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MAGNUM P.I. {Original Series}: LEST WE FORGET (Season 1: Episode 10)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 8, 2024

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

First aired on CBS-TV on February 2, 1981, Lawrence Doheny directed this mid-season episode off co-series creator/producer Donald P. Bellisario’s script.

With an U.S. Supreme Court nomination at stake, Judge Robert Caine (José Ferrer) discreetly hires Magnum (Selleck) to help resolve a past Hawaiian love affair dating back forty years. Baited by a congratulatory telegram he has recently received; Caine comes back to Honolulu seeking answers.

Specifically, Caine intends to find the local prostitute (Anne Lockhart) he had briefly married under his real name (Miguel Ferrer). He confides to Magnum that he hasn’t seen his then-wife since just a few hours prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Given a single day to find the enigmatic ‘Diane Westmore,’ Magnum’s sleuthing indicates some close to Diane (June Lockhart) are evasively holding tight to sordid old secrets.

Seeking to deter Magnum, one reckless assailant even resorts to drive-by gunplay. Magnum ponders exactly what other details is his pensive client hiding from him. With Caine subsequently pressured by an extortionist, Magnum has to work fast to save a possibly still-timeless romance.

A desperate Higgins (Hillerman), meanwhile, ingratiates himself to Magnum, as he needs a substitute bridge partner on short notice. Given how even Higgins’ ‘lads,’ Zeus & Apollo (Brutus & Dominique), are on their absolutely best behavior, Magnum warily commits.

Cast:

Thomas Magnum: Tom Selleck

Jonathan Quayle Higgins: John Hillerman

Theodore “T.C.” Calvin: Roger E. Mosley

Orville “Rick” Wright: Larry Manetti

Judge Robert “Bobby” Caine (present-day): José Ferrer

U.S. Navy Ensign Robert “Bobby” Wickes/Caine (1941 flashbacks): Miguel Ferrer

Mrs. Diane Westmore Pauley (present-day): June Lockhart

Diane Westmore (1941 flashbacks): Anne Lockhart

Kiki: Elizabeth Lindsey

Tickler: Scatman Crothers

Mueller (Mrs. Pauley’s chauffeur): David Palmer

Sculley: Larry Shriver

Maku: Merlin “Sonny” Ching

Jessie (1941 flashback): Patricia Herman

Jessie’s Knife-Wielding Thug (1941 flashback): Uncredited

Moki: Remi Abellira

Moana (Diane’s maid): Judith Sykes

Zeus & Apollo (Higgins’ Doberman Pinschers): Brutus & Dominique

Club Hostess: Reri Tava Jobe

King Kamehameha Club Patrons (present-day): Uncredited.

Hotel Patrons (present-day): Uncredited.

Wiki Wiki Club Patrons (1941 flashback): Uncredited.

Mrs. Blackmore: Uncredited

Military Police: Uncredited

Honolulu Cops: Uncredited

U.S. Serviceman (1941 flashback?): Grady Bumpus.

Notes: 1. The episode cleverly casts José Ferrer’s son, Miguel Ferrer, and June Lockhart’s daughter, Anne Lockhart, to play their characters’ younger selves in the flashback sequences. 2. This episode predates Mike Post & Pete Carpenter’s iconic Magnum, P.I. TV theme. Instead, “Lest We Forget” was among the several early episodes utilizing Ian Fairbairn-Smith’s jazzy first-season generic instrumental as the show’s opening theme. One also gets an alternate version of the opening credits sequence that would be used for seven subsequent seasons.

REVIEW:

Donald P. Bellisario imbues his script with measures of poignancy, humor, and depth as possibly overcompensation for its few action scenes. The end result frankly resembles a cliché festival taken from a go-to playbook for melodramatic plot twists. Still, the overt romanticism motivating “Lest We Forget” makes this episode very watchable.

Overcoming an excessively contrived script, the appealing cast ensures that viewers get a classy Magnum, P.I. caper from its early days.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

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FATHER BROWN (1974): THE SECRET GARDEN (Season 1: Episode 13)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 8, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 51:00 Min.

First airing on England’s ITV on December 19, 1974, “The Secret Garden” is the final episode of this first (and single-season) Father Brown TV series. Faithfully adapting G.K. Chesterton’s same-named 1910 short story, Peter Jeffries directed this episode off Hugh Leonard’s screenplay.

In 1920’s Paris, wealthy French police chief Aristide Valentin (Mayne) voices his desire to seek humane commutation for a death row inmate he previously sent to prison. Despite Valentin’s considerable political influence, he realizes that making an in-person plea is his last opportunity before the condemned’s execution that same night.

Meanwhile, at Valentin’s posh fortress-like estate, his dinner party guests await him. Among the guests are: married British aristocrats – the elderly Galloways (Luckham & Benham); their socialite daughter Margaret (Waugh); her soldier ex-fiancé, O’Brien (Dance); an amiable physician (Davies); American millionaire philanthropist Julius K. Brayne (Dyneley); and Brayne’s own associate, Father Brown (More).

Father Brown ponders Valentin’s stringent security measures necessitating the front door as his manor home’s sole entrance – not to mention, a spiked high wall surrounding the estate’s backyard perimeter. Brown is told that Valentin routinely receives death threats.

Subsequent after-dinner conversation includes the topic of capital punishment. O’Brien then departs for the garden to tempt Margaret into resuming their former romance, much to her father’s disgust. An eccentric Brayne also leaves the room. He is last seen playing with Valentin’s mounted sword collection in the hallway.

Wishing to thwart O’Brien, a drunken Lord Galloway stumbles upon a grisly discovery in the darkened garden: specifically, a well-dressed mystery corpse with a severed head. The murder weapon is established as O’Brien’s missing Foreign Legion saber. Valentin calmly seeks to shield his guests from his own police force’s imminent scrutiny. Suspicion soon pivots towards another guest besides O’Brien.

The priest’s sleuthing suggests, however, that all may not be what it seems. For instance, how could the unknown intruder/victim have circumvented various defenses and gotten inside the estate? By the next day, this macabre enigma worsens once a second decapitated head is discovered. Father Brown realizes it’s up to him to thwart a culprit’s potentially perfect crime.

Cast:

Father Brown: Kenneth More

Commandant Neil O’Brien: Charles Dance

Aristide Valentin: Ferdy Mayne

Lord and Lady Galloway: Cyril Luckham & Joan Benham

Lady Margaret Graham: Eileen Waugh

Julius K. Brayne: Peter Dyneley

Dr. Bernard Simon: Rowland Davies

Duchess of Mont St. Michel: Rosemarie Dunham

Ivan (servant): Athol Coats

Beaumont: Stefan Gryff

Unnamed Servant: Hugh Cecil.

Notes: 1. As forewarning, though not exceedingly graphic, there are three or four close-up glimpses of ‘severed heads.’

2. Interestingly, Valentin’s literary counterpart appeared in the first Father Brown story, 1910’s “The Blue Cross” (aka “Valentin Follows A Curious Trail”). Valentin was that mystery’s featured player rather than Brown. Hence, “The Secret Garden” makes for an intriguing sequel.

3. In terms of possible coincidence: reminiscent of “The Blue Cross,” Agatha Christie’s 1930 Murder at The Vicarage features St. Mary Mead’s vicar, Reverend Len Clement, over Ms. Jane Marple in her whodunnit debut.

REVIEW:

Filmed on videotape, it’s readily obvious “The Secret Garden” relies upon well-dressed sets vs. any sense that the cast is inside a castle-like manor home. Aside from this minor quibble, it’s an old-school Father Brown whodunnit well-played for its macabre source material.

For fans of G.K. Chesterton’s Father Brown, seeing “The Secret Garden” faithfully visualized makes for solid viewing – no matter its logical contrivances. Kenneth More’s Father Brown, in that regard, effectively spells out what some viewers likely will have already deduced.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION “RAVISHING” RICK RUDE (with BOBBY “THE BRAIN” HEENAN) VS. THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR (WWF SUMMERSLAM ’89: Aired Live 8-28-1989)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 8, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 16:02 Min.

Nearly five months after his WrestleMania V I-C Title win, “Ravishing” Rick Rude would again face The Ultimate Warrior in this grudge rematch. This SummerSlam ’89 showdown would occur at The Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 28, 1989. Giving Rude a ringside advantage is his unscrupulous manager, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, whose interference had previously sealed Rude’s title win over the Warrior.

The match commentators are Jesse “The Body” Ventura and Tony Schiavone. Also making a pivotal ringside appearance is “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, as he would be Rude’s next major feud.

Notes: This title clash has been collected at least times on WWE DVD sets: specifically, the first SummerSlam anthology (1988-1992); The History of the WWE Intercontinental Championship; and The Ultimate Warrior: The Ultimate Collection. In his last WWF Pay-Per-View main event a year later, Rude subsequently challenged for The Warrior’s WWF World Championship inside a steel cage at SummerSlam ’90 in Philadelphia, PA.

For trivia’s sake, Rude and the then-called ‘Dingo Warrior’ were once mid-80’s tag team partners in the Von Erichs’ World Class Championship Wrestling promotion.

REVIEW:

It’s been said that far too few competitors (i.e. “Macho Man” Randy Savage) could consistently conjure up excellent in-ring chemistry with The Ultimate Warrior. Among them, “Ravishing” Rick Rude is another name that comes to mind. Beyond these two wrestling icons, it’s likely a steep drop. Case in point: even “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig’s solo clashes with the Warrior, comparatively, were a few shades beyond merely watchable.

It’s indisputable that this Warrior-Rude bout’s initial few minutes imply another glorified Warrior squash win in the making. Patient viewers, however, are subsequently rewarded with perhaps the best I-C Title showdown since 1987’s Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat feud. I don’t make this assessment lightly – given I’m admittedly a fan of neither Rude nor the Warrior.

Rude and the Warrior’s SummerSlam ’89, however, effort readily surpasses the Honky Tonk Man’s endlessly cheap 1987-88 finishes – escaping the far more talented likes of Savage, Steamboat, and Jake Roberts, among others. Specifically, Rude leads with a high-caliber heel performance that prompts the Warrior to keep up with him for over fifteen minutes. The Warrior, in that sense, overcomes his ultra-limited power move set (and matches running only a few minutes) to appear closer to Rude’s in-ring equal.

What’s peculiar is that Bobby Heenan briefly teases some outside interference, but then nothing actually happens. It’s possible that a consummate professional like Heenan wouldn’t upstage Roddy Piper’s own contribution. Accordingly, fans will get a decisive yet hardly surprising end to the first Rude vs. Warrior title feud.

For a nostalgic return to SummerSlam ’89, this WWF Intercontinental Title match deserves re-discovery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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THE HARDY BOYS (1995): JAZZMAN (Season 1: Episode 2)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 8, 2024

SUMMARY: APPROX. RUNNING TIME: 22:00 Min.

First airing on September 30, 1995, this episode of the Canadian syndicated TV series was directed by Jon Cassar off Dave Cole’s script.

At a downtown church, journalist Frank (Gray) and computer ace Joe (Popowich) Hardy serve as the best man and wedding photographer for their friend: Tommy (Small), a local news vendor. Yet, Tommy inexplicably no-shows the wedding and has seemingly dropped from sight.

The Hardys promise his worried fiancée, Anita (Clarke), that they will find Tommy. Following clues from Tommy’s newsstand, Frank & Joe’s investigation uncovers his long-suppressed former life as a jazz musician. More so, after serving decades in prison, an elderly mobster (Tager) is now shadowing the Hardys. He, too, wants to find Tommy, as they evidently have a personal old score to settle.

Cast:

Frank Hardy: Colin K. Gray

Joe Hardy: Paul Popowich

Anita: Norma Clarke

Tommy (Carter): Ron Small

Jimmy: Aron Tager

Jordan: Karen LeBlanc

Pawnbroker: Ellen-Ray Hennessy

Bartender: Robbie Rox

Wedding Guests: Uncredited

Priest: Uncredited

Nightclub Patrons: Uncredited

Pedestrians: Uncredited

Flashbacks: Uncredited.

Notes: There are sporadic hints that the series was filmed in Canada (i.e. a close-up of a license plate). Reminiscent of their 1970’s incarnations, the show was produced in tandem with a Nancy Drew TV series – likewise, it wasn’t long for this world. Both single-season series only ran for thirteen episodes and were effectively canceled the same night: December 16, 1995.

REVIEW:

Despite its limitations, this obviously low-budget episode makes for some passable viewing. While competently directed, the episode’s flimsy plot is something of a letdown for stars Colin K. Gray and Paul Popowich. They simply don’t get much of a mystery conveying that they are ‘The Hardy Boys,’ as opposed to some unremarkable, twenty-something amateur detective duo. Among this cast, only guest star Karen LeBlanc makes a vivid impression in her minimal screen time.

Still, “Jazzman” delivers a watchable, all-ages caper to sample this mid-90’s revival of The Hardy Boys.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars

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NANCY DREW (1995): THE DEATH AND LIFE OF BILLY FERAL (Season 1: Episode 7)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 8, 2024

SUMMARY: APPROX. RUNNING TIME: 22:00 Min.

First airing on September 30, 1995, Bruce McDonald directed this episode of the Canadian syndicated TV series off series story editor Laura Phillips’ original script.

In this incarnation of Nancy Drew, Nancy and her two friends: Bess and George live downtown in a large city at the supposedly haunted Callisto Hotel. This episode doesn’t specify the girls’ careers or if they’re still college students – all one gets is that George is evidently an amateur filmmaker.

Five years have lapsed since rock star Billy Feral’s (Bissonette) enigmatic demise. A pilgrimage by Feral’s mourning fans descends upon The Callisto Hotel on the anniversary of his death. Per George’s (Tanner) video footage for a Feral documentary she is filming, Nancy Drew (Ryan) views suspicious visual evidence that Feral’s ghost is haunting The Callisto’s fan memorial. More so, Nancy and her friends find that others residing at The Callisto are keeping secrets about the musician’s tragic life.

Cast:

Nancy Drew: Tracy Ryan

George Fayne: Joy Tanner

Bess Marvin: Jhene Erwin

Billy Feral: Joel Bissonette

Amina: Kyrin Hall

Simon: Uncredited.

Pete: Matthew Smith

Seymour: Conrad Bergschneider

Clerk: Eric Kimmel

Video Store Customers: Uncredited

Other Callisto Residents: Uncredited

Feral’s Fans: Uncredited.

Notes: There are sporadic hints that the series was filmed in Canada. Reminiscent of their 1970’s incarnations, this series was produced in conjunction with a Hardy Boys TV series – as it, too, wasn’t long for this world. Both single-season series only ran for thirteen episodes and were effectively canceled the same night: December 16, 1995.

REVIEW:

To its modest credit, this episode sports an okay series lead in Tracy Ryan (frankly, co-star Joy Tanner might have made better casting) and a potentially intriguing premise. At only twenty-two minutes, the plot’s rudimentary execution, however, is really more akin to what one might expect from The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. One could also imagine that the script somewhat echoes elements of Eddie and The Cruisers.

Considering this Nancy Drew’s obvious budget limitations, “The Death and Life of Billy Feral” doesn’t strive for more than it can achieve. At most, it’s an easily forgettable ghost story tease meant for an all-ages audience. For undemanding viewers, this contrived episode is worth catching once – if at all.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3½ Stars

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MATLOCK {Original Series}: THE BLACKMAILER (Season 4: Episode 23)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 8, 2024

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

First airing on NBC-TV on May 1, 1990, Christopher Hibler directed this second-to-last Season Four episode off Gerald Sanoff’s script.

Smarmy Atlanta, GA newspaper cartoonist Ron Winfield (Buktenica) is notorious for teasing imminently salacious scandals in his comic strips. His favorite targets evidently are self-involved politicians. Hence, Winfield’s side gig is collecting hush money through his creative extortion efforts. Taking offense to Winfield’s latest artistic threat is womanizing state Senator Peter Dolan (Haskell) over his extramarital affair with a colleague’s wife (Walsh) being publicly exposed.

After confronting Winfield late one night at his home, an infuriated Dolan departs after a physical altercation. However, does he then return to finish off the now-prone cartoonist? Or perhaps somebody else takes lethal advantage? It’s up to criminal defense attorneys Ben Matlock (Griffith) and Michelle Thomas (Stafford) to unravel the mystery of who had the most to gain … or perhaps the most to lose by killing a greedy Winfield.

Ben and Michelle, meanwhile, must navigate a political minefield locally. Who knows if there still might be sordid secrets that Winfield gleefully sought to profit from?

Cast:

Benjamin “Ben” Matlock: Andy Griffith

Michelle Thomas: Nancy Stafford

Assistant District Attorney Julie March: Julie Sommars

Conrad McMasters: Clarence Gilyard (credits only)

Senator Peter Dolan: Peter Haskell

Ron Winfield: Ray Buktenica

Mickey Alder: Claudia Christian

Sandra Hopkins: Gwynyth Walsh

Senator David Hopkins: Wayne Tippit

Judge Richard Cooksey: Richard Newton

Dolan’s Private Attorney: Mark Joy

Jury Foreperson: Ruth Peebles

Jury Members: Uncredited

Courtroom Gallery Spectators: Uncredited.

REVIEW:

Unsurprisingly, it’s standard-issue Matlock whodunnit formula with the big ‘gotcha’ courtroom climax. Still, including spot-on guest star Peter Haskell, a game cast surpasses the script’s tawdry inferences and makes “The Blackmailer” watchable rerun fare. Though this episode is instantly forgettable, plotting for “The Blackmailer” is a few shades more intriguing than an average Matlock.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars

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NWA U.S. CHAMPION “THE TOTAL PACKAGE” LEX LUGER VS. RICKY “THE DRAGON” STEAMBOAT (NWA Great American Bash – Glory Days: Aired Live 7-23-1989)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 1, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 10:26 Min.

This NWA U.S. Championship bout was contested at The Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, MD. It was a semi-main event for The Great American Bash: Glory Days card held on July 23, 1989.

Having recently turned heel, U.S. Champion “The Total Package” Lex Luger arrogantly insists upon the no-disqualification stipulation be waived or he will refuse to wrestle. Eager for personal vengeance after his beatdown by Luger the month before, Steamboat supposedly has no choice but to acquiesce to Luger’s demands. Hence, the bout subsequently takes place under pro wrestling’s standard title defense rules.

At ringside are commentators Jim Ross and Bob Caudle. The bout occurs inside a double-ring due to the War Games bout (Road Warriors/Midnight Express/Steve “Dr. Death” Williams vs. The Freebirds/Samoans) on the same card.

Notes: Steamboat’s then-wife, Bonnie, and their young son make a customary cameo appearance during Steamboat’s extended ring introduction. Reminiscent of his 1986 WWF encounters with Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Steamboat brings a presumably sedated Komodo dragon with him to ringside.

REVIEW:

While “The Total Package” falls short of the same match chemistry that “Ravishing” Rick Rude had with Ricky Steamboat, the end result is still solid. Both the spry Steamboat and Luger (despite his somewhat limited move set) ensure that fans are entertained by a well-choreographed brawl. Though heavily alluded to beforehand, the match’s inevitably cheap finish isn’t as bad as it may sound.

If anything, Steamboat’s rarely seen sadistic streak makes Luger evidently his most ‘hated’ adversary since his epic 1987 WWF Intercontinental Title feud with “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Given its less-than-decisive ending, this slightly-above-average showdown isn’t necessarily must-see viewing. Catching a glimpse of the short-lived Steamboat vs. Luger feud, however, still makes for some fun nostalgia.

Note: Prior to the NWA’s next Pay-Per-View, the inaugural Halloween Havoc ’89, Steamboat quietly quit the NWA. Hence, his title feud with Luger was abruptly dropped, with Brian Pillman soon inserted as Steamboat’s replacement.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

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WCW U.S. CHAMPION “RAVISHING RICK RUDE VS. RICKY “THE DRAGON” STEAMBOAT {Non-Title Iron Man Challenge} (WCW Beach Blast ’92: Aired Live 6-20-1992)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 1, 2024

SUMMARY: APPROX. RUNNING TIME: 30:00 Min.

On June 20, 1992, this non-title ‘Iron Man Challenge’ occurred at the Mobile Civil Center in Mobile, Alabama for WCW’s Beach Blast ’92.

On one side is WCW U.S. Champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude, with his usual ‘Dangerous Alliance’ cronies (i.e. Madusa and manager Paul E. Dangerously – aka Paul Heyman) ‘barred’ this time from ringside. Opposing him is former NWA World Champion Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. The bout’s stipulation specifies that the wrestler accumulating the most falls within thirty minutes becomes the winner.

Prior to the bout, co-hosts Tony Schiavone and Eric Bischoff offer brief remarks. Seen at ringside are the commentators: Jesse “The Body” Ventura and Jim Ross.

Note: Steamboat’s then-wife, Bonnie, and their young son makes a customary cameo appearance coming down to ringside during his ring introduction.

REVIEW:

Supposedly injuring a caught off-guard Rude’s ribs, Steamboat dominates the first several minutes. Yet, an aggressive Rude still racks up multiple falls to gain a numbers advantage over “The Dragon.”

For some viewers, this gritty bout could be construed as dull or merely slow-paced, but what matters most is probably its last ten minutes. Demonstrating several flashes of their impressive in-ring chemistry, Steamboat and Rude save their best trading blows for the end. Hence, the suspense factor kicks in, as Steamboat is forced to race the clock and still remain conscious against Rude’s hard-nosed onslaught.

Including Ross and Ventura’s spot-on commentary, this non-bloody ‘Iron Man’ face-off concocts a welcome deep dive into WWE’s video archives. If anything, even with ex-WCW Champions Ric Flair and Lex Luger by then working for the rival WWF, it makes for great nostalgia. Specifically, this ‘Iron Man Challenge’ is proof enough that World Championship Wrestling (two years before Hulk Hogan’s vaunted arrival) still had several wrestling legends, who could deliver the necessary in-ring substance.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

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WELCOME BACK, KOTTER: BRIDE AND GLOOM (Season 4: Episode 14)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date September 27, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 26:00 Min.

This fourth-and-final season episode of Welcome Back, Kotter first aired on January 13, 1979, on ABC-TV. It also served as John Travolta’s second-to-last appearance as ‘Vinnie Barbarino.’ Due to an ongoing creative/contract dispute, star Gabe Kaplan neither appears, nor is his character’s non-presence acknowledged in this storyline. Norman Abbott directed this episode off Earl Barret & George Bloom’s script.

Juan Epstein (Hegyes) prods his best friend, Vinnie Barbarino (Travolta), into marrying his Guatemalan cousin, Angelina (Levario) into a quickie marriage/divorce to ensure her American citizenship. Television-saturated and constantly demanding, Angelina doesn’t speak English, which necessitates Epstein’s services as Vinnie’s translator. Despite Vinnie’s desire to hush the matter, word quickly circulates to ‘The Sweathogs’ (Hilton-Jacobs, Palillo, & Shortridge); his academic counselors (Strassman & White); and the entire high school student body.

Vinnie’s trepidations over marrying Angelina worsen once she makes specific (and likely expensive) demands for the wedding. ‘The Sweathogs’ further egg the situation on during a best-forgotten bachelor’s party the night before. Vinnie & Angelina’s marriage ceremony takes an unexpected swerve once her passion for singer Freddy Fender comes into play.

Cast:

Gabriel “Gabe Kotter: Gabriel “Gabe” Kaplan (credits only)

Julie Kotter: Marcia Strassman

Vinnie Barbarino: John Travolta (as special guest star)

Michael Woodman: John Sylvester White

Freddie “Boom-Boom” Washington: Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs

Arnold Horshack: Ron Palillo

Beau DeLabarre: Stephen Shortridge

Angelina: Rachel Levario

Sally: Linda McCullough

Priest: Uncredited

Marimba Player: Uncredited.

REVIEW:

Aside from ‘The Sweathogs’ not even remotely resembling teenagers, the absence of series star Gabe Kaplan is just as glaring. Still, had Kaplan appeared and pitched a few wisecracks, even his trademark quips wouldn’t have salvaged this dreck.

Despite game efforts from Robert Hegyes, John Travolta, and guest star Rachel Levario, there’s just one single LOL gag before the last commercial break. Otherwise, considering its eye-rolling premise, all viewers get is a dubious Latina immigrant stereotype and cliché-fest.

Let’s just say that “Bride and Gloom” is best left in the Late 1970’s TV rerun dustbin.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3 Stars

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GREASE: ROCKIN’ RYDELL EDITION

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date September 18, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hr., 50 Min.

Paramount Pictures’ 2006 DVD widescreen release of 1978’s Grease is single-disc. Randall Kleiser directed the film, which is adapted from the long-running Broadway stage musical. It isn’t specified as to the film’s exact locale, but a subsequent drag race through a familiar river basin implies a Los Angeles, California suburb.

Set in 1958, over a blissful California summer, shy Australian high schooler Sandy Olsson (Newton-John) falls in love at the beach with a local gang member, Danny Zuko (Travolta). Not expecting to see her again, Danny begins his senior year at Rydell High School, with his fellow car-crazy and girl-crazy Thunderbirds (Conaway; Pearl; Tucci; & Ward).

Unbeknownst to Danny, Sandy has since moved to town and soon affiliates herself with Rydell High’s Pink Ladies (Channing; Conn; Manoff; & Donnelly) faction. Weary of Sandy’s dreamy romantic claims and Danny’s own incessant (and egged-on) bragging, an abrasive Rizzo (Channing) deliberately reunites the couple – with awkward results.

The school year progresses, as romances between Sandy & Danny, as well as Rizzo and Kinickie (Conaway), undergo bouts of typical teenage angst. Danny becomes a school athlete attempting win Sandy back from the school’s dim-witted star quarterback, Tom Chisum (Lamas). Other shenanigans involve the Thunderbirds’ auto shop class effort to soup up Kinickie’s (Conway) beat-up convertible; the school dance contest’s appearance on a live edition of TV’s National Bandstand; Rizzo’s possible pregnancy; and Frenchie’s (Conn) failed attempt at beauty school.

Circumstances unexpectedly prompt Danny to replace Kinickie in a dangerous drag race in his friend’s refurbished ‘Greased Lightning’ convertible. Awaiting Kinickie and Danny on ‘Thunder Road’ (the Los Angeles River Basin), with all their friends in attendance, is the despised punk, Leo (Stewart) – with his own tricked-out convertible. Watching the climatic race, Sandy has an unexpected epiphany.

On the last day of school, the new graduates energetically conclude their intertwined stories at their Seniors’ Day carnival.

Primary Cast:

Danny Zuko (The Thunderbirds): John Travolta

Sandy Olsson (Pink Ladies associate): Olivia Newton-John

Rizzo (The Pink Ladies): Stockard Channing

Kinickie (The Thunderbirds): Jeff Conaway

Frenchie (The Pink Ladies): Didi Conn

Marty (The Pink Ladies): Dinah Manoff

Doody (The Thunderbirds): Barry Pearl

Sonny (The Thunderbirds): Michael Tucci

Jan (The Pink Ladies): Jamie Donnelly

Putzie (The Thunderbirds): Kelly Ward

Principal McGee: Eve Arden

Coach Calhoun: Sid Caesar

Blanche: Dody Goodman

Patty Simcox: Susan Buckner

Mrs. Murdock: Alice Ghostley

Tom Chisum: Lorenzo Lamas

Leo: Dennis C. Stewart

Vi: Joan Blondell

‘Cha Cha:’ Annette Charles

Eugene: Eddie Deezen

Nurse Wilkins: Fannie Flagg

Mr. Lynch: Darrell Zwerling

Waitress: Ellen Travolta

Vince Fontaine: Edd “Kookie“ Byrnes

Johnny Casino & The Gamblers: Sha-Na-Na

Teen Angel: Frankie Avalon

REVIEW:

Aside from its ultra-flimsy plot (i.e. an implausible timeline and no parents on screen), the cinematic Grease wins on rollicking pure charm. This asset can be effectively divided amongst its musical numbers, a game cast, and a campy escapist fantasy take on high school life in the Late 1950’s. The lesson to take from Rydell High is that this romantic musical-comedy doesn’t have to be even remotely believable – just be as entertaining as possible.

Led by John Travolta and undeniably Stockard Channing, the cast consistently delivers the necessary goods, no matter if a few scenes don’t age well. The cast is assisted mightily by Patricia Birch’s choreography and a batch of timeless showtunes.

Overall, Grease lives up to its reputation as one of the best feel-good musical comedies of its era. Including this DVD’s surplus of extra goodies, the Grease: Rockin’ Rydell Edition is a welcome treat.

BONUS FEATURES:

The impressive roster of additional materials is easily accessible via the DVD’s main screen. The bonus features consist of (not necessarily in this particular order):

director Randall Kleiser’s optional brief introduction;
optional commentary by Kleiser & choreographer Patricia Birch;
an interactive ‘Rydell Sing-Along’ where fans can join on the film’s featured tunes;
11 deleted-extended-and-or-alternate scenes;
DVD Launch party: footage from 2003’s 25^th Anniversary DVD launch party;
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John’s joint interview and Grease memories;
“The Moves Behind the Music” featurette;
photo albums: ‘Rydell High Year Book,’ ‘Production,’ ‘Premiere,’ and ‘Grease Day;’
theatrical trailer;
John Travolta and Allen Carr “Grease Day” interview;
Olivia Newton-John & Robert Stiegman “Grease Day” interview;
“Thunder Roadsters” featurette.

The DVD’s widescreen format is ‘enhanced’ for 16:9 televisions. The film’s sound is in Dolby Digital: English 5.1 Surround; English 2.0 Surround; and French 2.0 Surround. English subtitles are available.

Also included are Paramount DVD preview ads for Failure To Launch; Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; and Titanic.

PACKAGING:

The disc is sturdily protected. The DVD case’s advertising is verified as accurate. Given the number of special features, the main screen portal is easy to navigate.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars