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) | |
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Duke Everts | ... | Jay Jay |
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George Fargo | ... | Man |
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Mervin W. Frates | ... | Locksmith |
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Tim Frawley | ... | Deputy Sheriff |
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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
Too-careful shocker directed and starring Clint Eastwood involves a radio disc-jockey who gets seductive requests by telephone for the song "Misty"--he later meets the overly-friendly female fan and they share a fling, but she 'won't be ignored'. Tense thriller may have been the starting point for Adrian Lyne's "Fatal Attraction", though this one is far less slick. Sometimes an actor is so good in a role that it's impossible to see them as anyone else later in their career; such is the case with Jessica Walter, who nails this part of the psychotic woman--and seems to embody instability itself! Several scenes go on too long, the climax is so dark visually it is nearly incoherent, and there's a jazz festival interlude (and a romantic montage with Eastwood and Donna Mills) that feels like padding, but the central situation is unsettling, well-crafted and well-played. As for Walter, she had a tough time shaking off the affects left behind with this role, which of course is both pro and con. *** from ****