Category: Movies & Television (Videos)

MURDER, SHE WROTE: THE GREAT TWAIN ROBBERY (Season 7: Episode 8)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date June 1, 2022

SUMMARY: APPROX. RUNNING TIME: 47:00 Min.

First broadcast by CBS-TV, on November 25, 1990, Jerry Jameson directed this episode where Jessica Fletcher (Lansbury) only briefly appears. Steve Brown is credited with the script.

In the prologue, Jessica is whisked away from a book signing by professional-thief-turned-insurance-fraud-investigator Dennis Stanton (Michell) to fawn over his latest murder-mystery case. This episode is Stanton’s fourth appearance on Murder, She Wrote and would present the first of his five mysteries during Season Seven.

In San Francisco, Stanton’s employer is hired to insure a newly discovered Mark Twain manuscript, as an expert (Dotrice) has initially confirmed its historical authenticity. Stanton invariably smells a rat when a notorious ex-forger (Birney) becomes involved, especially as bitter memories of their old rivalry for Stanton’s late wife resurface. An ominously convenient act of arson sets up the policy’s holder (Baker) and her conniving daughter (Gagnier) with a potential monetary windfall, as only a single page of the manuscript now exists.

Having consulted an old friend (Persoff) re: his suspicions, Stanton finds himself in the crosshairs of his skeptical supervisor (Sloyan), with his job now at stake. Two homicides in rapid succession makes this case all too personal for Stanton. Ultimately, it’s up to the sophisticated British ex-thief and wary police Lt. Catalano (Swofford) to devise a means of snaring a desperate killer.

Jessica Fletcher: Angela Lansbury

Dennis Stanton: Keith Michell

Robert Butler: James Sloyan

Rhonda Markowitz: Hallie Todd

Lawrence Erlich: David Birney

Lindsey Barlow: Holly Gagnier

Anna Barlow: Diane Baker

Professor Chandler Fitzpatrick: Roy Dotrice

Constantin Stavros: Nehemiah Persoff

Lt. Perry Catalano: Ken Swofford

Sgt. Oliver: Stephen Prutting

Jessica’s Fan: Jan Hoag

Duke of Nonesuch: Lewis Dauber.

Notes: Sloyan, Todd, & Swofford continue portraying these same recurring characters for Michell’s Season Seven guest appearances. The trio previously debuted as Michell’s supporting cast in Season Six – Episode 19’s “Always a Thief.”

REVIEW:

Including its clever pun for a title, this episode deftly mixes intrigue and humor into a well-played whodunnit.

Aside from simmering comedic chemistry between Keith Michell and James Sloyan, an embittered rivalry with David Birney as Stanton’s old nemesis sets up a stellar second half. Michell’s reliable old-school charm is further boosted by a late red herring slyly deceiving viewers re: who the real culprit is. The epilogue’s light-hearted twist finish is a nice treat, too, as Michell evidently doesn’t need Lansbury’s star power going into the closing credits.

Though his own spin-off series would likely have been all too ordinary and easily forgotten, this ensemble cast’s teamwork makes Dennis Stanton’s “Great Twain Robbery” caper a pleasure to watch.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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MURDER, SHE WROTE: TEST OF WILLS (Season 6: Episode 9)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date June 1, 2022

SUMMARY: APPROX. RUNNING TIME: 47:00 Min.

First broadcast by CBS-TV, on November 26, 1989, Anthony Pullen Shaw (Angela Lansbury’s son) directed this episode from Robert E. Swanson’s script.

Flown by helicopter to a remote island (its location isn’t disclosed), Jessica Fletcher (Lansbury) answers an enigmatic offer from tycoon Henry Reynard (Barry). In exchange for a million-dollar donation to a charity of her choice, Jessica is expected to sleuth which of Reynard’s greedy heirs is out to kill him. A dark and stormy night accompanies Reynard’s announcement of a newly revised will, and, only minutes later, an apparent homicide occurs in retaliation. For the time being, everyone is now stranded on Reynard’s private island.

At the boathouse, a second homicide is shockingly discovered the next morning. It’s up to Jessica and a cantankerous sheriff to piece together from Reynard’s family: his self-involved daughter (Dusay); his equally self-involved son and daughter-in-law (Dullea & Yates); his naïve granddaughter (Carroll); and a family friend (Abbott), who the culprit really is. Yet, more than one twist leaves open the possibility that another motive (aside from a premature inheritance) is at stake.

Jessica Fletcher: Angela Lansbury

Henry Reynard: Gene Barry

Alice Reynard Carson: Marj Dusay

Kimberly Carson: Jill Carroll

Dr. Hubbard Dabney: Philip Abbott

Jason Reynard: Keir Dullea

Valerie Reynard: Cassie Yates

Preston Howard: John Callahan

Sheriff Brademus: Morgan Woodward

Sgt. Stokley: Jeremy Roberts

Mr. Forest (butler): Curt Lowens

Mrs. Forest (maid): Victoria Boothby

Pilot: H. Ray Huff.

REVIEW:

Early on, this episode conveys a welcome Agatha Christie-style atmosphere, including its lifting of a few familiar elements from And Then There Were None. However, a promising whodunnit is then sabotaged by inexplicably lackluster acting and, even worse, a disappointing solution.

Angela Lansbury’s best support comes from old pros Morgan Woodward and Gene Barry (who draws closer in spirit to his sinister masterpiece portraying Columbo’s original culprit vs. his ultra-wooden Burke’s Law mannerisms) pitching a solid game to viewers.

The other actors, however, merely represent shades of mediocrity, let alone yawn-inducing genre clichés. Jill Carroll’s meltdown performance, in particular, during this episode’s latter half is atrocious. Suffice to say, her dubious contribution ties into blah plot twists that come off as all too predictable – i.e. an unsatisfying epilogue, in spite of Barry’s best scene in this episode.

Without divulging spoilers, here’s a hypothetical scenario that would have surpassed the lackluster storytelling. Let’s say the faked death is really an ingenious ruse to divert suspicion from later killing off a lecherous blackmailer (who is merely posing as a shameless gigolo marrying into the family). The murderer would then require a willing accomplice to divert Jessica just long enough to ensure this scheme works, leaving no obviously viable suspects in the family.

Such a potential premise treads far closer to Agatha Christie that the melodramatic drivel this episode cobbles together. That’s where “Test of Wills” makes its unforced error, as weak soap opera material supplants a potentially good mystery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars

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“THE TOTAL PACKAGE” LEX LUGER & DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE VS. “MACHO MAN” RANDY SAVAGE (WITH ELIZABETH) & WCW WORLD CHAMPION “BIG SEXY” KEVIN NASH (WITH “HOLLYWOOD” HULK HOGAN) (WCW Thunder: Taped January 15, 1998)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date June 1, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 9:14 Min.

Recorded on the January 15, 1998 edition of WCW Thunder, this tag team match’s location isn’t identified. “The Total Package” Lex Luger opts to go it alone without his already-injured partner, Diamond Dallas Page. As for the nefarious New World Order (NWO) faction, “Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Elizabeth) isn’t getting along with his own partner, WCW World Champion “Big Sexy” Kevin Nash.

Despite lingering issues with his longtime Mega-Powers cohort, “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan is present as a mediator between Savage and Nash. Inflaming the situation further is The Giant (Paul Wight) and seemingly the entire NWO horde.

The ringside commentators are Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, “Iron” Mike Tenay, & Lee Marshall.

Note: The match’s short running time includes ring entrances.

REVIEW:

The match-up is potentially good, but the result is predictable WCW TV dreck. Having Page play injured and thereby subject to more of the NWO’s ringside gang abuse (without ever tagging in) proves pointless. Though Luger supplies a welcome amount of offense, this bout’s purpose is strictly to sell nothing more than NWO internal dissension. Seeing Savage & Nash turn on each other is fun (beyond Luger’s contributions), but the rest is pure WCW trash. Backfiring as comedy, Hogan’s ridiculously overplayed facial expression realizing that the formidable Giant is standing behind him in the ring is proof enough.

Even worse, the long-mandatory WCW non-finish where the entire NWO storms the ring (this time, against The Giant) instantly renders this match’s impressive star power inconsequential. The fact that fans are cheated out of anything close to a watchable finish is, of course, besides the point.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 2 Stars

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CRAZY LIKE A FOX: FOX HUNT (Season 1: Episode 8)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date June 1, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 45:00 Min.

CBS first televised this Bob Sweeney-directed episode on March 3, 1985. After an aborted car chase, private detective Harry Fox (Warden) is in a San Francisco hospital, now immobilized with a broken arm and leg. In the middle of the night, a semi-conscious, drugged-up Harry witnesses his surly roommate (Carlson) being suffocated by a professional hitman (Zee). Otherwise eerily silent, this assassin’s sole ‘trademark’ is a distinctive limp in the form of a dragging foot.

Only Cindy (Peyser) initially believes her father-in-law’s outlandish claim, as she prods a skeptical Harrison (Rubinstein) into pursuing leads on this supposed culprit. Meanwhile, with their young son (Kiger) away on a ski trip, Harrison & Cindy cope with a wonky electrician’s (Howell) decimation of their home.

Realizing that their quarry is far out of his attorney son and daughter-in-law’s league, Harry, with help from his favorite cronies (Kirby & Manza), tries slipping out of the hospital and evading his supercilious nurse (Reese). To protect his family, Harry finally urges Harrison & Cindy to back off, unaware that the elusive killer intends to invade their home to silence them.

Harry Fox, Sr.: Jack Warden

Harrison K. Fox, Jr.: John Rubinstein

Cindy Fox: Penny Peyser

Josh Fox: Robby Kiger

Mrs. Flood (Nurse Flood): Della Reese

Herbert Lowe: John A. Zee

Manny: George Kirby

Papa John: Ralph Manza

Nurse Janet: LaGena Hart (aka LaGena Lookabill Greene)

Electrician (Schafer): Hoke Howell

Lt. Conley: Robert Hanley

Riley: Steve Carlson

Mrs. Riley: Bernadette Williams

Police Officer: Mark Solinger

Mr. Pancrest: Fred Carney

Hospital Clerk: Lewis Dauber

Motorcycle Bandit: Unidentified Stuntman.

REVIEW:

Watchable on a level somewhere between average and mediocre, “Fox Hunt” opts for formulaic TV pap vs. any semblance of originality. Even the pratfall by which the killer will be inevitably snared is telegraphed practically with blinking lights. Still, what the ultra-predictable “Fox Hunt” has going for it is likability: a trait that this classy ensemble (especially Peyser, Reese, & Rubinstein) exudes, as far as sharing light comedic repartee. The show’s good production values also partially compensate for such a rudimentary script.

Though “Fox Hunt” is easily forgettable, its harmless entertainment value ensures at least one decent viewing. In that sense, the undemanding Crazy Like a Fox bridges viewer demographics between fans of buddy action shows (i.e. Hardcastle & McCormick) to TV programs closer in spirit to Murder, She Wrote.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4½ Stars

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AND THEN THERE WERE NONE {aka AGATHA CHRISTIE’S TEN LITTLE INDIANS} (1974)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date June 1, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hour, 38 Min.

Directed by Peter Collinson, producer Harry Alan Towers’ second remake of the same-named 1945 film now shifts Agatha Christie’s legendary whodunnit to an empty luxury hotel deep in the Iranian desert.

Like the two cinematic adaptations before it (1945 and 1965), the movie is set in the present day, with various character names, nationalities, and/or their crimes loosely altered from Christie’s novel (as well as her own stage play adaptation) to better accommodate the cast. Still, there’s no mistaking that Towers relies heavily upon the 1965 film’s script.

For instance, secretary ‘Vera Claythorne’ (the novel & the 1945 film) becomes 1965’s ‘Ann Clyde’ and now ‘Vera Clyde.’ Condescending British spinster Emily Brent (the novel & the 1945 film) is replaced by a conceited German film actress (1965) and then an equally conceited French actress (1974). The novel’s obnoxiously stupid British playboy Anthony Marston becomes a boozy, free-loading Russian expatriate for the 1945 film before transforming into Fabian’s obnoxious 1965 pop-rock star. For 1974, Fabian’s ‘Michael Raven’ is re-imagined as Charles Aznavour’s smarmy French pianist, ‘Michel Raven.’ Similar revamps further apply to the general, the ex-police detective, and the married servants.

Transported by helicopter to an abandoned Iranian resort hotel two hundred miles from civilization, eight European strangers ostensibly attend a private house party. Left to entertain themselves, the guests and a married servant couple are mortified by accusations of ghastly crimes from the ominously recorded voice of their absent host, ‘U.N. Owen.’

Loosely adhering to the “Ten Little Indians” nursery rhyme (a copy of which appears in each guest room), the ten captives are then targeted for death, one by one. Alliances are inevitably made, but can anyone evade a predator’s vengeful wrath?

Hugh Lombard: Oliver Reed

Vera Clyde: Elke Sommer

Judge Arthur Cannon: Richard Attenborough

Dr. Edward Armstrong: Herbert Lom

Ilona Morgan: Stéphane Audran

Wilhelm Blore: Gert Fröbe

General André Salvé: Adolfo Celi

Otto Martino: Alberto De Mendoza

Elsa Martino: Maria Rohm

Michel Raven: Charles Aznavour (Note: the character’s name is a slight tweaking of the same role Fabian played in the 1965 film.)

U.N. Owen’s Voice: Orson Welles

Notes: Serial shlock film producer Harry Alan Towers bizarrely filmed And Then There Were None (aka Ten Little Indians) three times in a quarter-century: the other instances being 1965 and 1989. Set in a wintry chalet in the Alps, the headliners for his 1965 black-and-white potboiler are Hugh O’Brian, Goldfinger’s Shirley Eaton, & Fabian (suffice to say, the pop star’s death scene is laughably amateurish).

Towers’ low-rent 1989 rehash shifts Christie’s plot to a 1930’s South African safari camp, with Lom now playing the General and Sylvester Stallone’s kid brother, Frank, cast as the macho Lombard. Though it is Towers’ worst-produced rendition, ironically, the 1989 film sports two advantages over his two previous efforts: 1. Christie’s original character names, crimes, etc. are mostly kept intact; and 2. In spite of eye-rolling ineptitude, this South African caper tries to invoke the gore and the captives’ growing sense of terror, as described in the novel.

Yet, of Towers’ increasingly muddled remakes, none of them bothers imitating the 1945 film’s classy, almost spoofy sense of humor.

REVIEW:

Impressing no one, producer/co-writer Harry Alan Towers lazily resorts to a script mash-up plundering the original 1945 film and, even more so, his own 1965 remake (entitled “Ten Little Indians”). Beyond an authentic Iranian locale, this 1974 version’s other distinction is a diverse, heavily-accented European cast – many of them possessing famous credits. The bleak reality, however, is that the hotel’s musty furniture is more compelling to stare at for ninety minutes than witnessing this half-hearted ensemble bore viewers to death.

Aside from zero romantic chemistry percolating between Reed’s creepy Lombard and Sommer’s Vera, only Aznavour briefly manages to affect a welcome ounce of charisma. Like two iconic Bond villains (Fröbe & Celi) in this same cast, even the reliable Lom merely winces his way through the motions, so to speak.

Worse yet, it’s unsurprising that the ominous psychology permeating Christie’s novel is again disregarded in this retelling. Tiresomely lacking necessary depth and even basic logic (i.e. an explanation for the culprit’s international scheme), this would-be whodunnit translates as cinematic cardboard.

Let’s rate the four film adaptations this way: directed by René Clair, 1945’s black-and-white And Then There Were None merits 8 or 9 stars as a clever black comedy with a game cast of character actors – even in its worst moments, the original movie falls to maybe a 7. 1965’s black-and-white Ten Little Indians (Towers’ first remake) hovers between 5 and 7 stars, as crass violence and dull performances replace the original movie’s viewer-friendly charm.

No matter how dubiously, this ultra-bland 1974 adaptation only surpasses Towers’ rock-bottom 1989 cheapo due to its better production values. It’s an instance of Hollywood’s slippery slope to mediocrity; by spawning far too many remakes, Christie’s surefire source material for a big-screen suspense thriller is gradually reduced to unwatchable dreck.

Ultimately, 1974’s And Then There Were None should be viewed at one’s own peril. This unrepentant snooze-fest ensures that viewers won’t be getting back the 98 minutes (or any other price of admission) spent on it.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3½ Stars

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STING & “THE TOTAL PACKAGE” LEX LUGER, WITH MAGNUM T.A. VS. NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS TULLY BLANCHARD & ARN ANDERSON, WITH J.J. DILLON {non-title match} (3rd Annual Crockett Cup: Taped 4-23-88)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 18, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 15:01 Min.

Taped April 23, 1988, in Greensboro, NC, at the third annual Crockett Cup, the tournament finals pits Lex Luger & Sting, with Magnum T.A., vs. the NWA World Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard of The Four Horsemen, with J.J. Dillon.

The quick backstory is that Sting, having previously lost tag partner Ronnie Garvin, to ‘injury’ would create a makeshift super-team with Luger, who lost his own partner, Barry Windham, to betrayal (along with the NWA World Tag Team Titles) a few days earlier. Hence, Luger is seeking some redemption against the Horsemen, as Windham shockingly accepted Luger’s previously vacant slot in the nefarious stable.

Commentators Tony Schiavone & Jim Ross are present at ringside. At stake for the winners is a huge silver trophy and a supposed one million dollars in prize money.

Note: Pro Wrestling Illustrated journalist/photographer Bill Apter makes a cameo appearance. Also, in a bit of irony, as partners representing the Horsemen, Luger & Blanchard lost in the previous year’s Crockett Cup finals to Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff’s ‘Super Powers’ duo.

REVIEW:

Impressively, this bout opts for an even keel throughout, as both sides dominate for short stretches. Yet, there’s no mistaking what the match-making formula really is, with fan favorites Luger, Sting, & guest manager Magnum T.A. being presented as the NWA’s worthy equivalent of the WWF’s Mega-Powers (Hulk Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, & Miss Elizabeth).

Suffice to say, this energetic tag bout is a well-played and crowd-pleasing gem.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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STING & NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS BARRY WINDHAM & “THE TOTAL PACKAGE” LEX LUGER VS. NWA WORLD CHAMPION “NATURE BOY” RIC FLAIR, TULLY BLANCHARD, & ARN ANDERSON, WITH J.J. DILLON (NWA Main Event: Taped 3-31-88)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 18, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 14:58 Min.

This six-man tag team bout was taped on March 31, 1988, for the NWA Main Event TV series premiere. The venue evidently is the Memorial Auditorium in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The TV episode subsequently aired on April 3, 1988, on Ted Turner’s WTBS network.

As the heroic babyfaces, Sting joins his allies: the newly-crowned NWA World Tag Team Champions “The Total Package” Lex Luger and Barry Windham. Opposing them are the nefarious Four Horsemen (presently missing a fourth member): NWA World Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair and the vengeful ex-NWA World Tag Team Champions: Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard. The Horsemen are accompanied by J.J. Dillon.

The ringside commentators are Jim Ross & Tony Schiavone.

Notes: The bout’s finish could be construed as a subtle hint towards Windham’s shocking betrayal of Luger in their televised World Tag Team Championship rematch loss to Anderson & Blanchard a few weeks later.

REVIEW:

Vince McMahon’s WWF house show circuit would have a hard time surpassing this audience’s high-octane enthusiasm — even if the venue seems rather small. With terrific in-ring chemistry, all six participants ensure that fans get a worthy sequel to the NWA’s first Clash of the Champions (from March 27, 1988).

It’s a bit surprising that arena chants of “Barry! … Barry! … Barry!” suggest that the low-key Windham’s popularity rivaled that of his flashy teammates. Also, considering the youth, muscle, and sheer size of their competition, the comparatively average-sized Horsemen still believably shape the match’s twists into an even-odds showdown. Accordingly, the match’s NWA star power is very much on its game.

Utilizing a standard-issue NWA cheap finish, what this smartly-played bout achieves is keeping fans coming back for more. In spite of the crowd’s enthusiasm, one shouldn’t assume a decisive babyface win will be a given.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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“NATURE BOY” RIC FLAIR VS. “MR. PERFECT” CURT HENNIG {Loser-Leaves-WWF} (WWF Monday Night Raw: Taped 1-25-93)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 18, 2022

SUMMARY: TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 13:01 Min.

Recorded January 25, 1993, for the WWF’s Monday Night RAW TV series, the match occurs at the show’s Manhattan studio. Concluding their WWF rivalry, “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig faces off vs. two-time WWF World Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. The ringside commentators are Vince McMahon, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan (still Flair’s supposed advisor), and Rob Bartlett.

Note: Flair had agreed to ‘put over’ Hennig as a means of concluding his WWF contract early in order to promptly return to WCW.

REVIEW:

There’s no mistaking that this is a TV-caliber bout instead of a 20+ minute Pay-Per-View epic it really ought to have been. More satisfying than their sluggish WCW bouts circa 1998, a bloodied Hennig leaves no doubt, when fully healthy, he is Flair’s in-ring equal.

Though this abbreviated showdown isn’t a classic, Flair & Hennig (along with Heenan) ensure that fans get their money’s worth, including a clean finish. Given television’s formulaic constraints, one really can’t expect much more.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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MAGNUM T.A. VS. NWA WORLD CHAMPION “NATURE BOY” RIC FLAIR (SuperClash ’85: Taped 9-28-85)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 18, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 30:48 Min.

Recorded September 28, 1985, at Chicago’s outdoor Comiskey Park, SuperClash ’85 – Night of the Champions was an NWA/AWA co-promotion meant to challenge the WWF’s popularity under their short-lived alliance known as ‘Pro Wrestling U.S.A.’ Interviewed separately by the AWA’s Larry Nelson, the combatants would then wrestle in a red-white-and-blue AWA ring. Meanwhile, continuing his lengthy pursuit of the flamboyant “Nature Boy,” Magnum T.A. seeks a decisive victory to at last claim Ric Flair’s elusive NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

The solo ringside commentator isn’t identified, but a reasonable guess is Ken Resnick. Rod Trongard is the show’s credited announcer.

Notes: The match’s official running time is 19:10. At least once, Resnick, Trongard, or possibly some other unidentified commentator mistakenly refers to the event as “StarClash ’85.”

REVIEW:

In a terrific showdown, the athletic Magnum T.A. appears as a logical candidate to end Flair’s title reign. As one can imagine, the ever-savvy NWA World Champion ensures that their playing field subsequently tilts in his own favor. This bout benefits from excellent visual quality, good camera angles, and a remarkably articulate commentator (probably Ken Resnick).

Though supposedly attended by an audience of approximately 20,000 fans, only Comiskey Park’s baseball field appears populated. Hence, camera angles revealing innumerable empty decks throughout the stadium offers an otherwise bleak vibe.

Still, this underrated NWA World Title match delivers the necessary goods. Flair, in particular, is on his game playing up Magnum T.A. as a most formidable challenger. Magnum T.A. (aka Terry Allen) reciprocates in kind, as one of the industry’s most clichéd finishes is somehow made to appear spontaneous. Their entertaining battle proves worth re-discovery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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STING, MICHAEL “P.S.” HAYES, & “GORGEOUS JIMMY GARVIN, WITH PRECIOUS VS. “HOT STUFF” EDDIE GILBERT, RICK STEINER, & LARRY ZBYSZKO, WITH BABY DOLL (Starrcade ’87: Taped 11-26-87)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 18, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 16:51 Min.

Recorded on November 26, 1987, at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion, this NWA/UWF six-man tag bout served as the opener for Starrcade ’87: Chi-Town Heat – Glory Bound. The villains are: NWA veteran Larry Zbyszko (with Baby Doll), along with UWF stars “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert & Rick Steiner. Opposing them are the strutting/moonwalking Freebird Michael “P.S.” Hayes, “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin (with his valet, Precious), and rising UWF powerhouse Sting — Gilbert & Steiner’s former associate.

Jim Ross & Tony Schiavone are the ringside commentators. This match’s running time includes the entrance of Sting’s team.

Notes: With Jim Crockett Promotions having purchased Bill Watts’ Universal Wrestling Federation, this Pay-Per-View signified the UWF’s merger into Crockett’s portion of the NWA. Also, this ill-fated Starrcade’s same-day Pay-Per-View competition was the WWF’s inaugural Survivor Series.

REVIEW:

Apart from unflattering camera angles revealing empty seats starting a few rows up, this six-man tag bout effectively gets the audience involved. The combined in-ring chemistry will entertain all-age fans, even if the match is merely killing the clock towards its miniscule fifteen-minute time limit. Exuding raw star power, in his Starrcade debut, a young Sting predictably lights up the crowd. It’s left up to his savvy partners (mostly Garvin) doing the harder work.

On the flip side, an underrated Eddie Gilbert’s athleticism stands out, as neither Zbyszko nor Steiner have sufficient time to contribute much. Even if the inconclusive finish is forgettable, the players still give fans a solid effort.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

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