Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story

I remember years ago one day at my grandmother's and aunts house watching this TV movie one day on a snow day being off from school I believe many many years ago on TBS, and I just recently watched it again on DVD and it's a pretty good TV movie. Made in 1981 it tells the rise and fall of the late 1970's early 1980's model turned playmate Dorothy Stratten and it's rightfully called "Death of a Centerfold" The Stratten Story as this young woman would meet a violent end. The film starts in Victoria British Columbia with a young Dorothy Stratten(in a young and sexy performance from Jamie Lee Curtis)who works in a local ice creme shop and lives with her aunt. And all of a sudden it all changes for her when one day a con man and wheel dealer named Paul Snider enters the shop and offers her a deal to model. And this would put Dorothy on a path of fame and fortune out to L.A. for a rich life to live and later Stratten becomes "Playboy's Playmate of the Month". Only sadly all of this is taken away in a fit of brutal jealous rage from Paul as even his sense of obligation of marrying Dorothy was not enough for Paul. As if Paul(Bruce Weitz) couldn't have her and enjoy Dorothy's success then nobody else could either! Overall this TV film is a tragedy of a life cut short showing that fame can come with a price.

I loved it all the way up to the tragic, horrible end! If not for the terrible-real-life ending, this movie had all the makings of a fairytale! I just LOVE the way these old TV movies were made- with lots of warmth and romanticism, right down to the sexy sax muzak. Just lovely!

There was hope up until the very last minute, that Dorothy would reconsider and just not see Paul anymore, but alas. This shows that not all fairytales have happy endings. But up until then, what a great movie with a terrific cast! Jamie Lee Curtis, while not quite right for the part, did a terrific job, and I recommend this to all fellow JLC fans. Also of note is "The Brady Bunch" dad, Robert Reed; what a treat seeing him too.

Fab film from the golden age of made-for-TV movies!

There was also a theatrically released film about Dorothy made a couple years later, called "Star 80" directed by "Cabaret"'s Bob Fosse, which would make a great double-feature with this one.

R. I. P. Dear Dorothy Stratten.

Jamie Lee Curtis is not only a terrible actress, but also devoid of charm and attractiveness. She was terribly miscast. She inherited none of her parent's charisma or looks, let alone talent.

This terrible TV movie is an insult to poor Dorothy. It is painful to watch.

Curtis should stick to cheap horror movies, which she has done for the most part. Now her career is reduced to be a lookalike stand in for Anderson Cooper.

Star 80 is a far superior film, though I don't think either one do Dorothy Justice. Both are basically exploiting the lady's tragic end.

Rest in peace Dorothy. You deserved so much better.

Usually, in Hollywood biopics, they will cast actors that are more attractive than their real-life counterparts. No so this time, which makes the obsession of the boyfriend difficult to believe.

Why did they change Bogdonavitch to someone named David Palmer? This version made little sense. Star 80 is the far better film.