NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Film Detective Blu-ray (April 2021): Film Detective have transferred Jerry Gross's Girl on a Chain Gang to Blu-ray. It generally looks quite strong on a dual-layered disc with a very high bitrate. Contrast is well-layered and detail is pleasing in close-ups. There are vertical surface scratches that aren't overwhelming. The 1080P image is compromised for a couple of minutes around 1-hour 18-minutes into the film where is looks demonstratively waxy and soft. The tighter image returns and the presentation seems like a very decent representation of the available source. 

NOTE: We have added 46 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Film Detective use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (16-bit) in the original English language (and a lossy Dolby 2.0 channel track.) There is weakness in volume levels of certain dialogue - but this would be in-line with the original, imo. Girl on a Chain Gang has a few aggressive (gunshots) moments that fairly hollow and weak - as per the low budget production. The score is credited to Steve Karmen (Teenage Gang Debs, Teenage Mother, The Sexploiters, The Beautiful, the Bloody, and the Bare, Nudes on Tiger Reef etc.), with occasional conga drums - probably sounding as good as it can in the lossless transfer. Film Detective offer optional English or Spanish subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Film Detective Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Jennifer Churchill (author of Movies Are Magic.) She tells us that Girl on a Chain Gang is perfect for a late night double feature with a Gimlet or Sidecar (my type of gal.) She says she has heard of Girl on a Chain Gang labeled as a 'hicksploitation' flic - which may have some accuracy. She discusses Jerry Gross, oft-seen actor William Watson, exploitation films, the location - Long Island, New York representing a southern town called Carson's Landing. Her voice is very clear and she makes excellent points - nice to hear from her as we did on Film Detective's The Sherlock Holmes Vault Collection Blu-ray - reviewed HERE. It's an enjoyable commentary track. I hope we hear more form her in the future. Also included is the 13-minute featurette It's All in the Title: Exploiting Jerry Gross directed by Daniel Griffith and narrated by Chris Poggiali. It chronicles the life of Jerry Gross who was not only an exploitation impresario and promoter but also distributed films like Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (although it was a slightly re-cut version.) Little is published about Gross so this featurette uncovers a lot including his later agoraphobia and dying in a skid-row hotel room at age 62. The package has a 14-page booklet with photos and an essay by Lisa Petrucci. There is also a certificate for 'Jury Service'. :)

Jerry Gross's Girl on a Chain Gang is exactly what you might expect. It's a bit cheesy but surprisingly tame in terms of graphic violence and nudity. The title is certainly misleading. It has some interesting black and white cinematography by George Zimmermann who didn't work long - and only in this genre. Like commentator Jennifer Churchill - I think there is some strange value in this that has been unnoticed these past 5+ decades. The film is often so exaggerated - it becomes, unintentionally funny. What.ever. I liked it and it's a keeper for me. I appreciate the Film Detective Blu-ray for uncovering Girl on a Chain Gang and adding the commentary, featurette on Jerry Gross plus the booklet. This is what physical media should be about - new film experiences with important supplements. Absolutely recommended to the right crowd.

Gary Tooze