Watch Pretty Maids All in a Row

In the movie Pretty Maids All in a Row, the idyllic community of Oceanfront High School is reeling from a series of brutal murders. The victims are all young and female, and their bodies are discovered in increasingly gruesome and shocking ways. The investigation falls to Sergeant Sam Surcher (Telly Savalas), a gruff and no-nonsense detective with a reputation for getting to the bottom of even the most complex cases.

As the body count rises, Sam finds an unlikely ally in Michael (Rock Hudson), the handsome and charming guidance counselor at Oceanfront High. Michael seems to have the perfect solution to the murders - by seducing each of the young women and then killing them, he can satisfy his own desires while ensuring that no one else will harm them.

Despite his misgivings, Sam is drawn into Michael's twisted web, even as he begins to suspect that the counselor may be hiding secrets of his own. Along the way, he crosses paths with other colorful characters, including the beautiful but troubled Angela (Angie Dickinson), who has her own past with Michael.

As the tension mounts and more lives are lost, Sam and Michael race against time to uncover the killer's identity and put an end to the horror once and for all. But can they succeed before it's too late, or will they become the next pretty maids all in a row?

With its mix of dark humor, sex, and violence, Pretty Maids All in a Row was a controversial film upon its release in 1971. Despite its shocking subject matter, however, it remains a fascinating and well-crafted thriller, thanks to the talents of director Roger Vadim and a talented cast that includes the suave Hudson, the sultry Dickinson, and the inimitable Savalas.

The film's pacing is brisk and engaging, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The stylish direction and cinematography help create a vivid sense of time and place, from the sun-drenched beaches of Oceanfront High to the dark and twisted mind of the killer.

At the heart of the film is the relationship between Sam and Michael, which is both compelling and disturbing. Hudson brings a subtle sense of menace to his role as the seemingly affable counselor, while Savalas exudes his usual gruff charm as the world-weary detective. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, lending an extra layer of complexity to the film's already rich plot.

Overall, Pretty Maids All in a Row is a riveting and memorable thriller that has aged surprisingly well. Its dark themes and twisted plot twists may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy a well-crafted mystery with plenty of sex and violence, it remains a must-see classic.

Pretty Maids All in a Row is a 1971 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.