Sexy Cinema: The Big Switch (AKA: Strip Poker) (1968)

Pete Walker created this film as a guaranteed money spinner. The plot, based on 40s and 50s film noir and occasional nudity was engineered to appeal to American audiences. Pete Walker was proven right as the film was easily sold internationally.

The film predates Get Carter and some similarities can be drawn as both take place by the sea and both lead characters have the surname Carter, but that's really it.  Get Carter is a much better film and has a gritty atmosphere and great performance from Michael Caine. The Big Switch is almost camp - a shoot out takes place on a Ghost Train! Pure Scooby Doo. The now-kitschy 60s venues of nightclub and lavish apartments look so cool, at least to me, but they make the film seem cheesy and unrealistic.

The film falls down with lead character John Carter (played by Sebastian Breaks). Breaks looks the part, in his stylish suits and with his model good looks, but is emotionless. Sure, Jack Carter in Get Carter (Michael Caine) is a hard bastard, but he has the necessary vulnerability to make the character believable. While, John Carter is basically a poor man's James Bond without the charm or wit. Virginia Wetherell as Karen while pretty, is very wooden and emotionless in her role; a far cry from Cathy Tyson playing Simone in Mona Lisa. Worst of all is Derek Aylward as mob boss Karl Mendez - basically a pantomime baddy with a RADA accent. A posh thug could have been very interesting and convincing, but here it's just laughably camp. The best scene is a snowy shootout on Brighton pier, complete with a bad guy slipping on some snow.

The film was written in 24 hours and shot and edited in 14 days, for this alone it should be admired, but I see a lot of wasted potential in this film. I'm not sure if the rushed job or bad acting is most at fault. I can't help, but wonder what it would be like with Robin Askwith in the lead and instead of trying to be gritty, it went down the campy route. I suppose it would be a poor man's Casino Royale with tits and that would be no better. Pete Walker is an unsung hero of British horror and exploitation film and whilst The Big Switch is miles off, Pete delivered what he wanted to: sexy birds, casual violence and a portrayal of the sleazier sides of Brighton and London.


Look out for Pete Walker as the northerner complaining about the price of steak and chips. The price is now about the going rate in London.

Cool cars and kitsch in The Big Switch