''Money on the Side'' is a 1982 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made fo ...

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

starring

Karen Valentine Karen Valentine (born May 25, 1947) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as young idealistic schoolteacher Alice Johnson in the ABC comedy drama series ''Room 222'' from 1969 to 1974, for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award f ...

Jamie Lee Curtis Jamie Lee Curtis (born November 22, 1958) is an American actress, producer, children's author, and activist. She came to prominence with her portrayal of Lt. Barbara Duran on the ABC sitcom '' Operation Petticoat'' (1977–78). In 1978, she m ...

and

Linda Purl Linda Purl (born September 2, 1955) is an American actress and singer, known for her roles as Ashley Pfister (Fonzie's girlfriend) on '' Happy Days'' (she originally played Gloria as Richie’s date in season 2 episode 6), Sheila Munroe in the 198 ...

as three women who become prostitutes, working for madam Karen Gordon ( Susan Flannery).

Plot

Janice Vernon (Valentine) is married to traveling salesman Nelson (

Richard Masur Richard Masur is an American character actor who has appeared in more than 80 films. From 1995 to 1999, he served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). He is best known for Nick Lobo on ''Rhoda'' (1974-1977), Stanley Uris in th ...

), and has a son with special needs. The couple are experiencing severe financial hardships, and Janice lists her home for sale by Karen's Gordon's realty firm. When her house doesn't sell, Karen (Flannery) offers Janice a way to become a prostitute. Janice feels she can't do it, but eventually the need for money overcomes her feelings and she begins working as an "escort" for Karen. Michelle Jamison (Curtis) is a highly educated secretary that likes the thrill of hooking. She sees it as being in control. Her estranged husband has a drinking problem, and she uses some of the money she earns as a prostitute to fix her car after her husband wrecks it while driving drunk. Annie Gilson (Linda Purl) is studying for her real estate license with Karen Gordon, and is also saving her money to buy a house. She is married and has a young daughter, but her abusive husband has no idea she turns tricks on the side. The three women become friends as they work together. The police are aware of Karen's firm being a front for her escort business, and eventually she is arrested, along with her working girls. Annie commits suicide by hanging herself in jail. Janice tries to explain to her husband that she did what she felt she had to do. She tells him, "we're just people," but he still leaves her.

Cast

as Janice Vernon *

as Michelle Jamison *

as Annie Gilson *

Christopher Lloyd Christopher Allen Lloyd (born October 22, 1938) is an American actor. He has appeared in many theater productions, films, and on television since the 1960s. He is known for portraying Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown in the ''Back to the Future'' tril ...

as Sergeant Stampone *

as Nelson Vernon *

Gary Graham Gary Graham (born June 6, 1950) is an American actor, musician, and author. He may be best known for his starring role as Detective Matthew Sikes in the television series ''Alien Nation'' (1989–1990) and five subsequent ''Alien Nation'' televi ...

as Jack Gilson * Edward Edwards as Paul *

John Bennett Perry John Bennett Perry (born January 4, 1941) is an American actor, singer and former model. He is the father of actor Matthew Perry. Life and career Perry was born on January 4, 1941, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, the son of businessman, bank dir ...

as Tom Westmore *

Joe Lambie Joe or JOE may refer to: Arts Film and television * ''Joe'' (1970 film), starring Peter Boyle * ''Joe'' (2013 film), starring Nicolas Cage * ''Joe'' (TV series), a British TV series airing from 1966 to 1971 * ''Joe'', a 2002 Canadian animated ...

as Chip Jamison * Susan Flannery as Karen Gordon * Arthur Rosenberg as Mason Hutchons *

Lee de Broux Lee de Broux (born May 7, 1941) is an American character actor of film and television who is best known for his roles in such films and television series as '' Chinatown'', '' RoboCop'', '' The Gun'', '' Geronimo: An American Legend'', ''Norma ...

as Claude * Terry Burns as Louis * John H. Fields as Judge Evans * Sarina C. Grant as Nina * Pat Studstill as Cowboy * Kenneth Washington as Detective White * Adele Rosse as Mrs. Gersh *

Mary McDonnell Mary Eileen McDonnell (born April 28, 1952) is an American film, stage, and television actress. She received Academy Award nominations for her roles as Stands With A Fist in '' Dances with Wolves'' and May-Alice Culhane in ''Passion Fish''. Mc ...

as Terri *

Micole Mercurio Micole Diana Mercurio (March 10, 1938 – January 19, 2016) was an American film and television actress and artist. Her film credits included the roles of Rosemary Szabo in ''Flashdance'' in 1983, Mrs. Kelly in '' Gleaming the Cube'' in 1989, ...

as Donna Pallizzano

External links

* 1982 films 1982 television films 1982 drama films Films about prostitution in the United States Films directed by Robert L. Collins American drama television films 1980s English-language films 1980s American films {{US-tv-drama-film-stub