VOWS OF DECEPTION

VOWS OF DECEPTION (1996 telefilm). Director: Bill Norton.

Fresh off the bus after getting out of jail for child abuse, Lucy -- now Lucinda (Cheryl Ladd) -- runs into Detective Matt Harding (Nick Mancuso). Lucinda is obviously pregnant, so Matt decides to play a practical joke on his buddy, divorced lawyer Clay Spencer (Mike Farrell of Prime Suspect), by setting him up on a date with Lucinda. The plan backfires when Clay invites Lucinda out for dinner and begins an intense romance with her. Eventually the couple marry, and Clay becomes a father to Lucinda's little girl. Although Lucinda seems to be in love with Clay, she begins to make passes at her handsome stepson, Nick (Michael Woolson). How long will Nick, who has a girlfriend in Terry (Nancy Cartwright), be able to resist, and what on earth will it lead to? 

Inspired by a true story, Vows of Deception is a standard but entertaining true crime saga with some good acting from Farrell, Woolson, and especially Nick Mancuso, who is dynamic and excellent. Cheryl Ladd, who is quite sexy in this, successfully keeps the viewer from knowing exactly what's on her mind, increasing the suspense. Bill Norton also directed Gargoyles with Cornel Wilde and False Arrest with Donna Mills. Michael Woolson later became a notable acting coach and stage director.

Verdict: Minor-league but absorbing crime drama. **1/2. 

PRIME SUSPECT

Cartwright and Farrell

PRIME SUSPECT (1982 telefilm). Director: Noel Black.

Frank Staplin buys a couple of boxes of cookies from a cute little girl scout, Sharon (Elizabeth Hoy), who later goes missing. A series of little girls have been kidnapped and murdered by an unknown suspect, but Frank becomes high on the list as far as detectives are concerned and simply can't prove his alibi. Frank is eventually let go due to lack of evidence -- although he is still the prime suspect --  but feels he was tried and convicted by the media, especially reporter Amy McCleary (Teri Garr), of one "happy news" broadcast. His boss (Charles Aidman) suggests that he transfer to another office and change his name! Eventually a repentant Amy tries to help Frank with his alibi and comes into conflict with her boss (James Sloyan) because of it. 

Farrell and Cartwright

Prime Suspect focuses solely on Frank and his family, including wife Janice (Veronica Cartwright) and eventually Amy, but there is no attempt to create any suspense over the identity of the true murderer. Farrell and Garr give acceptable performances, although Cartwright, who always seems angry whether the script calls for it or not, is just plain odd. There is virtually no attempt to generate any pathos over the missing and murdered children and for all you know Frank and Amy could be discussing his being accused of, say, embezzlement. Prime Suspect enters a twilight zone territory of unreality when Frank simply decides that he's not going to let this get to him and everyone warmly and happily welcomes him back into the office despite the fact that at that point he is still the prime suspect. The ending is a mere anti-climax as by this time you don't really care about Frank -- who never really expresses much feeling over the children -- or anyone else. Noel Black also directed Pretty Poison. 

Verdict: Minor and insubstantial telefilm with some insufficient acting. **.