How 'bout those Brownrigg movies? Hopefully, I'm not the only fan out there who sees him as more than just the guy who made 1973's Don't Look In The Basement. Sure. That one was, by far, the best thing S.F. Brownrigg ever did, but he would soon prove to have more to offer than just the one hit. Of course Brownrigg would also prove, later on, that he can make really boring movies, as well. However, let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Today, we're going to take a look at good ol' S.F's second feature, 1974's Scum Of The Earth: The most mean-spirited Hixploitation film I've ever seen!
Paul and Helen have just gotten married, and just now arrived at their Honeymoon destination out in the backwoods. A place where they can have some real privacy. And the second Paul is out of Helen's site, he gets it with an axe by an unknown assailant. As the sun sets, a petrified Helen runs off into the deep, dark woods, with no real plan in mind. The plan is to not die, I guess. After what seems like hours of running, Helen runs into a scary-looking old bastard who would be mistaken for a killer by anyone in Helen's shoes. Odis Pickett does look capable of murder, and I'd be surprised if he's never taken a life, but Odis did not murder that man. Helen reluctantly takes his word for it and accepts his invitation to follow him home because where else is there to go?
Odis leads Helen down into the darkest depths of nowhere, where we find Odis' home, lived in by him and his family, all of which come off far more approachable than Odis, himself. This here house probably wouldn't be the first choice of hideouts for someone who just witnessed the murder of a loved one. Although again, where the hell else is there to go? She probably couldn't even find her way back to where she started, even if that was a good idea. While still alive, Helen's life is over. The Pickett house is now all there is. This filthy house, which seems to reek of dust, humidity and hopelessness. As Helen gazes out the window, she realizes all that exists outside this unwelcoming place is darkness and death.
Odis promised Helen she could use his phone to call the Police, which is the only reason she's here, but Helen quickly finds out from the family that there is no phone. Why would Odis go and lie about a thing like that? Well, if he hadn't, she might have gone somewhere else for help. And as we all know, somewhere else ain't here. Odis needs Helen here if she's to be raped, later. Odis usually feels a bit rapey after so many hours of drinking Moonshine. Yeah, I think we all saw that one coming. His ability to think so far ahead, not so much.
The Pickett family consists of the pregnant wife, Emmy, who Odis bought off her pa some time ago. Then, there's his grown up kids from another marriage, Bo and Sarah. Nobody expects much out of Bo, who may be borderline retarded. Sarah despises Bo and gives him a hard time every chance she gets. The chip on Sarah's shoulder is obvious. The reason for it soon becomes known, as Sarah takes issue with her father' plans to rape Helen. She doesn't want what's already happened to her to happen to anyone else, as she's quite blunt about it. Sarah doesn't so much care what happens to this woman as she simply despises Odis and might as well deprive him of some pussy if she can. Despite her and Emmy's efforts, the horny old drunk takes what he wants, further traumatizing Helen.
Last night, Odis got so drunk, he actually forgot about Bo getting murdered by the still faceless killer. Now would be a good time to discuss sending Helen on her way, but Odis would prefer keeping her around a while longer. The reason for this seems mostly due to Odis' growing boredom with the already available holes in the house. A man ought to not take family for granted, but 'ol Odis never claimed to be perfect, now, did he? Odis has no real plan on what to do about Helen, or how long to keep her here, or what to tell the cops once they get called. A rape accusation is coming sooner or later, and he knows it. Odis will handle that when the time comes. Right now, Sarah is missing, and he's liquored up enough to go out there and shoot a hole through a somebitch. So, Odis threatens the wife with violence so she doesn't let his guest escape, and tries, once and for all, to nip this problem in the bud before all holes are lost.A bit of a change of pace from Don't Look In The Basement, huh? This one is strictly for B-movie lovers with an appetite for the dirty ones and the mean ones. And anyone who enjoyed Brownrigg's last film will want to check this out, regardless, as we have several cast members returning to help out. Most notably, Gene "Judge" Ross and Camilla Carr, who are clearly far too close in age to be playing father and daughter. I'm guessing Ross was playing a role about a decade older than he actually was. Gene Ross does a fantastic job portraying what should now be known as the poster-child for Hixploitation. Nasty in every sense of the word. Newcomer, Charlie Dell, did a fine job channeling the dim-witted hick within him. The other newcomer, Ann Stafford's, portrayal of Emmy was a much needed addition, as her sweet demeanor, and constant offering of moral support, only served to make the rest of the Pickett family come off all the sleazier. A tiny cast for a straight-forward plot that wastes no time getting to the point. A tone which tells me no one in this movie will experience happiness ever again, regardless of how things end up. This is Hixploitation done the right way! 5/10
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