Grindhouse Cinema

Origins

Grindhouse cinema refers to a particular type of film that emerged in the 1960's and 1970's in the United States. It is characterised by low budgets, gritty storytelling, and a focus on sex, violence, and other taboo subjects. The origins of Grindhouse cinema can be traced back to the early 20th century, with the advent of travelling vaudeville shows and burlesque theatres that would show short films in between live performances.

In the 1930's and 1940's, the popularity of these short films led to the rise of independent movie theatres that specialised in showing B-movies and exploitation films. These theatres were often located in urban areas and catered to working-class audiences looking for cheap entertainment. They would often feature double or triple bills of low-budget films, with titles such as "Teenage Zombies" and "She-Devils on Wheels."

The term "Grindhouse" itself comes from the fact that many of these theatres were located on "grind" streets, which were areas known for their seedy, often illegal activity. These theatres were also known for their run-down, grimy interiors and sticky floors, as well as the fact that patrons could come and go as they pleased, allowing them to watch a film multiple times if they so desired.

Grindhouse cinema really began to take off in the 1960's, with the rise of exploitation films that catered to niche audiences such as bikers, hippies, and horror fans. These films were often made on shoestring budgets and relied heavily on shock value and provocative content to attract audiences. Titles like "Blood Feast" and "The Wild Angels" became cult classics among Grindhouse audiences, who appreciated the films' edginess and willingness to push the boundaries of what was socially acceptable.

In the 1970's, Grindhouse cinema reached its peak, with the release of films like "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," "I Spit on Your Grave," and "The Last House on the Left." These films were often extremely violent and sexual in nature, and many were banned or heavily censored in certain parts of the country. Nevertheless, they proved hugely popular among Grindhouse audiences, who appreciated the films' willingness to shock and provoke.

The decline of Grindhouse cinema began in the 1980's, with the rise of home video and the proliferation of multiplex theatres that focused on mainstream Hollywood releases. Many Grindhouse theatres were either closed or converted to pornographic theatres or adult bookstores, and the era of the Grindhouse came to a close.

However, the legacy of Grindhouse cinema lives on today, with many contemporary filmmakers paying homage to the genre through films like "Grindhouse" and "Machete." Grindhouse cinema may have been rough around the edges, but it was also a vital part of American film history, a reminder of a time when movies were made for audiences who craved something different and daring.

The 1960's

The 1960's marked the birth of Grindhouse cinema, a genre characterised by low-budget, exploitation films shown in seedy theatres or drive-ins. These films often featured gratuitous violence, sex, and taboo subjects that were considered too controversial for mainstream audiences. Here are 10 films from the 60's that defined the world of Grindhouse cinema.

Blood Feast (1963) - Directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis, this horror film follows a caterer who uses human body parts to prepare a feast for an ancient Egyptian goddess. The film is known for its graphic gore and shocking subject matter.

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965) - Directed by Russ Meyer, this cult classic follows a trio of go-go dancers who embark on a violent crime spree. The film is known for its strong female characters and exploitation of sex and violence.

The Wild Angels (1966) - Directed by Roger Corman, this biker film follows a gang of outlaw bikers who terrorise a California town. The film is known for its gritty realism and depiction of counterculture.

Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964) - Directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis, this horror film follows a group of Northern tourists who stumble upon a Southern town that is celebrating its centennial by killing Northerners. The film is known for its graphic violence and dark humour.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) - Directed by George A. Romero, this horror classic follows a group of survivors who are trapped in a farmhouse during a zombie apocalypse. The film is known for its social commentary and gruesome violence.

The Big Doll House (1969) - Directed by Jack Hill, this women-in-prison film follows a group of female inmates who plot their escape from a corrupt prison. The film is known for its exploitation of sex and violence.

The She Beast (1966) - Directed by Michael Reeves, this horror film follows a newlywed couple who accidentally awaken an ancient witch. The film is known for its campy humour and low-budget special effects.

Spider Baby (1968) - Directed by Jack Hill, this horror-comedy follows a family of cannibals who suffer from a rare disease that causes them to regress mentally. The film is known for its dark humour and strange premise.

Nude on the Moon (1961) - Directed by Doris Wishman, this sci-fi film follows a group of astronauts who discover a colony of nude women on the moon. The film is known for its cheesy special effects and exploitation of nudity.

Black Mama, White Mama (1973) - Directed by Eddie Romero, this women-in-prison film follows two female prisoners who escape from prison and go on the run while chained together. The film is known for its exploitation of sex and violence, as well as its racial themes.

These 10 films represent the diverse and controversial nature of Grindhouse cinema in the 60's. They paved the way for a new era of exploitation films that would continue to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in mainstream cinema.

The 1970's

In the 1970's, a new genre of cinema emerged in America known as Grindhouse cinema. These films were typically low-budget, exploitative, and catered to a niche audience. They were often shown in run-down theatres or drive-ins in urban areas and featured a variety of taboo topics such as sex, violence, and drug use. Here are ten films that exemplify the Grindhouse cinema of the 1970's:

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) - Directed by Tobe Hooper, this film follows a group of friends who encounter a family of cannibals in rural Texas. The film's gritty, documentary-style cinematography and intense violence helped establish it as a classic of the genre.

I Spit on Your Grave (1978) - This controversial film, directed by Meir Zarchi, depicts the brutal rape and revenge of a young woman in rural America. Despite its disturbing subject matter, the film gained a cult following and has been cited as a feminist statement by some.

The Last House on the Left (1972) - Directed by Wes Craven, this film follows a group of teenagers who are kidnapped, raped, and murdered by a group of escaped convicts. The film's explicit violence and social commentary on the Vietnam War and the Manson Family murders made it a hit with Grindhouse audiences.

Coffy (1973) - This blaxploitation film, directed by Jack Hill, stars Pam Grier as a nurse seeking revenge on drug dealers who have hurt her family. The film's strong female lead and themes of empowerment and justice helped make it a classic of the genre.

Foxy Brown (1974) - Another blaxploitation film directed by Jack Hill, this film stars Pam Grier as a woman seeking revenge on the drug dealers who killed her boyfriend. The film's action sequences and Grier's iconic performance helped make it a hit with Grindhouse audiences.

The Warriors (1979) - Directed by Walter Hill, this film follows a gang trying to make their way back to their home turf after being falsely accused of murder. The film's stylised violence and depiction of urban gang life made it a cult classic of the 1970's.

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965) - Though not strictly a 1970's film, this Russ Meyer classic was a precursor to the Grindhouse cinema of the decade. The film follows a trio of violent, sex-crazed women who embark on a killing spree in the desert.

Black Christmas (1974) - Directed by Bob Clark, this horror film follows a group of sorority sisters being stalked by a mysterious killer during the Christmas holiday. The film's tense atmosphere and iconic ending helped make it a cult classic of the genre.

The Beyond (1981) - Directed by Italian horror maestro Lucio Fulci, this film follows a woman who inherits a hotel that may be built on a gateway to Hell. The film's surreal imagery and extreme violence helped make it a classic of Italian horror.

Cannibal Holocaust (1980) - Directed by Ruggero Deodato, this film depicts a group of documentary filmmakers who travel to the Amazon to film a tribe of cannibals. The film's graphic violence and exploitation of real animal killings caused a great deal of controversy upon its release, but it has since gained a cult following as an example of extreme cinema.

In conclusion, the 1970's were a time of bold experimentation and boundary-pushing in cinema. Grindhouse films, with their low budgets, taboo subjects, and niche audiences, were at the forefront of this movement.

The 1980's

The 1980's were a decade of excess, and nowhere was that more apparent than in the world of Grindhouse cinema. These films continued to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable, with a focus on sex, violence, and gore. Here are 10 films from the 80's that defined the era of Grindhouse cinema.

The Toxic Avenger (1984) - This low-budget horror-comedy tells the story of a nerd who is transformed into a superhero after falling into a vat of toxic waste. The film is known for its over-the-top violence and dark humour.

Maniac (1980) - This slasher film follows a serial killer who preys on women in New York City. The film is infamous for its graphic violence and sexual content.

Ms. 45 (1981) - This revenge thriller follows a mute seamstress who becomes a vigilante after being raped twice in one day. The film is known for its feminist themes and graphic violence.

The Beyond (1981) - This Italian horror film follows a woman who inherits a hotel that is built on top of one of the seven gates of Hell. The film is known for its surreal imagery and extreme violence.

Street Trash (1987) - This horror-comedy follows a group of homeless people who drink a tainted batch of booze and begin to melt from the inside out. The film is known for its outrageous gore and dark humour.

Basket Case (1982) - This horror film follows a young man who carries his deformed twin brother around in a basket. The film is known for its bizarre premise and graphic violence.

The Evil Dead (1981) - This horror classic follows a group of friends who accidentally unleash demons while staying in a cabin in the woods. The film is known for its inventive camerawork and over-the-top violence.

Chopping Mall (1986) - This sci-fi horror film follows a group of teenagers who are trapped in a mall after it is taken over by killer robots. The film is known for its cheesy dialogue and inventive kills.

Hellraiser (1987) - This British horror film follows a man who opens a mysterious puzzle box and unleashes a group of sadomasochistic demons. The film is known for its striking visuals and extreme gore.

Class of Nuke 'Em High (1986) - This horror-comedy follows a group of high school students who are exposed to radioactive waste and begin to mutate. The film is known for its absurd humour and over-the-top violence.

These 10 films represent just a small slice of the wild and often controversial world of 80's Grindhouse cinema. They are a testament to the era's willingness to push boundaries and challenge audiences, even if it meant crossing the line into the taboo and the grotesque.

The 1990's

The 1990's were a time of transition for Grindhouse cinema. As the genre evolved, filmmakers began to experiment with new techniques and subgenres, resulting in some of the most memorable and controversial films of the era. Here are 10 films from the 90's that defined the world of Grindhouse cinema.

Natural Born Killers (1994) - This crime drama, directed by Oliver Stone, follows a young couple who embark on a killing spree across the American Southwest. The film is known for its hyper-stylised visuals and brutal violence.

Pulp Fiction (1994) - This Quentin Tarantino classic follows a group of interconnected characters in Los Angeles, including a hitman, a boxer, and a drug dealer. The film is known for its nonlinear structure and witty dialogue.

Braindead (1992) - This New Zealand horror-comedy, directed by Peter Jackson, follows a young man who must fight off an army of zombies after his mother is bitten by a "Sumatran rat-monkey." The film is known for its over-the-top gore and dark humour.

Bad Lieutenant (1992) - This crime drama, directed by Abel Ferrara, follows a corrupt NYPD detective who spirals out of control as he investigates a brutal rape case. The film is known for its gritty realism and intense performances.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) - This horror-action hybrid, directed by Robert Rodriguez, follows two criminals who take a family hostage and end up at a strip club that is populated by vampires. The film is known for its blend of humour and gore.

The People Under the Stairs (1991) - This horror film, directed by Wes Craven, follows a young boy who discovers that the family he is robbing is hiding a terrible secret in their basement. The film is known for its social commentary and surreal imagery.

Bound (1996) - This crime thriller, directed by the Wachowskis, follows two women who team up to steal $2 million from the mafia. The film is known for its stylish visuals and intense performances.

Night of the Living Dead (1990) - This remake of the classic George A. Romero film follows a group of survivors who are trapped in a farmhouse during a zombie apocalypse. The film is known for its updated special effects and strong performances.

The Crow (1994) - This dark fantasy, directed by Alex Proyas, follows a musician who is resurrected from the dead to avenge his own murder and that of his fiance. The film is known for its Gothic visuals and powerful soundtrack.

Kids (1995) - This controversial drama, directed by Larry Clark, follows a group of teenagers in New York City as they engage in risky behaviour and experiment with drugs and sex. The film is known for its unflinching realism and powerful performances.

These 10 films represent just a small sample of the diverse and innovative films that defined Grindhouse cinema in the 90's. They pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in mainstream cinema and paved the way for the resurgence of the genre in the years to come.