dolytuov Reviews

The Adams Chronicles (1976)

PBS's Bicentennial gift to America

[10/10 · 19 July 2012]

For those of us who fondly remember the bicentennial celebrations that took place in 1976, will probably also remember watching the 13 episodes of Adams Chronicles.

They followed the British miniseries format by using actors who had done stage work, lavish costumes, studio sets and exterior shots at locations that fit the scene.

The story revolves around John and Abigail Adams in the first five episodes; their son and his wife John Quincy and Louisa Catherine in four episodes; and grandson Charles Frances and both of his sons Henry and Brooke each have an episode.

John Adams was an important figure in the founding of our country, but he got lost in the shuffle because he was outshone by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and even his cousin Sam Adams. But his contributions may have even been greater because he got financial help from Holland during the latter part of the Revolution; helped Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence; through the groaning of Congress set up protocol such as how to address the President; and kept us out of war when everyone was screaming to get involved in the European mess in the final two years of the 18th century.

John's son and grandson also played important roles in helping this country to become the power that it became. But one has to remember there is always personal costs when you are in that position.

Fortunately Acorn Media has release the miniseries on DVD and it is a pleasure to see it again after so many years.

Casualty 1909 (2009)

Early 20th Century Hospital

[16 November 2011]

When period pieces are done well, they are interesting to watch. This is one production that has been done well, and shows what an early 20th Century English Hospital was like, and how the medical profession was still making discoveries on how the body functions, which is taken for granted today. According to the credits at the beginning of the program, the plots are based on diaries, hospital records, and newspaper stories.

It is fascinating to see how nurses were treated, how the poorer class of London (who came to the hospital) were taken care of, and the behavior of the administrators and doctors who were in the upper echelon of the pecking order. In that respect, not much has changed.

Cherie Lunghi, plays Chief Nurse, Eva Luckes, who oversees the nursing staff, who is firm, but as the story progresses is fair. Sara Smart, as Ada Russell, is one of the probationary nurses at the beginning, who is promoted early in the story and is given much responsibility despite her youth. We see her ability and compassion for the patients she is serving. Charity Wakefield, as Ethel Bennett is a probationary nurse who is extremely bright and secretly wants to become a doctor.

The doctors include William Houston as Dr. Millais Culpin, who is a capable doctor that works in "Reception" or as we know it today as Admitting/Emergency Room. He and Nurse Bennett are attracted to each other, and we see a romance blossom, which is taboo, since Nurses were not allowed to marry until the mid-20th Century. Paul Hilton, plays the Cocaine addicted, Dr. Dean, who creates a few problems at the hospital.

Each story is self contained, so they do not have to be watched in order, although sometimes a procedure may have been done in a previous story which is referred to. I would like to see more episodes, but to date, this does not appear to be happening.

The Last of the Mohicans (1971)

At last, released on DVD.

[26 October 2011]

Fortunately, several of the Masterpiece Theater productions are slowly being re-released on DVD, which is allowing those of us who loved the various stories to revisit them. I remember seeing The Last of the Mohicans when it previously aired in 1971, and loved the story so much, I bought and read the paperback and subsequent Hawkeye stories.

This production closely follows the book, and compared with today's production, it may seem dated, since the indoor scenes are filmed in a studio. Today's younger crowd will not appreciate it, but they have to remember that budget was a major factor in what could be done. The producers wanted to lovingly tell the tale as it was written. Today's productions are hacked up and condensed to the point that sometimes the intent of the author is lost. Also, today's directors/producers spend most of the budget for filming on location, at the sacrifice of the plot.

So try and overlook the production qualities and enjoy the story, the way James Fenimore Cooper basically wrote it.

A Woman of Mystery (1958)

Is it Suicide?

[30 August 2011]

Dermot Walsh plays a reporter for a British magazine who has been given an assignment of writing story about Jane Hale, who the police say has committed suicide. The editor wants the Walsh to dig into the woman's life to find out why she did it.

When Walsh begins investigating but initially looking at the autopsy report and quizzing the police the asking questions to people who knew Hale trying to find out what she way like and anything that might indicate why she committed suicide. Things start heating up, and he realizes that there is more to the woman's death than what the police knew.

One of the more interesting Danzinger Brothers efforts.

Repeat Performance (1947)

Can reliving a year make a difference?

[6/10 · 29 August 2011]

The beginning scene was the only thing that I remembered about this film when I first saw it 40+ years ago. When recently scouring through EPIX and saw the synopsis for it, I watched it. It's and interesting movie, not great, but considering the trip Hollywood is producing today, it is entertaining.

The scene is New Year's Eve and Joan Leslie plays a Broadway star, married to Louis Hayward, who has been unsuccessful in writing another Broadway smash. He is an alcoholic brute who is having an affair with Virginia Fields. Joan's wish is to relieve the year and avoid certain events hoping for a different outcome.