Buster and Billie (1974)

Why so much hype?

Simply Perfect

i must have seen a different film!!

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Buster And Billie has come down in legend as the film where Jan-Michael Vincent bore all for art and titillated more than a few women and gay men with what they saw. But past those few seconds people who saw this film in 1974 got to see a tender and sensitive story about teen love between two opposite type of people.Buster is the teen idol of the school, popular and handsome, and the child of some pious church going parents in his rural Georgia small town in the post World War II years. He's going out with teen queen Pamela Sue Martin and they're considered a golden couple in the town. Joan Goodfellow is Billie, a sweet girl of easy virtue raised by some real white trash parents. She's popular too in a different way as the boys her town get to bleed the old lizard with her help.Vincent and Goodfellow in a most improbable romance fall for each other. In the best scene in the film Vincent tells his parents that she's the way she is because all she wants is people to like her. Both grow as individuals until tragedy for a lot of the cast strikes.Buster And Billie had one element of the plot I didn't really care for. Goodfellow's parents are not churchgoers and it's implied that she's the way she is because of her lack of religious upbringing. This film was set around 1948 and made in 1974 and that still might have been something you could sell the movie-going public then. I think too much has happened in the interim that dates that portion of the film. If it is ever remade you may be sure that that part of the film's story will be toned down or even eliminated.But both Vincent and Goodfellow are a fine pair of leads and Buster And Billie has a cult status of sorts with Jan-Michael Vincent bearing all for art.

This movie was an excellent story about teens and what happens when there is no commutation. I lived this story. Only I'm still alive to talk about it. Thats the way it was in the south even in the sixties.Jan Michael Vincent did a great job.I think it was one of his best performances.It's been a long time since I've seen the movie. I wish I could find it to buy. I would like my daughter to see it. At the time this movie came out things weren't quite as bold so it wasn't well reviewed at that time.But now it would fit in just write!!! I think they should try to remake it.I think Brad Pitts would make a good Buster and not sure who Billie would be.

For all his faults, JAN MICHAEL VINCENT certainly made some great movies in the seventies (be it, THE BIG Wednesday, HOOPER, THE MECHANIC, VIGILANTE FORCE) including this (little seen) gem. VINCENT plays Buster, a tough, high-school loner, who against the wishes of his (childish, rather ugly) friends, dates the local good-time girl (of whom, most of busters friends have been casually 'involved' with) But these two opposites find love, but as in all classic love tales, their romance is doomed. To give anything else away, would ruin this highly original period piece(set in 1948.) Needless to say, it does continue the ever growing trend of seventies movies, and features a downbeat ending. Long after the viewer shakes off initial images of sexist, drunken teens, several scenes of true beauty, shine through this great movie. The period details are spot-on, and there's not one bad performance (look out for a young ROBERT ENGLUND) but as with most other JMV movies, Hollywood soon moved onto bigger (although, not always better) actors, and he soon became a tragic casualty of cinema. He certainly had the 'look' (predating the 'tom cruise' boyish-good looks) but unfortunately ended up, in bad TV movies or low budget dreck (ENEMY TERRITORY aside) Too bad, because he had the makings of another JAMES DEAN (and gives a similar performance in this movie) Hunt this movie out (if you can, it's quite rare) but you'll be glad you did. Another notable aspect, is the fine (and rather haunting) musical score, including the main theme (sung by HOYT AXTON) which never fails to bring a lump in my throat, and made all the more lyrical, by the movies tragic (yet strangely, touching) ending.A fine unseen gem, and well worth hunting down piece of 70's obscure 10 out of 10

How's that full frontal scene with JMV walking towards the camera! The audience at the cinema that session went absolutely ballistic as they realised has taking it ALL off and was about to display the full monty python! It was an audience of 18 year olds and they were just blown out of their seats, so to speak. Then of course, we all settled down to the awful raping and the usual bashing and walked out crying. A big surprise in its day and a lot of peoples almost favourite teen experience movie. Also a good JMV film and a great memory of 70s cinema. Probably his best along with BIG Wednesday in 1978. Incredible to know JMV is now over 64 years old and not in good health. He was then, and is still so popular and well remembered.