[Please read] Sinking her talons deep into a demanding script, actress Jaclyn Smith takes off on a dramatic power flight.
For those of you who criticize the TV series CHARLIE'S ANGELS (1976-1981) for being formulaic or for telling the same story over and over again—think twice. In Season Four, the episode "Avenging Angel" is hardly just another storyboard moon orbiting the show's conceptual planet. It is the planet itself at perihelion, yielding a masterpiece aglow and ablaze with high-impact drama.
Conflict is the essence of drama. Generally speaking, with important values at stake: the greater the difficulties encountered and overcome by heroes/heroines, the greater the drama. Until "Avenging Angel"—and discounting Season One's "To Kill an Angel" in which she was shot and hospitalized—never before had one of the girls been as shockingly handicapped and life-imperiled as Kelly Garrett (Jaclyn Smith). Shot up with heroin without her knowledge by vindictive drug user Frank Desmond (Cameron Mitchell), recently released from prison, who blames Kelly for his hellish experiences there, she is desperately caught between a Scylla—enforced face-to-face confrontation with Desmond—and Charybdis—abduction and threatened assault by men who think she is a user in cahoots with Desmond and knows where two kilos of profitable heroin is located. Drugged, how will she cope with the one or escape the other? Is resourcefulness still possible? Life is at stake; sanity is questionable; so is justice. Will vengeance succeed or will compassion/goodwill tip the scale and save lives? This is standout drama and rarified CHARLIE'S ANGELS.
Cameron Mitchell [formerly a regular on the TV series THE HIGH CHAPARRAL; also featured with Doris Day in "Love Me or Leave Me" (1955)] "lives" the role of Frank Desmond: he is devastatingly convincing, and I like to think his affecting performance helped inspire Jaclyn to greatness of her own. Also appearing and acting with force are Stephen McNally [featured with James Stewart in "Winchester '73" (1950)] and Steve Kanaly [best known for his Ray Krebbs contributions to the prime-time TV soap DALLAS (1978-1991)]. But it is Jaclyn Smith's superlative and—uncharacteristically for poised Kelly Garrett—heart-wrenching performance that will move the viewer most. Although hers was an outstanding dramatic achievement, she was neither nominated for an Emmy nor any other comparable award. She is being recognized and rewarded here.
"Avenging Angel"—the highest-caliber dramatic episode in CHARLIE'S ANGELS history—is not publically available on DVD. Nearly three years after releasing the complete third season of CHARLIE'S ANGELS, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has yet to release Season Four (1979-80). In addition to honoring Jaclyn Smith, this YouTube video has been uploaded specifically to help expedite and promote public interest in the release of Season Four. Like what you see in this video? Then don't be complacent! Please petition the studio today:
E-mail Address: consumer@SPHECustomerSupport.sony.com
P aper Mail Address:
Columbia Pictures
Attn: Home Video
10202 W. Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Sincere thanks.
Questions or comments are sincerely welcome—but only if they are nice, clean, and comprehendible. If you have any legitimate professional concerns about this upload, please send me a detailed private message and I shall respond promptly.
FOR JACLYN—WHAT A MARVEL YOU ARE. Also dedicated to her every individual admirer, particularly YouTube viewer "Amenda1234" whose comments—on the first version of this video—I liked best.
[This is a revised version of my June 2008 video, which accumulated over 21,600 views.]
CHARLIE'S ANGELS: Jaclyn Smith's Most Emmy-Worthy Performance
[Please read] Sinking her talons deep into a demanding script, actress Jaclyn Smith takes off on a dramatic power flight.
For those of you who criticize the TV series CHARLIE'S ANGELS (1976-1981) for being formulaic or for telling the same story over and over again—think twice. In Sea...
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