Perry King Movies

[Tim]

Never heard of this one.

[Squad 51]

I didn't know either but well, here we are.

So, tonight then The Perfect Wife from 2001!

Cast:
Perry King - Dr. Robert Steward
Shannon Sturges - Leah Tyman/Liza Steward
Lesley-Anne Down - Helen Cobourn
William R. Moses - Dr. Brad Steward
Michele Greene - Felicia Laurel
Max Gail - Ted Vance
Michael Fairman - Orville Gleason
Luisa Leschin - Greta Molina

and many more

Story:
Leah has been like a mother to her brother Ruben. One day Ruben was out biking when he was struck by an inebriated motorist. Later a doctor comes across them and helps them. He first checks out Ruben and tells him not to move then goes to check on the driver. But Ruben starts to move and stand up and his condition worsens and he dies. When Leah learns of this, she goes into a rage and decides to go after everyone who is responsible for her brother's death. She begins with the driver; she goes to the hospital and turns off the life support machine. She then follows the doctor to where he lives and changes her name to Liz and manages to get him to marry her. She then begins her plan by killing his office manager and taking over. She then alters patients medications and when they begin to die the doctor is blamed. Things were going well until the driver whom she thought died shows and blackmails her. And the doctor's former wife is suspicious of her. — rcs0411 (from IMDB again)

I thought I'd reviewed this movie before but don't see it here. I liked it. These movies are for fun. If it followed perfect logic it would be boring. I think a lot of people miss the point. Of course it was frustrating that the doctor wasn't catching on to the crazy 2nd wife but he's just off his honeymoon, starry eyed in love and how many people have we all known who can't see what's wrong with someone they are crazy about until it's too late. Also, why would he suspect his new wife of the crimes? He doesn't know she has a motive and he's grieving his losses. It all just seemed like coincidence to him. I thought Perry King was great, as usual and Shannon Sturges was extremely fun to hate. I'm glad the doctor and his first wife got back together in the end or were obviously going to. I thought there were some ironies compared to Kings real life (no murder of course) but maybe only I would notice them being a big fan. He was a producer on this and I saw about 5 things that could mirror some of his real life events. His father actually was a surgeon named Robert for one. Anyway mine is a much more recent review than these others but as I said I liked it! - by angeladavis49 on IMDB

Thoughts: Well, a doctor comes across an accident and tries to save the two people involved, only the young man won't listen and dies then. His sister who identifies him seeks out for revenge by killing anyone involved in this. She goes first after the driver but she manages to survive this attack. Then we are a year later where Liza is married to Dr. Robert Steward and they are fresh off the honeymoon. However, the maid Greta is suspicious of the young lady and thinks that she brings harm upon the doctor. Greta enlists the help of Robert's ex-wife Helen who won't listen at first but then she also has her doubts with time. Liza continues her revenge by replacing the office manager, killing his old teacher and beloved brother. When Robert is told about the 'crimes' of his wife, he wouldn't listen because she seems to have an alibi all the time. She gets the maid Greta fired by accusing her of stealing and so it's upon Helen to solve the mystery around Liza. The young lady poisons the doctor himself at the end and let him die within his car but Helen comes right on time and manages to save him. Three months later, the old couple seems to be together again but Liza interrupts the date and shoots the doctor, yet again the two women fight and Helen gets the gun to shoot Liza in the stomach. Robert still takes a heart to heart and saves her, because he is a doctor. Well, that's it.

Some pics:


I'll stop here before it becomes too much.

So tomorrow then a year later, in 2002!

[Tim]

Shannon Sturges played the villainous Helena Statler in the S1 Charmed episode, Which Prue is It, Anyway?

[Squad 51]

Yeah, I thought the name was somewhat familiar, or at least the face.

Tonight then Another Pretty Face from 2002 - in the news business!

Cast:
Mel Harris - Diana Downs
Perry King - Michael Bennet
Dick Van Patten - Levi Downs
Richard Riehle - Hilton March
Julie Ann Emory - Libby Deco
Warren Berlinger - Syd Weinstock
Colby Donaldson - Pete Deco

and many more

Story:
L.A. TV news anchor Diana Downs is replaced by younger colleague Amber Sullivan. Findind nobody hires a 'dinosaur' of 45, she gets a complete make-over, including sports car and plastic surgery, which she always loaded as shallow. She cuts her CV accordingly and moves in with her daughter, whose career means her hunky husband, Pete, has to suspend his to mind their two kids. Thus she becomes rival station boss Hilton March's secretary and tries using female charms too for a change. Opportunity knocks when the weather man is indisposed. Diana and daughter join the station. — KGF Vissers (and corrected by me)

I am a Mel Harris fan, so I might be biased but I really enjoyed this movie. I especially liked the relationship between Mel's character (Diana) and her daughter (Libby). They were friends and that was nice to see. In a lot of movies the mother and daughter have issues and do nothing but struggle with each other. I also liked the vibe at the news studio. The people looked like fun to work with, a job you would find enjoyable. The movie had a lighthearted, friendly spin that was nice to view. It was a treat to see Dick Van Patten playing Diana's loving dad, and it didn't hurt that Colby from Survivor played Libby's husband

Main Story: Diana Downs, an award winning anchorwoman (Mel Harris) is replaced by a younger, attractive anchorwoman (Julianne Morris). Frustrated that looks are valued more than intelligence, Diana reinvents herself. She has a facelift, gets a new hairdo, drops some weight, dresses younger and drives a sports car. She moves back to the town where her father (Dick Van Patten) and her daughter (Julie Ann Emery) live, shortens her resume, drops her first name and gets a job as a secretary at the local news studio. Now as Beth Downs, she works her way up from the inside employing good old work ethics. There is the hint of a budding romance between Beth and another aging anchorman, Michael Bennett (gorgeous Perry King), but besides a kiss and the idea that they will eventually get together, the focus of the movie is not on their romance.

Side Story: Libby, married with a toddler, is battling the decision to pursue her blossoming career as a news producer or stay at home with her daughter. Colby Donaldson has a small role as Libby's husband Pete.

In the end, it all comes together in a predictable, but touching way. You can check out more on the movie at paxpressroom.tv. - by imdbfan30 on IMDB

Thoughts: Well, a successful anchorwoman is replaced by a younger one and she doesn't get hired anymore because of her age. And what does she do? Changing herself completely and starts anew at a different station, though some of her colleagues notice that Beth has some experience in that field. An older anchorman, Michael, shows an interest in her, yet since she lied about her age, there is a misunderstanding and a maybe romance in the future. Beth's daughter Libby has different problems, yet still the same about whose career is more important and what counts for women? Kids or career or both? Both women make the right decisions at the end.

Some pics:


I'll leave it here with the pictures and hope it goes well.

Tomorrow then a step to 2004!

[Tim]

A "dinosaur"!?

This lady is a decade younger than I am!

[Melinda Halliwell]

I also remember Shannon Stuges from the American drama Savannah which also starred Ray Wise who played the demon Ludlow in Charmed season 4.

And Lesley Anne Down of course is a very famous British actress who acted since the 80s and had a starring role in "Sunset Beach" an American soap opera I used to watch in the late 90s on British TV.

Movies like "The Perfect Wife" have all the classic hallmarks of a Lifetime film where bad things happen and someone wants revenge for it. People get stalked or die. Fights ensure once the truth comes out and either the villain dies or is arrested and sent to prison instead.

[Tim]

Nov 28, 2022 5:12:44 GMT -5 Melinda Halliwell said:

And Lesley Anne Down of course is a very famous British actress who acted since the 80s and had a starring role in "Sunset Beach" an American soap opera I used to watch in the late 90s on British TV.

Actually, she's been acting since 1969.

[Squad 51]

I know her mainly from "North & South". Lesley-Anne Down, I mean.

[Squad 51]

Nov 27, 2022 18:20:19 GMT -5 Tim said:

A "dinosaur"!?

This lady is a decade younger than I am!

And a bit older than me. lol

Back on track with Stranger At The Door from 2004.

Cast:
Linda Purl - Kathleen Norris
Andrew Kraulis - Jamie Fisher
Perry King - Greg Norris
Meredith Henderson - Tara Norris
Sophie Gendron - Delia Winter
Megan Fahlenbock - Elizabeth

and many more

Story:
Katherine "Kathy" is happily married to businessman Greg Norris and lives in his beautiful home with his about 18-year old daughter Tara. When suddenly a charming young man, who Tara first saw lurking around in the garden, turns up on their doorstep claiming he must be Jamie, the baby son she once gave up for adoption as a teenage mother on her parents' orders, the couple is delighted to meet him. They even take him in as they hear his adoptive parents have died in car accident and he's looking for a place to stay during his business studies just like Greg, to pay for which he held various jobs, even in Rio. The only one who remains suspicious is Tara, who doesn't want to be the kid sister and starts looking for holes is Jamie's story, going trough his things and having a friend examine his past- there are, since he didn't tell the Norris family about his lover who helps him unconditionally with his sinister hidden agenda... — KGF Vissers (from IMDB again)

One of the principal attributes of "Stranger at the Door" is the inherent goodness of Greg Norris and his wife Kathleen. They both show extraordinary kindness to the young man called Jamie Fisher, who arrives on their doorstep claiming to be the son that Kathleen had given up at his birth when she was sixteen.

It was Greg's idea to invite Jamie into the family home with no questions asked or no investigation of his past. And for his kindness, Greg is promptly repaid by being murdered by Jamie, who has his sights set on collecting the million-dollar insurance check.

In counterpoint to Greg and Kathleen is Tara, the daughter from Greg's first marriage. Tara is the skeptic, who is instantly alerted to the suspicious behavior of Jamie. But her father and stepmother take the defense of the facile yet charming young man working in league with Liz, who dispensed medication while serving an as inmate at the prison where Jamie was incarcerated. It was there that he learned the story of the real son of Kathleen. Between the co-conspirators, Liz is the more vicious, and Jamie turns out to actually possess the semblance of a conscience.

The cast was superb with the actors playing the two villains chewing the scenery, and the saintly parents consistently angelic in their behavior. One of our favorite performers and one with a distinctive baritone voice is Perry "Lifetime" King, who plays the role of Greg and unfortunately drops out of the film and this earthly existence well before his time.

The most touching moment is reserved for the denouement when at the Landsberry Correctional Facility, Kathleen finally meets the real Jamie Fisher, her long-lost son, who is destined to help restore her shattered world. - by lavatch on IMDB

Thoughts: A young man is observing a house with the Norris family in it. Greg has remarried after his first wife's death and his daughter Tara keeps calling her stepmom Kathleen. To Kathy's surprise, this young man claims to be her lost adopted son Jamie, yet the moment he is in, he's calling his girl Liz and they set a plan in action. Jamie goes through all papers, yet Tara remains suspicious of him. With Liz's help, he kills Greg Norris and well, then waits for the insurance papers. Meanwhile, Liz has decided to join the club and they take the remaining Norris as hostages. Kathleen can get the cheque cashed and all move to the Norris' cabin where then another friend of the family comes right on time to save Kathleen and Tara. In the end, both women wait for the real Jamie to come out of prison and Tara calls Kathy finally Mom.

Some pics:


I'll leave it and as usual, the pics are kinda mixed up. Perry King and Linda Purl dated each other in the late 1980s but remained friends.

So, tomorrow then into the year 2005 - with two movies.

[Tim]

I know Linda Purl from the one season she was on Happy Day's, in the early 1980's.

[Melinda Halliwell]

Regarding Lesley Anne Down I've only known her acting since the 80s. I had not seen her in anything before that then.

I also remember Linda from Mighty Joe Young.

[Squad 51]

I guess I remember Linda Purl from 'Matlock'.

[Squad 51]

New day, new movie and my list is going to end soon.

Tonight then The Perfect Neighbor from 2005.

Cast:
Barbara Niven - Donna Germaine
Perry King - William Costigan
Susan Blakely - Jeannie Costigan
Linda Darlow - Grace Palmer
Lila Bata-Walsh - Trish Costigan
Anna Silk - Ashley Marin
Tori Hammond - Rita
Chuck Samata - Detective Lupo

and many more

Story:
In Kansas City, the deranged middle-age Donna Germaine stabs and kills her lover, when he calls off their relationship to stay with his wife. Donna uses an excuse to move to the house of her aunt, and she becomes obsessed in their neighbor, the executive William Costigan. The sick Donna plots an evil scheme to take William from his wife Jeannie Costigan. — Claudio Carvalho (from IMDB again)

As a child, the love received by little Donna never seemed to be enough. When her daddy left home, Donna blamed her mother and planned to kill her. But before she could realize her plan, the mother slipped on a floor and died. Now, as an adult, Donna is still searching for her lost daddy and will stop at nothing in removing all obstacles in her path of a desire male mate.

Donna's kind Auntie Grace takes Donna in after she has moved away from her previous home. But unknown to Auntie Grace, Donna has just murdered a man with whom she was conducting an extramarital affair. He would not leave his wife, so Donna stabbed him and buried the body.

Next on Donna's hit list is poor Auntie Grace, a savvy businesswoman, who runs a travel operation out of her home. Auntie Grace gets wise to her disturbed niece, and winds up a casualty after Donna pushes her down the stairs. Next up for Donna is Ashley, the assistant of Donna's neighbor William, who lives happily with his wife Jeannie and their lovely child Trish.

William is head of the WGBC television station, and Ashley is his hard-working executive assistant. In Donna's master plan, she wants to take Ashley's place to get closer to William. She clocks Ashley with a tire iron and plants incriminating evidence that makes it appear that Ashley and William were having an affair.

But Donna had not counted on the strength of William's marriage to Jeannie. Despite an indiscretion of five years ago, William and Jeannie have forged a bond that will be a formidable barrier to Donna's obsessive pursuit of William.

The character of Donna was one of the creepiest appearing in the Lifetime film. There was little to find sympathetic about the morbidly fixated Donna. As a person, there were tips evident to the viewer but apparently not to the other characters that daddy's little girl needed the help she deserves.

An early tip-off was when she brushed off the kind co-worker Chuck with the line "I'm taken." Donna was taken all right...by the father figure who vanished from her life and left a void that could never be filled. - by lavatch on IMDB

Thoughts: Donna seems to be fixed on married men and anyone who doesn't come to her will be killed. She does so before she's moving to her aunt Grace. When she first sees the neighbor William Costigan, she starts a plan to get this man. Plotting around, she removes anyone who could disturb her plan. A first victim is her own aunt Grace who looked only in her things before the poor woman gets pushed down the stairs and dies. By William's kindness, Donna gets a job at his station where Ashley is the man's assistant. She will be next in Donna's plan and for her even looks like the young woman was having an affair with her boss. Donna kills Ashley too, and well, the next one to remove is the wife. Jeannie and William had some problems before, yet they manage their marriage. For some nights they are separated, yet when Trish gets sick, they come together again but Donna disturbs this. She shoots William in his knee while then Jeannie follows her. With one shot, she dies and the couple enjoys their daughter's piano play.

Some pics:


I'll stop here now. Getting late, anyway.

See you tomorrow - same year, another season. lol

P.S. The last two movies were filmed in Canada, btw!

[Tim]

Don't know anyone in this one.

[Melinda Halliwell]

I recognise the short blonde-haired woman. Did she play Billie's mum in season 8 of Charmed? I'm not sure.