Two movies called Night and the City are being released on
videocassette this week — confusing perhaps, but at least they've got
the same plot. In many cases two tapes have titles in common and
nothing else, leading to frustration when you go to the store to rent Fatal Attraction, expecting Glenn Close as a sexy psycho and ending
up with Sally Kellerman as a sex fantasist. Or looking for Arnold
Schwarzenegger in Red Heat and finding Linda Blair instead. Beware of
these other video doppelgangers.
The one you want:
The Accused (1988, Paramount) Jodie Foster, Kelly McGillis.
Gang-raped blue-collar woman is defended by idealistic assistant DA.
The one you might get
The Accused (1949, Paramount) Loretta Young, Robert Cummings.
Student-killing lady professor is defended by victim's guardian.
The Difference
Foster's role led to new career as mature actress, Young's, to
career as TV hostess.
The one you want:
Always (1989, MCA/Universal) Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter. Dead
pilot returns as guardian angel of novice flyboy; Steven Spielberg
directs.
The one you might get
Always (1986, LIVE) Henry Jaglom, Patrice Townsend. Ex-wife
returns to reconcile with self-absorbed filmmaker; Jaglom directs.
The Difference
Director Spielberg is a legend; director Jaglom is a legend in his
own mind.
The one you want:
Betrayed (1988, MGM/UA) Tom Berenger, Debra Winger. FBI agent
infiltrates fascist group by romancing handsome farmer/murderer.
The one you might get
Betrayed (1954, MGM/UA) Clark Gable, Lana Turner. Suspected
traitor infiltrates Nazi high command by going undercover as
chanteuse.
The Difference
Winger's character, unlike Turner's, wears sensible shoes.
The one you want:
Blue Steel (1990, MGM/ UA) Jamie Lee Curtis, Ron Silver. Wall
Street psycho finds gun, goes on killing spree.
The one you might get
Blue Steel (1934, National Entertainment) John Wayne, Gabby Hayes.
Duke finds a gold mine; town goes on buying spree.
The Difference
Silver's beard is black; Hayes' is white.
The one you want:
The Freshman (1990, Columbia TriStar) Marlon Brando, Matthew
Broderick. College boy scams crooked feds in big sting, gets komodo
dragon.
The one you might get
The Freshman (1925, Time-Life) Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston. College boy scores winning touchdown in big game, gets girl.
The Difference
Lloyd in football cleats versus Brando on ice skates.
The one you want:
Glory (1989, Columbia TriStar) Matthew Broderick, Denzel
Washington. Black soldiers enlist to fight in Civil War.
The one you might get
Glory (1956, Video Communications) Margaret O'Brien, Walter
Brennan. White horsewoman enters filly in Kentucky Derby.
The Difference
The horse gets more respect.
The one you want:
Heat (1987, Paramount) Burt Reynolds, Howard
Hesseman. Las Vegas bodyguard avenges beating of
prostitute.
The one you might get
Heat (1972, Paramount) Joe Dallesandro, Sylvia Miles. Los Angeles
gigolo sponges off old movie star.
The Difference
1972 film is intentionally tacky.
The one you want:
Off Limits (1988, FoxVideo) Willem Dafoe, Gregory Hines. Army cops
investigate hooker murders in wartime Saigon.
The one you might get
Off Limits(1953, Barr Entertainment) Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney.
Army cop turned into prizefighter by rule-breaking manager.
The Difference
Hope and Rooney have marginally more potential as song-and-dance
team.
