Money on the Side

Money on the Side is a 1982 American made-for-television drama film starring Karen Valentine, Jamie Lee Curtis and Linda Purl 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), 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

 * Karen Valentine as Janice Vernon
 * Jamie Lee Curtis as Michelle Jamison
 * Linda Purl as Annie Gilson
 * Christopher Lloyd as Sergeant Stampone
 * Richard Masur as Nelson Vernon
 * Gary Graham as Jack Gilson
 * Edward Edwards as Paul
 * John Bennett Perry as Tom Westmore
 * Joe Lambie as Chip Jamison
 * Susan Flannery as Karen Gordon
 * Arthur Rosenberg as Mason Hutchons
 * Lee de Broux 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 as Terri
 * Micole Mercurio as Donna Pallizzano