Death of a Centerfold: Difference between revisions
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| image = Death of a Centerfold The Dorothy Stratten Story.jpg |
| image = Death of a Centerfold The Dorothy Stratten Story.jpg |
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| image_size = |
| image_size = |
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| image_alt = |
| image_alt = |
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| caption = Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy Stratten |
| caption = Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy Stratten |
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| genre = {{hlist|Biography|Drama}} |
| genre = {{hlist|Biography|Drama}} |
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| creator = |
| creator = |
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| writer = [[Donald E. Stewart]] |
| writer = [[Donald E. Stewart]] |
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| based_on = [[Personal life|Life]] of [[Dorothy Stratten]] |
| based_on = [[Personal life|Life]] of [[Dorothy Stratten]] |
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| screenplay = |
| screenplay = |
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| story = |
| story = |
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| director = [[Gabrielle Beaumont]] |
| director = [[Gabrielle Beaumont]] |
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| starring = [[Jamie Lee Curtis]]<br>[[Bruce Weitz]]<br>[[Robert Reed]] |
| starring = [[Jamie Lee Curtis]]<br>[[Bruce Weitz]]<br>[[Robert Reed]] |
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| narrated = |
| narrated = |
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| theme_music_composer = [[Roger Webb]] |
| theme_music_composer = [[Roger Webb]] |
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| country = United States |
| country = United States |
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| language = English |
| language = English |
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| num_episodes = |
| num_episodes = |
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| executive_producer = [[Larry Wilcox]] |
| executive_producer = [[Larry Wilcox]] |
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| producer = Paul Pompian<br>Tim King |
| producer = Paul Pompian<br>Tim King |
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| location = |
| location = |
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| editor = [[Morton Tubor]] |
| editor = [[Morton Tubor]] |
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| cinematography = Emil Oster |
| cinematography = Emil Oster |
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| runtime = 96 minutes |
| runtime = 96 minutes |
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| company = Wilcox Productions<br>[[MGM Television]] |
| company = Wilcox Productions<br>[[MGM Television]] |
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| distributor = [[Warner Bros. Television Studios|Warner Bros. Television Distribution]] |
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| network = [[NBC]] |
| network = [[NBC]] |
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| picture_format = Color ([[Metrocolor]]) |
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| audio_format = [[Monaural|Mono]] |
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'''''Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story''''' is a 1981 American [[television film|made-for-television]] [[biographical film|biographical]] [[drama (film and television)|drama film]], optioned by [[Larry Wilcox]] and his company Wilcox Productions. Wilcox signed the paperwork at midnight and beat out Hugh Hefner and |
'''''Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story''''' is a 1981 American [[television film|made-for-television]] [[biographical film|biographical]] [[drama (film and television)|drama film]], optioned by [[Larry Wilcox]] and his company Wilcox Productions. Wilcox signed the paperwork at midnight and beat out [[Hugh Hefner]] and [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]. Later, Wilcox developed the story and pitched it to MGM, where he had a production development deal and subsequently to [[NBC]]. MGM and Wilcox then hired director [[Gabrielle Beaumont]].<ref name="auto">{{cite book|last=Maltin|first=Leonard |authorlink=Leonard Maltin|title=Leonard Maltin's 1998 Movie and Video Guide|publisher=[[Signet Books]]|year=1997|page=322|isbn=0-451-19288-5}}</ref> It is a dramatization of the life and the murder of [[Playmate of the Year|Playboy Playmate of the Year]] [[Dorothy Stratten]], played by [[Jamie Lee Curtis]].<ref name="auto"/> The movie aired on November 1, 1981.<ref name=unic>{{cite book|first=Peter|last=Bogdanovich|authorlink=Peter Bogdanovich|title=The killing of the unicorn: Dorothy Stratten (1960–1980)|year=1984|publisher=[[William Morrow (publisher)|William Morrow]]|location=New York City|isbn=0-688-01611-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/killingofunicor00bogd/page/169 169]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/killingofunicor00bogd/page/169}}</ref> Two years later, the same story was developed by director [[Bob Fosse]] in his movie ''[[Star 80]]'', starring [[Mariel Hemingway]] and [[Eric Roberts]]. |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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The film depicts the life and times of model, actress, and 1980 Playboy Playmate of the year [[Dorothy Stratten]], who was killed at age 20 in a |
The film depicts the life and times of model, actress, and 1980 Playboy Playmate of the year [[Dorothy Stratten]], who was killed at age 20 in a [[murder–suicide]] committed by her estranged husband [[Paul Snider]]. |
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== Cast == |
== Cast == |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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''[[The New York Times]]'' critic [[John J. O'Connor (journalist)|John J. O'Connor]] praised the movie, writing: "the movie works remarkably well in building a dramatic momentum. Jamie Lee Curtis's Dorothy is a thoroughly understandable, if not sympathetic figure. And Bruce Weitz is extraordinary".<ref>{{cite web|first=John J.|last=O'Connor|authorlink=John J. O'Connor (journalist)|title=TV Weekend; Terror in Fiction and Fact|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/30/arts/tv-weekend-terror-in-fiction-and-fact.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=20 November 2011|date=October 30, 1981}}</ref> ''People'' magazine also praised the film, writing: "Jamie Lee Curtis is just right as Stratten, and Bruce Weitz is a standout as her ex".<ref> |
''[[The New York Times]]'' critic [[John J. O'Connor (journalist)|John J. O'Connor]] praised the movie, writing: "the movie works remarkably well in building a dramatic momentum. Jamie Lee Curtis's Dorothy is a thoroughly understandable, if not sympathetic figure. And Bruce Weitz is extraordinary".<ref>{{cite web|first=John J.|last=O'Connor|authorlink=John J. O'Connor (journalist)|title=TV Weekend; Terror in Fiction and Fact|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/30/arts/tv-weekend-terror-in-fiction-and-fact.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=20 November 2011|date=October 30, 1981}}</ref> ''People'' magazine also praised the film, writing: "Jamie Lee Curtis is just right as Stratten, and Bruce Weitz is a standout as her ex".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=November 2, 1981|volume=16|number=18 |page=6|title=Picks & Pans Tube}}</ref> Movie critic [[Leonard Maltin]] described the film as "exploitative".<ref name="auto"/> |
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''Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story '' finished 27th in the [[ |
''Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story '' finished 27th in the [[Nielsen ratings]]. When the film was broadcast a second time on NBC in July 1983, it fared better by finishing fourth in the ratings.<ref name="unic"/><ref name="ratings2">{{cite web|date=3 August 1983|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/08/03/NBC-squeezed-into-the-No-1-spot-for-network/9196428731200/|title=NBC squeezed into the No. 1 spot for network...|work=[[United Press International]]}}</ref> |
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==Home media== |
==Home media== |
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The movie was first issued on VHS on September 1, 1998. It later was released on January 25, 2010, on DVD. |
The movie was first issued on [[VHS]] on September 1, 1998. It later was released on January 25, 2010, on [[DVD]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Films directed by Gabrielle Beaumont]] |
[[Category:Films directed by Gabrielle Beaumont]] |
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[[Category:Films about domestic violence]] |
[[Category:Films about domestic violence]] |
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[[Category:NBC |
[[Category:NBC original films]] |
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[[Category:1981 drama films]] |
[[Category:1981 drama films]] |
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[[Category:Biographical films about entertainers]] |
[[Category:Biographical films about entertainers]] |
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[[Category:American drama television films]] |
[[Category:American drama television films]] |
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[[Category:1980s American films]] |
[[Category:1980s American films]] |
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[[Category:English-language biographical drama films]] |
Latest revision as of 16:14, 11 October 2024
Death of a Centerfold | |
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Also known as | Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story |
Genre |
|
Based on | Life of Dorothy Stratten |
Written by | Donald E. Stewart |
Directed by | Gabrielle Beaumont |
Starring | Jamie Lee Curtis Bruce Weitz Robert Reed |
Theme music composer | Roger Webb |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producer | Larry Wilcox |
Producers | Paul Pompian Tim King |
Cinematography | Emil Oster |
Editor | Morton Tubor |
Running time | 96 minutes |
Production companies | Wilcox Productions MGM Television |
Original release | |
Network | NBC |
Release | November 1, 1981 |
Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story is a 1981 American made-for-television biographical drama film, optioned by Larry Wilcox and his company Wilcox Productions. Wilcox signed the paperwork at midnight and beat out Hugh Hefner and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Later, Wilcox developed the story and pitched it to MGM, where he had a production development deal and subsequently to NBC. MGM and Wilcox then hired director Gabrielle Beaumont.[1] It is a dramatization of the life and the murder of Playboy Playmate of the Year Dorothy Stratten, played by Jamie Lee Curtis.[1] The movie aired on November 1, 1981.[2] Two years later, the same story was developed by director Bob Fosse in his movie Star 80, starring Mariel Hemingway and Eric Roberts.
Plot
[edit]The film depicts the life and times of model, actress, and 1980 Playboy Playmate of the year Dorothy Stratten, who was killed at age 20 in a murder–suicide committed by her estranged husband Paul Snider.
Cast
[edit]- Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy Stratten
- Bruce Weitz as Paul Snider
- Robert Reed as David Palmer
- Mitchell Ryan as Hugh Hefner
- Bibi Besch as Hilda Flushing
- Tracy Reed as Mindy
- Gloria Gifford as Jean
- Hugh Gillin as Max Halloran
- Luca Bercovici as "Pooch"
- Kale Browne as Sidney
- Mark Withers as Billy Compton
- Robert Clotworthy as Floyd
Production
[edit]The TV production was optioned and owned by Larry Wilcox of CHiPs fame, and he negotiated a deal with MGM and NBC for the story to become a movie of the week. At the family's insistence, the names and relationships of her mother and sister were altered.[2]
Reception
[edit]The New York Times critic John J. O'Connor praised the movie, writing: "the movie works remarkably well in building a dramatic momentum. Jamie Lee Curtis's Dorothy is a thoroughly understandable, if not sympathetic figure. And Bruce Weitz is extraordinary".[3] People magazine also praised the film, writing: "Jamie Lee Curtis is just right as Stratten, and Bruce Weitz is a standout as her ex".[4] Movie critic Leonard Maltin described the film as "exploitative".[1]
Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story finished 27th in the Nielsen ratings. When the film was broadcast a second time on NBC in July 1983, it fared better by finishing fourth in the ratings.[2][5]
Home media
[edit]The movie was first issued on VHS on September 1, 1998. It later was released on January 25, 2010, on DVD.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Maltin, Leonard (1997). Leonard Maltin's 1998 Movie and Video Guide. Signet Books. p. 322. ISBN 0-451-19288-5.
- ^ a b c Bogdanovich, Peter (1984). The killing of the unicorn: Dorothy Stratten (1960–1980). New York City: William Morrow. p. 169. ISBN 0-688-01611-1.
- ^ O'Connor, John J. (October 30, 1981). "TV Weekend; Terror in Fiction and Fact". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- ^ "Picks & Pans Tube". People. Vol. 16, no. 18. November 2, 1981. p. 6.
- ^ "NBC squeezed into the No. 1 spot for network..." United Press International. 3 August 1983.
External links
[edit]- 1981 films
- 1981 television films
- 1980s biographical drama films
- 1980s English-language films
- American biographical drama films
- Biographical television films
- Films set in 1980
- Films set in Los Angeles
- Films directed by Gabrielle Beaumont
- Films about domestic violence
- NBC original films
- 1981 drama films
- Biographical films about entertainers
- American drama television films
- 1980s American films
- English-language biographical drama films