Sixteen 1972
""Mercedes McCambridge is Ma Irtley. Threatened with salvation... Her daughter ravaged... Her son seduced... That's what $8,000 got the Irtleys!""
Dive into the gritty world of Sixteen (1972), a 1970s exploitation drama directed by Lawrence Dobkin that blends Southern Gothic atmosphere with the seductive dangers of the carnival circuit.
Director: Lawrence Dobkin
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sixteen (1972) about?
Sixteen (1972) follows the Irtley family, rooted in the swampy backwoods, whose lives spiral into chaos during a trip to a carnival. Mercedes McCambridge's Ma Irtley watches helplessly as her daughter is pursued by a manipulative showman, while her son is ensnared by an older performer. The film explores themes of poverty, temptation, and the cost of fleeting dreams in a world where survival and salvation feel interchangeable.
Who directed Sixteen?
Sixteen was directed by Lawrence Dobkin, a filmmaker known for his work in television and exploitation films of the era.
Who stars in Sixteen?
The cast features Mercedes McCambridge as Ma Irtley, alongside Simone Griffeth as her daughter, Ford Rainey as her husband, and Buddy Foster as her son.
Is Sixteen (1972) worth watching?
Sixteen (1972) is a cult curiosity for fans of Southern Gothic dramas and early 70s exploitation cinema. While not a critical darling, its tight runtime and McCambridge's commanding presence make it a tense, if uneven, watch. If you enjoy morally charged stories with a gritty Southern flavor, it's worth a look—but temper expectations for polish.
How long is Sixteen?
Sixteen has a runtime of 96 minutes, making it a brisk and intense viewing experience.
About Sixteen (1972) — A Southern Gothic Carnival of Temptation and Tragedy
Dive into the gritty world of Sixteen (1972), a 1970s exploitation drama directed by Lawrence Dobkin that blends Southern Gothic atmosphere with the seductive dangers of the carnival circuit. Mercedes McCambridge stars as Ma Irtley, matriarch of a swamp-dwelling family whose fragile stability unravels at a traveling fairground. The story pivots around her teenage daughter, played by Simone Griffeth, whose innocence collides with predatory forces—first lured by a showman's charm, while her brother encounters a darker enticement. Dobkin crafts a tense, morally charged setting where poverty and temptation intertwine, creating a raw, unflinching portrait of familial collapse and societal decay. The film's Southern setting and themes of exploitation give it a unique, almost feverish edge within the exploitation genre.
Sixteen (1972) thrives on contrast: the claustrophobic backwoods home versus the lurid spectacle of the carnival, innocence versus corruption, and the haunting power of Mercedes McCambridge's performance anchoring the chaos. The tagline hints at the transactional nature of the family's fate, tied to an $8,000 payout that underscores their desperation. With a runtime of just 96 minutes, the film moves with the relentless pace of a thriller, leaving audiences to question where salvation ends and damnation begins.