bkoganbing Rock Hudson's extraordinary good looks and charm are cast against type as he plays a school guidance counselor and football coach who picks a few choice plums among the student body on a regular basis. Seeing all those nubile young girls with skirts up to their hynies was temptation enough for anyone. The problem is that these girls want to take a permanent lease out on him and he's already married to Barbara Leigh and has a little daughter. What choice is there before the scandal costs him his job, but kill these Pretty Maids All In A Row.The unusual combination of Gene Roddenberry who wrote script and French director Roger Vadim, best known here on this side of the pond for Barbarella created Pretty Maids All In A Row, a black comedy that garnered a nice cult following. Hudson worked well playing his one and only villain on the big screen. A secondary plot involves substitute teacher Angie Dickinson who Hudson gives a warm up to in preparation for his protégé young John David Carson nailing Dickinson. A little Tea And Sympathy sideline as Carson slowly discovers what his mentor is up to..Roddy McDowall plays the clueless high school principal and Keenan Wynn the equally clueless sheriff. One who is not clueless is Telly Savalas who plays a Kojak like detective who suspicions that Hudson is the murderer but can't quite prove it. At the end of the film Savalas is totally convinced.Hudson as serial killer might be jarring to his fans, but Rock does pull it off. An interesting alternative part for an actor who was far better than he was credited.

wes-connors On his way to Southern California's "Oceanfront High School", 17-year-old Los Angeles senior John David Carson (as Ponce de Leon Harper) can't escape the constant barrage of sexy girls in tight shirts, shorts and mini-skirts. When horny substitute teacher Angie Dickinson (as Betty Smith) sticks her butt in his face and rubs her breasts on him, Mr. Carson has to run for relief in the boys' lavatory. There, he discovers the dead body of a shapely cheerleader with a farewell note on her panties. This is the start of a serial murder spree at the high school. Meanwhile, guidance counselor and football coach Rock Hudson (as Michael "Tiger" McDrew) is copulating – he takes willing girls into his office and turns on the "Testing" light...Carson is the water-boy for Mr. Hudson's football team and asks his coach for advice about sex. We're not privy to exactly why Carson, an attractive guy, is unable to find an interested partner. His haircut is funny, but certainly not a deal breaker. Hudson decides to help Carson by setting him up with Ms. Dickinson. Pretty in pink, she nips the problem in the bud. Meanwhile, Hudson continues to bed beautiful young women as bald detective Telly Savalas (as Sam Surcher) investigates their murders. He, Hudson and Dickinson went on to star in successful 1970s TV series ("Kojak", "McMillan & Wife" and "Police Woman") in spite of this trash. This film was brought to you by producer-writer Gene Roddenberry and director Roger Vadim. Their "Pretty Maids All in a Row" does not boldly go where no man has gone before – but, it has charms...The highlight of this film is Mr. Vadim and Charles Rosher's arousing photography of young woman in and out of their clothing. The soft core antics of an admirable cast and what looks like dozens of casting couch cuties has no real substance – at least, not in this telling. The visual candy makes up for a silly story. The best shots are of the girls showing off their upper thighs and panties. Those who always knew "Here Comes the Brides" downer Susan Tolsky was secretly hot will see proof. While older than the others, Dickinson more than holds her own. Other than that, it's just strange to see this cast and crew team up – as a stupefying bonus, you get The Osmonds' chirping theme song "Chilly Winds" (a non-hit B-Side).***** Pretty Maids All in a Row (4/28/71) Roger Vadim ~ Rock Hudson, John David Carson, Angie Dickinson, Telly Savalas

brefane An oddity from MGM apparently desperate to stay afloat and keep up with the times. Pretty Maids is rather like soft core porn that's been edited for an R rating. Perhaps Roger Vadim's limited understanding of English can account for the vacuous feel and the awkward and uncertain tone, but a stupid script that has no right to exist and Vadim's flat-footed direction are also to blame for this dud. Hudson is interesting because his role provides a contrast from his usual screen persona, but the rest of the cast is adrift. Pretty Maids is ultimately lame and boring; it doesn't work as black comedy or parody and understandably never found an audience. It's shameless exploitation produced and released by a major studio.

beauzee Comments are based upon TV viewing.Always a fan of Angie Dickenson and interested in Gene Roddenbery projects.In 1970, singer Little Richard mentioned that he was to be in a movie with Rock Hudson, as "The Insane Minister". Did he mean MGM? Historians, please help! :)This presumptive unrealized Richard project sure is different....a true cult movie with a lot of interest for fans of Hudson, as well. Gene Roddenberry did the script, which can't be considered at the level of his famous sci-fi TV icon, but there is zero impetus to raid the frig' during the viewing. Has much of the feel and atmosphere of the period. Hudson's acting is especially nuanced; Dickenson's sensuousness actually moves the plot line.