The Girl Most Likely to... (1973) Online

Stockard Channing seemingly came out of nowhere and gave us a preview of the quirky, oblique roles that would make her famous. Over the years, there have been many movies that start out funny and turn dark. In this movie, we have a very dark beginning, where a handsome boy, as part of a sick bet, seduces a very homely girl. As she flees the humiliating scene, she is involved in a horrendous auto accident (dark enough for you yet?). Because she is so damaged in the accident, doctors take the opportunity to remake her as a beautiful woman. Inside, however, she is still devastated by her prior treatment, so she uses her new beauty to exact horrible revenge on those who had tormented her when she was ugly. Now here's the kicker: she does this in a darkly funny way. See this movie if you ever get the chance. Stockard benefited from a stellar supporting cast, but she herself was magnificent!

I have seen this movie exactly three times: once, when it was first shown, and twice on the late show. This is the first movie I'd seen with Stockard Channing and immediately fell in love with it. An even better effort than Joan Rivers' next film, "Rabbit Test" (feh). I'd like to add my voice to the masses and beg for a video release of this. Very funny, very dark, very witty.

This was the first movie that introduced me to Stockard Channing and I too, loved the movie and Stockard Channing's portrayal of Miriam Knight. It's not everyday you find a TV movie that's both funny and entertaining without being silly, inane, and for the under 21 age group. The script was well written and it has a certain level of realism, that addresses the need that some of us may have to get even with those who torment us for being different. If TV movies such as "Fatal Vision" and "Chiefs" can make it to VHS, certainly "The Girl Most Likely To" should join that marketing strategy as well. Besides, making movies is about making money, for the writers, for the actors, the director, and especially for the producers, so let the capitalistic urge overtake you and allow the public to enjoy this movie again and again.

I saw this made-for-TV movie on ABC's Movie of the Week (or whatever it was called) when it first aired, way back when I was about nine years old. One of the few things I remember about this movie was how striking the difference was between the ugly Stockard Channing, and the hot babe Stockard Channing, a difference effected in the movie by a disfiguring automobile accident followed by some _very_ skillful plastic surgery. (What special makeup effects the makers of the movie used to pull this off, I don't know. I know the hot babe more closely resembled the real Stockard Channing.)

Another thing I remember was recognizing Stockard Channing as the hapless young woman frequently victimized by the Number Painting Guy (portrayed by future "Jeffersons" supporting player Paul Benedict) on "Sesame Street."

A third thing I remember was being introduced to the twin concepts of plastic surgery (I was REALLY impressed by Stockard's transformation) and black comedy. That's how my mother described it when I asked if the movie we were watching was supposed to be funny or not. She then explained that black comedy was something that found humor in something not normally thought of as funny (such as a poor tormented frump who gets her already ugly face ripped to shreds only to have it put back together, only much better looking than it was before, giving the erstwhile frump the opportunity to exact her revenge on the men who had treated her so cruelly when she was still ugly). Having learned this much, I considered this movie quite educational.

Another reviewer expressed the earnest wish that this movie be released on video. I concur; I'd love to see Ms. Channing's transformation again.

As others have remarked, I find it disappointing that this film has not been released on video. I recall seeing it in 1973, as a senior in college, on my portable black-and-white TV set in my dorm room. I was studying and sort of halfway missed the first half-hour, but eventually I was so intrigued that I set aside the books and watched the rest.

The transformation of the Stockard Channing character in the course of her accident and plastic surgery is so striking that I truly did not know that she played both the "before" and "after" versions until reading the IMDB credits and user comments today.

I can only echo the requests of others to please re-issue this film on DVD.

What a great performance! I didn't realize it was made in the early 70's. For some reason I thought "The Girl Most Likely to" was released in the 80's.

I too saw this movie as a young girl and have looked for it in video stores and on cable TV. I would buy it if I could find it for sale.

I looked for it on the internet a while ago and couldn't find it. Looks like we're making progress finding it finally listed here among her many accomplishments.

Although, Stockard is better known for her role in Grease, I first noted her as a formidable actress after seeing her in this movie. Every time I see her in a movie, I think of this one.

I wonder how Stockard feels about it? Stockard should push to get this one released!

In school, there was at least one kid who always got picked on because they weren't cool; they just didn't fit in. And, when you don't fit in, you are teased--sometimes unmercifully. This is the premise of "The Girl Most Likely To..." Miriam Knight (played by Stockard Channing) is the misfit. Poor Miriam is fat, ugly, and totally unpopular. The kids treat her like dirt and berate her at every turn.. When a car accident leaves her bandaged from head to toe, Miriam is transformed into a beauty. When she notices the wolf-whistles from the guys, she decides to pay her tormenters back "with interest". How Miriam gets her revenge is the real clencher. "The Girl Most Likely To..." is black comedy at its darkest.

This is one of my favorite dark comedy films--light-hearted, beautifully wicked and sometimes poignant. The plot is somewhat thin, but Stockard Channing is perfect in the lead and she makes it believable. Her transformation from Ugly Duckling to evil Swan is wonderful and sexy as is her wicked delight in bringing justice to those who caused her pain as her former self. The film is subtly satiric and delivers a climax with a twist. Lots of supporting cast members that are future "B" stars in their own right.

I saw this movie when it first came out, I was ten. I saw it several years later while I was in college and forced my three roommates to watch it, and they loved it. After seeing Stockard Channing in a play that had a short run here in NY a few years ago I decided I needed to stage the movie for others to enjoy. Now it is a reality and the staged version of "The Girl Most Likely To" will run in New York for a week at the end of March! If you haven't seen this, find it. I promise it is worth the search. It is not a girlie flick, guys can find it just as funny. I've never walked away from a movie loving the villain, but in this she is irresistible. I wish it would be re-released but never remade. It is simply HILARIOUS. If you're going to be in NY check out dates and times on our website, www.nativealiens.org.

I'm pleasantly surprised to see that others remember this intriguing movie like I do! It has stuck in my mind ever since I saw it in high school.

I would love to share it with my daughters. High schoolers would especially appreciate it. All of us who were made fun of would have secretly loved to get revenge on our tormentors. If anyone hears about it being released on DVD/video, please let me know!

I'd love to buy it. Maybe we can start a campaign by writing to Joan Rivers? Does anyone remember what station sponsored it? With all the reality shows about makeovers, now would be the perfect time to resurrect this film!

I saw this film when it first played on television. It impressed me so much that, in December of 2001, I can still vividly recall some scenes from the film.

Stockard Channing is exceptional as "The Girl Most Likely to..." get revenge on everyone who ever hurt her feelings. As an overweight frump, she gains the pity of the viewer. After a life-altering event, she begins a new life as a great looking, sensuous woman. Systematically, she cleverly eliminates the bullies of her past life.

THIS IS FICTION, so it should never be confused with a viable resolution to one's problems. It is a comedy, and it is meant to be viewed as a comedy. The delightful resolution truly is the icing on this multi-layered cake.

After reading the other comments on this board theres not much I can write that hasn't already been written. This a very funny TV movie ((made in 1973 when TV movies were actually GOOD). it was written by Joan Rivers and stars Stockard Channing, who most of you will most remember fondly as "Rizzo" in GREASE. Stockard plays a homely college girl who everybodys cruel to who has a car accident and then plastic suregry. Being a movie the plastic surgery makes her a stunner(even her HAIR and figure look better, go figure!) She starts to get her REVENGE on those who've wronged her (and now cant recognize her) in very funny ways. (In case i didnt point it out, its a comedy...) To tell you examples of HOW people die would be spoiling the best moments of the film, so I wont. If you can somehow get a copy of this or catch it on TV I would highly recommend it.

I saw this movie when I was in 5th grade and I've loved Stockard Channing ever since. I never met anyone who had ever heard of it, and tonight on a whim I looked it up and - voilà! there are others who remember it! I only saw it once and would love it if it came out on video. That's all I have to say, other than the fact that I can't understand why there is a minimum of ten lines required, since there really isn't that much more to say about a movie I saw 32 years ago . I wouldn't even bother at all except that I hope this helps convince someone to release the video. I guess that's all I have to say, but I'll say it again since I'm only on line 9; that's it now.

I also remember seeing this movie when it first aired. Stockard (and the rest of the cast) were great.

Believe it or not, I remember it being re-played on late night network television quite often and I even taped it once! Can you believe I taped over it!! I watch for it regularly in the TV guide, but to no avail.

I'm also hoping it comes out on Video/DVD (prefer the latter).

Where is this great movie and why hasn't it been released?

This and "Don't Be Afraid OF The Dark" are two of my favourite movies of the week.

It would also make a good re-make but in the right hands of course.

Stockard Channing is at her snappy best as Miriam Knight, an ugly duckling that is humiliated by her fiancé and her fellow classmates. After getting into a car accident, she gets plastic surgery and becomes beautiful. She then decides to get back at those who had hurt her. As anyone will tell you, payback is never pretty. She comes up with some creative ways to bump off her tormentors. Meanwhile, a detective (Ed Asner),is on the trail. He is also becoming intrigued with her.

The 70's was a great period for TV movies (Trilogy of Terror, The Night Stalker or The Night Strangler are some great examples). This falls into the category. Great film!

I saw this movie when it first aired on TV, 'lo these many years ago. I remember that it was way before Stockard Channing became famous, and even then (at my own young age) I was blown away by this wonderfully versatile actress. Oh, the plot is deliciously vindictive: ugly duckling endures catastrophic accident, subsequent plastic surgery transforms her to vengeful beauty. Still, the inventiveness of the way she dispatches all those who tormented her was fun, and rendered this movie very different from all the other movies of the day. I've often recalled this movie to friends when commenting on 'my favorite movies.' Thanks to IMDB for documenting this brilliant flash-in-the-pan. I really wish this movies was available on video (along with Martin Sheen in "The California Kid")...

I remember the first time I saw Stockard Channing on TV. I thought she was not only beautiful (after the accident) but unbelievably funny and talented. The movie was a perfect marriage of script, direction and acting. Joan Rivers co-wrote the screenplay and did a marvelous job. I can't say enough about this movie, though my friends think I probably can, since I have raved about it for years. Many have never heard of it, and probably think I'm making it up. I mean, a well written, darkly funny revenge comedy made for TV in the 70's? But it's true. There needs to be a campaign of some sort to get this movie out on dvd so a whole new generation can see that you don't need a Hollywood budget to make decent movies. If there is ever a chance to get our voices heard, let me know! I'll lead the march on the studios to get this movie back on screen where it belongs!

As a kidI saw this movie when it came out on ABC's "TV Movie of the Week" back in 1973. I LOVED it. I have seen it a handful of times when there were still locally-owned TV stations, and I anxiously await the day when it comes out on DVD so that I can own it. The most amusing part of the movie is when they remove her bandages after 6 months to reveal mascara and eggshell blue eye shadow. Plus, her hair is flawless and she has a slinky baby-doll nightie. HOT!

The best revenge is against the cheerleader. I would sell my own mother for a copy of this.

I can believe I finally know the name of this movie, and of the main two actors! I saw this movie only once , so many years ago, in Mexico, I think it was even dubbed, and I never forgot about it. Wow! I will try to get it from Ebay. For a long time I thought Ernest Borgnine the one who played the cop, and thanks to a nice person from this forum I found out it was Ed Asner. I loved the whole movie evolved. I know that it is possible to get a copy, This and the movie: "Don't be afraid of the dark" are two that I cannot believe I found information about finally after so many years. Thank you IMDb, and thank you to the persons who help others with information they have. God bless.

I've hunted this movie down like Stockard Channing's character hunted down her victims. Finally, after years of catching it on a local Dallas, TX station (between "Creature Feature Week" and Elvira) I've got my very own copy of this classic. Stockard Channing steals the show and even if you don't recognize her visage the purr of her "Pink Lady" one-liners will sound distinctly familiar. The irony of such a star of stage and screen rolling her lines off of B-movie over-aged bimbos and jocks makes it all the more enjoyable. The writing is superb, solidly grounding the idea that this ugly duckling really does like herself (as all little ducklings should) and you root for her not just because you know she will one day be a swan, but because she is every one of us, good natured, witty, and a bad dresser. And how many movies can offer up a line like: "This is no way for a plumber to die!"?

I remember watching this movie with my folks when I was in high school. My mother was slightly appalled and my dad chuckled all the way through. This is the first movie I can remember seeing Stockard Channing in, and I remember thinking at the time I wanted to remember her because she was going to be great. I was right. Every part I have ever seen that actress play has been memorable. Every insult received in high school or college (real or imagined) was avenged in this movie. I am not sure I would have gone as far as bodily harm...but the snobby witch of a cheerleader flipping out the window had me cheering.

I remember thinking at the beginning how horrible everyone was to Miriam. After her transformation when people began treating her differently, she could so easily have turned into one of the plastic, perfect, beautiful people. Instead she warped a little too far the other way. At first you are just happy for her, and then it gets a little twisted. That is the part that appalled my mother. (She watched all the way through to the end, by the way.) This movie needs to be re-released. I have a scout troop that needs to see what can happen when you are too mean (or too nice) to people in school. LOL

There are mythic elements to the plot of this film -- the fantasy of an abused, unattractive girl becoming beautiful and exacting revenge on her tormentors is worthy of Swift, maybe even ancient Greek comedy. However, it was an early-70s made-for-TV movie so its classical theme is buried beneath cheesy one-liners and overly broad acting. That might be a good thing, since this has to be one of the most misanthropic films I've ever seen and without the lighter elements it would be painful to watch. The cynical variation on the "ugly duckling" theme is harsh enough -- a film in which a perfectly nice, smart woman suffers because she's not pretty, and is treated like a goddess when she becomes beautiful, is a nasty but probably accurate, comment on our society. But one level beneath the satire, this film is a blackhearted revenge fantasy, you just take a while to notice it since Stockard Channing is cuter, smarter and much more ruthless than blunt macho pigs like Lee Marvin or Mel Gibson. And to make the nihilistic worldview complete, Stockard's evil deeds don't engender fear or disgust, they inspire amusement and affection. Joan Rivers, who wrote this film, likes to project the image of a nice lady masquerading as a shrew. But she really does hate people, as this script attests. So watch this movie, and laugh, then ask what you're laughing at.

I am a new user of the Internet, and what is one of the first things that I did? I looked up Stockard Channing, to see if there was a reference to The Girl Most Likely To...! I saw this movie with a friend when it was first shown on TV and we LOVED it! We talk about it from time-to-time, always wishing that we could find it and rent/buy it. We have never had any luck, and now I know that others feel the same way. Please, please, please -- we need this movie on DVD!!! I guarantee that there would be many happy people! Stockard Channing is a great actress. Am I the only person that can't believe that she is 61? She looks great. And now I would love to again see her get her revenge on those horrible people, especially Heidi!

And that's because "The Girl Most Likely To..." takes the familiar and universal theme of the misfit, geeky underdog character who gets ridiculed, put upon and ignored and gives it a grown-up, black humor twist. We've all been there emotionally, one way or another. Just think back to high school - especially if you weren't one of the 'cool kids'. The only difference is the theme takes place on a university campus with adults who are supposed to know better. No matter. Arguments aside about right and wrong, most of us get a guilty pleasure watching Miriam Knight go about methodically knocking off her former tormentors. Who hasn't dreamed of doing such a thing? It's also a delight to see familiar character actors, and then unknown faces - some of whom would go on to bigger and better things. Ed Asner - of Mary Tylor Moore fame - would go on to "Lou Grant", Larry Wilcox went on to CHIP's, Ruth McDevitt would go on to "The Night Stalker", and Fred Grandy to "Love Boat". And the star, Channing, well...any actress would kill for her credits!

It's easy to forget that the writer for this delicious tale was none other than Joan Rivers. It's her best effort during her pre-stand-up days. She wrote the story for another movie that didn't too well, although it's a cult favorite of sorts. Some of you might remember 'The Rabbit Test', where Billy Crystal plays the first man in history to get pregnant and the socio-political reaction that quickly ensues! It's played for laughs, of course, but even critics didn't find it too entertaining.

It is a total crime from hell that this movie is not available to the world for purchase or rent,,,,,The garbage out there now is plentiful but a BRILLIANT movie like this is not,,,Par For The Course!!!! I believe this is Stockard Channings gold gem of her career,,,She is so witty and sarcastic,,,and talented and Underated,,if anyone knows how to get this movie,,,please let me know,,,,Brian