The Girl Most Likely to...

I remember the first time I saw Stockard Channing on TV. I thought she was not only beautiful (after the accident) but unbelievably funny and talented. The movie was a perfect marriage of script, direction and acting. Joan Rivers co-wrote the screenplay and did a marvelous job. I can't say enough about this movie, though my friends think I probably can, since I have raved about it for years. Many have never heard of it, and probably think I'm making it up. I mean, a well written, darkly funny revenge comedy made for TV in the 70's? But it's true. There needs to be a campaign of some sort to get this movie out on dvd so a whole new generation can see that you don't need a Hollywood budget to make decent movies. If there is ever a chance to get our voices heard, let me know! I'll lead the march on the studios to get this movie back on screen where it belongs!

This is one of my favorite dark comedy films--light-hearted, beautifully wicked and sometimes poignant. The plot is somewhat thin, but Stockard Channing is perfect in the lead and she makes it believable. Her transformation from Ugly Duckling to evil Swan is wonderful and sexy as is her wicked delight in bringing justice to those who caused her pain as her former self. The film is subtly satiric and delivers a climax with a twist. Lots of supporting cast members that are future "B" stars in their own right.

And that's because "The Girl Most Likely To..." takes the familiar and universal theme of the misfit, geeky underdog character who gets ridiculed, put upon and ignored and gives it a grown-up, black humor twist. We've all been there emotionally, one way or another. Just think back to high school - especially if you weren't one of the 'cool kids'. The only difference is the theme takes place on a university campus with adults who are supposed to know better. No matter. Arguments aside about right and wrong, most of us get a guilty pleasure watching Miriam Knight go about methodically knocking off her former tormentors. Who hasn't dreamed of doing such a thing? It's also a delight to see familiar character actors, and then unknown faces - some of whom would go on to bigger and better things. Ed Asner - of Mary Tylor Moore fame - would go on to "Lou Grant", Larry Wilcox went on to CHIP's, Ruth McDevitt would go on to "The Night Stalker", and Fred Grandy to "Love Boat". And the star, Channing, well...any actress would kill for her credits!

It's easy to forget that the writer for this delicious tale was none other than Joan Rivers. It's her best effort during her pre-stand-up days. She wrote the story for another movie that didn't too well, although it's a cult favorite of sorts. Some of you might remember 'The Rabbit Test', where Billy Crystal plays the first man in history to get pregnant and the socio-political reaction that quickly ensues! It's played for laughs, of course, but even critics didn't find it too entertaining.

I remember seeing this when I was in high school back in 1973. What a great introductory role for Stockard Channing - it really played to her strengths. Miriam (Stockard Channing) is a homely girl, about age 21, who has been changing colleges every semester because of how she is ignored at best, tormented at worst, at every turn. She's very smart and very talented, but every time she tries to turn over a new leaf it's the same old story. At her new school she's the butt of a joke in which the school jock takes her on a fake date just to humiliate her, and then she gets the leading role in a play stepping ahead of her cheerleader dorm roommate. She is humiliated there too because the roommate takes revenge by making sure the bouquet she gets as part of the play are roses - Miriam is allergic to them. Miriam goes into a sneezing fit, cannot say her lines because of it, and runs off the stage crying with the whole audience laughing at her performance. Driving away and in tears she has a disfiguring automobile accident. Laying there in the hospital she receives the final insult - her long-time reluctant pseudo-boyfriend Herman tells her he is marrying someone else.

However, this is where Miriam's luck changes. Plastic surgery completely changes her appearance and makes her beautiful. Now that she is beautiful, unrecognizable, and still smart and talented she goes on a homicidal tirade of revenge against all who wronged her - at least the ones we know about from the film, that is. Ironically, she doesn't actually lay a finger on any of them. Furthermore she uses her tormentors' own vanities to send them to their deaths. Technically, though, it is murder, so Edward Asner, as a homicide detective, tries to fit the pieces together and pretty soon he finds he's falling in love with the murderess' mind - he has no idea what she looks like.

Joan Rivers wrote this little gem, and if you know anything about her style of comedy and the burgeoning women's lib movement in the early 70's, this film seems to not so much come out of nowhere. Whenever I think of this film today, I always think about the fact that America's most popular TV show "American Idol" does exactly what drove Miriam over the edge - put less than attractive people center stage so people can feel better about themselves by laughing at them.

This was the first movie that introduced me to Stockard Channing and I too, loved the movie and Stockard Channing's portrayal of Miriam Knight. It's not everyday you find a TV movie that's both funny and entertaining without being silly, inane, and for the under 21 age group. The script was well written and it has a certain level of realism, that addresses the need that some of us may have to get even with those who torment us for being different. If TV movies such as "Fatal Vision" and "Chiefs" can make it to VHS, certainly "The Girl Most Likely To" should join that marketing strategy as well. Besides, making movies is about making money, for the writers, for the actors, the director, and especially for the producers, so let the capitalistic urge overtake you and allow the public to enjoy this movie again and again.