Is Tales from the Hollywood Hills: The Old Reliable Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1988)
In this program, a wealthy and famous, but not terribly successful, film actress of the 1930s, Adela Shannon, suddenly becomes a widow when her husband is accidentally killed by a moving sightseeing bus. Due to a suit to contest her husband's will, Shannon is left penniless. She devises a means to keep herself in the standard of living to which she has grown accustomed: Shannon intends to blackmail her three ex-husbands with a book written by her sister, Bill. The book contains information none of her former spouses would want made public. Meanwhile, Bill thinks that it would be better to publish the book instead. Unfortunately, she decides this after Shannon has placed the manuscript in her safe. Luckily for Bill, however, Shannon's butler is an expert thief who happens to know a thing or two about breaking into safes.
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Drama, Music, TV Movie cinema, then Tales from the Hollywood Hills: The Old Reliable offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 1988 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
Debuting in 1988, Tales from the Hollywood Hills: The Old Reliable represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Drama, Music, TV Movie category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into In this program, a wealthy and famous, but not terribly successful, film actress of the 1930s, Adela Shannon, suddenly becomes a widow when her husband is accidentally killed by a moving sightseeing bus. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama, Music, TV Movie are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "In this program, a wealthy and famous, but not terribly successful, film actress of the 1930s, Adela Shannon, suddenly becomes a widow when her husband is accidentally killed by a moving sightseeing bus. Due to a suit to contest her husband's will, Shannon is left penniless. She devises a means to keep herself in the standard of living to which she has grown accustomed: Shannon intends to blackmail her three ex-husbands with a book written by her sister, Bill. The book contains information none of her former spouses would want made public. Meanwhile, Bill thinks that it would be better to publish the book instead. Unfortunately, she decides this after Shannon has placed the manuscript in her safe. Luckily for Bill, however, Shannon's butler is an expert thief who happens to know a thing or two about breaking into safes."
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. The presence of Lou Jacobi provides a necessary level of professionalism to the production, even when the underlying script struggles to maintain a consistent tone. It is a testament to their skill that they remain the most engaging element of the film.
The direction by Michael Blakemore is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 60 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is Tales from the Hollywood Hills: The Old Reliable truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, Music, TV Movie, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, Tales from the Hollywood Hills: The Old Reliable explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 1988 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Michael Blakemore respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, Tales from the Hollywood Hills: The Old Reliable is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Lou Jacobi or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Tales from the Hollywood Hills: The Old Reliable is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.0 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.