52 Pick-Up ** (1986, Roy Scheider, Ann-Margret, Vanity, John Glover, Robert Trebor, Lonny Chapman, Kelly Preston, Doug McClure) – Classic Movie Review 8523

Something is missing in director John Frankenheimer’s 1986 crime thriller film 52 Pick-Up – credibility, pace, wit and brevity for a start.

The Cannon Group remake Elmore Leonard’s 1974 novel just 18 months after their first go to film it as The Ambassador (1984). Elmore Leonard and John Steppling adapt the novel by Elmore Leonard.

Nevertheless, the remade tale has its own impetus and it has the right hard-boiled tone and some strong performances by an interesting cast. Roy Scheider commands respect as a businessman, LA manufacturer Harry Mitchell, setting out to get his own back on the bad guys who have the lowdown on his love life, after three masked blackmailers turn up with a video of him and his young mistress. And Ann-Margret finds gainful employment as his wife Barbara, running for city council.

It also stars Vanity, John Glover, Robert Trebor, Lonny Chapman, Kelly Preston as Cini, Doug McClure, Clarence Williams III, Alex Henteloff, Philip Bartko and Michelle Walker.

This is an early role for Kelly Preston, following her film debut in 10 to Midnight (1983).

Porn stars Randy West, Tom Byron, Amber Lynn, Sharon Mitchell, Ron Jeremy, Herschel Savage, Erica Boyer, Barbara Dare, Cara Lott and Jamie Gillis appear in the party sequence.

The Ambassador (1984) stars Robert Mitchum, Ellen Burstyn and Rock Hudson.

RIP Kelly Preston, who died of breast cancer on 12 July 2020 in Houston, Texas, aged 57.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8523

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