The Imagemaker is a 1986 American political thriller film directed by Hal Weiner and starring

Michael Nouri Michael Nouri (born December 9, 1945) is an American screen and stage actor. He is best known for his television roles, including Dr. Neil Roberts on '' The O.C.'', Phil Grey on ''Damages'', Caleb Cortlandt on ''All My Children'', Eli David in ...

, Anne Twomey,

Jerry Orbach Jerome Bernard Orbach (October 20, 1935 – December 28, 2004) was an American actor and singer, described at the time of his death as "one of the last'' bona fide'' leading men of the Broadway theatre, Broadway musical and global celebrity on te ...

Jessica Harper Jessica Randolph Harper (born October 3, 1949) is an American actress and singer. Harper began her feature film career with a starring role in Brian De Palma's '' Phantom of the Paradise'' (1974), and subsequently featured in films including '' ...

and

Farley Granger Farley Earle Granger Jr. (July 1, 1925 – March 27, 2011) was an American actor. Granger was first noticed in a small stage production in Hollywood by a Goldwyn casting director, and given a significant role in '' The North Star'' (1943), a co ...

. It is the film debut of

Marcia Gay Harden Marcia Gay Harden (born August 14, 1959) is an American actress. Her accolades include an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and nominations for four Primetime Emmy Awards. Harden's breakthrough came in 1990 with the Coen brothers' film '' Miller's ...

in a very minor role.

Plot

Roger Blackwell has been a media advisor to countless politicians: probably one too many. He is set on using his experience to make a film about manipulation of the media by unscrupulous politicos.

Cast

as Roger Blackwell * Anne Twomey as Molly Grainger *

as Byron Caine *

as Cynthia *

as Ambassador Robert Hoyle * Richard Bauer as Morris Brodkin * Roger Frazier as Victor Griffin *

Maury Povich Maurice Richard Povich (born January 17, 1939) is an American former television personality, best known for hosting the tabloid talk show '' Maury'' which aired from 1991 to 2022. Povich began his career as a radio reporter, initially at WWDC an ...

as Talk-Show Host * Patrick Blake as Martin * Jerome Dempsey as Congressman Dave Lyons

Credits

* Directed by Hal Weiner * Written by Dick Goldberg and Hal Weiner * Produced by Hal Weiner and Marilyn Weiner * Music by Fred Karns * Cinematography by

Jacques Haitkin Jacques Adam Haitkin (August 29, 1950 – March 21, 2023) was an American cinematographer. He was best known as the cinematographer for Wes Craven's slasher film ''A Nightmare on Elm Street''. Haitkin studied at the film school of New York Univ ...

* Editing by Terry Halle * Casting by Lois Planco * Production Design by Edward Pisoni * Set Decoration by Henry Shaffer * Costume Design by Catherine Adair * Special Effects by Frank Rogers

Filming

Filming took place in Washington, D.C.

Release and reception

The film was theatrically released on March 7, 1986, in Los Angeles, California. It grossed $24.562 in the United States and Canada. Nina Darnton from

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

said: ''"If this seems like somewhat bizarre behavior for the man who is supposed to save us from lies, politicians and media manipulation, be assured that it isn't the most confusing aspect of the film. Also puzzling is why actors as fine as Jerry Orbach and Jessica Harper, who valiantly cope with the fact that their characters make cardboard figures look complex by comparison, ever became involved with this project. Michael Nouri seems slightly uncomfortable as Roger Blackwell, but it is fair to say that on the whole the actors didn't seem quite as confused as the audience did''".Film: 'The Imagemaker' About Politics
The New York Times (p. 10). 26 Apr 1986. vi
NY Times' official website

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Imagemaker 1986 films 1980s American films American political thriller films 1980s political thriller films American independent films