Angel (1984)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Robert Vincent O'Neill

Writers:

Joseph Michael Cala (writer)
Robert Vincent O'Neill (writer)

Release Date:

13 January 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

High School Honor Student by Day. Hollywood Hooker by Night.

Plot:

15 year-old Molly is the best in her class in high school. Nobody suspects that the model pupil earns...

Plot Keywords:

Serial Killer | High School | Prostitute | One Word Title | Police

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Cliff Gorman	...	Lt. Andrews
Susan Tyrrell	...	Solly Mosler
Dick Shawn	...	Mae
Rory Calhoun	...	Kit Carson
Donna Wilkes	...	Molly Stewart(Angel)
John Diehl	...	Billy Boy / Killer
Elaine Giftos	...	Patricia Allen
Donna McDaniel	...	Crystal
Graem McGavin	...	Lana
Mel Carter	...	Collins
Steven M. Porter	...	Yoyo Charlie
David Underwood	...	Ric Sawyer
David Anthony	...	Howie
Joshua Cadman	...	Spike (as Josh Cadman)
Greg Lewis	...	Themopolis

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:R | USA:R (Certificate #27220) | UK:18 | New Zealand:R16 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | West Germany:16 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Adams Apple Film Company

Trivia:

Composer Craig Safan wrote the score to "Angel" in under a week.

Goofs:

Continuity: In any distant shots where Angel is running, she is wearing thick, chunky high heels, as opposed to the stilettos she is wearing in closer, alternate shots when merely walking or standing.

Quotes:

Mae: Give a man something to suck on and he's happy.

Movie Connections:

References Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Soundtrack:

Something Sweet

Not bad, I think...

Teen exploitation / sleaze drama about 15-year-old high school honor student Molly Stewart (Donna Wilkes), who walks Hollywood Boulevard at night as a hooker named "Angel". She acquires a mentor in compassionate detective Andrews (Cliff Gorman) while an ultra-creepy psycho killer (John Diehl) is killing off her associates.

Oddly enough, this film isn't as tasteless or raunchy as you might expect (although it does throw in obligatory female nudity) so some people may be disappointed. Moderately enjoyable movie indulges in a little melodrama, as we get Molly's background story, but for the most part just tells a simple little story without wasting a lot of time. Film attempts to draw viewer in by introducing us to Molly's quirky friends: drag queen Mae (Dick Shawn), faded cowboy actor Kit Carson (Rory Calhoun), and butch landlord Solly (Susan Tyrrell).

All the actors are fine - I genuinely enjoyed their work (as a matter of fact, it is their performances more than anything that made me enjoy this picture); Wilkes was actually in her twenties at the time but looked young enough to more or less pull off playing a teenager. Diehl leaves a strong impression as the bad guy, despite having almost no dialog at all.

It did offer a first for me: seeing the bad guy on the run, being pursued by the vengeful heroine, who is brandishing a gun in full view of dozens of people.

R.I.P. Dick Shawn and Rory Calhoun.

6/10