Tara B. True is a vibrant, multi-talented woman who leads a double life. During the work week, she serves as a flight attendant for a major airline, dressed demurely and wearing a brown wig. However, in each city she visits, the blonde Tara adopts a different persona to cater to a variety of boyfriends, ranging from a wealthy businessman to a revolutionary militant.
Tara is also a highly skilled martial artist, possessing a black belt in karate. She frequently uses these skills to thwart muggers, street thugs, and chauvinistic men who underestimate her. Her "Superchick" moniker stems from her ability to handle any dangerous situation with ease and style.
The episodic narrative follows Tara through several distinct subplots:
Miami: Tara spends time with Johnny, a high-stakes gambler. When a group of hoodlums attempts to shake him down during a boat trip, Tara intervenes, using her martial arts prowess to defeat the attackers single-handedly.
New York: She visits a sensitive, intellectual boyfriend, showcasing her ability to adapt her personality to suit different social circles.
The Heist: The plot shifts into a crime-thriller when Tara inadvertently becomes involved in a armored car robbery orchestrated by a gang of criminals. Unlike her previous encounters, this situation requires her to use her wit as much as her physical strength. Her "secret identity" as Superchick is exposed when her wig and part of her dress is torn off, as she uses her karate skills to subdue and capture the criminals.
The film concludes with Tara continuing her jet-setting lifestyle, remaining fiercely independent and refusing to be tied down by any one man or conventional societal expectation.
During its television run, an edited version of the film was frequently broadcast as part of late-night movie blocks.[4]
Critical reception
Upon its release in 1973, Superchick received mixed to negative reviews from mainstream critics, who largely viewed it as a standard drive-in programmer. A reviewer for The New York Times described the film as a "silly, harmless piece of fluff," noting that while Joyce Jillson was charismatic, the script was "episodic and thinly plotted."[5]
Retrospective analysis has been more favorable, particularly regarding the film's place in 1970s feminist-leaning exploitation cinema. Film historian Brian Albright noted that Tara B. True represented a shift toward more "empowered" female protagonists in B-movies, even if the film remained rooted in "cheesecake" aesthetics.[4]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an audience approval rating reflecting its status as a "guilty pleasure" cult classic among fans of Crown International Pictures.
Home media
The home media history of Superchick reflects the evolution of the cult film market:
VHS and LaserDisc: In the 1980s, the film was released on home video by various budget labels. A notable LaserDisc edition was released by Image Entertainment, which became a sought-after item for collectors of 1970s ephemera.
DVD: In 2004, the film was released on DVD as part of the "Crown International Pictures Classics" collection. This version was a basic port of the previous video master with limited bonus features.
Blu-ray: In 2016, the film received a high-definition restoration and was released on Blu-ray by Vinegar Syndrome. This special edition included a 2K scan from the original 35mm camera negative and an audio commentary track with lead actress Joyce Jillson.[6]
References
↑"Superchick". afi.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
↑"Superchick". AllMovie. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
↑"Superchick". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
12Albright, Brian (2008). Wild Beyond Belief!: 20 Years of Nixon, Movies, and the American Blaxploitation Era. McFarland & Company. p.198. ISBN978-0786431762.
↑Thompson, Howard (October 5, 1973). "The Screen: 'Superchick' Arrives". The New York Times.
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