Mistaken identities seem to be the key to both episodes this week, as Jim Rockford (James Garner) gets wrapped up in a couple more cases. First up is Dwarf in a Helium Hat, which aired 27 January, 1978. It was written by Cannell and David Chase. There’s a missed opportunity with the phone gag…
Author: TD Rideout
Big Hero 6 (2014) – Don Hall and Chris Williams
I’ve had a tough time getting out to the theater this year, but I knew I had to see this one. Disney’s latest animated feature film is based on a Marvel comic book series and shows that their animated department can keep us just as involved as their live action entries into the Marvel…
Meet Me In St. Louis (1944) – Vincente Minnelli
The next musical for me to watch from the Great movies – 100 Years of Film book for my viewing of The Jazz Singer is this Judy Garland classic, that has a lot of familiar songs that have now become standards. The year is 1904, the World’s Fair is a year off, but it’s…
Doctor Who (Patrick Troughton) – The Wheel in Space
Season 5 of Doctor Who came to an end with this six part story that was written by David Whitaker, and aired from 27 April to June 1, 1968. It saw the introduction of a new companion, joining the Doctor (Troughton) and Jamie (Frazer Hines) in the TARDIS, and the return of an old…
Mildred Pierce (1945) – Michael Curtiz
Joan Crawford stars in this recommendation following my screening of Les Enfants du Paradis for the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book. I’ve never been a huge Crawford fan, but quite enjoyed her turn in this film, a strong drama, that starts with the murder of Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott). Told through her…
Magnum, p.i. (1982) – The Jororo Kill and Computer Date
Tyne Daly guests in the first episode, The Jororo Kill, as Kate Sullivan, journalist. This episode was written by Bellisario, Reuben Leder, Andrew Schneider and Alan Sutterfield, with an airdate of 7 January, 1982. Kate Sullivan, who Thomas (Tom Selleck), Rick (Larry Manetti) and T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) all know, journeys to Hawaii to…
Relic (1995) – Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
I read this one back when it first came out, though I definitely didn’t recall much in the way of details, I think because after I read it, I saw the film adaptation, which, in my opinion dropped the ball (though now that I have read the book again, I may rewatch the film,…
The Rockford Files (1978) – The Gang at Don’s Drive-In and The Paper Palace
Jim (James Garner) meets up with an old friend, with a problem, in the first episode this week, The Gang at Don’s Drive-In. It was written by James Crocker and aired 13 January, 1978. The phone gag features a call from someone who just went through 12 years of therapy, and will happily tell Jim what he…
Road to Singapore (1940) – Victor Schertzinger
The first musical recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of The Jazz Singer, is this highly enjoyable romp starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. Hope and Crosby play Ace and Josh respectively, a couple of sailors, and chums who love to crack-wise, drink, chase…
The Jazz Singer (1927) – Alan Crosland
The first ‘talkie,’ is also the first title in the musical section of the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book. This was the first time I had seen this one, all I’d known of it before was that at some point, Al Jolson as Jack Robin, previously Jakie Rabinowitz, dons blackface to…
