The Georgia Peaches (1980)

Roger Corman executive produced this pilot to a proposed TV series. Obviously patterned somewhat after 'The Dukes of Hazzard', it combines action, comedy, sex appeal, and country music, and is pretty easy to take. There's very little unpleasantness; other than assorted fights and punches thrown, there's hardly any violence. Cormans' longtime colleague Daniel Haller, a former production designer and art director who did some of his best work in that capacity on Cormans' Edgar Allan Poe series, guides things with reasonable efficiency.

A number of familiar faces are featured in this story about two sassy Georgia sisters, Lorette and Sue Lynn Peach (played by singers Tanya Tucker and Terri Nunn). Lorette, Sue Lynn, and their hunky moonshiner friend Dusty (Dirk Benedict of later 'A-Team' fame) are framed for crimes by conniving kingpin Vivian Stark (Sally Kirkland), and in order to avoid going to prison, agree to cooperate with special agent Randolph Dukane (Lane Smith).

Predictably enough, this gives country star Tucker and Berlin front woman Nunn a few opportunities to belt out some numbers, but the music is quite engaging, as is the pilot itself. It amuses the viewer without being really memorable, but it does put Ms. Tucker into some uncomfortable positions (dragged behind a boat, stuffed into a freezer). Fortunately, you can never keep our upbeat hero and heroines down for long, and they're ready to give the bad guys plenty of ass-whuppings.

Also putting in appearances are top character actors like Dennis Patrick ("Joe"), David Hayward ("Nashville"), Burton Gilliam ("Blazing Saddles"), Noble Willingham ('Walker, Texas Ranger'), David Tress ("Stone Cold"), Ed Bakey ("The Sting"), and Bob Hannah ("Coal Miner's Daughter"). Incidentally, Elijah Christopher Perry (a.k.a. Jerry Rushing) has a small role; Mr. Perry was a key inspiration for 'The Dukes of Hazzard', and also acted in things like "Whiskey Mountain", "Wise Blood", and "Final Exam".

There's nothing special here, but it will still likely provide you with some amusement if you like the Dukes and other Southern set action flicks from this period. Just be aware that since it's made for TV, there is no sex, nudity, profanity, or blood.

Six out of 10.