The Heiress Lethal

The Heiress Lethal, also known as The Fatal Heir, is a 2010 American noir comedy short film directed by Michael Brueggemeyer and written by Marianne Bates. The film stars Merrick McCartha, Cristyn Chandler, Jim Teiper and Ron Christopher Jones. It won Best Film at 48 Hour Film Project San Diego and screened at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival after qualifying through Filmapalooza at the Miami International Film Festival. The film was later nominated for a Pacific Southwest Emmy Award at National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Plot
Veronica Baker is accused of murdering her husband to collect on his company's fortune. Johnny Love must find out if Mrs. Baker is being truthful.

Production
Principal photography for the film took place at The Old Townhouse Restaurant in Ocean Beach, San Diego. It was written, filmed in black and white and edited within 48 hours. Brueggemeyer said "We wanted to turn film noir genre on its ears," referring to Chandler's character having a flatulence issue.

Release
The film premiered July 29, 2010 at the 48 Hour Film Project in San Diego, California. It later screened at Filmapalooza as part of the Miami International Film Festival as well as the 2011 Cannes Film Festival's Short Film Corner in France.

Reception
Of the 90 international films that represented different global cities at Filmapalooza, The Fatal Heir put San Diego in the top 16 which made it eligible for the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.