All The Marbles

 

Moviedrome Introduction

Film Details

Release Date: 1981

Director: Robert Aldrich

Stars:

Peter Falk as Harry Sears

Vicki Frederick as Iris

Laurene Landon as Molly

Burt Young as Vince

Plot Summary 

The film follows Harry Sears (Peter Falk), a small-time manager of a struggling women's wrestling tag team known as "The California Dolls," consisting of Iris (Vicki Frederick) and Molly (Laurene Landon). Harry is determined to lead the team to success despite the numerous challenges and obstacles they face in the male-dominated wrestling world. The story highlights their journey, both in the ring and in their personal lives, as they strive for recognition and success in the competitive wrestling industry.

Personal History

I'd never heard of it. Not even under the name "California Dolls", its overseas release name.

Current Review

I had low expectations for this film - and despite some snappy dialogue in the first half - it didn't disappoint. Peter Falk, basically doing Columbo without the reveal, and a couple of dolly birds in a beat up old Cadillac. Unnecessary titillation. Mud wrestling for Christ's sake.   

A road movie, where they didn't seem to travel anywhere. A sports movie, where there was too much sport. A never ending wrestling bout for the final throws doesn't offer any real drama.

This - for at least 20 minutes

The cinematography was hideous. The film looked more dated than the 1950s Sci-Fi's that have been a stalwart of this series.

Quirky Facts

• Final film of director Robert Aldrich. After this picture wrapped, Aldrich had surgery which ended in fatal kidney failure. Aldrich had been planning a sequel. Every cloud.
• The picture's title was changed from "...All The Marbles" to "The California Dolls" for overseas release because the phrase is an American idiom, not well-known elsewhere.  It is quoted in the film and means "winning everything"

Quotes

Harry Sears: [after destroying Eddie Cisco's Mercedes with a baseball bat] I was thinking of buying a Mercedes but first I wanted to give it a stress test.
Iris: Stress test?
Harry Sears: [shrugging] Didn't pass.

Harry Sears: Stay exactly like that, I want to forget you just the way you are.

Sustenance

The usual American fast food was recommended by AI, but if I'm going to be honest, I completely forgot to ask it.

Future Inspiration

I don't think I have enough love of wrestling to consider GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling), although it would be nice to get some TV as inspiration, instead of the usual film and book recommendation.

That said, as this is the director's final film - and he did direct the excellent Dirty Dozen and Mean Machine - I will continue on my noirish bent with his 1956 film, Kiss Me Deadly.