Laura Leighton Movies
Actress Laura Leighton endeared herself to audiences as Sydney Andrews on TV's Melrose Place, which she appeared on from 1993 to 1997. She would later appear in a number of other TV shows movies, like In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy, The Larry Sanders Show, CSI, Law & Order: SVU, and Boston Legal. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
A successful New York magazine editor returns to her tiny Massachusetts hometown to carry out her estranged father's deathbed wish, in the process embarking on a deeply affecting journey of healing and personal discovery. Catherine Madigan (Laura Leighton) hasn't spoken to her father in years. Upon learning of her father's passing, Catherine vows to fulfill his final wish of having his ashes scattered across the Massachusetts town where her family once lived. At first Catherine intended to simply carry out her obligations and be on her way, but sometimes when things don't go according to plan, we discover more about ourselves than we ever thought possible. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laura Leighton
- 2004
It isn't bad enough that divorcee Joanne Saunders must raise her son by herself and slave away for tips as a night-shift restaurant hostess. Now she must deal with an angry driver who runs her car off the road--and, in an apparent frenzy of road rage, continues terrorizing Joanne and her son long after the incident. But is this merely a random act of harassment, or can the demented driver be pursuing an altogether different (and more deadly) agenda? Originally seen over the Lifetime network on September 6, 2004, A Deadly Encounter (aka Over the Edge) posted some of that cable service's highest ratings, attracting 2.6 million viewers for its initial airing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Filmed on location in the Lone Star State, the made-for-TV In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy could be described as a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, except that its perverse plot twists are more reminiscent of Jacobean than Shakespearean tragedy. After being rendered paraplegic in an accident, wealthy young Luke Constable (Michael Hayden) is deserted by his socialite girlfriend. In an extremely vulnerable state, Luke falls in love with Laurette Wilder (Laura Leighton), the daughter of a working-class family. Determined to prove that she isn't merely a golddigger, Laurette encourages Luke to break away from his family and turn his back on their fortune. Her stubborn pride ultimately shatters their marriage, but the couple remains in love--so much so that the now-impoverished Luke, determined to "make good" for his wife's sake, is willing to commit murder. Produced for the Fox network, the fact-based In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy debuted September 12, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Crenna
- 2002
- Add Mary Higgins Clark's We'll Meet Again to QueueAdd Mary Higgins Clark's We'll Meet Again to top of Queue
Another of the many Mary Higgins Clark adaptations produced by and for the PAX Network, We'll Meet Again was one of four such adaptations filmed back-to-back in Vancouver during the summer of 2002. Laura Leighton stars as TV reporter Fran Simmons, who returns to her New England hometown for a reunion with her high school friend Molly Lisch (Brandy Ledford). The occasion is not altogether festive; Molly has just been paroled after serving nearly six years in prison for the murder of her wealthy husband. Protesting her innocence, Molly hopes that Fran will help her clear her name -- and, incidentally, track down the genuine killer. But when a new spate of killings takes place, it appears as if Molly is up to her old tricks. Making matters worse, Molly suffers from what appears to be selective amnesia and is unable to account for her actions during the latest string of murders. Key elements in this story include poisoned champagne, a fireplace poker, and a very old pair of shoes. Mary Higgins Clark's We'll Meet Again was originally broadcast on November 17, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laura Leighton, Brandy Ledford, (more)
There's a lot happening during the 31-episode 1993-94 season of Melrose Place, the sexy, steamy, outrageous, and slightly-more-grown-up spin-off of Beverly Hills, 90210. Heather Locklear (as Amanda Woodward) -- a late-first-season, ratings-boosting addition to the cast -- fully becomes the show's star this season as she purchases the titular apartment complex, takes over the D&D advertising agency, and sets her sights on Jake Hanson (Grant Show). Philandering doctor Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro) has an affair with Dr. Kimberly Shaw (Marcia Cross, later of Desperate Housewives), divorces Jane Andrews (Josie Bissett), and then takes up with Sydney (Laura Leighton). Billy Campbell (Andrew Shue) still pines for Alison Parker (Courtney Thorne-Smith), whom he jilted for a fling with Amanda -- their boss -- in Season 1. But, this being Melrose Place, that's just the start of it: Jake breaks up with Jo Reynolds (Daphne Zuniga); Michael becomes paralyzed; Kimberly slips into a coma; Sydney becomes a prostitute; and the other soapy twists that were to be the show's trademark come fast and frisky. Features on this set include select audio commentaries by series creator Darren Star and featurettes such as: "Melrose Place - Meet the Neighbors," in which viewers get the inside scoop on favorite characters; a highlight- and lowlight-filled "Melrose Place - The Best of the Worst"; and an overview of the characters' tangled webs, "Melrose Place: Complex Relationships."
One of the definitive, landmark shows of the 1990s, "90210" quickly became an important fixture on the FOX and in the popular discourse of adolescents and young adults. The third season's main characters, Dylan, Kelly, Donna, Steve, David, Andrea and twins Brandon and Brenda all attended West Beverly Hills High School. Brandon and Brenda Walsh and their parents, transplants from Minneapolis were the stable nuclear family with strong values; their home was a safe haven for the whole gang and the center of much of the drama. The show dealt with a steady stream of love triangles and other romantic entanglements and occasionally touched on more serious issues as well.
- 1995
This 1995 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Laura Leighton and features musical guest Rancid. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laura Leighton, Rancid, (more)
In this romantic comedy, a man gets an insider's perspective on his drawbacks as a boyfriend. Jesse (Tim Daly) has never had much luck sustaining a romance. When one of his former girlfriends dies, he asks his current flame (Olivia D'Abo) to marry him. After she turns him down, he decides to visit his former girlfriends to find out what he's doing wrong. Jesse's roster of former girlfriends includes Jami Gertz, Melora Hardin, Elizabeth Pena, and Mimi Rogers. Seven Girlfriends marked the feature debut of director Paul Lazarus, who has a background in such TV series as Friends, Melrose Place, and Beverly Hills 90210. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Daly, Olivia D'Abo, (more)
When a family of Dakota Territory pioneers is violently abducted and a posse is assembled to venture into the badlands and rescue them, the frightening truth they discover in the hills leads them to believe man may not be the only hunter stalking the Old West. The year is 1879, and beyond the fringes of civilization a handful of courageous pioneers maintain settlements while exploring the unknown territories. One night, under the shimmering Western stars, a family from one of these settlements is brutally dragged into darkness by a group of unknown invaders. At first the kidnappers are thought to be hostile Native Americans, and a posse forms to bring the family back home safely. Venturing out into the unmapped territories is an Irish immigrant desperate to find his lost love, a naïve teen eager to prove his worth, a former slave seeking his fortune after gaining his freedom, and a hardened pair of battle-weary Indian fighters. But nature's wrath and the tomahawks of hostile tribes aren't the only threats that this group will be forced to contend with, because as the bodies begin to multiply and the truth about the abductors gradually emerges, these rescuers will find out that there are forces in this world that can't be described in human terms -- and that seem to have motivations beyond our comprehension. Clancy Brown, William Mapother, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Doug Hutchison star in Soft for Digging director J.T. Petty's subterranean Western shocker. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Karl Geary, William Mapother, (more)
William Katt directs this indie crime drama about a loser on the run. Buddy (Jack Noseworthy) manages to pull off a drug store robbery but kills a clerk in the process, thanks to his blood-thirsty partner. Now his longtime nemesis and law enforcement officer Wayne (Paul Francis) is hot on his trail. Meanwhile, Buddy's wife Marie (Laura Leighton) and his mentally impaired brother (Wes Culwell) remain in the dark as to his illegal activities. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Noseworthy, Laura Leighton, (more)
- 1997
Fearful that he may not be able to overcome the temptation resulting from his "addiction" to upcoming guest Angie Dickinson, Artie (Rip Torn) asks Larry (Garry Shandling) to ensure that the two aren't left alone together. Despite Larry's best efforts, it isn't long before Artie leaves for an impromptu visit to Dickinson's Italian villa. Meanwhile, Larry's romance with Laura Leighton is somewhat dampened when he discovers that she, like the egocentric host, is obsessed with watching her own show. When Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) auditions for a voice role in Disney's Hercules, he discovers to his dismay that he has been cast as the village idiot instead of the eponymous hero. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1999
- NR
Just how bad are things going to get for Emily Hall (Dedee Pfeiffer)? At 28, she's finally finished her first novel only to see it rejected by every publisher to whom it's submitted. However, this is small potatoes compared to her personal life. She's just broken up with her long-term boyfriend (Eric Close) who can't commit to a permanent relationship. Her best friend Amber (Laura Leighton) is moving to Mexico after being offered an acting job south of the border. And her mother (Teri Garr) has given her some very interesting news. Even though Emily has been told for years that her father is dead, it seems mother was lying and Dad is alive, well, and an aging hippie named Yogi (Howard Hessman) who wants to meet his daughter. Soon, Emily has sunk into such a deep depression that she cheers herself up by imagining her own death. Desperate to take her mind off her problems, Emily volunteers at a local hospital and makes friends with an elderly patient, Mr. Finch (Burt Remsen), who helps her to gain a new perspective on life. The Sky Is Falling features cameo appearances from Chris Elliot and Sean Astin, and was shown at the 1999 South by Southwest Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- DeDee Pfeiffer, Teri Garr, (more)
