Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story

• Director: Gabrielle Beaumont
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Drama
• Movie Type: Message Movie, Biopic
• Themes: Treacherous Spouses, Domestic Abuse, Self-Destructive Romance
• Main Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Bruce Weitz
• Release Year: 1981
• Country: US
• Run Time: 96 minutes

Plot

Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story is a surfacy TV-movie rehash of the same real-life events which inspired the 1980 theatrical feature Star 80. Jamie Lee Curtis stars as Dorothy Stratten, here depicted as an ingenuous, highly vulnerable Canadian girl who aspires to show business stardom. Decked out with a generous toupee, Bruce Weitz co-stars as Paul Snyder, the "fringie" who married Dorothy and managed her career. The girl is discovered by Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner, who features Dorothy in a nude foldout spread. As Dorothy's fame grows, Snyder becomes more obsessive and difficult to control. Dorothy tries to make a clean break from Snyder, which culminates in tragedy. Death of a Centerfold initially aired on November 1, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Bibi Besch - Hilda Flushing; Jim Boeke - Lyman; Kale Browne - Sidney; Robert Burgos - Photographer; Robert Clotworthy - Floyd; Karlene Crockett - Anna; Jamie Lee Curtis - Dorothy Stratten; Nate Esformes - Barney; Hugh Gillin - Max Halloran; Hanna Hertelendy - Helen; Belinda Mayne - Girl at mansion #2; Ferdy [Ferdinand] Mayne - Lomax; Gloria Gifford Miss - Jean; Robert Reed - David Palmer; Joe Restivo - Artie; Mitchell Ryan - Hugh Hefner; Bruce Weitz - Paul Snider; Luca Bercovici - Pooch; Rodney Saulsberg - Reggie; Fred Smith - Bartender; Mark Withers - Billy Compton; Rick Grassi - Waiter; Adam Mills - Photographic Assistant; Cameron Young - Attendant; Steven Hirsch - Sherm; Twyla Littleton - Twyla; Tracy Reed - Mindy

Credit

Patrick W. Cummings - Costume Designer, Gabrielle Beaumont - Director, Roger Webb - Composer (Music Score), John D. Jefferies, Sr. - Production Designer, Donald E. Stewart - Screenwriter

Similar Movies

Frances; Galaxina; Sid and Nancy; Sleeping with the Enemy; Star 80; What's Love Got to Do with It?