Policewoman Centerfold

Policewoman Centerfold is a 1983 television movie starring Melody Anderson and Ed Marinaro, loosely based on the story of police officer Barbara Schantz who posed for Playboy magazine in 1982.[1]

Policewoman Centerfold
Promotional advertising for the movie
GenreDrama
Written byJan Worthington
Directed byReza Badiyi
StarringMelody Anderson
Ed Marinaro
Music byFred Karlin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerFrank von Zerneck
ProducerRobert M. Sertner
Production locationAlbuquerque, New Mexico
CinematographyWoody Omens
EditorRobert Florio
Running time100 minutes
Production companyMoonlight Productions
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseOctober 17, 1983 (1983-10-17)

Cast

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Reception

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It first aired on Monday, October 17, 1983, and was the seventh most-watched prime time program in the United States for the week, out-drawing Monday Night Football.[2][3] It was rebroadcast in early July 1985, during the American summer TV season, when it was the most-viewed program of the week.[4]

Upon its release, one review noted that the lead role "is not one offering much opportunity for an acting tour de force, but Anderson does manage to make the woman an understandable, sympathetic figure." It was also noted that the subject matter of the movie was a plain attempt at "exploitation and titillation" to get ratings (which plainly worked), although the title and hype did not reflect that that movie actually "downplays the sensational aspects of the matter to concentrate on the motivation of the woman and the aftermath of the photos publication."[5]

Release

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The film was released on VHS in 1986.[6]

References

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  1. ^ (17 October 1983). Picks and Pans Review: Policewoman Centerfold, People
  2. ^ (27 October 1983). CBS and ABC battle for top spot in ratings, Daily Iowan (UPI), p. 17
  3. ^ Schulze, Laurie. The Made-for-TV Movie: Industrial Practice, Cultural Form, Popular Reception, in Balio, Tino. Hollywood in the Age of Television, p. 357 (2013)
  4. ^ (11 July 1985). Reruns keep NBC on top of ratings, Sun Sentinel (UPI)
  5. ^ (17 October 1983). Don't judge 'Centerfold' by its title, San Bernardino County Sun (wire story)
  6. ^ (26 April 1986) New Releases, Billboard, p. 40
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