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:

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

---

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

At one point, Warren Stacy (Gene Davis) picks up a police radio, and it reads: "Code 6, Florence and Normandie". Nine years later, the largest riot in Los Angeles' history, also known as "The Rodney King Riots", would break out at that very same inter-section.

---

Goofs

Instead of simply losing his job, Kessler would have been immediately arrested and charged for planting evidence.

---

Quotes

Medical Examiner: [38:03] Death was caused by the severing of the intestines and major arteries causing massive hemorrhaging.
Leo Kessler: This is all alright but can you tell us something that we can use?
Medical Examiner: The Johnson girl's blood type is the least common: AB-. In addition, there's evidence of a hepatitis infection, now dormant.
Captain Malone: Was this girl raped, doc?
Medical Examiner: There's no evidence of forcible entry.
Leo Kessler: I could have told you that, ya know.
Medical Examiner: On the basis of what?
Leo Kessler: If anybody does something like this, his knife has gotta be his penis.

---

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

References The Chain Gang (1930)

---

Soundtracks

I'll Be Back
/ Police Station & Escape
Music & Lyrics by Brad Fiedel

User Reviews

This is NOT a "Death Wish" rip-off

A very solid movie! Charles Bronson is absolutely great in this film. The fact that the killer was a handsome guy really emphasized that he was a sociopath and all around creep (smart character development). Lisa Eilbacher is damn cute! A good psychological action/thriller!

I do not understand why people consider this a "cheesy?" movie or a "rip-off" of Death Wish.

Leo Kessler is a hardened cop. Paul Kersey was an architect who took on the role of vigilante after a life changing event. The two characters really aren't that similar at all.

I wonder what Lisa Eilbacher is up to nowadays.