The Golden Lady

THE GOLDEN LADY is a clunking misfire from Jose Ramon Larraz, the Spanish director whose work in the UK included the minor classic VAMPYRES. Sadly, this one's at the other end of the quality spectrum, a supposed female-led Bond spoof that feels more like a weak spin on CHARLIE'S ANGELS. Some minor female talents of the era (including a face you may recognise from CARRY ON EMMANNUELLE) are employed by a wealthy businessman to take care of some business, but are soon double-crossed. Desmond Llewellyn has a tiny cameo, Edward de Souza should know better, and the Three Degres and Blonde on Blonde are involved. The film is incredibly poor and long scenes seem to be shot through a kaleidoscope so you have no idea of what you're suppoesd to be looking at.

I have no recollection whatsoever of the plot since I have not seen it since it came out but the female good guys led by Christina World take on the bad guys in some good action sequences. Enjoyable but lightweight thriller.

Upon its (short-lived) UK release, the makers of this film boasted that it introduced a "female James Bond". Not likely, on a budget of £1m - on most Bond movies, that's probably the catering bill!

Still, the film does throw everything into the pot. There's sex, gory murders, some fairly tame action sequences and a "blink and you'll miss it" walk-on for Desmond Llewellyn, presumably to tie in with the Bond theme. Oh, and the theme music is catchy.

Something I came across while searching the credits of Suzanne Danielle after seeing her in the Destiny of the Daleks. A very familiar face for anyone watching UK tv in the late 70s and early 80s.

The film also stars another recognisable face of the time in June Chadwick of V, Spinal Tap, and Forbidden World. Things are just looking better and better.

Then the poster. Promising high octane action, gun toting women, the female James Bond, music by the Three Degrees and Charles Aznavour, what more do we need to know, this has to be seen.

Oh dear, not an easy film to track down. Thank heavens for Reel Vault.

The film is far from the James Bond the poster alludes to. The story is a mix of spy thriller with corporate espionage at a high stakes world power critical level with goings on that at no point the viewer will understand.

But if someone said let's make Charlie's Angels in the style of the Professionals with an X certificate, then they hit the nail on the head. It is of its time; the people, the faces, the style, cars, language, are all pure late 70s. Absolutely beautiful.

The Golden Ladies in this film are strong, gun toting heroines, and this is proved in what has to be one of the most hairy helicopter chase scenes I have ever seen. This alone is worth the watch. Mind bogglingly dangerous by today's standards. A must see.

Information Accurate.