Gary Sherman's "Vice Squad" is all show, but powerfully biting and sordid exploitation of the seedy strip of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard when the sun finally goes down. For such luridly unpleasant context, the film manages to amuses with rousing suspense, sharply-witted (if foul) script and its authentically raw atmosphere. Even the performances figure prominently. Wing Hauser deservedly dominates the limelight as the frighteningly, aggressive pimp Ramrod. His turn is that of pure spontaneous and nightmarish intensity. Truly hard to forget. Gary Swanson's courageously humane performance as Detective Walsh, the leader of the 'Vice squad' is downright solid, and there's a confidently brassy and strong-willed go-it-alone portrayal by Season Hubley as the prostitute Princess that Ramrod is after for setting him up. The support cast racks up recognizable bit players (Pepa Serna, Beverly Todd, Maurice Emanuel, Nina Blackwood, Michael Ensign, Cheryl Smith, Fred Berry and the list goes on) of rich characterisations. Sherman's sensationally gripping direction doesn't let up or beat around the bush, as he cranks up the energy and brutality. Still there's a slickly professional manner about it, and cinematographer John Alcott shots it with great ticker, and stylish verve. The screeching rock title track "Neon Slime" sung by Hauser sets the tone, and the saucy score has a feverish pitch that enhances the downbeat atmosphere and daring intensity.
57 Reviews
Pulls No Punches
mklin-5000619 June 2018
Vice Squad is a mean, nasty, intense and sadistic B-movie. I don't mean this as a negative, because that is exactly what the movie intends to be.
Vice Squad pulls no punches and is absolutely relentless.
The standout performance of this movie comes from Wings Hauser's portrayal of the the psychotic and homicidal pimp RamRod. Hauser is absolutely incredible in this movie, every second he is on screen he is frightening and menacing. He always seems like he is a half second from completely losing it, even when he is "seducing" the hooker Princess, he seems like he can hardly control himself from doing something awful.
RamRod is a nightmare of a human being. If he really existed, I don't care how tough or brave you think you are, the smartest thing you could do if you encountered him would be to politely get away from him. With RamRod it's not about him being tough, it's about him being truly, truly dangerous. No empathy, no remorse and no mercy.
I'm not going to go into detail about the movie. I think Vice Squad, like any other movie should just unfold in front of you.
I fully realize that this movie is not for everyone and if someone told me that they thought it was disgusting and there was nothing positive about it.I would understand that.
That being said, if you want to watch a cat and mouse/cop chase movie, set on the seedy streets of Los Angeles that doesn't hide its true intentions and never winks at the audience. Vice Squad has the goods.
Vice Squad pulls no punches and is absolutely relentless.
The standout performance of this movie comes from Wings Hauser's portrayal of the the psychotic and homicidal pimp RamRod. Hauser is absolutely incredible in this movie, every second he is on screen he is frightening and menacing. He always seems like he is a half second from completely losing it, even when he is "seducing" the hooker Princess, he seems like he can hardly control himself from doing something awful.
RamRod is a nightmare of a human being. If he really existed, I don't care how tough or brave you think you are, the smartest thing you could do if you encountered him would be to politely get away from him. With RamRod it's not about him being tough, it's about him being truly, truly dangerous. No empathy, no remorse and no mercy.
I'm not going to go into detail about the movie. I think Vice Squad, like any other movie should just unfold in front of you.
I fully realize that this movie is not for everyone and if someone told me that they thought it was disgusting and there was nothing positive about it.I would understand that.
That being said, if you want to watch a cat and mouse/cop chase movie, set on the seedy streets of Los Angeles that doesn't hide its true intentions and never winks at the audience. Vice Squad has the goods.
A nice try that needed some polishing.
TOMASBBloodhound4 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Vice Squad seemed to have all the right ingredients for being a truly memorable thriller. Something seems to have gone wrong, however, and the film never really takes off like you expect it to. The story centers around the Hollywood Vice Squad attempting to arrest a dangerous pimp by using a classy working girl as bait to lure him into confessing about another prostitute's murder. The film has plenty of interesting characters, but it doesn't always develop them as much as you'd hope. The film also misfires in the sense that it makes the cops the focus of the story. Either the pimp or the main hooker should have gotten top billing.
The fact is it's the lead detective who gets top billing. The actor who plays him hardly has any screen presence. The thing you'll remember most about him is his maroon Members Only jacket! Season Hubley is very good as "Princess". She's a high end call girl who is forced to help the Vice Squad nail a nasty redneck pimp known as "Ramrod". Ha ha!!! Wings Houser gives a nice performance as the dangerous hustler who dresses like an urban cowboy and drives a huge Ford Bronco around Hollywood. For a character as interesting as this, they should have given him much more screen time! The scenes he has are by far the most memorable. Most of the film deals with Ramrod tracking Princess down after he escapes from police custody after she sets him up.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
The film has its strengths. The sleazy side of Hollywood Blvd is wonderfully filmed by legendary cinematographer John Alcott. The acting is generally passable if not very good. The film knows its an exploitation pic, and it never gets pretentious or overbearing. There are more than a few problems with this film, though. First of all, the film meanders a bit too much. It almost looks like a project where they all went out and started filming before the script was even finished. Some scenes, like one in a mansion, are well done yet they almost don't seem to belong in the final cut. Some scenes just don't play realistically. Take the scene of Ginger's death. Notice how everyone is standing around her, and nobody even tries to revive her when she flat lines! Hello! They're in a hospital! There are doctors all around! Wouldn't they at least try to save her?? The conclusion is poorly constructed, as well. There is an army of cops waiting to storm a warehouse where Ramrod is torturing Princess. They seem to take forever to get into position, and all this does is give the man more time to torment her. The whole scene just rings false. Also, the resolution would have been much more satisfying if Princess had been the one to finally kill Ramrod off. The cop just isn't an interesting enough character to take that honor.
Go ahead and try this film if you stumble across a copy. Don't be surprised if you think you could have written a better script, though. 5 of 10 stars. Oh, and props to Wings Hauser for singing the neat song during both the beginning and ending credits!
The Hound.
The fact is it's the lead detective who gets top billing. The actor who plays him hardly has any screen presence. The thing you'll remember most about him is his maroon Members Only jacket! Season Hubley is very good as "Princess". She's a high end call girl who is forced to help the Vice Squad nail a nasty redneck pimp known as "Ramrod". Ha ha!!! Wings Houser gives a nice performance as the dangerous hustler who dresses like an urban cowboy and drives a huge Ford Bronco around Hollywood. For a character as interesting as this, they should have given him much more screen time! The scenes he has are by far the most memorable. Most of the film deals with Ramrod tracking Princess down after he escapes from police custody after she sets him up.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
The film has its strengths. The sleazy side of Hollywood Blvd is wonderfully filmed by legendary cinematographer John Alcott. The acting is generally passable if not very good. The film knows its an exploitation pic, and it never gets pretentious or overbearing. There are more than a few problems with this film, though. First of all, the film meanders a bit too much. It almost looks like a project where they all went out and started filming before the script was even finished. Some scenes, like one in a mansion, are well done yet they almost don't seem to belong in the final cut. Some scenes just don't play realistically. Take the scene of Ginger's death. Notice how everyone is standing around her, and nobody even tries to revive her when she flat lines! Hello! They're in a hospital! There are doctors all around! Wouldn't they at least try to save her?? The conclusion is poorly constructed, as well. There is an army of cops waiting to storm a warehouse where Ramrod is torturing Princess. They seem to take forever to get into position, and all this does is give the man more time to torment her. The whole scene just rings false. Also, the resolution would have been much more satisfying if Princess had been the one to finally kill Ramrod off. The cop just isn't an interesting enough character to take that honor.
Go ahead and try this film if you stumble across a copy. Don't be surprised if you think you could have written a better script, though. 5 of 10 stars. Oh, and props to Wings Hauser for singing the neat song during both the beginning and ending credits!
The Hound.
Supremely Sleazy Classic B-Movie
G-Man-2516 November 2000
Let me start out by saying you just GOTTA love any movie sporting a theme song called "Neon Slime." One of the best B-Movies of the 80s. This is a great guilty pleasure type of movie, well acted, solidly directed, and very handsomely photographed for such trash, with occasional unintentionally funny dialogue. There are plenty of cliches in the "life is Hell on the streets of L.A." storyline, but director Gary Sherman keeps the pace fast, tough and violent and gets colorful performances from even the minor supporting characters. Wings Hauser makes the chief baddie, a sadistic, psychotic pimp by the name of Ramrod a real piece of work. He's right up there with other classic movie villains such as Scorpio in "Dirty Harry" and Bruce Dern's Longhair in "The Cowboys." He's truly a scumbag you'll LOVE to HATE!
Note of trivia: Incidentally, Gary Swanson (as the lead cop hot on Ramrod's trail) beat Clint Eastwood to the punch by nearly two years when he uttered the line "Go ahead...make my day" to the pimp on an initial capture in one scene.
Note of trivia: Incidentally, Gary Swanson (as the lead cop hot on Ramrod's trail) beat Clint Eastwood to the punch by nearly two years when he uttered the line "Go ahead...make my day" to the pimp on an initial capture in one scene.
Overlooked
Chase_Witherspoon6 November 2012
The thriller that brought Wings Hauser to the attention of film-makers and audiences as the manipulative, sadistic, and psychopathic pimp preying on his meal tickets with callous ambivalence. Season Hubley is the call-girl who has Hauser arrested, Swanson the detective, but before they can indict him, he's on the loose like a wild animal, out for revenge.
Hauser's intense portrayal of the urban cowboy with a seriously mean streak is probably his best role to date; edgy and offbeat, exuding charm and an omnipotence that masks a violent alter ego and hair-trigger temper - the scene in which he uses electrocution to enforce his authority is quite shocking (no pun intended).
Often dismissed as a sleaze-a-thon, and rarely referred any credit, "Vice Squad" was one of a number of films in the early eighties that dealt with the fringe sex industry and the shadowy figures that make it a dangerous profession. The cast is full of familiar faces with Beverly Todd as Hubley's ill-fated friend and confidante, Rainbeaux Smith (in one of her last roles) as a working girl, Stack Pierce, Jonathan Haze and Grand L.Bush in minor roles.
Not an emulation of the DePalma stylings (e.g. "Body Double"), it's volatile and gritty in atmosphere, more a match with "Cruising" or the subsequent slasher movies "New York Ripper" and "Fear City" in its downcast, brutal tone, director Sherman has got lucky with Hauser achieving such a memorable characterisation, surely among the most notorious of screen villains in the annals of film history.
Hauser's intense portrayal of the urban cowboy with a seriously mean streak is probably his best role to date; edgy and offbeat, exuding charm and an omnipotence that masks a violent alter ego and hair-trigger temper - the scene in which he uses electrocution to enforce his authority is quite shocking (no pun intended).
Often dismissed as a sleaze-a-thon, and rarely referred any credit, "Vice Squad" was one of a number of films in the early eighties that dealt with the fringe sex industry and the shadowy figures that make it a dangerous profession. The cast is full of familiar faces with Beverly Todd as Hubley's ill-fated friend and confidante, Rainbeaux Smith (in one of her last roles) as a working girl, Stack Pierce, Jonathan Haze and Grand L.Bush in minor roles.
Not an emulation of the DePalma stylings (e.g. "Body Double"), it's volatile and gritty in atmosphere, more a match with "Cruising" or the subsequent slasher movies "New York Ripper" and "Fear City" in its downcast, brutal tone, director Sherman has got lucky with Hauser achieving such a memorable characterisation, surely among the most notorious of screen villains in the annals of film history.
Grubby
Leofwine_draca7 June 2022
VICE SQUAD is a thoroughly gritty prostitution movie and one of a slew that explored the sleazier side of America in the late '70s and early '80s; see also CRUISING and HARDCORE. This one's by Gary Sherman, the director behind DEATH LINE and DEAD & BURIED, and it certainly hits the mark when creating the character of the sadistic Ramrod, played with over the top glee by Wings Hauser. There's plenty of peril and violence which gives the movie a really grubby atmosphere in that early '80s tradition; see also THE TERMINATOR.
A Very Entertaining "Vice!"
Celluloid_Fiend12 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I'm something of an amateur devotee of low budget, grindhouse films. From flicks of the 60's to the present, I've seen my fair share. However, "Vice Squad" is one that will probably always standout to me, both in good ways and bad.
The basic plot is that a prostitute named "Princess" (played by Season Hubley) helps a seasoned vice cop (played by Gary Swanson) to take down a violent and deranged pimp named "Ramrod" (played by Wings Hauser), after he kills another prostitute friend of her's (played by Nina Blackwood), but soon becomes the target of the pimp's homicidal rage, after he escapes custody. Now the race is on between the vice squad and Ramrod, as to who will get to Princess first!
The film is certainly not for the faint of heart, or those who easily offend. No punches are pulled in the violence and degradation that is shown. It has a sort of gritty realism to it, but it doesn't quite make it over the hump to where you totally buy it. This is due to the stretching of credibility in some key moments. I mean, would an entire vice squad really go all out to find a single prostitute, even if her life were in danger? No, probably not. One cop, maybe two, but not the whole squad. And the violent pimp, who seems to constantly flip from calm to psychopathic at the drop of hat, would he really be able to intimidate all the hard players of this underbelly of civilized society? Again, probably not. So, when such instances happen, it takes you out of the moment and costs the film a lot of the dramatic tension it's trying to build.
Director Gary Sherman certainly does a nice job of portraying the seedier side of the big city (in this case Hollywood), as the grunge and sleaze of society's "forgotten people" is well displayed almost constantly. Sadly, though, there is little shown to us beneath that grimy surface. You never get into the minds of any of the players. You get a brief scene with Princess sending her daughter away, to show she has a softer side, but you never get much context on it. Even worse is Gary Swanson's play at the vice cop who gives a damn. Besides a very wooden performance, you never really get any insight into his reasons for being a vice cop. As he is asked at the film's end, "Why do you do it, Walsh? The streets are never going to change." The question is never answered, either to the character in the film or the audience.
The one solid bit here, is Wings Hauser's turn as the ultra-violent Ramrod. He plays it up for all he's worth here. He is certainly one of the perennial heavies of the 80's, both in film and television, but he steps things up a notch here, going from mean to downright brutal. His use of a coat hanger to whip up on prostitutes, shows a level of darkness that goes beyond ordinary misogyny. While most of the other actors just sort of plod along in their roles, Wings uses his to be a force of nature in the story, which is where most of the drama and action stems from.
The film is certainly not what one would call "classic," either in the award-winning sense or otherwise, but despite it's many flaws, it still manages to hold your attention and stick with you long after you've watched it. Whether that is due to it having that special 80's vibe, that made many less-than-stellar films give you that sensation, or merely the fact you can't look away from the sometimes over-the-top slimy nature of it all, I can't say for sure. All I can say is that, for good or ill, this is one film you won't soon forget.
The basic plot is that a prostitute named "Princess" (played by Season Hubley) helps a seasoned vice cop (played by Gary Swanson) to take down a violent and deranged pimp named "Ramrod" (played by Wings Hauser), after he kills another prostitute friend of her's (played by Nina Blackwood), but soon becomes the target of the pimp's homicidal rage, after he escapes custody. Now the race is on between the vice squad and Ramrod, as to who will get to Princess first!
The film is certainly not for the faint of heart, or those who easily offend. No punches are pulled in the violence and degradation that is shown. It has a sort of gritty realism to it, but it doesn't quite make it over the hump to where you totally buy it. This is due to the stretching of credibility in some key moments. I mean, would an entire vice squad really go all out to find a single prostitute, even if her life were in danger? No, probably not. One cop, maybe two, but not the whole squad. And the violent pimp, who seems to constantly flip from calm to psychopathic at the drop of hat, would he really be able to intimidate all the hard players of this underbelly of civilized society? Again, probably not. So, when such instances happen, it takes you out of the moment and costs the film a lot of the dramatic tension it's trying to build.
Director Gary Sherman certainly does a nice job of portraying the seedier side of the big city (in this case Hollywood), as the grunge and sleaze of society's "forgotten people" is well displayed almost constantly. Sadly, though, there is little shown to us beneath that grimy surface. You never get into the minds of any of the players. You get a brief scene with Princess sending her daughter away, to show she has a softer side, but you never get much context on it. Even worse is Gary Swanson's play at the vice cop who gives a damn. Besides a very wooden performance, you never really get any insight into his reasons for being a vice cop. As he is asked at the film's end, "Why do you do it, Walsh? The streets are never going to change." The question is never answered, either to the character in the film or the audience.
The one solid bit here, is Wings Hauser's turn as the ultra-violent Ramrod. He plays it up for all he's worth here. He is certainly one of the perennial heavies of the 80's, both in film and television, but he steps things up a notch here, going from mean to downright brutal. His use of a coat hanger to whip up on prostitutes, shows a level of darkness that goes beyond ordinary misogyny. While most of the other actors just sort of plod along in their roles, Wings uses his to be a force of nature in the story, which is where most of the drama and action stems from.
The film is certainly not what one would call "classic," either in the award-winning sense or otherwise, but despite it's many flaws, it still manages to hold your attention and stick with you long after you've watched it. Whether that is due to it having that special 80's vibe, that made many less-than-stellar films give you that sensation, or merely the fact you can't look away from the sometimes over-the-top slimy nature of it all, I can't say for sure. All I can say is that, for good or ill, this is one film you won't soon forget.
Where was the vice squad when this was shot.
Son_of_Mansfield14 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of those "gritty" pictures that some people eat up. I do not. There is little tension, over, and to balance, under acting, and some absolutely disgusting moments. Wings Hauser is, by far, the best thing about the movie as a nasty, cowboy pimp. Season Hubley's strong voice can't mask the fact that there is little else impressive about her. The movie is the same. Once you pass through the grit on the first viewing, there isn't much left. Most people remember this movie for an unwanted coat hanger probe, which is sad. That is like only having Ving Rhames' rape in Pulp Fiction, Willem Dafoe's exploding head in Wild at Heart, or Kevin Kline's verbal assault in A Fish Called Wanda. I didn't care what happened in this movie, because nothing grabbed my attention. Perhaps, this movie needed a better director to wrangle the grim.
P.S. One of those disgusting moments I mentioned is where Princess, great name, tells the cop about her disgusting clients as they eat, laughing and smiling. What the f**k?
P.S. One of those disgusting moments I mentioned is where Princess, great name, tells the cop about her disgusting clients as they eat, laughing and smiling. What the f**k?
I'm a stone cold believer, in the pleasures of Hell...
Hey_Sweden24 March 2015
"Princess" (Season Hubley) is what is known as an "outlaw" hooker, meaning that she answers to no pimp. She's also the mother of an adorable little girl. She agrees to help intense vice detective Tom Walsh (Gary Swanson) trap a particularly evil pimp with the memorable moniker of "Ramrod" (Wings Hauser). Ramrod is a sadist who enjoys mutilating prostitutes, and has the tenacity of The Terminator. When he realizes that Princess set him up, he becomes determined to get revenge. After he makes an escape from the cops, he spends an action-packed night hunting her down.
"Vice Squad" is a solid credit for the under appreciated director Gary A. Sherman. Sherman had already made two excellent fright features, "Raw Meat" and "Dead & Buried". Loathe to be typecast as a genre director, he took on this project, and does a fine job with it. He gives it great pace and entirely convincing atmosphere. This movie really does immerse its viewers in a seedy L.A. underworld. The characters are often flamboyant but believable. Cinematographer John Alcott gives everything a stylish look. To be sure, the material is plenty sleazy, but that's entirely the point. The script was written by co-executive producer Sandy Howard, Robert Vincent O'Neill (director of the exploitation classic "Angel"), and "Kenneth Peters", a pseudonym for a real life L.A. detective who provided all important technical advice.
The violence is as harsh and off putting as it should be, and there's great curiosity value in discovering the various fetishes and perversions that johns are prone to enjoy.
Hubley is good in the lead role; Princess may take her lumps before the story ends, but she also gives Ramrod a hell of a good fight. Swanson is likewise effective as our hard assed hero. A steady parade of familiar actors play roles big and small: Pepe Serna, Beverly Todd, original MTV VJ Nina Blackwood, Lydia Lei, Kelly Piper, Fred Berry, Michael Ensign, Jonathan Haze, Robert Miano, Stack Pierce, and Cheryl Smith. But the person who leaves the biggest impression is the excellent Hauser, who gives us a creepily charismatic villain for the ages. Furthermore, Wings also entertains us by growling and snarling the ultra catchy rock theme song "Neon Slime".
This is a gem of a B movie: flashy, trashy, and most certainly *not* dull.
Eight out of 10.
"Vice Squad" is a solid credit for the under appreciated director Gary A. Sherman. Sherman had already made two excellent fright features, "Raw Meat" and "Dead & Buried". Loathe to be typecast as a genre director, he took on this project, and does a fine job with it. He gives it great pace and entirely convincing atmosphere. This movie really does immerse its viewers in a seedy L.A. underworld. The characters are often flamboyant but believable. Cinematographer John Alcott gives everything a stylish look. To be sure, the material is plenty sleazy, but that's entirely the point. The script was written by co-executive producer Sandy Howard, Robert Vincent O'Neill (director of the exploitation classic "Angel"), and "Kenneth Peters", a pseudonym for a real life L.A. detective who provided all important technical advice.
The violence is as harsh and off putting as it should be, and there's great curiosity value in discovering the various fetishes and perversions that johns are prone to enjoy.
Hubley is good in the lead role; Princess may take her lumps before the story ends, but she also gives Ramrod a hell of a good fight. Swanson is likewise effective as our hard assed hero. A steady parade of familiar actors play roles big and small: Pepe Serna, Beverly Todd, original MTV VJ Nina Blackwood, Lydia Lei, Kelly Piper, Fred Berry, Michael Ensign, Jonathan Haze, Robert Miano, Stack Pierce, and Cheryl Smith. But the person who leaves the biggest impression is the excellent Hauser, who gives us a creepily charismatic villain for the ages. Furthermore, Wings also entertains us by growling and snarling the ultra catchy rock theme song "Neon Slime".
This is a gem of a B movie: flashy, trashy, and most certainly *not* dull.
Eight out of 10.
Vice Squad
Scarecrow-886 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
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.
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.
Vice Squad
Prismark1024 February 2022
Vice Squad aims to be a gritty violent exploitation movie set in the LA vice district.
It even boasts an Oscar winning cinematographer in John Alcott.
Princess (Season Hubley) is a suburban single mom who moonlights as a hooker. When her friend and fellow hooker Ginger is savagely beaten up by her sadistic pimp Ramrod (Wings Hauser.)
Princess is forced by veteran vice cop Tom Walsh (Gary Swanson) to snare Ramrod.
All goes well and Ramrod is arrested but he later escapes and he goes hunting for Princess to get his revenge.
The movie is a strange hybrid of being sleazy and tame at the same time. There is brief nudity and lots of implied violence.
40 years later and with the internet. Some of the demands from the clients are rather tame. The director certainly thought the audience would be shocked by all that talk of golden showers.
The movie benefits from a bit of humour from some of the dumb cops. It goes nicely with some of the dumb action from them. The police have issues trying to catch Ramrod.
Even some of the prostitutes are dumb. No one warns one another that there is mad pimp on the loose. In fact LA is a city where even the pimps do not know the main players.
The film benefits from Hauser's unhinged performance as the violence pimp dressed as a cowboy. After escaping from the police there is no lying low with him or go to another city.
It is go and get a big knife, a gun and cause mayhem on the streets of Hollywood. He is almost Terminator like in his mission.
I cannot believe the story that Martin Scorsese thought this was worthy of being a Best Picture Oscar contender. It is dumb B movie with better production values.
It even boasts an Oscar winning cinematographer in John Alcott.
Princess (Season Hubley) is a suburban single mom who moonlights as a hooker. When her friend and fellow hooker Ginger is savagely beaten up by her sadistic pimp Ramrod (Wings Hauser.)
Princess is forced by veteran vice cop Tom Walsh (Gary Swanson) to snare Ramrod.
All goes well and Ramrod is arrested but he later escapes and he goes hunting for Princess to get his revenge.
The movie is a strange hybrid of being sleazy and tame at the same time. There is brief nudity and lots of implied violence.
40 years later and with the internet. Some of the demands from the clients are rather tame. The director certainly thought the audience would be shocked by all that talk of golden showers.
The movie benefits from a bit of humour from some of the dumb cops. It goes nicely with some of the dumb action from them. The police have issues trying to catch Ramrod.
Even some of the prostitutes are dumb. No one warns one another that there is mad pimp on the loose. In fact LA is a city where even the pimps do not know the main players.
The film benefits from Hauser's unhinged performance as the violence pimp dressed as a cowboy. After escaping from the police there is no lying low with him or go to another city.
It is go and get a big knife, a gun and cause mayhem on the streets of Hollywood. He is almost Terminator like in his mission.
I cannot believe the story that Martin Scorsese thought this was worthy of being a Best Picture Oscar contender. It is dumb B movie with better production values.
Impactful film, fuelled by a brilliantly menacing acting presence of Hauser
videorama-759-85939130 April 2014
Here's one B movie, I must say did one better then I thought it would. The cat and mouse plot, throughout with many a turning points, makes it an electrifying movie, and scary mainly due to Hauser's pimp, Ramrod, an unforgettable masterpiece of evil, at times his presence is almost choking and unbearable. He is so SCARY! Good hearted cop, Swanson, Hauser's one true enemy, uses pro, Hubley (the young lass from Hardcore) to set up Hauser, after he beat up one of his girl's so bad, she didn't make it. Hubley trying to make enough money to support her little girl, her reason for flocking to the city of dreams. Swanson is so likable, you'll be rooting for him, to take care of Hauser, even though personally, Hauser's one of my favorite actors. When he escapes a cop car, thanks to two "Not much up there cops", he has only one mission, hence the plot of this very effective action piece drama. If have not videe'd this one, track it down. It rises about the sleaze, and does have a funny scene near the end with Hubley and one of her tricks. Such a talented and dramatic actress, Hardcore a prime example, Hubley was another actress who went off the radar. Although there are clichéd moments between cop and pro, Vice Squad has a solid, hard on quality about it. It's a well made compact drama, worth it's time in viewing.
One Night on the Streets of Hollywood. No Glitter. No Glamour.
Coventry15 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
There are a lot of people around this website whose opinions I always respect and value that recommended "Vice Squad" to me because they all think it's one of the grittiest, toughest and most relentless action/exploitation movies of the 80's. They are right, and I was pretty impressed with how violent and sleazy it was, but I guess I still expected it to be even MORE violent and sleazier. "Vice Squad" is particularly disturbing in its themes and the atmosphere (the story revolves on embittered prostitutes, perverted clients, abusive pimps, hardcore cops and depressing neighborhoods) but there's actually less-than-expected graphic aggression shown on screen. The scene where a sadistic pimp beats up one of his girls and abuses her with a folded coat hanger is appalling and grueling, but it largely remains suggestive. The entire story covers the events of one night on the streets of Hollywood and we're tagging along with members of the Vice Squad as if the film is some sort of reality-TV show in the style of "Cops". In fact, the movie even opens with a message stating that, even though a fictional film the events illustrated really do occur on the streets of LA almost every night. How's that for feel-good television, huh? Following the brutal murder of one of her closest friends, the experienced prostitute Princess collaborates with veteran cop Tom Walsh and his team to trap the feared and infamous pimp Ramrod. They succeed, but Ramrod escapes again during his transportation. Since Ramrod swore to avenge himself against Princess, the Vice Squad rapidly has to set up a virulent battue to catch him before he catches Princess. "Vice Squad" is a raw and depressing movie, which is exactly the kind of ambiance director Gary Sherman wanted to reflect for his epic about Hollywood after dark. The moody theme song, the sleazy bars, ramshackle motels and dark parking lots, the sober photography and even the suppressed black humor are all factors that contribute in making "Vice Squad" one of the most potent exploitation flicks of the early 80's. A movie such as this also owes a lot of its impact and reputation to the involved cast and crew members. The masterful cinematography was in the skillful hands of John Alcott (a frequent collaborator with Stanley Kubrick) and Gary Sherman proves once again after the excellent "Raw Meat" and "Dead & Buried" that he's a multi-talented cult director. I'm seriously disappointed he wasn't offered the opportunity to shoot more and better movies after these three efforts. Sherman only returned for the lame "Poltergeist III" and a handful of TV-movies after this. The cast is sublime as well. Fans of the film endlessly praise Wings Hauser's performance as the sadistic pimp Ramrod, but he definitely deserves every positive word that is being said or written about him. Hauser is effectively menacing, crazy-eyed and maniacal. Like the DVD-cover aptly states it: it's a mind-blowing, take-no-prisoners performance.
Depressing bang-bang shoot 'em up...
moonspinner5511 March 2017
Season Hubley was a very fine actress of the 1970s who somehow lost her way in the next decade, bottoming out with this cheapjack sleaze about a single mom-turned-prostitute working with the Los Angeles vice squad in nabbing a vicious killer pimp named Ramrod, eventually regretting her involvement after he escapes from police custody. Grindhouse fans will no doubt revel in the "neon slime" on display, yet Hubley is never too convincing jive-talking her way around street pimps, prosties, undercover cops and kinky johns. Amateurish, nasty and ugly. * from ****
One of the grittiest, toughest, police stories ever made.
jasonc1320 November 2002
In theory, "Vice Squad" is nothing more than good guy versus bad guy. However, it is done with such raw energy and flawless execution it remains one of the most intelligent and dramatic police films of the past two decades.
The story is about a hooker with a heart of gold named "Princess," who ends up on the run from her pimp named "Ramrod," (played brilliantly by the underrated Wings Hauser). After she agrees to bait him for the cops after he violently murders a fellow prostitute, he escapes police custedy and is hell-bent on one thing: finding Princess, torturing her, and killing her. It's that simple. A cop named "Walsh" (also played wonderfully by Gary Swanson) has the responsibility of finding either her or him, before Ramrod succeeds in his mission.
The film takes place in one night throughout the streets of Hollywood, and never lets up for a second. The plot is thick with suspense, the characters are three dimensionally layered, and the action is non stop. It's influence can be seen in many of todays films such as "Training Day," and even "Seven" just to name a few. However, its greatest testament may be from a better known movie tough guy named "Dirty Harry." At one point, when Walsh catches up with Ramrod he sticks his gun in his mouth and mutters "Make a move, and make my day!" Sound familiar? It should, because the famous line was uttered some five years later, even though the phrase was coined here, and in much better fashion I might add.
To sum it up, "Vice Squad" is a hard hitting, no nonsense, throw back to when quality films could be made on shoe-string budgets, and without millions in special effects. It walks the walk, and talks the talk without making excuses for its realistic subject matter. Unfortunately, the film is hard to find, so if you get the opportunity to see it, do not pass it up. For it will no doubt become one of your favorite "Vices," I garantee it.
The story is about a hooker with a heart of gold named "Princess," who ends up on the run from her pimp named "Ramrod," (played brilliantly by the underrated Wings Hauser). After she agrees to bait him for the cops after he violently murders a fellow prostitute, he escapes police custedy and is hell-bent on one thing: finding Princess, torturing her, and killing her. It's that simple. A cop named "Walsh" (also played wonderfully by Gary Swanson) has the responsibility of finding either her or him, before Ramrod succeeds in his mission.
The film takes place in one night throughout the streets of Hollywood, and never lets up for a second. The plot is thick with suspense, the characters are three dimensionally layered, and the action is non stop. It's influence can be seen in many of todays films such as "Training Day," and even "Seven" just to name a few. However, its greatest testament may be from a better known movie tough guy named "Dirty Harry." At one point, when Walsh catches up with Ramrod he sticks his gun in his mouth and mutters "Make a move, and make my day!" Sound familiar? It should, because the famous line was uttered some five years later, even though the phrase was coined here, and in much better fashion I might add.
To sum it up, "Vice Squad" is a hard hitting, no nonsense, throw back to when quality films could be made on shoe-string budgets, and without millions in special effects. It walks the walk, and talks the talk without making excuses for its realistic subject matter. Unfortunately, the film is hard to find, so if you get the opportunity to see it, do not pass it up. For it will no doubt become one of your favorite "Vices," I garantee it.
"I'm a stone-cold believer in the pleasures of hell!"
gridoon31 August 2002
Good performances elevate this gritty little movie above the standards of a typical B-picture. Wings Hauser usually gets most of the praise, but Gary Swanson is just as good as the tough yet thoughtful cop on his trail. By the way, the title song is just TERRIFIC! (**)
Sin for sale at a deadly price
TheLittleSongbird6 November 2017
If one looks at my other reviews, one would be very much forgiven if they thought that 'Vice Squad' wouldn't be my style or something that would typically be watched by me. Actually have a diverse taste (or at least that's intended) in film and television, spanning all genres and decades with a wide interest in actors, actresses and directors with no bias intended.
Like action-crime-dramas a good deal and while not one of my absolute favourites, 'Vice Squad' was a very enjoyable and well done film for what it was and achieved what it set out to do. It may not have the best script in the world, some of it is laughably cheesy even by 1982 standards. The ending is a bit silly and lacks the tension and suspense of the rest of the film. Gary Swanson does his best and does decently, but the rest of the characters are more colourfully written and stay in the memory longer (especially Ramrod).
It didn't actually bother me, due to the entertainment value and being pleasantly surprised by how well most individual components worked, that for a film about prostitution it's fairly tame in terms of nudity and sex and that it's talkier than one would expect. It may do for others though.
However, 'Vice Squad' is made with plenty of atmosphere and style, the photography is stylish and almost eerie and the editing is suitably crisp. The soundtrack is infectiously funky as well as hauntingly creepy.
Story-wise, it's remarkably compelling and always goes at a snappy pace without being rushed. It's a lot of fun and is very rich in tension and suspense. The exploitation and prostitution world is certainly suitably sleazy, while the violence is relentless but never gratuitous, the film admirably doesn't hold any punches or take any prisoners which adds to the intensity. Gary Sherman directs tautly, and of the characters Ramrod and Princess (especially the former) maintain a lot of interest.
Season Hubley brings a strong-willed and sassy personality to Princess. Sticking most in the memory is the star-making performance of Wings Hauser, Ramrod is one of the nastiest pieces of work one will ever find on film and Hauser chills the bone in a truly incredible performance.
Overall, very enjoyable. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Like action-crime-dramas a good deal and while not one of my absolute favourites, 'Vice Squad' was a very enjoyable and well done film for what it was and achieved what it set out to do. It may not have the best script in the world, some of it is laughably cheesy even by 1982 standards. The ending is a bit silly and lacks the tension and suspense of the rest of the film. Gary Swanson does his best and does decently, but the rest of the characters are more colourfully written and stay in the memory longer (especially Ramrod).
It didn't actually bother me, due to the entertainment value and being pleasantly surprised by how well most individual components worked, that for a film about prostitution it's fairly tame in terms of nudity and sex and that it's talkier than one would expect. It may do for others though.
However, 'Vice Squad' is made with plenty of atmosphere and style, the photography is stylish and almost eerie and the editing is suitably crisp. The soundtrack is infectiously funky as well as hauntingly creepy.
Story-wise, it's remarkably compelling and always goes at a snappy pace without being rushed. It's a lot of fun and is very rich in tension and suspense. The exploitation and prostitution world is certainly suitably sleazy, while the violence is relentless but never gratuitous, the film admirably doesn't hold any punches or take any prisoners which adds to the intensity. Gary Sherman directs tautly, and of the characters Ramrod and Princess (especially the former) maintain a lot of interest.
Season Hubley brings a strong-willed and sassy personality to Princess. Sticking most in the memory is the star-making performance of Wings Hauser, Ramrod is one of the nastiest pieces of work one will ever find on film and Hauser chills the bone in a truly incredible performance.
Overall, very enjoyable. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Prime example of a 1980s sleaze film...
preppy-320 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
...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.
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.
When I was a child...
revsolly16 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
a man-child to be exact, I enjoyed this movie. I thought it was SO COOL. However, I have since grown up. And since I have, I now realize just how big a pile of dung this movie really is. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about this thing.
First off, the acting was not exactly Oscar worthy - more like a cast-load of Razzie-worthy performances. None of the principle actors went on to do anything that came even close to noteworthy.
Wings Hauser, the bad guy of the piece, had only one role that was any good, that of a racist WWII Army Lt. in A Soldier's Story. From then he went on to eventually play a drunken former military person, who lives in a trailer and cares for his niece, on an episode of JAG. Now, I was a big fan of JAG, but that is hardly indicative of a stellar career.
Season Hubley's only claim to fame was about a 3-minute part as a scared women in Escape From New York. She was killed before we even got a good look at her face - and her husband was the star of the movie.
Then we have Re-Run as a sugar pimp and the unforgettable Nina Blackwood as a prostitute who was ravaged to death by Hauser's character. Other than her stint as an MTV VJ, can anyone tell me what else Nina did of note? Yeah! I couldn't either.
The rest of the cast list is peppered with names whose careers ended just a couple of years after this movie. Many have never been heard from again.
It is amazing how one's taste in movies can grow and refine as one gets older. I wish this was not such a stark and vivid reminder.
First off, the acting was not exactly Oscar worthy - more like a cast-load of Razzie-worthy performances. None of the principle actors went on to do anything that came even close to noteworthy.
Wings Hauser, the bad guy of the piece, had only one role that was any good, that of a racist WWII Army Lt. in A Soldier's Story. From then he went on to eventually play a drunken former military person, who lives in a trailer and cares for his niece, on an episode of JAG. Now, I was a big fan of JAG, but that is hardly indicative of a stellar career.
Season Hubley's only claim to fame was about a 3-minute part as a scared women in Escape From New York. She was killed before we even got a good look at her face - and her husband was the star of the movie.
Then we have Re-Run as a sugar pimp and the unforgettable Nina Blackwood as a prostitute who was ravaged to death by Hauser's character. Other than her stint as an MTV VJ, can anyone tell me what else Nina did of note? Yeah! I couldn't either.
The rest of the cast list is peppered with names whose careers ended just a couple of years after this movie. Many have never been heard from again.
It is amazing how one's taste in movies can grow and refine as one gets older. I wish this was not such a stark and vivid reminder.
Best use of a coat hanger in movie history
fertilecelluloid31 December 2004
Wings Hauser, playing brutal pimp Ramrod, uses a wire coat hanger to beat the stuffing out of a hooker in a Hollywood Boulevard motel room. This scene, destined to be remembered by every lucky viewer of this solid, sleazy classic, perfectly captures the tone director Gary Sherman brings to this fine piece of entertainment.
The violence is glossy and sadistic and shot in neon-toned hues by ace cinematographer John Alcott.
Hauser goes on a rampage in an effort to bust the chops of a street girl who was partially responsible for his brief arrest.
The tension is thick, the atmosphere gritty, the entertainment values high.
Nail-biting and stomach-churning...in other words: heaven.
The violence is glossy and sadistic and shot in neon-toned hues by ace cinematographer John Alcott.
Hauser goes on a rampage in an effort to bust the chops of a street girl who was partially responsible for his brief arrest.
The tension is thick, the atmosphere gritty, the entertainment values high.
Nail-biting and stomach-churning...in other words: heaven.
Wings to go
movieman_kev22 May 2005
Season Hubley from "Hardcore" is a Hollywood hooker by the name of Princess who, after being pinched, gives up her sadistic pimp, Ramrod (Wings Hauser) to the cops in this one. Of course he escapes from justice and begins to track her down. Hauser's song at the beginning and end is catchy and Wings is fun to watch, but other than that this is pretty average. Aside from a few cuss words it plays out like a TV movie of the week, it's entertaining enough, and you're likely not regret watching it, but director Gary Sherman's film previous to this one, "Dead and Buried" was one that I enjoyed more.
Eye Candy: Season Hubley shows ass and her little nubs
my Grade: C+
Eye Candy: Season Hubley shows ass and her little nubs
my Grade: C+
This is not for the squeamish.
murking6 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I was in my early teens when this film began in heavy rotation on HBO. My mother didn't screen many films, but she happened to catch one or two scenes of Ramrod brutalizing Ginger or Princess and forbade me to watch it. Of course I could not resist, was caught, and had my TV privileges taken away from a month.
Are these scenes of brutal violence towards women tame by today's standards, have they since been topped? Not really! Perhaps if it was tried today we'd get a bit more insight into Ramrod's motivations. Childhood trauma and what not, not just revenge.
The actors play this pretty much straight forward. Hauser is singular in his approach, and Hubley alternates between faux-demur and animalistic rage. Quite a lot of anger in her own right. Sherman the lead/director comes off as rather wooden, but give him credit for his Dirty Harry-esqueness and his place in cinematic history. Cable TV audiences have enjoyed this sleazy classic for three decades with more to come!
Are these scenes of brutal violence towards women tame by today's standards, have they since been topped? Not really! Perhaps if it was tried today we'd get a bit more insight into Ramrod's motivations. Childhood trauma and what not, not just revenge.
The actors play this pretty much straight forward. Hauser is singular in his approach, and Hubley alternates between faux-demur and animalistic rage. Quite a lot of anger in her own right. Sherman the lead/director comes off as rather wooden, but give him credit for his Dirty Harry-esqueness and his place in cinematic history. Cable TV audiences have enjoyed this sleazy classic for three decades with more to come!
Rough, gritty and brutal thriller, rules!
dworldeater14 May 2015
Vice Squad is a hard hitting, gritty, realistic look of life on the streets. Very low budget, but very high quality production. This very mean and action packed tale of sleazy darkness is one film that surely made its mark. Starring Season Hubley, the first wife of Kurt Russell and in this film she is ultra sexy Hollywood hooker Princess. When Princess works with vice cop (played by Gary Swanson) to set up psycho pimp Ram Rod goes awry. Gary Swanson and his team of cops need to find Princess or Ram Rod before Ram Rod finds Princess and gets his sweet revenge on her. While being ultra dirty and sleazy picture, it also is very sharp looking and well shot. Courtesy of Stanley Kubrick's fave director of photography John Alcott. Who was DP on Barry Lyndon, The Shining, A Clockwork Orange and now Vice Squad. The entire cast gave strong performances, but Wings Hauser gives an exceptional balls out performance as Elvis loving, hot tempered maniac cowboy pimp Ram Rod. Easily one of the best villains I have ever seen. Director Gary Sherman made an excellent film that made some waves when it was released. It also influenced many film makers (big and small) to come and holds up as an awesome, classic brutal movie.
Bizarro World
Merely7 April 2015
Saw this back when it came out and just saw it again over thirty years later. Just as weird as ever. I seriously doubt they could make this movie today, or even 10 years ago. N1gger? Fagg0t? Just not gonna fly. Basically a no name cast, or very little known, made it grittier. A few scenes are a tad hokey, but keep in mind it was 1982 Los Angeles. Very hard to come by but one lone torrent is floating around with a single seed. Worth a watch every 30 years to be sure. Cole Hauser, the son of Wings, acts today and is what made me take a second look at his wacky dad. I sure do miss the days of one line reviews allowed here. Yeah, I've been here that long. Just a crying shame I have to blather on at the very end like this.
Realistically violent B-flick
shub-428 May 2006
Many people praise this film, but I find it to be a B-movie all the way through (for better and mostly for worse). Acting varies a lot: At times it is poor, or even lousy, other times I find that at least Season Hubley (Princess) and Gary Swanson (Tom Walsh) do a pretty good job. When it comes to Wings Hauser (Ramrod), a lot of reviewers seem to love his work here. In the more physical scenes I can agree to that, but for up-close camera action... well, not at all my cup of tea.
The story is pretty straightforward and seems realistic enough, although I did not spend my childhood in the sleazy parts of LA and therefore can not really know. As with most other B-movies (and the major part of A-movies as well, for that matter), there is a fair share of logical flaws (but no really annoying ones) and stupid plot twists. But all in all it works out sort of OK. The same can NOT be said about the music, and I still cannot decide which is worse: The in-film score and sound effects, or the title melody?!
For the good parts, this is the kind of movie that brings back the "glory" of the 80s and makes me want to put on an episode of e.g. Miami Vice. Some of the scenes and character interactions are very funny, especially one when the prostitute (Princess) is about to service a client who is pretty much a cautious and submissive dullard. Such moments alone almost makes me not regret getting the video. And at times the dialog is hilarious, at the level of great scripts like Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers and Pirates of the Caribbean (part one, that is!). Let us just hope it was intentional in this film as well...
As long as you know what you are getting, Vice Squad can entertain you for 1 1/2 hours, but not give you much more.
The story is pretty straightforward and seems realistic enough, although I did not spend my childhood in the sleazy parts of LA and therefore can not really know. As with most other B-movies (and the major part of A-movies as well, for that matter), there is a fair share of logical flaws (but no really annoying ones) and stupid plot twists. But all in all it works out sort of OK. The same can NOT be said about the music, and I still cannot decide which is worse: The in-film score and sound effects, or the title melody?!
For the good parts, this is the kind of movie that brings back the "glory" of the 80s and makes me want to put on an episode of e.g. Miami Vice. Some of the scenes and character interactions are very funny, especially one when the prostitute (Princess) is about to service a client who is pretty much a cautious and submissive dullard. Such moments alone almost makes me not regret getting the video. And at times the dialog is hilarious, at the level of great scripts like Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers and Pirates of the Caribbean (part one, that is!). Let us just hope it was intentional in this film as well...
As long as you know what you are getting, Vice Squad can entertain you for 1 1/2 hours, but not give you much more.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
