Double Agent (1987 film)

Last updated
Double Agent
Genre Spy comedy
Teleplay by
  • Steven Long Mitchell
  • Craig W. Van Sickle
  • Howard Friedlander
  • Ken Peragine
Story by
  • Howard Friedlander
  • Ken Peragine
Directed by Michael Vejar
Starring
Music by Alf Clausen
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerMark H. Ovitz
Cinematography Fred J. Koenekamp
Editor Dennis Virkler
Running time88 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseMarch 29, 1987 (1987-03-29)

Double Agent is a 1987 American spy comedy television film directed by Michael Vejar for Walt Disney Television. [1] It stars Michael McKean, Susan Walden, Christopher Burton, Judith Jones, and Lloyd Bochner. Additional cast members include 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, as an episode of The Disney Sunday Movie series. [5] [6]

Contents

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

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

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

Reception

Film Dienst described the film as follows, "Family entertainment that activates all the usual clichés and is as harmless as it is inconsequential." [8] Kino.de wrote, "Harmless spy comedy for the whole family from the Disney TV production. Without a distinctive cast nor anything clearly original." [9]

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)." [10]

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References

  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. "Double Agent". www.filmdienst.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  9. "Double Agent". Kino.de.
  10. "Double Agent: Trailer & Kritik zum Film". TV Today (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-22.