The Fan (1981)

A legendary film and stage actress (Lauren Bacall) is stalked by a psychotic fan (Michael Biehn). Based on the novel by Bob Randall and directed by Edward Bianchi. There's something rather unsavory and even sleazy about this thriller. The novel and its original screenplay focused on the psychological aspects of a famous woman being stalked by an unstable fan who eventually turns homicidal. However, with the success of De Palma's DRESSED TO KILL the previous year, the original screenplay was changed and took a more violent and gory turn. This made Bacall very unhappy and it seems to have affected her performance which is very dour. Biehn as the psychopath and Maureen Stapleton as Bacall's secretary (the only character I really liked) give solid performances which compensate somewhat. The musical numbers (Bacall is doing a stage musical) are cheesy and resemble a gaudy Las Vegas floor show rather than a classy Broadway musical and Bacall's croaky voice doesn't help. The Pino Donaggio underscore is very effective. A film that might actually benefit by being remade. With a wasted James Garner, Hector Elizondo, Dana Delany, Griffin Dunne and Kurt Johnson.