Anna Lee: Headcase

TV Movie
1993
2h

IMDb RATING

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A bright, pretty and determined young girl named Anna Lee quits the police department in search of adventure, and joins a small and somewhat stuffy detective agency, whose members don't look... Read allA bright, pretty and determined young girl named Anna Lee quits the police department in search of adventure, and joins a small and somewhat stuffy detective agency, whose members don't look particularly kindly on her short skirts, somewhat cavalier attitude toward agency rules--... Read allA bright, pretty and determined young girl named Anna Lee quits the police department in search of adventure, and joins a small and somewhat stuffy detective agency, whose members don't look particularly kindly on her short skirts, somewhat cavalier attitude toward agency rules--like showing up for work on time--and her overall demeanor. However, the agency's owner ta... Read all

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IMDb RATING

6.5/10

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See production info at IMDbPro

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The vivacious Imogen Stubbs in a TV pilot

"Headcase" was the pilot for the British mystery TV series "Anna Lee," which was picked up but didn't run very long. It's a shame because I really liked it, everything from its theme song (Sister, Sister), the beautiful Imogen Stubbs as Anna, the London setting, and the mysteries themselves.

Anna Lee is an ex-cop who joins a detective agency where her disorganization, outfits, and failure to follow directions are frowned upon, but her intelligence and ability to solve cases are valued. In the pilot, Anna is asked first to find a young girl, Thea (Kate Beckinsale who looks like she's about 16 here; she's 21). She doesn't have any luck, but Thea is found in a mental hospital, and Anna is asked to bring her home. Soon, Anna is involved in a murder case, a Norman Bates motel, infidelity, sexual abuse, and the fragile minds of several young people.

A very intriguing story with a good cast. Stubbs is extremely likable, funny, quirky, and warm, talking to her cat, and living in an apartment which has an open door policy. She's ably supported by Alan Howard, who plays Thea's father, Michael Bryant as her boss (who tells her not to keep calling him sir; when she asks what she should call him, he says, "Commander"), and Barbara Leigh-Hunt as the strict secretary at the detective agency. Leigh-Hunt did not do the series.

Highly recommended if you can get your hands on any of the "Anna Lee" series. They are available, I believe, on ioffer.com.