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…
Tag: murder
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…
The Last Policeman (2012) – Ben H. Winters
This week’s perusal of the Book Shelf brought me this, the first in a trilogy, that combines a whodunnit with some light science fiction. Not too long from now, an asteroid, Maia, is discovered, way too late to do anything about it, on a direct collision with Earth. They have until the beginning of…
Magnum, P.I. (1981) – Tropical Madness & Wave Goodbye
Robert Hamilton writes an episode this week, well, originally aired 12 November, 1981, that causes some great strain on Thomas’ (Tom Selleck) and Higgins’ (John Hillerman) relationship in Tropical Madness. When a young English woman, Jennifer Chapman (Devon Ericson), seems to prefer Higgins to Magnum, Thomas is a little suspicious, but Higgins, flattered by…
The Rockford Files (1977) – The Mayor’s Committee from Deer Lick Falls & Hotel of Fear
This week finds Jim (James Garner) in all kinds of trouble as he gets caught up in a murder scheme, and Angel (Stuart Margolin) becomes a target of a hitman! First up is The Mayor’s Committee from Dee Lick Falls, which aired 25 November, 1977, and was written by William R. Stratton. The phone gag…
The Rockford Files (1977) – Quickie Nirvana & Irving the Explainer
Jim Rockford (James Garner) finds himself in all manner of trouble in this week’s episodes. First up is Quickie Nirvana, which aired 11 November, 1977 and was written by David Chase. The phone gag this time around featured someone calling, complaining about having left a message a few times, and wondering if Jim still…
Magnum, P.I. (1981) – The Woman on the Beach & From Moscow to Maui
Rick’s (Larry Manetti) broken heart ends up setting Thomas (Tom Selleck) on a ghost hunt in the first episode in this week’s double episode. The Woman on the Beach originally screened 22 October, 1981, it was written by Andrew Schneider and directed by Bellisario. When a girl doesn’t show up for a date with…
The Rockford Files (1977) – The Dog and Pony Show & Requiem for a Funny Box
There’s a lot of fun to be had in this week’s double episode of The Rockford Files. First up, there is The Dog and Pony Show, which aired 21 October, 1977 and was written by David Chase. The phone gag features a call from a friend collecting on a bet, and letting Jim (James…
The Rockford Files (1977) – The Battle of Canoga Park & Second Chance
More trouble finds Jim (James Garner) this week as he gets caught up in a murder, and a domestic! The Battle of Canoga Park was written by Juanita Bartlett and aired 30 September, 1977. The phone gag features a call from a neighbor war letting them know they are looking for their missing pet……
Doctor Who (Patrick Troughton) – The Faceless Ones
More danger and excitement in the TARDIS this week with an epic six-parter written by David Ellis and Malcolm Hulke and aired from 8 April to 13 May, 1967 and sees our heroes arriving at Gatwick airport on 20 July, 1966. Once again, sadly, there isn’t much in the way of original video recordings…
The Mind Reels 