STILLWATCH

US, 1987, 93 minutes, Colour.
Angie Dickinson, Lynda Carter, Don Murray, Stuart Whitman, Barry Primus, Louise Latham.
Directed by Rod Holcomb.

Stillwatch is an adaptation of a novel by the popular writer Mary Higgins Clark. Set in Washington, it has elements of politics, the media, psychological and parapsychological experience. The film is a star vehicle for Wonder Woman's Linda Carter. However, veteran Angie Dickinson gives a very good performance as an ambitious senator. The supporting cast includes Don Murray as a politician, Stuart Whitman as the media boss and Louise Lasser as a neighbour. While the coincidences in the story are far-fetched, it is an entertaining piece of melodramatic action.

1. Entertaining thriller? Politics? For the wide television audience?

2. The work of Mary Higgins Clark, adaptation of a novel? Washington atmosphere? Musical score?

3. The title and Lila's explanation?

4. Pat and her work, Luther and his arranging for the project with Abigail Winslow? Her meeting with Abigail, the demands, the reluctance? Her meeting with Sam, the background of the past relationship, rekindling the romance? Meeting Abigail's entourage? Her being allowed a free hand? Settling into the house, unpacking, and the eerie feeling? The portrait on the wall? Lila and her visits, the sense of something different and foreboding? Pat at work, with Abigail, the interviews, her sacking her research officer? The discussions, the socials? The articles about Abigail and her disowning them? Luther censuring her project? Her angers? The relationship with Sam, her suspicions? Agreement on the film, the planning of the alternate ending, the reading of the-letter, Abigail, reaction? Her realisation: of the truth - and her looking at the old newsreel clip Her interpretation? The intruder in the house, the police? Lila and her advice? The final confrontation?

5. Pat and her past, the insertion of the memories, LI1a and her memories? The truth, hypnosis? Watching the videos? Abigail's affair with her father? Abigail's reaction, Toby and the truth, his confronting Pat, the violence?

6. Abigail and her work, the memory of her husband, her tough reputation, seeing her at work, meeting people, research, ideas? The ground rules for the program? The angers about the revelations of her past? Saunders and his story? Her interpretation, talk about Toby? Her relationship with Sam? Her friendship with Pat, watching the programme - agreeing to the final letter? Her almost becoming unstuck? Toby and his advice, the phone calls to Pat? The truth about the shootings? Her resignation from being vice-President?

7. The interview with Saunders, his story, the past?

8. Sam, the relationship with Pat, his relationship with Abigail, going to socials with her? The clashes? Reconciliation?

9. Toby, assistant to Abigail, the story about him, his work and efficiency? Protecting Abigail, her anger with him? His going to confront Pat, the violence? The other members of her staff and their work?

10. Luther, media boss, programming, liaisons with the powerful? Censorship and editing?

11. Lila, her visits, 25 years in the one house? Supporting Pat, hypnosis? The threatening notes, the intruder? Her telling the truth?

12. The background of her parents, their story, the affair. her interpretation of her father's action? The irony of her mother shooting? Abigail as onlooker?

13. The journey for Pat, memories of the past, the old house, trying to understand the truth, rid herself of nightmares, the connections with her work, freeing her demons?