Review - Mary Higgins Clark: Bestselling Mysteries: 5 Movie Collection

Rated: PG-13, R; 473 minutes

When it comes to mystery authors, one of the first names that comes to mind is Mary Higgins Clark, who has over fifty novels in publication. Her first mystery novel, Where Are The Children?, was published in 1975 and is now in its seventy-fifth printing! The novel was adapted into the a feature film in 1986. Mill Creek Entertainment has recently released the 2-disc DVD set Mary Higgins Clark: Bestselling Mysteries: 5 Movie Collection, which features Where Are The Children?; The Cradle Will Fall; Lucky Day; Loves Music, Loves To Dance; and All Around The Town.

Where Are The Children? happens to be the first novel that I ever read by Mary Higgins Clark, back when I was a teenager. Though I enjoyed reading the book, I wasn't even aware that there was a movie until I heard about the DVD release. Directed by Bruce Malmuth, the film stars Jill Clayburgh, Max Gail, Harley Cross, Elizabeth Wilson and Barnard Hughes.

Similar to many book-to-film adaptions, this is more of a watered-down version or the original story. The plot involves Nancy Harmon's son and daughter going missing on the seventh anniversary (which happens to also be on her birthday) of other children's, from a previous marriage, disappearance. Of course the police believes she is the prime suspect.

Despite the R-Rating, the film is pretty tame and could have been rated PG-13. I watched the film early this morning, and it wasn't that bad of a movie. Yes, the directing was a little choppy and the music was campy, but it kept my interests for 97-minutes running time.

Cradle Will Fall was published in 1980 and was adapted into a made-for-television movie in 2004, starring Angie Everhart and Ralston. The plot involves Prosecutor Katie De Maio investigating the suicide of a pregnant woman. She quickly realizes that the woman was murdered. As she gets closer to unraveling the murder mystery, she fears that she'll be the next victim.

Lucky Day was a short story that published in The Anastasia Syndrome and Other Stories in 1989. It was adapted into a made-for-television movie in 2002, starring Amanda Donohue and Karen LeBlanc. The plot involves Nora Barkin investigating the death of her friend, Bill Regan, who recently won the lottery.

Loves, Music, Loves To Dance was published in 1991 and was adapted into a made-for-television movie in 2001, starring Patsy Kensit and Dean McDermott. The plot involves, Darcy Scott, a talk show producer, teaming up with Detective D'Salva to track down her friend's killer.

All Around The Town was first published in 1992 and was adapted into a made-for-television movie in 2002, starring Nastassja Kinski and Andrea Roth. The plot involves a 21-year-old college student, Laurie Kinmount, being accused of killing her English professor. Her family and her attorney all claim that she has multiple personalities; however, the professor's wife has a different opinion.

Final Thoughts: Yes, Where Are The Children? isn't the greatest film in the world, but (like I said above) it kept me entertained for the entire running time. The other four films are all made-for-television, with not the best production values. While all of them are predictable, the films are also a bit fun watch; probably due the fact that I like mysteries. Overall, I enjoyed watching Mary Higgins Clark: Bestselling Mysteries: 5 Movie Collection (Retail $14.98) and I recommend it to other mystery fans.