Grindhouse Cinema - The 1960's

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.