Sugar Cookies is one of Troma’s first films. It was made when Lloyd had formed his first film company, “Armor Films”, back in 1970, 2 years after Lloyd graduated from Yale University, while his future partner Michael Herz was still finishing up college. It was not directed by Lloyd, but Theodore Gershuny. Lloyd wrote the script, and came up with the actual story. Also of note, Oliver Stone was a producer. It stars Mary Woronov, from the cult movie “Death Race 2000”, and “Battle of Love’s Return” star, Lynn Lowry, in her best performance yet. Lynn is sometimes considered to be Troma’s first star.

The story is a bit hard to follow. It is basically a tale of lesbian seduction, and revenge. The story revolves around the death, of an aspiring X-rated movie actress, Alta, played by Lynn Lowry. Her death is thought to be suicide, but she was really killed in an odd ‘sex ritual’, by her producer, Max. Her death is a shock to everyone, except for Camilla, who is played by Mary Woronov. Camilla was a lover with both Alta, and Max. She tells Max that she will find a ‘replacement’ for Alta. After interviewing several women-and a funny trans-sexual- she chooses Julie, also played by Lynn Lowry. Camilla is actually concocting an elaborate plot for revenge against Max, for killing Alta.

Camilla begins ‘molding’ Julie into a new person. She buys her a new wardrobe, teaches her tennis, and how to behave as a porn star. As they spend more time together, Julie develops an actual love for Camilla. She trusts her, and feels safe with her. She starts to have sexual relations with her. But she never suspects for a moment that she is a pawn, in Camilla’s plan for revenge against Max. Soon after, Camilla, Julie and Max meet up with each other, and begin his ‘sex ritual’. It is at this point that Julie realizes that ‘something’ is up, and that her life is in danger.

The ending is rather dramatic, especially for a movie by Lloyd Kaufman, but this was his third movie, years before he started making sex comedies, such as Squeeze Play and Stuck-On You. And what with all the sex, and pointless nudity, I think that we can let it slide. I didn’t mention in the review, but there is a side-plot, concerning Max’s nephew, Gus, who I believe “Big Gus, What’s The Fuss’ was spun-off from. Based on what I heard about that movie, we can’t forgive Lloyd for that.

In conclusion to this review-if you can call it a review- Sugar Cookies is great piece of pre-Troma history, and Troma fans should see it. If you’re a casual Troma viewer, then you should at least make an attempt. Lynn Lowry is a great actress, and her performance as both Alta, and Julie should not be missed. I was amazed at how she was able keep her cool, and do a good acting job in all of those nude scenes. This was her second movie, and first time doing full nudity, let alone being topless or something. She has my respect as an actress. And Sugar Cookies has my 4 star rating!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars