Raquel Welch in one of her best movies: a gritty look at roller derby with an unusual point of view, the protagonist being a sexy woman in #11 track uniforms. Film casts a jaundiced eye at roller derby audiences (seen at certain points are children, mentally-challenged twins, and older folks cheering the violent brawls and making obscene gestures, and a little old lady who spends all her money on roller derby games). Yet it's also a tough and sometimes sad character-study about one woman trying to do her best with what she's got. Raquel ends up dating the team's owner, but gets on the wrong side of her teammates (all of them!) and has to fight for her dignity and self-worth. No-nonsense script, a direction with few frills, solid supporting cast (including Jodie Foster in a bit), and Don Ellis' jazzy background score make "Kansas City Bomber" a drive-in classic. ***1/2 from ****
Review of Kansas City Bomber
