FORGOTTEN FILM: SWEET REVENGE (1976)

One night, in the early 80’s, I saw part of a movie on a local independent UHF channel. I only saw the first half. All I remember about it was that it was something about stealing cars and it starred Stockard Channing, then a big star in my mind because of GREASE.

I didn’t know the title or anything else about it.

Over the years, I kept trying to find out what it was. Was it CORVETTE SUMMER? No, that starred Mark Hamill.

Finally, with the help of the IMDB, I found out what it was, SWEET REVENGE. It also goes by the name of DANDY, THE ALL AMERICAN GIRL. Under the title THE ALL AMERICAN GIRL, it was part of an MGM promo reel for 1976, where journalists were shown touring the MGM studio and visiting soundstages where films are in production.  The other films on the lot that day were LOGAN'S RUN, THE WIND AND THE LION, and THE SUNSHINE BOYS. This promo reel airs on Turner Classic Movies.

SWEET REVENGE was released by MGM back in 1976. It played Cannes that year. It was directed by Jerry Shatzberg, responsible for THE PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK, SCARECROW, THE SEDUCTION OF JOE TYNAN, HONEYSUCKLE ROSE and STREET SMART. The only writer of note behind the film was Marilyn Goldin who would go on to write Luc Besson's THE BIG BLUE.

As for the story, I guess I wasn’t too far off. From some online write-ups, Stockard Channing is a car thief, trying to go straight by stealing enough cars so that she can buy her own Ferrari. Sam Waterston also stars, possibly as her parole officer.

After that airing over 25 years ago, I have never seen the film. Since it is an MGM title, I’m surprised it has disappeared. Some posts claim that copies can be found on Ebay, but these are bootlegs as it has never received even a VHS release.

It is another truly Forgotten Film.