THE CALENDAR GIRL MURDERS
US, 1984, 104 minutes, Colour.
Robert Culp, Tom Skerritt, Barbara Parkins, Sharon Stone.
Directed by William A. Graham.
The Calendar Girl Murders is an entertaining, if routine, murder thriller. Based on a character something like Hugh Hefner, the film shows the world of models - though well-draped for the wide television audience. There are suggestions in the plot and some of the dialogue for darker sides of modelling. However, this is designed for the widest possible audience.
In fact, the film is mainly a police thriller with Tom Skerritt as the investigator, his usual reliable role. Sharon Stone is the glamorous model. Robert Culp is the Hefner type. In the supporting cast are Pat Corley, Robert Morse and Robert Beltran. Nothing particularly new - and you might even work out who the murderer is.
1.Entertaining thriller? Murder mystery? The world of centrefolds and models?
2.Glamorous settings, the world of modelling? Business, hotels, apartments, shows? The contrast with police precincts? Action sequences, stunt work? Musical score?
3.The title, the focus? Expectations?
4.Dan Stoner, his wanting to resign, friendship with Tony, other members of the force? The calendar girls' murders, his investigations, the background of his home life, relationship with his wife, her developing the photographs? His son and his infatuation with Cassie? The meeting with Cassie, her attraction towards him? Traynor and the models? The interrogations? Surveillance, present at functions? Discussing the case with his wife? The further murders, the interrogations? The investigation of the photos, Albert Stark and the car chase? His realising who the murderer was? Her attacking his wife, his confrontation? Her grief and his support? Arguing with Tony about her file? Portrait of the police officer?
5.Other members of the police: Tony, the boss, getting Stoner to do a favour? The argument at the end? The young assistant and his wanting to go to centrefold parties? His work with him, surveillance of Stark and the pursuit? Rose Hernandez, undercover, glamorous dresses, her not wanting to stay on the job - especially with the father critical of his daughter's career?
6.Traynor, the world of photography and magazines, centrefolds? Cleo as his assistant? His relationship with the girls, organising finances, organising socials? His arrogance? His clash with Cassie? Under suspicion? The revelation of the truth about his wife and his daughter?
7.Cassie, her work, her career, Angel of the Year? The encounter with Dan? Going to the socials, her attraction towards him and following him to the sports event? Rescuing the drowning girl? The discussions, the gradual revelation of the truth, her being Traynor's daughter, the threat to Dan's wife?
8.The girls, the initial social and the girl dumb on television, her death? The murder of the girl at home? The photography, the life of the centrefolds? The socials, parties, sports events?
9.Albert Stark, photography, infatuation with Cassie - the surveillance, the pursuit, his death in hospital?
10.Robert Morse as the has-been star, his poor performance? Under suspicion? His relationship with the first murdered girl?
11.The gallery of characters to fill out the background of this kind of story, give it atmosphere? The popularity of this kind of mystery?
