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Crime Cult Classic

Cocktail waitresses, a burlesque club, and a psycho with a camera stalk the neon-lit nights.

THE SWINGING BARMAIDS

They Can't Wait For Their Next Hot Date

1975 · 1h 28m · R · Crime / Drama · IMDB TMDB

A deranged serial killer infiltrates a popular club and slowly starts killing cocktail waitresses.

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Quick Answer

What is The Swinging Barmaids about?

The Swinging Barmaids is a 1975 American crime drama directed by Gus Trikonis about a mustached cop tracking a psycho who is killing cocktail waitresses at a burlesque club.

Programmer's Pick

Don’t let the title fool you—these barmaids swing more towards peril than party. Gus Trikonis’ sleazy-breezy cocktail of sexploitation and psycho-killer tropes is best enjoyed with an eye for 70s décor and a taste for genre mashups. William Smith’s mustache does as much detective work as he does.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set against the brown-and-yellow haze of 1970s interiors, The Swinging Barmaids follows a determined, chain-smoking cop as he hunts a deranged killer targeting cocktail waitresses at a burlesque club. The murderer, played by TV actor Bruce Watson, is obsessed with the barmaids, killing and posing them for photographs in a disturbing ritual. The film walks a delicate line between sleaze and breeziness, characteristic of its era, and features William Smith as the unflappable detective and Dyanne Thorne in a supporting role. Despite its misleadingly upbeat title, this is a crime drama with horror undertones and a psychotronic flavor, blending sexploitation elements with a focus on the procedural hunt for a serial killer.

Details & Specs

Director
Gus Trikonis
Writer
Charles B. Griffith
Release
1975
Runtime
1h 28m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Crime, Drama
Also Known As
Eager Beavers, Killer, Room Service Sex

Why This Matters

Directed by Gus Trikonis and re-released under the title Eager Beavers in 1980, this exploitation film features a notable cast including William Smith and Dyanne Thorne, with Smith later recalling its wild production experience.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Gus Trikonis Writer: Charles B. Griffith
Bruce Watson Bruce Watson Tom Laura Hippe Laura Hippe Jenny Katie Saylor Katie Saylor Susie William Smith William Smith Harry Renie Radich Renie Radich Marie Dyanne Thorne Dyanne Thorne Boo-Boo ZK Zitto Kazann Zitto John Alderman John Alderman Andrews Milt Kogan Milt Kogan Dan Judith Roberts Judith Roberts Sally JT Jim Travis Dave RG Ray Galvin Jack AT Andre Tayir Bruce Dick Yarmy Dick Yarmy Comic MK M.J. Kane Doctor TV Tony Vorno Mike, owner of Thrifty Lad Bikes

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Why Cult

Sleaze Meets Breezy

The film captures that specific 1970s vibe, balancing exploitation with a surprisingly light tone.

Burlesque Club Setting

Set in a club where the decor is as memorable as the crimes, it’s a snapshot of vintage nightlife.

Serial Killer Hook

A psycho stalks and photographs barmaids, giving the film a horror-oriented edge that belies its playful title.

William Smith Detective

See William Smith in one of his countless roles, mustached and chain-smoking as the tough cop on the case.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Psycho becomes obsessed with barmaids

Threat

Serial killer targeting cocktail waitresses

Effect

Barmaids are killed and posed for photographs

Setting

Burlesque club

Questions from the Vault

When was The Swinging Barmaids released? +

The Swinging Barmaids was released in 1975.

Who directed The Swinging Barmaids? +

The Swinging Barmaids was directed by Gus Trikonis.

How long is The Swinging Barmaids? +

The Swinging Barmaids has a runtime of 88 minutes.

What genre is The Swinging Barmaids? +

The Swinging Barmaids is a crime and drama film.

Where can I watch The Swinging Barmaids? +

You can watch The Swinging Barmaids on SassyFlix.

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