Medium — Film & television
Film & TV.
1982 – 2007 · 14 titles
No Soap Radio "Bum's Rush"
1980s
Blackout is a psychological thriller produced for HBO and starring Keith Carradine, Richard Widmark, and Kathleen Quinlan. After surviving a fiery car accident, a disfigured man with amnesia undergoes reconstructive surgery and begins a new life with the nurse who cared for him. Years later, a retired homicide detective becomes convinced that the man may actually be a fugitive suspected of murdering his family. The investigation raises a terrifying question: Is he an innocent man with no memory of his past, or a killer hiding behind a new face? Richard Dana Smith co-produced Blackout with Les Alexander and Richard Parks through their production company, Alexander Smith & Parks Inc. He also co-developed the film’s original story with Alexander, Parks, and screenwriter David Ambrose. Directed by Douglas Hickox, the film premiered on HBO on July 28, 1985.
Apology is a psychological thriller produced for HBO and starring Lesley Ann Warren, Peter Weller, John Glover, Chris Noth, Charles S. Dutton, and Harvey Fierstein. The film follows Lily McGuire, an avant-garde artist who creates an interactive installation inviting strangers to anonymously record their confessions. When a caller begins confessing to a series of murders, her provocative art project draws her into the path of a serial killer. Richard Dana Smith co-produced Apology with Les Alexander and Richard Parks. Together, they developed the film’s concept from a similarly themed New York art project. Directed by Robert Bierman, Apology was the first film produced under the HBO Pictures banner and premiered on HBO on July 27, 1986.
1990s
The Dentist 2 is a psychological horror film starring Corbin Bernsen as the murderous Dr. Alan Feinstone. After escaping from a maximum-security psychiatric hospital, Feinstone assumes a new identity and settles in the small town of Paradise, Missouri. When he takes over the local dental practice and becomes romantically involved with a resident, his obsessive jealousy and violent compulsions begin to resurface. Richard Dana Smith wrote the screenplay for The Dentist 2, continuing the characters and story established in the 1996 film The Dentist. Directed by Brian Yuzna, the sequel premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival on July 10, 1998, and debuted on HBO on December 11, 1998.
2000s
The Stepdaughter is a psychological thriller starring Andrea Roth, Lisa Dean Ryan, Jaimz Woolvett, Cindy Pickett, and Gil Gerard. After surviving years of abuse and neglect in foster care, Susan Heller sets out to find the mother who abandoned her. Her search leads her to a family living on a remote ranch, where she conceals her true identity and begins carrying out a carefully planned campaign of revenge. Richard Dana Smith co-wrote the teleplay for The Stepdaughter with Suzanne Dolan, based on a story by Dolan and Cyndi Pass. Directed by Peter Liapis, the film was released in the United States on October 31, 2000.
Alone with a Stranger is a psychological thriller starring William R. Moses, Barbara Niven, Nia Peeples, Priscilla Barnes, and Mindy Cohn. When struggling ex-con Max discovers that he has a wealthy identical twin, he kidnaps his brother and assumes his identity. As Max takes control of his brother’s business, home, and family, his carefully constructed deception grows increasingly dangerous—especially when he develops feelings for his brother’s wife. Richard Dana Smith co-wrote the screenplay for Alone with a Stranger with director Peter Liapis. Produced by Pierre David, Ken Sanders, and Noël A. Zanitsch, the film was released in the United States in 2000.
Watch on TubiThe Perfect Wife is a psychological thriller starring Perry King, Shannon Sturges, Lesley-Anne Down, William R. Moses, and Michele Greene. After her brother dies following a car accident, Leah Tyman blames the doctor who chose to save the other victim. Determined to seek revenge, she assumes a new identity, enters the doctor’s life, and methodically works to destroy his family from within. Richard Dana Smith co-wrote the screenplay for The Perfect Wife with George Saunders. Directed by Don E. FauntLeRoy and produced by Pierre David and Noël A. Zanitsch, the film was released in the United States on May 21, 2001.
Stranger at the Door is a psychological thriller starring Linda Purl, Perry King, Andrew Kraulis, and Meredith Henderson. A married couple is stunned when the adopted son who disappeared from their lives years earlier suddenly returns home. Although they welcome him back, his increasingly troubling behavior raises doubts about his identity and reveals that his unexpected reunion may be driven by dangerous intentions. Richard Dana Smith co-wrote the screenplay for Stranger at the Door with George Saunders and Ken Sanders, based on a story by Sophie Gendron. Directed by Douglas Jackson and produced by Stefan Wodoslawsky and Neil Bregman, the film was released on June 21, 2004.
The Perfect Neighbor is a psychological thriller starring Barbara Niven, Perry King, Susan Blakely, and Anna Silk. After moving in with her aunt, Donna Germaine becomes fixated on a married neighbor and begins pursuing her vision of a perfect relationship. As her obsession intensifies, she manipulates her way into his life and proves willing to eliminate anyone who stands between them. Richard Dana Smith wrote the screenplay for The Perfect Neighbor, based on a story by Ken Sanders. Directed by Douglas Jackson, the film was released in the United States on April 11, 2005.
Watch on Prime VideoFramed for Murder is a psychological thriller starring Elisa Donovan, Susan Walters, and Perry King. After serving eight years in prison for a crime she did not commit, June Baldwin is released and sets out to uncover who murdered her husband and framed her. As she reconnects with her son and begins investigating the past, June unknowingly places herself back in the path of the real killer. Richard Dana Smith co-wrote the teleplay for Framed for Murder with Christine Conradt. Directed by Douglas Jackson and produced by Neil Bregman and Stefan Wodoslawsky, the film premiered on Lifetime on March 18, 2007.