Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean (1990) (TV)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Richard Michaels

Writers:

Randsell Pearson (book)
Dennis Turner (writer)

Release Date:

23 September 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Hotel | Based On Book

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Suzanne Pleshette	...	Leona Helmsley
Lloyd Bridges	...	Harry Helmsley
Joe Regalbuto	...	Paul Summerton
Raymond Singer	...	Jay Panzirer
Bruce Weitz	...	Joseph Lubin
Marcia Diamond	...	Leona's Mother
Patricia Collins	...	Sandra
Gale Garnett	...	May
Lori Hallier	...	Sarah
Ken James
Victoria Snow	...	Marilyn Norrito
Eric Donkin	...	Stanley
Maurice Godin	...	Mark
Marvin Goldhar	...	Leona's Attorney
Ransdell Pierson	...	Ransdell

Also Known As:

Queen of Mean

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Fries Entertainment

Quotes:

Stanley: Now when the jury comes in I want you to remain composed regardless, understood? And after the verdict's been read...
Leona Helmsley: They don't know me. They don't know who I am am. They don't know what I am. They don't know what I've dome. And they're going to come in and pass judgment on me?
Stanley: That's the system.
Leona Helmsley: Well it stinks.

A fascinating drama about a very complex woman.

Love her or hate her, you have to admit that any news about real estate mogul Leona Helsmey is fascinating. The TV movie stars Suzanne Pleshette in rare form as the somewhat charming, yet hard as nails Leona. While Leona herself declared this telling as a "fairy tale", Pleshette plays her as very human and believable person. Those who hate her might reconsider their feelings, feeling sorry for her in spite of the cruel things she does. While Pleshette does not 100 percent resemble Leona (she is much prettier and younger looking than the real Ice Princess), she completely takes on the persona, separating her from the character she played for year on "The Bob Newhart Show". Lloyd Bridges, as Harry Helmsley, escapes any comparison to the bumbling characters he played in the "Airplane" and "Hot Shots" movies. Told in flashback as Leona contemplates her fate before the verdict of her trial is heard, the story covers 30 years of Leona's life, from her divorce from her first husband, through a short-lived second marriage, to her meeting Harry Helmsley, and rise to the top of the New York real estate world. Pleshette deservedly was nominated for an Emmy Award. The supporting cast is great as well, from the actor who plays Leona's wise-cracking best friend to the actress who played the designer of the hotel. Even the non-speaking part of the maid who overheard Leona say "Only Little People Pay Taxes" is well played as the actress glares at Leona with contempt. Available on video (but possibly hard to find), this is a film worth seeing. Those who despise TV movies will have a hard time finding fault with this one.`