Some of these early episodes of "Charlie's Angels" have enough plot for a TV movie...with the strong production elements and solid supporting casts worthy of a television feature. A tragic auto accident out on the dustbowl racecar circuit leads the Angels to believe there was dirty pool being played out on the track, but that's just the first half of the story. Sabrina (who it turns out did a little racecar driving in her youth!) poses as the new driver--with a Texas drawl; Bosley and Jill are father and daughter Holy Rollers; Kelly does some leg-work interviewing the victim's parents (in a sensitive scene) and later joins the gang at the arena, amusingly getting one suspect arrested for drunk driving. Exceptionally well-plotted installment, though I doubt Jill would be so sloppy as to leave evidence behind in a motel room, or that all her nosy questions would be overlooked by the locals with just a flash of her smile (which is admittedly blinding).
7 Reviews
Heavenly
Fluke_Skywalker12 May 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Plot; LOL! Sorry. Ahem. The Angels go undercover at a third rate stock car race track to investigate an accident that took the life of one of the circuit's female drivers.
After binging through a few 'Six Million Dollar Man' episodes, I was in the mood to revisit more 70s TV. So I figured "Why not stop in and see Lee Majors' then wife, Farrah Fawcett(-Majors) and her fellow Angels?". I'm glad I did.
I vaguely remember watching a few episodes of 'Charlie's Angels' as a kid--mostly in syndication I assume. But it's certainly a part of that (no doubt Rayon) mosaic of my 70s experience. I'll say that I went in not expecting much. Nostalgia often gives me a +2 on the Charisma roll for such things, but here it succeeds on its own (relative) merits.
The story isn't exactly a great yarn, but the script and dialog are often surprisingly witty. Helping matters immensely is the cast. The Angels (Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith) bring a truckload of charm to go with their breathtaking beauty. Each get a little section of turn for themselves, and they really deliver (relative to the material). Also good is David Doyle as Bosley, who nearly steals the show out from under his comely counterparts posing as a traveling preacher.
It's best to leave logic at the door, but for the 50 or so minutes I spent with these Angels, I was indeed in Heaven.
After binging through a few 'Six Million Dollar Man' episodes, I was in the mood to revisit more 70s TV. So I figured "Why not stop in and see Lee Majors' then wife, Farrah Fawcett(-Majors) and her fellow Angels?". I'm glad I did.
I vaguely remember watching a few episodes of 'Charlie's Angels' as a kid--mostly in syndication I assume. But it's certainly a part of that (no doubt Rayon) mosaic of my 70s experience. I'll say that I went in not expecting much. Nostalgia often gives me a +2 on the Charisma roll for such things, but here it succeeds on its own (relative) merits.
The story isn't exactly a great yarn, but the script and dialog are often surprisingly witty. Helping matters immensely is the cast. The Angels (Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith) bring a truckload of charm to go with their breathtaking beauty. Each get a little section of turn for themselves, and they really deliver (relative to the material). Also good is David Doyle as Bosley, who nearly steals the show out from under his comely counterparts posing as a traveling preacher.
It's best to leave logic at the door, but for the 50 or so minutes I spent with these Angels, I was indeed in Heaven.
Good Start...
mauchline200818 June 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Main Angel...Sabrina The story concerns the death of a female racing car driver and the angels attempt to find the truth. Sabrina goes undercover as a racing car driver and risks her life in a race to the truth.The other two angels are only really used as background characters (Jill as a religious girl, Kelly as a reporter. The other cast are also very good and we have Bloody Mary the real villain of the story and her male sidekick as well as the boyfriend of the murdered racing car driver. A good start to what would become one of the best shows on TV.The whole plot line of the angels having to learn to do different jobs would be a mainstay of all five seasons and added a lot to the charm of the show.
Hellride
Prismark1028 May 2020
Hellride is a strong opening episode giving each of the Angels a part of the story.
Charlie has sent them undercover to investigate the death of a female stock car driver. Was it an accident or murder?
Sabrina (Kate Jackson) pretends to be a race car driver. Kelly (Jaclyn Smith) talks to the dead girl's parents. Bosley (David Doyle) and Jill (Farrah Fawcett) are a travelling preacher and his attractive daughter.
Jill plays poker with the guys to get information and win money. The Angels discover that the bad guys use the cross country racing to plan a diamond heist with another female racer in cahoots with them.
It is enjoyable hokum and it is clear even from the first episode that Farrah Fawcett was the standout. Given this was made in 1976, it has aged quiet well.
Charlie has sent them undercover to investigate the death of a female stock car driver. Was it an accident or murder?
Sabrina (Kate Jackson) pretends to be a race car driver. Kelly (Jaclyn Smith) talks to the dead girl's parents. Bosley (David Doyle) and Jill (Farrah Fawcett) are a travelling preacher and his attractive daughter.
Jill plays poker with the guys to get information and win money. The Angels discover that the bad guys use the cross country racing to plan a diamond heist with another female racer in cahoots with them.
It is enjoyable hokum and it is clear even from the first episode that Farrah Fawcett was the standout. Given this was made in 1976, it has aged quiet well.
Typically solid Season one episode....
I_Love_Hutch17 November 2021
"Hellride" is from the show's fantastic 1st season and that is almost endorsement enough. The Angels all work well together. The opening murder is hard and cruel, with a nicely unfolding plot.
Farrah has the best scene in this episode playing the nosy, carnal preacher's daughter during a game of poker. Kate has a good bit at the end when she slaps the side of the conquered villain's head "Good job, Mary!" and Kelly is lovely as always, even though Smith is not yet comfortable in front of the camera.
Farrah has the best scene in this episode playing the nosy, carnal preacher's daughter during a game of poker. Kate has a good bit at the end when she slaps the side of the conquered villain's head "Good job, Mary!" and Kelly is lovely as always, even though Smith is not yet comfortable in front of the camera.
The original angels are the best
petersjoelen21 June 2019
When this show was popular i was abouth 9 or 10 years old but the charm of the 3 ladies was the thing that got me hooked to the show .
I remember i had a huge crush on jacklyn smith because of this show but the other two were also a lust for the eye .
The stories were pretty simple but were interesting enough to keep watching
and Bosley was a good ( kind of ) comic sidekick , i don't mean that to bring his character down because he was a very important element of the show .
The other thing i like abouth this original show is the absence of a feminist manbashing agenda that you see so much in todays shows and i am afraid that the latest version will a new low on this .
The other thing i like abouth this original show is the absence of a feminist manbashing agenda that you see so much in todays shows and i am afraid that the latest version will a new low on this .
The pilot that started it all.
justin-fencsak10 July 2020
Think of it as a movie like episode that introduces all of the angels. During its first two seasons this show was a hit. Then after season 3 the cast and ratings changed and by 1981 the angels 😇 were sent to hell 😈.
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