TV Reviews : ‘Dead on the Money’: Homage to Hitchcock With Laughter

“Dead on the Money” on TNT is a certified curiosity, a loony homage to Alfred Hitchcock, black comedy and psychological horror. On one hand, the production (premiering tonight at 8 and airing throughout the week) is so hokey, it’s laughable. On the other hand, some of the scenes are riotous, some even for the right reasons.

The talent associated with the show is impressive, including a central performance from the ageless-looking ‘50s film star Eleanor Parker and a script by Gavin Lambert (adapted from Rachel Ingalls’ novella, “The End of Tragedy”). Imagine ham-fisted remakes of Hitchcock’s “Notorious” and “Spellbound” and you have the sensation of what watching this movie is like.

The plot features the wide-eyed Amanda Pays playing an aspiring young actress who falls for a transparently corrupt admirer in a cliche-ridden role by Corbin Bernsen (who happens to be Pays’ real-life husband). Unfortunately, Pays’ character is so dim-headed that it’s impossible to take her actions seriously and thus the trouble she gets herself into is more well deserved than pitiable or scary.

The movie has a certain charm as a satire of ‘40s melodramas (I was particularly reminded of the tone and style of “Leave Her to Heaven” with Gene Tierney and Cornell Wilde), but director Mark Cullingham’s control and focus is inconsistent.

The most bizarre, offbeat performance is John Glover’s fey rich son, who winds up marrying the heroine. He’s crazed in a very Hitchcockian performance (one is reminded of Robert Walker in “Strangers on a Train”). His aquarium of exotic fish glowing eerily is visually the show’s highlight. The filmmakers also have some fun on a famous Pasadena location, panning up to the stately brick exterior of Batman’s old Wayne Manor.

The two-hour movie also features ripe supporting roles by a humorously demented Kevin McCarthy and a brash, no-nonsense Sheree North. But many of the chuckles here are not for high camp but for half-baked send-ups of a venerable old movie genre.