Behind the Mask (1992 film)
Encyclopedia
Behind the Mask is a Sandpiper Productions 1992 film
, released by Intercontinental Releasing Corporation
(IRC) in 1992 and by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer in 1998. The production utilized a new emerging 3-D film technology for television at the time of its filming. The film was written and directed by Warren Chaney
. Beverly Wilson was the executive producer, Warren Chaney
, the producer and David Sanders, the associate producer. It starred Roy Alan Wilson, Deborah Winters
, Steve Word and Luis Lemus. The motion picture was originally released in separate chapters with each chapter attached to a film. Following its theatrical run, it was released to television as a broadcast miniseries. This represented the first movie serial produced since 1965. After acquisition by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, the film was reedited into a film and re-released. In 1998, it was released to home video on laser disc.
Behind the Mask is considered by some film historians to be historic in that the serial genre was updated by following a 1940s and 1950s serial format while using a new 3-D television technology. Reviews were favorable upon release and it has since developed somewhat of a cult following
.
thriller film, first released in six separate chapters and later as a film. The film's adversary, an unidentified masked entity known only as The Octopus, terrorizes a large American city. He engages in industrial espionage
and terror in order to secure valuable technological secrets that will lead to America’s decline as a world power. The Octopus is on the verge of success when another unknown figure appears. The Mask, as he becomes known, thwarts the Octopus and his organized crime
syndicate in the villain’s one failed attempt after another.
Noted FBI Agent, Annie Strayton (Deborah Winters
) is assigned to the case from Washington, D.C.
At first, she views the Mask as an adversary but soon joins forces with him in an effort to bring the Octopus and his mob to justice.
Identities of the Mask and Octopus are unspecified throughout most of the film. However, both masked figures are identified as members of a vital government funded secret alliance known as Research Associates. The seven members of the team are each considered a suspect but as the film progresses; they are killed off until only two remain. One is the Mask and the other, the Octopus.
Chapter after chapter follow with each ending with a cliffhanger
finale. In Chapter One, the Mask and Agent Strayton are embroiled in a gun battle atop a 75-story skyscraper. As the chapter closes, the Mask is thrown from the top and plunges toward the city streets. In Chapter Two, the audience observes that a section of the crime fighter’s jacket opens into a small stunt parachute permitting the Mask to land safely on the streets below. Chapter after chapter follow, each leaving one or more of the main characters in danger, only to be saved in a subsequent chapter.
The film’s storyline combines action and mystery. Both the Mask and Octopus are adept at disguise, leaving the hanging question, "Who is who?" In one chapter – the film heroine Agent Strayton, is discovered to have been substituted by a member of the Octopus’ gang. In another scene, the Mask dons the identity of a missing member from Research Associates.
The city’s dark underground serves as the backdrop for Behind the Mask’s closing scenes as the two adversaries face off in a life or death struggle. Agent Strayton is captured and nearly killed before being rescued by the Mask. Strayton and the Mask expose the Octopus’ identity before he dies in a final combat scene. Strayton knows that the remaining scientist must be the Mask.
The Mask removes his disguise revealing his identity as the remaining scientist, Dr. Lane Elliott. Elliott replaces his mask and exits as law enforcement agents and officers arrive to remove the remaining members of the Octopus’ gang. Annie's boss congratulates her on the capture of the criminals. As Strayton walks away, he says, “This was a good day. We’ve learned the identity of the Octopus and you've learned the identity of the Mask.”
Strayton pauses as if considering the truth of her supervisor’s statement.
The Mask sits in a dark dimly lit lair. As he removes his mask once again, he is seen to be Dr. Lane Elliott. Elliott smiles lightly as he lifts a corner of his face revealing yet another mask. His face remains unseen as black-gloved hands remove the “Elliott” mask to a table on which many facemasks reside. Footsteps pass into the distance as the camera pushes in on a collection of masks in the center of which is the black cowl belonging to the mysterious and still unknown, crime fighter. Series of lights switch off until only one light illuminates the remaining disguise. The final light fades and the screen goes to black leaving unanswered, “Who is behind the mask?”
, gave company approval to begin production. She made the decision to film the movie using a newly developed 3-D technology, which would enable it to be broadcast in 3-D for later television distribution. Warren Chaney
, the project's screenwriter was then hired to produce and direct. Chaney had just completed an earlier production for Sandpiper, a western titled, The Broken Spur (1992)
.
Chaney employed stunt specialists and practical effects for the majority of the production instead of using digital compositing that was still in its infancy. The filming was complex because of the 800-pound weight of the camera system and long setup times for each shot. In an interview with a fan magazine, Chaney said, “It was very time consuming to light and set up the scenes because you had to make certain no disembodied heads were floating through the theatres in 3-D. The camera weight was difficult because it made movement troublesome. Still it forced me to tell a story in a different way than I ever had before.”
The vehicle driven by the Mask was a high-performance vehicle built for the production by car designer Charlie Van Natter. Van Natter took his task seriously, actually equipping the vehicle with the automatic weaponry and rocket launchers used in the film. The car could reach speeds up to 160 mph and had such sophisticated mechanics that special stunt drivers were required to man the production during high-speed chases.
The special effects prosthetic makeup
brother/sister team of Phillip and Melissa L. Nichols were brought into the production to develop the effects' makeup, costuming and the many facial disguises required for the film. Roy Alan Wilson who portrayed the Mask, Steve Word as the Octopus and Deborah Winters
as FBI Special Agent Annie Strayton, were required to assume multiple roles. In an interview for America Film Review, actress Deborah Winters
commented, “The Nichols’ team makeup was so good that I once stood off camera carrying on a conversation with Roy (Alan Wilson). I must have been doing most of the talking because when he finally said something I realized that it wasn’t him but another of our actors “made-up” to look like him. It gave me the chills.”
Veteran Stuntman, David Sanders developed and coordinated the film’s stunts. Behind the Mask employing more than 80 stuntmen with various specialties. In one scene, the Mask falls from atop a 75-story building and escapes by pulling a parachute after a 40-story drop. In another, the Mask high dives from one skyscraper to another, requiring a stuntman whose specialty was long leaps and high falls. Still others handled the large fight scenes, pyrotechnics and high-performance gymnastics. Early on, Chaney had made the decision to film the stunts as action sequence devoid of effects graphics. In an interview with a local CBS Houston affiliate, Chaney commented, “We were shooting the first serial feature since 1954 and while updating the genre, I wanted to stay with the spirit of what the filmmakers used to do.”
Executive producers are seldom involved in the technical process of film making but Beverly Wilson appears to be the exception. She makes a character appearance on screenas well as being actively involved in all facets of the production.
From start to finish, Behind the Mask required 2 years (1990-1992) of production.
(IRC) in 1992. It was picked up for continuing distribution by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer in 1998 and was released to home video on laser disc in 1996.However as of 2011 the movie has not been released on DVD or Blu-ray
won the Best Director and Best Screenplay CineCon ’92 Award and a Best Screenplay American Cinema Award for Behind the Mask. The picture received the Silver Award in the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival ’93 and a Bronze Medal Award in the New York Film Festival
– 1993. Deborah Winters
was nominated for Best Actress and Luis Lemas as Best Supporting Actor for the CineCon ’92 Awards.
On August 4, 1992, Mayor Bob Lanier
of Houston, Texas declared the date as Behind the Mask Day.
1992 in film
The year 1992 in film involved many significant films. -Top grossing films:-Awards:Academy AwardsGolden Globe AwardsNational Film Awards...
, released by Intercontinental Releasing Corporation
Intercontinental Releasing Corporation
The Intercontinental Releasing Corporation , was an American media company, primarily involved in the production and distribution of films and television programs. IRC was founded in September 1974 as the larger film studios' grip on domestic and international distribution diminished...
(IRC) in 1992 and by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer in 1998. The production utilized a new emerging 3-D film technology for television at the time of its filming. The film was written and directed by Warren Chaney
Warren Chaney
Warren Herbert Chaney, Ph.D. is an American executive, author, filmmaker, behavioral scientist, entertainer, businessman and a pioneer in early television. In a career spanning four decades, Chaney wrote fifteen books, fourteen screenplays, and seventy-eight professional and nonprofessional...
. Beverly Wilson was the executive producer, Warren Chaney
Warren Chaney
Warren Herbert Chaney, Ph.D. is an American executive, author, filmmaker, behavioral scientist, entertainer, businessman and a pioneer in early television. In a career spanning four decades, Chaney wrote fifteen books, fourteen screenplays, and seventy-eight professional and nonprofessional...
, the producer and David Sanders, the associate producer. It starred Roy Alan Wilson, Deborah Winters
Deborah Winters
Deborah Winters is an American actress and businesswoman. Winters is probably most remembered for her roles in Kotch, The People Next Door, Class of '44, and The Winds of War...
, Steve Word and Luis Lemus. The motion picture was originally released in separate chapters with each chapter attached to a film. Following its theatrical run, it was released to television as a broadcast miniseries. This represented the first movie serial produced since 1965. After acquisition by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, the film was reedited into a film and re-released. In 1998, it was released to home video on laser disc.
Behind the Mask is considered by some film historians to be historic in that the serial genre was updated by following a 1940s and 1950s serial format while using a new 3-D television technology. Reviews were favorable upon release and it has since developed somewhat of a cult following
Cult following
A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to a specific area of pop culture. A film, book, band, or video game, among other things, will be said to have a cult following when it has a small but very passionate fan base...
.
Plot
Behind the Mask is an action-adventureAction-adventure
Action-adventure may refer to:*A genre that can include:** action-adventure game*** action game*** adventure game** action *** action film** adventure *** adventure film*** adventure novel...
thriller film, first released in six separate chapters and later as a film. The film's adversary, an unidentified masked entity known only as The Octopus, terrorizes a large American city. He engages in industrial espionage
Industrial espionage
Industrial espionage, economic espionage or corporate espionage is a form of espionage conducted for commercial purposes instead of purely national security purposes...
and terror in order to secure valuable technological secrets that will lead to America’s decline as a world power. The Octopus is on the verge of success when another unknown figure appears. The Mask, as he becomes known, thwarts the Octopus and his organized crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
syndicate in the villain’s one failed attempt after another.
Noted FBI Agent, Annie Strayton (Deborah Winters
Deborah Winters
Deborah Winters is an American actress and businesswoman. Winters is probably most remembered for her roles in Kotch, The People Next Door, Class of '44, and The Winds of War...
) is assigned to the case from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
At first, she views the Mask as an adversary but soon joins forces with him in an effort to bring the Octopus and his mob to justice.
Identities of the Mask and Octopus are unspecified throughout most of the film. However, both masked figures are identified as members of a vital government funded secret alliance known as Research Associates. The seven members of the team are each considered a suspect but as the film progresses; they are killed off until only two remain. One is the Mask and the other, the Octopus.
Chapter after chapter follow with each ending with a cliffhanger
Cliffhanger
A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction...
finale. In Chapter One, the Mask and Agent Strayton are embroiled in a gun battle atop a 75-story skyscraper. As the chapter closes, the Mask is thrown from the top and plunges toward the city streets. In Chapter Two, the audience observes that a section of the crime fighter’s jacket opens into a small stunt parachute permitting the Mask to land safely on the streets below. Chapter after chapter follow, each leaving one or more of the main characters in danger, only to be saved in a subsequent chapter.
The film’s storyline combines action and mystery. Both the Mask and Octopus are adept at disguise, leaving the hanging question, "Who is who?" In one chapter – the film heroine Agent Strayton, is discovered to have been substituted by a member of the Octopus’ gang. In another scene, the Mask dons the identity of a missing member from Research Associates.
The city’s dark underground serves as the backdrop for Behind the Mask’s closing scenes as the two adversaries face off in a life or death struggle. Agent Strayton is captured and nearly killed before being rescued by the Mask. Strayton and the Mask expose the Octopus’ identity before he dies in a final combat scene. Strayton knows that the remaining scientist must be the Mask.
The Mask removes his disguise revealing his identity as the remaining scientist, Dr. Lane Elliott. Elliott replaces his mask and exits as law enforcement agents and officers arrive to remove the remaining members of the Octopus’ gang. Annie's boss congratulates her on the capture of the criminals. As Strayton walks away, he says, “This was a good day. We’ve learned the identity of the Octopus and you've learned the identity of the Mask.”
Strayton pauses as if considering the truth of her supervisor’s statement.
The Mask sits in a dark dimly lit lair. As he removes his mask once again, he is seen to be Dr. Lane Elliott. Elliott smiles lightly as he lifts a corner of his face revealing yet another mask. His face remains unseen as black-gloved hands remove the “Elliott” mask to a table on which many facemasks reside. Footsteps pass into the distance as the camera pushes in on a collection of masks in the center of which is the black cowl belonging to the mysterious and still unknown, crime fighter. Series of lights switch off until only one light illuminates the remaining disguise. The final light fades and the screen goes to black leaving unanswered, “Who is behind the mask?”
Cast
Many members of the cast were used in multiple roles though the use of extensive prosthetic makeup applied by the brother/sister team of Phillip and Melissa Nichols. This appeared to be in keeping with the film’s title and general theme of who is “behind the mask.”- Roy Alan Wilson as Dr. Lane Elliott Swanson and The Mask
- Deborah WintersDeborah WintersDeborah Winters is an American actress and businesswoman. Winters is probably most remembered for her roles in Kotch, The People Next Door, Class of '44, and The Winds of War...
as Agent Annie Strayton - Steve Word as Dr. Alex Raymond and The Octopus
- Kevin Hickman as Dr. Lee Falk
- James Keany as Dr. Bill Whitney
- Luis Lemus as Deatherage
- John SwaseyJohn SwaseyJohn Swasey is an American actor, voice actor, ADR Director, and Script Writer who works at Funimation Entertainment, ADV Films, Seraphim Digital, and OkraTron 5000...
as Agent John Reed - Woodrow Thomas as Jack Shepherd
- Rene’ Gatica as Dr. FredrickLouis
- Gage Tarrant as Lynn Garnett
- Joshua Blyden as Irish Thug
- John Hervey as Matt Williams
- Ed Mixon as James Andrews
- Brian Castillo as Tony Louis
- Barbara Jenkins as Foster Mother
- Kim I. Morrell as Dr. Barry Carson
- Dave Ward as TV Newscaster
- Stacey Cortez as Carson’s Daughter
- Karen Cook as Linda Clark
- Dyna Steele as Policewoman
- Warren ChaneyWarren ChaneyWarren Herbert Chaney, Ph.D. is an American executive, author, filmmaker, behavioral scientist, entertainer, businessman and a pioneer in early television. In a career spanning four decades, Chaney wrote fifteen books, fourteen screenplays, and seventy-eight professional and nonprofessional...
as FBI Agent - Beverly Wilson as FBI Agent
- Joe West as Door Man
- Scott Andrews as Lab Assistant
Production
After the screenplay was written, Beverly Wilson, President of Sandpiper Productions and the film’s Executive ProducerExecutive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
, gave company approval to begin production. She made the decision to film the movie using a newly developed 3-D technology, which would enable it to be broadcast in 3-D for later television distribution. Warren Chaney
Warren Chaney
Warren Herbert Chaney, Ph.D. is an American executive, author, filmmaker, behavioral scientist, entertainer, businessman and a pioneer in early television. In a career spanning four decades, Chaney wrote fifteen books, fourteen screenplays, and seventy-eight professional and nonprofessional...
, the project's screenwriter was then hired to produce and direct. Chaney had just completed an earlier production for Sandpiper, a western titled, The Broken Spur (1992)
The Broken Spur (1992)
The Broken Spur ' is a Sandpiper Productions western film released by the Intercontinental Releasing Corporation in 1992 and re-released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1998. The production, shot as a 3-D film was written and directed by Warren Chaney. Beverly Wilson was the Executive Producer and...
.
Chaney employed stunt specialists and practical effects for the majority of the production instead of using digital compositing that was still in its infancy. The filming was complex because of the 800-pound weight of the camera system and long setup times for each shot. In an interview with a fan magazine, Chaney said, “It was very time consuming to light and set up the scenes because you had to make certain no disembodied heads were floating through the theatres in 3-D. The camera weight was difficult because it made movement troublesome. Still it forced me to tell a story in a different way than I ever had before.”
The vehicle driven by the Mask was a high-performance vehicle built for the production by car designer Charlie Van Natter. Van Natter took his task seriously, actually equipping the vehicle with the automatic weaponry and rocket launchers used in the film. The car could reach speeds up to 160 mph and had such sophisticated mechanics that special stunt drivers were required to man the production during high-speed chases.
The special effects prosthetic makeup
Prosthetic makeup
Prosthetic makeup is the process of using prosthetic sculpting, molding and casting techniques to create advanced cosmetic effects...
brother/sister team of Phillip and Melissa L. Nichols were brought into the production to develop the effects' makeup, costuming and the many facial disguises required for the film. Roy Alan Wilson who portrayed the Mask, Steve Word as the Octopus and Deborah Winters
Deborah Winters
Deborah Winters is an American actress and businesswoman. Winters is probably most remembered for her roles in Kotch, The People Next Door, Class of '44, and The Winds of War...
as FBI Special Agent Annie Strayton, were required to assume multiple roles. In an interview for America Film Review, actress Deborah Winters
Deborah Winters
Deborah Winters is an American actress and businesswoman. Winters is probably most remembered for her roles in Kotch, The People Next Door, Class of '44, and The Winds of War...
commented, “The Nichols’ team makeup was so good that I once stood off camera carrying on a conversation with Roy (Alan Wilson). I must have been doing most of the talking because when he finally said something I realized that it wasn’t him but another of our actors “made-up” to look like him. It gave me the chills.”
Veteran Stuntman, David Sanders developed and coordinated the film’s stunts. Behind the Mask employing more than 80 stuntmen with various specialties. In one scene, the Mask falls from atop a 75-story building and escapes by pulling a parachute after a 40-story drop. In another, the Mask high dives from one skyscraper to another, requiring a stuntman whose specialty was long leaps and high falls. Still others handled the large fight scenes, pyrotechnics and high-performance gymnastics. Early on, Chaney had made the decision to film the stunts as action sequence devoid of effects graphics. In an interview with a local CBS Houston affiliate, Chaney commented, “We were shooting the first serial feature since 1954 and while updating the genre, I wanted to stay with the spirit of what the filmmakers used to do.”
Executive producers are seldom involved in the technical process of film making but Beverly Wilson appears to be the exception. She makes a character appearance on screenas well as being actively involved in all facets of the production.
From start to finish, Behind the Mask required 2 years (1990-1992) of production.
Distribution
Behind the Mask was distributed by Intercontinental Releasing CorporationIntercontinental Releasing Corporation
The Intercontinental Releasing Corporation , was an American media company, primarily involved in the production and distribution of films and television programs. IRC was founded in September 1974 as the larger film studios' grip on domestic and international distribution diminished...
(IRC) in 1992. It was picked up for continuing distribution by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer in 1998 and was released to home video on laser disc in 1996.However as of 2011 the movie has not been released on DVD or Blu-ray
Box Office and Budget
Behind the Mask was produced for $3.5 million in 1990-1992. The film earned $32.4 million from total distribution in and out of the United States.Awards|Accolades
Warren ChaneyWarren Chaney
Warren Herbert Chaney, Ph.D. is an American executive, author, filmmaker, behavioral scientist, entertainer, businessman and a pioneer in early television. In a career spanning four decades, Chaney wrote fifteen books, fourteen screenplays, and seventy-eight professional and nonprofessional...
won the Best Director and Best Screenplay CineCon ’92 Award and a Best Screenplay American Cinema Award for Behind the Mask. The picture received the Silver Award in the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival ’93 and a Bronze Medal Award in the New York Film Festival
New York Film Festival
The New York Film Festival has been a major film festival since it began in 1963 in New York. The films are selected by the Film Society of Lincoln Center...
– 1993. Deborah Winters
Deborah Winters
Deborah Winters is an American actress and businesswoman. Winters is probably most remembered for her roles in Kotch, The People Next Door, Class of '44, and The Winds of War...
was nominated for Best Actress and Luis Lemas as Best Supporting Actor for the CineCon ’92 Awards.
On August 4, 1992, Mayor Bob Lanier
Bob Lanier
Robert Lanier may refer to:*Bob Lanier , former NBA star and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame*Bob Lanier , businessman and former mayor of Houston, Texas*Rob Lanier, basketball coach...
of Houston, Texas declared the date as Behind the Mask Day.