Arguably the strongest, or at least most intriguing, premises of the first five films. Unfortunately, the execution of said plot isn't good.
'Hart to Hart: Secrets of the Hart' also features one of the more noteworthy cast lists, as least to me. You obviously have Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers doing their thing well in the lead roles, but there are also appearances from Jason Bateman and Wendie Malick.
I like the idea behind the plot, but the way it is brought to life onscreen is very underwhelming - borderline boring, in fact. What is given is alright, neither positive or negative, but it could've/should've been a much more enjoyable story to see unfold.
This fifth made-for-television 'Hart to Hart' film marks the exit of regular Lionel Stander, who passed away a few months before this was released. I'm sure his peak came in the television series, but he made for a pleasant side character in the films.
There's also quite the unexpected cameo towards the end - I didn't see it coming!
Hart to Hart: Secrets of the Hart
1995
Action / Adventure / Crime / Mystery
Hart to Hart: Secrets of the Hart
1995
Action / Adventure / Crime / Mystery
Keywords: amateur detective
Plot summary
Jonathan and Jennifer Hart are in San Francisco to help with a charity auction. Jennifer picks up an old locket for auction and shows it to Jonathan. Jonathan quickly recognizes a picture of him and his sister who he hasn't seen since he was a child, inside. Stuart Morris approaches the Harts claiming to be Jonathan's nephew. Stuart tells them that his aunt is Mr. Harts long lost sister. Perhaps, this family reunion isn't quite what it seems...
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Borderline boring
interesting plot twists.
It was an interesting tv movie. I think that they were stretching a little making Jonathan's sister appear in a locket out of nowhere. Stefanie Powers looks beautiful. Lionel Stander looked bad. I didn't realize this was his last episode before he died. The side character of the long lost sister was played by Marion Ross. Overall I like the earlier tv movie specials as well as the original series. Would like to see someone rerun the episodes.
Trump vs. Hart to Hart!
Jonathan and Jennifer Hart head to San Francisco for a charity auction, where she discovers an old heart locket with a picture of Jonathan as a child. He never knew his family, so he quickly learns that he may have a sister and nephew. But this being Hart to Hart, someone has to die before its all over. Maybe a few people have to die, actually.
This is the first of the reunion movies to be directed by someone other than Peter Hunt. Here it's Kevin Connor, who was behind From Beyond the Grave and Motel Hell. He also directed six episodes of the original series.
Marion Ross (Happy Days) and Jason Bateman (Arrested Development) play the aunt and nephew, while Wagner's daughter Natasha plays Tibby, the wife of Bateman's character. You also get small parts from Rodger Bumpass (Squidward from Sponge Bob Squarepants),comedian John Pinette, Pat Morita as a Japanese Jewish jeweler named Ling Goldberg, exploitation fave Ross Hagen, Taylor Negron, John Beck (Moonpie from Rollerball),Edward Mulhare from Knight Rider and Michael Parks (Earl McGraw himself!) and Wendie Malick (Just Shoot Me, Dream On) as a murderous couple who clash with the Harts.
Sadly, this would be the final appearance of Lionel Stander died soon after making this. His appearance is really rough and his dialogue is often looped, so you can see it coming. It actually made me really emotional.
Not to get political, but as you can see from the clip above, Donald Trump makes an appearance. I really need to get on my Donald Trump as a character in fictional movies Letterboxd list. There's Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, Ghosts Can't Do It, Two Weeks Notice, 54, Zoolander, The Little Rascals, Across the Sea of Time...man. An entire week of films ready for people to get upset about!