Citizen Jane (film)
Encyclopedia
Citizen Jane is a true crime
film first broadcast on the Hallmark Channel
on September 12, 2009. Adapted from the book Citizen Jane by James Dalessandro
, the film follows the real-life efforts of one woman to outsmart and convict her con-artist boyfriend for the gruesome murder of her aunt. It stars Ally Sheedy
and Meat Loaf
.
When her favorite 88 year old aunt was gruesomely murdered in San Jose
, she worked closely with police detective Jack Morris to solve the case. Morris soon convinces her that the killer is her boyfriend, and after O'Donnell disappears with over $10,000 of her money and leaves her near bankruptcy, Jane embarks on an epic journey to outsmart the wily con-artist. The police are soon stumped, but after 13 years of collecting evidence on their own, Alexander and Morris manage to convict O'Donnell of first degree murder.
. Within a few weeks he had a book deal set up. The screenplay is also written by Dalessandro and is a direct adaption of the book, and the film is even produced by Peter Miller, Dalessandro's literary manager.
Alexander, then a grandmother of 12, actively contributed to the writing process of the book in 1996, and much of the research comes from her detailed diaries about the ordeal. While she lived to see the release of the book in 1999, she died at 86 on December 14, 2008, while the film was still in production.
True crime
True crime is a non-fiction literary and film genre in which the author examines an actual crime and details the actions of real people.The crimes most commonly include murder, but true crime works have also touched on other legal cases. Depending on the writer, true crime can adhere strictly to...
film first broadcast on the Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
on September 12, 2009. Adapted from the book Citizen Jane by James Dalessandro
James Dalessandro
James Dalessandro is an American writer. He is best known for his non-fiction novel 1906 , a story based on the events surrounding the great San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906....
, the film follows the real-life efforts of one woman to outsmart and convict her con-artist boyfriend for the gruesome murder of her aunt. It stars Ally Sheedy
Ally Sheedy
Alexandra Elizabeth "Ally" Sheedy is an American film and stage actress, as well as the author of two books. She is best known for her roles in the Brat Pack films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire.-Early life:...
and Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
.
Plot
Jane Alexander is a sheltered, attractive widow living with her family in San Francisco. For six years she's been living with Tom O'Donnell, her charismatic and handsome boyfriend. He uses wit, charm, and tales of adventure to borrow money for extensive home business operations and investing.When her favorite 88 year old aunt was gruesomely murdered in San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, she worked closely with police detective Jack Morris to solve the case. Morris soon convinces her that the killer is her boyfriend, and after O'Donnell disappears with over $10,000 of her money and leaves her near bankruptcy, Jane embarks on an epic journey to outsmart the wily con-artist. The police are soon stumped, but after 13 years of collecting evidence on their own, Alexander and Morris manage to convict O'Donnell of first degree murder.
Production
In the mid-1990s, James Dalessandro first read about Jane Alexander's story on the front page of The Pacific Sun in Marin County, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Within a few weeks he had a book deal set up. The screenplay is also written by Dalessandro and is a direct adaption of the book, and the film is even produced by Peter Miller, Dalessandro's literary manager.
Alexander, then a grandmother of 12, actively contributed to the writing process of the book in 1996, and much of the research comes from her detailed diaries about the ordeal. While she lived to see the release of the book in 1999, she died at 86 on December 14, 2008, while the film was still in production.
Cast
- Ally SheedyAlly SheedyAlexandra Elizabeth "Ally" Sheedy is an American film and stage actress, as well as the author of two books. She is best known for her roles in the Brat Pack films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire.-Early life:...
as Jane Alexander - Meat LoafMeat LoafMichael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
as Detective Morris - Sean Patrick FlanerySean Patrick FlanerySean Patrick Flanery is an American actor known for such roles as Connor MacManus in The Boondock Saints, Greg Stillson in The Dead Zone and for portraying Indiana Jones in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, as well as Bobby Dagen in Saw 3D.He is currently known for his role as Sam Gibson on The...
as Tom O'Donnell - Patty McCormackPatty McCormackPatty McCormack is an American actress with a career in theater, films and television.She achieved success as a child actress, and received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Bad Seed...
as Aunt Gertrude - Nia Peeples GeorgeNia PeeplesVirenia Gwendolyn "Nia" Peeples is an American R&B and dance music singer and actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Nicole Chapman on Fame...
as Best Friend Evelyn
External links
- Article on the death of Jane Alexander - December 23, 2008