The California Dolls are hot, young and dirty (well, muddy). But although the gorgeous tag-team wrestlers may be wallowing in a down-market mud-wrestling bout right now, they have a dream: the championship match at the MGM Grand in Reno. Director Robert Aldrich's (The Dirty Dozen, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?) last film is a boisterous, body-slammin' blast. The fun comes from the ladies who aim for glory, one takedown at a time; from Peter Falk as the team's irrepressible manager who battles the odds as ferociously as the girls battle in the ring; and from a grand finale smackdown that will leave you cheering.
B**E
The greatest wrestling movie ever great job Mildred Burke, Frederick, Landon, Reed and Bryant
I think this is probably the greatest wrestling movie of all time, up there with The Wrestler. I remember watching this movie on Cable TV back in 1982 I thought it was a great movie back then and how it has gotten better with time. I am still impressed with the performances of Vicki Frederick (Molly), Laurene Landon (Iris), Tracey Reed (Diane), Ursaline Bryant (June) and the other female wrestlers/actresses with guidance of Women Wrestling ICON Mildred Burke (a woman way ahead of her time). The women in the film performed their own stunts in the ring. I loved the storyline of the California Doll vs The Toledo Tigers and the Tigers showing class after the title match with The Dolls and a Great Pep Talk by Tigers Manager John Hancock (Big John Stanley). I love the friendship of Molly and Iris who love each other like sisters. Peter Falk you already know brings it. I know if Robert Aldrich doesn’t die in 1983 (Rest In Peace), he would have been able to pull off two more movies with the Dolls traveling to Japan which has a rich women’s wrestling history and possibly another title battle with the Toledo Tigers. I think this is a must have DVD for 80’s Film Classics Fans. Please Google Mildred Burke and check this Woman’s Iconic Wrestling History.
D**L
Awsome
This movie was always a favorite. I am happy I got to see it again.
P**B
A true hidden classic
Peter Falk at his best, with a great supporting cast. Adult themes, too rough for today's audiences but great for it's time. Gritty comedy.
P**S
No hold bar lady wrestling
Absolute great movie. A couple of lady wrestlers struggling along, barely able to make a living. They had to go through and jump over all the hoops to get one chance of glory. Their manager was prepared to do anything for his girls to get their chance at the big time. The lady wrestlers virtually sell their dignity to make ends meet. With dodgy promoters ripping them off and agents doing deals on the side they finally get their chance to go up against the champions. With a crooked promoter paying off match officials it was all against them. With time running out in the title bout all the champions needed was a draw to retain their titles. The wrestling matches were absorbing with no hold bars and the title fight will have you on the edge of the seat. I love this movie and will watch it again. You will not be disappointed.
M**4
Vicki Frederick is a good actress! What happened to her career?
I saw Vicki Frederick in A Chorus Line and wanted to see other movies that she was in. Very hard to find, but did my homework and found out about this movie and ordered it. It is more of a male flick, (women wrestling), but Vicki did a great job acting and wondered what happened to her career, as she was really good in The Chorus Line. If anyone else knows of any movies she is in, please let me know. This movie was good, and I liked the job Vicki did, it has a lot of wrestling, so if that is not for you, you might not care for this movie. On the other hand, the story line is good. Thank you.
P**N
A great wrestling move from the past.
If you like old-school wrestling or wrestling movies this is pretty solid. The pace is obviously slower than a modern film but it gets where it needs to go without much wasted time.
A**R
Excellent movie with rich characters, each working hard to be the best.
I liked the whole movie.
R**N
the Dolls vs the Tigers
The California Dolls and their manager are upstarts in the violent world of woman wrestling. Harry, Iris, and Molly travel from city to city taking brutal fights for little pay. After winning a non title match against tag team champions the Toledo Tigers. The Dolls fortunes start to change. But as their fame grows a disgruntled promoter and the Toledo Tigers reemerge looking for revenge. The resulting `grudge match' could make the Dolls champions or end their careers.My favorite thing about All the Marbles was the women wrestling. Vicki Frederick and Laurene Landon are very pretty and took a lot of punishment. There were seven matches in the film (3 against `douche schlepers', 3 against the Tigers, and one mud wrestling match). Burt Young had a small but cool role. And Peter Falk was great at playing Harry; a know-it-all that surprisingly knew what he was doing.
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