Description
Leigh Christian as Syrene
Lenora Stevens is ok as Dr Katherine Vernon, but unfortunately the character is all wrong. Instead of being an established academic, I would rather have her character as a rebellious student. She has left a European University because she didn’t agree with what she was taught. Let’s call her Kathy Stefano. She is desperate to prove them all wrong about Atlantis and seduces her way onto the expedition. I would cast Sybil Danning in the role. She only got two very small roles in 1973 so she would be available.
Kathy would spend more time in her bikini than Katherine including the start of her climatic fight scene with Syrene. The Atlantean Princess arrives at the beach to kill her. The girls have had several previous scenes together and already hate each other. When the word goes out that all the visitors must die, Syrene eagerly offers to “take care of Kathy.”
Kathy is just coming out of the water when Syrene arrives. She sees the knife and pulls a gun on her approaching rival. It’s not as big as the one she is holding in page 1 of my gallery, but it’s big enough to stop Syrene in her tracks.
Kathy – Drop the knife and hand over your necklace. It will make a nice souvenir.
Syrene knows that if she attacks, she will be shot, but doubts Kathy will shoot her in cold blood. Running away is not an option. They glare at each other for a few seconds, before Syrene tosses the knife aside and smiles. She takes her necklace and top off, throwing them behind her.
Syrene – “Fine, put down your gun and I’ll fight you for it.”
Kathy is both surprised and delighted by the challenge. She was wondering what to do with Syrene. Kathy takes her top off, wraps the gun in it and tosses it aside. The fight is on. The girls start by trading punches, then clinch and wrestle to the ground. They roll across the sand and into the water. Syrene is starting to gain an advantage. Kathy breaks away and escapes back to the beach. Syrene charges after her and is knocked down by a skilled combination of punches. Kathie pounces on her rival and starts to beat on her. Syrene escapes and runs to her knife. She attacks but Kathie is ready for her. She gains control of the blade and plunges it into Syrene’s chest.
Kathy puts on the necklace and goes to see how the others are getting on. Seeing her wearing the necklace convinces the locals that Syrene is dead and they all give up as before. Leigh Christian who plays Syrene and Sybil Danning are the same height at 5ft 7in and I think it would have been a great fight. It wouldn’t have to be topless, in bikinis would be almost as good