Power, Passion And Murder (1987)

Set in 1930s Hollywood, two stories run parallel to each other: a rising young actress (Michelle Pfeiffer) begins an affair with a married man (Brian Kerwin) that could destroy her career and the head (Darren McGavin) of a major studio is fighting to keep his position while his wife (Lois Chiles) is having a fling with one of the studio's stars (Steven Bauer). Originally produced for public television separately, the two stories were edited together to make a longer film. NATICA JACKSON (the Pfeiffer story) is based on a short story by John O'Hara (BUTTERFIELD 8) and directed by Paul Bogart while A TABLE AT CIRO'S (the McGavin story) is based on a story by Budd Schulberg (WHAT MAKES SAMMY RUN?) and directed by Leon Ichaso. Both stories are similar in tone, the machinations of behind the scenes Hollywood where underneath the false glamour, we find a lot of heartbreak and pain. The O'Hara story is held together by an impressive performance by Pfeiffer while the Schulberg tale is more of an ensemble piece. Both well done although the editing allows the Schulberg piece to peak early and lets the O'Hara story take over. Also in the cast: Stella Stevens, Hector Elizondo, Kenneth McMillan, Holland Taylor, Donna Murphy, Sherilyn Fenn, Neva Patterson and Kim Myers.