Rich Girl

My review was written in May 1991 after a Murray Hill screening in Manhattan.

Showbiz and teen pic cliches mix incompatibly in "Rich Girl" a movie similar to drive-in fare of 15 years ago but really a throwback to early talkies. Studio Three's choice of wide theatrical release s not a shrewd move.

Pic coincidentally stars Jill Schoelen in the title role, after she toplined in Studio Three's debut pic "Popcorn", released in January. She filmed "Rich Girl" in October 1989 and immediately flew to Jamaica to replace the leading lady in "Popcorn". Both pics were made independently an acquired by the distrib.

Lame script credited toRobert Elliot (billing wa Robert Havanna during production) is strictly by the numbes. Schoelen is a rich kid in L. A. wh rebels against her dad (Paul Gleason) and fiance who's a yuppie jerk (overplayed by Sean Kanan).

Out on her own, she gets a job as cocktail waitress in Ron Karabatsos' nightclub, where handome hunk Don Michael Paul is lead singer of the house band. Inevitable Paul/Schoelen romance bridging class barriers, daddy and Kanan's attempts to break them up and Paul's attempt to make it in the music business suplly dozens of stilted plot twists.

Absurd climax is a showcase night for record industry types in which Schoelen reluctantly debuts as replacement singe in Don's band, something Bessie Love or Ruby Keeler might have pulled off 60 years ago. Shoelen keeps her eyes tightly shut throughout the singing routine, but at least she attempts a warble; co-star Pau is dubbed in vocals b Jay Essess.

Joel Bender directs effeiciently but low-budget effort looks an plays like a dierct-to-video feature. Numerous mediocre performances by groups inlcuding Precious Metal and Celebrity Skin just drag out the running time.

Schoelen, whose career peak thus far remains the lead role in "The Stepfather", is apealing but miscast as a rich brat -she looks folksy throughout.

Paul is convincing in leather jacket and on motorcycle (he subsequently wrote the screenplay for the Don Johnson-Mickey Rourke-starrer "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man") though he looks uncomfortabe doing a Michael Pare routine out of "Eddie and the Cruisers". Best acting is by Karabatsos, dead on as the friendly but tough club owner.

I must say, I feel like the queen of B rated films and is one on my list. Although it is a bit off the mark on romantic dramas, it was not all that bad. You do not expect much, and just enjoy. There is no reality to it at all. I mean, how many people actually get a record exc to their bar, and just happen to get signed on their first gig?? Not very often if you do not draw a crowd.......but on a lighter note I have met Jill and she was a really nice person. In fact I remember asking her if she was the girl in this movie and replied....You saw that movie? Glad she had a good sense of humor.

This cheese fest is a big guilty pleasure of mine. I saw it in theaters on opening weekend back in '91 and I never forgot it (to be honest, it's one of the only films I've ever seen that played less than a week in theaters before it was pulled... didn't even go to discount theaters, and bankrupted it's distributor, Studio Three Film Corporation). The music was so schlocky and fun (the soundtrack was cancelled due to the terrible box office).

Jill Schoelen and Don Michael Paul were adorable together. This movie deserved more of an audience, and never even went to DVD! I remember there being huge ads for this movie at bus stops, on the subway, and around the malls before it came out. Don't know why it tanked so hard. I will forever be grateful for the memories of enjoying it in a theater.

I really liked this movie it is just a feel good movie!I must have watched it 100 times over the years!!!!!I really like the 2 main characters and thought they worked well together.My kids also enjoyed it as well