A Face to Die For
A Face to Die For (also known as The Face in the UK & Australia) is a 1996 television film, based on the book The Face by Marvin and Mark Werlin. The teleplay was also written by Marvin Werlin, Mark Werlin and Duane Poole, is a romantic thriller that starred Yasmine Bleeth,[2] James Wilder and Robin Givens.
A Face to Die For | |
---|---|
Genre | Drama |
Based on | The Face by Marvin and Mark Werlin |
Written by | Duane Poole |
Directed by | Jack Bender[1] |
Starring | Yasmine Bleeth James Wilder Robin Givens Chandra West |
Music by | Christopher Franke |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers | Frank Konigsberg Robert Levinson |
Producers | Jayne Bieber Duane Poole (co-producer0 Mark Werlin (co-producer) Marvin Werlin (co-producer) |
Production locations | 4th Street Viaduct, Los Angeles, California Santa Fe Avenue, Downtown, Los Angeles |
Cinematography | Eagle Egilsson |
Editor | Mark Melnick |
Running time | 90 minutes |
Production company | Konigsberg Company |
Distributor | NBC |
Release | |
Original network | NBC |
Picture format | Color |
Audio format | Stereo |
Original release | March 11, 1996 |
Plot
Due to a tragic childhood accident, Emily Gilmore (Yasmine Bleeth) is left scarred both physically and mentally. The large scar on her face is a constant reminder to Emily that her career and love life are suffering. Lonely yet talented, Emily longs for a successful career and romance but is trapped by insecurity and fear.
The handsome Alec Dalton (James Wilder) turns Emily's life around and makes her feel truly happy and secure for the first time in her life. Unfortunately, Alec talks Emily into stealing money from her employer. But the old man that Emily works for comes in during the heist and has a heart attack. Emily stays behind to help him while Alec runs off. He gets away with the money but Emily is sent to prison. She is so in love with Alec she does not say a word about Alec's involvement.
While Emily is in prison she learns that Alec has run away with her own sister, Sheila Gilmore (Chandra West). Devastated, Emily gets in a fight with another inmate and because of the injuries she sustains she has to be seen by Dr. Matthew Sheridan (Richard Beymer). The doctor tells her that he can correct her scars for free with an experimental surgery. It's a great success and Emily is beautiful, almost unrecognizable. After the surgery Emily begins a relationship with the surgeon, who showers her in gifts and love. She is released from prison and the two get engaged, but Emily leaves him when she discovers that Matthew had reconstructed her face to be identical to his dead wife's.
Emily attempts to begin again, changing her name and starting her own business as a fashion designer with her friend from prison Claudia (Robin Givens). She reconnects with a kind man from her past, Paul (Ricky Paull Goldin), and starts a relationship with him (though he does not know her true identity.) But when Emily runs into Alec and he does not recognize her, she decides to take her revenge.
Cast
- Yasmine Bleeth as Emily Gilmore
- Kashia Miller as Young Emily Gilmore
- James Wilder as Alec Dalton
- Richard Beymer as Dr. Matthew Sheridan
- Ricky Paull Goldin as Paul Mallory
- Robin Givens as Claudia
- Chandra West as Sheila Gilmore
- Mitch Ryan as Joe Thomas
- Rosalind Ayres as Mrs. Travers
- Bette Ford as Mrs. Berman
- Kelly Jo Minter as Rita
- Michael Clark as Michael
- Pat Musick as Mrs. Anderson
- Ian Abercrombie as Mr. Sturetsky
- Philip Simon as Hotel clerk
- Toni Sawyer as Woman at reception
- Scott McKinley as Anesthesiologist
- Elisabeth Ryall as Linda Blake
- Francesca Poston
- Mary Ellen Trainor as Mrs. Gilmore
- Jo De Winter as Bunny Thomas
Production
Ricky Paull Goldin, who acted in this film along with Yasmine Bleeth, was engaged to be married to Yasmine, but the wedding was called off after the wedding invitations had already been printed.
References
- Young, R.G. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film: Ali Baba to Zombies. Applause Books p.204. ISBN 978-1-5578-3269-6.
- Everett, Todd (March 10, 1996). "A Face to Die for". Variety. Retrieved July 14, 2020.