Evil and charismatic mutant Kaleel (a gloriously hammy Jack Palance) poisons Earth's food supply so he can weaken the planet's defenses and launch an attack on our world. Buck Rogers (the always engaging Gil Gerard), Wilma Deering (lovely and sunny Erin Gary in fine go-getter form), and Buck's hard-nosed rival Major Duke Denton (gruffly essayed by David Groth) travel to the planet Vistula to thwart Kaleel's dastardly plans before it's too late. Director Michael Caffey, working from an absorbing and eventful script by Steve Greenberg, Aubrey Solomon, and Cory Applebaum, relates the cool story at a steady pace, stages the pitched spaceship dogfights and knock-down, drag-out fisticuffs with a reasonable amount of flair (an abortive assassination attempt on Dr. Huer by a black leather-clad killer brandishing a lethal boomerang and an attack by a ragged bunch of dessert nomads rate as the definite exciting highlights), and further tops things off with an amusingly dry'n'deadpan sense of humor. Moreover, the tip-top guest cast adds immensely to the considerable kitschy fun: Palance tears into his stock glowering villain character with delightfully unrestrained glee, the fetching Karen Carlson likewise vamps it up nicely as Kaleel's equally wicked hench wench Stella Warden, Roddy McDowall makes the most out of his regrettably minor role as the blithely clueless Governor Saroyen, 30's action/adventure serial star Buster Crabbe has a great part as hearty veteran Brigadier Gordon, the comely Brianne Leary does well as feisty servant girl Ryma, and Michael Mullens contributes a likable turn as Saroyen's sensitive and sensible son Regis. The funky-groovin' disco score hits the right-on chillin' spot. The lovably crude (less than) special effects possess a certain endearingly creaky charm (the obvious matte paintings in particular are an absolute tacky hoot!). As a sweet added bonus, the delectable Gray spends the bulk of her screen time in a skimpy'n'sweaty slave girl outfit. An entertaining show.
Review of Planet of the Slave Girls
