Big Bad Mama was one of a series of cheap gangster films produced by Roger Corman during the early 1970s with the intent to capitalize on the success of films such as Bonnie and Clyde and The Godfather. Since it doesn't have the cast or plot to draw audiences, the filmmakers often used gratuitous violence or nudity to draw crowds. The 1974 film was directed by Steve Carver and stars Angie Dickinson as a mother in charge of a bank robbing gang and William Shatner as a gambler, is set between Texas and California during the later months of 1932 and spawned a 1987 sequel Big Bad Mama II.
The following weapons were used in the film Big Bad Mama:
U.S. Prohibition Bureau agent William Bonney (Dick Miller) carries a large frame Smith & Wesson .357, likely an anachronistic Model 27, in a brown leather RHD shoulder holster. The appearance of a .357 Magnum revolver itself is anachronistic, as the round wasn't developed until 1934.
Wilma McClatchie (Angie Dickinson) carries a nickel-plated Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver with white grips and a 6" long barrel, retrieved at Barney's warehouse by her daughter Billie Jean. Billie Jean (Susan Sennett) uses it herself once Wilma gets the Thompson.
Oklahoma bank robber Fred Diller (Tom Skerritt) carries and fires a M1921AC Thompson fitted with a drum magazine during the Lubbock City Bank robbery. Wilma (Angie Dickinson) also uses the Thompson during later robberies of the race track, the California oil refinery payroll office, and the fancy party. U.S. Prohibition Bureau agent Dodds (Tom Signorelli) is handed one by his partner, agent Bonney (Dick Miller). Many California policemen fire Thompsons at the McClatchie house during the final gunfight. Wilma's daughters Billie Jean (Susan Sennett) and Polly (Robbie Lee) also get some time firing the Thompson.
Diller (Tom Skerritt) carries a long-barreled Colt New Service M1909 revolver as his primary sidearm, which he refers to as "a .45" and carries in a black leather RHD shoulder holster. Billie Jean (Susan Sennett) handles it when Diller teaches her how to shoot.
Bank robber Charles Evans carries a Colt New Service M1917 revolver, picked up by the Lubbock City Bank guard. Billie Jean (Susan Sennett) later carries her own M1917 during the final gunfight.
U.S. Prohibition Bureau agent Dodds (Tom Signorelli) keeps a Colt Detective Special as his issued sidearm, firing it primarily during the final gunfight. William J. Baxter (William Shatner), the Kentucky horse track gambler, begins carrying a Detective Special once he's recruited into the gang.
A California sheriff's deputy fires a Winchester Model 1892 rifle at the house during the final gunfight. A Model 1892 rifle was also handed to Dodds (Tom Signorelli) by Bonney (Dick Miller).
