Keith Laumer Movies
- 2001
First seen over the Showtime cable network on June 29, 2001, On the Edge is a compendium of three short science-fiction films, each with a decidedly feminist slant. The first segment, directed by Helen Mirren, is "Happy Birthday," in which a straight-A student (Sidney Tamilia Poitier) seeks recourse after she is "quota'd out" of graduate school. Next up is "The Other Side," directed by Mary Stuart Masterson, wherein a scientific genius (Anthony LaPaglia) clones himself upon learning that he has inoperable cancer -- only to find himself and his clone as two points in a romantic triangle. Closing out the program is writer/director Anne Heche's "Reaching Normal," the tale of a bored housewife (Andie McDowell) and her "telepathic twin," an eccentric college professor (Paul Rudd). The best of the batch is "Happy Birthday"; the other two stories are distressingly predictable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andie MacDowell, Paul Rudd, (more)
In this comedy drama that spoofs detective pictures from the 1940s, Tucker (Michael Caine) is a private eye hired by Anglich (Michael Constantine), a wealthy man who is trying to find the whereabouts of his long lost daughter. Tucker's sleuthing leads him to Ellen (Natalie Wood) and Mianne (Kitty Winn), two members of the decidedly unusual Prendergast Family. So far as Tucker can tell, either Ellen or Mianne is Anglich's missing child, but he's not quite sure which. The supporting cast includes Timothy Carey, Thayer David, Liam Dunn, and Liz Renay; Humphrey Bogart impersonator Jerry Lacy appears in the opening credits. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Caine, Natalie Wood, (more)
- 1969
- PG
Featuring members of Chicago's distinguished Second City comedy troupe, this way-out sci-fi comedy tells the tale of a failed alien invasion. The basically friendly Monitors have come to Earth to take over and force humans to clean up their acts by forbidding them to engage in politics, violence and sex. Naturally humanity is not willing to give up its favorite pastimes, and earth's inhabitants stage a world-wide rebellion. Monitors was an attempt by the film equipment maker Bell and Howell to establish Chicago as a new center for filmmaking. Unfortunately, the film bombed and their attempt failed. Larry Storch plays a military madman, Keenan Wynn plays a stuffy general, and Ed Begley is the President of the United States. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Guy Stockwell, Susan Oliver, (more)
