23 November 2012 | Scott_Mercer
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Crazy Cast, Crazy Story
One of the more goofball artifacts of 70's martial arts action film nuttery.
A golden idol that serves as a model for special acupuncture needle placement is sought by all parties, both good and bad.
The lumbering, leaden anti-charm of Joe Don Baker, probably by now most famous for the awful "Mitchell" keenly eviscerated by MST3k, drains so much of the potential of what could have been a much more enjoyable "Mac Guffin with Kung Fu" fun fest.
Elizabeth Ashley does well in a somewhat one-dimensional role, much less thankless than all the Asian actors, who are either generic Baddies or Damsels-in-Distress (or ass-kicking Damsels).
Burgess Meredith seems to be having a lot of fun here, and fortunately livens up many of the scenes he has with Joe Don, Mister Anti-Charisma.
If they had just thrown in Scatman Crothers and Anthony Zerbe, you would have a Seventies jackpot.
The insane fight scene in the health club/gym or whatever it was, featuring a bunch of naked old guys taking a shower, boggles the mind, but hey, that were The Seventies, when anything that goes did.
And show me another film with both Ann Sothern and Jim Kelly in it. I don't think you'll find one.
Yes, if you haven't heard of this one, this is a ridiculous way to waste 90 minutes. But you will enjoy making fun of this.