| “ | She used to live in a cheap hotel. Now, she's got a swank apartment. | ” |
| - Monk |
- For the MST3K episode, see MST3K 616 - Racket Girls.
Racket Girls is a 1951 crime movie.
Plot[]
Umberto Scalli, a low-level figure in organized crime, uses women's wrestling as a cover for his criminal activities, which include book-making, rigging horse races, and prostitution. He operates of a gymnasium training facility.
Scalli purchases the contract of Peaches Page, a up-and-coming female wrestler. He begins training her with the help of his diminutive assistant Joe. Scalli begins a romantic relationship with Peaches as well. Ruby, another wrestler who had previously been involved with Scalli, warns Peaches with a cautionary tale of a woman that Scalli lured into a life of debauchery.
Unbeknownst to Scalli, his bookkeeper Monk is aware that he he has been withholding money from his higher-ups in the organization. Monk informs on Scalli, which coincides with Scalli being called to testify before a committee investigating organized crime.
After Scalli tries and fails to rig a championship wrestling match, he is targeted by his superiors. Fleeing the gym, Joe and Scalli are killed. Peaches is taken away by champion wrestler Clara Mortensen to continue her honest career.
Cast[]
- Timothy Farrell as Umberto Scalli
- Peaches Page as Peaches Page
- Don Ferrara as Joe
- Paul Merton as Monk
- Muriel Gardner as Ruby
- Clara Mortensen as Clara Mortensen
- Rita Martinez as Rita Martinez
Notes[]
- This film features real-life wrestlers Peaches Page, Clara Mortensen (world champion wrestler), and Rita Martinez (champion of Mexico).
- Tim Farrell played Umberto Scalli three times, including in 1953's Dance Hall Racket, which was made after Scalli had apparently died in this film.
- Producer George Weiss had Rita Martínez affect a thick Mexican accent because her real voice was "too American".
- Both George Weiss and Timothy Farrell would go on to work with Ed Wood on his first film Glen or Glenda.
MST3K Connections[]
- Timothy Farrell also portrayed Lt. Holmes in The Violent Years.
- Cinematographer William C. Thompson was also cinematographer for Project Moon Base, Bride of the Monster, The Violent Years, and The Sinister Urge.