Roxanne: The Prize Pulitzer was based on the best-selling 1987 autobiography of (who else?) Roxanne Pulitzer. Since both the book and the subsequent TV movie were told from
Roxanne's point of view, it is to be expected that certain ego-massaging liberties would be taken with the facts behind her sensational divorce from publishing heir Herbert Pulitzer (
Perry King), and Herbert's subsequent bitter child custody battle. Thus it is that
Roxanne is portrayed as a wide-eyed innocent at the time of her marriage, and Pulitzer is a double-dyed dastard. Those who tuned in to see the sex and drug orgies which permeated the couple's relationship were in for a major letdown: these "hot" elements were soft-pedalled into virtual invisibility. The leading lady of
Roxanne: The Prize Pulitzer is
Chynna Phillips, daughter of another famous star-crossed duo, musicians
John and
Michelle Phillips. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide