Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971) is a dark comedy-thriller directed by Roger Vadim, and starring Rock Hudson in a surprisingly sinister role. The movie is an unusual blend of crime drama, sexual farce, and satire set in a high school environment. Adapted from a novel by Francis Pollini and written for the screen by Gene Roddenberry (creator of Star Trek), the film deals with themes of sexual liberation, authority, and morality in a quirky, often controversial manner.
The story takes place in the fictional Oceanfront High School in Southern California, where girls from the student body start turning up dead under mysterious circumstances. The plot centers around Michael “Tiger” McDrew (played by Rock Hudson), the school’s charismatic and highly respected guidance counselor, who is also the head coach of the football team. At first glance, Tiger is an upstanding figure: admired by students and faculty alike, he seems to have everything under control. However, beneath this respectable exterior lies a predatory side. McDrew is secretly having affairs with several of his female students, all of whom idolize him and are easily manipulated by his charm and authority.
As the film unfolds, it becomes clear that McDrew is involved in a string of bizarre and tragic events at the school. Several of the attractive young female students—dubbed “the pretty maids”—are being found murdered, and suspicions begin to mount. The film leaves it ambiguous for a time whether McDrew himself is responsible for the murders or if someone else is targeting these girls. Meanwhile, McDrew continues his inappropriate relationships with his students, exploiting their infatuation with him.
Telly Savalas plays Captain Sam Surcher, the police detective assigned to investigate the murders. Surcher, a tough but bemused investigator, finds himself dealing with a school culture steeped in sexual experimentation and moral ambiguity, reflecting the countercultural attitudes of the late 1960s and early 1970s. As Surcher questions students and staff, he becomes increasingly suspicious of McDrew’s behavior but struggles to find hard evidence linking him to the crimes.
Another key character is Ponce de Leon Harper, played by John David Carson in his film debut. Harper is an awkward, sexually frustrated student at Oceanfront High who turns to McDrew for advice on navigating his confusing feelings for women. McDrew gives Harper advice that is not only inappropriate but deeply manipulative, encouraging him to pursue sexual relationships with little regard for emotional or moral consequences.
The film’s dark humor comes from the absurdity and casual nature with which these inappropriate relationships and grisly murders are handled. Rock Hudson’s portrayal of McDrew is particularly striking, as it subverts his traditional image as a clean-cut leading man, revealing a sinister side to his character. McDrew’s charm hides a sociopathic, self-serving nature as he continues his illicit activities even as the investigation closes in on him.
Joy Bang, Brenda Sykes, and Aimee Eccles are the young actresses playing the titular “pretty maids.” They portray students who fall victim to McDrew’s advances or to the mysterious killer. Angie Dickinson also stars as Miss Betty Smith, a sexually liberated teacher at the school who finds herself involved with both McDrew and the unfolding scandal.
As the film builds toward its conclusion, the tone remains darkly comedic, with the mystery taking a back seat to explore sexual mores and authority figures exploiting their power. In the end, the true nature of McDrew’s character is revealed. However, the film leaves many moral questions unresolved, leaning into its satirical take on the sexual revolution and the corruption lurking behind seemingly respectable authority figures.
The Other Cinema 