''Avenging Angel'' is a 1985 American

action Action may refer to: * Action (philosophy), something which is done by a person * Action principles the heart of fundamental physics * Action (narrative), a literary mode * Action fiction, a type of genre fiction * Action game, a genre of video gam ...

thriller film Thriller film, also known as suspense film or suspense thriller, is a broad film genre that evokes excitement and suspense in the audience. The suspense element found in most films' plots is particularly exploited by the filmmaker in this genre. ...

directed by

Robert Vincent O'Neil Robert Vincent O’Neil (September 15, 1930 – March 12, 2022) was an American screenwriter, film director, and playwright. Best known for directing and co-writing the film ''Angel (1984 film), Angel''. He co-wrote such films as ''The Baltimore ...

and written by O'Neil and Joseph Michael Cala. It stars

Betsy Russell Betsy Russell (born Elizabeth Russell; September 6, 1963) is an American actress who is best known for her roles in ''Private School'' (1983), '' Tomboy'' (1985), and as Jill Tuck, one of the primary characters of the ''Saw'' film series from ...

Rory Calhoun Rory Calhoun (born Francis Timothy McCown, August 8, 1922April 28, 1999) was an American film and television actor. He starred in numerous Westerns in the 1950s and 1960s, and appeared in supporting roles in films such as ''How to Marry a Millio ...

, Robert F. Lyons,

Ossie Davis Ossie Davis (born Raiford Chatman Davis; December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) was an American actor, Film director, director, writer, and activist. He was married to Ruby Dee, with whom he frequently performed, until his death. He received num ...

and Susan Tyrrell. The film is a sequel to ''

Angel An angel is a spiritual (without a physical body), heavenly, or supernatural being, usually humanoid with bird-like wings, often depicted as a messenger or intermediary between God (the transcendent) and humanity (the profane) in variou ...

'' (1984) and was followed by '' Angel III: The Final Chapter'' (1988) and '' Angel 4: Undercover'' (1993).

claimed Donna Wilkes did not reprise the role she had originated because the producers refused to pay her the salary she wanted.

Plot

Molly Stewart (

) is off the streets and studying to become a lawyer. Molly learns that Lt. Andrews ( Robert F. Lyons), the detective who helped her leave

prostitution Prostitution is a type of sex work that involves engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, no ...

when he became her

legal guardian A legal guardian is a person who has been appointed by a court or otherwise has the legal authority (and the corresponding duty) to make decisions relevant to the personal and property interests of another person who is deemed incompetent, ca ...

, was murdered. She returns to the streets as Angel to track down his killer and avenge his death. She enlists help from her old friends, Yoyo Charlie, Solly Mosler and Kit Carson and hunts for the sole witness, Johnny Glitter, to the crime. They break Kit out of the sanitarium and find Johnny at his home just as the thugs who killed Andrews find him. Kit and Angel save Johnny in a shootout. Angel discovers a scheme to buy up Hollywood Boulevard by intimidation and violence that Gerrard perpetuates. Gerrard's men corner Kit, Solly, Angel and Johnny in an alley. Kit shoots the car and causes it to crash, and they capture Gerrard's son. The son gets loose and threatens them with a gun, but the phone rings and Kit shoots him to death. The caller is Gerrard, who has kidnapped Solly's baby, Little Buck. Gerrard offers to trade Buck for his son. They attempt to make the trade despite the son's death, but Gerrard discovers the ruse. When he discovers his son has died, a shootout ensues and Gerrard takes the baby. Kit takes out one thug and Johnny Glitter, who shoots blind, shoots the other and also himself. Angel confronts Gerrard on the top floor and Gerrard threatens to throw the baby down. Angel surrenders and Gerrard puts the baby down, but the baby crawls toward the edge. Gerrard will not allow Angel to move. Solly sees what is happening and goes up to shoot Gerrard. Angel tries to get to the baby, but the baby falls. Kit sees the baby fall and catches him. Angel and Solly come down with the baby safely wrapped in Kit's jacket. The trio leaves just as the police arrived.

Main cast

as Molly "Angel" Stewart *

as Kit Carson * Susan Tyrrell as Solly Mosler *

as Captain Harry Moradian * Steven M. Porter as Charlie "Yo-Yo Charlie" * Robert F. Lyons as Lieutenant Hugh Andrews * Paul Lambert as Arthur Gerrard * Frank Doubleday as Miles Gerrard * Barry Pearl as Johnny Glitter *

Ross Hagen Ross Hagen (born Leland Lando Lilly; May 21, 1938 – May 7, 2011) was an American actor, voice actor, director, screenwriter and producer whose television acting credits included ''Daktari''. His film credits included ''The Hellcats'' in 1967 a ...

as Ray Mitchell *

Liz Sheridan Elizabeth Ann Sheridan (April 10, 1929 – April 15, 2022) was an American actress. While best known for her roles as the nosy neighbor, Mrs. Ochmonek, on the sitcom '' ALF'' (1986–1990), and Jerry's mother, Helen, in ''Seinfeld'' (1990–1998 ...

as Nurse * Deborah Voorhees as Roxie (credited as Debi Sue Voorhees) * Laura Burkett as Blonde Hooker * Lynda Wiesmeier as Debbie * Karin Mani as Janie Soon Lee * Charlene Jones as Hooker * Claudia Templeton as Claudia * Jessica O'Neil as Little Buck

Release

''Avenging Angel'' went into production quickly after the success of its predecessor. Hoping to recreate the success of the first film,

New World Pictures New World Pictures (also known as New World Entertainment, New World Communications Group, Inc., and New World International) was an American independent production, distribution, and (in its final years as an autonomous entity) multimedia com ...

released the film on January 11, 1985, two days shy of the anniversary of the first film's release. The film was a

box office disappointment A box-office bomb is a film that is unprofitable or considered highly unsuccessful during its theatrical run. Although any film for which the combined production budget, marketing, and distribution costs exceed the revenue after release has te ...

for the company, opening in 10th place and eventually earning $5,622,787.

Soundtrack

As Craig Safan was unavailable,

Christopher Young Christopher Young (born April 28, 1958) is an American composer of Film score, film and television scores. Many of his compositions are for horror and thriller films, including ''Hellraiser'', ''Species (film), Species'', ''Urban Legend (film) ...

composed the score for the film. In 1990, Intrada Records issued his music on a compilation CD including his work from '' Def-Con 4'' (1985), ''Torment'' (1986) and '' The Telephone'' (1988); in 2013, BSX Records released a compilation album called ''The Angel Trilogy'', featuring Young's score, Safan's music for ''Angel'' and Eric Allaman and Reinhard Scheuregger's music for ''Angel III: The Final Chapter''.

Home video

In 2003,

Anchor Bay Entertainment The revived Anchor Bay Entertainment is an American independent film production and distribution company owned by Umbrelic Entertainment co-founders Thomas Zambeck and Brian Katz. Anchor Bay Entertainment markets and releases "new release genre ...

released the Region 1 DVD box set of the first three ''Angel'' films entitled ''The Angel Collection''.''The Angel Collection'' product info
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References

External links

* * {{Angel (film series) 1985 films 1985 action thriller films 1985 LGBTQ-related films 1980s American films 1985 crime thriller films 1980s English-language films American crime thriller films American action thriller films American LGBTQ-related films American sequel films American sexploitation films Angel (film series) Films directed by Robert Vincent O'Neil Films scored by Christopher Young New World Pictures films English-language crime thriller films English-language action thriller films