have gathered universal acclaim, Run Swinger Run possesses the capacity to trigger dialogues about its themes. Specifically, it expands exploitation trends beyond the explicit and broadly caters to its intended audience, fulfilling its promise of intrigue and thrill. Its tight script, combined with a captivating narrative and commendable lead performances, locates this movie as a watched item among the lovers of the 60's exploitation genre and those intrigued by classic grit noir.

In summary, Run Swinger Run dives deeply into the exploitation genre with its tale of a naive young woman thrown into the gritty world of the city's darker elements. A well-balanced performance from Rudolph, Strong, and Evans adds to the film's depth, making it an unsung piece of a cinematic period known for its bold explorations of societal shadows. Despite being a product of its immediate context, this film transcends the constraints of its era, persisting as a fascinating journey into the darker corridors of ambitions and survival.