Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Charlie's Angels'

Well if the Brodcast Networks (ABC,CBS,NBC) are going to make TV movies at all then they should stick to what TV newtworks know best and that of course is TV! Remeber when we only had 7 or 8 tv channels? Remember that if you were watching "Little House" "The Walton's" "dynasty" or "DALLAS" chances were every else was too! Well Remember when TV movies were great (BRIAN'S SONG,BAD RONALD,SALEMS LOT,THE DAY AFTER) well its been years since they gave us something worth talking about. Any how this is a fun look an the creation of the hit show. This also show's Farrah in a positive way. That surprised me. I will not give too much away but lets just say that if your a Pop Culture Junkie you love this! ITS TV JUNK FOOD AT ITS BEST! Take a look!

I watched "Behind the Camera" with my husband on a gray cold winter Sunday afternoon here in the UK. It brightened up our day by bringing back a lot of memories. I was in junior high school when "Charlie's Angels" was first broadcast and I remember the Time magazine cover and the zillions of rip off products capitalizing on Farrah's skyrocket ride to fame. The script tells the story of the making of "Charlie's Angels" effectively and blends in dozens of in jokes bound to be appreciated by those who relish 70s TV (I especially enjoyed the Baretta joke). The three ladies playing the Angels all give skillful performances, recreating the charms of Farrah, Kate, and Jackie while portraying the people behind the glitz. The script illustrates Farrah's struggles with finding a balance between her sudden stardom and the demands put on her by her husband the Six Million Dollar Man. The screen Kate Jackson battles for feminism and her career; I don't know how accurate the script is regarding the women's real life problems, but the film gives an idea of the issues of the time, the pressures of show business, and the meaning of the show for millions of viewers. The role of Jacyln Smith is the thinnest, as the movie shows her mildly troubled by how her character will appear to Smith's family and young girls. Christina Chambers (Maria of "Sunset Beach") fleshes out the role well and she looks particularly lovely. It was a stroke of genius to cast Dan Castellaneta as Aaron Spelling: his performance is supremely enjoyable. The set designers did an excellent job of recreating 70s interiors: I could have sworn I was looking back in time to my parents' living room. I am surprised that with all references to the Angels' hair and the scenes of blonds with identical flicks (some of them trick or treaters) there was no discussion of Farrah's do.

I could not stand "Charlie's Angels" when it was on the air but the film enchanted me by revealing the backstage gossip and recreating a time that now ironically looks mildly innocent compared to today and today's TV. All in all, "Behind the Camera" is an hugely entertaining tribute to an era as well as a TV show .

Another recent trend in Hollywood is filming "untold" or "behind the scenes" TV films about previously broadcast TV series...a continuation of the cannibal-like cycle of television programming. Previous TV shows that got this treatment include "Gilligan's Island", "The Partridge Family" and "Three's Company". They're like "E! True Hollywood Stories" with doppelganger actors playing out all the juicy tidbits instead of relying on interviews or footage. This time, "Charlie's Angels" is the subject and, all in all, it isn't too bad. The makers of this flick have gathered 3 ladies who truly do look and sound like the ones they are portraying. That goes a long way in putting the project over. Helfer as Farrah Fawcett-Majors has the hair down pat and shares the wall-to-wall smile, tan and bone structure. The only big difference is that she isn't quite as ditsy-acting as the real lady was. Stamile as Kate Jackson does a tremendous job with the voice. It had to have taken work and she nails it. Chambers as Jaclyn Smith is startlingly right-on in both looks and mannerisms...even her posture and stride. They all are so good at inhabiting the original trio that it does give one that sense of being "Behind the Cameras". The film has ample humor in it as well, with intentionally hammy portrayals of Aaron Spelling, Jay Bernstein and Fred Silverman. There is also a running gag of show ideas that keep getting turned down even though later they were unbelievable successes. If one has seen any documentary on the series or biographies of the stars, there isn't much new here. Still, it's a fairly captivating two hours for those who enjoy '70's nostalgia, '70's clothing or the series itself. One drawback is the lunk-headed, humorless, one-sided portrayal of Lee Majors. It's true that he had some Cro-Magnon views on marriage, but this teleplay makes it impossible to understand why Farrah would have married him in the first place.

A very entertaining and well-done portrayal of life behind the scenes of the original Charlies Angels. All the angels did a fantastic job, especially the actress who portrayed Kate Jackson. At times it really seemed like the Farrah Fawcett story. Loved the little details, such as Ricardo Montalbon at Spellings party. Interestingly enough, Jackson left the show a few years later when producers refused to let her take the female lead in "Kramer Vs. Kramer", which led to an Oscar for the then unknown Meryl Streep. But supposedly Jackson went on to become the highest paid woman in television for "Scarecrow and Mrs. King". All and all not bad for fluff.

The reincarnations are still easy to look at - jiggle is still jiggle - but the acting is even more underwhelming than the original. Sorry gals, but you are mere cardboard caricatures of the originals. Aaron Spelling's visionary understanding of the TV viewing public is lost in the buffoon created by the script.

Then, of course, I am old school and this DOES give a whole new generation of teenage boys the opportunity to debate over the finest angel - Farrah's blatant sexiness, Jaclyn's prom queen sweetheart next door or Kate's smarts and tomboyish good looks.

It was a nice trip down memory lane, remembering the ground Spelling broke, but don't miss any sleep waiting up for this one. Good soundtrack though!

(PS Trekkies, was that Michael Dorn in a brief fur-clad cameo?)