Bruno Kirby

'Fallen Angels' (1993)

Hanks has pulled an unadvertised Eastwood, acting and directing during the last decade. He debuted as a director on early '90s TV shows such as "Tales from the Crypt" and "Fallen Angels," helmed the sweet-natured feature film "That Thing You Do!" (1996) and... more has won at least one recent directing Emmy for an outstanding TV miniseries. In "Fallen Angels" (available on DVD), the mesmerizing "I'll Be Waiting" pairs Marg Helgenberger with Bruno Kirby in a smooth-as-ivory-satin story about a gorgeous gangster's moll, waiting in a swank hotel for the boyfriend she ratted out to show up and take his revenge. House-dick Kirby looks pretty downscale, but he's good enough to finesse a gang shootout to save the lady. Hanks handles this moody little noir like a veteran: The final shot pulls away from the lighted dial of an old-time radio, tuned in to silky big-band music, and withdraws very slowly down the long lounge where Helgenberger's world-weary femme fatale reclines -- perhaps forever.

(Showtime Networks /Courtesy Everett Collection)