Review of Radioland Murders (1994) by Erin S — 23 Aug 2006

[font=Courier New]George Lucas has had an interested career between the original[i] Star Wars Trilogy[/i] and the Prequel Trilogy. Some of the stories he has come up with went on to becoming great films ([i]Indiana Jones[/i] series), while others went on to becoming embarrassing moments in his career ([i]Howard the Duck[/i]). [i]Radioland Murders[/i] is a terrible movie. None of it feels fresh, and none of the comedy is really that hilarious. But for some odd reason I enjoy this movie every time I watch it.

It is premiere night for WBN, the 4th radio network to hit the airwaves in 1939. Penny Henderson (Mary Stuart Masterson) is the assistant to the station?s owner, Walt Whalen (Ned Beatty). She has to deal with an array of complications during the first night; overbearing sponsor Dexter Morris (Corbin Bernsen), underpaid writers and her soon to be ex-husband Roger (Brian Benben, a favorite actor of mine). Things only get worst when a series of accidents start to happen, and employees turn up dead.

The biggest setback for [i]Radioland Murders[/i] is its over usage of slapstick comedy. I know the film is trying to pay tribute to the films of this time era, but none of it seems to belong in the movie. It is such a waste that the movie has so many talented people in it, but it doesn?t want to use them to their potential.

And speaking of underused talent, why are there so many wonderful characters in the film who don?t seem to get any screen time or development. One of my favorite characters in the film Morgana (Leighann Lord), who is a janitor who knows a thing or two about show business, is such a cool character who seems to disappear at the end of the film. The film does have a lot of Brian Benben, who I?m not really sure why I like so much. But he and Masterson work nicely along side each other.

[i]Radioland Murders[/i] is a stupid movie, but a rather enjoyable one. I?m guessing that most people who see this movie won?t like it, and that is understandable. But for me, [i]Radioland Murders[/i] has grown to become a guilty pleasure of mine. One that I will continue to watch through the years![/font].