Tom "Billy Jack" Laughlin stars as Scotty, who just wants to date his girl Janice, played by Rosemary Howard. If only her parents had been more agreeable, this film could have ended in 10 minutes and saved us a lot of time. But then we'd have a short subject. The parents think Laughlin is too old for Janice. So they forbid him to see her, although they might let him stop by when Christmas rolls around.
Despondent, Laughlin heads to the drive-in, where the local gang of morons also hangs out. The morons are led by Peter Miller, who looks like the Reverend Billy Graham with a ducktail. Not to be out-ducktailed by anyone is Dick Bakalyan, the vilest member of the group. Bakalyan spots a rival gang, and slashes one of their tires. He tries to pin the rap on Laughlin, and a rumble ensues between the two gangs. Miller is impressed with Laughlin and offers to do him a favor. Miller will pretend he's Janice's date, pick her up, and deliver her to Laughlin. Laughlin agrees. Idiot.
In short order, everyone winds up in an abandoned house, and liquor flows like water. In the background, we inexplicably hear the theme music from the 1950s trash fest "The Violent Years" (scripted by the king of crap, Ed Wood). The cops raid the place, probably because they can't stand the music either, and Bakalyan claims it was Laughlin who tipped them. So the next day, they offer Laughlin a ride to the corner, and he accepts. Idiot. They get him likkered up, then head to a gas station, where they order "a buck's worth of cheap." While Laughlin is hurling, Bakalyan knocks over the till and Miller clobbers the attendant. As the gang escape, Laughlin picks up the money and wanders off. Idiot.
To ensure his silence, the gang puts the bag on Janice. Finally, in the last ten minutes, we get some action as Laughlin goes Billy Jack and kicks Bakalyan's butt all over the lawn, and then beats the crap out of Miller. Then the narrator tells us that delinquency is a disease, like cerebral palsy.
The only person worth watching in this film is Bakalyan, who was making his debut, and excelled at playing crumbs in his career. Miller is okay. Laughlin's character is too stupid and naïve to root for. Howard is not very attractive - try to imagine Kyle McLachlan in a Prince Valiant haircut. The parents are typical 1950s pains in the butt.
Despondent, Laughlin heads to the drive-in, where the local gang of morons also hangs out. The morons are led by Peter Miller, who looks like the Reverend Billy Graham with a ducktail. Not to be out-ducktailed by anyone is Dick Bakalyan, the vilest member of the group. Bakalyan spots a rival gang, and slashes one of their tires. He tries to pin the rap on Laughlin, and a rumble ensues between the two gangs. Miller is impressed with Laughlin and offers to do him a favor. Miller will pretend he's Janice's date, pick her up, and deliver her to Laughlin. Laughlin agrees. Idiot.
In short order, everyone winds up in an abandoned house, and liquor flows like water. In the background, we inexplicably hear the theme music from the 1950s trash fest "The Violent Years" (scripted by the king of crap, Ed Wood). The cops raid the place, probably because they can't stand the music either, and Bakalyan claims it was Laughlin who tipped them. So the next day, they offer Laughlin a ride to the corner, and he accepts. Idiot. They get him likkered up, then head to a gas station, where they order "a buck's worth of cheap." While Laughlin is hurling, Bakalyan knocks over the till and Miller clobbers the attendant. As the gang escape, Laughlin picks up the money and wanders off. Idiot.
To ensure his silence, the gang puts the bag on Janice. Finally, in the last ten minutes, we get some action as Laughlin goes Billy Jack and kicks Bakalyan's butt all over the lawn, and then beats the crap out of Miller. Then the narrator tells us that delinquency is a disease, like cerebral palsy.
The only person worth watching in this film is Bakalyan, who was making his debut, and excelled at playing crumbs in his career. Miller is okay. Laughlin's character is too stupid and naïve to root for. Howard is not very attractive - try to imagine Kyle McLachlan in a Prince Valiant haircut. The parents are typical 1950s pains in the butt.