ramsfan Reviews

All in the Family: Edith's 50th Birthday: Part 1 (1977) Season 8, Episode 4

Simply Unnecessary

[5/10 · 26 April 2024]

First let me state that All in the Family is one of my all-time favorite TV shows. Part of its appeal was its willingness to take on controversial topics that simply were not discussed at the time on television. The acting and writing were first rate. And it effectively blended serious topical issues into a comedic format. In short, a brilliant show.

Nonetheless, and despite Norman Lear's track record of pushing the envelope, it was a mistake to make the two-part Edith's 50th Birthday episode, an awkward and disturbing show. It unnecessarily revisited themes already presented in the more sedate season 3 episode "Gloria, the Victim". We already saw the trauma of someone accosted by a stranger and the reluctance of victims to identify and/or hold their attackers responsible. Why do it again in even more traumatic circumstances? Supporters of the episode will suggest that's the point of a show depicting sexual assault; to make the viewer rightly uncomfortable while watching such a horrible event. But for my tastes, this was too much of a departure from traditional All in the Family. And that's really saying something given this show successfully tackled everything from menopause to abortion to race relations.

I've probably seen every episode of All in the Family two dozen times. Not so with Edith's 50th Birthday, which I won't watch again.

S.W.A.T.: Jungle War (1975) Season 1, Episode 6

Fun but Flawed

[7/10 · 19 January 2024]

Bo Pritchard (Cameron Mitchell) is an old Vietnam War buddy of Hondo's and is taking S. W. A. T. training in a different division. He aspires to join Hondo's squad and gets his chance when Deke is injured and hospitalized following a home invasion standoff. However, Pritchard is unbalanced. He is also a freelancer who proves unable to assimilate and work as part of a team. Hondo makes the difficult decision to relieve him of his duties upon which Pritchard becomes totally unhinged. He takes Hondo's wife hostage and holes up in a warehouse. The S. W. A. T. team must move in to make the save.

One must look past some implausibilities to fully enjoy the episode. The normally level-headed Hondo makes some questionable calls, allowing Pritchard to travel out of uniform to a hostage crisis and too quickly elevating him to the number two spot on the team. And the ending, though rewarding, is preposterous.

I always liked Cameron Mitchell, though his overemoting in various guest spots throughout the years sometimes bordered on the comical. Here it plays well because of the character he portrays. Good for a look.

Hawaii Five-O: 'V' for Vashon: The Patriarch (1972) Season 5, Episode 11

A Fitting End

[9/10 · 19 January 2024]

'V' For Vashon: The Patriarch continues the trilogy of the Vashon Crime Family. With his grandson dead and his son imprisoned, family patriarch Dominick Vashon attempts to ruin McGarrett. Using a recently released prisoner named Sullivan and with the help of faithful family troubleshooter Tosaki, the elder Vashon concocts a scheme to have McGarrett arrested and convicted for wrongful death. The plot takes an unexpected, sordid twist midway through the proceedings involving respected local attorney Harvey Mathieson Drew, who witnessed the incident but is hiding a secret.

Distinguished actor Luther Adler carries the episode. We've seen the considerable influence Dominick Vashon holds over The Island's citizenry, and in Part III his gravitas is put on full display in his efforts to disgrace McGarrett. The ending is a fitting and shocking conclusion to the Vashon Trilogy. Tremendous episodes.

Hawaii Five-O: 'V' for Vashon: The Father (1972) Season 5, Episode 10

As Good as the First Installment

[10/10 · 16 January 2024]

Blaming him for his son's death, father Honore Vashon (Harold Gould) conspires with retired family patriarch Dominick (Luther Adler) to murder McGarrett. After a failed attempt using local talent, an assassin is imported from overseas to do the job. The episode centers around Five-O's efforts to uncover the details, identify the killer and thwart the plot.

'V' For Vashon: The Father is every bit as good as Part I. Particularly enjoyable in this tension-filled hour are the clandestine meetings between Honore and the various principals involved with the scheme. Harold Gould and Luther Adler once again perform their roles well, as do actors Don Knight and Kwan Hi Lim as the assassin and faithful family henchman respectively. A satisfying set-up for the final episode of the trilogy.

Hawaii Five-O: 'V' for Vashon: The Son (1972) Season 5, Episode 9

Tremendous Three-Part Episode

[10/10 · 16 January 2024]

'V' For Vashon: The Son is the first episode in the trilogy which highlights the downfall of the Vashon Crime Family. Rebellious scion Christopher Vashon plans various nickel and dime heists on businesses in Hawaii much to the chagrin of his father Honore, who has segued into legitimate business ventures while surreptitiously continuing his criminal activity. The younger Vashon resents his father's hypocrisy and looks to make him "flip his wig" by committing petty crimes. Despite warnings to cease the burglaries, he plans the larger caper of robbing a hotel hosting a medical convention. Through court-ordered surveillance, the plot is revealed to the Five-O team, who confront Vashon and his cohorts in the act. Christopher is shot by McGarrett in self defense and flees to the family compound, where the gravely wounded son dies in his father's arms, setting up Part II.

The acting and guest stars are first rate. Robert Drivas had some good guest starring shots in series television before his untimely death. Here, he is convincing as the impetuous Christopher Vashon. Good too is Harold Gould as father Honore, who will play a more pivotal role in Part II. And distinguished actor Luther Adler is outstanding as family patriarch Dominick. Excellent opener to the Trilogy.

Hawaii Five-O: The Listener (1973) Season 5, Episode 16

Unique Season Five Entry

[10/10 · 16 January 2024]

The Listener is a top-ten Hawaii Five-O episode featuring perhaps the most crafty and diabolical villain in the entire series. Psychiatrist Eric Fowler receives a threatening phone call from a psychotic caller who calls himself "Cerberus". He is harboring a major grudge against the doctor for refusing him therapy, and now he's out to make him pay. He demands $5,000, and when Fowler refuses and hangs up on him, the threats become relentless. Using bugs he has planted in his office, his home and on his clothing, Cerberus harangues not only Fowler but causes harm to several of his patients after listening in on Fowler's therapy sessions. It takes the combined efforts of both the Five-O team and Fowler himself to put an end to the harassment.

Guest Greg Mullavey, whose mouth is seen only in extreme close up for much of the episode gives a chilling performance as the intelligent but unhinged Cerberus. His total violation of Fowler's privacy is alarming and his eventual comeuppance is rewarding. Fine too is Robert Foxworth as the strong-willed Fowler, who is doggedly determined to get his life and practice back. Great story and plot which is well worth the hour.

The Twilight Zone: Deaths-Head Revisited (1961) Season 3, Episode 9

Twilight Zone at its Most Powerful

[10/10 · 31 December 2023]

Death's-Head Revisited is an outstanding TZ entry, both poignant and disturbing. Former SS Captain Gunther Luetze, living in post WWII exile and missing "The Fatherland", returns to Dachau Concentration Camp where he once committed atrocities. Happily reminiscing amongst the ruins and thinking he's alone, he is surprised by Becker, a former inmate dressed in striped prison garb. In reality, Becker is an apparition who along with other victims has appeared to mete out justice for Luetze's past crimes. The defiant Luetze is rendered unconscious as the charges are pronounced and a trial is held in one of the bunks where he is found guilty of crimes against humanity. Luetze writhes in agony, as he physically and emotionally experiences the pain he inflicted during his time at Dachau- a punishment he will serve for all eternity.

Death's-Head Revisited rarely gets mentioned as a "favorite" episode given its uncomfortable subject matter. Judged objectively however, it is as good an episode that was ever created for the series. The acting, writing and direction are all superb, and the topic still holds great relevance. A top-ten episode and a must watch.

M*A*S*H: Father's Day (1980) Season 9, Episode 4

A Father's Love

[9/10 · 2 October 2023]

Margaret anxiously awaits the arrival of her father, retired Colonel "Howitzer Al" Houlihan who is now paying the 4077th a visit as a civilian military advisor. The elder Houlihan appears cold and unfeeling, paying no heed to his daughter's earnest attempts at impressing her father. His mood worsens as he observes the frivolity of Pierce and Honicutt. When he sees them in non-military garb at the camp watering hole, he regards their irreverence as a mockery of the Army and storms off, leading to a face-to-face with Col. Potter, who's concerned with Al's mood and the impact it's had on his daughter. Potter's intervention reveals the reasons for the elder Houlihan's discontent and forces him to take stock of himself.

The episode is a good one, bolstered by the performances of veteran character actor Andrew Duggan and Loretta Swit. Margaret's reaction when her father expresses his pride in her while swallowing his own is a touching scene, showing us how important a father's validation is to his child, even into adulthood.

A light-hearted side plot involves the 4077th pilfering a stock of beef from Supply. Solid 9th season episode.

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: Behind the Locked Door (1964) Season 2, Episode 22

Solid Story But Poor Cast

[8/10 · 20 June 2023]

Secretly married, newlyweds Dave Snowden (James MacArthur) and Bonnie Daniels (Lynn Loring) sneak into Daniels' locked, uninhabited family home which has been on the market for years. Snowden's curiosity with a locked upstairs door is interrupted by the presence of Mrs. Snowden (Gloria Swanson), who was alerted to the break-in. Unbeknownst to Dave, Bonnie is underage- and her mother moves to annul the marriage and make sure Snowden, whom she intensely distrusts as being after her daughter's money, is out of her life. Thinking he'll be free of her domineering and overprotective mother when she turns 18, he remarries Bonnie- only to find out her inheritance can be tied up in Trust by her mother until she's 25. Together, they concoct a scheme to break free from the old woman's grasp- with tragic results.

The story is solid and the finale is in the tradition of fine Hitchcockian endings. However, Behind the Locked Door is hurt by poor casting. James MacArthur, excellent as Jack Lord's number two man on Hawaii Five-O for a decade, lacks the gristle to be convincing as the conniving Snowden. His last scene with Swanson was not played believingly, and it mars the ending. And Lynn Loring is far too beautiful to play a "plain and bland" young woman. Only Swanson delivers as expected, with more than a little hint of the Gloria Desmond character she perfected in "Sunset Boulevard". Definitely worth watching but could have been better with different leads.

Walker, Texas Ranger: Final Justice (1995) Season 4, Episode 7

One of the Series' Best

[10/10 · 18 April 2023]

In Final Justice, the backstory of the senseless murder of Walker's parents is chronicled. The episode opens with Walker visiting Silas Quint, a former white supremacist and dangerous con in prison isolation who is seeking atonement for past sins. He reveals that the killer of Walker's parents, long thought dead, is very much alive. His interest piqued and with renewed determination to seek justice for the racially charged murders, Walker begins a quest to find the killer.

This episode is like old home week; it features three phenomenal character actors who were mainstays in over four decades of television. The talented William Smith, perhaps the best TV villain in history, plays the wild haired, wide-eyed Quint in an all-too-brief but certainly pivotal role that sets up the hour. Good too is Clu Gulager, who also played television heavies in a number of westerns during the 60's and 70's. This time he plays good guy Duke Jamison, a one-time world champion rodeo star fallen on hard times and ill health who helps Walker find his quarry. Finally, John Vernon, another great small screen villain in dozens of detective shows and dramas of the era, plays vile protagonist Clint Murdock. Memorable episode of "Walker" and a treat to watch.

Hawaii Five-O: One Big Happy Family (1973) Season 6, Episode 4

Top Five All-Time Episode

[10/10 · 14 April 2023]

"One Big Happy Family" is a disturbing yet outstanding Season 6 entry and one of the best episodes of the entire series. It chronicles a vile family of hillbillies who have committed over one hundred fifty murders and petty robberies covering multiple states on the Mainland before coming to Hawaii to continue their spree. Their violent crimes which yield very little money flummoxes the Five-O team, and when caught, their justification for the crimes leaves McGarrett stunned.

Character actor/rodeo star Slim Pickens and actress Barbara Baxley make an excellent tandem as the amoral husband and wife while Bo Hopkins delivers as their horrid, murderous son Jeb. Daughter Monica, a quiet special-needs child and the only innocent character amongst them, ironically figures in their capture. Super episode.

Starsky and Hutch: Murder on Stage 17 (1977) Season 2, Episode 24

Solid Season Two Offering

[8/10 · 30 March 2023]

After several years in Europe, former Western star Steve Hanson (Rory Calhoun) is bankrolling a production at a Hollywood studio where several of his fellow actors, all members of an unofficial club called "The Wolfpack", have died mysteriously. Knowing he's the only member of the club still alive and believing these deaths were no accident, Hanson reports his suspicions to Metropolitan Division. Starsky and Hutch are sent to pose as stuntmen on the set to investigate Hanson's claims and possibly flush out a killer.

Donning a variety of disguises to access the studio is former popular comedian Wally Stone (Chuck McCann), presumed dead from a car accident years earlier but instead very much alive and responsible for the deaths. Stone took the rap for a woman's suspicious death at a Wolfpack party many years earlier, and the killings are revenge for subsequently being blackballed from show business and having his fellow 'Pack members turn their backs on him.

The episode is entertaining, and features an excellent performance from Chuck McCann, who skillfully portrays the embittered Stone as a somewhat sympathetic figure despite his evil acts. It is revealed that Stone was indeed a beloved character at one time whose life was ruined by scandal. He reminisces on what were once good times and breaks down as he surrenders. Not as convincing is Stone's earlier failed murder attempt on Hanson. Sitting on a rooftop holding a rifle with a scope, Stone only hits him in the shoulder, a maddening "near-miss" which we see far too often in police dramas.

Scenes highlighting Starsky and Hutch's foray into the motion picture business are amusing and effectively blend comedic elements into a serious-themed episode. Each takes a beating as stunt doubles and Hutch gets stage fright during an unexpected bit part. Also welcome is popular TV and movie actor Rory Calhoun. Good overall episode which is worth a watch.

Cannon: Nobody Beats the House (1972) Season 2, Episode 13

A Little Sloppy But Entertaining

[8/10 · 2 September 2022]

Compulsive gambler Toby Hauser (Tom Skerritt) is in debt to racketeer Ben Logan (John Marley) to the tune of nearly $200,000. Concerned for his safety and believing he's sincere about trying to go straight, his wife Cathy (Corinne Camacho) hires Cannon to intervene and keep him alive. He offers Logan a $20,000 check and an installment plan to repay the debt, but fearing his reputation on the street would be compromised, Logan declines. He reinforces this stance by sending his main goon J. J. Bancroft (Geoffrey Lewis) to shoot at Cannon from an elevated perch. Meanwhile, the misguided Hauser buys into a crooked poker game run by Logan's son Jason (Paul Michael Glaser) in an attempt to win back enough money to pay off the debt. Wise to his scheme, Cannon also joins the game and concocts a plan to save Hauser from himself.

"Nobody Beats the House" wraps up a bit too easily, with Logan and his son arrested and the D. A. "guaranteeing" neither will put a contract out on Hauser to regain their money for fear of life imprisonment. A leap of faith, to be sure. And the ending bit about him completing his first month of Gamblers' Anonymous meetings isn't really convincing. Still, the episode is entertaining and benefits from the presence of some good character actors including Marley, Lewis and Paul Michael Glaser, who in less than two years would gain stardom as one half of the detective duo Starsky and Hutch. Tom Skerritt played a lot of depraved criminals in a number of 60's and 70's shows; here he plays a headstrong guy in way over his head.

A good offering from the Cannon series and worth a watch.

T.J. Hooker: The Assassin (1985) Season 5, Episode 5

Blatant Ripoff

[4/10 · 1 September 2022]

As the William Shatner series TJ Hooker neared the end of its five-year run, it apparently ran short of original plotlines. The Hooker episode "The Assassin" is a blatant ripoff of an earlier episode of The Streets of San Francisco entitled "Target: Red". "The Assassin" features a paid hit man played by Vincent Baggetta who is hired by a retired Major General (Morgan Woodward) to take out a visiting Soviet Trade Delegate. "Target Red" features a paid assassin played by Bill Bixby who is hired by a retired General (Andrew Duggan) to kill a visiting Red Chinese official. The only thing really different in each episode is the nationality of the target. Even some of the dialog is painfully alike, with the military figures in each episode denying they know the respective assassins as the detectives get wise to their motives.

The Streets of SF episode was the first to air and not surprisingly was the superior show. Veteran baddies Baggetta (the assassin) and Woodward (The Major General) prevent the Hooker installment from being a total waste, but hardly any new ground broken here. Hard to believe no one raised a stink over this flagrant act of plagiarism.

The Streets of San Francisco: Before I Die (1973) Season 2, Episode 4

Solid Season 2 Entry

[9/10 · 16 August 2022]

Long-time respected Inspector John T. O'Connor, played by Leslie Nielsen, has doggedly pursued Mob Boss Royce (Ray Danton) for over a year. During surveillance, he oversees Royce transfer a briefcase with incriminating papers to a bag man in another vehicle and begins a high-speed chase. When the vehicle crashes, he unsuccessfully tries to retrieve the briefcase before the car explodes. Once again he is stymied in his obsessive quest to nail Royce.

O'Connor gets a medical check following the explosion and receives a shock: He has an aneurysm near his heart and an operation would almost certainly be fatal. After processing the news and on borrowed time with nothing to lose, O'Connor resolves to kill Royce. After an investigation reveals O'Connor's intent, Inspectors Stone and Keller are put in the unenviable position of having to protect the life of an unsavory character.

This episode benefits from a good plot and very good acting from a number of excellent character actors of the era. Having grown up with the comedic Naked Gun movies, I'm still amazed at the range of actor Leslie Nielsen, who played primarily serious roles in series television for much of his career, often as a bad guy or chief protagonist. He does an excellent job here of both conveying the emotions of a dying man and his single-minded obsession with killing Royce. Fine too is James Wainwright as his partner Murray, a good cop for whom O'Connor has served as a mentor and who tries desperately to reach him emotionally. Joanne Linville was a wonderful actress and is good in her scenes as O'Connor's ex-wife, a woman long neglected by his dedication to the job but nonetheless caring and compassionate. And Ray Danton plays the sardonic mob kingpin Royce, a portrayal he perfected in many shows of the 70's.

A good episode from a good show. Worth your while.

Family (1976–1980)

Worthwhile Viewing

[9/10 · 31 May 2022]

I was a bit young to have watched Family during its original run, though my older sisters watched this show religiously. I must admit that as an adolescent young man, my tastes tended to run more towards the action fare and cop shows of the time. Nevertheless, I have gained an appreciation for Family over the years while watching it occasionally on various classic TV stations. MeTV+ currently runs the show each weekday morning in the NY/NJ area.

Set in Pasadena, CA, the show depicts The Lawrence Family, with parents Kate and Doug (Sada Thompson, James Broderick) and their three children Nancy (Meredith Baxter Birney), Willie (Gary Frank) and "Buddy" (Kristi McNichol). Kate and Doug were both happily married and parented in a very rational, loving manner. Episodes centered around topical relationship, work and school issues facing a "typical" middle class family. Occasionally, subjects not usually discussed on prime time family shows like homosexuality, breast cancer, alcoholism and sexual harassment were covered in "special" episodes and presented thoughtfully and professionally, avoiding the heavy-handed treatment we sometimes see on TV.

The show was well-received by critics and widely acclaimed, bringing Emmys to Thompson, McNichol and Frank during its run and making McNichol a big star. Shows like this are always a bit dated in some respects, but Family is nonetheless relevant in many ways today and undoubtedly brings back fond memories to those who remember it from their youth. Recommended watch.

Quincy M.E.: Requiem for the Living (1978) Season 3, Episode 20

Enjoyable But Flawed

[8/10 · 14 May 2022]

Quincy was an entertaining Jack Klugman vehicle which aired shortly after The Odd Couple went off the air. Klugman played a Medical Examiner who routinely assisted Law Enforcement with questionable cases that came across his coroner's table. Eschewing the autopsy theme, Requiem For The Living presents a unique plot in which Quincy tries to determine what will cause a man's death before it actually happens.

When Mob boss Vincent DiNardi (John Vernon) suddenly takes ill, he's told there has been massive destruction to the air sacs in his lungs and has 24 hours to live. Fearing he has been poisoned, DiNardi and his henchmen corner Quincy and partner Sam Fujiyama in the office parking garage and coerce him into running tests to determine the cause of his condition. Knowing DiNardi will seek revenge and order the deaths of those responsible, Quincy refuses to assist him further, but when Sam is threatened at gunpoint, he relents, knowing full well a dying man has nothing to lose.

Accompanied by Dinardi's right hand man Carlo Russo (Val Avery), Quincy spends the bulk of the episode looking for the location of the poison as he searches every place DiNardi has visited alone in the past couple of days. Of course Quincy narrows the search and closes the case with the answers presenting a bit of a surprise for the viewer.

Tonight's questionable plotlines: Nickel Carbonate, the poison DiNardi was exposed to, is only moderately toxic and in no way could cause the kind of immediate deterioration we see in him. And Quincy, a trained professional, casually looks for this poison without any protective gear- no respirator, no mask and no hazmat suit- a breach of safety etiquette that while not destroying the episode certainly damages its credibility.

Guest John Vernon was one of the great small screen villains for three decades, seemingly appearing in every popular detective show of the era. His sonorous voice lent a commanding presence to his portrayals, and in "Requiem" he once again shines. He skillfully avoids a characterization of the stereotypical Italian Gangster, and his introspective conversations with Quincy as he faces death lend depth and believability to the character. Good too is Val Avery, himself a prolific actor who played low-life mid-level villains throughout his career.

Overall a good episode and viewing experience buoyed by the principal characters. Recommended watch.

Hawaii Five-O: Rest in Peace, Somebody (1971) Season 4, Episode 10

"Tin Idol!!"

[9/10 · 24 April 2022]

"Rest in Peace Somebody" is one of the better entries into the outstanding Hawaii Five-O series, a truly suspenseful episode which keeps both the Five-O squad and the viewer guessing for most of the hour. It begins with Steve McGarrett receiving an anonymous phone call one night at the office. The caller mocks him and alludes to a key placed in his desk that opens the door to the domicile of someone the caller intends to kill. In short order, the other members of the Five-O team receive notes placed in their houses or cars that provide clues to the crime. Realizing this is no prank and unnerved that their privacy has been violated, the squad begins its search for the caller, who continues to periodically phone and goad McGarrett, insulting his intelligence and abilities as a cop. One night he sneaks into Steve's office and runs a trail of paint from his desk all the way outside to the door of his intended target: The Governor, who will be publicly visible all day at the upcoming King Kamehameha Parade. McGarrett is now tasked with protecting the most important man in Hawaii from an assassination attempt by a still-unknown assailant.

Picking up on a verbal cue inadvertently given by the caller, McGarrett finally identifies him as Bill Cameron, a former patrolman who was dismissed from the force for repeated excessive brutality complaints. It seems McGarrett served on the Review Board for the case and sided against Cameron, who now nurses a major grudge and figures killing the Governor will ruin him. In typical Five-O fashion, the team bands together and foils Cameron's plans.

The ending is a bit suspect as Cameron, using a high-powered rifle and who was "fifth in his class at the academy and an excellent marksman" only wounds The Governor, who at McGarrett's insistence was wearing a vest. This allows Danno to move in and kill Cameron. Also questionable are a couple of instances early in the episode where Steve and Danno elect not to use the bomb squad to look inside their desk and car trunk respectively when prompted by Cameron.

Nonetheless, the show gives us a solid plotline and a suspenseful hour. Guest Norman Alden, an excellent character actor who specialized in a number of villainous roles throughout 70's and 80's TV does a great job as the vengeful Cameron, as he leads McGarrett and the Five-O team on a goose chase for much of the show. He has limited screen time, but his distinctive voice makes him a chilling bad guy. Solid episode, definitely worth a watch.

The Fugitive (1963–1967)

An All-Time Classic

[10/10 · 29 March 2022]

I count The Fugitive as one of my top-ten all-time favorite shows- high praise considering I was born a year after the show left the air. It featured David Janssen as Dr. Richard Kimble, falsely convicted for the murder of his wife. While en route to Death Row, the train carrying Kimble derails, and in the ensuing chaos, Kimble escapes. What transpires is a weekly flight from capture while pursuing the real killer, a one-armed man named Johnson. Each week we see Kimble in a new town with a new job and invariably he winds up entangled in some predicament involving a co-worker, person about town or another stranger. Truly altruistic, Kimble often helps those in need, often at his own peril, while continuing his search and evading the dogged pursuit of Philip Gerard, the Police Lieutenant tasked with his capture.

Well-written and acted, The Fugitive offered an engaging, dramatic hour each week. David Janssen's sympathetic portrayal of Dr. Kimble was masterful; tense and tortured but never veering from his core principles of humanity. Also good was Barry Morse as the unyielding and taciturn Lt. Gerard. Considering himself "a simple instrument of the law", Gerard travels the country in search of Kimble, often coming close to apprehending him but always falling a bit short.

This show had a number of outstanding episodes throughout its run and had many wonderful guest stars of the day- Jack Warden, William Shatner, Telly Savalas, Janice Rule, Joanne Linville, etc. So impactful was this series that its final episode drew the highest rating ever for a single episode in the history of television, a mark that stood for more than a dozen years before being bested by the "Who Shot JR" episode of Dallas. It also spawned the identically titled movie starring Harrison Ford, a rare instance in which the movie did justice to the series it was based upon.

The success of The Fugitive made Janssen a mega-star and allowed producer Quinn Martin the opportunity to dominate the television landscape for a decade with shows like The FBI, Twelve O'Clock High, The Invaders, Cannon and The Streets of San Francisco. A tremendous series and a much-recommended watch.

All in the Family (1971–1979)

Groundbreaking, Iconic Show

[10/10 · 20 March 2022]

A case can be made that All in the Family is the greatest network television show ever. From 1971-1976, it was the number one most watched TV show in the country. It earned scores of awards during its run and spawned several other successful series in The Jeffersons, Maude and Good Times. And "Archie Bunker's Place" continued for several years as an extension of AITF after it went off the air. Groundbreaking and irreverent, it shattered all the taboo topics of the time in discussing menopause, abortion, political discourse and most significantly, race- all in a comedic format. The show marked the beginning of a major departure from the sterile, suburban programming of the day which included shows like Petticoat Junction, Green Acres and Gilligan's Island.

The show follows the everyday lives of The Bunker family of Queens New York, made up of working-class, bigoted Archie Bunker, his dutiful wife Edith, his independent daughter Gloria and his liberal college-student son-in-law Mike, all living under the same roof. Most episodes focused on stereotypes or a politically charged theme of the times-often involving race- and the spirited exchanges between the prejudiced Archie and the more progressive Mike. Often times Gloria would be part of these exchanges, especially concerning issues relevant to female equality and independence. Though naive on worldly issues, Edith would nonetheless often be the voice of calm and reason and would many times accidentally foil many of Archie's schemes or bring him up short on his worldviews. Though prejudiced, Archie was not hateful. Like many, his bigoted views were born out of ignorance and an upbringing which bred such sentiments. One of the joys of this show was watching the growth of its characters, especially Archie, who though still very much a Conservative, softened during the show's later years.

To feel this show couldn't survive today is to focus too much on our current political climate and to not understand the objectives of All in the Family. Those who focus simply on the jokes themselves fail to grasp their primary purpose: to point out the foolishness of bigotry. Star Carroll O'Connor, was a devout Liberal Democrat in real life, had a black godson and was involved with many progressive initiatives, making his characterization of Archie that much more impressive. And the show's creator Norman Lear, is of Jewish descent and is himself very liberal. Perhaps we need a show like All in the Family today to remind us how ridiculous our society is becoming with our divisions, oversensitivity and inability to laugh at ourselves.

A criticism of All in the Family is that many of its episodes revolved around themes of the day that no longer resonate, i.e. Watergate, Women's Lib, The Vietnam War, etc. But substitute recent themes- The Trump/Biden election, Women's Rights, Afghanistan, etc. And it shows us All in the Family is as relevant as ever and not nearly as dated as some would have us believe. Race relations, economic depression, inflation and the wage gap are issues that sadly are as prominent now as they ever were.

The acting in the series was first rate. Carroll O'Connor's depiction of arch-conservative Archie Bunker is one of the greatest portrayals in television history. Jean Stapleton shined as the "dingbat" Edith. Rob Reiner was outstanding as Son-in-Law Mike and Sally Struthers provided solid support as daughter Gloria. Fine too were supporting cast members Sherman Hensley and Isabel Sanford as The Jeffersons, a black family living next door, and later Vincent Gardenia and Betty Garrett as another neighboring family, The Lorenzos. Terrific acting, writing and important societal themes make this a tremendous show. Must watch TV.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Man Who Found the Money (1960) Season 6, Episode 13

Disappointing Episode

[4/10 · 29 November 2021]

The Man Who Found the Money is an unfulfilling entry into the Alfred Hitchcock Presents series. Mild Mannered Teacher William Benson stumbles upon a money clip containing $92,000 in the parking lot of a Las Vegas Casino. An honest man, he takes the trouble of obtaining a safe deposit box to secure the money and visits the local police to report the find. Police Captain Bone, having already been informed about the loss, treats him suspiciously, especially when it's revealed that the clip supposedly contained $102,000- ten thousand more than reported by Benson.

Mr. Newsome, owner of the lost money arrives to claim his cash and despite the alleged missing ten grand, he effusively thanks Benson, inviting him to stay for an all-expenses paid week at the Hotel/Casino, which he happens to own. Initially reluctant, Benson finally agrees- only to later find out that Newsome has in fact sent subordinates to Benson's home threatening harm to his wife if the missing ten thousand dollars is not promptly returned. End of episode.

I've read enough short stories and seen enough teleplays to know not every show has a bow-tie ending to neatly wrap things up. But whereas a show like Twilight Zone has a moral, a twist ending or a deliberate sense of tragedy, this episode of AHP is especially unsatisfying. Why would a seemingly wealthy man who owns an entire Hotel/Casino take the trouble to strong arm an obviously honest guy for ten grand- money he undoubtedly doesn't have and couldn't possibly give him? Is the Police Captain in on this? Is this a regular scam run on tourists? Is Benson really a dishonest guy? Too many unanswered questions and too little plot development. Arthur Hill and R. G. Armstrong are both excellent character actors, but not even they can sell this bill of goods. Total disappointment to the viewer and not one of the better episodes of an otherwise good series.

Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974)

Vintage 70's Schlock

[8/10 · 2 April 2021]

I've always enjoyed 70's cinema, particularly movies themed around the carefree wanderer or crook on the run; Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Vanishing Point, The Getaway and Charley Varrick come to mind among many others. In this vein lies Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry, another film featuring aimless protagonists with misguided actions leading to tragedy.

Racer Larry Rayder (Peter Fonda) and Mechanic Deke Sommars (Adam Roarke) both aspire to higher levels of racing. Frustrated and unsuccessful at securing money to acquire quality equipment, they hatch a scheme to rob a grocery store to fund their efforts. They get the money, but the plan quickly unravels and they're targeted immediately. What transpires is an almost continuous chase throughout the entire movie. Joining them uninvited is brash and abrasive Mary Coombs, Larry's recent one-night stand. The three are doggedly pursued by irreverent and combative Sheriff Everett Franklin, determined to land his quarry by any means necessary.

DMCL has some very real flaws; the plot is mindless and there is stilted dialogue throughout. Neither Peter Fonda nor Susan George give great performances, nor are they very likeable. And Roddy McDowall is wasted in a small, thankless role early in the film as the Grocery Store Manager. Nonetheless, the movie is enjoyable, and several things drive the film: One is the pacing, which is outstanding. The film never drags. Good too is Adam Roarke's portrayal of Deke as a complex character- amoral enough to steal but principled enough to step in when Larry slaps Mary during an argument. Actor Vic Morrow chews the scenery as the rough-edged small town Sheriff Franklin, cursing and insulting anyone who gets in his way.

And finally, one of the greatest muscle cars of the era, the Dodge Charger, figures prominently in a classic, memorable ending. DMCL is worth watching and will satisfy 70's action film buffs.

The Invaders (1967–1968)

Overlooked Gem

[10/10 · 16 May 2020]

As a lifelong lover of good television, I nonetheless can't believe I've overlooked this series over the years, which was a short-lived but highly underrated sci-fi show. The Invaders was another in a long line of stand-out TV series created by Quinn Martin and starred Roy Thinnes in the title role as David Vincent, an architect who late one night gets lost on the road, spots a flying saucer and uncovers evidence of an ongoing alien invasion. The "aliens" look like average earth people save for some subtleties including an extended pinky finger. Residents of a dying planet, they've come to earth to infiltrate our military and various industries, assimilate into society and eventually take over the planet. Many of them carry around a small, round device which induces a cerebral hemorrhage in any human with whom it comes in contact. And Invaders "immolate" (light up bright red and vanish) when killed. Each week, Vincent travels to various parts of the country when news surfaces of someone sharing a similar experience. His ongoing quest is twofold: to convince a disbelieving populace of his mission and to save the planet from a takeover.

In many respects, this series shares great similarity to The Fugitive, not coincidentally, an earlier successful series also produced by QM. In that series, Dr. Richard Kimble's weekly quest was to find the one-armed man who murdered his wife while convincing others he's innocent of the crime. In the Invaders, David Vincent is the lone, solitary figure thrust into the singular role of avenger and truth-finder.

Like many other Sci-Fi series that didn't run long, The Invaders has cultivated a loyal following over the years. It is a shame it only lasted two seasons, and reasons for its cancellation remain a mystery. Roy Thinnes' understated portrayal of David Vincent is outstanding, trying to expose the invasion in each weekly episode while convincing others he's not crazy. The second season featured Vincent receiving some support from "Believers"- others who have also seen the Invaders and join forces with him to stop them.

The show also featured a veritable treasure trove of A-list TV guest stars of the time; Arthur Hill, Jack Warden, Roddy McDowall, Jack Lord and Peter Graves were among the many name actors to appear in the series (even Gene Hackman made an appearance!). The Invaders is a highly recommended show and a wonderful viewing experience.

Starsky and Hutch (1975–1979)

Memorable 70's Detective Series

[8/10 · 18 April 2020]

One of the memorable images of 1970s TV was the sight of the iconic cherry red Ford Torino with the white racing stripe flying down city streets in Starsky and Hutch, which ran for several seasons on ABC. The series paired detectives David Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser) and Ken Hutchinson (David Soul) together to fight crime in the fictional Bay City area of California. Though each were very different- Starsky was the dark haired, more street-wise, fiery one while the blond Hutch displayed a more even-tempered demeanor- the two complimented each other perfectly. Plots emphasized their close friendship and the care they showed for each other as much as it did the car chases and suspect rousting. This elevated Starsky and Hutch above many other cop shows of the era.

Critics of the series point to the supposed homosexual overtones ("Can two guys simply be close friends without being gay?") and the implausibility of two plain-clothes detectives flying around in the most gaudy vehicle possible. Neither was a factor in my enjoyment of the series.

Of greater concern was the almost immediate shift in style and tone only a couple years into its run. Gone was the gritty score by Lalo Schifrin along with the similarly themed plots and in its place came a more commercial approach. The show was still good, but one wonders what might have been had it stayed on its initial path. Paul Michael Glaser's increasing disenchantment with the direction of the series led to its eventual cancellation.

Bernie Hamilton and Antonio Fargas had good support roles as no-nonsense Police Captain Dobey and confidential informant Huggy Bear. Starsky and Hutch is forever etched in the annals of great 70's TV!

A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion (1993 TV Movie)

Solid Continuation of the Series

[8/10 · 12 April 2020]

The Waltons was a TV staple to many of us who grew up in the 70's. Writer Earl Hamner, Jr. created the series as a fond remembrance of his childhood growing up in small town Schuyler, Virginia and was wholesome viewing for nearly a decade. "A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion" is one of several reunion specials after the series ended and for the most part, it is an effective and enjoyable watch. It takes place in November of 1963 intertwining side stories involving the now grown Walton clan amidst the backdrop of the Kennedy assassination. Though the time line doesn't exactly match up with the age of the Walton children, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the Special.

Touching themes that were a series trademark characterize the movie. The memory of Grandpa Walton is ever-present, as a photo of the late Will Geer is acknowledged. A tender moment occurs when John Walton, at odds with son Ben over the running of the family mill, seeks guidance from his late Pa in a private reminiscence. John and Livia struggle with the decision to relocate, leaving the family home and all its cherished memories. And the other children deal with marital woes and separation from a once large and happy household.

Watching actress Ellen Corby in a compromised state due to the after-effects of a real life stroke brings mixed emotions. While I understand the feelings of those who felt it unnecessary to include her in a diminished capacity, I have tremendous respect for her desire to continue and for the creator and producer who felt a loyalty in wanting her to be a continued part of the show.

While it is always difficult, if not impossible to recapture the magic of an original series, the subsequent Waltons Reunion movies did a credible job of it, continuing what was an outstanding show and great memory of childhood.