Michael Caine shines as hack thriller novelist Mickey King in this twist-filled mystery laced with satire that reteamed him with "Get Carter" director Mike Hodges. Hired to ghostwrite a gangster film star's autobiography, King begins to suspect that the actor's Mafia contacts are real, as he becomes involved in an offbeat murder investigation that may wind up getting him turned into pulp. Mickey Rooney, Lionel Stander, Lizabeth Scott co-star. 96 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.