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.

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Plot Keywords:

drive in classic | serial murder | human monster | villain | bad guy | 

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Taglines:

A cop... A killer... A deadline.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 March 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bloody Sunday

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 tagline on the original theatrical release movie poster for this film read: "Forget what's legal ... do what's right!" whilst other tag-lines have stated: "Bronson is back on the streets" and "Back in town... with a vengeance!". At the time of release, these tag-lines connected with Charles Bronson's vigilante persona from his box-office hit Death Wish (1974) and its sequel Death Wish II (1982). The character that Bronson plays in this movie is actually a variation on his vigilante screen persona.

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Goofs

Just before Warren is shot in the head, his hair is messed up from running. When the bullet hits him, his hair is neatly parted with his forehead totally exposed.

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Quotes

Laurie Kessler: My father's gonna kill you!
Warren Stacy: Oh, no, he's not. I know where he's at.
Laurie Kessler: That was him on the phone just now. He'll be here any second!
Warren Stacy: Oh, yeah? Then I guess I better hurry up!

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Connections

Referenced in 15 Minutes (2001)

User Reviews

Special credit for Gene Davis

Special credit for Gene Davis 10 to midnight is obviously one of the best maniac-killer movies presented by legendary Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus. Lieutenant Leo Kessler (Charles Bronson) and detective McAnn (Andrew Stevens) are investigating a murder of sexual character. It's done professionally: no evidence, no witnesses, and 100 percent alibi. The killer is skilled enough to get naked before cutting the girl he feels jealous for. First there are no links but as the Warren (Gene Davis) has to kill once again to get fully cleaned, Kessler knows for sure who's doing all this after the second killing. But there's problem, they still have no evidence. But what worries Kessler most of all is that the first victim was making friends with his own daughter and the killer is already interested in her. Kessler decides to put the Warren behind bars whatever it costs, because he knows the guy's unstoppable: the thing is the "poor" guy is vengeful for he's always been refused by women. So Kessler fabricates the evidence by getting some blood of the first victim on the jacket Warren was supposed to be wearing that day, that evening when the girl was killed. Unfortunately his plan doesn't work because McAnn is too young to agree solve the case that way. Lawyers win the court and Warren straight after that continues troubling Kessler's daughter with his threatening phone calls. What do you think Mr. Bronson will do now? Rather smart movie with impressing characters, alerting plot and simply excellent score. Very pleasant atmosphere, lot of memorable. Gore account is average for 80's. For instance, in the part Bronson's reading victim's diary to the suspect, Warren nervous reaction doesn't have much to do with cops in his apartment, he gets mad learning how many boyfriends the girl had. The girl that kept him far. Especially I want to point Gene Davis has really got deep into his character's head. A mentally demented guy with no friends, no parents, no women sympathy. Hiss acting really has something to remind Brad Davis from "Midnight express", that's why I give special credit for his play. Highly recommended! 10 out of 10.