Even by the standards of an 'R'-rated seventies flick, Checkmate (titled Pepper on Vestron's out of print VHS tape) features a remarkable number of breasts, phallic symbols and double entendres, as well as a surprising willingness to show pubic hair. One wonders if the film was originally intended to be a porno, but there's no hardcore action and just enough story to (barely) justify bookings on the drive-in circuit. The attractive but acting-challenged Diana Wilson plays the title character, a secret agent assigned to find the person responsible for the death of fellow agent Henderson. Henderson revealed the membership of a secret arms control agency shortly before his death at the hands of dragon lady Madame Chang (An Tsan Hu). Now the agency members and the safety of the free world are threatened, and only lusty Pepper and her rhinestone-encrusted red pant-suit stand in Madame Chang's way. The whole film was shot and edited haphazardly (perhaps not surprising considering New York exploitation queen Roberta Findlay was behind the camera), but it all adds up to prime entertainment for those enamoured with the sick, sick seventies.

The cover seems to promise a female version of James Bond, but the truth is quite different. "Pepper" (as my version was titled) is too lame to be taken seriously as a spy thriller (just one example: the room in which there is a device that can trigger a satellite to destroy Washington, London, Paris and Moscow is guarded by only one man!), but at the same time it's not funny enough to work as a parody of the genre. There are also some drawn-out sex scenes thrown in for good measure, but since there is no connection between the characters, these don't work either. The heroine is fairly attractive but disappointingly passive, and doesn't seem to have any particular skills. Jane Bond she is not. Avoid this movie. 0.5 out of 4 stars.

I cannot trace any evidence that this film was ever screened outside the USA and (according to IMDb) Norway. Probably it was, but presumably this did not have much of an impact at the time. An NTSC VHS version was released under the title "Pepper - Secret Agent", and I acquired a copy when I purchased a boxfull of nondescript tapes from a rental outlet that was closing down - I still do not know whether there was any connection! Today you are most likely to catch it on one of its somewhat rare late night TV showings. In fairness however it is better made than most films of the same type. Its basic failings are its total unbelievability, and acting that really does nothing to compensate for this.It is probably best classified as a comedy thriller, and features an undercover agent "Pepper Burns" who gets mixed up with the shenanigans of a crime syndicate operated by Mme Chang, who holds a very high position in UNICEF that appears to give her access to the most confidential decisions made by the Security Council. This gang has ambitious financial goals which lead to murder and mayhem the moment the film starts. If this type of film appeals to you it may prove quite enjoyable to watch. Generally speaking I find such films rather boring and often turn them off very quickly, but this one was more stylish than most and it kept me amused throughout most of the hour and a half that it ran. Pepper is a private investigator who is brought into the story when her phallic shaped bedside personal alarm starts flashing red in a most decadent manner; within a very short time she has to deal with not only murder but seduction, extortion, blackmail and ultimately the threat from nuclear weapons; all without her makeup ever getting ruffled (although she does sometimes find it necessary to shed a few garments). It is both totally mindless and totally harmless. The story is more full of holes than any of the corpses which are featured. If you want to watch it you have been warned - there are both better and worse films of the same genre and the choice is yours.