1981 American film
The Fan is a 1981 American horror-thriller film written by Priscilla Chapman and John Hartwell, based on the novel of the same name by Bob Randall, and directed by Edward Bianchi. The film, starring Lauren Bacall, Michael Biehn, James Garner and Maureen Stapleton, was released on May 15, 1981 by Paramount Pictures.
Plot
Douglas Breen (Michael Biehn) is a deranged young record salesman who is obsessed with glamorous stage and screen star Sally Ross (Lauren Bacall). He has been writing obsessive fan letters to her and when Sally's secretary (Maureen Stapleton) disregards the letters, deeming them not worthy of Sally's time, Douglas feels he is being ignored and decides to take whatever steps are necessary to eliminate the people who stand between him and his favorite star.
Production
The Fan was shot in New York City from March to July 1980.
Release
The film received a lot of media attention due to being released a few months after the murder of John Lennon, who was shot to death by Mark David Chapman, a former fan, outside his apartment building The Dakota, a building which Bacall has long resided in. However, it was a critical and commercial failure.
Box office
The film grossed $3,082,096 in the United States box office.[3] Based on a $9 million budget[2], the film was a box office bomb.
Critical reception
The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 42% rating based on 12 reviews.[4]
Accolades
The film was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song for "Hearts, Not Diamonds".[5] The song to "Baby Talk" from the film Paternity.
