"LADIES NIGHT"
USA TV Network February 18th, 2005
Zach delivers mail to the Spaulding Escrow Office and stops in at the desk of Jeanne Collins, an escrow account manager. It is evident that Jeanne is soft hearted, gentle, and supports various children’s foundations. Zach lifts a book from her desk top as he leans over to smell the orchids.
The investigating team finds out that Mail Blazers is registered to a Jeff Gordon with only an email address for contact. His profile fits the description of Carol Ross’s driver from the gas station and the team believes that maybe Art and “Jeff” work together. Jeff has no history of anything, no schooling, no life; he just appeared three years ago. They discover that Mail Blazers is a subsidiary of another company and registered on the Cayman Islands and an off shore bank account with a recent deposit of $309,000.
Art follows Jeanne at an out door take out stand and calls out “Miss, Miss, you left your book on the counter”. He asks if she has read the author’s other book and with that, they begin a light conversation about children and the author. Charming his way once again, he introduces himself as Phil Ready.
Jesse and Susan talk about the case over a few drinks at a bar. Jesse doesn't want to continue but Susan is determined to go on for the sake of other women. He asks Susan if she really would fall for someone like Art. He decides to continue on with the case. The following day, Jesse and Susan find the Mail Blazer office and wait to follow Zach. He heads off to a local mall where his father is also watching Zach. The investigators keep their distance from Zach and when he leaves the jewelry store, Susan begins tailing him. Art is sitting on the opposite side of the mall watching Zach when he notices Susan and then Jesse. Art gets up, heading down the escalator to attract the attention of Jesse who does indeed notice him. Jesse breaks off his trail of Zach and follows Art. Meanwhile, Zach, fully aware of Susan behind him, is able to make a quick exit, losing her as Jesse loses Art.
Art is angry and confronts Zach about the mall incident and did he know about the two police offers tailing him. He doesn't’t trust Zach, he admits that to him and says he’s tired of this place and is going to move on telling Zach not to come back to his house. He instructs Zach to get a boat. They will leave for Puerto Vallarta after he finishes with the "tree hugger" (Jeanne).
Jesse and Susan have received word that Art’s wife Nancy had been murdered and that his real name is Stephan Pavalek. Susan and Jesse theorize that Art has copied the way in which his wife left him with what he is doing to these women. A way for Art to punish Nancy for what she had done to him.
Kissing and chatting, Art and Jeanne sit in a cozy, living room dimly lit by candles, the warm glow of the fireplace, and the smell of fresh orchids (her favorite). Art receives an “ expected phone call”. He engages in a conversation about having to get emergency money and will head into the office right away. He apologizes for having to end their weekend so soon but he must raise $30,000 immediately to get a supply of penicillin to children in need. He explains that it will be replaced the next day plus make an additional $10,000 for his investment. Jeanne is somewhat awestruck by the “tenderness” and the caring Art has for these children and offers to get $30,000 for him. “Sweet heart, where are you going to get $30,000?” he asks her. Jeanne comes up with her own plan to borrow it, work the books so it’s not noticeable and then replace when it comes back.
Meanwhile, Jesse and Susan stake out Zach's. Jesse decides to brake into Zach’s place where he finds the answers to many of his questions. He turns a computer on and it replays Art murdering Emily. Shocked at the site of this video, he immediately calls Susan to get the Sheriff and request the crime lab team and warrants while he tries to gather more information about their new victim, Jeanne Collins. Her photo’s and life notes are displayed on Zach’s board.
While the police are canvassing Zach’s, Zach arrives and without stopping, leaves the scene and heads to his father’s home. Art and Zach fight about splitting, "I can handle the girl myself” Art shouts pointing his finger at Zach and then throwing him to the couch screaming “You get a boat like you were supposed to, you wanna go? GO. RUN? run, I don’t need you! I don't want anything to do with you! I can do it better without you!” Disgusted at the way things are going, Art storms out of the room.
All the while, Jesse and Susan are going through Zach’s computer files and decide to send him an email. "I wonder if Zachary knows that Daddy killed mommy?". Zach’s phone conveys the email that contains a scan of his mother’s death certificate and the investigators phone number. He leaves and waits in a garage for Jesse to arrive. Zach visibly brandishes a gun when Jesse pulls up. He opens his window and throws Zach an envelope containing a copy of his mother’s death certificate: Death by Strangulation, and a picture of her body. He leaves Zach alone in the garage. Zach is overcome with emotion, and thrashes about in his car.
Walking on the beach, Jeanne notices that Art is distressed. Art tells Jeanne that she is a wonderful lady and that he is lucky to have her in his life, but everything is all up and down. He can't make any of it work. She tells him that helping people is not easy. He explains that he is expected to move a shipment in two days and needs to get $250,000 for two days by tomorrow. She tells him she can get it. "Forget it. forget it" he retorts, but Jeanne is determined to help support him.
Friday, Susan and her assistant, Gates discover that all the women disappeared on Fridays, "That's his Ladies Night". Jesse and Susan rush out to find Jeanne! They approach Jeanne's boss and explain that they may need to take a few precautions. When they leave Spaudling Escrow, Jesse receives a phone call from Zach that Art is traveling and heading for the bank.
Jeanne and Art arrive at the Northwest American bank. While Art waits outside in the car, Jeanne attempts to make her withdrawal. A hold on her account gets the attention of the customer service agent who excuses herself to talk with her manager. Nervous, Jeanne quickly leaves the bank and gets in the car. Thinking that she has the money, Art begins to pull away when Jesse and Susan block his car with theirs. Jesse shouts “Stephan Pavalek!” Art reaches for his gun shooting out Susan’s passenger side window. Uninjured, they pursue Art and a very frightened Jeanne as they speed around Jesse's blocking car. "Who are you" a terrified Jeanne asks. "I'm anyone you want me to be, baby" he replies. Scared for her life, she tells Art that she has no money and then tries to jump out of their fleeing vehicle only to be grabbed back in by Art. He repeatedly smashes her head against the dashboard rendering her temporarily stunned. The car chase continues around the city, but the small size of Art’s car allows him to quickly out maneuver Jesse and Susan and he speeds away through a very narrow alley. Art calls Zach on his cell phone and tells him to take the boat to Roger’s pier. He agrees and gives a 20minute ETA. Zach informs Jesse about the location before he boards the boat for Roger’s pier.
Jeanne tries to run when the car stops. "I trusted you" she screams to Art. "All you had to do was say no!" he retorts dragging to the end of the pier. Art keeps Jeanne as his hostage forcibly holding her at gun point at the edge of the pier. Zach arrives with the boat but does not get close enough for Art to get onboard. Art shouts at him to hurry up, but he refuses. Zach shouts “You killed my mother!” Art tries to pacify him “I love you, we’ll talk about it!” Using the distraction, Jeanne breaks away from Art’s grip and tries to run down the pier. Quick to respond, Art shoots her in the leg, races over to her and grabs her up as Zach screams "You rot in Hell! You clean up this mess!" He turns the boat around and speeds away as Jesse and Susan approach the pier.
With no where to go, Art drags a wounded Jeanne into the ship loading building on the pier and throws himself and Jeanne onto a conveyer belt all the while shooting at Jesse and Susan. Jeanne continues to scream trying to crawl away on the belt. Art sits up, grabbing at Jeanne and getting the bracelet in his hand instead. He continues to shoot unaware that Jesse has moved in behind him. Jesse calls his name, he turns and fires just as Jesse fires hitting Art in the chest, rendering him incapable of protecting himself. He falls flat on the belt, still trying to shoot and wreathing in pain as the belt continues to move forward. Susan runs to find the shut-off switch as the belt approaches the loading drop. Still unable to help himself, Art is tossed to his death off the belt down onto the ground several stories below. The belt shuts-off just in the nick of time for Jeanne.
Jesse and Susan sit on the pier as Jeanne is placed in the ambulance. They chatter about feeling good in solving this case, even if it was the worst case ever.. Jesse asks Susan if she knows that she "has a beautiful smile." She says "I know that I just didn't think you did" Jesse says he didn't, apologizes and kisses Susan.
Zach sits in his comfy lounge chair, soaking up the sun and sipping a drink somewhere in Rio de Janerio!
Commentary
In the actual case, which occurred in 1972-73, "Art Kirkland" was a foreign national with several identities. No actual proof was ever found to solidify that he or his son had committed the crimes. After being confronted by the investigating detective, Kirkland, his son and four wives disappeared.
Paul’s incredible passion for his craft, his body language, combined with his, handsome, charming and seductive persona; add a new dimension to the phrase “psychotic serial killer”. His performance is what made this slightly thin script work so well that it keeps you on the edge of your cushion! Who wouldn’t be attracted to the way Paul portrays the “charming” side of “Art Kirkland”.
Paul's performance was as passionate as always. His devotion to the precise way he delivers his lines with his dynamic body language; expressions and gestures, only enhance his portrayal and performance. The scene with Emily clearly demonstrates this. The look on Paul's face as his character strangles her is so very expressive and filled with such rage that you can almost feel the intensity through the TV screen. WOW!
For Paul fans, this film is a must see. While it may be hard for some fans to see Paul perform in this light, it is the first role (other than Dr. Peter Ross in “Phobia”) where we can really see Paul truly put his all into the evil, bad side of his character. It’s interesting to watch how he portrays the other side of the spectrum. It is not easy to slip into the skin of someone like “Art Kirkland”. Nor is it easy to go from charming to red hot and deadly!
Excellent job, again! Thank you, Paul!
CAST
Paul Michael Glaser .... Art Kirkland
Colin Ferguson .... Jesse Grant
Claudette Mink .... Susan Vercillino
Kett Turton ...... Zach
Story & Teleplay by Marvin J. Wolf
Story by Armand Grant
Airing date: February 19th, 2005. USA TV Network. Check your local listing for additional dates and times.
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