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) | |
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Bert Williams | ... | Mr. Johnson |
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Iva Lane | ... | Bunny |
Ola Ray | ... | Ola | |
Kelly Preston | ... | Doreen (as Kelly Palzis) | |
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Cosie Costa | ... | Dudley |
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Paul McCallum | ... | Lab Technician |
Jeana Keough | ... | Karen (as Jeana Tomasina) | |
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June Gilbert | ... | Betty |
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 Warren is stalking Laurie to revenge against her father. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Roger Ebert called the film "a scummy little sewer of a movie" and that will either prompt you to stay away or will do the exact polar opposite. I love the cheap 80s Golan/Globus Cannon films and this one is probably their best Bronson vehicle, which is plot-wise boils down to being Dirty Harry versus Ted Bundy. Bronson is a cop who plays by his own rules and is partnered with straight laced Andrew Stevens. Both are on the trail of serial killer Gene Davis, who gets naked before he killing his female victims, but he's not getting naked for kinky reasons. He does it so as not to leave behind any evidence (these were the days before DNA evidence). Given that set-up, you can imaging this is a pretty lurid and kinky of crime picture, which includes one scene where Bronson interrogating Davis pulls out a sex toy confiscated from his apartment and states, "You know what this is for, Warren? It's for JACKING OFF!" Yes, this is that kind of a movie. Bronson's character is so tough he doesn't even know what quiche is:
Laurie Kessler: That's some lunch, Dad. Coleslaw and quiche?
Leo Kessler: (looking down at his food grimly) I hate quiche.
Canteen Cashier: Then why did you get it?
Leo Kessler: I thought it was pie!
Director J. Lee Thompson delivers nasty villains, righteous heroes, and an ending that blew my mind when I watched this on TV as a kid, though today it's pretty corny (even tough I still dug it). Overall, this isn't in the same league as "Mr. Majestic" or "The Mechanic," but it is better than most of Bronson's 1980s and 90s output.