SCORCHY

Squeal like a Scorchy!

title: SCORCHY

year: 1978

cast: Connie Stevens, William Smith

rating: ***1/2

Here we have a woman with layers. Sexy, sultry Connie Stevens can daylight as a cop and moonlight as a drug-smuggler as she thwarts an operation entailing heroin hidden in antiques imported from Greece to America (basically the plot of Don Siegel's THE LINEUP); that is, when she's not swimming naked or bedding down Greg Evigan she's kicking ass and taking names: like Ceaser Danova, providing the top villain spot... although it's William Smith, as the menacing henchman, that she really contends with: especially during an incredible chase where, on a city street, she just happens upon a dune buggy with keys inside. Stevens is perfectly cast here; she's got all the juice to make this lemon shine. But despite the cornball factor, this airhead actioneer really has it all: including a techno soundtrack that was either re-dubbed years later during the Miami Vice craze or, for better or worse, was very ahead of its time. And Stevens, after a steamy sex scene turned deadly, provides a screaming-pig's squeal that'd make the late Bill McKinney either proud or jealous.