Focus Puller Inc.

Good Machine

Propaganda Films

Sony Pictures Classics

Not part of a collection.

Auto Focus

Name: Auto Focus
Released: 2002-10-18T00:00:00.000000Z
Rating: 6.4

A day without sex is a day wasted.

2002 • 104 min • ★ 6.4 (218) • Released

Crime Drama

A successful TV star during the 1960s, former "Hogan's Heroes" actor Bob Crane projects a wholesome family-man image, but this front masks his persona as a sex addict who records and photographs his many encounters with women, often with the help of his seedy friend, John Henry Carpenter. This biographical drama reveals how Crane's double life takes its toll on him and his family, and ultimately contributes to his death.

IMDb ↗

Original title: Auto Focus
Language: EN
Country: US
Budget: $7,000,000
Revenue: $2,062,066

Reviews & Ratings 1

Wuchak

Jul 5, 2025 · via TMDB

★ 7.0

**_Bob Crane's growing sexual addiction and murder_** Crane (Greg Kinnear) befriends a video expert named John Carpenter (Willem Dafoe) around the time he gets the gig for Hogan's Heroes. He is soon seduced by the temptations of being a big star; "free sex" is the sin du jour of the era and Crane can't resist the scores of beautiful women who want him. Unlike Crane, Carpenter isn't a star and isn't handsome, but he's able to continually pick up women simply due to his friendship with Bob. During and, especially, after his popular TV show, Crane experiences a downward spiral as he becomes entangled in the web of loose sex. By June, 1978, he was dead at 49. "Auto Focus" (2002) was based on Robert Graysmith's book "The Murder of Bob Crane: Who Killed the Star of Hogan's Heroes?," which – believe it or not – depicts Crane's plunge into sexual immorality even worse than seen in the movie. Director Paul Schrader is a writer or director of quite a few critically acclaimed films, like "Taxi Driver" (writer), "The Mosquito Coast" (writer) and "Hardcore" (writer & director). Speaking of "Hardcore," that film also addresses the subject of sexual hedonism with focus on a fascinating father/daughter relationship that develops between a staunch Calvinist conservative (George C. Scott) and a young lost prostitute (Season Hubley). "Auto Focus" may not be quite as good but, if you can handle the sleazy aspects, it maintains your attention and the actors do a quality job. Rita Wilson and Maria Bello are on hand as Crane's wife and mistress/new-wife respectively. Meanwhile Michael E. Rodgers plays Bob's somewhat nemesis, Richard Dawson. The DVD features a documentary on Crane's death and the most obvious culprit, John Carpenter. It's an interesting case, to say the least. I shouldn't fail to add that I know someone who worked as a waitress at an A&W in my area during the mid-70s when Crane was forced to do traveling theater work to earn a living, as shown in the movie. She waited on him & another guy and Bob was his typically amiable self, just with a decidedly smart-alecky edge. I guess my friend didn't act starstruck enough because he didn't leave her a tip! It runs 1 hour, 45 minutes, and was shot in California and Arizona. GRADE: B

User reviews courtesy of TMDB.

Keywords 12

1960s 1970s adultery based on novel or book based on true story biography dinner theater infidelity orgy pornography sex addiction video taped

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Cast 43

Greg Kinnear

Bob Crane

Willem Dafoe

John Carpenter

Rita Wilson

Anne Crane

Maria Bello

Patricia Olson / Patrica Crane

Ron Leibman

Lenny

Kurt Fuller

Werner Klemperer

Ed Begley Jr.

Mel Rosen

Michael E. Rodgers

Richard Dawson

Michael McKean

Video Executive

Christopher Neiman

Robert Clary

Bruce Solomon

Edward H. Feldman

Lyle Kanouse

John Banner

DonnaMarie Recco

Melissa / Mistress Victoria

Cheryl Lynn Bowers

Cynthia Lynn

Don McManus

Priest

Kelly Packard

Dawson's Blond

Jeff Harlan

Armand

Kevin Kilner

Clayton Moore

Kevin Beard

Hogan A.D.

Joe Grifasi

Strip Club M.C.

Vyto Ruginis

Nickie D

Nikita Ager

Julie

Alex Meneses

Emily

Cassie Townsend

Elaine

Arden Myrin

Hippie Girl

Joseph D. Reitman

Hippie Boy

Kitana Baker

Schmile Girl

Gibby Brand

Judge

Katie Lohmann

Dallas Girl

Roderick McCarthy

Bartender

Catherine Dent

Susan

John Kapelos

Bruno Gerussi

Shawn Reaves

Bob Crane Jr. at 20

Marieh Delfino

Lori

Zen

Classic Cat Dancer

Zero

Classic Cat Dancer

Owen Masterson

Jack Chapman

Jennifer Piper

Dinner Theater Actress

Danielle Petty

Interview Montage Girl #1

John Churchill

Dick Ryan (uncredited)

Kate Clarke

Dinner Theater Actress (uncredited)

H.R. Haldeman

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Evis Xheneti

Dinner Theater Actress (uncredited)

Crew 20

Seth Reed

Art Direction

James Chinlund

Production Design

Gene Serdena

Set Decoration

Paul A. Edwards

"A" Camera Operator

Barry Idoine

First Assistant Camera

Julie Weiss

Costume Design

Candace Neal

Hairstylist

Melissa Yonkey

Key Hair Stylist

Joel Harlow

Makeup Effects

Kevin Beard

Stand In

Paul Schrader

Director

Michael Bauman

Gaffer

Brian Oliver

Co-Producer

James Schamus

Executive Producer

Trevor Macy

Executive Producer

Larry Karaszewski

Producer

Scott Alexander

Producer

Angelo Badalamenti

Orchestrator

Angelo Badalamenti

Original Music Composer

Robert Graysmith

Book

Gallery

Videos

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US Release Dates 2

Oct 4, 2002

New York Film Festival

Premiere

Oct 18, 2002

R Theatrical (Limited)