When the Girls Take Over (1962)

Directed by Russell Hayden, When the Girls Take Over is a wildly offbeat political satire and comedy loosely inspired by the Cuban Revolution. Filmed in 1960 but not released until May 1962, the movie attempts to spoof Cold War tensions with a mix of slapstick, absurdity, and tropical flair.

Plot Summary
Set on a fictional Caribbean island, the film follows Maximo Toro (Robert Lowery), a flamboyant revolutionary leader who’s more interested in theatrics than ideology. His rival, Capt. Toussaint (Jackie Coogan), represents the bumbling military establishment. Into this chaos arrives a group of scantily clad women who—through seduction, sabotage, and shaving off beards—attempt to overthrow the regime.

The plot is intentionally chaotic, with characters disappearing for long stretches and scenes that feel improvised. Despite its title, the actual “takeover” by the women is more symbolic than strategic, culminating in a farcical climax that leaves viewers scratching their heads.

Cast Highlights

• Robert Lowery as Maximo Toro
• Jackie Coogan as Capt. Toussaint
• Marvin Miller, James Ellison, Jeffrey Stone, and Gabriel Dell in supporting roles
• Ingeborg Kjeldsen, Yanka Mann, and Fabiola Brown as part of the female insurgency
• John Conte provides uncredited narration

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

• Filmed in Puerto Rico, the movie was part of a wave of low-budget productions seeking exotic backdrops
• The film’s tone veers between campy satire and chaotic farce, with critics noting its lack of coherent structure
• Despite the presence of bikini-clad actresses, the film is not sexualized, and was rated Approved under the Production Code
• It has been described as “mercifully short” and “a real mess” by reviewers, who found its humor largely ineffective