Ann Shanks Movies
- 1988
The first new TV-movie of 1988 (it debuted January 1st), Drop-Out Mother is a belated follow-up to the 1983 Dick Van Dyke vehicle Drop-Out Father. Valerie Harper plays a busy executive who decides one day to turn her back on the business world to become a full-time mom. Problem is, her husband and kids have pretty full lives, thus they can't quite accommodate her. Wayne Rogers plays hubby, Danny Gerard and Alyson Court are the kids, and Carol Kane is the obligatory Best Friend. Drop-Out Mother passes the time, but it's a far cry from its consistently entertaining 1983 predecessor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
This by-the-numbers comedy stars Wayne Rogers and Karen Valentine as Alex and Annabelle Grier. Alex is a well-paid ad executive who is laid off during an economic downswing. In order to continue living in the manner to which she he is accustomed, Alex's wife Annabelle decides to look for work. Unfortunately, her practical experience is nil, so Alex labors behind the scenes, training his wife to become a top-drawer copywriter. Inevitably, when Annabelle finally does land a job, it turns out to be a major blow to Alex's ego. Initially titled Paper Castles, this made-for-TV movie was first shown December 18, 1984. TV Guide/Marrill ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Based on Babs H. Deal's novel The Walls Came Tumbling Down, Friendships, Secrets and Lies is about...just what the title says it's about. An old college building is bulldozed, revealing the skeleton of a newborn baby stuffed in the air shaft. Forensic tests prove that the infant died twenty years earlier, at which time the building had served as a girl's sorority house. Seven students were living in the house at the time of the death, and all currently live in the same city; at least six of these ladies had opportunity, and possibly motive, for the baby's murder. With the notable exception of the director of photography, virtually the entire cast and crew of Friendships, Secrets and Lies was female. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
