Party Line

This film begins with a young woman by the name of "Angelina" (Greta Blackburn) seducing a married man through a 900-party line and, after bringing him to her home, having her brother "Seth" (Leif Garrett) kill him with a straight-edge razor. The scene then shifts to a local Los Angeles police station with a vice detective known simply as "Dan" (Richard Hatch) tailing a drug dealer only to discover that his suspect has had his throat cut in the same manner as a couple of earlier homicides. Being rather short-handed, his supervisor "Captain Barnes" (Richard Roundtree) subsequently transfers Dan from vice to homicide and assigns him to investigate the case. Along with that, Captain Barnes also assigns a female DA assistant named "Stacy" (Shawn Weatherly) to work with Dan as his partner. The problem, however, is that there are very few clues to work with and the District Attorney named "Henry" (James O'Sullivan) is looking for an excuse to fire Dan for several issues that occurred between them in the past. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this film suffered from a lack of suspense, weak acting and bad chemistry between the main characters overall. That being said, while I don't consider this to be a terribly bad film necessarily, it just didn't impress me all that much, and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly below average.

'Party Line' is a camp 80's slasher flick that features a dated yet fun premise that involves the adult telephone line, a concept that will be completely lost on the younger generation, but here its used quite effectively as part of the storyline. The movie is pretty standard yet fun at the same time and competently shot with a tight pace and enough entertainment value to keep you interested throughout.

The plot = A pair of rich siblings Seth (Leif Garrett) & Angelina (Greta Blackburn) are crazed killers who use the party line to lure married men to their deaths. While at the same time a detective Dan (Richard Hatch) is assigned to the case with a new partner Stacy (Shawn Weatherly), can they catch the killers in time.

The performances in this are really strong with Leif Garrett stealing the show as the disturbed cross-dressing Seth, he's easily the most entertaining aspect of the movie. The sister played by Greta Blackburn also gives an entertaining performance and the pair have great chemistry together and every time the movie is revolving around these its hell of a good time. Richard Hatch and Shawn Weatherly are fine in their roles, but their characters aren't quite as engaging as the siblings. Richard Roundtree is always a joy to watch and brings a certain spark to the cast of characters.

The only thing that lets things down a bit are the scenes involving the police which can be a bit dull at times, but the party line scenes offer enough fun and nostalgic moments that are very contrived especially with the ridiculous and corny dialogue. There's enough sleaze and nudity to hold your attention most of the time, but the movie could have done with a bit more suspense and more bloody kills. However the movie is still a fun time, despite a few flaws.

You feeling lonely, well pick-up the phone call the "Party Line" to live-out you undesirable fantasies as you can talk, or just listen and then maybe hook-up on this single-dating service line. The concept abound can really touch a nerve, because how authentic it is and how a fad so popular and addictive could spin dangerously out of control in not knowing what you're really getting in to. This gimmick is what drives the story, but the low-budget produced "Party line" is something fairly patchy and trashy, as it falls somewhere in between a detective film and seedy slasher outing, and when it's focusing on the former it's quite stodgy but with the latter it's rather riveting… as eventually the two would tie in together.

Two disturbingly crazed siblings (who have a very strange, perverse relationship); like to participate in a chat hot-line, luring their eventual victims to meet up with them. A well-worn, rogue detective happens to come across one of the sibling's murders and then is reluctantly assigned to the case with the aid an aspiring, by the book female assistant of the Distract Attorney.

Whenever the story was dealing with the brother and sister relationship, it brought up some kinky and demented shades of jealousy and affection. Even the past events of their parents intrigues (especially one scene involving Garrett and a wedding dress) -- as this could be the attribution to their murderous impulses, but the script only window-dresses it by never truly balancing it out. Leif Garrett plays it cold, but underneath that persona he's feebly unstable in his fear of being alone as a meek mummy's boy but he's overshadowed by the formidably headstrong, but racy Greta Blackburn. However the sub-plot involving the hard-bitten detective (who wants to be like Eastwood's dirty Harry --- as just look out for the movie poster of "Sudden Impact" in his home) and Distract Attorney assistant is simply black and white. These moments in the film are laboured, despite the best efforts of Richard Hatch and Shawn Weatherly. Also showing up in nothing but a minor role is Richard Roundtree. The script keeps a serious tone throughout, but can go over-the-top and cause some giggles with unusual developments, contrived circumstances and a rushed wrap-up. The direction is predictably textbook looking like a made for TV feature, but killing it is the sluggish pacing and working its way in is an oozing jazz flavoured score.

Watchable, but token stalk n slash thriller at best.

A strange case, this movie. It's at its best when it explores the perverse (past and present) family ties that bind Leif Garrett and Greta Blackburn (and she's has a powerful, sexy presence). But the script keeps intercutting their story with that of a misfit cop (a real Dirty Harry wannabe) and an ambitious female assistant DA who are searching for the killer that is slashing his/her victims' throats with a razor. As you have probably already guessed, the film has too much plot, too many supporting characters (what's Richard Roundtree doing here?) and too many plot coincidences. You could do a lot worse, though. (**)

A hard to find movie, Party Line can be found in some video stores in the Mature Audience section. The reason being for the nudity. Still, don't look forward to seeing Richard Hatch in the buff in this film. In fact, Party Line is a debut film for Hatch where he is not dressed in tight pants! Unlike past roles, Hatch plays a more dark and complex character that has no ties with space ships or robots. Hatch plays the role of a bad ass detective who is determined to find a serial killer. With a six shooter, a pair of baggy blue jeans, and long hair, Hatch remains loyal to his roots but begins to make a dramatic change in the roles he takes as an actor.

Highly recommended for Richard Hatch fans.