Lorna Heilbron Movies
- 1994
Don't Get Me Started a combined German and British production directed and written by Arthur Ellis, is a not very funny, not particularly mysterious comic film noir. Jack Lane (Trevor Eve) wants to quit his job as mob hitman and start a new life working as an insurance salesman. Jack, who is mentally disturbed, kills a co-worker and tries to hide the crime. Insurance investigator Jerry Hoff (Steven Waddington) is brought into the case to find out the truth. The direction by Arthur Ellis in uninspired, and he gets only mediocre performances from his cast of stock characters from previous noir films. There is nothing new here, and the attempts at black humor are labored and not very convincing on any level. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Trevor Eve, Steven Waddington, (more)
- 1988
- R
The Girl on a Swing, a haunting, mystery thriller with a supernatural twist, is the story of a desperate woman, who will do anything to be with the man she loves. Karin Foster (Meg Tilly), a lonely German secretary, falls in love with and marries Alan (Rupert Frazier) and moves with him to England. There her strange behavior and fears strain the marriage and lead Alan to mistrust his wife and begin to delve into her past. Based on the novel by Richard Adams, the film is not entirely successful due to the leisurely direction of Gordon Hessler and the lack of pace needed to create genuine suspense. But despite this flaw, the sensitive performance of Meg Tilly makes the film well worth watching and is a haunting psychological exploration of obsession, passion and guilt. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Meg Tilly, Rupert Frazer, (more)
Jaclyn Smith is a curious choice to play the title character in the made-for-TV biopic Florence Nightingale. This fact, however, never enters into the consciousness of the viewer, thanks to Smith's excellent performance. Some liberties are taken with the details of the life of "The Lady with the Lamp," notably the addition of a largely speculative romance between Florence and her young swain (Timothy Dalton). The best scenes--and the most accurate--occur during the Crimean War sequences and during Nightingale's strenuous efforts to form the Red Cross. Co-produced by Tony Richmond, Jaclyn Smith's husband, Florence Nightingale debuted April 7, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jaclyn Smith, Timothy Dalton, (more)
- 1980
While searching for the killer of his former lover, Anna Grant (Lorna Heilbron), Avon (Paul Darrow) finds out that she is not dead after all. Unfortunately, Anna (now known as Sula) can no longer be trusted -- a fact that is but one element of a complex power play within the Federation, involving President Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) and professional torturer Shrinker (John Bryans). "Rumours of Death" was first broadcast on February 25, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Keating, Paul Darrow, (more)
- 1972
- PG
Peter Cushing delivers one of his finest hand-wringing performances as Emmanuel Hildern, a Victorian man of science who relates a mad tale of horror to his half-brother and professional rival James (Christopher Lee). His tale begins with the discovery of the weird skeletal remains of a large unknown humanoid in Papua, new Guinea, which he carts back to England for study. Even more unusual than the skeleton's ghastly appearance is its ability to grow new flesh when moistened with water. Further research reveals that the creature may actually be instilled with the very essence of malevolence (basically freeze-dried, instant evil), indicating that it would be best kept out of the rain. Despite an incongruous subplot involving the doctor's insane daughter, whom he believes can be cured by injections of serum derived from the creature's reanimated tissue, this is an effectively creepy period piece with heady Gothic atmosphere (and a neat twist ending) that ranks among director Freddie Francis's finest work. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1969
When she discovers her husband has come home with a mistress, Anne (Joanna Shimkus) leaves her home in Paris and spends the night in her office where she meets Francois (Michel Piccoli), an architect who, without asking any questions, invites her on a trip to the South of France. The two make the trip but become lost in the mountains and are put up for the night by a kindly baker. A visit to a sculptor friend allows Anne to tell her troubles to someone who cares. Francois overhears the conversation but says nothing to her. When they arrive in the South, Anne spies her husband's car, but he is nowhere to be found. Francois and Anne end up at the architect's house where they make love, but in an ironic twist, their romantic liaison is shattered when the man's wife returns home, and Anne considers returning home to her unfaithful husband. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michel Piccoli, Joanna Shimkus, (more)
