May 5, 2009 By Movie Room Reviews

Los Angeles, CA (May 5, 2009) – Luke Perry and veteran character actor M. Emmet Walsh have joined the cast of “Sam Steele and the Junior Detective Agency,” which begins principal photography on June 1, 2009 and will be distributed worldwide by Fantastic Films International.

The film, written and directed by Tom Whitus for New Albany, Indiana-based Silver Hills Pictures, is the second in a series of family films the company is developing for Midwest production. “Sam Steele” will be shot on location in Des Moines, Iowa.

The first family film in the series, “Matchmaker Mary” was shot in Kansas City last year and was just released on DVD on April 28, 2009 by Pure Flix Entertainment, with Fantastic Films International handling foreign distribution.

“Sam Steele and the Junior Detective Agency” is the story of Sam Steele Jr. (Jacob Hays of Disney’s Really Short Report), a 13-year old who forms his own private detective agency to emulate his father, Des Moines Police Detective Sam Steele (General Hospital’s Darren Kennedy).

When an international jewel and art thief known only as The Cat (Perry) sets off a crime spree in Des Moines, it is up to Detective Steele to bring The Cat to justice. Much to the chagrin of Police Chief Van Owen (Walsh), Detective Steele and the robbery detectives have little luck tracking down The Cat. Realizing his father needs help, Sam Jr. secretly takes on the case, with hilarious results.

The film co-stars Jilanne Klaus (Saving Shiloh) as Kathy Steele, Sam Jr.’s exasperated mother and Katherine McNamara (Matchmaker Mary) as Emma Marsh, Sam Jr.’s wisecracking assistant.

Perry is well known for his work on “Beverly Hills 90210” and such features as “The Fifth Element.” Walsh has been a character mainstay in such features as “Blade Runner,” and “Snowdogs.” Los Angeles casting was by Billy DaMota, with regional casting by Kansas City-based Talent Unlimited and Des Moines-based The Peak Agency.

“Sam Steele” marks the first collaboration between Silver Hills Pictures and St. Louis area-based Zingraff Motion Pictures. Richard A. Sauget and Rick Barnes are the Executive Producers while Judee Sauget, William F. Connelly and Whitus will co-produce the family friendly feature.