This is the Deep South y'all. No, this isn't "Deliverance", this before "The Dukes of Hazzard", if you're in gator country, you're "'Gator Bait" if you are not prepared. Desiree (Claudia Jennings,1949- 79)is a barefoot poacher who knows the swamps since birth. She and her family have trapped alligators for years. Then a sheriff deputy and friend catches her in the act. They would chase her, and she outsmarted them. She sets a trap. They get it. The deputy gets freaked out. He shoots the snakes, but he accidentally shoots the friend. His father happen to be the sheriff. He lies to his father about the situation, and send the father of the deceased to look for her. The search party looks for Desiree. They found out the place where she lives, and attacked her brother and sister. After they killed the sister, it's a all out war on the search party. But secrets are exposed when the truth is out. And Desiree shows no mercy! Revenge is sweet. When you mess with Desiree, you're 'GATOR BAIT! This is a exploitation that is nice to see. Only the mature should watch it. If you like "Deliverance", you'll this movie as well. 3 out of 5 stars

Alligator poacher Desiree Thibodeau (Claudia Jennings) finds herself on the run after a deputy falsely accuses her of killing a man he accidentally shot. Sheriff Joe Bob Thomas puts together a posse to bring her in and relies on T.J. Bracken (Sam Gilen), the dead kid's pa, to guide them through the swamp. After the group rapes and kills Desiree's sister, she uses her bayou brains to get revenge on this group. Directed by Ferd (yes, Ferd) and Beverly Sebastian, 'GATOR BAIT is a pretty enjoyable hicksploitation entry. Of course, most of the enjoyment probably comes from Jennings. Not only does she appear to do all of her own stunts and boat driving, she wears one of the skimpiest outfits in the sub-genre's history. Now I know why my friend Marty recommended it! There is actually one scene about halfway through the flick that is really shocking as well. I won't spoil it for anyone, but it certainly comes out of left field and pushes the sleaze factor completely over the edge. There is also an amusing finale revelation. The Sebastians made GATOR BAIT II: CAJUN JUSTICE fourteen years after this one. I guess that is next on my schedule.

My 10/10 rating presupposes that you're geared up for typical 1970s exploitation, because that's just what "'Gator Bait" is. When a witless sheriff and his friend see backwoods Cajun babe Desiree Thibodeau (former Playmate-of-the-year Claudia Jennings) trapping alligators, they try to catch her, but the sheriff accidentally shoots his friend. So, he tells his father that Desiree did it, and the father tells the guy's family, and so we have a whole team of rednecks chasing this half-dressed gal through the Louisiana boondocks. It raises the stakes when they mess with her family.Yes, the whole thing is totally predictable. But you gotta love how Desiree outwits these thugs at every turn. Actually, she doesn't really have to outwit them; as we have learned from such movies, hicks are always the world's stupidest people (why do they always dress so heavy in Louisiana?).Overall, it looks like the sort of movie that a bunch of friends got together and filmed for fun. It sure comes out fun. As long as you accept any ridiculous movie as entertainment, you're sure to love it. Too bad that we lost Claudia Jennings so soon (she was killed in 1979 when she fell asleep at the wheel of a car).And yes, my mom - who grew up in Galena Park, Texas - knew some people named Thibodeau (although it may have been spelled Thibodeaux).

This film was ineptly directed, badly acted and poorly written. It was artless junk, populated exclusively by moronic and unpleasant characters. But the most depressing thought that crossed my mind while I was watching this film is that, unfortunately, grade-Z exploitationers like this often develop a cult reputation, just because they are so bad and sleazy and amateurish. Any smart viewer will know better, of course.