10 to Midnight (1983)

A LAPD detective is on the trail of a very handsome young man who had been seducing and slashing many young women to death.

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writer:

William Roberts

Stars:

Charles Bronson, Lisa Eilbacher, Andrew Stevens

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Bronson	...	Leo Kessler
Lisa Eilbacher	...	Laurie Kessler
Andrew Stevens	...	Paul McAnn
Gene Davis	...	Warren Stacy
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Dave Dante
Wilford Brimley	...	Captain Malone
Robert F. Lyons	...	Nathan Zager (as Robert Lyons)
Bert Williams	...	Mr. Johnson
Iva Lane	...	Bunny
Ola Ray	...	Ola
Kelly Preston	...	Doreen (as Kelly Palzis)
Cosie Costa	...	Dudley
Paul McCallum	...	Lab Technician
Jeana Keough	...	Karen (as Jeana Tomasina)
June Gilbert	...	Betty

Storyline

In Los Angeles, the rookie Detective Paul McAnn teams up with the veteran Detective Leo Kessler to investigate the murder of Betty Johnson and her boyfriend that were stabbed by a naked serial-killer in a park. Detective Kessler recognizes the victim, who lived in the same neighborhood many years ago and childhood friend of his daughter Laurie Kessler. The killer Warren Stacy goes to the funeral and overhears Betty's father telling Detective Kessler that his daughter had a diary. Warren breaks in Betty's apartment and stabs and kills her roommate Karen Smalley trying to find the diary. But Karen had already delivered the journal to Detective Kessler. Leo Kessler is sure that Warren is the serial-killer and her plants a false evidence in his apartment. However, Warren's defense lawyer presses Detective McAnn accusing him of perjury and Warren is released. Now the Warren is stalking Laurie to revenge against her father.

---

Plot Keywords:

female victims | exploitation film | female nudity | bare breasts | giallo | 

---

Taglines:

BRONSON...is in town.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 March 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ten to Midnight

Filming Locations:

Thrifty - 11321 National Boulevard - Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,520,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,100,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cannon Films, City Films, Y & M Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The French title, "Le Justicier de Minuit", reinforced the wrong impression that the film belonged to the "Death Wish" franchise. The word "Justicier" (meaning "righter of wrongs") was indeed strongly attached to the two previously released "Death Wish" features.

---

Goofs

When Leo and Paul drive away from the Johnson's house you can see the crew members standing and sitting around.

---

Quotes

Leo Kessler: You go in that courtroom and forget what's legal and do what's right.

---

Alternate Versions

Warren's killings are done with him nude. In television broadcasts these scenes have Warren with flesh-colored briefs. Later scenes in the movie have inconsistencies in the color of briefs he wears. The wearing of any clothing is inconsistent with his alibis throughout the movie, as well.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Ricky Schroder/Lisa Eilbacher/Justin Wilson (1985)

---

Soundtracks

I'll Be Back
/ Police Station & Escape
Music & Lyrics by Brad Fiedel
Played when Mrs. Byrd announces that Betty Johnson is dead.

User Reviews

"The way the law protects these maggots, you'd think they were an endangered species."

Cannon greatness starring Chuck Bronson and directed by Bronson's frequent collaborator J. Lee Thompson. Bronson plays a grizzled detective out to nab a psycho that killed a woman for rejecting him. The problem is the killer covered his tracks well so Bronson has to resort to less-than-legal means of getting him. When this backfires, Bronson's own daughter becomes the psycho's next target.

One of Charles Bronson's best movies from the '80s. As with most of his output that decade, it's sleazy and violent but it's also undeniably fun in a cheesy sort of way. Bronson gives his usual one-note performance. If you've seen his Death Wish movies, you know what to expect here and whether you'll like it or not. Gene Davis makes for a memorable pervert psycho. He also appears naked quite a bit, as do many other people (women and men). Lots of T&A in this one. Lisa Eilbacher is Bronson's pretty daughter and does well. Andrew Stevens holds up his end as the young detective who can't condone Bronson's methods. The rest of the cast includes Geoffrey Lewis, Wilford Brimley, Ola Ray, and a young Kelly Preston. The lady playing Davis' boss takes the honors for worst performance. Her "Betty's dead!" scene should be taught in acting schools.

It's a fun movie if you're not the type who takes everything seriously and gets easily offended. The cheesy elements will please many, as will the voyeuristic stuff. Bronson takes it all very seriously which makes it all the more enjoyable when he's spouting lines like "You know what this is for, Warren? It's for jacking off!" This is a great '80s thriller with a lot of things going for it, including a terrific ending.