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Skyscraper (film)
Encyclopedia
Skyscraper is a 1996
direct-to-video
movie starring Anna Nicole Smith
. It was directed by Raymond Martino and written by William Applegate Jr. and John Larrabee
. The movie's plot borrows heavily from the film Die Hard
with Smith taking the lead role.
, who is intent on collecting a series of four interlocking electronic devices that can somehow "shift the balance of power in the world." He manages, through deception and violence, to acquire three of the devices. On one occasion, unbeknownst to her, busty protagonist and helicopter pilot Carrie Wisk (Anna Nicole Smith
) has shuttled two of Fairfax’ goons to the site of one of their raids. Fairfax then sets his sights on the fourth device, which is tucked away in the Zitex building, an 86-floor skyscraper
in downtown Los Angeles.
Wisk is again called to pick up a pair of VIPs, who this time turn out to be Fairfax himself and his assistant Jacques (Jonathan Fuller). She takes them to the Zitex building, where, in a movie cliche double-cross, Fairfax mortally wounds Cranston (Eugene Robert Glazer
), the possessor of the final device. Cranston escapes and meets up with Wisk on the roof, where he entrusts her with the device, admonishing her to keep it away from Fairfax at all costs. The well-endowed Wisk hops on a window washers’ rig and crashes through a window, then stashes the device in a trash bin. Comparisons are drawn between the large-breasted and good Wisk, and Fairfax's flat-chested and evil henchwoman, who Wisk invariably defeats.
Meanwhile, Wisk’s LAPD
officer husband (Richard Steinmetz
), who’s been investigating the strange goings-on around town, heads for Zitex, fearing for his wife’s safety. Wisk’s husband leads Fairfax’ men on a chase around the building before being rescued by his better half. Fairfax finds the device, kills Jacques and heads for the roof, where Wisk engages him in a kickboxing
showdown which ends with Fairfax’ 86-story fall to the street below.
1996 in film
Major releases this year included Scream, Independence Day, Fargo, Trainspotting, The English Patient, Twister, Mars Attacks!, Jerry Maguire and a version of Evita starring Madonna.-Events:...
direct-to-video
Direct-to-video
Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television...
movie starring Anna Nicole Smith
Anna Nicole Smith
In 1992 Smith was chosen by Hugh Hefner to appear on the cover of the March issue of Playboy, where she was listed as Vickie Smith, wearing a low-cut evening gown. The centerfold was photographed by Stephen Wayda. Smith said she planned to be "the next Marilyn Monroe". Becoming one of Playboys...
. It was directed by Raymond Martino and written by William Applegate Jr. and John Larrabee
John Larrabee
John Larrabee was an American pharmacist and politician, who served as the second mayor of Melrose, Massachusetts.- End notes :...
. The movie's plot borrows heavily from the film Die Hard
Die Hard
Die Hard is a 1988 American action film and the first in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. It is based on a 1979 novel by Roderick Thorp titled Nothing Lasts Forever, itself a sequel to the book The Detective, which...
with Smith taking the lead role.
Plot summary
Fairfax (Charles M. Huber), is a ruthless, South African criminal mastermind, prone to quoting ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
, who is intent on collecting a series of four interlocking electronic devices that can somehow "shift the balance of power in the world." He manages, through deception and violence, to acquire three of the devices. On one occasion, unbeknownst to her, busty protagonist and helicopter pilot Carrie Wisk (Anna Nicole Smith
Anna Nicole Smith
In 1992 Smith was chosen by Hugh Hefner to appear on the cover of the March issue of Playboy, where she was listed as Vickie Smith, wearing a low-cut evening gown. The centerfold was photographed by Stephen Wayda. Smith said she planned to be "the next Marilyn Monroe". Becoming one of Playboys...
) has shuttled two of Fairfax’ goons to the site of one of their raids. Fairfax then sets his sights on the fourth device, which is tucked away in the Zitex building, an 86-floor skyscraper
Skyscraper
A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building of many stories, often designed for office and commercial use. There is no official definition or height above which a building may be classified as a skyscraper...
in downtown Los Angeles.
Wisk is again called to pick up a pair of VIPs, who this time turn out to be Fairfax himself and his assistant Jacques (Jonathan Fuller). She takes them to the Zitex building, where, in a movie cliche double-cross, Fairfax mortally wounds Cranston (Eugene Robert Glazer
Eugene Robert Glazer
Eugene Robert Glazer is an American actor best known for his portrayal of "Operations" on the TV show La Femme Nikita. Glazer was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and worked at a variety of jobs before moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s to pursue his acting career...
), the possessor of the final device. Cranston escapes and meets up with Wisk on the roof, where he entrusts her with the device, admonishing her to keep it away from Fairfax at all costs. The well-endowed Wisk hops on a window washers’ rig and crashes through a window, then stashes the device in a trash bin. Comparisons are drawn between the large-breasted and good Wisk, and Fairfax's flat-chested and evil henchwoman, who Wisk invariably defeats.
Meanwhile, Wisk’s LAPD
Los Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department is the police department of the city of Los Angeles, California. With just under 10,000 officers and more than 3,000 civilian staff, covering an area of with a population of more than 4.1 million people, it is the third largest local law enforcement agency in...
officer husband (Richard Steinmetz
Richard Steinmetz
Richard Steinmetz is an American actor.In May 2004, Steinmetz joined the cast of Passions as Martin Fitzgerald, the long-missing patriarch of the Lopez-Fitzgerald family....
), who’s been investigating the strange goings-on around town, heads for Zitex, fearing for his wife’s safety. Wisk’s husband leads Fairfax’ men on a chase around the building before being rescued by his better half. Fairfax finds the device, kills Jacques and heads for the roof, where Wisk engages him in a kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
showdown which ends with Fairfax’ 86-story fall to the street below.
Critical reception
The film was utterly derided as being nothing other than 'soft-porn' when it was released, plus some observed that Anna appeared to have gained some weight compared to her Playboy Playmate days, but has acquired some reputation as a camp-classic in recent years.Cast
- Anna Nicole SmithAnna Nicole SmithIn 1992 Smith was chosen by Hugh Hefner to appear on the cover of the March issue of Playboy, where she was listed as Vickie Smith, wearing a low-cut evening gown. The centerfold was photographed by Stephen Wayda. Smith said she planned to be "the next Marilyn Monroe". Becoming one of Playboys...
: Carrie Wisk - Richard SteinmetzRichard SteinmetzRichard Steinmetz is an American actor.In May 2004, Steinmetz joined the cast of Passions as Martin Fitzgerald, the long-missing patriarch of the Lopez-Fitzgerald family....
: Gordon Wisk - Branko CikatićBranko CikaticBranko "The Croatian Tiger" Cikatić is a Croatian former heavyweight kickboxer, the first Croatian born fighter to achieve international success...
: Zarkov - Calvin LevelsCalvin LevelsCalvin Levels is an American film actor. In 1984, he won a Theatre World Award and was nominated for both the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Calvin Jefferson in Open Admissions...
: Hakim - Jonathan Fuller: Jacques
- Lee de Broux: Captain Wood
- Deirdre Imershein: Natasha
- Charles M. Huber: Fairfax
- Deron McBeeDeron McBeeDeron Michael McBee is an American actor, sportsman known for playing Motaro and Garret Bodine in the films Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and The Killing Zone respectively.- Career :...
: Leidermeier - Vincent DePalma: Johnny Hill
- Alan Brooks: Booker
- Gary ImhoffGary ImhoffGary Imhoff is an American actor. He was a teacher at Milton Katselas' Beverly Hills Playhouse. He teaches The Professional Artists Workshop and The Musical Artists Workshop in Los Angeles...
: Dudley - Bob McCrackenBob McCrackenBob McCracken was an American jazz clarinetist.McCracken played early in his career with local Dallas musicians, including Jack Teagarden, Eddie Whitley, the Southern Trumpeters, and Doc Ross's Jazz Bandits. He lived in New York City from 1926-28, where he worked with Johnny Johnston and Willard...
: Williams - Eugene Robert GlazerEugene Robert GlazerEugene Robert Glazer is an American actor best known for his portrayal of "Operations" on the TV show La Femme Nikita. Glazer was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and worked at a variety of jobs before moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s to pursue his acting career...
: Cranston - Seth Isler: Clancy