Kansas City Bomber

In my quest of revisiting films I haven't seen since my youth, I rewatched the 1972 roller derby classic Kansas City Bomber. Here's my thoughts.

Raquel Welch stars as K.C. Carr, a rising star on the roller derby scene who has been traded from her Kansas City team to Portland so she can be closer to her children. The team's owner, Kevin McCarthy, takes a shine to her. At first she is interested, but begins to see that he is a ruthless businessman.

Kansas City Bomber does a great job of showing the blood, sweat, and tears side of women's roller derby. Welch, who was basically eye candy up to this picture, really shows off her acting chops in a great dramatic turn. She gives it her all, even performing her stunts which resulted in a broken wrist. The role almost went to Ann-Margret at one point, but screenwriter Barry Sandler wanted Welch so badly in the role that he personally took the script, which was his only copy, to her home and left her for her to read.

Kansas City Bomber shows a less glamorous side to roller derby and a great showcase for Welch.

It's available on dvd.