Janet de May Movies
- 1985
Ann Blyth guest stars as Franchesca Lodge, an old friend of mystery writer Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). Recently married to a much-younger man named Scott (Stacey Nelkin), Franchesca has been terrorized of late by what seems to be the ghost of her first husband. Since Franchesca has had a history of mental problems and profound lapses of memory, the authorities doubt her "haunting" story--and when her second husband is murdered, those same authorities jump to the conclusion that Franchesca has gone completely insane and committed murder. Jessica of course refuses to believe this, and thus does the sleuthing commence! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This low-budget entry into the sword-and-sorcery cycle of the early '80s wasn't successful during its initial release, but has steadily built a strong cult following over the years. The Beastmaster tells the story of Dar (Marc Singer), the son of a king who was stolen from his mother's womb by a witch under the command of vicious sorcerer Maax (Rip Torn). A poor villager saves Dar from being sacrificed and raises him as his own son, teaching Dar how to fight and witnessing the boy's ability to telepathically communicate with animals. Their happiness is destroyed when their village is attacked by the evil Jun horde, a race of beast-like warriors controlled by Maax. Dar vows revenge and journeys to his father's former kingdom to destroy Maax. Along the way, he falls in love with gorgeous slave girl Kiri (Tanya Roberts) and teams up with former royal guard Seth (John Amos). Dar also uses his powers to enlist the aid of an eagle, a panther and two adorable ferrets named Kodo and Podo. Together, Dar and his unlikely but brave team square off with Maax in an impressive two-part finale that involves a swordfight on the side of a pyramid and a showdown with the Jun horde near a flaming moat. The resulting film was full of action and eccentric surprises, but failed to make an impression at a box office already glutted with fantasy films. However, The Beastmaster eventually became a serious cult favorite thanks to home video and extensive exposure on cable (it is the second most aired movie on TBS after Gone With the Wind). This enduring popularity led to two sequels and a syndicated television series chronicling the further adventures of Dar. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marc Singer, Tanya Roberts, (more)
As Remington Steele swings into its first season, sexy private detective Laura Holt (Stephanie Zimbalist) and her nebbishy partner Murphy Michaels (James Read) are enjoying a hitherto unimagined stretch of profitability. It seems that, up until recently, Laura had been unable to convince potential clients that a woman was qualified to do confidential detective work. Thus, she invented a fictional boss, dashing international adventurer Remington Steele, naming her agency after the selfsame Steele. Though it takes some doing to deflect the curiosity of those who'd like to meet and talk with the elusive Remington, Laura's little deception is paying off in spades. Then, while trying to protect a valuable jewel shipment from thieves, Laura comes face to face with the "real" Remington Steele (Pierce Brosnan), who is every bit as suave and dauntless as she had imagined him. It turns out that this charming fellow is not really Remington Steele -- remember, the character doesn't exist -- but he is willing to continue working for Laura so long as she doesn't ask him anything about his real name or background. As the weeks roll by, it is clear that Remington's coolness is mostly a façade; in fact, he is downright bumbling and dimwitted at times. Still, appearance is all that matters -- and Remington is certainly blessed in the "appearance" department. In his very first collaboration with Laura, "Remington" displays his trademarked fondness for vintage Hollywood movies by quoting a key line of dialogue from the 1956 feature Tea and Sympathy. In later escapades -- which range from industrial espionage to the murder of a seedy romance novelist -- Remington will invoke memories of such flicks as Casablanca, D.O.A., The Shining, The Third Man, Enter the Dragon, Psycho, and even It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. In a cute bit of inside casting, the episode "Sting of Steele" features Stephanie Zimbalist's real-life father, Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Remington Steele's enigmatic mentor, Daniel Chalmers. Meanwhile, back in the offices of the Remington Steele Agency, hardworking secretary Bernice Foxe (Janet de May) dreams of living as exciting a life as her employers. Whether or not these dreams explain why she ultimately decides to run off with a saxophone player (à la Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot) is anybody's guess. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pierce Brosnan, Stephanie Zimbalist, (more)
