PORTRAIT OF A STRIPPER

US, 1979, 100 minutes, Colour.
Lesley Ann Warren, Edward Herrmann, Vic Tayback, Sheree North.
Directed by John A.Alonzo.

Portrait of a Stripper sounds a sensational film. However, it is a telemovie, a portrait of a widow trying to bring up her son and forced to exotic dancing. The film is a vehicle for Lesley Ann Warren who is persuasive as dancer, as mother. Edward Herrmann is very good as a photographer employed by her father-in-law to spy on her in order to get evidence for the custody of her son. There is excellent support from Vic Tayback as a has-been compere at a burlesque show and Sheree North as a former stripper.

The film is one of those humane dramas that the Americans do so well - the touch of soap opera, the touch of social observation, human values explored through story. While there are some cabaret scenes, the film is directed towards the home audience. It was photographed and directed by cinematographer John A. Alonzo. A film with its heart in the right place?

1. Expectations of the film? as a humane drama? study of family?

2. Sensationalism? Exploitation?

3. The film for the television audience? Treatment of themes and characters? Presentation of the burlesque shows and strip clubs? Discreet presentation of themes for television audience? California, homes, clubs? Wealthy and poor?

4. The title and expectations? The portrait of Susan and her coping with life?

5. Susan in herself - young married, son, widow? Her mother-in-law's praise of her for helping her husband? Her relationship with her son - the opening sequences on the beach and play, her caring for her son, at home, babysitters, homework supervision, good friends? Her auditions for dancing? Her friendship with Harry - and the job in doing exotic dancing? The small audiences at the club? The dance routines? Her talents and hopes? The many jobs she had done? her being spied on by Frank and the audience spying with him? her girlfriend, the auditions, the commercial audition - and her exhilaration at her success and filming the commercial? The change-over at the club? Friendship with Sally? The new owner, turning it into a striptease joint, the pressure on the girls, Mark seeing her and her running after him? Her stripping once and then resigning? Mark and the chase down the street, discussing what he had seen? His reaction to her lying? His sadness, the reconciliation? The encounters with Frank, friendships, open talking, her explaining herself? The meeting with Harry? His telling her about Frank? Her anger, getting the photos and negatives back? Her anxiety with Mark lost, getting Frank to help? The encounter with her father-in-law, defiance of him, not moving from California? The reconciliation on the beach with her father-in-law, with Frank? A future? portrayal of an average woman?

5. Mark and his being brought up by his mother, a sensible, enjoying her company, wanting her home, the special school? His interests and skills - as explained to Frank? His seeing his mother, running away, hurt and crying? The lies? Reconciliation? Friendship with Frank? Explaining to his mother how he should forgive Frank as he had forgiven her? His talk with his grandfather?

6. Frank and his photographing Susan? On the beach, at the club? Bugging her home? His photo rejections? Employed by Mr Sterling? Reporting? Fascination with Susan? Finding out more about her? The meeting with Mark and helping him with his injury? Talking too Susan, admiring her? The outings, his not being able to tell her the truth? The clash with Mr Sterling and quitting? her discovery of the truth, confrontation, his admitting to himself and to her that he had failed? His hopes of being an engineer? Photography and his being used? The parallel of his character with that of Susan?

7. Harry and the routines and jokes? Genial? At the club? Friendly with the girls? With Sally? The change-over at the club? Getting the sack? Fishing? Wise advice to Susan? Advice about Frank?

8. Sally and her background in dancing, training the girls, friendship with Susan? Her reaction against the change in the club management?

9. The club manager, trying to make ends meet, selling the club? The change to a men's club? The ogling customers? Prostitution? The new owner and his tactics with Susan? Imposing on her?

10. The world of dance lessons, auditions, television commercials? Hopes for a person like Susan, her ambitions? Employment opportunities? Not getting jobs?

11. The grandparents and the grandfather's employing Frank, his wanting custody of Mark, his pressure on Frank? Hostility towards Susan? Edith and her sympathy for Susan? The defiance of Susan? The talk with Mark on the beach?. His giving in and acknowledging Susan's worth?

12. Themes of jobs, opportunities, dreams, employment? Love, friendship? Truth and lies? A film of hope?