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 Warren is stalking Laurie to revenge against her father.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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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:

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 16th March 1983 edition of show-business trade paper 'Variety' said "the title means nothing in the context of the film" and "J. Lee Thompson's direction, borrowing from Hitchcock [Alfred Hitchcock]'s editing in Psycho (1960), creates the full horror of blades thrusting into naked bellies without the viewer ever actually seeing it happen".

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Goofs

When Warren gets arrested by Leo Kessler, he is stark naked. When all the police cars arrive, Warren is wearing black underpants.

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Quotes

Laurie Kessler: [answering phone] Hello?
Warren Stacy: [making obscene call using Spanish accent] Hi, baby, what's doing? How you been?
Laurie Kessler: Oh, it's you again.
Warren Stacy: How about we get together? What you say?
Laurie Kessler: [playing along for McAnn, who is tracing the call] Well, I don't usually go out with strangers. What did you say your name was?
Warren Stacy: Call me Pedro. That means Peter. I got the biggest one you've ever seen.
Laurie Kessler: That's nice to know. What do you have in mind, Pedro?
Warren Stacy: I take you to a motel, we do it every way there is. How you like it? Up, down, ...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

Although passed uncut for cinema UK video versions were cut by 1 min 42 secs by the BBFC with heavy edits to shots of male/female nudity and stabbings during the dormitory attack scene, and cuts to shots of a naked woman being chased in a forest. The cuts were fully waived for the 2004 DVD release.

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Connections

References Psycho (1960)

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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

Revenge of the 80's: Charlie Bronson's Cannon films.

10 to Midnight (1983) was another one of old stone face's exploitation films that he seemed to crank out every other month during the 80's. The two Chucks (Norris and Bronson) seemingly released a film like every other week. That's what we need, bi-weekly cheesy action whitesploitation movies. Well Charlie was up to the task in this one and Cannon was ready to foot the bill.

A sexual confused serial killer is stalking co-eds. The killer has Charlie stumped. Along with a new partner, he stalks the streets looking for Mr. Goodbar er... the mad manic maniac!! Old Chuck seems to be on the right trail but the law that he's sworn to upheld swing both ways.

Pure sleaze. If you're looking for a good movie look elsewhere, this is grade z Charles Bronson. Slumming for a paycheck whilst losing any creditability he had as a serious actor. But their are folks who actually dig Mr. Emotion earning his pay acting in terrible films. I happen to be one of those. I can't tell by his "acting" but Mr. Bronson seems to dig his new role in Hollywood.

For fans only.