Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean

Suzanne Pleshette received well-deserved Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her strong portrayal of Leona Helmsley, wife of wealthy New York City hotelier Harry Helmsley, who took a particular delight in running roughshod over "the little people". Ransdell Pearson's fact-based book provides the basis for this gossipy TV-movie chronicling the stormiest business years in the life of the Helmsleys, one in which no attempt has been made by writer Dennis Turner to delve into Leona's complicated psyche (such as why she seemingly hated anyone who stood in an 'inferior' position to her, or why she apparently terminated friendships with the trusted few who only wanted her to see the truth of her actions). The film is just a well-dressed tattler (and a thin one at 94mns); however, it isn't a camp-fest thanks to Pleshette's top-notch performance. Matching her are Lloyd Bridges as Harry (who occasionally got fed up with his wife's possessiveness), Joe Regalbuto as confidante Paul Summerton, and Raymond Singer as Leona's son Jay (who actually tried to bilk his stepfather's subsidiary without being noticed). The movie doesn't pretend to be art--and the final summation was already dated by the time the picture aired--but it certainly keeps its audience entertained.

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.

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.

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.

she is very believable as the hotel queen, Leona Helmsley. Only the little people pay taxes, she sneers, as she and Harry are reviewing the hotel expenses (apparently her son was also in the hotel business, and also embezzled money).

Pleshette looks lovely, and mean. When she gets an assistant to wipe her shoe, the narcissism is tangible!. Also a classic scene is when she is having playing cards with her photograph on each one ..."I want them BIGGER; Harry plays pinochle, and his cards are larger"..., she fumes to a hapless assistant.

For a television movie, the acting is superior. Harry Helmsley is well portrayed by Lloyd Bridges. Anyone who remembers the publicity from the late 80's and early 90's will be interested in this film. The Helmsley Palace still stands in midtown Manhattan, but the name has been changed to protect the guilty. 8/10.