Lady Beware (1987)

Young and good looking Katya, a window dresser for a big department store in Pittsburgh, begins a love story with a journalist, Mac Odell. She is however stalked by Jack, a married man who ... See full summary »

Director:

Karen Arthur

Writers:

Susan Miller, Charles Zev Cohen

Stars:

Diane Lane, Michael Woods, Cotter Smith

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Diane Lane	...	Katya Yarno
Michael Woods	...	Jack Price
Cotter Smith	...	Mac Odell
Tyra Ferrell	...	Nan
Peter Nevargic	...	Lionel
Edward Penn	...	Mr. Thayer
Chelsea Benedict	...	Chelsea Price
Don Brockett	...	Locksmith
David Crawford	...	Katya's Father
Maria Barney	...	Female Patient
Clayton Hill	...	Policeman #1 (as Clayton D. Hill)
Angela Rosignalo Jones	...	Inez - Little Girl
Raymond Laine	...	Doctor
Zachary Mott	...	Printer (as Zack Mott)
Kathleen Murray	...	Mrs. Thayer

Storyline

Young and good looking Katya, a window dresser for a big department store in Pittsburgh, begins a love story with a journalist, Mac Odell. She is however stalked by Jack, a married man who has a fixation with her. Jack makes Katya's life hellish and when the girl tells his wife about him he becomes wild with fury having been exposed and goes to the store to kill her...

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Plot Keywords:

neo noir | department store | window dresser | f rated | black bra | 

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Taglines:

When Fantasy Leads To Terror...

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Genres:

Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 August 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

All'improvviso uno sconosciuto

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

International Video Entertainment (IVE),Scotti Brothers Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Karen Arthur disowned (and nearly took her name off of) the finished film. Against her wishes, the studio re-edited the film to show more nudity on the part of Diane Lane. In addition, the studio minimized Cotter Smith's performance, and all scenes with Viveca Lindfors were eliminated; both actors played characters integral to the plot, and these eliminations made the film more confusing.

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Goofs

At one point when Katya walks down the street and enters a building, the scrunchie in her hair appears and disappears between shots.

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Soundtracks

Flash Back
Written by David Hallyday and Lisa Catherine Cohen
Performed by David Hallyday
Produced by Richie Wise
Courtesy of Scotti Brothers Records

User Reviews

audience beware...this is a weird flick

It is hardly believable for most of its running time, but at least it keeps you watching. It begins when Lane sort of pushes her way into a job as a window dresser. This was the second film of '87 to feature one following the Andrew McCarthy comedy "Mannequin" (this one is even replete with a flamboyantly gay co-worker, too). But, ooh boy, is this a much different movie. Lane's gutsy and provocative displays get her noticed in good and bad ways, one of which is by a perverted x-ray technician, played by Woods. First we get the typical stalking; she's followed home; he steals her mail; harrassing phone calls. But at one point the perv scales the wall of her apartment/loft, takes a bath, and does something rather gross to one of her nighties. All the while talks to the police are mostly kept off-screen an d Lane keeps putting up with everything. Which, again, is one of the many implausible elements of the film. Only in movieland would the victim accept the challenge and begin playing cat and mouse games with the wacko. Plus the MANY unintentional laughs, like Woods dancing around her place in a bathtowel, him doing a Spiderman impression by climbing down the side of her building on a rope so he can break in, and Lane cursing her mirror while she repeatedly spits on it. The ending is a downer, too, kind of a letdown. Though different, it's mostly ineffective. And what the hell happened to Smith's character? All of a sudden he's dropped and never mentioned again (I'm sure he didn't care considering that love scene he got to do with Lane, hubba hubba). I must say the performances are there big time. Lane, aside from being absolutely gorgeous, which is saying nothing of her eye-popping (among other things, hehe) topless shot, really conveys her loss of freedom. At times the stuff she spouts is a little over the top, but is delivered nice enough. And if Woods is indeed James Woods brother, talent is definitely in the bloodline. His characters' only mis-step is not being more agressive with Lane. Early on she talks suggestive to Smith on the phone, appearing to be open sexually about herself (which is also indicated by her window displays). But Woods approach is more scary, which just makes her pissed. This was one of only a few good movies from the quickly defunct Scotti Bros. before they withered away and is too bad. Though pretty much unknown, it's a decent little thriller.