Lace 

A young actress, thought to be easy and have no morals, gathers three former school chums to find out which is her mother. Much of the movie takes place in flashback and the identity of her... See full summary »

Stars:

Bess Armstrong, Brooke Adams, Arielle Dombasle

Cast

Series cast summary:
Bess Armstrong	...	Judy Hale 2 episodes, 1984
Brooke Adams	...	Jennifer 'Pagan' Trelawney 2 episodes, 1984
Arielle Dombasle	...	Maxine Pascal 2 episodes, 1984
Phoebe Cates	...	Lili 2 episodes, 1984
Anthony Higgins	...	Prince Abdullah 2 episodes, 1984
Angela Lansbury	...	Aunt Hortense Boutin 2 episodes, 1984
Herbert Lom	...	Monsieur Chardin 2 episodes, 1984
Anthony Quayle	...	Dr. Geneste 2 episodes, 1984
Honor Blackman	...	Selma 2 episodes, 1984
Nickolas Grace	...	Sir Christopher Swann 2 episodes, 1984
Leigh Lawson	...	Count Charles de Chazalle 2 episodes, 1984
Simon Chandler	...	Nick Cliffe 2 episodes, 1984
Trevor Eve	...	Tom Schwartz 2 episodes, 1984
François Guétary	...	Pierre Boursal 2 episodes, 1984
Jonathan Hyde	...	Paul 2 episodes, 1984
June Brown	...	Mrs. Trelawney 2 episodes, 1984
Simon de La Brosse	...	Alexandre Chazelle 2 episodes, 1984
Féodor Atkine	...	Felix 2 episodes, 1984
Sylvie Herbert	...	Angelina 2 episodes, 1984
Jacques Maury	...	Sartor 2 episodes, 1984
Philip Stone	...	Zwimmer 2 episodes, 1984
Ginette Garcin	...	Madame Chardin 2 episodes, 1984
Terence Rigby	...	Jo Stiarkoz 2 episodes, 1984
Pierre Olaf	...	Serge 2 episodes, 1984
Annette Badland	...	Piggy Fassbinder 2 episodes, 1984
Celia Gregory	...	Queen Serah 2 episodes, 1984
Rachel Salik	...	Cheap Hotel Manageress 2 episodes, 1984
Dominique Blanc	...	Teresa 2 episodes, 1984
Stéphane Bonnet	...	Gerard 2 episodes, 1984
Kate Harper	...	Lili's Secretary 2 episodes, 1984
Rahmann Querishi	...	Prince Mustapha 2 episodes, 1984
Jenny Clève	...	Nurse 2 episodes, 1984
Michael Moor	...	Abdullah's Aide 2 episodes, 1984
Carolyn Pickles	...	Muscles Templeton 2 episodes, 1984
Laura Koffler	...	Head Girl at Table 2 episodes, 1984
Kenneth Nelson	...	New York Hotel Manager 2 episodes, 1984
Belinda Mayne	...	TV Reporter 2 episodes, 1984
Nicolas Chagrin	...	Film Director 2 episodes, 1984
Shane Rimmer	...	Press Agent 2 episodes, 1984
Jacques Herlin	...	Clergyman 2 episodes, 1984
Bruce Boa	...	Mr. Hale 2 episodes, 1984
Richenda Carey	...	Mrs. Hale 2 episodes, 1984
Elisabeth Kaza	...	Abortionist's Nurse 2 episodes, 1984
Jacques David	...	Abortionist 2 episodes, 1984
Servane Ducorps	...	Elizabeth - Age 7 2 episodes, 1984
Jerzy Rogulski	...	Uncle Karl 2 episodes, 1984
Frank Middlemass	...	Abdullah's father 2 episodes, 1984
Stefan Kalipha	...	Amoud 2 episodes, 1984
Henri Garcin	...	Bank manager 2 episodes, 1984
Bill Hutchinson	...	Newspaper Editor 2 episodes, 1984
Patricia Pierangeli	...	American Tourist 2 episodes, 1984
Alan Rossett	...	American Tourist 2 episodes, 1984
Trevor Thomas	...	Lieutenant 2 episodes, 1984
Herbert Norville	...	Jonjo 2 episodes, 1984
Sean Aita	...	Rick 2 episodes, 1984
William Hope	...	Francis 2 episodes, 1984
Mike McKenzie	...	Piano Player / ... 2 episodes, 1984
Nancy Roberts	...	Woman at 'Lace' Party 2 episodes, 1984
Elvire Audray	...	Chateau Party Guest 2 episodes, 1984
John Abineri	...	Uncle Harold 2 episodes, 1984
Terry Alexander	...	Sir Douglas 2 episodes, 1984
Gary Cady	...	Robert Salter 2 episodes, 1984
Robert Appleby	...	Health Farm Inspector 2 episodes, 1984
Dee Curtis	...	Mime Artist 2 episodes, 1984
Peggy Frankston		2 episodes, 1984
Paul Gregory	...	Maitre D 2 episodes, 1984
Roger Lumont	...	Laborer Paris Street 2 episodes, 1984
Derek Lyons	...	Cameraman 2 episodes, 1984
Chantal Neuwirth	...	Woman on Paris Street 2 episodes, 1984
Paul Taylor	...	Swedish Student 2 episodes, 1984

Storyline

A young actress, thought to be easy and have no morals, gathers three former school chums to find out which is her mother. Much of the movie takes place in flashback and the identity of her mother is not found out till the last few minutes.

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Plot Keywords:

young actress | biological mother | old friend | flashback | investigation | 

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Taglines:

Which one of you bitches is my mother?

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lace

Filming Locations:

Granada, Andalucía, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lorimar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

240 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the novel Pagan's only interaction with Lili was during the hotel reunion and the infamous confrontation. In the miniseries they do meet while Pagan visits her old flame Prince Abdullah of Sydon in behalf of her husband's charity.

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Goofs

Outside the Hotel, when Judy and Pagan are waiting for Maxine, she is seen clearly through the window. However, when her voice is heard saying, "May I have the key please?" her lips don't move.

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Quotes

Pagan Tralone: Tell him to get get stuffed!
Amoud: I don't understand, "Get stuffed."
Judy Hale: It means if his highness would like to dance with this charming young lady, he can come over and ask her himself

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Connections

Followed by Lace II (1985)

User Reviews

Sprawling, impossibly glamorous, epic freak show

Aunt Hortense(in French dialect): "But the child is killed, it's dead, you know?" Lili (indefinable Euro dialect): "They'll wish I was. Their little school girl pact sent me to hell. I'll show them what I learned there..."

And so begins the saga that captivated millions of viewers in 1984. For this story of the poor little rich girl/porno queen/movie goddess had more charm, more style, and more suspense than anything ever seen before, or possibly since.. "Lace" also featured the most intoxicating and sweeping romantic situations, which stretched across no less than 5 countries, involving Arab Princes, French Champagne Barons, Shipping tycoons, and one vengeful Porno star turned legitimate actress. And this epic all begins with her, Lily, played by the outrageously exotic and sexy Phoebe Cates. Abandoned as a child, by a seemingly unfeeling mother, the young Elizebeth is cast into the cruel world and lands in a Hungarian work camp at the age of six, where she is mistreated and violated by soldiers, for 10 grueling years. Escaping at the age of 15, she flees to Paris, where she begins her descent into depravity, including back alley abortions, street prostitution, and finally ending up in pornographic cinema, all at the age of 16. Meanwhile her mother, who incidentally, could be any one of three amazingly successful and beautiful women, goes about her life believing that her child had been killed. Not true, as these three ladies are about to find out. And this is the most captivating element of this clever film: The viewer has no idea which one of these three is the mother of this vengeful wildcat, and we must wait until the end of this 4 hour epic to find out the truth. And as we find out at the same time as Lily, we really feel involved with these characters. Told effectively in flashbacks, we get to know each one of these fascinating women intimately. We are with them at their Swiss boarding school, where the scandal begins, and we follow them all on their separate paths of broken relationships, staggering romances, and jet setting around the world. Pagan, the sarcastic, raven haired English girl, who falls hard for Abdullah, the Prince of Sydon. And Maxine, the doll like French beauty, and her Champagne baron. And Judy, who is realizing her dream of seeing her New York fashion magazine, "Lace" become reality. And all the while, the life of the less fortunate Lily is also presented, in contrast to these womens seemingly easy and privileged lives. Lily's experiences have made her into a very hard and angry young woman, who fatefully decides to use her star power to bring each of these women to their knees. And there you have it. To say more might ruin the experience of "Lace." Now as cinema, "Lace" might not be considered a masterpiece compared the great classics. But as a piece of Escapism, this film absolutely cannot be rivaled. Women will most likely find themselves transfixed by the endless parade of haut couture fashions, clothes that are so classic and elegant that they would be right in style today. And the men will undoubtedly be drawn in by the collection of these strong and beautiful women. And the scenery is something to behold as well, from the Swiss Alps, to Ascot, to the wind blown deserts of the Middle East, to the glittering skyscrapers of Manhatten, not to mention the interiors of the most beautiful homes, hotel rooms, and castles, as well as exotic cars that are constantly on display. The budget for this production must have been staggering, for it makes Dynasty look absolutely anemic by comparison!

Compliment the goings on with a sweeping romantic score, and you have the ultimate trash novel come to blazing life on the screen. For the full impact of this one, it should be watched without commercial interruptions, so that the fantasy is not interrupted. I have a DVD box set, which includes the vastly inferior, and insulting "Lace II," and even when watched today, this has aged well. In the 80's perhaps this didn't really surprise people, as this level of decadence was presented often in this time, on television shows like Dynasty, and "Falcon Crest," but in present day, this unabashed show of opulence could almost be considered as politically incorrect, as the greed and status hunting lifestyles of the 80's is frowned upon today. But luckily, that specific time is immortalized in "Lace," an undeniable symbol of the 1980's.