PRIVATE EYE – Nicky the Rose - 1987 This was the second episode from the 1987-88, short run series, PRIVATE EYE. This very stylishly shot series starred, Michael Woods and a young Josh Brolin. It is set in L.A. during 1956.
Shades of Lana Turner and Johnny Stompanato abound in this one.
Famous actress Susan Blakely hires P.I. Woods to keep an eye on her hoodlum boyfriend, Ed Marinaro. She is sure he is stepping out on her and she wants the details.
Marinaro, a member of the Cleveland mob, is in town to stage a takeover of one of the Hollywood studio unions. The union boss is killed and Marinaro is the number one suspect.
Woods has his assistant, Brolin, plant bugs in Marinaro's apartment, favourite club and his car. Brolin is then instructed to follow Marinaro.
Woods is now paid a visit by the head of the Blakey's studio, David Kaplan. He wants to know why Blakely hired him. Woods quickly shows him the door.
Brolin follows his man as he visits various clubs, blonde bimbos and some other mobsters. Brolin then tails his man back to his apartment where Marinaro meets yet another blonde. Brolin gets a nice set of 8 by 10 photos which he then delivers to Woods.
Woods has a boo at said pictures, and sees that the blonde is Jonna Lee. Lee is Blakely's 18 year old daughter. Now how does he tell Blakely.
Woods decides to have a word with Marinaro first and try and warn him off. He shoves the photo in his desk and heads out for the "talk".
Nothing of course is that simple. Woods discovers that Studio boss Kaplan has paid Marinaro 50 large to leave town and leave their star, Blakely, alone.
Marinaro, who has decided the mob life is not so great, takes the cash and heads home to packs his bags. While all this is happening, one of Kaplen's stooges, has broke into Woods office and stolen the photos.
These are then forwarded to Blakely. Kaplan hopes these will further force a break-up between Blakely and the mobster.
Blakely decides on a very permanent break. She drives to Marinaro's apartment, enters, pulls a large automatic, and fires. The Police and Woods arrive to a tearful Blakely saying she was just defending herself.
Woods knows the truth but says nothing.
Also in the cast are, William Sadler, Judd Omen, Lisa Jane Persky, Patti Nergi and Vic Polizos.
The director is, Donald Petrie. His film work includes, Mystic Pizza, Grumpy Old Men and Miss Congeniality.
The d of p is veteran television man, Jonathan West. West really shines here. He gives the episode a truly wonderful dark look. Too bad the episode was not made in b/w.
The music is top flight as well with a Nat King Cole clone supplying songs throughout. Joe Jackson wrote the great theme music. (color)
Shades of Lana Turner and Johnny Stompanato abound in this one.
Famous actress Susan Blakely hires P.I. Woods to keep an eye on her hoodlum boyfriend, Ed Marinaro. She is sure he is stepping out on her and she wants the details.
Marinaro, a member of the Cleveland mob, is in town to stage a takeover of one of the Hollywood studio unions. The union boss is killed and Marinaro is the number one suspect.
Woods has his assistant, Brolin, plant bugs in Marinaro's apartment, favourite club and his car. Brolin is then instructed to follow Marinaro.
Woods is now paid a visit by the head of the Blakey's studio, David Kaplan. He wants to know why Blakely hired him. Woods quickly shows him the door.
Brolin follows his man as he visits various clubs, blonde bimbos and some other mobsters. Brolin then tails his man back to his apartment where Marinaro meets yet another blonde. Brolin gets a nice set of 8 by 10 photos which he then delivers to Woods.
Woods has a boo at said pictures, and sees that the blonde is Jonna Lee. Lee is Blakely's 18 year old daughter. Now how does he tell Blakely.
Woods decides to have a word with Marinaro first and try and warn him off. He shoves the photo in his desk and heads out for the "talk".
Nothing of course is that simple. Woods discovers that Studio boss Kaplan has paid Marinaro 50 large to leave town and leave their star, Blakely, alone.
Marinaro, who has decided the mob life is not so great, takes the cash and heads home to packs his bags. While all this is happening, one of Kaplen's stooges, has broke into Woods office and stolen the photos.
These are then forwarded to Blakely. Kaplan hopes these will further force a break-up between Blakely and the mobster.
Blakely decides on a very permanent break. She drives to Marinaro's apartment, enters, pulls a large automatic, and fires. The Police and Woods arrive to a tearful Blakely saying she was just defending herself.
Woods knows the truth but says nothing.
Also in the cast are, William Sadler, Judd Omen, Lisa Jane Persky, Patti Nergi and Vic Polizos.
The director is, Donald Petrie. His film work includes, Mystic Pizza, Grumpy Old Men and Miss Congeniality.
The d of p is veteran television man, Jonathan West. West really shines here. He gives the episode a truly wonderful dark look. Too bad the episode was not made in b/w.
The music is top flight as well with a Nat King Cole clone supplying songs throughout. Joe Jackson wrote the great theme music. (color)