DANIELLE STEEL'S SECRETS

US, 1992, 89 minutes, Colour.
Christopher Plummer, Stephanie Beacham, Linda Purl.
Directed by Peter Hunt.

Danielle Steel's Secrets is one of a series of telemovies and mini-series based on the bestselling author's romantic novels. The films, as the novels, are glossy, permissive yet sanitised, all-glamorous. The strength of this film is in its cast, especially with Christopher Plummer bringing his professionalism to the role of the producer and Stephanie Beacham bringing her toughness as well as tenderness to the role of the ageing actress. Linda Purl has a good role as the put-upon wife, actress. The film is set on the set of a mini-series called Manhattan - plenty of New York locations as well as Los Angeles. The melodrama is very much that of the soap opera. Direction is by Peter H. Hunt, better known for such action features as Shout at the Devil, Death Hunt and a version of Gulliver's Travels with Richard Harris.

1.Popularity of Danielle Steel's books? Romance, soap opera? The glamorous transition to the screen?

2.New York and Los Angeles settings? Wealth and glamour? San Francisco and hospitals? Score?

3.The title, audience anticipation? The secrets of the characters?

4.Mel, producer, his abilities, the death of his family in the crash? His meeting Sabina, persuading her to join the cast? His wheeling and dealing, phone calls, secretary? Influencing the characters? The relationship with Sabina, the puzzle about San Francisco, following her, discovery about her son? The reconciliation - and the possibility of a happy marriage?

5.Sabina, the mystery, the encounter with Mel, memories of the past, her disdain for television, reading the screenplay, agreeing to go into the series? Her relationship with Mel? The publicity, the parties? Her going to San Francisco - and the secret not being revealed until the end, her relationship with the politician, her son, his illness, the help of the doctor, the operation? The happy ending - and the possibility of marriage?

6. Jane, her story, actress, her abusive husband and the violent scenes, his turning her daughter against her? Her decision to go for the role, acceptance? Her meeting Zac, his support? Going to New York, her daughter’s visit, gradually realising the truth? Gabi and her advising her? The return to Los Angeles, the party, the relationship with Zac? His affirming her? Her going home, her husband’s attack, the gun, Zac hearing her cry on the phone, his return, the struggle, the daughter and her discovering the truth, reconciliation with her mother?

7. Zac’s story, the film actor, older, his being blackmailed by the two women, his indiscretion, the video? His performance, the attraction to Jane? Supporting her, the romance? Getting legal advice? Jane, her disguise, going to the two women, pretending to be a social worker, the con, getting the tape back? Giving it to Zac?

8. Bill, his drug addict wife, his devotion to her? His audition? His performance? His continual concern about his wife, his agent advising him not to tell the truth? Her disappearances? Her drug addict friends, his ousting them? Going back to Los Angeles, the party, deciding to confront his wife? Going home, finding her murdered? His arrest, the interrogations, the company getting him bail? Mel and his continued support? The networks and their wanting him to be eliminated? The cliff-hanger, his being shot? The cast and the company and their support in the court? Mel and his testimony for Bill? The not guilty verdict? Gabi, her being rich, concealing this, getting the part? The interactions with Bill, her identity being exposed in the papers? Realising that Bill had wanted his wife to have the role? Her lying for him for the alibi? The scenes in the soap opera, in real life, the bonds?