... as objective as possible. My grandfather (mom's side), the late ROY THIEL, played the deputy in this film. And somewhere in the family archives is a lobby poster for Devil's Angels. Word has it our family packed up the station wagon and watched it at the local (Seattle, WA) drive-in a few years after it's release. Now, years later, the keywords Roger Corman, 1967 biker film, and John Cassavetes shed a new light on the movie I barely knew of while growing up. Unintentionally kitschy, one of those movies you watch for the ambiance of the era rather than scrutinizing the plot line, but all in all, a nice time capsule of B-movie biker films of mid-late '60s. Devil's Angel's comes highly recommended (of course).PS. My grandfather's name is attributed to (though he acted in commercials and several other non-credited roles) is yet another "Devil" titled-movie of the era: "Devil's Eight."

Devil's Angels (1967) ** (out of 4) AIP biker flick is yet another take on THE WILD ONE. Biker Cody (John Cassavetes) wants to find his gang a "Hole in the Wall" just like Butch Cassidy's gang but soon they run into a Sheriff (Leo Gordon) who they're able to make a deal with but the locals have their own plans. When AIP had a hit with THE WILD ANGELS they quickly threw this film into production and while it's far from a classic there's no doubt that it's at least entertaining and fans of the genre should have a good time with it. It's funny to think that the entire film we're supposed to be rooting for the bikers but when you view this film today, and I'm sure it was the same in 1967, you can't help but look at them as the bad guys. They're rude, loud, obnoxious and I don't see how anyone could agree with the stuff they're doing through the first hour of the movie. So, how did the producers try to make us like them? By throwing in equally dumb and obnoxious locals including a Mayor who decides to best way to teach the bikers is to accuse them of rape, which of course just leads to a whole 'nother battle. As with THE WILD ANGELS, the material is handled a lot more serious than most biker movies from this era. What violence is here is usually in the background and there's not even any nudity, profanity or other things like that. As straight as the movie is, there are a few campy moments including a bit with the boys filling up their gas tanks and then not having the money to pay for it. The final courtroom sequence also doesn't do anything but it's a pretty funny form of justice. Cassavetes is obviously way too talented for material like this but his performance certainly raised the quality of the film. Beverly Adams and Mimsy Farmer are both fun in their roles and Gordon does a nice job with the Sheriff. Non-genre fans might not find this worth sitting through but fans of the genre will want to check it out at least once and especially with dialogue like "When God created woman he made her pretty stupid."

The best thing about Devil's Angels is the humor. This is a movie that makes it's point without taking itself too seriously. The violence is minimal compared to most other of this genre and the emphasis is on characterization. There are some genuinely funny moments in this movie and plenty of memorable lines. The part with the old lady and her shopping list is my favorite. The use of solid veteran actors helps fill in for the script lapses and keeps the viewers interest. Good luck finding this movie though. It is no longer shown anywhere and is not distributed either. After 10 years of searching, I finally found a used VHS tape on Ebay. It cost me $25 but I consider it worth it.

Roger Corman's Devil's Angels which was made at the height of the movie-biker craze in 1967 has three qualities which make this "B" film a devilish good time. Starring the late-great John Cassavetes as motorcycle gang leader Cody. Cassavates was one of the best actors of the 1960s, yet never really became popular with the mainstream movie goer. He brings a complexity to his character. Torn between "doing-your-own-thing" or "selling-out". As his sidekick is the beautiful and lovely Beverly Adams. Ms. Adams is best known for playing Dean Martin's sexy secretary in the Matt Helm series, Lovely Kravezit. Looking earthy, but sexy, she excels in one of his best on-screen roles.A fine supporting cast is lead by Mimsy Farmer and veteran character actor/writer Leo Gordon. Out-dated today, but for the times it must rate as one of the top 5 biker films of the decade.Interesting side note, the movie poster for Devil's Angels is one of the best there is.