Psychic "Cayce Bridges" (Ally Sheedy) helps police solve murders by mentally linking with the murderer, in FEAR. Then she discovers a murderer with the same talent. Dina Merrill had a supporting role in this 1990 thriller. Although originally intended as a theatrical feature, the film ended up premiering on the Showtime cable network. Rockne S. O'Bannon directed the film. Henry Mancini's score was released by Quartet in 2013.
The 1991 drama TRUE COLORS tells the story of "Peter Burton" (John Cusack) and "Tim Gerrity" (James Spader), who have been best friends from law school to election night. Then their friendship is sorely tested when one learns of another's betrayal. Dina Merrill plays "Joan Stiles," the wife of "Senator James Stiles" (Richard Widmark, in his final film). Herbert Ross directed the film, which has an unreleased score by Trevor Jones.
In Robert Altman's 1992 Hollywood story THE PLAYER, Dina Merrill player "Celia," the secretary of studio head "Joel Levison" (Brion James). Thomas Newman's score was released by Varese Sarabande.
As 1993's SUTURE opens, "Clay Arlington" (Dennis Haysbert) is being stalked in his house by a gunman (Michael Harris). He retreats behind a shower curtain. As Clay, brandishing an enormous shotgun, waits for the moment of truth, the story freezes. In flashback, the movie explains how Clay got into this fix. Dina Merrill had a supporting role as "Alice Jameson" in this psychological thriller.
Shot in black and white, the film was the directorial debut of both Scott McGehee and David Siegel. The unreleased score was by Cary Berger.
The nonsensical story of 1996's MILK & MONEY centers on a medical-school dropout named David (Robert Petkoff), who seems to have a knack for standing on New York City sidewalks and having odd things involving gorgeous women happen to him. One recruits him to help her make a movie; another asks him, without explanation, to take custody of a rectangular box. Marin Hinkle, Sarah Winkler, Margaret Colin and Calista Flockhart are among the lovelies. Dina Merrill plays "Ellen," David's mother. Michael Bergmann directed the comedy, which does not have an original score.
MIGHTY JOE YOUNG was a Disney remake of the 1949 RKO film of the same name. In this version, a legendary fifteen-foot tall mountain gorilla named Joe is taken to an animal sanctuary in California by a zoologist (Bill Paxton) and a young woman (Charlize Theron) whom he grew up with. A Russian poacher from the past (Rade Sherbedgia) returns to seek vengeance on the beast. Dina Merrill had a bit part as a Society Woman. Ron Underwood (CITY SLICKERS) directed this 1998 adventure. James Horner's score was released by Hollywood Records.
In the 2002 made-for-television remake of THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS, Dina Merrill co-starred as "Mrs. Johnson," a role that barely appeared in the Orson Welles version of the tale. Alfonso Arau directed the remake, which premiered on the A&E Television Network. Ruy Folguera provided the unreleased score.
