Vice Squad (1982)

Very well executed

There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

I've seen Gary Swanson and Wings Hauser in several films and many many TV shows. This was the first feature film for both.It is also the first time that"make my day" was used; a year before Harry Callahan said it.Now, that is about all that was interesting about this film. Yes, it was brutal at times, but that brutality occurred off camera. For a film about vice, it was surprisingly tame. There was no nudity, not with the working girls, not with the exotic dancers in the club. Come on, that is so lame.The only really good thing about the film was Wings Hauser. He really turned in a good performance and that makes the film worth the time.

"Vice Squad" could be the best researched film I've ever seen. The realistic portrayal of life on the street is both seedy and fascinating. The acting is top notch with Wings Hauser as Ramrod, the over the top pimp, Gary Swanson as the strong arm tactics cop, and Season Hubley, the revenge seeking prostitute. The sharp dialect, and excellent photography are two more strong points. There are surprising moments of dark humor, especially relating to some of the customer's fetish preferences. All in all, a great action film that has held up nicely with the passage of time. The conclusion to Ramrod's reign of terror is both exciting and satisfying. Recommended viewing. - MERK

The sleazy side of LA street life on the Sunset strip with psychotic killer pimp Ramrod(Wings Hauser)set up by hooker Princess(Season Hubley)in cooperation with the police after he had cut up her best friend Ginger. After escaping police, Ramrod will search the strip(..with no reservations about using violence as a means for extracting Princess' whereabouts from those he questions)for Princess with one goal in mind and that's repeating what he did with Ginger on her. It's up to Tom Walsh(Gary Swanson)and the Vice squad to find Ramrod before he gets to her.The ugly, nasty side of prostitution is exposed in this thriller with Hauser effectively scary as the sicko, matched by Hubley as one tough, foul-mouthed broad. Mostly profane and unpleasant, but also fast-paced and suspenseful.

...doesn't mean it's a GOOD film however.Hooker Princess (Season Hubley) is turning tricks to get money to be with her baby girl. Vice squad policeman Tom Walsh (Gary Swanson) talks her into trapping sadistic pimp Ramrod (hoo boy!) played by Wings Hauser. It works...but Ramrod escapes and is out to get Princess...Alternately dull and sleazy with some truly terrible dialogue. The plot is just silly--Swanson falls in love with Hubley (sigh) and offers to PAY her to stay off the streets!!!! All the prostitutes look like models and all sit around and tell amusing stories of their tricks (????). Makes prostitution look like fun. Also would the entire vice squad REALLY drop everything to search for Princess and Ramrod like they do here? I don't think so. SPOILER!!!! It gets REAL sick at the end when Hauser finally corners her...too sick. I do like how she fights back though--I was tempted to cheer her along. END SPOILER!!!!The film is terrible but it does have an audience. There are a few reasons--Hubley is VERY good in her role; Hauser is just terrific--and frightening as Ramrod and you gotta admire how incredibly sleazy an R rated film can get. Still it's really not that good and Swanson is dreadful as the cop. Also look for ex MTV DJ Nina Blackwood as a hooker. I give this a 6.