It’s that time again: Four TV movies (although one of them may have had theatrical release), all from the 70s.
Evel Knievel, 1971, color, Marvin J. Chomsky (dir.), George Hamilton, Sue Lyon, Bert Freed, Rod Cameron. 1:28.
Even the sleeve blurb (which spells Knievel’s first name “Evilâ€) has to take a slap at Hamilton, “The ever-tanned and charismatic,†who also produced. George Hamilton as Evel Knievel? Surprisingly, at least as I watched it works pretty well—and it’s a nicely done movie. The blurb says Vic Tayback was in the movie, but if he was, the part was so small it’s not credited in IMDB or listed in the movie’s credits. Some damage reduces what’s otherwise a pretty good flick. $1.25.
Stunts, 1977, color, Mark J. Lester (dir.), Robert Forster, Fiona Lewis, Ray Sharkey, Joanna Cassidy, Bruce Glover. Richard Lynch. 1:29.
Death and peril in stunt work on an action flick where the director’s wife is sleeping with stuntmen. Gee, who could the real murderer be? Interesting stunt work, not much else. $1.00
Murder Once Removed, 1971, color, Charles S. Dubin (dir.), John Forsythe, Richard Kiley, Reta Shaw, Joseph Campanella, Wendell Burton, Barbara Bain. 1:14.
A slick triple-cross murder mystery, with Barbara Bain in a classic femme fatale role and John Forsythe as a doctor who has a bad habit of killing off patients for his own gain. There’s more to it than that; for plot and only slight overacting, I’d give it a higher rating but for damage. $1.25.
The Strangers in 7A, 1972, color, Paul Wendkos (dir.), Andy Griffith, Ida Lupino, Michael Brandon, James A. Watson Jr., Tim McIntire, Susanne Hildur. 1:14.
The blurb calls Griffith’s role “uncharacteristically sleazyâ€â€”but although he plays a discouraged, married apartment building super willing to be seduced by a hot chick in a very short skirt (and Griffiths groupies, if any, get to see him shirtless), he winds up being the hero nonetheless. (The blurb also says he’s a landlord, which is a hugely different thing than a super!). Reasonably well plotted, and Michael Brandon makes a pretty good villain, but it’s all a little tired. $1.00.