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The Spell (1977)
Who's Minding the Daughter?
I love this movie and I watch it frequently. I wish more effort had been put into backgrounds of Rita's mom and dad. Why is the father so dismissive of Rita and ready to send Rita off to England while focusing his parental pride on his younger daughter? Perhaps the father was an athlete in his youth and admires his younger daughter Chris for her athleticism and fitness? I wish the movie could have been longer thus giving more time for character development. How long was Rita being mentored by her gym teacher/psychic guru before anyone noticed the red cape? The cape gave a witchcraft air to Rita's coaching and honestly, why wasn't the gym teacher under more scrutiny for the fatality in HER gym class? The gym teacher should have stopped the showoff girl (prior to falling off the equipment and plunging to her death) long before the girl fell to the floor! I admire Lee Grant's (mom role) for the gentler parent role juxtaposed to dad (Olson's) obvious blatant favoritism of his younger child. Kinda campy but gems pop up in this movie throughout. And why the 70's- Spanish style- mansion for this family of 4? Fast-forward to this current day, my sons' school had a zero tolerance rule for bullying which was obviously not in effect in 1977 - an ounce of prevention... Mom, Lee Grant, had a scene wherein she visited the gym teacher to discuss Rita's bullying but perhaps a visit to the PRINCIPAL would have been more appropriate. This film is worthy of much more acclaim. Family counseling would have done wonders for this family, but the adventures with death and despair that ensued couldn't have played out. Added bonus was mom (Grant's) willingness to speak with the parapsychologist in order to deal with Rita's out of control "powers" but again, more character development of mom and dad would have made this movie more cohesive. Thank goodness for the worth and value of stay-at-home moms back in the day! Worth much more attention by viewers!
Marcus Welby, M.D.: Enid (1970)
I Really Want To Like This Episode.....
I really want to like this episode, I watched it many times in order to find my issue with this one. Dr. Kiley, once again, muddies the waters with his concern over Enid, the young counselor at an orphanage. While a child, then children, in Enid's care is the intended patient, Kiley's concern correctly extends to Enid herself once Kiley finds many prescription pills in Enid's medicine cabinet. However, I can never understand why the writers inject Kiley into a confused role of physician and admirer in Enid's case. Kiley has a well-done speech to Enid about the dangers of the multiple drugs in her possession, "They'll eat your brain out," Kiley seems to cross the doctor/patient relationship with Enid. A dinner out at a restaurant and Kiley's personal attention to Enid during her drug withdrawal is confusing to me so I still can't sort out Kiley's true feelings for Enid. While being a peer in age, to Kiley, I think there was an underlying personal interest in Enid which was disappointing: Why didn't the 2 docs see Enid's dangerous role as counselor to children in light of her drug use and NOT take Enid out of her job until Enid stopped the drug use? Maybe in 1970 Welby world, it was o.k. To allow Enid to work impaired, but modern-day rules apply when I view this episode - I feel the 2 doctors had a legal obligation to take Enid out of work. Not understanding why Enid's situation was allowed to play out and result in harm to one of Enid's young charges. Just seems like an episode of Kiley's mixed emotions with Enid which distracted from the plot and Kiley's legal obligation to stop Enid's work until clean and sober. As a nurse, it was just a confusing episode to watch in this 21st century.
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: Thou Still Unravished Bride (1965)
Another of My Hitchcock Favorites!
After reading the reviews of this episode I think the viewers are missing one important point in this episode. Rather than bemoaning a steadily paced story line, one may have overlooked an important facet of early 1960's t.v. This episode is, in part, a throwback to 1950's television theater, circa 1964-'65. The BEST part of the episode was the interaction between the family and friends within the hotel room. The parents and wedding guests had a palpable interaction amongst themselves in one room! I loved the writer's forethought in letting each character within the room fully develop his/her role! This technique is EXACTLY the way early t.v. Drama shows played out in the '50's. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall of the hotel room scenes, during the filming of the hotel room scenes just to feel the mood of the worried family and guests as they each had an opinion about the whereabouts of the missing bride Sally. Caradine's role as Edward Clarke (with a hint of a British accent) must have been a career launching role as Caradine's character depicted the soft-spoken "psychopath" who ended up revealing his mental illness to Tommy, the detective (and bridegroom) . The plot also involved adding other would-be suspects in order to build the suspense and send the viewer into a true detective story mindset. Each of the would-be suspects easily appearing to be mildly insane in his own way. The bridegroom Tommy is to be commended for handily investigating a disappearing bride-to-be who is in fact, HIS bride-to-be. While others may find this episode to be one that plods along, I think the episode allowed time for character development which was cleverly designed by the writer - hardly seen in modern t.v.
Marcus Welby, M.D.: The Light at the Threshold (1973)
I Really Like the Episode But...
I really like this episode however I think the writer of this episode once again, makes it seem as if Dr. Kiley has only one patient. Tracy Robbins tries hard to deal with impending blindness at such a young age, 16, then 17 at the end of the episode. Why wouldn't Dr. Kiley think that Tracy would get mixed signals from him? Tracy develops a crush on Dr. Kiley for good reason: Kiley visits Tracy at home, shares the same taste in music, takes Tracy to a concert and an outdoor taco stand AND accompanies Tracy when seeing a specialist. Welby calls her out for her crush on Kiley, but hey, Tracy is a teenager after all. Couldn't Dr. Kiley have kept a little more at arms length with this teenage patient? As someone who was once a teenage girl myself, I can't fault Tracy for her misinterpretation with Dr. Kiley. At the point of a known "crush" by Tracy, it would have been more appropriate for Dr. Walby to assume care of Tracy, at least in this litigious world today, but this episode was set in 1973.
Marcus Welby, M.D.: The Panic Path (1973)
A Plot And Subplot! Great Writers!
This episode reminded me of growing up with a family doctor who was also a friend to the family. The plot of infidelity and a stale marriage paled when compared to the subplot of Spang's resurrected asthma attacks in reaction to the family stress. Cute to see Spang's ease around old friends, Welby and Kiley when seeking asthma treatment. Kudos for Spang's speech at the end with Welby calling out the adults for underestimating what Spang knew was going on and the adults' hiding all of this from her, their daughter. A young Anson Williams was great in the role of patient and kind boyfriend! Great.
Splendor in the Grass (1961)
Wonderful directing skills! Excellent casting and costuming!
I agree with a previous reviewer, Elia Kazan INDEED knew how to make movies!! The year was 1961, imagine being a fly on the walls of the production venues for this film!!! Excellent pauses in dialog were noted! I don't know if that was the decision of the actors or the director's influence. I must say too, costuming for the young Natalie Wood was amazingly on point!!! Being female myself, I would have enjoyed Natalie's character's wardrobe (costuming) myself. Imagine the workmanship of the seamstresses' tailoring costumes in a tiny Natalie Wood at her age, in 1961! No wonder this movie is an absolute gem and an evergreen I can enjoy at any time. A classic for all generations!
Taps (1981)
Sad Ending for a Young Man Who Needed Counseling!
I love this movie and re-play it often. The underlying esprit-de-corp hubris leads to the death of the main character which is tragic. Also tragic are the other deaths and 1 maiming that took place in the movie. The death of a 12-year-old was beyond tragedy as well. Brian (Timothy Hutton) succumbed to what amounts to hero worship of his headmaster, a time-hardened veteran whose time was slipping away. The death of Tom Cruise's character, alongside the death of Brian, was completely lost in the mire of body recovery of Brian, though Cruise's character had gone mercenary at the end and mercenaries accept death as an occupational hazard in my opinion. I thought the death of the main character was an unnecessary ending. Brian needed counseling and perhaps psychotherapy as his concern about the sale of his storied school turned into martyrdom. Brian seemed to have little exposure or knowledge of a world beyond his military academy days though it is known that Brian and Penn's character will proceed to U. S. military academies post-graduation. No one should have let the "seige" of the academy prolong to the extent it did. Perhaps had the man character survived, and after some serious mental health intervention, Brian would have been better off attending an Ivy League school rather than matriculate into a military academy. Brian was due a very bright future due to his accomplishments rewarded by his promotion to Cadet Major by Brian's obvious mentor in the General. I wonder if such behavior (such as the seige and absolute loyalty to one's school) would be seen in today's world? I also wondered if Brian had much contact with his family and others from the world outside the gates of Bunker Hill Academy. One gets the feeling of a changing world at the dawn of the 1980's as evidenced in this movie by the announcement of the closing and sale of the military academy. Still, to this day, unsure why Brian was so loyal to his school and mentor, and without regard for his illustrious future, ended up as merely a legend for his peers at the military academy who surrendered and walked through the academy's gates for the last time. NOT a fitting ending for this fine young man in Brian.
The Twilight Zone: Ring-A-Ding Girl (1963)
This is a Most Chilling Twilight Zone Episode!
I love this episode. Hitchcock must have been green with envy as 1963 was also an active year for Hitchcock. The unexpected twist at the end of this tale is absolutely chilling! Good job Earl Hamner, Jr., and Rod Serling! Definitely a departure for Hamner! My impression is that the fainting figure of Bunny Blake was the lady about to use up her last microseconds on Earth prior to her launch into her afterlife. LOVED the addition of the actress walking though water and saying goodbye to loved one(s) at the end! Bunny used her misfortune (death in the plane crash) to parlay those few dwindling moments on Earth prior to departure to the river Styx , her last bit of energy as a spirit only (Bunny died in that plane crash in her hometown) to warn her fellow hometown people that they needed to move away from the appointed location of the town's festival to a safer location otherwise the doomed plane would land on them! Great plot twist that Bunny's only plan was to distract her hometown fair-goers away from the event venue by staging a function meant for adoration of herself, thereby saving her townspeople from having a plane land on them in the plane's plunge to Earth! Most noble of Bunny! Had it been me.....I think I would have spent those last seconds allowed to me on Earth visiting an exotic location I hadn't checked off my bucket list prior to death. Bunny was noble with her remaining time prior to having her spirit taken away to eternity. AND I loved that Bunny walked OUT through the rain after saying her goodbyes and continued walking to her fate - No angel sidling up to her to escort Bunny to the next world. Not sure how Bunny's sister will take the news that Bunny's body was found amongst the plane crash victims, but hey, for 1963 this WAS Avant Garde! Awesome plot by the Hamner/Serling writing team and a BIG leap in Hamner's typical offerings (Spencer's Mountain, The Waltons, Apple's Way). Hamner found that one cell in his brain that told him to write a plot enmeshed in ethereal topics on this one occasion and to have a female hero in the lead! Chilling TZ episode that is appropriate for viewing in any decade!
Top Gun (1986)
A Little Insight
Wanted to write this review because I didn't see this topic addressed in other reviews. With the exception of Kelly McGillis, the cast worked well for me. The forced and brief love affair could have been handled differently and, oh please, why did we have to sacrifice a pilot? Here's the parallel I draw: Top Gun absolutely sent me back to my brief time (as an activated reservist) in the military. Until the call-up to active status, I never noticed the blatant parallels with my time on active duty. My impression of my time was that although we were not fighter pilots, as an officer living and working amongst mostly other officers, there was, back in the day, a competition afoot! This movie came before my activation, but once in place in my unit, I noticed VERY striking parallels with the officers (pilots) in this movie and my peers and one superior officer in my midst. My time to be a soldier was a brief, 4 years after this movie's premier so maybe it was truly a sign of the times. My observation of a "boys club" in play was just as noticed as a parallel as was the spirit of competition. In fact, I remember wondering if this competition amongst military units within my branch of service was just "how it rolls." If so, then Top Gun falls right in line with what I observed as an outsider and short-timer suddenly thrust into active duty. The males in my unit were over the top with their macho personae, only offset by their male bonding, in spades. I had entered a boys club as a female. In a sense, Top Gun was my primer to learn about things to come in my active duty time ahead (of this movie's time). Glaring similarities to the movie's male characters is what I observed, but without the planes. Just sheer self-adoration, one-upmanship and an end result that absolutely befitted from the fruits of all the collective professional characters amongst me. A defacto Top Gun setting in real life, every day of my military time.
Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969)
A Second Look at This Series...
As an adult, I have taken a 2nd look at this series that captivated me as a child. Lots of medical genre t.v. Shows influenced my decision, I think, to become a nurse, to some extent.
Now that I'm using adult eyes, I must say the Marcus Welby series was very well done!!! Kudos to the writers!
The recurring themes of the elder (Dr. Welby) imparting wisdom to his young partner, Dr. Kiley and Dr. Kiley's more "modern day" take on Welby's advice
seems to be peppered into every episode!
Also, Dr. Kiley's character is someone with whom I am impressed. The young, James Brolin played this character exquisitely! I admire the tremendous amount
of patience that was imbued into Kiley's character, it is ever present: A little bit juxtaposed when it comes to Kiley's modern-day slant of situations involving
patients or their family situation, but tons of mature patience and restraint in such a young physician. However there is no explanation as to Kiley's background
when it comes to finding out where Dr. Kiley learned his mega-manners! Quite mature for the young doctor.
This writing is top notch!!!
Casting for Marcus Welby, MD, is superb in the characters apparent!
Absolutely ABC's finest fare, then and now!
The Twilight Zone: The Changing of the Guard (1962)
Absolute Best of Serling's Writing and Forethought!
I LOVE this episode of Twilight Zone. Perhaps because I am retiring, myself! Professor Fowler's edification of his long and storied career and those whose lives he has touched is another of Serling's genius ideas!!!!! This episode was indeed written by Rod Serling! What an honor to the living legend, Professor Fowler, by those who sat in his classroom over many decades. Professor Fowler's life review - albeit forced and unannounced - not only lifted the kindly professor out of his doldrums with his forced retirement, but served as a cherished curriculum vitae in the form of a brief and loving visit from cherished students whom the professor encountered along the way! An amazing tale of how students' lives are touched, and sometimes changed forever, by the wit and wisdom of a loving instructor! I loved the fade in, fade out effect as a handful of former students relented their time in the afterlife for a brief and meaningful visit with their beloved instructor. It was an amazing effect too that Mr. Serling had the apparitional students deliver their individual tributes to their cherished teacher in a low-toned, reverent soliloquy. Not one of the students who had been long deceased, perservated over the manner in which they died, but instead mentioned their deaths as a matter of fact. The REAL emphasis of each student's uninterrupted monologue was the contribution in their living years by a teacher who took real interest in his students, instilling virtue along the way! Fine job Mr. Serling!!!! Fine job! This episode evoked memories of MY beloved teachers from back in the day. What a brilliant mind contained within one, Mr. Rod Serling!
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: Where the Woodbine Twineth (1965)
Hish Rating For Scare Factor!
I caught this episode one summer evening in the late-1980's while home alone! Odd, that a summer storm was approaching at the same time and those swaying trees mimicked those in external shots of the home featured in this episode. I must admit this episode was THE MOST haunting of all Hitchcock's offerings and the most unforgettable at the same time. One wonders how Nell's (Margaret Leighton) life will proceed after the shocking end presented in this episode! I can foresee years of psychiatric therapy in Nell's future post-demise of her young niece. Curiously though, while Suse, the housekeeper and cook as well, embraces a position of humility and subordination to her employer, one wonders why there was no relationship between the two adult women established over the years. Obvious concern is implied by Suse while talking with little Eva about her playtime games with a doll, Numa, Suse apparently never approaches her employer Nell with any concern about words spoken by Eva, "Sometimes she puts YOU in the box?" I found it curious that even a diminished employee didn't approach her employer about odder than usual comments made by a little girl of 6. Perhaps a tragedy could have been avoided, just my thought. The creepiness factor was certainly added with the wayward player piano and the fact that young Eva was placed in her late father's bedroom as an accommodation. The father's room looked as if it had just recently been vacated by Eva's father, with the college pendant still present on the wall. Excellent fare for a Hitchcock offering, but absolutely jolting for me while viewing this while home alone. These days I view this episode with at least one family member present! And does anyone else think the smokehouse scene was CREEPY? <Eva's voice when responding to Suse's question of, "Who's in here?!">
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: No Pain (1959)
The Best Hitchcock Episode Ever!
While season 3 of the Alfred Hitchcock Hour has my heart, season 5 of Alfred Hitchcock Presents is just as awesome! Casting was suburb in this episode! The apparent age difference in the Rainey's adds to the spirit of the times and I love Moore's extolment of Keith's character explaining that he has done well in life as she goes on to explain that Keith has come from unsavory beginnings to a legitimate businessman in his years on Earth, however no explanation as to where the $6 million dollars was ever offered. One omission I found that there was a mention of inviting the character "Arnold" to dinner. This mention was by Keith. While some sort of display of finger food was noticed - Moore fed "Arnold" by hand, I wondered what became of the aforementioned "dinner," and whom will feed Keith's character whom is not free to wander over to the munchies table? When Arnold re-appears into the living room after gallantly taking the nurse home for the evening, dinner is only mentioned after Arnold invites "Cindy" to go for a swim, then dinner afterwards. So when does Keith's character have dinner? He is displayed as being paralyzed so he will have to be fed. The only other oddity I found in this episode was that the episode aired in 1959. "Cindy" (Moore's character) plays out the entire episode clad in a sailing shirt of sorts and apparently a one-piece swim suit. The sailing-themed shirt covers the top half of "Cindy," but she continues throughout the entire episode still wearing her swim suit. While Keith's character calls out his wife for her behavior with other men, namely, Arnold, why does Keith not chastise his wife's manner of dress? Cindy goes to the bedroom to check her hairdo and apply lipstick but remains in her swimsuit and shirt. Did Cindy know that Arnold was going to return and invite her to swim? I am frankly surprised that Cindy's swimsuit passed the t.v. Censors in 1959 as there were tight shots of Cindy standing next to her husband's iron lung machine that were nearly revealing even for a beauty queen like Joanna Moore. I felt it was a little distasteful and surprised when my husband also mentioned the swimsuit apparel choice. Keith's character never once, asked his wife to change out of her swimsuit as he knew Arnold would return back to the house after driving the nurse home. Odd form, I thought for 1959. I absolutely love this episode however even though the viewer has no idea how Keith's character attained his 6 millions dollars. I also appreciate that there was no lifeless body brought into the house and thus a less messy conclusion to this episode. Cindy Rainey's cool though mild speech cinched her long-suffering frame of mind and I was riveted by how well a married couple could so calmly discuss Cindy's motive to kill her husband - the viewer may have thought that Cindy lied when she told her husband that his death was not to take place on that day. Great stuff!!!
The Twilight Zone: Third from the Sun (1960)
Probably Moved Into First Place In Twilight Zone Episodes, For Me!
I had not watched this episode for a while, only catching bits and pieces when I saw this episode in the past. I am SO glad I picked this up in programming
this weekend! Clinching the entire episode, for me, was the brilliant acting of Fritz Weaver as Mr. Sturka! Brilliant timing of lines and perfect pitch
and intonation in his speech with his verbal responses, his lines, in response to questions or situations. Great with the "phonecall" scene from his "project
supervisor," in the scene near where the families leave for the space port. Flawless flowing lines, spectacular nuances abound in Weaver's acting
in this episode! Not 1 badly acted line or movement for Weaver's part.
Talk about nuances! I hope Fritz was paid well for this episode in his burgeoning t.v. Actor days, he deserved every penny of his
paycheck in this episode! LOVED the nervous swallowing (obvious by Weaver's obvious Adam's apple) as if on cue during stressful moments in the plot, throughout the
episode. Melodic and dulcid voice as well, never an alarmist! Excellent casting of Weaver for the lead! Can't say enough good things about this
episode!
I have to say I also noted the physical closeness of the actors in many of the scenes, a bit too close for today's standards of social distancing. Weaver's
character didn't move aside at the episode's beginning when his obviously familiar ("Sturka" used the co-worker's name) co-worker sidled alongside Weaver's
character to light a cigarette from Sturka's match. The amount of cigarette smoking was not unnoticed by me but the episode aired in January of 1960
so I think I am the only viewer noticing the bountiful use of cigarettes in the episode.
Finally, whomever had the idea to sprinkle low-angle shots in this episode was a genius! Avant guard, low-angle shots were standard fare in the
dawn of the '60's to my knowledge and it was not wasted on this episode nor was the decor. A mid-century modern, "space-age" themed home decor
added to the Cold War era atmosphere deeply entrenched in this movie - loved the "mod" telephone used by Weaver's character during a phonecall
from his plant.
This episode could be one-hour episode Twilight Zone material as far as I'm concerned. One odd shot ( used twice) in this episode was the non-mobile,
moving car driven by Weaver's character. Not sure why the dawn of 1960 didn't know that viewers of t.v. Sets notice things like wheels in motion on
a sound stage treadmill rather than an actually driven car. But I can forgive prop action and "science of the time" non-moving cars in this amazing
episode. Weaver's character Sturka is a calm, cool and collected pivotal character played to perfection in this Richard Matheson-written episode (
adapted for television by none other than the master himself, Rod Serling). Absolute flawless jewel of an episode! Kudos all around, acting, casting,
scenery/background/home design well thought, and avant guard filming techniques on this time capsule of 1960! Plays well in today's 21st century
sci-fi genre.
An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
My All-Time Favorite Movie!
I did not see this movie until about '83-'84 and I was instantly inspired. Compared to Top Gun (though widely different plot line) this is much more inspiring. The BEST, albeit brief, line in the movie is Zack Mayo's challenge to Candidate Seegar as she is failing to climb the requisite wall on the obstacle course, "Do you want jets?!" This charge to Seegar got her over the wall and also lit I fire in my belly. I joined the army reserves in '89 probably due to this movie, though I was instantly commissioned as an officer due to my college and professional degree. I was activated in late 1990-1991 to active duty and at age 29, that was a challenge. We were a medical unit and I had only 1 year prior to the call up (from reserve status) to learn how to be an army officer - I already knew how to be a registered nurse when I joined. So the charge, "Do you want jets?!", played over and over in my head. It was my " now walk the walk" moment , as I suddenly found myself on active duty and stationed away from home. Being a female officer was not as tough as I expected, and I also caught the gunnery sergeants, "Sir, " verbiage when he addressed Ensign Seegar on graduation day. This film is totally epic and the suicide of Zack's friend was spot on: I experienced 1 soldier's suicide attempt while activated, though we intervened right away - not sure if CPR was a thing back in the days of this movie's inception. Having a peer commit suicide is an "it doesn't have to be this way" moment, followed by a "Dear God, I'll never forget this day", gut-wrenching feeling. Couldn't relate to the romance aspect of the film though as I was already married when I was thrust onto active duty with 72 hours notice to get my a** to my duty station. I still cry over this movie since I'm an old softie now. Better casting could NOT have been done.