JANE DOE: VANISHING ACT

US, 2005, 90 minutes, Colour.
Leah Thomson, Joe Penney, William R. Moses.
Directed by James A. Contner.

Vanishing Act is one of the earlier television films in the series starring Leah Thomson as a former espionage agent, now turned housewife and inventor of puzzles. Her former co-worker, played by Joe Penney, asks her to investigate the disappearance of scientist from a moving plane.

The film is entertainingly routine, provides an interesting murder mystery – and is easy watching from the Hallmark channel. James A. Contner has directed many television films and television series.

1.The series? The premise of Jane Doe? Cathy Davis and her former employment, its being a secret, her family life? Being called back into action?

2.The prologue: the scientist, his being put on a plane, his disappearance? The authorities, the FBI, the concern? The search?

3.Cathy as a personality, her relationship with her husband Jack? Her being a puzzles expert? This being a cover for her being reemployed? A consultancy? With the two children, the domestic sequences, the boy and his self-image, being elected by the class? The daughter, her dance routines, winning? The bickering between brother and sister? Her cover of her job and not letting her husband know? Finally telling him – and his being asleep?

4.Frank Darnell, with Cathy in the past? Following her, the chase, asking her to come back? His place in the investigation, their sparring?

5.Cathy, using her ingenuity, testing out theories with her children? Going to see the pilot, investigations at the other airport? Following leads, the discovery of the murder? Her working out that it was the employers who were the criminals? The computer, the code, the confrontation with the head of the department? The other agent, his working with the head? Frank to the rescue?

6.Enjoyable characterisations, the murder mystery, the vanishing act, the second plane, the pilot injuring himself, the scientist’s sister and the computers? A satisfactory entertainment?