Legend of Billie Jean, The
[VHS Info]

In Corpus Christi, Texas there's a girl named Billie Jean (Helen Slater). Her and her brother Binx (Christian Slater - no relation) are poor and live in a trailer but they're still happy. Their father died in a accident and left Binx enough money to buy a pristine Honda mo-ped. One day they go out to go get a milkshake and they get harassed by the rich kids. Binx throws the milkshake at their leader, Hubie (Barry Tubb), who in turn steals the mo-ped and trashes it (and beats up Binx when he tries to get it back).

The next day Billie Jean goes to Hubie's family surf shop to demand $608 to pay for the damaged while her brother and her friend Ophelia (Martha Gehman). When he refuses she gives him a swift kick to the nads and leaves him rolling on the floor. Hubie's father comes in and tells his son to leave. "We don't keep that kind of money down here...come upstairs with me," he says. When they get up there he puts $50 down. "Consider it a pay as you go deal." Horrified, Billie Jean tries to leave but he grabs her trying to force himself on her. Binx and Ophelia come into the shop. Binx fools around with the register and finds a gun in it. Billie Jean comes running down the stairs screaming and Binx points the gun at her predator. The horny shopkeeper demands that he drop the gun...it isn't loaded anyway. While trying to figure out the gun Binx shoots him and they all run out.

They all run back to their trailers to get their stuff. They're outlaws now. While trying to escape their friend Putter (Yeardley Smith...who reminds me a lot of Cyndi Lauper...and does the voice of Lisa Simpson!) manages to convince them to let her come along. They find out that Hubie's dad lived and he's in good condition...but now he's out for blood. He notices that all the teenagers are on Billie Jean's side and he exploits her by selling t-shirts and hats and her picture. People all over the news are saying that the group of kids have robbed them and they were high but they are also being exploited by the adults.

Billie Jean sees a movie on Joan of Arc and decides she'll be the Joan of Arc of her generation. She cuts off her long hair and makes a video that she sends to the press. Her point? "Fair is Fair" she won't turn herself in till she gets the money for the mo-ped...but just that alone won't get attention...she needs a hostage...

It's really easy to steal in the 80's.
Bras are apprently outlawed in Texas.

"If you don't let me out I'm going to throw up all over the front seat. Hey guys! I'm back!" ~Putter.

See below!

Why aren't great movies like this not put on DVD? I saw parts of "The Legend of Billie Jean" on TV 10 or 12 years ago and I never forgot about it. I always wondered what it was called and wanted to see it badly. I finally asked a movie message board and they told me. So I happily skipped off to Amazon.com to buy it but I couldn't find it on DVD! Oh well...maybe it was like "Vibes" and I'd have to buy a VHS copy. Well, I went to look and it's for sale for $55.00 the CHEAPEST?! I hadn't see this movie for a long time so I didn't know if I liked it enough to pay THAT much (but now...I would have if I couldn't find it cheaper). So I went to trusty ol' ebay and found it. People were charging an arm and a leg for this super rare VHS! I got it for relatively cheap (thankfully) and man am I glad I got it! So if people are making such bank off this movie...shouldn't they be putting it on DVD? I mean they're putting things like "Spun" and "XXX" even "Debbie Does Dallas" is on DVD! Why not "The Legend of Billie Jean"? Why not "Vibes" ?? Why not "Orgasmo"?! This I do not understand. I absolutely loved this movie. I think everyone should see it. It was just amazing how good this movie was...I can't really explain it. You can really feel the injustice and passion these teens are feeling. Yes it's kinda cheesy, yes it's full blown 80's but don't let it stop you. It's sooooooo good! It's not even so bad it's good...it's so good, it's good! It's just great...I can't say enough about it. See it! See it now! Because of this, the jury gives this flick:

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