TV and Movies

[Oznell]

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.

[godi]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[Pearlee]

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.😄

[vsm]

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

[Oznell]

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"!       

[vsm]

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.

[Oznell]

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

[drizzellla]

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@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.

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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.

[Oznell]

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... 

[twinsister]

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.