The Dead Pool (1988)

The film The Dead Pool (1988) falls under the genre of American neo-noir action thriller and was directed by Buddy Van Horn. Following Inspector Harry Callahan’s testifying against crime boss Lou Janero, the latter is imprisoned. As a result, Callahan gains notoriety and becomes targeted by both Janero’s men and the media, something he dislikes. During an ambush where four hitmen are killed by Callahan, the SFPD assigns Al Quan as his new partner. Having lost many partners in the past, Callahan advises Quan to wear a bulletproof vest. Together they investigate the death of rock singer Johnny Squares, who was found dead in his trailer on set of a music video being directed by Peter Swan at San Francisco’s Port. Despite initial reports that it was an overdose, further investigation reveals it to be murder instead.

During a Chinatown restaurant robbery, Dean Madison, executive producer of Swan, is tragically killed. The brave actions of Callahan result in the defeat of three of the robbers, while Quan apprehends the fourth. A peculiar discovery in Madison’s pocket reveals a list with both Callahan and Squares’ names on it. It is later uncovered that Madison and Swan were involved in a ‘dead pool’ game, where participants predict Bay area celebrity deaths from accidents, violence, or natural causes. Unfortunately, movie critic Molly Fisher, who was also on the list, becomes a victim of her own prediction when she is murdered by an intruder claiming to be Swan – sparking fear among the remaining celebrities and casting suspicion on Swan himself.