Kelly Flynn Movies
- 1979
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast in a single two-hour timeslot), Quincy investigates when the son of TV kiddie host Brock Campbell (Michael Constantine), dies of a quaalude overdose. The grieving Campbell had no idea that his son was a junkie--nor could he have ever imagined that the boy's drugs had all been legeally prescribed by a shady doctor named Mason Colella (Charles Aidman). In his efforts to shut Colella and his drug-pushing cronies down, Quincy joins forces with Marty Herrera (A Martinez) a eager if somewhat reckless pre-med student who is determined to purge dangerous drugs from his college campus. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1979
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Quincy (Jack Klugman) is still work hand in glove with idealistic pre-med student Marty Herrera in his efforts to bring a shady, drug-pushing doctor named Mason Colella to justice. Hampering Quincy's efforts is the fact that young Herrera's method of "curing" college-age addicts is not only extreme, but illegal. Making matters worse, Colella is murdered--and Marty is arrested for the crime. Both parts of this episode originally aired in a single, two-hour timeslot. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1976
In the second of the feature-length Quincy, M.E. episodes produced for the NBC Sunday Mystery Movie anthology, medical examiner Quincy (Jack Klugman) performs an autopsy on Margo Bentley (Joanna Barnes), a novice writer who at the time of her death was working on a scandalous "roman a clef" about the Hollywood elite. Since the woman was suffering from cirrhosis, the police are quick to conclude that she died of alcoholism. But Quincy has a different diagnosis, one involving murder. While pursuing his own personal investigation, the feisty Quincy crosses the path of a fraudulent coroner--and ascertains a link between Margo's death and the murder of a New York literary agent. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Shelley Winters won an Academy Award for her searing performance as Rose-Ann d'Arcy in A Patch of Blue. The star, however, is not Winters but Elizabeth Hartman, cast as d'Arcy's blind, sensitive daughter, Selina. A venomous prostitute, Rose-Ann treats both Selina and grandfather Ole Pa (Wallace Ford) like dirt. Fortunately, Selina finds a way out via the kindly Gordon Ralfe (Sidney Poitier), who befriends Hartman and tries to open up doors for her previously closed by her selfish mother. Despite the objections of the bigoted Rose-Ann and of Gordon's brother Mark (Ivan Dixon), a bond stronger than physical love is forged between Gordon and Selina. Brilliantly avoiding gooey sentiment throughout, A Patch of Blue was adapted for the screen by director Guy Green, from the novel Be Ready with Bells and Drums by Elizabeth Kata. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sidney Poitier, Shelley Winters, (more)
An unusually long pre-credits sequence establishes the roots of faded Southern belle Charlotte's (Bette Davis) insanity; she'd been witness to the dismemberment murder of her fiance (Bruce Dern) and the suicide of the murderer, her own father (Victor Buono). Years later, Charlotte remains a recluse in her decaying southern mansion, zealously guarding the secret of her father's guilt; she is cared for by her slatternly housekeeper (Agnes Moorehead). When her house is targeted for demolition, Charlotte fears that this will uncover her lover's body parts and thus confirm that her father was a murderer. She desperately summons her seemingly sweet-tempered cousin Miriam (Olivia De Havilland) to help her fight off the house's destruction. Miriam brings along the family doctor (Joseph Cotten) to calm Charlotte's frayed nerves. When Charlotte begins to be plagued by horrific visions of the homicide/suicide of so long ago, it appears that she has gone completely insane. But soon we learn who is behind these delusions...and why. Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte was intended by director Robert Aldrich as a follow-up to the successful Joan Crawford/Bette Davis horror piece Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962). Ms. Crawford was originally slated to play Miriam, but became seriously ill shortly before filming started. Davis, who disliked Crawford intensely, suggested that the role of Miriam be filled by her best friend, De Havilland. On the first day of shooting, Davis and DeHavilland pulled a "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" routine by toasting one another with Coca-Cola--a catty observation of the fact that Joan Crawford's husband was an executive with the Pepsi Cola company! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, (more)
- 1961
Alfred Hitchcock himself directed this nailbiter, featuring prolific child actor Billy Mumy. When his uncle Rich (Steve Dunne) returns from Africa, little Jackie Chester (Mumy) is delighted, knowing that Rich has brought him a surprise. Secretly rummaging through his uncle's luggage, Jackie finds what he thinks is a toy gun. Only it isn't a toy, but the real article -- fully loaded. For the rest of the day, Jackie goes all over town, aiming (but not firing) the gun at various human targets...while his frantic parents conduct a desperate search for the boy, hoping to catch up with him before a tragedy can occur. The most memorable (and frightening) sequence in this episode is shot from Jackie's point-of-view as he looks down the barrel of the gun -- a camera angle reminiscent of one Hitchcock had previously deployed in his 1945 theatrical feature Spellbound. As a bonus, Hitch foregoes his usual comic epilogue to deliver a stern warning about inappropriate use of firearms. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
