This movie may be a little campy, and the acting is definitely "B" level, yet Laughlin created an enduring character and a very engaging story. It is a valuable precursor to many other films in the genre, and probably as important to independent film making. Laughlin not only wrote and directed his movies, but he was also largely responsible for getting them financed, often using his own money to do so. It is the spirit of film makers like him that paved the way for others to reach a mass audience in spite of the major studio system.