Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean

According to the film, if you worked for her organization and made an exceptional contribution to one of her projects, Leona Helmsley might fire you. Why? Because she wanted to take credit for everything. If you were one of her employees, you were obviously one of the "little people". In an infamous statement, testified by one of her employees at her trial, she was quoted as saying "We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes." It was tax evasion which lead to the undoing of Helmsley.

Suzanne Pleshette is perfectly cast as Leona Helmsley who was honored with the nickname "Queen of Mean". She and her husband, Harry Helmsley (Lloyd Bridges) became rich running lavish hotels, particularly in New York. She not only made irrational demands towards her employees, but would either reprimand or fire them for seemingly trivial matters. In the film, she fires a security guard for taking a break and making a phone call on the hotel's "dime". Simultaneously, the film paints a complex portrait of the one of the strangest figures among the New York elites. At times she seems reasonable, at others completely irrational. Sound familiar?

Leona Helmsley represented the pinnacle of 1980's greed and decadence. Her attitudes towards money and elites was certainly extreme but not uncommon. According to the film she would eventually be charged with over 30 counts of tax evasion. They were using the money for their businesses to fund lavish homes. While there's nothing inherently wrong with using money earned from a business to finance personal property, the Helmsley's tried to deduct it as a business expense. Contractors knew what was happening but became vocal when the Helmsley's failed to pay the contractors. They sued and testified about the Helmsley's tax practices.

Later (after the events portrayed in the film), a sobbing Leona proclaimed to reporters during her trial: "I've done nothing wrong. I'm innocent. My only crime is that I'm Leona Helmsley." Sadly, no one came to her defense. If you're the queen of mean, no one will help you at your darkest hour. And that's because she had no friends. Her "little people" testified against her at her trial.

I was always fascinated by the life of Leona Helmsley (nee Rosenberg) so I gave this a chance and was riveted to the end. Suzanne Pleshette deserves some kind of award for this one. SHE WAS LEONA. Lloyd Bridges was absolutely believable as Harry Helmsley. The casting, direction, camera. timing and pacing were all noteworthy. Suzanne was gorgeous at 53, which is fairly rare, and played her from a young woman up through the years. No wonder Harry went for her. Who wouldn't? I admire a beautiful Cobra but I wouldn't marry one......... Every person connected with this production deserve a big hand in producing such quality.

This TV movie has stood the test of time. Suzanne Pleshette gives a phenomenal performance as the Queen of Mean, Leona Helmsley and Lloyd Bridges is terrific as well as her long-suffering husband. Even 10 years after it first aired, this movie effectively captures the demonic Helmsley's reign of terror, where no employee, including her own son, is safe.

Miss Pleshette gives a top notch & outstanding performance as Leona Helmsley in this excellent television film ! Her portrayal of Leona Helmsley is captivating !HIGHLY recommend this film. This film gives such a realistic feel to both the characters & the ritzy atmosphere this couple lived in in New York City. I so applaud Miss Pleshette's work in this film so much so I wish she were still alive to express this too her ! I would have liked to of met her ! This is quite a departure from "The Bob Newhart Show" "Emily" character she also finely portrayed on television. This film takes one into the NEw York high society in a captivating way & Leona Helmsley drive to become rich & powerful.

well maybe i am the only one but i just couldn't stop looking at the awful dentures they put in one of my favorite actresses' mouths. how could Susan think for a moment that she was going to look normal? she looks freakish!!! otherwise the movie is a smash and depicts Leona as the psychotic woman that she really was or still is. since this movie is probably one of the better miniseries, it remains on my favorites list. a true classic and can sometimes still be seen on networks like lifetime and the ovarium channels. i try to catch up on the good ones from time to time and would like to see this one again. its definitely good, even if i gave it just a six.