Ladykillers (film)
Ladykillers is a 1988 television film, directed by Robert Michael Lewis, and starring Lesley-Anne Down, Marilu Henner, Susan Blakely, and Keith David as Abe. The film score was composed by Mark Snow.
| Ladykillers | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action Thriller Crime |
| Written by | Gregory S. Dinallo |
| Directed by | Robert Michael Lewis |
| Starring | Marilu Henner Susan Blakely Thomas Calabro Lesley-Anne Down |
| Theme music composer | Mark Snow |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Barry J. Weitz |
| Producer | Andrew Hill |
| Production location | Los Angeles |
| Cinematography | Thomas Del Ruth |
| Editor | J. P. Farrell |
| Running time | 96 min. |
| Production companies | ABC Circle Films Barry Weitz Films |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | November 9, 1988 |
The plot of this film is unconnected with The Ladykillers (1955) or the 2004 remake of the same name.
Plot
The plot has a male sexualization theme. Performers in a Los Angeles male strip club are being murdered by an unknown female assailant. There are multiple suspects: Morganna King, the owner of the club; Lilah Corbett, the club's promoter; and the head stripper, who has mysteriously disappeared after being fired.
Unable to gain a lead, investigating officer Lt. Cavanaugh goes undercover as a stripper in an attempt to trap the murderer, eventually starring in the titular "Ladykillers" show, but he is almost killed in the process.
Critical reception
The film received poor reviews. The Los Angeles Times deemed Ladykillers "inept," writing that the script was simply "an excuse for a male flesh parade."[1] The New York Times called the film "leering" and "prurient."[2]
References
- Shirley, Don (9 November 1988). "Inept 'Ladykillers' Just a Male Flesh Parade". Los Angeles Times.
- O'Connor, John (9 November 1988). "Male Strippers in 'Ladykillers' on ABC". The New York Times.