Girls and Cars–The Ultimate in Classic B-Movies
When someone mentions the phrase “B-movie”, many people automatically think about the likes of The Blob, or Godzilla. What many people forget however is that it is not just a monster extravaganza that makes a classic B-movie great. Few can argue the absolute enticing and hypnotic powers that a great B-movie with cars and girls can have on the older generation. Girls and cars have seemed to be the mainstay, when it comes to B-movie storylines. The combination of the two, are said to have the same relationship as vodka and an olive. Girls and cars just seem to go hand in hand. For this very reason, it is completely understandable that the studios have married this relationship and made countless movies based around the theory.
Younger generations may not have the same appreciation for a classic B-movie with girls and cars, that some of the older crowds have. Young people these days like action, effects and an eye candy approach to movie genres. They often forget the true charm and power that a classic film can have however, you really cannot fault them as this is all they really know with Hollywood shifting gears towards bigger budget action films. This is not to say that the classic Backseat Betty, or the little darling sitting on top of an old 42 roadster is forgotten. Quite the contrary actually, as many old film buffs look for the union of fine street rods, and lovely ladies coupled in one neat yet possibly cheesy package. Flat gray primer, fat tires, and pinstripes seem to mirror the image of a lovely lady in a snug sweater, and skirt. A great example of this would have to be American Graffiti. Set in the era where cars ruled, street racing was king, and the ladies along with your pink slip was the grand prize.
It was not merely the presence of a car and a lady, rather a hotrod, and a young cute chick, that garnered the attention of the masses. From the early 40s all the way up to the 80s, this combination has easily stolen the show when it comes to storyline or even visuals. This trend has in no way died down, as many of the leading international and national auto shows still incorporate a lovely lady in a bikini showcasing a fine hotrod. So, what is it that makes this union so popular? To set the record straight, it appears that the hearts and minds of most men seem to revolve around the two loves of their life cars and girls. With these two entities constantly filling the dreams of men alike, why would it seem out of place to make movies specifically catered to this? When you think about it, it is not the movies that completely dominate this theory, as one can find much reference to this union in music such as the classic Beach Boys tunes. The beach, a hotrod, and a lovely young girl in a bikini seem to make for an ideal intro to young adulthood.
B-movies are what many considered the beach movies such as Beach Blanket Bingo staring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon. Women in cute little outfits and fast cars souped up to the point of what most would consider a hotrod make up these movies. This, along with the movie grease where it may or may not be considered a B-movie of sorts, still carried the same method of thinking that girl meets car meets boy. This level of B-movie thinking has become the primary car and girl level of visual stimulation. This is not something that is going to go away, actually when you think about it really does not need to be a B-movie at all that brings the union of girls and cars together. Many may feel that there is no real relevance between cars and girls, yet when you think about it why would a man call a car a women’s name in the first place? It is true that men relate cars and women; whatever the reason men will probably always do this. When it comes to women and cars, it is a known fact amongst the general public that men will always associate cars with women.
