Posted on 08/29/2014 5:53:42 PM PDT by DemforBush
Momma always told you not to pick up hitchhikers, and this movie explains why. Edmond O'Brien and Frank Lovejoy make the mistake of giving the wrong guy (William Talman) a lift, and their lives quickly become a nightmare. Loosely based on the story of real-life spree killer Billy Cook. Directed by Ida Lupino.
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The real treat, though, is William Talman. Probably best remembered as the stodgy DA Hamilton Berger on Perry Mason, Talman really shines here as one sinister and sadistic creep. Never knew he had it in him, LOL.
7/10
Ping.
Does anyone remember Talman doing those anti-smoking ads while he was dying of cancer?
In one of the Perry Mason DVDs they had a fairly long segment showing all of the actors visiting in one of their homes. They began playing charades and it was clear that Talman and Barbara Hale were really smart. Actually all of them were.
Good flick.
I only knew Talman from the Perry Mason series where he was constantly pounded like a tent peg by Burr.
When I saw this picture I was somewhat amazed at what a good actor he was.
I particularly like the part where the Mexicans weren’t shown as caricatures.
Good movie indeed.
Talman apparently was into the bohemian life as around 1960 he was arrested for possessing pot and the cops caught him nekkid as a jaybird at a party at a Hollyweird residence. Didn’t quite ruin his career though.
Almost all of the road scenes are shot in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, California.
"Directed by Ida Lupino." Not only was Ida Lupino a great actress she directed many television and movies. Such as "television productions such as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Thriller, The Twilight Zone, Have Gun – Will Travel, Honey West, The Donna Reed Show, Gilligan's Island, 77 Sunset Strip, The Rifleman, The Virginian, Sam Benedict, The Untouchables, Hong Kong, The Fugitive and Bewitched...." wiki
The cast of Perry Mason stuck by Talman, so it would have been hard for the producers to punish him.
“Talman was acquitted of all charges in a hearing held in June of 1960. But apparently, this didn’t impress CBS. Not only was Talman not reinstated, he found himself unofficially banned from working in Hollywood. Of the sudden lack of work, he said: “Everyone has a right to be timid, but they’re abusing the privilege.”
To earn money, Talman fell back on his previous profession—writing. He had to use a pen name to write a few scripts for CBS, and was able to star in two episodes of “Have Gun, Will Travel” around September 1960; he played a cowhand in the episode “The Killing of Jesse May” and a sheriff in “A Long Way Home.”
All during his exile, Talman was finding out who his friends were. Although Burr and Talman played archrivals on the set, they were friends, allies, and co-conspirators in the practical joke department behind the scenes. All of the cast rallied around their costar but it was Raymond Burr who, typically, led the charge. He campaigned hard for Talman’s reinstatement. He forbade studio personnel to clean out Talman’s belongings, and this included his coffee cup on the famous mug rack. Even after Talman was canned, his mug continued to hang there, name and all, among those belonging to the rest of the crew. Wherever Burr went in the United States, he would make special efforts to persuade the local CBS affiliates to pressure the network for Talman’s return. The public let their thoughts be known on the issue. Mail poured in from all over, favoring Talman’s rehiring. A crusader to the end, Burr also took the time to answer personally all fan mail written to support Talman’s cause.
Talman had one other very important person in his corner: Erle Stanley Gardner. Although the two men were occasionally at odds, Gardner liked the way Talman played Burger, thought he was essential for the show’s success, and therefore supported Talman’s reinstatement...
...Finally in December of 1960, six months after he had been acquitted, CBS cried “uncle” and compromised. They agreed to allow Talman to make “occasional appearances.” A new contract was drawn up and signed.
The close-knit Mason cast had won another victory. “Welcome Home, Bill” signs greeted Talman, on his first day back on the set.”
http://www.perrymasontvshowbook.com/pmb_c603.htm
Erle Stanley Gardner wrote the first survival article I ever read.
About the only thing I recall was he thought you should get a long (6 inch) barrel Smith & Wesson .22 revolver. I think it had another name at the time but it was later just the model 17.
He did think you could live off the land but I am not sure that is a viable option except for short term.
The original “Perry Mason” was and is a very smart show. Working within a pretty tight formula, the regulars and guest stars all did some terrific work. It’s amazing how well it still holds up today.
Just catching up—thank you!
I agree - Perry Mason was and is an excellent show. I always thought Paul Drake (William Hopper) was one of the coolest guys on tv.
BTW, Johnny Ringo’s no daisy. He’s no daisy at all! :-)
I liked Hopper too.
My favorite character was Lieutenant Tragg. He always was so cool, both charming and sarcastic.
Doc approves!
Yeah, William Hopper was great. Always sturdy but not above a little larceny now and then. Always looked like he and Burr — everyone in the cast, really — had a great time acting together.
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