Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Clint Eastwood | ... | Dave | |
Jessica Walter | ... | Evelyn | |
Donna Mills | ... | Tobie | |
John Larch | ... | Sgt. McCallum | |
Jack Ging | ... | Frank | |
Irene Hervey | ... | Madge | |
James McEachin | ... | Al Monte | |
Clarice Taylor | ... | Birdie | |
Don Siegel | ... | Murphy (as Donald Siegel) | |
![]() |
Duke Everts | ... | Jay Jay |
![]() |
George Fargo | ... | Man |
![]() |
Mervin W. Frates | ... | Locksmith |
![]() |
Tim Frawley | ... | Deputy Sheriff |
![]() |
Otis Kadani | ... | Policeman |
Britt Lind | ... | Anjelica (as Brit Lind) |
Disc jockey Dave Garver (Clint Eastwood) attracts the amorous attentions of a demented fan named Evelyn Draper (Jessica Walter). Evelyn lets Dave pick her up at a bar. Later at her apartment, Evelyn admits that she is the cooing caller who repeatedly asks Dave to play the Erroll Garner classic "Misty". From then on, this movie is a lesson in how one casual date can turn your whole life around. Evelyn stalks Dave everywhere, ruins his business lunch, assaults his maid, mutilates his house and all of his belongings, and finally threatens to butcher his girlfriend Tobie Williams (Donna Mills). You'll never be able to hear that song again without looking over your shoulder. Written by alfiehitchie
This was "Fatal Attraction" 16 years before that famous movie was made.
The problem with this tense drama was credibility. There are several instances where just about everyone with a brain would avoid trouble by doing the sensible thing....except the character in here, of course. Also, being honest is the obvious thing to do here and, of course, that's not done either.
Nevertheless, it's a taut thriller with Jessica Walter doing a great job playing a nutcase stalker "Evelyn Draper." I also enjoyed watching Donna Mills. An appealing actress, and not just because of a pretty face, I wonder she didn't do more films? After this movie, it's been almost all television roles for her.
So-so mono sound and poor picture quality helped me eventually trade my VHS copy in but, with a nice DVD transfer now available, I might check this movie out again. Clint Eastwood, the male lead here, has rarely been in a boring movie, and this is no exception.