Boxcar Bertha
| Boxcar Bertha | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Martin Scorsese |
| Screenplay by | Joyce H. Corrington John William Corrington Martin Scorsese (uncredited) |
| Produced by | Roger Corman Samuel Z. Arkoff (uncredited) |
| Starring | Barbara Hershey David Carradine Barry Primus Bernie Casey John Carradine |
| Cinematography | John Stephens |
| Edited by | Buzz Feitshans |
| Music by | Gib Guilbeau Thad Maxwell |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | American International Pictures |
Release date | June 14, 1972 |
Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $600,000 |
Boxcar Bertha is a 1972 American film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a loose adaptation of Sister of the Road, a pseudo-autobiographical account of the fictional character Bertha Thompson, written by Ben L. Reitman.[1] It was Scorsese's second feature film.
Plot
The film tells the story of Bertha Thompson (played by Barbara Hershey) and "Big" Bill Shelly (played by David Carradine), two train robbers and lovers who are caught up in the plight of railroad workers in the American South. When Bertha is implicated in the murder of a wealthy gambler, the pair become fugitives.
Cast
- Barbara Hershey as Boxcar Bertha
- David Carradine as Big Bill Shelly
- Barry Primus as Rake Brown
- Bernie Casey as Von Morton
- John Carradine as H. Buckram Sartoris
- Harry Northup as Harvey Hall
- Victor Argo as First McIver
- David Osterhout as Second McIver
- Ann Morell as Tillie Parr
- Marianne Dole as Mrs Mailler
- Joe Reynolds as Joe Cox
- Grahame Pratt as Emeric Pressburger
- 'Chicken' Holleman as M. Powell
Production
After the success of Bloody Mama, Roger Corman wanted to make another female gangster film. Julie Corman researched female gangsters and came across the story of Boxcar Bertha. Martin Scorsese was hired to direct on the strength of his first feature. He was given the lead actors, including Barbara Hershey, David Carradine, and Barry Primus, and a shooting schedule of 24 days in Arkansas.[2] The Reader Railroad was used for the train scenes.
Scorsese makes a cameo in the film as one of Bertha's clients during the brothel montage.[3]
See also
References
- ^ Thompson, Howard (August 18, 1972). "The Screen: 'Boxcar Bertha' Tops Local Double Bill". The New York Times.
- ^ Chris Nashawaty, Crab Monsters, Teenage Cavemen and Candy Stripe Nurses - Roger Corman: King of the B Movie, Abrams, 2013 p 120
- ^ Gary A. Smith, The American International Pictures Video Guide, McFarland 2009 p 33
External links
- 1972 films
- 1970s crime thriller films
- American crime thriller films
- American films
- American International Pictures films
- Biographical films about Depression-era gangsters
- English-language films
- Films about the labor movement
- Films directed by Martin Scorsese
- Films produced by Roger Corman
- Films set in Arkansas
- Films shot in Arkansas
- Great Depression films
- Industrial Workers of the World in fiction
- Rail transport films
- Road movies