Review of 52 Pick-Up (1986) by Knox M — 31 Jan 2015

This film was largely dismissed as sleaze when it first came out and was considered something of a step down in quality for director John Frankenheimer compared to some of his classics, like a lot of his films of this period.

However, this is a film that I think has aged well and is worth another look. Yes, it is a sleazy Elmore Leonard story, scripted by the author himself, about Roy Scheider being blackmailed by the terrifically villainous John Glover and his marvelously scary henchmen Clarence Wiliams III.

The film does wallow in sex, drugs and violence, but so did a lot of excellent crime films the, like "Scarface" or "Eight Million Ways to Die" which were also condemned upon their initial release but are now considered classics.

Director Frankenheimer absolutely knows how to build suspense and craft well done action scenes that deliver. There's also a strong supporting cast with Ann-Margret,, Robert Trebor and Doug McClure, 80s regulars Vanity and Kelly Preston, and cameos by porn stars Tom Byron, Ron Jermy (billed as Ron Jeremy Hyatt), Hershel Savage (billed as Harvey Cowen), Randy West and Amber Lynn as various party goers.

Gary Chang provided the score and Jost Vacano provided some lush 80s photography. Quite good if you/re in the mood for some well produced 80s sleaze.