Change Your Image
ltfofw
Reviews
Wrestling Queen (1973)
misleading title
This could just as well have been called "Kings of Wrestling" because it featured about as much men's wrestling as women's. And moving the camera view between the ring action and the crowd was distracting and annoying. I did somewhat enjoy the interviews with fans going into the arena, and wished that the interview with lovely and talented lady wrestler Vicki Williams had been much more in-depth and extended. Having said that, any movie with more than a smidgen of female grappling is above average, just because such movies are such a rarity (which makes no sense to me- which would the average red-blooded American male rather watch: a couple of sweaty guys or a couple of perspiring and attractive females? Do the math, movie makers and TV programmers!). Sadly, the star of the film, the very pretty and outgoing Vivian Vachon, passed away a few years ago, but the two matches that do feature her are well worth wading through some of the less interesting parts of this documentary on one of the most fascinating and stimulating of subjects, professional women's wrestling. One final gripe/suggestion for any future releases: add a two or three minute clip at the end similar, but not identical to the one that starts the film, with several short, fast-paced shots of various women's matches.
...All the Marbles (1981)
definitely a guy flick!
Being a fan of lady wrestling for decades, I had hoped to see this movie at the theater when it first came out, but that opportunity never came. However, I did rent it once or twice afterward, and taped it when it came on the small screen. First, want to say that most of the previous reviews were right on the mark. I always liked and admired the performances turned in by Peter Falk in the Columbo series, but 95% of my interest in this movie was due to the main theme: women's wrestling. And I was not disappointed, especially with the complete matches shown between the Dolls and their reigning champion archrivals (the same cannot be said for "Wrestling Queen" starring the late, great Vivian Vachon, but featuring as much men's wrestling as women's. BTW, if you doubt the popularity of female grappling, go to Youtube.com and check out the tens of thousands of views that the women's wrestling/catfighting clips regularly garner). And having 4 very pretty women as the main wrestlers did not hurt at all, either. 2 thumbs and 8 fingers up for this movie, and a hope that somebody not in Vinny Mac's pocket will do another one along these lines one day soon!