The Akron Beacon Journal from Akron, Ohio • Page 176

Page 3 Idealized peek at '40s sleuth The Beacon Journal 4 tf HYk Christina Pickles plays Laura Robinson's best friend New detective series from Lifetime uneven, but very promising By Mark Dawtdzlak Beacm Journal television writer Imagine the type of private investigator Humphrey Bo-gart played in the '40s tough but always ready to do the right thing, secretive yet absolutely trustworthy, quick with a quip while slow to reveal the strong emotions under that cool exterior. Capable of fear, altruism, cynicism and bravery, our detective hero follows an extremely personal code of ethics. Part owner of a popular jazz club, this sleuth has many acquaintances, very few intimate friends. Now imagine that this private eye is played by Lauren Bacall instead of Bogart. This gives you a fair idea of Lifetime's Veronica Clare, an hour mystery series that the cable service will premiere Tuesday at 10 p.m.

Canadian actress Laura Robinson, who looks like a cross between Bacall and Veronica Lake, has the title role in this uneven attempt to collide the '40s detective genre with a '90s sensibility. Created by writer and producer Jeffrey Bloom, Veronica Clare is at times great fun, at times too deliberate and plodding to sustain the pace. There are the touches that we've come to associate with Raymond Chandler-type projects: a low-key narration, jazzy background music, Los Angeles settings, intricate mysteries, humorous insights. And for most of the opening episode, Bloom and his team manage to keep the style in delicate balance with the substance. But there is an annoying tendency to beat the viewer over the head with style.

These are the moments when the Veronica Clare script turns self-conscious. The loose seams show in the otherwise slick material, so his money back. Veronica Clare is one of three series Lifetime will premiere Tuesday night. It will be preceded at 9 by Confessions of Crime, a half-hour series that investigates real crimes and criminal behavior. Actress Theresa Saldana, a founder of Victims for Victims, is the host for this attempt "to help women better protect themselves." Bloom must consider some slight alterations if his overall design is to be as smooth and stylish as it should be.

It would be a crime if he doesn't chase down the obvious remaining clues to success. Bloom already has built a strong case for Veronica Clare. Robinson is a terrific find for Lifetime, and she's surrounded by a capable supporting cast. Tony Plana (An Officer and a Gentleman) plays Nikki Swar-cek, a Los Angeles police lieutenant in love with Veronica. Robert Beltran (Eating Raoul) is Duke Rado, Veronica's partner.

And Christina Pickles (nurse Helen Rosenthal on NBC's St. Elsewhere) is her best friend, Kelsey Home. In Tuesday's opener, Veronica's Aunt Clara asks her to look into "a serious matter." Veronica is shocked to learn that Clara's late husband, Edward, was an accountant for underworld boss Louis Pinato (Dan Hedaya, who played Nick Tortelli on Cheers and its 3br-tellis spinoff). 'Uncle Edward was skimming off mob money, and discrepancies in the books have been discovered. Louis wants The Hidden Room, a half- hour anthology about women" "struggling with their deepest fears, secrets and desires, jj gets the 9:30 slot.

Based on short stories by such writers as Ruth Rendell and Gail the first season will include episodes starring Amanda Plum-mer (L.A. Law), Lara Flynn Boyle (Twin Peaks), Alice Krige (Chariots of Fire) and Helen Slater (Ruthless People). The three series will "further solidify Lifetime's identity as the network for said Pat Fili, the cable service's vice president for pro gramming and production. Perhaps, yet, with some ele mentary changes, Veronica Clare might solve the mystery of attracting a wider audience..