Originally Published: August 1, 2014
Original Publication: Examiner.com | Birmingham Examiner
Byline: Author/Traciy Curry-Reyes; Section: Movies
"Highway Heartbreaker," aka "Highway Casanova," is a true-story movie based on the case of Orange County con man Joseph Duffy, aka Joe "Mac" Duffy. The movie debuted in 1992 on CBS before airing on Lifetime Television. It is directed by Paul Schneider and written by Deborah Serra. The cast stars Linda Gray, Heather Locklear, and John Schneider. The real names of the people involved were changed for the telefilm.
When three women meet Mickey, a handsome con man who entices them to invest their life savings in a money-making venture, their lives are turned upside down as they watch their money go down the drain. But these women have revenge in mind and band together to make Mickey pay for his con games.
According to Traciy Curry-Reyes, "Highway Heartbreaker" is most likely based on Joe "Mac" Duffy, a con man who duped women into investing their money in what turned out to be a fraudulent scheme. His story made headlines in 1989 and 1990 when he was arrested and charged with theft. The man who swindled four women out of their savings was dubbed the "Playboy of the Coast Highway" by the Los Angeles Times.
* We first revealed the basis for this movie between 2008-2009 on the Movies Based on True Stories