Play Misty for Me: Collector's Edition

Clint Eastwood's assured 1971 directorial debut finds the previous spaghetti-western star effectively undercutting his macho image by playing a beleaguered jazz-station deejay who, after indulging in what he assumes is a one-night stand, becomes the unwitting object of a nutcase fan's romantic obsession. Jessica Walter tips her hand a bit early as the prototypical Fatal Attraction-type stalker, but otherwise gives a convincingly scary performance that might easily have served as a blueprint for Glenn Close. Dated by a few contemporary stylistic techniques, Play Misty for Me still packs a punch, enhanced by this "Collector's Edition," which also features a nice tribute doc with the director, actors, producer, screenwriter, and others. Recommended. (T. Rich)