The Doll Squad (1973)

Director:

Ted V. Mikels

Writers:

Pam Eddy (writer)
Ted V. Mikels (writer)

Release Date:

19 September 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

Tagline:

They're Beautiful, They're Dangerous, They're Deadly!

Plot:

Squad of beautiful government agents tries to catch saboteurs. |

Plot Keywords:

Explosion | Machine Gun | Woman Shot | Gun Battle | Exploitation

Cast

Michael Ansara	...	Eamon O'Reilly
Francine York	...	Sabrina Kincaid
Anthony Eisley	...	Victor Connelly
John Carter	...	Sen. Stockwell
Rafael Campos	...	Rafael
William Bagdad	...	Joseph
Lillian Garrett	...	Nancy Malone
Lisa Todd	...	Maria
Gustaf Unger	...	Dr. Cahaymen (as Gustave Unger)
Bertil Unger	...	Mr. Cahaymen
Curt Matson	...	Capt. Curran
Herb Robins	...	Munson (as Herb Robbins)
Dru Landers	...	Nurse
Jean London	...	Kim Luval (Doll Squad member)
Leigh Christian	...	Sharon O'Connor (Doll Squad member)

Also Known As:

Female Mercenaries (USA) (video title)
Seduce and Destroy (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.77 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (1989) | Iceland:16 | Norway:16 | USA:PG

Company:

Feature-Faire Productions

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in The Girls from H.A.R.M.! (2000) (V)

Soundtrack:

Song for Sabrina

Better than I think some people give it credit for.

Michael Ansara is dastardly villain Eamon O'Reilly, out to rule the world, in this early 70's cult action flick credited with giving the inspiration for the TV series 'Charlie's Angels'. Francine York is super-sexy and super-smart government agent, whose team of comely fellow agents, known as the "Doll Squad", is singled out as the group most capable of completing the mission.

I've noticed that the common criticism here is that viewers feel the movie is too much on the dull side. Even the annual Maltin paperback guide slags it for being "poorly made and boring". Well, I won't deny that it could have been a little more exciting, but I wouldn't consider it boring. It's fairly colorful entertainment. (One has to be amused by the 70's fashions and other visuals.) The gimmicks are low-rent Bond, but are good for chuckles, such as the exploding poison. Special effects are pretty far from special, but do provide unintentional laughter as well.

In any event, it's hard to completely knock any movie with such an attractive cast of female heroines. In addition to York, our fetching agents are played by such ladies as Jean London, Leigh Christian, Sherri Vernon, Bret Zeller, Carol Terry, Judy McConnell, and the immortal Tura Satana of "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" fame. Filling out supporting parts adequately are Anthony Eisley, John Carter, Rafael Campos, and Lisa Todd. Particularly fun is William Bagdad as a brutish henchman.

With its groovy soundtrack, firmly dated presentation, and variation of eye candy and action, "The Doll Squad" is perfectly acceptable entertainment. It gets off to a good start and maintains some good vibes up until its fairly rousing conclusion.

7/10