A Taste of Hot Lead

Kelly and Eddie, two fugitives who have committed robbery and murder, take refuge in a house inhabited by four women, all lesbians who have rather “special” sexual preferences. Kelly, an ex-convict, caresses Joy, one of the women, with his pistol–to her obvious pleasure–and then abuses her; he beats Mitzi, another roommate, who has sadomasochistic fantasies of being held captive by two men, when she hands him a whip; but Kelly is rebuffed by Toni, the leader of the group, when he tries to force “Baby Doll,” Toni’s current favorite, into doing a sex act. Toni, maintaining that Baby Doll prefers women, demonstrates female cunnilingus. Angry, Kelly ties Toni to the bed and abuses her. Finally, the women attempt to escape. They bash in Eddie’s head and shoot and seriously wound Kelly. Toni is accidentally killed in a struggle with Joy, who interferes when Toni announces that she will emasculate Kelly with the gun.

Directed by William Rotsler, A Taste of Hot Lead leans on a strong ensemble — Vincene Wallace, James Brand, Dee Howard — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1969.