Double Agent (1987 film)

Double Agent is a made for TV film from Walt Disney Television directed by Michael Vejar.[1] It starred Michael McKean, Susan Walden, Christopher Burton, Judith Jones, and Lloyd Bochner. Additional cast included Del Zamora, John Putch, Alexa Hamilton, Jane A. Johnston, Lois January, Saveli Kramarov, Allan Kolman, and Big John Studd.[2][3][4] Double Agent was first telecast on ABC March 29, 1987, on The Disney Sunday Movie series.[5][6]

Double Agent
GenreAdventure
Biography
Drama
Family
Western
Written byHoward Friedlander
Ken Peragine
Craig W. Van Sickle
Steven Long Mitchell
Directed byMichael Vejar
StarringMichael McKean
Susan Walden
Christopher Burton
Judith Jones
Lloyd Bochner
Music byAlf Clausen
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerMark H. Ovitz
CinematographyFred J. Koenekamp
EditorDennis Virkler
Running time88 minutes
Production companiesMark H. Ovitz Productions
Walt Disney Television
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMarch 29, 1987 (1987-03-29)

The plot revolves around ”two brothers, one is a kind of James Bond, a secret agent with an infallible aim, an irresistible womanizer, the other, his twin, a quiet family man, (theoretically) unprepared to face dangers.”[7]

Plot

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Jason Starr is an international spy. While on a mission, there an altercation and Jason disappears. His boss Vaughn then goes to his twin brother Warren Starbinder, a veterinarian, and asks him to pose as Jason so to complete his mission. Warren agrees to do so but the talk will not be easy since he is not a spy. Warren also cannot tell his wife and family what he's doing which makes it hard for him to explain the peculiar ways he is now behaving. He is supposed to deliver a quarter million dollars in exchange for an overlay of a secret document. He is chased by the KGB and an ex-NSB agent who is out for revenge.

Soundtrack

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"Chemistry", a song by the new wave duo Who's Who?, appears in the film.[8]

Reception

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Film Dienst described the film as follows, "Family entertainment that activates all the usual clichés and is as harmless as it is inconsequential."[9] Kino.de wrote, "Harmless spy comedy for the whole family from the Disney TV production. Without a distinctive cast nor anything clearly original."[10]

The film was noted for McKean’s double role, although TV Today (Germany) commented, "He's better at composing: Michael McKean's song for the film A Mighty Wind received an Oscar nomination this year (2003)."[11]

References

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  1. ^ Roberts, Jerry (2009-06-05). Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6378-1.
  2. ^ "Double Agent". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  3. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2020-01-17). Encyclopedia of Television Pilots: 2,470 Films Broadcast 1937-2019, 2d ed. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-3810-2.
  4. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014-01-10). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-8641-0.
  5. ^ Thomas, Kevin (1987-03-29). "Independence (NBC Sunday at 9 p.m.), a..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  6. ^ International Television & Video Almanac. Quigley Publishing Company. 1996. ISBN 978-0-900610-56-1.
  7. ^ MYmovies.it. "Doppio agente". MYmovies.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  8. ^ "The Magical World of Disney" Double Agent (TV Episode 1987) - Soundtracks - IMDb. Retrieved 2024-07-01 – via www.imdb.com.
  9. ^ "Double Agent". www.filmdienst.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  10. ^ "Double Agent". Kino.de.
  11. ^ "Double Agent: Trailer & Kritik zum Film". TV Today (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-22.
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