Absolutely Fantastic

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

This story looks much like a Raymond Chandler mystery story, so if you like films like "Farewell, My Lovely" or "The Big Sleep" or "Lady in the Lake", then by all means watch this film--which is available to watch on YouTube.The film is set in 1946 and stars Richard Boone as private detective Francis Hogan and Michael Dunn as his very non-traditional partner, Arthur Boyle. Dunn was a very good actor and I am glad he got a chance to do a part that isn't normally played by a person with dwarfism...and I appreciate that opportunity. The pair are doing rather poorly...and need a case in the worst possible way. So, when a lovely blonde (Barbara Bain) shows up and wants them to find her missing boyfriend, they quickly take the case without too many questions. Not surprisingly, however, Susan (Bain) is a femme fatale...and quick to turn on the water works (a woman who cries at the drop of a hat). She also lies...but only when she opens her mouth! Soon it becomes apparent that LOTS of people are looking for the missing boyfriend, as there's a mob contract out on the guy...and this could be exactly why she's looking for the guy. And what about that strange fat guy (Victor Buono in a Sidney Greenstreet sort of role)...what does he have to do with all this? And what about the missing money? What's next? The filmmakers did a nice job of catching the look of 1946 and the writer/director Peter Hyams did a nice job of capturing the spirit of the Chandler stories. I especially like the snappy dialog-- particularly between Boone and Dunn. The movie also shows how good and well crafted some made for TV films were back in the day.By the way, in one scene the pair of gumshoes are standing outside the Chandler Hotel...probably meant as a subtle inside joke for the famous writer.

Back in the 1970s, some young directors really believed it was possible to make movies for television, rather than "TV movies" (one-episode 90 minute TV shows or the longer, even less cinematic soap opera 'miniseries'). The best known of these efforts was Spielberg's "Duel," but there were good films appearing now and again all the way up 'till about 1983, which saw the "Day After" phenomenon, following which Republicans put such pressure on TV producers, they never attempted anything risky on broadcast TV again.This movie may very well be Peter Hyam's best. It certainly boasts the best later performance by Richard Boone as a washed-out detective and a knock-down performance by Michael Dunne as his side-kick. The camera-work, the pacing, the dialog, are all low-key, but need to be - this is an homage to the noir films of the forties, not a "Chinatown" attempt to resurrect them. Consequently there's a great deal of gentle humor here, but it never gets campy, and doesn't get in the way of a tight little mystery that is doomed to end badly for everyone - the detectives succeed in the end only because they live to be able to tell the tale (and are smart enough to know not to waste their breath telling it). There's a general feeling of 'life happens" pervading the film - as was also the case for the noir films toward the end of that genre as it faded after WWII. Despite the low-key approach, the film is highly memorable for its atmosphere and characterizations. I haven't seen it for years and I still think of seeing it with pleasure. Probably a lost film (although I suppose you can find anything on the internet), this could be well worth the research to rediscover.

This may have started out as a light-hearted take-off on 40's film noir but ends up being just as good if not better than any of those classic films. One of the greatest casts ever assembled for any movie! All but Barabara Bain are gone now and we should mourn their passing. Richard Boone, Michael Dunn make such a pair I wish this had been picked up as series. I doubt they could have maintained such quality on a weekly basis. The background music, photography, writing, acting are all excellent. The way they evoke the 1940's really puts you in the mood. The story is a bit predictable and you'll spot the bad guy at first glance but it's all fun. Great Movie!

Made during the `Glory Days' of the ABC Movie of the Week, when they were putting out some real quality TV-Movies (The Night Stalker; Dr. Cook's Garden; A Brand New Life; Congratulations, It's a Boy; Five Desperate Women), this one ranks with the best of them.Chandler-esque detective yarn, great atmosphere, clever dialogue, and perfectly cast (particularly Michael Dunn, probably the greatest Little Person actor in Hollywood history). Catch it if you can. A true gem.