An original screenplay by Ken Tipton

Based on a true story, Heart Of The Beholder is a poignant black satire, which tackles the issues of free speech, religious ethics and the American ideals.

Mike and Diane Howard are the typical young American family, living in a small suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, in search of the American Dream. Young, good looking, and with their first child on the way, Diane is always supportive of Mike with his eclectic new business ventures, which to-date, have always failed.   His latest brainwave is opening the Mid-West's first VHS videocassette rental store in 1981.   This time Mike has hit the jackpot. Within several years the store grows into a thriving video rental chain. Mike and Diane now live in a plush home.   They have attained the American Dream.   Or have they?

This is a time of moral upheaval, with abortion clinics and progressive books being targeted by self-proclaimed ethical groups.   Reverend Brewer leads his flock of Bible bashing followers in one such group, a religious right organization called the Citizens For Decency (CFD).   They declare war on video stores carrying inappropriate films, claiming they are perverse and immoral.   Films such as Taxi Driver, Agnes of God, Blazing Saddles, Animal House and Mr. Mom are all blacklisted.   Even the movie Splash is targeted, allegedly promoting bestiality!

The situation worsens when Mike's stores are the only ones in St. Louis unafraid to carry Martin Scorsese's controversial film, The Last Temptation of Christ.   The CFD harasses Mike and Dianne and the video store employees with pickets and boycotts, even vandalizing stores and cars.   This culminates with Mike and Diane receiving death threats to their little daughter.

Proclaiming his right of free speech, Mike still refuses to buckle, which prompts Reverend Brewer to use alternate methods of persuasion. The good Reverend blackmails the sleazy county prosecuting attorney, Eric Manion with information about the latter's secret sex life so that he restores decency to the community. Manion has no choice but to comply, filing obscenity charges against Mike and confiscating the A listed movies from his stores. Mike wins the court case, but all the negative publicity and legal fees bankrupts his video rental business and eventually leads to his and Diane's separation.

Unemployed and depressed, Mike is suicidal.   After dreaming of fighting back, he takes on Reverend Brewer and his CFD fanatics in a violent paint ball session, which inadvertently leads to Mike's discovering Manion's perverted sex life.   A sting is set up to expose the corrupt prosecutor with Diane acting as a prostitute.   In the ensuing events, everything that can go wrong does.

Ultimately, Manion is exposed and is his career is ended.   Mike and Diane resume the American Dream.

Actors attached to this project are:

Matt Letscher will play the role of Mike Howard.   Matt has starred in countless TV shows, including Good Morning, Miami and The Beach Boys: An American Family and has had many notable TV guest appearances.   His film credits most recently include Identity, Gods And Generals and The Mask of Zorro.

Sarah Brown will be playing the role of Diane Howard.   She is best known for her role as Carly Roberts on General Hospital.   She has also appeared in Port Charles and the made for television movie ³The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story.

John Prosky will be portraying Reverend Brewer.   Mr. Prosky has appeared in Hidalgo, Hulk, Bringing Down the House and Artificial Intelligence: AI, as well as many other hits.

Anne Ramsay will be portraying Reeba.   She has appeared in countless TV shows including starring on the hit television comedy Mad About You.   Her movie credits include Planet of the Apes, A League of Their Own.

Jason Wiles will play the role of Deetz.   Jason is currently starring in the television show Third Watch and has appeared in Beverly Hills 90210, and the film Higher Learning.

Greg Germann will be taking the role of Bob.   He starred in the hit TV show Ally McBeal and has many film credits, including Sweet November, Down to Earth and Joe Somebody.

Michael Dorn will be playing the role of Lt. Larson.   Mr. Dorn's is best known as a principle character (Warf) of the Star Trek TV shows and movies and has countless appearances on Television.   His film credits also include The Santa Clause 2 and Ali.

Heart Of The Beholder started principle photography on June 7, 2004, for 18 days.   The Director is Ken Tipton.   The DP is George Mooridian.   The post production schedule will be approximately 18 weeks.

This is story that must be told.   It's a story about our freedom and where we draw the line.   A parody on American values, it is very timely in the current political atmosphere.