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Ransom for a Dead Man (1971)
A great 2nd pilot!
After a three year hiatus, the Columbo series is rebooted with the mystery movie "Ransom for a Dead Man". Lieutenant Columbo (Peter Falk) is assigned to assist with the kidnapping case of a high profile lawyer (Harlan Warde), but when he turns up dead Columbo suspects that the wife has something to do with it. Leslie Williams (Lee Grant) does a superb job at portraying a villain that's able to hold her own with Columbo and their interactions are very entertaining. Peter Falk revamps the Columbo character as a clever, amiable, bumbling and unassuming detective that never shows all his cards; we start to see here the future Columbo we'll grow to like and love- with all his "idiosyncrasies". The storytelling is superior to the one from the first pilot, focusing on the investigation instead of the crime. Ransom for a Dead Man marks more than just a rebirth of the Columbo series, it launches the series. In the process it delivers a smart and engaging crime drama. Newcomer Patricia Mattick delivers a strong performance as the avenging stepdaughter, Margaret Williams.
Cry Rape (1973)
Unexpected twist at the end
Interesting made for TV movie that aired on November 27, 1973-garnered high ratings for the CBS network....Directed by Corey Allen and with good actors, featuring Andrea Marcovicci, Peter Coffield, Greg Mullavey, Joseph Sirola, Lesley Woods and a young Patricia Mattick-was only 22 then. A young woman is violently raped - and she is pretty much traumatized by the ensuing legal process and sometimes it feels like the victim is not treated with compassion by the legal system; one feels like the system let her down, and things get more complicated as the action progresses; these were the days before DNA testing! The movie is a hard-hitting Emmy nominated drama- (1974 Primetime Emmy- Best Teleplay.) Indeed one of television's early attempts to deal with this controversial issue. I enjoyed it, just because it takes place in very different times- the early seventies. I saw it last year for the first time, the movie came out the day I turned five.
The Streets of San Francisco: The Thrill Killers: Part I (1976)
Cool episode- full of action!
Good seventies TV series- I bought it to watch the episode "The Thrill Killers" and the late Patricia Mattick. Karl Malden and Michael Douglas were awesome-this episode shows a transition from 1976 where Michael Douglas was leaving the series and Richard Hatch entered as Karl Malden's new partner, Detective Robbins. This 2 part episode revolves around an SLA-like group of radicals that kidnaps the jury trying the case of one of its leaders (The Tannengers-Nick and Marie) in hopes of freeing them through an exchange. The group and jury are comprised of an outstanding ensemble of seventies character actors, such as Patty Duke, Susan Dey, and many more. Its a great episode and it was broadcast the last year before cancellation.
Ironside: Walls Are Waiting (1971)
Cool Ironside episode!
I bought it to watch the episode "Walls are Waiting" 1971- with William Shatner and the late Pattye (Patricia) Mattick. She was great as Millie Brandt, younger sister of Shatner's character. The feeling of 1971 is all there- the drama, the well acted action, very cool. I truly enjoyed it- they don't make television like this anymore.