Bruce Franklin Singer Movies
As the wife of fading Hollywood producer Kit Freers (Andrew McCarthy), children's book illustrator Holly Freers (Justine Bateman) would love to have some of the fame and fortune of her movie star neighbors rub off on her just once in a while. However, there is one aspect of living in Beverly Hills that Holly despises. Whereas she is deeply devoted to her daughter Chloe (Holliston Coleman), most of the wives in Holly's neighborhood regard their children as mere ornaments, treating motherhood more as a passing fad than as a blessing. This is especially true of Julia Prentice (Angie Everhart), the trophy wife of a popular sitcom star, who is gearing up to stage the baptism of her baby as a major media event. Nor is this the only reason that Holly resents Julia; it seems that the woman had once been Kit's lover. Thus, when Julia's corpse is found floating in the Freers' swimming pool, the police have two ready-made suspects -- and Holly suddenly becomes a celebrity, just like she always wanted...though she certainly didn't want it like this! Hoping to track down the real killer, Holly starts playing Jessica Fletcher (or is it Nancy Drew?) in the company of her handsome neighbor, screenwriter and mystery buff Justin Caffrey (David Gale). Originally telecast by the Hallmark Channel on August 8, 2004, The Hollywood Mom's Mystery is based on Dead Hollywood Moms Society, a novel by Lindsay Maracotta. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Justine Bateman, Elizabeth Peña, (more)
A former nun moves into the suburban home of her deceased aunt only to make a shocking discovery concerning a gruesome crime committed thirty years ago in director Kevin Conner's twisting tale of murder, matricide, and injustice. Together, prodigious savants James and Edward Talley's remarkable brilliance was nearly incalculable, but a sudden act of cold-blooded murder would find them forever confined to separate mental health institutions by strict court order. Ordered to spend the rest of his days at the Greenwillow care center for developmentally disabled adults, James Talley is housed in the same facility as ex-nun Christine Bennett (Megan Ward)'s cousin Gene (Matt Lutz). Upon moving into her aunt's former home in a bid to be closer to Gene, Christine becomes transfixed on the details of the Talley case and soon learns that, despite their current status as a danger to society, neither James nor Edward had ever been officially charged with the crime they were committed for. With the future of the Greenwillow care facility on the line, Christine vows to find out what really happened on that tragic night three decades ago, and ensure that her brother Gene and the other innocent souls housed at Greenwillow will always have a place to call home. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Megan Ward, Morgan Weisser, (more)
- 1992
A physician--an amateur sleuth--decides to investigate the suicide of a former student of his and begins to suspect that it was murder. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1988
This comedy is based on the comic fantasy hit Splash and was designed as the pilot for a television sitcom. In the story, the Manhattan yuppie and his magical mermaid marry and try to live a normal life in the big city. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
A pair of homicidal lovers is forced to match wits with an inventive psychopath who has assumed the identity of a small, coastal-town sheriff's deputy in a film noir tale of the perfect crime gone wrong starring Kiefer Sutherland, Beau Bridges, Joe Don Baker, and Michael Madsen. A mysterious stranger has killed a man who was en route to assume the role of deputy sheriff in a close-knit California coastal town, but his deadly ruse is about to lead him into murderous trap. Soon-to-be promoted sheriff Sam Wayburn (Bridges) and his mistress, Laura Winslow (Camelia Kath), have set into motion a devious plan to murder Laura's wealthy husband, Jake (Wayne Rogers), and pin the killing on the newly appointed deputy. As the incognito maniac arrives in the remote village only to realize he's not the only one harboring a deadly secret, sex, suspense, and death hang heavy over the heads of the scheming trio, leaving no way out but to fight for their very lives. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Beau Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland, (more)
- 1986
Robert Webber and Eva Marie Saint make their first series appearances as Maddie's parents, Alexander and Virginia Hayes. Disturbed by her dad's strange behavior, Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) prevails upon David (Bruce Willis) to put a tail on Mr. Hayes, hoping against hope that he isn't having an affair. This episode opens as David and Maddie respond to fan mail, coyly sidestepping any hint that they may finally share a kiss in a future installment--and watch for the quickie tribute to Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon) (it wasn't scripted). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Fed up with David's childish behavior, Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) bets him that he can't act in a mature manner throughout their next case. David (Bruce Willis) does his best, even though the case at hand--delivering the ransom money for a kidnapped concert pianist--offers ample temptation for him to cut up. By the time the situation is resolved, however, Maddie kind of misses the "old" David and would like to have him back. This is the episode with the infamous (and much-copied) "office limbo" scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
- PG
There have been almost enough Meatballs to make a plate of spaghetti, but this entry about a decisive boxing match between two youth camps is basically inedible without Bill Murray to add the necessary zest, as he did in the original Meatballs. "The Flash" (John Mengatti) is out on probation but has to serve time at Camp Sasquatch as a counselor-in-training (!) as a part of the probation terms. There, he meets the super-innocent Cheryl (Kim Richards), adding interest to his job, but none of the characters in Camp Sasquatch or its rival Camp Patton add much interest to the film. Hershey (Hamilton Camp) is the one-dimensional fascist who runs the militaristic Camp Patton and sure enough, his aide-de-camp is a closet gay (John Larroquette). (Paul Reubens) of Pee Wee Herman fame is a minor player, Richard Mulligan is Giddy (an apt name for his character) and when these oddballs are combined with a strange- looking alien and the final boxing match that will save Camp Sasquatch if only The Flash can win, the pastiche is somewhat hard to digest. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Archie Hahn III, John Mengatti, (more)
- 1983
This slice of New York life from the perspective of one Italian visitor to the Big Apple is on-target with its portrayals of New Yorkers and the situations the visitor encounters. When Marco (Luca Barbareschi) is on his way in from the airport he meets a young man on the bus who offers him a place to stay for awhile. Marco then has a discouraging encounter with a former lover that does nothing to brighten the city's wintry landscape, and a one-nighter with another woman is a little less than ideal since she only speaks French. Marco goes on to experience the city and begins to enter into a somewhat ambivalent relationship with the young man who so generously shared his apartment. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Luca Barbareschi, Susi Gilder, (more)
