This love letter to one of my favorite 1980s cult classics originally appeared at my old site, in slightly different form, many years ago, in a galaxy far, far away. I’m posting the revised edition here in honor of star Betsy Russell’s birthday last week.
“It can’t be easy to run in an itty- bitty miniskirt and spike heels, especially when weighted down with junk jewelry. But Betsy Russell, who plays the title role in Avenging Angel, can manage this and talk a little, too.”
Janet Maslin New York Times review, 1985
“One more step and I’ll blow your balls into outer space.”
Angel (Betsy Russell)
That immortal line about blowing your balls into outer space is delivered with extreme chutzpah by tough-talking protagonist Angel (real name: Molly Stewart), played with a disarmingly effective nonchalance by 1980s dream girl Betsy Russell in Avenging Angel (1985). This was the second of three straight future cult classics that Russell starred in, sandwiched in between Private School (1983) and Tomboy (1985), and I love every one of them. To say she brought a scorching hot sex appeal to the screen in these gems is the understatement of the week. Russell melted hearts and raised more than just temperatures, if you know what I mean, and I think you do.
Avenging Angel, directed and co-written by Robert Vincent O’Neill (who worked in the art department on Easy Rider), is the second installment in the Angel quartet of films (the first three are highly recommended). Avenging Angel picks up where Angel (1984) left off, and it recasts the main character (Donna Wilkes played Angel in the first installment), but you can definitely jump in blind, without needing to see the first film (although you should, because it’s great). In this sequel, former Hollywood Boulevard sex worker turned law student goes back undercover as a prostitute—but steadfastly avoids schtupping any Johns, to the chagrin of horny B-movie fans everywhere. She re-teams with her ragtag crew of street urchins to track down a killer who murdered the police office that helped get her off the streets and into law school. Did you follow all of that?
If you spend too much time trying to make sense of this, you’ll lose your mind. As any exploitation aficionado knows, there’s no need to bring logic into this equation. So a law student who used to be a hooker takes it upon herself to go undercover as if she was a police detective? Of course she does! And of course she suddenly knows how to handle various firearms—from big shotguns to a tiny pistol that she conceals in a garter belt under the extremely short skirts Janet Maslin was turning her nose up at in the New York Times review.
Avenging Angel works so well largely because Russell turns in the sort of strong, silent type hero role typically played by men. Sure, she’s sweet and smiles a lot, but ultimately she’s a badass with almost no fear of danger. She’s also more than she seems. Just like the movie itself, which is equal parts gritty street crime thriller and zany lighthearted comedy, Angel is a woman of action and a dedicated scholar. Streetwise and book smart.
Characters are constantly misjudging Angel because of her glamour model-turned-street-walker appearance, but she’s a serious student of the law with a plucky can-do attitude who never gives up. A perfect example would be the scene where she’s been wrongfully imprisoned and, from behind bars, delivers a lecture on California penal code law to the police. It’s completely ridiculous and ridiculously awesome.
In what might be my favorite scene, while sexy Silk Stalkings-style slow jazz blurts out over the soundtrack, Angel confidently struts into the Hall of Records and requests access to some, well, records. What makes it great, besides the way Betsy Russell struts, is she makes the request in her most serious, lawyerly voice. Russell’s delivery is deliciously droll, which completely works for Angel: she’s a no-nonsense, straight shooter who just wants the facts, ma’am.
Cut to Angel posing on a step stool in a very short skirt, stretching to pull down some tome from the tippy-top shelf. It’s absolutely gratuitous and of course entirely essential to any exploitation movie worth its salt. Then she saunters over to a study room and intently pores over the papers, jotting down notes along the way, and completely oblivious to the other people in the room gawking. High-brow comedy it ain’t, but it’s chuckle-inducing fun, nonetheless.
Angel keeps getting in over her head in her pursuit to bring the killer to Justice, but it never phases her one bit. She’s determined to bring down the killers, so she suits up in her best halter tops, micro-minis, and high heels, then charges out into the streets, ready for trouble without a care in the world for her own safety, and always packing heat—even when she isn’t carrying a gun, if you know what I mean, and I think you do.
Rory Calhoun is a riot as Kit Carson, Angel’s sexagenarian partner in crime. Kit dresses like he’s late for work at the rodeo, but the old geezer and our nubile heroine make for an enjoyably oddball duo. Kit lays down cover fire for Angel as she dodges bullets, tottering along on her stilettos, plus he always makes her laugh. It’s actually sweet. They’re fairly adorable together.
Part of the movie’s appeal is how this group of societal outcasts join forces with the uber-babe Angel to (just barely) save the day. Sure, they often charge into trouble without a solid plan, and even almost get a baby killed (spoiler: no babies were harmed in the making of this movie), but they’re so lovably wacky that you can’t help but root for them. It’s like if the pretty, popular girl with a heart of gold in school suddenly started hanging with the geeks from the AV Club—hilarity is sure to ensue!
The Hall of Records scene sums up Angel and the movie pretty well: looks can be deceiving. Angel’s not just a pretty face…or a great pair of legs…or a—okay, okay, you get the point, which is that Angel is also (mostly) a smart cookie. The movie’s not just a seedy thriller, but also at times a weird little comedy. Does the comedy always work? Nope, but that’s part of the charm. Above all, Avenging Angel simply does what any good exploitation movie must do: it entertains. I highly recommend it.
The Starfire Lounge 