Stockard Channing morphs from ugly duckling to beautiful swan

RELEASED TO TV IN 1973 and directed by Lee Philips, “The Girl Most Likely to...” is a dark dramedy about the sad life of a homely, chubby girl at a Southern Cal university who is ignored and mistreated (Stockard Channing). After an accident and plastic surgery, she can’t keep the men away and decides to get revenge on those who abused her. Ed Asner plays the investigative cop. Jim Backus (Gilligan’s Island) and Larry Wilcox (ChiPs) are also on hand.

This was Channing’s first credited role and she’s quite good as the protagonist, both confident and amusing. She put cotton balls in her mouth to make her cheeks look chubby in her ugly duckling scenes during the first half. Her transformation is pretty amazing as she cleaned up to a hottie in a unique way. The tagline was “They treated her like a dog. Now, she's a fox. And she's going to make them pay.”

While this is a black comedy/farce, it deals with a real-life issue that millions of women can relate to: The more attractive you are the better you’re treated and the more opportunities you have; and vice versa. But what about the person WITHIN? Good or bad looks/figure must be separated from the beauty within; or the ugliness within.

THE FILM RUNS 1 hour, 13 minutes and was shot in Century City, Los Angeles. WRITER: Joan Rivers with Agnes Gallin.

GRADE: B-