''False Arrest'' is a 1991 American

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...

based on the real-life murders of William Redmond and Helen Phelps and the true story of Joyce Lukezic, who was wrongfully convicted of being one of the masterminds behind the murders. Directed by

Bill L. Norton Bill L. Norton (born August 13, 1943) is an American film and television director, writer, and producer. Among many projects, he is the writer-director of the films ''Cisco Pike'' (1971) and ''More American Graffiti'' (1979). Life and career Nor ...

and starring

Donna Mills Donna Mills (born Donna Jean Miller; December 11, 1940) is an American actress. She began her television career in 1966 with a recurring role on ''The Secret Storm'', and in the same year appeared on Broadway in Woody Allen's comedy '' Don't ...

and

Steven Bauer Steven Bauer (born Esteban Ernesto Echevarría Samson; December 2, 1956) is a Cuban American actor. Bauer began his career on PBS, portraying Joe Peña, the son of Cuban immigrants on '' ¿Qué Pasa, USA?'' (1977–1979). He played Manolo "Ma ...

, the film was broadcast in two parts on November 3 and 6, 1991.

Synopsis

New Year's Eve In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve refers to the evening, or commonly the entire day, of the last day of the year, 31 December, also known as Old Year's Day. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated with dancing, eating, drinkin ...

1980, in

Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. With over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census, it is the ...

, William "Pat" Redmond, his wife, Marilyn, and her mother; Helen Phelps, are hustled into a bedroom in their house by three men with guns and are each shot in the back of the head. Both Pat and Phelps die while Marilyn survives. Joyce Lukezic, the wife of Pat Redmond's business partner, Ron Lukezic, is charged with masterminding the murders. After going to jail, Joyce suffers a heart attack, is abandoned by her lawyer and husband, and is attacked in prison. She also attempts suicide. When Joyce gets a new lawyer, she tells him she suspects her husband is the true mastermind behind the murders. She eventually gets a retrial and is found innocent.

Cast

as Joyce Lukezic *

as Detective Dan Ryan *

Lane Smith Walter Lane Smith III (April 29, 1936 – June 13, 2005) was an American actor. His well-known roles included newspaper editor Perry White in the ABC series '' Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman'', collaborator entrepreneur Nathan Bat ...

as Martin Busey *

James Handy James Handy is an American film actor. He appeared in numerous films and television shows since 1977. On film, he appeared as Byers in '' K-9'' and its sequel, '' K-911''. He later appeared in ''Arachnophobia'', ''Jumanji'', '' Unbreakable'', '' ...

as Thomas Thinnes *

Lewis Van Bergen Lewis Van Bergen (November 9, 1938 – April 6, 2018) was an American actor, best known for his role as Jon Sable on the short-lived 1987 television series ''Sable''. He was in the film ''Bugsy ''Bugsy'' is a 1991 American biographical ...

as Arnie Merrill *

Dennis Christopher Dennis Christopher Carrelli (born December 2, 1950) is a retired American actor whose film credits include '' Breaking Away'' (1979), '' Fade to Black'' (1980), ''Chariots of Fire'' (1981), '' It'' (1990), and '' Django Unchained'' (2012). Ear ...

as Wally Roberts *

Paul Gleason Paul Xavier Gleason (May 4, 1939 – May 27, 2006) was an American film and television actor. He was known for his roles on television series such as ''All My Children'' and films such as '' The Breakfast Club'', ''Trading Places'', and ''Di ...

as Arthur Ross *

Penny Fuller Penny Fuller is an American actress. She received two Tony Award nominations for her performances on Broadway stage: for '' Applause'' (1970), and ''The Dinner Party'' (2001). For her television performances, Fuller received six Emmy Award nomin ...

as Marilyn Redmond *

Kiersten Warren Kiersten Warren is an American actress. Her best known roles include Alex Tabor on '' Saved by the Bell: The College Years'' and Nora Huntington on ''Desperate Housewives''. Life and career Warren is the mother of actress Misti Traya, who has ...

as Eden *

Jason London Jason Paul London (born November 7, 1972) is an American actor, known for his roles as Randall "Pink" Floyd in director Richard Linklater's film '' Dazed and Confused'' (1993), Jesse in '' The Rage: Carrie 2'' (1999), and Rick Rambis in '' Out Co ...

as Eric *

Brian Bonsall Brian Eric Bonsall (born December 3, 1981) is an American rock musician, singer, guitarist and former child actor. Bonsall is the guitarist for punk rock band The Ataris. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Andrew "Andy" Keaton, the youn ...

as Jason Lukezic *

Robert Wagner Robert John Wagner Jr. (born February 10, 1930) is an American actor. He is known for starring in the television shows ''It Takes a Thief (1968 TV series), It Takes a Thief'' (1968–1970), ''Switch (American TV series), Switch'' (1975–1978), ...

as Ron Lukezic * Robert Sampson as Pat Redmond * Harriet White Medin as Helen Phelps

References

External links

* {{Bill L. Norton 1990s English-language films 1990s American films 1991 television films 1991 films American drama television films American films based on actual events Crime films based on actual events Crime television films Drama films based on actual events Films directed by Bill L. Norton Films scored by Sylvester Levay Films set in Phoenix, Arizona American Broadcasting Company original films Television films based on actual events