The Fan (1981)

Director:

Edward Bianchi

Writers:

Bob Randall (novel)
Priscilla Chapman (writer) ...

Release Date:

15 May 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The final act is murder.

Plot:

A record salesman is an obsessed fan of an actress of stage and screen (Lauren Bacall). However when his letters are rejected, the fan strikes out at the actresses friends, then at her.

Plot Keywords:

Barefoot | Obsessed Fan | Based On Novel

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Lauren Bacall	...	Sally Ross
James Garner	...	Jake Berman
Maureen Stapleton	...	Belle Goldman
Hector Elizondo	...	Police Inspector Raphael Andrews
Michael Biehn	...	Douglas Breen (The Fan)
Anna Maria Horsford	...	Emily Stolz
Kurt Johnson	...	David Branum
Feiga Martinez	...	Elsa
Reed Jones	...	Choreographer
Kaiulani Lee	...	Douglas' Sister
Charles Blackwell	...	John Vetta
Dwight Schultz	...	Director
Dana Delany	...	Saleswoman in Record Store
Terence Marinan	...	Young Man in Bar
Lesley Rogers	...	Heidi

Also Known As:

Trance (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1981) | Iceland:16 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The film was originally intended as a straightforward thriller starring Elizabeth Taylor and directed by Jeff Lieberman. However the project was delayed and both left the picture.

Quotes:

Jake: Oh come on babe, whats the matter?
Sally Ross: What's the matter? I've got a show to do in five days, the lighting man appears to be learning on the set, my secertary has been attacked, David is dead, and oh yes their is some fruit cake out there who want's to kill me. Now to satisfy you more will you please get the hell out of here!

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Celluloid Closet (1995)

Soundtrack:

DANGER

Fan mail of a deadly nature.

Pretty good, character-driven thriller based upon the novel by Bob Randall.

Aging star of film and stage becomes the unhealthy obsession of a young fan, whose love for her will soon turn sinister!

Solidly made tale of deadly obsession is a steady paced but ultimately intense thriller. It all builds to a great climax. The cast is the true highlight of this film though. Lauren Bacall is as great an actress as ever here in a role where she actually does play an actress. James Garner adds his talents has Bacall's ex-husband and Maureen Stapleton as Bacall's assistant. The most enjoyable performance however is that of a young Michael Biehen, who is not only a talented actor but probably the best-looking psycho to ever grace a movie screen. Pino Donaggio lends a bold musical score, while Bacall sings a few musical numbers.

The Fan has more class and depth than an ordinary slasher film, which this film really should not be labeled as. The Fan is actually a well-crafted thriller with a great cast to boot. Genre fans should enjoy it.

*** out of ****