The Unholy Rollers

1972's THE UNHOLY ROLLERS willfully sacrifices anything resembling a smooth narrative to proclaim itself as the (grimy) cinematic equivalent of a middle finger to the Establishment.  To this whole idea of "teamwork".  To societal norms.  To er, decent human behavior.  Its heroine Karen (Claudia Jennings) is fed up with her grabby boss at the cat food factory and decides to try out for the Los Angeles Avengers, a co-ed roller derby team.  A sport where the entire premise seems to be to not fall down, and whacking the hell out of your opponents.  In Karen's case, that may include members of her own team.

She has a baaaad attitude.  She creates scenes everywhere she goes.  Highly pissed that a supermarket clerk has just closed her lane 'cause she's about to take her break ("Union mandates it," explains her boss), Karen responds by knocking over a display of cans and racing out of the store with a cart full of groceries without paying.  Take THAT, Mr. Man!  Karen also drives into garbage cans and fires guns at street signs, just 'cause she can.  Does she have a chip on her shoulder? If so, why?

Screenwriters Howard R. Cohen and Vernon Zimmerman (also director) don't give us any backstory on Karen Walker.  It is left to the viewer to decide why she is such an asshole, a literal bitch on wheels.  THE UNHOLY ROLLERS is a collection of Karen's tantrums, directed at almost everyone.  Exceptions: her freeloading roommates (usually shown in the throes of lovemaking) and an old friend she runs into during a trip to see her mother - who, when Karen tries to give her a kiss goodbye, lights up a cigarette.  That might explain a few things.

I lost patience with Karen throughout the movie, but it becomes clear that she is not intended to be a real person; she's a symbol, an idea.  That "fuck the world" feeling maybe all of us have felt at  least one time.  Also, individualism taken to its apex.  Feminism? Ya, that too.   Karen can't be bothered with rules and protocols.  She becomes a big star anyway, courted for endorsement deals.  She likes the money and the lifestyle, but in one telling scene gives herself the bird while watching one of her commercials.

THE UNHOLY ROLLERS is another tawdry Roger Corman drive-in cheapie, though like many of his others it gives you plenty to think about.  Claudia rocks, and is a suitable model for Women's Lib, even as she loses her bra a few times (once at the hands of her jealous female teammates, who nearly gang rape her on a pool table in a bar).  The movie is filled with leering characters who are painted pretty broadly: the team "doctor";  Karen's love interest Nick (Jay Varela) who is married, but it's OK because his wife is banging some of the other players; and the frustrated owner who threatens to fire Karen if she doesn't start following directions, etc.

The movie is generally fast moving, due in part to no less than Martin Scorcese, who acted as "supervising editor".  The scenes on the track are somewhat exciting and well executed.  The game commentators are often funny and provide some key narrative information.   I could've done without that coach and her terrible jokes.