planktonrules

"Gable and Lombard" is a film that flopped when it debuted and I think the biggest reason is that the film tried to do the impossible...have someone play Clark Gable realistically. But there was only one Gable and his bigger than life persona is one that I doubt is any actor could replicate...so James Brolin was screwed from the onset. As for Carole Lombard, she is played by Jill Clayburgh...who isn't as widely known today or even in 1976, so Clayburgh received far less criticism than Brolin when the film debuted. Plus, Lombard is just an easier person to replicate on film.

So, if you ignore that the pair really aren't that much like the originals, what are you left with when you see this movie? Well, instead of the real story of how they met, fell in love and lost each other, you get something that plays much more like a 1940s movie...and a bit of a screwball comedy at that. As I watched, I sure felt that the film bears much semblance to their lives. It sanitizes things (such as Gable's infidelities) and seems to think off-screen the pair were pretty much what you saw in movies. One exception is that Lombard reportedly WAS as earthy (and foul mouthed) as the woman Clayburgh played.

So, if you ignore the facts and the actors...is there anything left to like? No.

"Who Killed Mary Whats'ername?" is a movie starring Red Buttons as well as an unusual ensemble cast, including Sam Waterston, Conrad Bain, Sylvia Miles, David Doyle and Ron Carey.

When the story begins, an aging ex-boxer, Mickey (Buttons) moves in to a crummy skidrow apartment. He's learned that the woman who lived there before him was a prostitute who was murdered...and no one seems to have really cared...including the police. So, he decides to do some digging to see if he can figure out her sad fate. And, along the way, he finds a few folks who decide to help him in his quest.

This film looks as if it was filmed with a very limited budget. This is not a complaint and it worked pretty well considering the setting. As far as the story goes, it's so unusual that I'm giving it a 7. It is far from great but I appreciate the film taking some chances. Plus, I have to respect a few of these actors playing very icky characters!

"Third Girl" begins quite oddly. A young woman comes to Poirot's apartment late in the evening asking for her help. But soon after she enters the room and sees him, she says something about him being 'too old' and bolts from the place...after first saying that she THINKS she killed someone!! Well, naturally, Poirot is going to pursue this woman to find out what's happening. He soon learns she's a disturbed heiress whose mother killed herself...and she witnessed it as a child! Naturally, this DID mess her up...but just how much? After all, there are several people who would LOVE for her to be adjudicated insane....for a variety of reasons. And, there to 'help' (?) him is, once again, Ms. Oliver.

This is a pretty good episode and kept me guessing. It also had a pretty interesting murder and back story. All in all, yet another excellent installment in an always excellent series!