topic Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME in TV and Movies

THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN METV

Oznell — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 11:44:21 GMT

2:00 p.m. Eastern-- The Fugitive "The Homecoming" David Janssen, Shirley Knight, Gloria Grahame, Richard Carlson, Warren Vanders, Mary Jackson, Walter Woolf King

Kimble now has an interesting research position with a Southern "gentleman farmer" (Richard Carlson) and peanut grower. Carlson's emotionally wounded daughter (Shirley Knight) is returning home from a lengthy stay at a psychiatric institution, only to discover that in her absence her widowed father has remarried.

I don't want to give too much away of the classically "southern gothic" plot until all have seen it, so let's discuss the players a little bit! By the time "The Fugitive" was made, the career of the immensely successful film actress Gloria Grahame had faltered. Observers have attributed this to two main factors-- the huge scandal around her stepson, and her troubled personality and insecurity.

Reams have been written about Grahame's alleged abuse of her 13 year old stepson Tony Ray (the son of director ex-husband Nicholas Ray.) It's striking that in earlier accounts of it, it appears to be minimized as, unbelievably, an "affair" -- as if a 13 year old can give consent. Of late, principally in the memoir of her later years, written by British actor Peter Turner, he has disputed that that alleged abuse actually occurred. Nevertheless, Grahame later married her stepson after he achieved adulthood, which did affect how she was perceived, along with other factors.

It would have been ultra fascinating to be an observer of the "behind-the-scenes" in this particular "Fuge" episode. Richard Carlson ("It Came from Outer Space", "All I Desire" with Stanwyck, and cult classic "The Creature from the Black Lagoon"), brought his own history as both a leading man and stalwart character player, in both film noir and science fiction. He also wrote prolifically and directed.

Carlson's presence here allows me to-- once again-- comment about his resemblance to his contemporary, Hugh Marlowe ("All About Eve"). It is amusing to note that even in the Wiki bios of each actor, they note the resemblance too! I used to confuse them regularly. It's not just their physical resemblance-- they both have that memorable, distinctively "plummy" voice that is such an asset for an actor.

These side by side photos don't do justice to the closeness of their likeness-- you have to also see them acting, and hear those voices:

The young Shirley Knight is lovely as the sensitive, psychologically frail young woman whose life course sustains blow after blow, culminating in her father's misguided marriage. Her character brings out that almost tender, watchful caring for the vulnerable that we've seen in Kimble before. It's a pleasure to watch these two act together.

Whew, long-winded as usual. But this is a pretty packed, heavily freighted, episode. Can't wait to hear people's reactions to the show.

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

godi — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 15:16:29 GMT

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Pearlee — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 15:22:55 GMT

I do like this episode and Knight is a big reason why. She is always good in whatever she is in and wow looks so young in this one. I really like how Kimble treats her and just generally how they interact.

My problem with this episode is IMO there is a big plot flaw without which of course there would have been no show and we'd have to skip over to next week. A much lesser flaw (IMO) also occurs that doesn't work for me either. I won't say anything more about either of these two things until later. I'll be interested if any of the newbie viewers comment about them.

I've always thought Gloria Grahame is funny-looking; it's her mouth, there is something weird about it. Interesting incident about the stepson because she is a stepmother in this show! @Oznell like you I have mixed up Marlowe and Carlson before; it is indeed very hard to distinguish them.

Lastly, Kimble is dressed slightly different this week; note his longssleeved henley tee shirt. Those were very popular in the early 1960s; my dad had one just like it so I always think of him when I see this episode. I think they were called banlon shirts due to the material. Kimble wears his very well indeed. 😍

@Oznell Yes Kimble has a research job having something to do with peanuts, but we don't know what the heck he does since we never see him at work! At least that I remember anyway.😄

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

vsm — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 17:37:50 GMT

Not "long-winded" at all, @Oznell -- you left me wanting more, so I'm off to set my DVR...

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Oznell — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 17:40:45 GMT

Can't wait till we get to the discussion of the flaws, @Pearlee -- I have only the fuzziest idea, but do remember being a bit confused by that aspect, if it has to do with what I think it does-- hoping seeing the episode again will clarify for me, plus your anticipated analysis!

Shirley Knight indeed has that 'dewy radiance' she had in her early career, in this. The lighting guy on "The Fugitive" was especially good, but even so, there are certain actresses on the show, like Knight, and Ruby Dee in the boxing episode, and Susan Oliver in the sailing episode, who seemed almost like they were 'lit from within'.

Goofy theory of mine from watching the show: Speaking of how DJ and Knight interacted-- they were excellent together. However, I used to think, mistakenly, that Janssen will have the very best chemistry with actors who have that "X" factor sensitivity, and almost "ethereal" quality that he also had.

But in my opinion, he has the most "combustible" chemistry with actresses whose strongest suit is NOT their sensitivity-- it's their 'earthiness', or their warm maternal quality, or even pragmatism... Like the Suzanne Pleshettes and the Angie Dickinsons. It's probably as simple as "opposites attract"!

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

vsm — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 17:42:05 GMT

Thanks, @Pearlee , for adding to @Oznell 's tantalizing review.

I've read that Gloria Grahame was always bothered by her upper lip. Maybe that's one reason she so rarely smiled.

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Oznell — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 17:42:22 GMT

Oh, great, @vsm -- it will be super to have your input if you care to give it after viewing!

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

drizzellla — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 18:45:02 GMT

@Pearlee wrote:

I've always thought Gloria Grahame is funny-looking; it's her mouth, there is something weird about it. Interesting incident about the stepson because she is a stepmother in this show! @Oznell like you I have mixed up Marlowe and Carlson before; it is indeed very hard to distinguish them.

Gloria Grahame also did not like her upper lip. She used to stuff it with cotton. Until some scenes it did not work. So she would have procedures done on her lip. Well, she had too many procedures done and it affected her nerves in her upper lip. They stopped working.

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Oznell — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 21:56:33 GMT

Wow, @drizzellla , it's very sad that she was so preoccupied with such things, isn't it. Somewhat reminiscent of what some performers go through today-- almost an occupational hazard for some...

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

twinsister — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 22:51:23 GMT

I don't remember Gloria Grahame. I remember Hugh Marlowe from watching Another World and Richard Carlson from those sci-fi movies. Shirley Knight I have seen in various TV shows.

My DVR is set.

@Pearlee - I remember Banlon shirts from the 60's.

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Oznell — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 01:26:08 GMT

@twinsister, if you ever get a chance to see the classic film noir, "The Big Heat", she's in that, along with Glenn Ford as a crusading cop, Lee Marvin, and Jocelyn Brando (Marlon's sister). It's riveting from start to finish....

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

twinsister — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 03:11:19 GMT

@Oznell - I'll be looking for it - thanks!

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Pearlee — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 03:21:22 GMT

I forgot to mention Kimble has taken the name of David as his identity this time. Every time someone calls him David it is a bit disconcerting!

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Tique — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 10:30:00 GMT

Since Dorina was manipulating the sheriff to make him think David was up to no good, why did it never occur to the sheriff to look through his files to see if David was "Wanted"?

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Pearlee — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 13:45:26 GMT

@Tique. Well that is a good question so now I'll say there are three issues I have with the plot, although that one goes along with my second minor one. You are right if course and I've always thought that is why David didn't stay in that good job after Dorina left and the sheriff apologized. David probably figured some day the sheriff would run across his Wanted poster. To further answer your point, the sheriff was really being goaded on by Dorina. I think deep down the sheriff knew David hadn't really done anything and also that Janice wasn't really interested in him.

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Tique — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 16:47:55 GMT

@Oznell I did a search to find the thread you started when Shirley Knight recently died. Both you and @Pearlee commented on her appearance on this show and others.

Hope you don't mind me copying the picture you posted. She looks stunning. I thought it should be here also.

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Oznell — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 17:23:09 GMT

Great points, @Tique and @Pearlee , and I agree with each of them. As to your previous remark, @Pearlee , about him being named "David" in this, I find it disconcerting too! And @Tique , I'm glad you found that picture and kindly posted it-- it is really a beauty and also, captures the kind of loveliness we see in "Janice" in this episode.

Having now just seen the episode again, I have a couple of quibbles. Even with so recent a discharge from the sanitarium, there's nothing to suggest that Janice would be so detached from reality that she would continue to think they were "Potter's dogs" whenever she heard that barking.

At least after the first shock, she'd be cognizant that of course they weren't those particular dogs-- they were dead. She'd be shaken and disturbed, and baffled, but not delusional, in my opinion. So that didn't ring true to me.

Also didn't think the gloves would come off quite so soon between the two women? Had forgotten that they were at loggerheads right from the time that Janice went to serve the sherry or brandy or whatever, and they started speaking a few "home truths" to each other! Somehow, in that environment, I would think there'd be a more gradual slope to open hostility....

Love the way Dorina dropped all pretenses when she slinked around Kimble! That "butter-wouln't melt", syrup-ey manner of hers with hubby was hard to take! And Kimble had that tart, just-this-side-of-civil way of responding to her, up till he knew for sure she was a an outright villain.

Finally, love the way people dressed for "traveling" back then. Janice steps off the bus in her little traveling suit and hat, fresh as a daisy. They were shrewd in the way that they costumed her-- she gave the impression of wearing naive little Peter Pan collars, even when she wasn't!

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Pearlee — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 17:39:05 GMT

Since @Oznell has touched on my second more minor plot problem I'm going to elaborate on that and divulge the more major serious one I have. I can't see the spoiler function q

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Pearlee — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:00:32 GMT

....ooops above post continued....

SPOILERS Below........

Yes @Oznell you make a good point. My more minor plot issue was with several people actually asking whether they were Potter's dogs (only David said, when he said he heard the dogs "I don't know whose dogs they were but they sounded mean.") The dogs were put down a year ago yet a couple of the people actually asked if they were Potter's dogs. Really? And not only do I agree with oznell's point about Janice and "Potters dogs" but also her dad was much too hasty to consider sending her back to the sanitarium.

Now for my big problem with the plot. Kimble agreed to stay another couple of days when the father saw him packing, so he could go to Atlanta overnight and Kimble would still be around for Janice. Then why on earth didn't Dorina wait until he left in a couple of days before having her cousin bring the dogs again? That way Kimble wouldn't be around to hear them. Even worse, when her husband came home a little earlier than expected, she should have called off the hired cousin with the dogs! (She could have thought her husband would believe her over Kimble but he heard the dogs himself and so did the sheriff!) She had to get "busted" since everyone heard the dogs! Too stupid for the plot.

I too took note of the fashions. When Knight got off the bus her hat reminded me of Jackie's pillbox hat. Also @twinsister, I remember when women carried around those chiffon scarves like Dorina did for fashion, making themselves look more feminine. My older sister sashayed around with one! 😄 I even thought it was stupid then!

Re: THE FUGITIVE "THE HOMECOMING" DAVID JANSSEN SHIRLEY KNIGHT MONDAY 2:00 A.M. EASTERN ME

Pearlee — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:22:40 GMT

@Oznell It kind of made sense to me that the CV two women were at loggerheads from the beginning because Janice's mother had been dead for less than a year (Janice's viewpoint) and there weren't room for two sows in a pen(Dorina's viewpoint). Loved when Dorina said "all the dirt had washed off" her Kimble came back with "Not all of it." 👍