Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story
| Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story | |
|---|---|
 Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy Stratten |
|
| Directed by | Gabrielle Beaumont |
| Produced by | Larry Wilcox Paul Pompian Tim King |
| Written by | Donald L. Stewart |
| Starring | Jamie Lee Curtis Bruce Weitz Robert Reed |
| Release date(s) | November 1, 1981 |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story is a 1981 American television film directed by Gabrielle Beaumont. It is a true dramatization of the life and the murder of Playboy Playmate of the Year Dorothy Stratten, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. The movie was aired on NBC in November 1981.[1] Two years later the same story was developed by director Bob Fosse in his movie Star 80, starring Mariel Hemingway and Eric Roberts.
Contents |
[edit] Cast
- Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy Stratten
- Bruce Weitz as Paul Snider
- Robert Reed as David Palmer
- Mitchell Ryan as Hugh Hefner
- Bibi Besch as Hilda Flushing
- Tracy Reed as Mindy
- Gloria Gifford as Jean
[edit] Production
As revealed by Peter Bogdanovich in his book The Killing of the Unicorn, at the family's insistence, the names and relationships of her mother and sister were altered.[1]
[edit] Reception
The New York Times critic John J. O'Connor praised the movie, saying: "the movie works remarkably well in building a dramatic momentum. Jamie Lee Curtis's Dorothy is a thoroughly understandable, if not sympathetic figure. And Bruce Weitz is extraordinary".[2] People magazine also praised the film, saying: "Jamie Lee Curtis is just right as Stratten, and Bruce Weitz is a standout as her ex".[3] Movie critic Leonard Maltin described the film as "exploitive".[4]
Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story aired on NBC and finished 27th in the Neilsen ratings. When the film was rerun a second time on NBC in the summer of 1983, it fared better by finishing 4th in the ratings. [1]
[edit] Release
The movie was first issued on VHS on September 1, 1998. It was later released on January 25, 2010 on DVD.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Peter Bogdanovich (1984). The killing of the unicorn: Dorothy Stratten (1960-1980). W. Morrow. p. 169. ISBN 0688016111.
- ^ John J. O'Connor (October 30, 1981). "TV WEEKEND; TERROR IN FICTION AND FACT". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/30/arts/tv-weekend-terror-in-fiction-and-fact.html?scp=9&sq=Death%20of%20a%20Centerfold:%20The%20Dorothy%20Stratten%20Story%20&st=cse. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- ^ People November 2, 1981 Vol. 16 No. 18 page 6 "Picks & Pans Tube"
- ^ Maltin, Leonard (1997). Leonard Maltin's 1998 Movie and Video Guide. Signet Books. p. 322. ISBN 0-451-19288-5.
