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josephruby
Reviews
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea: Attack! (1968)
Respectfully & Regretfully Disagree With the Previous Reviewer
I am heartened to see that the previous review was submitted only two weeks ago which indicates "Voyage" still generates interest, discussion and enthusiasm. "Attack!" was the series' last "Aliens Invading Earth" story and turned that convention a bit on its head. As the two VTTBOTS website reviewers have noted, "Attack!" was aired during the height of the Viet Nam conflict and dovetailed nicely with the ongoing conflict between hawks and doves in our own country. An alien attack force lead by Kamal (Kevin Hagen) wants to take over earth but is opposed by Robek (Skip Homeier) who leads a group of malcontents who desire that their civilization make its way through the universe with only peaceful exploration in mind. When his group learns of their government's plan to hijack our world, he warns the Seaview command of it and sets out to help earth defeat his own government. Interesting. Where I disagree with the previous review is over Kevin Hagen's character. Rather than see it as bland, I found it a terrific lead-in to his Inspector Kobick character on the next Irwin Allen series, "Land of the Giants". Like the LOTG security chief, Kamal, too, is cold, emotionless and ruthless - the perfect fascist state functionary. But, of course, that is only a personal view. All said, it is obvious to me that "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" will always remain a source of excitement, good storytelling and debate among its many, many fans. Thanks, Irwin!
Sea Hunt: Flooded Mine (1958)
Brother, THIS Was TV!
By the time I started grade school in 1959, "Sea Hunt" was firmly established as my favorite TV show. Scuba diving was becoming very "in" at the time and the adventures of an underwater troubleshooter was a cool alternative to all the cowboy, cop, private eye, superhero material flooding the airwaves at that time. Lloyd Bridges was a great choice to play the courageous protagonist, Mike Nelson. Not your classic style hero, but more of a working-stiff, guy-you'd-like-to-have-a-beer-with type who didn't laugh in the face of danger so much as grin and bear it. "Flooded Mine" was great archetypal "Sea Hunt" fare. Assigned to investigate a catastrophic mine collapse, Mike is shocked to find two miners still alive (barely) in a dank air pocket. No time to go back and get another tank and with time running out on the air in his own tank, Mike must do a "draw straws" bit to decide who will live and who will die. The two men? One a craven, self-centered coward, and the other, a stand-up family man. Whom will he rescue? Will he find a way to rescue both? Watch the episode. You know, I liked TV dramas better when they were like this: black-and-white, half-hour, tight, compact and, more often than not, syndicated, which meant that, in your town, they might come on at 10:30 on Saturday night, 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, or 5:30 on Thursday morning. Best of all, each episode was self-contained; none of this "Previously, on SEA HUNT" jazz. Oh, well, times change, but old geezers like me don't. I hope other "Sea Hunt" fans will watch this terrific episode and enjoy "Flooded Mine" as much as I did. Thanks, Lloyd, and Happy Fathoms.
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea: No Way Back (1968)
Nice Intelligent Ending to "Voyage"
This was one of the best episodes in the series in my view. It contained some of the silliness that was the trademark of the last two seasons (and that's what we loved about the show anyway!) However, some thought went into it as well. You learn a little about history and until I saw the episode I was unaware of Major John Andre. From reading about him in the encyclopedia I learned that he was purportedly very much like the character as portrayed so well by William Beckley. The closing scene where Kowalski asks Nelson what would be Andre's fate is thoughtful and somewhat moving as well. Wonderful performances by Barry Atwater and the always delightful Henry Jones as the impish Mr. Pem. A blend of both action and historical interest, "No Way Back" closed the classic series on a definite high note.
Night Gallery: The House/Certain Shadows on the Wall (1970)
Joanna Pettet -- Lovely Woman, Wonderful Actress
First of all, I have to say I hope Miss Pettet reads this because she should know she has a large fan base and we miss her presence on both the small and big screens. From having read about her on a number of websites, I know she has had much personal tragedy and has retired from acting. Getting to this episode, "The House" is a story I could watch once a month, every month for the rest of my life and never grow tired of it because each time I see it it gives me pleasure. It is beautifully written and photographed and the acting is nothing short of superb. The story is eerie and unsettling but somehow sweet and good-natured at the same time. Miss Pettet was never more stunning than when she played the ethereal Elaine Latimer. Director John Astin allows the camera to linger on her gorgeous face a number of times, but her beauty does not detract from her excellent acting skills. With her willowy and wistful appearance as well as her somewhat smoky voice, Miss Pettet gives Elaine a palpable presence that stays with the viewer long after they have seen the story. This is a story that I don't really understand but that makes it all the more affecting. What IS going on here? I don't know but I like it just the same. The mystery and rafter of unanswered questions makes this episode vastly compelling and beguiling. I fully empathize with the great Paul Richards in his performance as the real estate agent Mr. Peugeot. As an older man, I understand what is probably his attraction to this obviously intelligent as well as independent and beautiful younger woman of means. Miss Pettet has a way of looking off to the side as she discusses her house purchase and what it entails as if she sees something not obvious to the rest of us. She was a remarkably intuitive actress and did such fine work on "Night Gallery". I believe she holds the record for the number of performances on the series - four stories. I heartily agree with the previous reviewer Alsatian5 that this is a television moment that needs to be shared with future generations. Joanna, we miss you and we hope you are well. Please think about coming back.
Night Gallery: The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes/Miss Lovecraft Sent Me/The Hand of Borgus Weems/Phantom of What Opera? (1971)
Very eerie and haunting
I've always liked this episode. I thought the young Clint Howard was wonderful in it. I especially liked the eerie way they showed several views of him when he gives his big prediction. The strange music they played as well as the several camera shots of his head added a real dimension of fear to the proceedings. The look on Bernie Kopell's face as he listens to Herbie's odd prediction still makes my palms sweat. It's as if Kopell's character is thinking "What the **** IS he talking about?" The ending is startling and jarring to me even after several viewings. I wish some sort of good anthology like "Night Gallery" would return to television, but I guess it's from a bygone era. This is a good story, well directed and acted.