Zig Zag (1970)

In order to collect the ransom offered by the family of a kidnapped industrialist, a terminally-ill man frames himself for the crime, but he accidentally uncovers the real culprit.

Director:

Richard A. Colla

Writers:

Robert Enders (story), John T. Kelley

Stars:

George Kennedy, Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Kennedy	...	Paul R. Cameron
Anne Jackson	...	Jean Cameron
Eli Wallach	...	Mario Gambretti
Steve Ihnat	...	Asst. Dist. Atty. Herb Gates
William Marshall	...	Morris Bronson
Joe Maross	...	Lt. Max Hines
Dana Elcar	...	Harold Tracey
Walter Brooke	...	Adam Mercer
Anita O'Day	...	Sheila Mangan
Joan Tompkins	...	Judge Beth Weaver
Robert Sampson	...	Burt Stennis
Leonard Stone	...	Jim Harris
Stewart Moss	...	Edgar Courtland
Charlene Holt	...	Sara Raymond
Robert Donner	...	Sgt. Mason Weber

Storyline

A dying man frames himself for the kidnapping and murder of an industrialist so his wife and daughter can benefit from the reward money. However, his plan goes awry when he is cured!

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Plot Keywords:

1970s | los angeles california | cancer patient | brain tumor | surgeon | 

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Taglines:

Every exit...a dead end!

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 April 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

False Witness

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,700,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Freeman-Ender Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The only acting credit for legendary jazz singer Anita O'Day (Sheila Mangan). Ms. O'Day died at the age of eighty-seven in 2006.

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Goofs

The bartender recognizes George Kennedy on TV, but when he sees him dressed as a marine later on at the bar, he doesn't recognize him.

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Connections

Remade as Naseeb No Khel (1982)

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Soundtracks

On Green Dolphin Street
Written by Bronislau Kaper and Ned Washington
Performed by Anita O'Day

User Reviews

High quality thriller

George Kennedy is an unusual actor for me. He is largely forgotten, yet has an Oscar to his name. He's in many of the films everyone remembers well, such as The Dirty Dozen, Airport and The Naked Gun, and yet he rarely catches the limelight as the leading man. He's also supremely talented, without ever appearing to be trying hard.

In this superior thriller, he plays a man who discovers that he has a brain tumour. He arranges his own death, so that his wife can claim the insurance money. However, just as his plan is about to kick into action, he learns that he has been mis-diagnosed and that, in fact, he is not dying at all.

This film stays one step ahead of the audience at all points. It is ingenious and interesting throughout, and has the added benefit of being a touch different to the majority of hard-boiled thrillers from this period. Perhaps it gets over-complex, and the downbeat ending is typical of the time. Nevertheless, this is a good film, and like some of the other user's who have reviewed it I am very baffled as to why it is unavailable on video.