Pretty Maids All in a Row
| Pretty Maids All in a Row | |
|---|---|
 theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Roger Vadim |
| Screenplay by | Gene Roddenberry |
| Based on | Pretty Maids All in a Row by Francis Pollini |
| Produced by | Gene Roddenberry |
| Starring | Rock Hudson Angie Dickinson Telly Savalas |
| Cinematography | Charles Rosher, Jr. |
| Edited by | Bill Brame |
| Music by | Lalo Schifrin |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release dates |
week of May 10, 1971 (LA)[1] |
Running time | 91-92 or 95 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | 282,810 admissions (France)[2] |
Pretty Maids All in a Row is a 1971 American
The film was Roddenberry's only feature film writing credit.
Plot
In Oceanfront High School, a (fictitious) American high school, at the height of the sexual revolution, female students are being targeted by an unknown serial killer. Meanwhile, a male student called Ponce is experiencing sexual frustration, surrounded by a seemingly unending stream of beautiful and sexually provocative classmates. Michael "Tiger" McDrew (Hudson) is the high school's football coach and guidance counselor who has sexual encounters with a number of female students.
In class, Ponce takes a shine to a substitute teacher named Miss Smith (Dickinson) and presents his report on John Milton's Paradise Lost. Tiger tries to befriend Ponce and help him deal with his sexual needs by encouraging him to seek the affections of Miss Smith. Later, Tiger talks to Miss Smith and recommends that she teach Ponce in building confidence.
After school, Miss Smith takes Ponce to her home, where she tantalizes him by reading poems by English poet John Milton. Ponce flees into the closet. Miss Smith convinces him to come out and reveals that she knows about his sexual problem and invited him to her house to talk about it.
The next day in school, Miss Smith informs Tiger of her progress with Ponce and of the boy's attraction to her. Tiger tells Miss Smith that at her next meeting, she has to do a more informative assessment of Ponce.
Following Tiger's suggestion, later that night Ponce goes to Miss Smith's house to deliver a liquor-filled chocolate duck as a present, accidentally giving her his keys in the process. He then leaves but comes back to get his keys. Clad only in a nightdress, Miss Smith behaves provocatively toward him and kisses him passionately, which he returns. The next morning, Ponce and Miss Smith are lying naked and have sex before heading to school.
Meanwhile, one young girl after another turns up dead. A police detective captain, Sam Surcher (Telly Savalas), investigates the case. Tiger is suspected but never caught red-handed. Ponce, however, learns that he is guilty when he discovers evidence in his office. Tiger drives Ponce to a pier and confesses, then apparently commits suicide by driving his car into the ocean. However, Surcher suspects that Tiger has faked his death.
After Tiger's funeral, a much more confident Ponce flirts with several female students, taking one for a ride on his moped.
Cast
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The Pretty Maids
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Cast notes
- This film was John David Carson's feature film debut.[1]
- Dawn Roddenberry, producer Gene Roddenberry's daughter, has a bit part in the film as "Girl #1".[1]
Production
The novel was published in 1968.[3] Producer Jay Weston and director James B. Harris originally optioned the novel and assigned William Hanley to write the script.[4][5][6] Joe Namath was meant to star as the football coach.[7] Eventually Gene Roddenberry rewrote the script and came on board as producer; the job of directing was given to Roger Vadim – his first movie in two years. "There is no role in the film for Jane Fonda" said the director, who was estranged from his wife at the time.[8]
It was Vadim's first American film, though he said he had received offers before – a contract ten years previously with Paramount for five films, and one with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) three years earlier. He said he had bought himself out of both contracts because he could not get the necessary control. Vadim said he had to be persuaded to return to MGM:
It seemed this time they (MGM) were more interested to give more credit to the director. 'We have changed' they said. But from the moment I get here I fight like hell. They want names but they don't want to pay for them. For the first time I will be at a studio for a major company in Hollywood. In a way I like a challenge. I really think it's necessary to get involved with something new. It's so good to break all your habits. In France I can do anything, here I have to fight. That's a good thing. They respect you if you fight and it keeps you alert.[9]
"I am not trying to make a statement on America", added Vadim. "I tell a story and the story happens to be located in America."
Publicity
The April 1971 issue of Playboy magazine published an article about the movie written by Vadim. This includes a nine-page pictorial of actresses Angie Dickinson, Gretchen Burrell, Aimee Eccles, Margaret Markov, Playboy bunny Joyce Williams, and others.
Reception
The film was poorly received by most critics, with Roger Ebert calling it "embarrassing"[15] and Ken Hanke of Mountain Xpress remarking: "In 1971 this was pretty daring and trendy. Unfortunately, it's no longer 1971."[16]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f Pretty Maids All in a Row at the American Film Institute Catalog
- ^ Box office information for Roger Vadim films at Box Office Story
- ^ Sokolov, Raymond (Oct 20, 1968). "Tiger McDrew: PRETTY MAIDS ALL IN A ROW". The New York Times. p. Q59.
- ^ A. H. WEILER (Nov 24, 1968). "Paging Ethel Waters". The New York Times. p. D18.
- ^ Martin, Betty (Nov 26, 1968). "MOVIE CALL SHEET: 'Eye on Sparrow' Film Set". Los Angeles Times. p. g16.
- ^ "MGM Will Begin Nine Films in '69". Los Angeles Times. Nov 30, 1968. p. a5.
- ^ Haber, Joyce (May 15, 1969). "Burbank Honors Rowan, Martin". Los Angeles Times. p. d21.
- ^ A.H. WEILER (May 3, 1970). "Vadim's 'Pretty Maids'". The New York Times. p. 109.
- ^ a b Thomas, Kevin (Aug 23, 1970). "Vadim Reappearing With Promising Film for MGM: Vadim and Promising Film". Los Angeles Times. p. q10.
- ^ ALJEAN HARMETZ (Sep 6, 1970). "Movies: In Vadim's Garden 'Pretty Maids All in a Row'". The New York Times. p. 65.
- ^ Lundy, Dori (July 24, 1970). "Rock Hudson in Star Role". Los Angeles Times. p. h12.
- ^ "THE VADIM GIRLS: First he catapulted Brigitte Bardot to stardom, then Catherine Deneuve ... and now director Roger Vadim sets his sites on these luscious lovelies. Has he done it again?". Chicago Tribune. Sep 27, 1970. p. f7.
- ^ "Uni High Footballers to Appear in Film". Los Angeles Times. Sep 7, 1970. p. h22.
- ^ Patricia Ward Biederman, "Campuses Make Popular Film Locations: As Stars, Schools Are in Class of Their Own", Los Angeles Times, March 1, 1987.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (April 12, 1971). "Pretty Maids All in a Row". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- ^ "Pretty Maids All in a Row". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- ^ "Read New All-Time Top 10 Lists From Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, Quentin Tarantino & More | The Playlist". Blogs.indiewire.com. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ "Quentin Tarantino | BFI | British Film Institute". explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
External links
- John Landis on Pretty Maids All in a Row at Trailers from Hell
- "Pretty Maids All In A Row". Getty Images. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- "Rock Hudson, Gene Roddenberry, and Roger Vadim posing with women cast members for motion picture "Pretty Maids All in a Row," Calif., 1970". calisphere. 14 August 1970.
