...All The Marbles

I love rediscovering films. Movies that you might have seen a lot on tv as a kid, but haven't seen since. Last night, I revisited the terrific, and under appreciated 1981 film ...All The Marbles.

Harry, Peter Falk, is the manager of the California Dolls, a tag team female wrestling duo. The three travel from town to town in Harry's beat up old car, hustling their way into matches. The Dolls Iris, Vicki Frederick, and Molly, Laurene Landon, have a love/hate relationship with Harry. They know he's trying to get them to the title, but they also know that he isn't above making a quick buck on their talents along the way.

This was the final film for legendary filmmaker Robert Aldrich, and what a great film to go out on. The three leads are terrific. Falk gives another amazing performance in a role that was originally written for Paul Newman, and Frederick, a former dancer for Bob Fosse, really shines in one of her first big roles. Kathleen Turner auditioned for the role of Molly, but she couldn't handle the wrestling scenes.

The movie tanked in America, but was a big hit overseas. So much so that there was talk of a sequel. But after Aldrich passed away, the sequel was dropped.

This is a terrific little picture that shows the less glamerous side to female wrestling.

It's available on dvd via Warner Archive.