Double Cross (1973)

Regulars here know by now that I adore Vijay Anand. So I was very happy to find him circa 1972 in a film with a title that promised some intrigue and action, and a very young Rekha costarring. Well, the early 70s style did not disappoint, including a groovy RD Burman background score and songs. Rekha did not disappoint, either. But.

The story made no sense at all until the end, when it copped out completely. What a mess. I expect more from my Vijay (he didn’t direct, but he did write the screenplay and star). My notes on the film are mostly scribbles along these lines: Her belt! That vest! WTF??? OMG rekha so fat! Green walls! Huh? Those shoes!

In any case, I’ll focus on the good and skim quickly over the bad (i.e. the plot). Underemployed Ajay Arya (Vijay Anand) is dumped by his true love Sonia (Ranjita Thakur) when she marries an older man named Maganbhai (Madan Puri) for his money.

Heartbroken, he vows never to trust anyone again and is hired by a con man with the unlikely name of Uncle David (played by David—yes, sweet sweet David!) and his henchgirl Lily (Asha Sachdev). He becomes a thoroughly professional thief (although his training consists mostly of half-hearted workouts on what looks like secondhand gym equipment from the local Y) and is now called Jimmy.

He also begins to show up at Sonia’s house, where she is settled in with Maganbhai and his stepdaughter  Rekha (Rekha!). Rekha is being wooed by Pritam (Kuljeet?) but loathes him. Jimmy is smitten by her, and begins to follow her around too, taking photos of her incessantly. Plus, he pulls off more heists with Lily, who also appears to be his lover now. Between all this stealing and wooing, Jimmy manages to double-cross a gangster (Dev Kumar) who is now gunning for him. Can all turn out well? Who does he really love? Sonia? Rekha? Lily? etc. etc.

Okay, on to the good stuff.

You just can’t get suaver than this.

Manmohan! I’m always glad to see him. Especially when he’s cheating at cards.

Where have I see that before? Ah yes. At least we are spared the racism here.

It’s *just* possible, son, that your shirt pattern finally sent him over the edge. My eyes!

Of particular interest here (besides Lily and Jimmy’s “disguises”—they look like refugees from the 1890s) is this violently green hotel room. Just look at all the decorative details!

These updos are spectacular, and how convenient that we can see them from all angles!

And wigs don’t really get much worse than this:

I have heard that people with hair like Ajay’s are very sad.

This is just pure and simple eye candy:

If you want style AND substance, I recommend OP Ralhan’s Hulchul, reviewed here by Filmi Girl. It is truly fabulous in every way! If I can get the DVD to work in my Mac, I’ll do a writeup of it too, one of these days.

Tags: 1970's fashion parade, Asha Sachdev, David, Dev Kumar, Madan Puri, Manmohan, Mohan Choti, Ranjita Thakur, RD Burman, Rekha, Vijay Anand