City in Fear

• Directors: Jud Taylor; Alan Smithee
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Drama
• Themes: Work Ethics, Serial Killers, Members of the Press
• Main Cast: David Janssen, Robert Vaughn
• Release Year: 1980
• Country: US
• Run Time: 135 minutes

Plot

In his last appearance before the cameras, David Janssen plays an alcoholic journalist desperate for a comeback. Janssen hitches his star to ruthless publisher Robert Vaughn, who is exploiting a rash of brutal murders to sell papers. The danger here is that the unknown serial killer, who preys upon beautiful young women, is rapidly becoming a media celebrity--and may be prompted to continue killing just to see his name in print. Beyond its own potential for sensationalism, City in Fear raises several provocative questions about the responsibility (and culpability) of the press. For its March 30, 1980 premiere, City in Fear was given a two hour and fifty minute timeslot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Christopher Allport - Kenny Reiger; Pat Corley; Cindy Eilbacher; Troas Hayes - Felicia Davenport; David Janssen - Newspaper Columnist; Perry King; Mark Lonow - Henry Zeller; Mary Stuart Masterson; Frank McRae - Capt. Madison; George Petrie; William Prince; Mickey Rourke; Pepe Serna; Pearl Shear - Mrs. Purdy; Lane Smith - Brian; Gloria Stroock - Publisher's Assistant; Robert Vaughn - Newspaper Publisher; M. Emmet Walsh - Sheldon Lewis; William Daniels; Allan Miller - George Weller; Lane Binkley - Doris Greasza; Stephen Keep - Mayor Boylen; Susan Sullivan

Credit

Jud Taylor - Director, Alan Smithee - Director, Leonard Rosenman - Composer (Music Score), Charles Rosen - Production Designer, Albert Ruben - Screenwriter