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Reviews
Lime Street (1985)
Wannabe critics
There are a lot of wannabe critics on IMDb; some have even written reviews of this particular series. Too bad there aren't bad Lemon laws for poorly written reviews.
"Lime Street" was a troubled young series that suffered a tragic setback even before its prime-time premiere. But it had a lot going for it and could have, had it been given the opportunity, become a hit.
Warning: There may be spoilers in the following material. I wouldn't want to make the same mistake I made when I accidentally revealed that Nellie decided not to run off and elope with the traveling salesman in the next-to-last unaired episode of "Doc Corkle."
Anyway, "Lime Street" starred actors Robert Wagner and John Standing as insurance investigators (not detectives) for Lime Street, one of London's oldest and most prestigious insurance companies. The original idea was for the pair to work for Lloyd's of London (which was the program's working title). Wagner played James Greyson Culver, an American who lived with his young daughters on a horse farm in Virginia. He was divorced; his ex lived in Paris. Meanwhile, Standing played Edward Wingate, Culver's British partner, who resided in his family's historic mansion outside of London. They traveled all over the world investigating fraudulent insurance claims which could cost Lime Street millions of dollars.
The series had drama, adventure, and humor. One scene in the pilot (not that episode's opening sequence, however) involved the duo's daring escape from Culver's Cessna airplane, which had been sabotaged and caught fire in mid-flight. With only one parachute on board, Culver and Wingate were forced to resort to a dangerous tandem jump in order to both survive. The scene would have been thrilling had it not been for actor John Standing's unprofessional actions behind the scenes. The actor balked at the idea of jumping from an airplane at 10,000 feet without a parachute, forcing the director to film the sequence in long shot utilizing expert skydivers wearing concealed parachutes to double for the actors. This of course eliminated any real suspense from the scene.
This event may have been indicative of one problem with "Lime Street": the writers did seem determined to fill their series with situations that were unlikely to actually occur in real life. All that made-up stuff is certainly the kiss of death for any TV show! The series was ratings-challenged thanks to the unexpected success of NBC's freshman sitcom that season, "The Golden Girls," which aired opposite "Lime Street" on Saturday nights. When 13-year-old co-star Samantha Smith was killed in a plane crash, the producers asked ABC to pull the series off the air so they could retool the program and add the role of another, older daughter, Libby (Samantha's character would not have been recast). A few more episodes were shot after Samantha's death, but the series never returned to the air. In January, 1986, ABC officially cancelled the series when a new time slot, away from "The Golden Girls" on Saturday nights, could not be secured.
The Six Million Dollar Man: Straight on 'til Morning (1974)
One of the Best
I've always loved this episode. I do appreciate the fact that The Six Million Dollar Man remained primarily a grounded action series, but I was also able to enjoy the occasional science-fiction/fantasy episode. Fortunately, the producers were able to refrain from going overboard and making too many of them. And I thought "Straight On 'Till Morning" was an excellent episode. There was not a lot of action, but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed as a fine, dramatic episode. I realize that many viewers, especially the younger ones who are used to today's faster-paced TV, movies, video games, etc., will have a difficult time with it, but I found it one of the series' best overall episodes.
Stickin' Together (1978)
Great movie, and series, too
I found a copy of "Wonderland Cove" in the bargain bin at Kmart for only $3.00. I didn't recognize the title, but I knew what it was once I saw the photo on the cover of the box. It was originally titled "Stickin Together" when it aired on TV in 1978, and led to a short-lived series called "The MacKenzie's of Paradise Cove" in the spring of 1979. I couldn't wait to see it again! I loved the movie and the series when I was a kid. It was a great family drama, and the Hawaiian scenery was beautiful. The kids were all talented actors and Clu Gulager was great as the beach bum they recruit to act as their uncle. He reminded me of Brian Keith. This movie is definitely worth checking out, and I wish someone would release the series on DVD as well.
Murder in Greenwich (2002)
Disappointing
I was so disappointed in this movie. I am very familiar with the case, having read not only Mark Fuhrman's book but also the far superior "A Wealth of Evil: The True Story of the Murder of Martha Moxley in America's Richest Community" by Timothy Dumas. Anyone who watches MURDER IN GREENWICH should be aware they're watching The Mark Fuhrman story, not the Martha Moxley story. This film is nothing more than an ego-trip for Fuhrman. Just watch his character strut around as if he is the second coming (yes, even being ogled by women). The actors playing the kids look way too old for their roles and the flashbacks to the 1970s are totally unconvincing. If there is any hero to this story, it's Martha's family, her mother Dorothy and brother John. They kept this case alive for two decades before Fuhrman walked into it in order to make a name for himself. They, and Martha, deserve to have the true story told.
America Undercover: Looking for Fidel (2004)
Distracting
I found this documentary interesting, but it could have been SO much better. The main problem was the style in which it was taped. Even simple exchanges between Oliver Stone and Fidel Castro were taped with four or five cameras, two of which were hand held and none of which ever stopped moving -- panning back and forth, zooming in and out -- in a sort of MTV-documentary style. It was horribly distracting. Another problem was Stone, who spent much of the time sifting through reams of notes in an attempt to seem prepared. A very amateurish way of interviewing someone. Overall, this documentary is more flash than substance, like most of Stone's movies.
Terror at Alcatraz (1982)
Great TV movie/pilot
I think the previous poster is a little confused about the movie he is reviewing. This one is the pilot for the TV series "Fitz & Bones" starring Tom and Dick Smothers as reporters for a local TV station in San Francisco. I remember really loving this movie and the subsequent series although it wasn't on the air for very long. I hope at least this movie, from producer Glen Larson ("Knight Rider," "Quincy, M.E.") shows up in syndication.
The Real McCoys (1957)
One season too long
I always loved this show, except for the final season. It was bad enough that Kathy Nolan left, but the kids (Hassie and Little Luke) were also phased out within a handful of episodes. Then, even Grandpa Amos McCoy was gone by the spring of 1963, leaving only Luke and Pepino for the final 13 episodes or so. The show was such a heart-warming sitcom until then, but the final season we had to witness the family disintegrate. Very depressing.