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Posts Tagged ‘Tom Laughlin’

And Don’t Forget To Have That Doctor Call!

Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 7, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“The Born Loser” (1967) — movie review
Today’s review is for the action / biker‑gang / vigilante drama “The Born Loser”, directed by Tom Laughlin and starring Tom Laughlin as Billy Jack, the quiet ex‑Green Beret who keeps getting dragged into trouble;  Elizabeth James as Vicky Barrington, the college student targeted by a violent biker gang;  Jeremy Slate as Danny Carmody, the gang leader who uses fear to control everyone around him;  Jack Starrett as Deputy Fred, the local lawman who means well but can’t keep up;  and Robert Tessier as Cueball, one of Carmody’s muscle men.  The film follows Billy Jack as he tries to protect Vicky and several other young women from Carmody’s gang while the town mostly looks the other way.
Background:  This is my first viewing of this film in many years.  I know I saw it in a theater, but I don’t really remember if it was during its first release.  This film introduced the Billy Jack character, but there’s not much else notable about it.  Released in 1967, “The Born Loser” didn’t receive any Academy Award nominations, but it became a surprise hit and launched the “Billy Jack” series.  Historically, it’s part of the late‑1960s biker‑gang wave and is remembered for mixing vigilante justice with low‑budget martial arts action.  It stimulated my interest in Hapkido (a Korean martial art), which I later took lessons on while I was in West Germany in the mid-1970s.
Plot:  Billy Jack steps in when Carmody’s gang roughs up some locals.  That puts him on their radar, and the gang turns its attention to Vicky and several other young women.  Carmody escalates from harassment to outright threats, and the town’s authorities either can’t or won’t stop him.  Billy tries to help, which only makes him a bigger target.  The story builds toward a final confrontation between Billy and the gang, with Vicky caught in the middle and the town finally forced to face the danger it’s been ignoring.
So, is this movie any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX?  Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the film?  Short answers:  Mostly;  decent;  simple and effective;  several;  mostly yes.
Any good?  Mostly.  “The Born Loser” is a rough, straightforward action film.  The story is simple, the threat feels real, and the frustration with the town’s inaction gives the movie some bite.  It’s not a subtle story / film, but it works.
Acting:  Laughlin is solid as Billy Jack — quiet, stubborn, and believable.  Elizabeth James gives Vicky more backbone than the script sometimes allows.  Jeremy Slate is convincing as Carmody:  smooth on the surface, nasty underneath.  Starrett (who I remember from his role of the brutal cop in “First Blood“) and Tessier fit their roles.  Nobody is doing award‑level work, but everyone fits the film.
Filming / FX:  Simple and effective.  Real bikes, real stunts, and straightforward camera work.  Nothing fancy.  The outdoor shots look good, and the action is clear enough.  The movie has that “shot fast and cheap” 1960s feel, but it suits the material (and the acting).
Problems:  Several.  The pacing drags in spots.  Some scenes linger too long.  The violence toward the young women is uncomfortable and feels exploitative.  The town’s passivity is believable but frustrating.  The dialogue is stiff in places.  The low budget for the film shows.
Did I enjoy the film?  Mostly yes.  It’s not great, but it’s watchable.  The tension works, the villains are genuinely unpleasant, and Billy Jack’s quiet determination gives the story some weight.  The final showdown is satisfying.  “Right between the eyes…“
Final Recommendation:   Moderate to strong recommendation.  “The Born Losers” is historically interesting as the first Billy Jack film and as a snapshot of its era.  It’s rough, but the performances, the tension, and the simple action make it worth seeing if you’re interested in the character or the genre.  Watch it for the early look at Billy Jack and the low budget period feel.  I enjoyed this film a lot more than it probably deserves.  LoL
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Click here (7 June) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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R.I.P. – Tom Laughlin

Posted in Lyrics, Movies, Philosophy, Places, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 16, 2013| 2 Comments »

Thomas Robert “Tom” Laughlin (August 10, 1931 – December 12, 2013)
Before Steven Seagal (all three word title movies), before John Rambo (“Rambo” series), before John McClane (“Die Hard” series), before Paul Kersey (“Death Wish” series), before Kwai Chang Caine (“Kung Fu” TV series) – there was Billy Jack in “Born Losers” (1967).  Tom Laughlin brought to the big screen the start of the modern vigilante movie genre with the character of Billy Jack.  It seems strange how a little martial arts on the big screen, mixed with some social awareness and righteous indignation can affect people’s lives.
As a twelve year old kid I remember thinking, “Wow, I’ve got to learn how to do that!”  What I was looking at was Hapkido – a Korean form of Karate (open hand fighting).  Ten years later, I found a Hapkido dojo in Germany and studied it for almost a year during my off hours (I was in the Army).  That was set aside once I returned to civilian life…  Until I found Judo, while I was in college.  I took that for a semester, too.  When I moved to England in the ’90’s, a friend from work (who was a black belt in judo) said he’d love to get me on a mat and asked if I was interested in going to a dojo to learn Aikido.  My friend (Dave) and I found a local dojo and began our lessons.  We continued on with that for about two years.  It was great having someone who was a lifelong martial artist as a co-student because he could explain things in much greater detail than I could ever have gotten (except in one-on-one personal lessons).  For his side, he got someone who was bigger and heavier who he could throw around for a couple of hours twice a week.  We both moved on and I stumbled on to a Philippine “combat” style of Aikido while I was in Saudi Arabia which I tried for another year.  And then finally, once back home in America, I was back to traditional Aikido at a local dojo for several years (until I developed AFib and went on blood thinners).
Practicing martial arts, of course, lead me to read about martial arts, which in turn lead to me reading about martial philosophy and then philosophy in general.
Did I ever “become” a martial artist?  No.  Did I ever learn how to do that?  Not hardly.  I never took it seriously enough to be more than what I was – a novice and a bit of a dojo sampler.  Did I enjoy it?  Yes, very much.  Did it affect me?  Yes!  And for at least some small part of that, I have to thank Billy Jack (Tom Laughlin).
Beyond the enjoyment of playing Aikido itself, I learned timing, balance, grace, philosophy, and I gained a certain amount of inner peace.  For all of which, I will always be extremely grateful.
R.I.P.  Tom
Signed,
KMAB (A Fan)
[Please also go check out the song lyrics to “One Tin Soldier – (The Legend of Billy Jack)” on my Song Lyrics And Videos page.   —    kmab]
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Click here (16 December) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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