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Gunsmoke: New Doctor in Town (1971)
Unexpected behavior for a doctor....
This is more like an observation than a review. On our TV network, some Gunsmoke or Bonanza episodes are nowadays preceded by a warning for "viewer discretion" due to "outdated cultural depictions". Most of the time, it is not difficult to identify the subject matter which prompted the warning (gun violence, usually). In this episode, there were no gunfights by drunken drovers or paid gunfighter. Finally I understood the reason for the viewer warning when Dr. Chapman, who was filling in for Doc Adams, rolled a cigarette for himself while waiting for Newly to wake up, after surgery! Since Gunsmoke is well known for its sensitive handling of issues concerning the plight of Native Americans in those days (it often exposes the bigotry and mistreatment of Native Americans by ill-educated American citizens), the viewer discretion warning usually pertains to the cavalier use of gun violence to settle disputes. In this case, though, the culprit appears to be the ignorance of a medical professional about the dangers of tobacco! I find it very interesting to watch these episodes and eflect on how much our attitudes (and understanding) about issues like gun violence and tobacco have changed in the past 60 years, since these episodes were made.
Columbo: A Deadly State of Mind (1975)
Good performances by all and an interesting story
I won't go into details that have been amply stated by other reviewers (George Hamilton's performance is great, Lesley-Ann Warren was good, etc.), except to echo one reviewer's observation about the scene in which Columbo joins in conversation with Dr. Collier's colleagues at a party: Normally when Columbo is shoved involuntarily into the spotlight (e.g., brought on-stage during a cooking show on TV, or brought to the podium to address a group of fans attending a lecture by a murder novel authoress, etc.), he puts on a silly grin, shuffles his feet, and pretends to be completely tongue-tied and uncomfortable; in this case, he responded to questions confidently and intelligently, which I enjoyed. I was, however, surprised that he talked so openly about his doubts about Mrs. Donner's story, while the investigation is still ongoing.
I didn't see anyone else mention the brief humorous moment when Columbo was walking down the hallway at the clinic, looking for Dr. Collier. At one point, he opened a door and peered inside, and we heard a woman scream, after which he hastily apologized and shut the door. Nice touch by the writers to throw that in!
Some observations about the supporting cast: One reviewer compared Anita Machon, who played Dr. Borden, to Angie Dickinson; actually, when Dr. Borden made her appearance, I was absolutely convinced it was a cameo by Dr. Joyce Brothers. And there was a receptionist at the clinic who I thought might be Morgan Fairchild, but I did not see her in the cast credits. I did see Priscilla Barnes (from Three's Company) listed as an uncredited nurse, but did not notice her in the show.
One reviewer made a comment that it was not realistic that Dr. Collier would be so cavalier about so coldly disposing of Nadia, "whom he supposedly loved"; however, I thought the writers did a solid job of establishing the fact that Collier was merely using sex/romance to manipulate Nadia to participate in the study for his book, and never had any genuine feelings for her in reality. Likewise, we witnessed a passionate kiss at the clinic between Dr. Collier and Dr. Borden, who stated to Columbo that she had helped him research his book on hypnosis. This might imply that Dr. Collier has a history of using sex to manipulate women into providing services that would further his own career.
Some reviewers questioned why Dr. Collier didn't just tell the truth about why he killed Dr. Donner, since it was clearly self-defense. But you have to keep in mind that Dr. Collier had a lot riding on the success of his new book. If he claimed self- defense, the circumstances surrounding the attack (Dr. Collier's affair with Mrs. Donner) would come to light. Not only would such a scandal create negative publicity that would jeopardize Collier's pending book deal and ruin his reputation, but even more damaging would be the fact that the AMA would certainly revoke his medical license (for engaging in a sexual relationship with his patient -- an absolute ethical no-no), thus ending both his medical practice and his position at the clinic. Not to mention the huge fall-out from Dr. Borden, when she found out he had been using her and had made a fool of her, professionally and otherwise. There would likely be other women to come forward with similar stories.
There were two main reasons why Collier faked Nadia's suicide and framed her for the killing of her husband: 1) When Mrs. Donner's story started falling apart, Collier realized that it was just a matter of time before the truth of his affair with his patient (which would end his career) and his cover-up of his involvement in the killing (which would put him in trouble with the law), so his only chance was to eliminate Nadia as a witness (and prevent her lie detector test), and frame her as the murderess by planting the stolen items at her apartment. 2) Even if they had gotten away with their lie about how Mr. Donner was killed by intruders, there was still the problem of Mrs. Donner's testing data, which was beginning to contradicte the hypothesis of his book. By killing her off before the testing went any further, he could prevent his book from being invalidated by any more contradictory testing data. He might even be able to include the "suicide" in his book to further support his hypothesis and increase sales of the book! So he was "killing two birds with one stone" when he disposed of her and framed her as the killer.
Gunsmoke: Don Matteo (1960)
Bill Pence and his awesome mallet
I'm not going to rehash the same comments as the other reviewers about the story itself -- it had some great acting, great guest stars, and a good story managed to be told well in a 30-minute format. My comment has to do with the moment that made me laugh: this is the second Gunsmoke episode in which we got to see Bill Pence (Kitty's co-owner at the Long Branch), bonking an unruly patron on the back of his head with that big mallet he keeps behind the bar! In a series where we see so much gunplay and numerous fist fights, I find it amusing when I see Bill's handy mallet come out from behind the bar!
Gunsmoke: Wind (1959)
Refreshing, clever resolution without killing!
I won't repeat what others have said about Whitney Blake's excellent performance in her role - that goes without saying. I was always a huge fan of her as the mom in the sitcom "Hazel".
My favorite twist in this episode was how Matt managed to put a stop to the couple's scam permanently, without killing either of them (for a change!) or sending them to jail. In the final shootout with Frank, instead of killing Frank as he usually did, Matt shot Frank's right hand, permanently maiming it so that he could no longer manipulate the cards to cheat when was dealing; also, it was his gun hand, so he could not even draw a gun skillfully when necessary. If Matt had simply run them out of town, they would have just continued their scam elsewhere, with no justice or consequences for their actions. This way, they were both put out of their crooked partnership permanently.
It was the best possible outcome for this situation!
I particularly enjoyed watching Dolly's smug, taunting attitude towards Matt, as they were about to board the stage in the last scene, transform instantly into anger and desperation, as Frank explained to her why Matt was letting them leave town "free and clear," rather than keeping them in jail and making them stand trial.
Gunsmoke: Big Girl Lost (1957)
We got to know Bill Pence in this episode!
I read the user reviews before watching the episode, which I had recorded. One reviewer made the comment that Laura falling for "the bartender" seemed unbelievable. But when I watched the episode, I realized that the "night in shining armor" who kept a protective and watchful eye on Laura was none other than the owner of the Longbranch, Bill Pence, who later became a 50/50 partner with Kitty in the episode "Daddy-O". I could not recall another episode in which Bill Pence was much more than an "extra" with a smattering of lines to say after becoming Kitty's partner. I actually enjoyed seeing him featured in this episode. It implied a possible romance, but I don't think I recall Bill Pence ever being a central character (other than this episode) behind the bar to the same extent that Sam eventually became in later seasons.
I Am the Law (1938)
Light-hearted entertainment
I just caught this movie during TCM's Edward G Robinson marathon. It may not be a "classic", but I found this film to be entertaining and well written/directed. It's the sort of gangster movie that is light and simple enough that you don't have to pay much attention to it -- you can be doing other things while you're watching the movie and still be able to follow the plot. Just suspend belief for a while -- some of his tactics wouldn't be exactly tolerated in real life -- he would be disbarred and arrested! Also, I had a hard time buying EGR as a pipe-smoking, ivy-league, absent-minded professor; still, I found his performance engaging and enjoyable. This movie has lots of pretty people, wearing expensive clothes, in opulent settings, so that aspect of it is pleasant to watch. Unlike most "formula" gangster flicks, the ending is especially satisfying and may in fact be the best part of this movie.
The Bone Snatcher (2003)
This movie is camp at almost its best
I don't believe the producers of this film ever intended it to be taken seriously. Throughout the movie there are such logical weaknesses in the plot (and in the dialog!) that I found myself literally laughing out loud. Like when they kept firing bullets into a swarm of ants. And when they left the vehicle and hiked miles away after they had already been spotted by a rescue plane. That's when it hit me that this whole movie was meant to be taken with tongue planted firmly in check -- pure CAMP at its best. If you watch the movie in that mindset, you'll have a great time watching it. This movie really needs to be shown with someone like "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark" chiming in her sardonic comments after some of the particularly ludicrous actions taken by the wretched idiots on the screen. Even an occasional "Oh, puh-leese" would have really contributed to the enjoyment of this firm.