The California Dolls and their manager are upstarts in the violent world of woman wrestling. Harry, Iris, and Molly travel from city to city taking brutal fights for little pay. After winning a non title match against tag team champions the Toledo Tigers. The Dolls fortunes start to change. But as their fame grows a disgruntled promoter and the Toledo Tigers reemerge looking for revenge. The resulting `grudge match' could make the Dolls champions or end their careers.

My favorite thing about All the Marbles was the women wrestling. Vicki Frederick and Laurene Landon are very pretty and took a lot of punishment. There were seven matches in the film (3 against `douche schlepers', 3 against the Tigers, and one mud wrestling match). Burt Young had a small but cool role. And Peter Falk was great at playing Harry; a know-it-all that surprisingly knew what he was doing.

I think this is probably the greatest wrestling movie of all time, up there with The Wrestler. I remember watching this movie on Cable TV back in 1982 I thought it was a great movie back then and how it has gotten better with time. I am still impressed with the performances of Vicki Frederick (Molly), Laurene Landon (Iris), Tracey Reed (Diane), Ursaline Bryant (June) and the other female wrestlers/actresses with guidance of Women Wrestling ICON Mildred Burke (a woman way ahead of her time). The women in the film performed their own stunts in the ring. I loved the storyline of the California Doll vs The Toledo Tigers and the Tigers showing class after the title match with The Dolls and a Great Pep Talk by Tigers Manager John Hancock (Big John Stanley). I love the friendship of Molly and Iris who love each other like sisters. Peter Falk you already know brings it. I know if Robert Aldrich doesn't die in 1983 (Rest In Peace), he would have been able to pull off two more movies with the Dolls traveling to Japan which has a rich women's wrestling history and possibly another title battle with the Toledo Tigers. I think this is a must have DVD for 80's Film Classics Fans. Please Google Mildred Burke and check this Woman's Iconic Wrestling History.

Let's go back to 1981 and 1971 Caddies! realistic portrayal of occasionally realistic athletic exhibition....B movie acting from most of the cast and A movie acting by Peter Falk (and John Hancock, playing the Mgr. of the Toledo Tigers); in fact, he's every bit as entertaining as a Wrestling manager as a police Lieutenant. (His character at times is more Abe Reles from "Murder, Inc.", than "Colombo". Interesting change of pace at the time for TV fans). His ringside exhortations are priceless.

Burt Young is on hand as a gritty, grimey, and often perplexed promoter; lends some "Rocky" veneer to the proceedings. Not exactly a Rocky-veteran at that point, but he breaks thru the screen in his best street guy mode.

around that time Wrestling took on circus proportions yet the girls in this movie are determined to make it on skill. Problem: they are both Playboy pictorial "material"...well, Penthouse; they proudly walk out into the arena, - even if it at times resembles a barnyard. Falk, too, is outside the box/ring - he is obsessed with classic opera and secretly hopes his "students" can absorb the grandeur of grand opera..at least *outside* the ring. unfortunately, at the rate he's going, he couldn't carry the proverbial piano into the Metropolitan.

Good, funny script and tight direction and editing, make it a cult classic.

Mean Joe Greene and Mike Mazurki and Chick Hearn have notable cameos. Technical Advisor: Mildred Burke.

Shows great good show

Absolute great movie. A couple of lady wrestlers struggling along, barely able to make a living. They had to go through and jump over all the hoops to get one chance of glory. Their manager was prepared to do anything for his girls to get their chance at the big time. The lady wrestlers virtually sell their dignity to make ends meet. With dodgy promoters ripping them off and agents doing deals on the side they finally get their chance to go up against the champions. With a crooked promoter paying off match officials it was all against them. With time running out in the title bout all the champions needed was a draw to retain their titles. The wrestling matches were absorbing with no hold bars and the title fight will have you on the edge of the seat. I love this movie and will watch it again. You will not be disappointed.