Desperate Teenage Lovedolls
Originally titled Desperate Teenage Runaways, this film tells the story of female punk musicians who form The Love Dolls, and the group's rapid rise to fame and equally rapid fall (hey, it has to be rapid; the movie is only like fifty minutes). It is a tale of revenge, drugs, violence, and takes place in the streets of Los Angeles and Santa Monica. If you've seen this movie before, on VHS, this time you're going to notice a lot more detail, due to the new 4K scan from the original Super-8 film. Of course, a hair in the gate is still a hair in the gate, but that just adds to its charm. The film stars Jennifer Schwartz as Kitty Carryall (yes, a reference to The Brady Bunch; there are several pop culture references in the film) and Hilary Rubens as Bunny Tremelo, the core of The Love Dolls, who have to deal with a rival gang, non-supportive parents, and a music executive who wants a little something in return. There are some wonderful surprises along the way.
Another member of the band, Alexandria (Kim Pilkington), is locked up in a mental institution. There is a great shot of her ankles chained to the bed, and a man's face on the television at the foot of the bed (that man is the film's director, David Markey). He repeats, "Have a nice day, have a nice day," which is fucking brilliant. That sort of treatment is bound to work, right? And when we see her full body, we see that she has her electric guitar next to her in bed, which is also wonderful. This movie is all about music, which is clear from that early shot. The guitar is also handy in helping her escape, the doctor being the first of at least two people who meet their demise from a guitar. I can't help but think of the slogan on Woody Guthrie's guitar, "This machine kills fascists." Well, here that machine kills anyone who gets in the way of this band. A Brady Bunch sound cue then takes us to the band's rehearsal, where they are performing (or, rather, lip-syncing) to "Blow You A Kiss In The Wind," a song that Redd Kross also performed and recorded. Kitty's mother (Jordan Schwartz, in a wig that isn't even meant to be convincing) puts a stop to the rehearsal. The mother's line "I'm trying to be both a mother and a father to you" is particularly funny as the character is clearly played by a guy. A little later the mother is dispatched, leading to perhaps the film's most famous and hilarious line, "Thanks for killing my mom." The response is also funny: "Hey, no problem." There is an obvious John Waters influence here. By the way, among the group of people who attack the mother is Vicki Peterson of The Bangles. Later, Jennifer Schwartz and Hilary Rubens are wonderful in their fur coats in the scenes where they plot and then exact their revenge. As for cool pop culture references, check out that Monty Python's Flying Circus T-shirt. That's Dez Cadena of Black Flag wearing it. And later we see a Black Flag T-shirt.
Dez Cadena also played with Redd Kross, and that's the band most represented in this film. Both Steven McDonald and Jeff McDonald have roles, as do Tracy Lea and Janet Housden. In fact, Steven McDonald and Tracy Lea deliver two of the most convincing performances of the film, Tracy as Tanya Hearst of the rival gang, and Steven as Johnny Tremaine, the guy responsible for helping The Love Dolls achieve the fame they so desire. "Johnny Tremaine's the name, making rock stars is this man's game," he tells Kitty and Bunny when he meets them. "You know, I think I can do for you girls what God did for mankind," he says. And then he promptly takes Bunny home to take advantage of his position. Was Steve really only fourteen years old when this was shot? Crazy. He is hilarious in the scene in his office, and then especially good in the scene where he's tripping. Jeff McDonald plays Tears Brunell, playing a bit of "I Am The Walrus" before the Love Dolls steal his guitar. The film includes a nice shot of a marquee that lists The Love Dolls on the same bill as Redd Kross and White Flag. Though most of the music heard in the film is performed by Redd Kross, "Johnny Tremaine's Theme" is done by White Flag. The soundtrack was put together by Bill Bartell, and released on Gasatanka Records.
Desperate Teenage Lovedolls Bonus Features
The Blu-ray contains a commentary track by David Markey and Jordan Schwartz, in which they talk about the locations, particularly about the Santa Monica Pier, and about the performances and the music. David mentions having to change some of the music for the release, because originally they had used Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix recordings (on the Blu-ray, it is Redd Kross playing those songs). They also give some information on the song "Come On Up To Me," which in the film is the Love Dolls' hit. I learned from the commentary track that the film's final scene was shot in what is now known as the NoHo Arts District, just down the street from me. It looks completely different now.
The special features include the "Ballad Of A Lovedoll" music video, which ends with a sound snippet of that funny exchange about killing the character's mom. There are also some deleted and expanded scenes, such as stuff with Kitty on the streets and a moment where her friend declares they'll be as good as Black Flag. There is actually quite a lot of cool stuff here, including more of the acid trip and Kitty reading an article about Johnny Tremaine's death (perhaps it was the camera focus issues that kept that scene from being included in the film). "The Story Of Desperate Teenage Lovedolls & We Got Power" is a nine-minute sequence featuring David Markey relating some wild anecdotes, like about the film's original title. He also says the film was intended to just entertain their small circle of friends.
There is a Q&A shot at the movie's fortieth anniversary screening at Norris Theater, USC Cinema Arts, moderated by Mark Olsen, and featuring Jennifer Schwartz, Steven McDonald, David Markey, and Tracy Lea Nash. There are some delightful anecdotes here, including about filming in Jennifer's home without her mother knowing. David talks about his first time meeting Steven McDonald, and about how they were all into John Waters' films. The special features also include the film's trailer.
Lovedolls Superstar
The sequel, Lovedolls Superstar, features much of the same cast, many of them reprising their roles from the original film, others playing new parts. It was written by David Markey, Jennifer Schwartz, Jeff McDonald and Steven McDonald, and directed by David Markey. In many ways, this one is actually better than the first, and, at eighty-one minutes, it is feature-length. It opens with a montage of moments from the first movie while the new theme song (performed by Redd Kross) is playing. In addition to music by Redd Kross, this movie features songs from Sonic Youth, Meat Puppets, Dead Kennedys, Annette Zilinskas, Lawndale and SWA. Soon a group of kids surrounds a straight-looking guy at a bus stop and steals his radio. Moments later they are ransacking an unlocked car, and one of them exclaims, "I found Jesus!" which is hilarious. It is a picture of the Jesus character, and it establishes the nature of some of the film's humor, the movie poking fun at religious cults, as well as the cult-like atmosphere of rock music. As the group then encounters Kitty Carryall (Jennifer Schwartz), Sonic Youth's recording of "Hallowed Be Thy Name" is playing, which is perfect. "Patch Kelly?" Kitty asks. "It's Patch Christ now," Patch (Janet Housden) says (though it sounds like she says "Pat Christ"). She is now the cult leader of Lovedolls fans, but wants to put the band back together, convincing Kitty they could be on top again. They just need a new guitarist, as Bunny Tremelo is dead ("You know, guitar players are a dime a dozen," Patch says). Enter Alexandria (Kim Pilkington) who is now working as a hooker (she wears an adorable purple fur jacket). Her living quarters haven't improved much since the first film, and she has pawned her guitar. But she is willing to clean up her act and rejoin the band as long as she can fuck Jimmy Page. No problem.
Meanwhile out in the desert, Rainbow (Steven McDonald) is living on a commune (which, yes, can be seen as a different type of cult), led by Jeannie (Vicki Peterson). Interestingly, Rainbow provides some narration for this sequence. He tells Jeannie he must go to Hollywood to check on his brother. It is 666 miles to L.A. from the commune. Also making her way to Los Angeles is Patricia Ann Cloverfield, the mother of Tanya Hearst, and she is bent on revenge for her daughter's death. She is played by Tracy Lea, who played Tanya in the first film. As she exits the airport, an odd, slowed down instrumental rendition of "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" plays. There is so much great music in this film. When we're introduced to Carl Celery (Jeff McDonald), a cool rendition of "It's A Sunshine Day" is playing. Yes, the Brady Bunch song. He gets high, and Kitty appears before him in a vision. Jeff is great here. Check out his delivery of the line "I then realized I would do anything for The Lovedolls," the way the word "anything" has a sort of demonic, crazed emphasis. Well, the vision of Kitty presents him with a gun and tells him to kill Bruce Springsteen.
When Rainbow gets to Los Angeles, it is fellow Redd Kross member Robert Hecker who lets him know that his brother has been killed, and he does so by singing the news to the tune of "A Day In The Life." Rainbow's brother is Johnny Tremaine. So will Rainbow turn from the love of the commune to the hate of the city? Steven is so damn good in this scene. I also love the moment when he is upset and desperate to find a flower to help him return to a calmer state. When he tastes the flower, it too turns on him. This movie is a total delight. A Kiss doll emerges from a coffee pot to possess Carl Celery with the spirit of Gene Simmons. And that leads to a funny play on Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing In The Dark" music video, complete with a Courtney Cox-type character in the audience. What's even wilder about this scene is that Bill Bartell plays a cop in it, apparently before actually becoming a cop. If you haven't seen The Secret Lives Of Bill Bartell yet, you should certainly check out that documentary. It was directed by the same guy that directed both Lovedolls movies.
The movie just gets wilder from there. Tanya Hearst's mother kidnaps Kitty and takes her to the roof of a building. "Time to walk the plank, honey," she says. "And when you get downstairs, be a sweetheart and call me a cab." I love it! And Rainbow becomes a punk, wearing a White Flag shirt (more Bill Bartell!), and is soon the lead singer of a hardcore band, poking fun at the whole thing. If that's not enough, Jello Biafra (of Dead Kennedys) shows up as the President to discuss The Lovedolls' space tour. "Seven of nine planets are confirmed." Check out the E.T. doll on his desk. And is that a laugh track added? This movie just gets more and more wonderful, leading to a deliciously ridiculous conclusion, after first doing away with the cult Jonestown-style at the entrance to the Bat cave.
Lovedolls Superstar Bonus Features
There is a commentary track done by the film's four writers - David Markey, Jennifer Schwartz, Jeff McDonald and Steven McDonald. They talk about the locations (including Lucille Ball's house, which was used as an exterior) and identify some of the extras. Regarding Alexandria's crash pad, they shot in a house with no roof, which worked for them because they had no lights. They also talk about the inspiration for Vicki Peterson's character. And they reveal that the curtain that Kitty is draped in during that vision scene was actually stolen from the Psycho house on the Universal backlot. And one more Bill Bartell thing: he is on drums for the hardcore concert scene.
The disc also a lot of deleted scenes, including an introduction in front of the Hollywood sign, which leads to a different entrance for Alexandria. Here a little boy asks her to come home with him and listen to his new records. It's actually funny and adorable. And when she turns him down, her pimp scolds her. There is a scene of Kitty on a payphone, accepting a gig on behalf of the band, and features the line "Come on, guys, even Animotion had to start somewhere." There is some concert footage of The Lovedolls, and a scene where the band's fans are trying to spread the word, waving flyers (the flyers, however, clearly say "Black Flag"). And there is a lot of great stuff with Jeff McDonald as Carl Celery, including a bit where he talks about taking on the role, and footage of him roaming the city, possessed by the doll. There is also a song performed at the commune, and we're treated to two very different renditions of it. And we get a lot more footage of Rainbow, including a different version of the scene where he meets the Lovedolls, this time backstage at their show. The part after he eats a granola bar is particularly funny. He sees one of those "Frankie Says Relax Don't Do It" T-shirts (remember those?), and responds: "Relax, don't do it? Like, how am I supposed to relax when I don't know what it is I'm not supposed to do?" And there is more of him in his hardcore punk persona, including a blooper. We are also treated to alternate takes of Jello Biafra as Mr. President.
The special features also include a tribute to Dave Markey at the Egyptian Theatre from 2004. This segment includes part of a Q&A moderated by Chris D. of American Cinematheque. Dave Markey talks about both films, and how he was inspired by television and by the films of John Waters and Russ Meyer. There is a bit of a Lovedolls reunion outside the building, and footage of Steven McDonald and other cast members in the lobby area. This sequence is approximately fourteen minutes and concludes with some stills. The movie's trailer is also included.
This Blu-ray edition of Desperate Teenage Lovedolls & Lovedolls Superstar was released on April 17, 2026 through MVD Visual.
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