When a pair of killers take refuge in a bar it takes the little man with the big chip on his shoulder to disarm them while he shows the other customers the difference between their real selves and what they think they are.
The story begins at the dingy Cloud Nine Club where Al (Robin Morse) is the presiding bartender and The Blockbusters and The Platters are the attractions.
The plot is carried by Dick Miller’s portrayal of the 5’1″ protagonist (‘Shorty’) who is constantly besieged by real or imagined slights from “big people”. He exhibits a Richard Widmark attitude towards big men.
After a series of scrapes, Shorty, along with the patrons, including the hero’s favourite vocalist, Julie (Abby Dalton), are confronted by two fugitives fleeing a homicide charge.
Shorty’s barroom antagonists are cowed by the killers and in the process, they reveal their innermost insecurities.
Faced with the challenge, Miller is transformed into a “little big man” and overcomes the goons, and his size, winning Dalton.
Roger Corman directed the entire film in a mere five days and used a single set.
A small, neighbourhood, working-class bar with a stage for live entertainment was the locale for the entire 62-minute project.
The film was rightly overshadowed by the hot rod flick that showed on the same bill.
Shorty
Dick Miller Jigger
Russell Johnson Julie
Abby Dalton Julie (singing voice)
Nora Hayes Mabel
Jeanne Cooper Al
Robin Morse Sir Bop
Mel Welles Steve
Richard Cutting Angie
Chris Alcaide Joey
Jonathon Haze Syl, ‘The Kid’s’ wife
Barboura Morris ‘The Kid’ Lester
Beach Dickerson Marty, ‘The Kid’s’ manager
Clegg Hoyt Jerry
Richard Karlan Charlie Thompson
Bruno Ve Sota Pete
Ed Nelson The Platters
Themselves The Blockbusters
Themselves
After a series of scrapes, Shorty, along with the patrons, including the hero’s favourite vocalist, Julie (Abby Dalton), are confronted by two fugitives fleeing a homicide charge.
