Avenging Angel (1985)

Molly, former prostitute, has managed to leave her street life with help from Lt. Andrews. She studies law and leads a normal life. When Andrews is killed by a brutal gang, she returns to the streets as Angel to find his killers.

Director:

Robert Vincent O'Neil (as Robert Vincent O'Neill)

Writers:

Robert Vincent O'Neil (as Robert Vincent O'Neill), Joseph Michael Cala (as Joseph M. Cala)

Stars:

Betsy Russell, Rory Calhoun, Susan Tyrrell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Betsy Russell	...	Molly "Angel" Stewart
Rory Calhoun	...	Kit Carson
Susan Tyrrell	...	Solly Mosler
Ossie Davis	...	Captain Harry Moradian
Robert F. Lyons	...	Lt. Hugh Andrews
Steven M. Porter	...	Yo-Yo Charlie
Paul Lambert	...	Arthur Gerrard
Barry Pearl	...	Johnny Glitter
Estee Chandler	...	Cindy
Tim Rossovich	...	Teddy Butts (as Timothy Rossovich)
Frank Doubleday	...	Miles Gerrard
Howard Honig	...	Sergeant Hal Baylor
Ross Hagen	...	Ray Mitchell
Tracy Robert Austin	...	Pat
Michael A. Andrews	...	Mike (as Michael Andrews)

Storyline

Molly, former baby prostitute "Angel" from Sunset Boulevard, has managed to leave her street life with help of Lt. Andrews. She studies law at an university and aims to become attorney. When she learns that Andrews was shot during a failed observation by brutal gangsters, she returns downtown to take revenge. She frees Kit Carson from the old people's home and together with the other old friends she tracks down the bad guys.

---

Plot Keywords:

female protagonist | teenage prostitute | prostitution | hollywood california | law student | 

---

Taglines:

It's 4 years later. She's graduating college. The cop who got her off the street has been murdered. ANGEL'S back... with a vengeance! [USA Theatrical]

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Betsy Russell is 4 years younger than Donna Wilkes, who played Angel in the original movie.

---

Goofs

18 minutes into the film when Angel is walking down Hollywood Boulevard in front of extras some are looking at the screen and the three girls in the booth actually point and wave to the camera.

---

Quotes

Solly Mosler: Oh man, now look what ya done. You woke up the fuckin' baby ya pervert!
[cooing]
Solly Mosler: I'm coming darling. Yes... yes.

---

Connections

Referenced in Mike Tyson Mysteries: Unsolved Situations (2016)

---

Soundtracks

Why?
Performed by Jimmy Somerville

User Reviews

Much less serious and dark than the original Angel, but more fun!

Completely tone than the first movie. Where the first Angel has a serious, somewhat sad, and grim take on the story of a young, smart woman working the seedy streets of Hollywood to pay for her private schooling and apartment, this movie is made with a much lighter tone.

Betsy Russell takes over the role from Donna Wilkes. She does fine, but lacks the vulnerability and hurt that Wilkes brought to the role. Rory Calhoun is back and any restraint he used in the first movie is gone here. He plays WAY over the top, along with Susan Tyrell as the wacky, psychopathic apartment landlord. It is great! He is very likable and brings heart to the movie. Something, as much I as love her, Russell can not manage too well.

The plot is more of the same. This time, Angel's cop buddy/mentor (played by a completely different looking actor from the first) is murdered and since the cops aren't doing much, it is up to Angel and her gang of misfits to avenge his death. The tone, as mentioned before, is quite silly this time around. It now feels more comic book adventure and less gritty drama.

Everyone in this movie is out of their minds. Calhoun is convinced (and it never proven he is wrong) he is Kit Carson, legendary cowboy. Tyrell is a rodeo clown without a rodeo. Every time she shows up, the movie cranks up to an eleven! There is Micheal J Pollard look-alike,Steven M. Porter as "Yo-Yo Charlie". He is fun, but underused in this critics opinion. And finally, they add a new character, Johnny Glitter, played with zero restraint by Barry Pearl. I love how every time he enters the scene he is accompanied with a cloud of glitter. He is a very silly, unreal character. Somewhere is in all of this mess, Ossie Davis shows up a police captain who doesn't follow the rules, and a baby that is very well behaved, even while being hung over a high drop.

Avenging Angel can be a fun movie if you go in with little expectations and just want to have some fun. Sit back, riff with your friends, and forget about the movie soon after.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Angel Page Official Avenging Angel - Betsy Russell Facebook Page

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 January 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Avenging Angel

Filming Locations:

Bradbury Building - 304 S. Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,755,264, 13 January 1985

Gross USA:

$5,622,787

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,622,787

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avenging Venture, New World Pictures, Republic Entertainment International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1