Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean

Suzanne Pleshette deserved an award for playing the most unlikable woman or most hated woman in recent history, Leona Rosenthal Helmsley. She climbed her way to the top of the New York Real Estate market which is quite brutal if you read anything about it. She found ultimate love and happiness with Harry Helmsley, a married billionaire. The two were destined for each other. He divorced his wife of many years and married Leona Helmsley. Pleshette plays Leona quite well almost perfect. Only because the book by the same name was used as a resource. The movie does not mention that Leona and Harry were active philanthropists who donated their vast fortune to charities. Now that Leona, Harry, and even Suzanne Pleshette who was grandiose, charming, and mad at times in this role are gone to a better place.

A hard to resist made for TV film that was quickly made to capitalize on the tabloid sensation that was Leona Helmsley who like Donald Trump put her personal stamp on her NY properties and was famous for saying, "You're Fired!" This well-made, breezy and entertaining film works fine as tabloid fodder thanks to some sharp writing, effective performances from Joe Regalbuto of TVs Murphy Brown and Llyod Bridges as Harry Helmsley and a tour de force from Suzanne Pleshette as the "Queen" in what is undoubtedly the showiest role of her career and she fills it completely. The well-chosen supporting cast all look and feel right, the story moves quickly, the Queen's barbs are funny and Pleshette has a field day.

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.

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.