njp2011 People forget that, in those days, before movies gave up trying to compete with TV and turned into the mostly CGI cartoon crap fest that it is today, there was serious doubt that the small screen could compete with it in the the long format drama. With production values that did not rise above the average TV drama, scripts that felt like 43 minute "hour- longs" padded out to 90 minutes, and cast lists bulging with TV-only actors, the early TV movies did not inspire confidence or critical praise. Since TV films could be shot at less cost the two independent hour episodes, it was seen as a cost-cutting move. This movie, more than any other flew in the face of that. Established film actors like Lawford, St. John and Pidgeon lent the film a more cinematic feel. The script was tighter and, in spots, the production values approximated, at least, movie ones and the actors, across the board, seemed to take the material seriously. All that convinced, I'm sure, more than a few movie folk (most of whom, it seemed, were still holding their noses at the thought of doing TV) that their might be something to those "lights and wires in a box."

drystyx This movie is a very different movie than almost anything you'll ever see. It begins with the young protagonist, played by Robert Wagner, involved with a young woman who is actually a non-entity in the movie. The only entities become the hero and two others, both of whom are ominous characters. The first, played by Peter Lawford, seems ominous at first, only to become a "moderate" sort who keeps the third man from murdering the young hero.The third man (makes one think of the movie by that title, ironically), eventually sets his evil hooks out to kill the hero.The movie becomes a fight from a very little guy against incredible odds, against a demonic presence.There are drawbacks. The hero doesn't really have the affability and "Everyman" attributes that a character in his position would have, and we neither pull for or against him. His struggle for survival isn't convincing, nor are his solutions. But then, the demonic third character also isn't convincing, being too much a myth, but one which the mob needs to confirm its power among the public.Still, it isn't a bad flick, and it doesn't plod as much as one would think.

riwach This movie is a great mystery with good pacing and Robert Wagner in top form. It is definitely worthy of a DVD release! Perhaps it could be coupled with another movie to share the costs? The narration of Wagner together with the notes he makes in his little notebook really add to the story. The audience gets to feel like they are the Wagner character or at least right there with him on his trip of discovery as to who the Peter Lawford character really is and what he is up to. I didn't know this was a TV movie. I thought it was a theatrical release because the production quality was so high. I highly recommend this movie! And please, if anyone FINDS this movie on home video, let the rest of us know. We would be very grateful.

modelmasters From "With A Song In My Heart", in the 1950s, to the present day the performances of Robert Wagner have always been believable. This actor's body of work represents a person who takes pride in their craft and does not take themselves too seriously.This "small" movie afforded Robert Wagner the opportunity to present the scope of his acting chops. As the story unfolded, it became more compelling to watch. I found myself reacting to the slowly mounting tension. The locale was most beautiful. A decision to use a yacht as a focal point of the setting seemed ingenious. Peter Lawford provided a character with an appearance of urbanity that concealed something rather evil. It would be a mistake to not mention the beautiful actress, Jill St, John. I've seen this movie quite a few times over the ensuing years, always with enjoyment. Seeing it in my mind's eye from a distance of 38 years it is still as clear as yesterday. A simple summer vacation slowly morphs into a cunning, chilling and thriller hunt presented as one of the most amazing chess games in a story environment.