When a popular 24-year-old singing sensation is killed in a plane crash, his fans go into mourning and his wheelchair-impaired widow gets scared out of her wits when she receives phone calls from her dead hubby telling her he wants her to join him. Good thing she calls the '77 SS' private eye agency for help, and good thing for the viewer that Roger Smith takes her case. With a tantalizing set-up like this one, the possibilities for creepy suspense and a bang-up finale seem inevitable. Unfortunately, the uninspired script and hack direction sink this below-par episode in a usually terrific series. Fortunately, however, the always reliable and enormously likable Roger Smith is on hand to single-handedly salvage the show with his droll sense of humor and infectious panache.
4 Reviews
All Along
darbski13 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
**SPOILERS** I knew it right off. First, dead guy singin at his own funeral? I doubt it. Idiotic fans? I believe it. Greedy manager? Isn't that just De rigueur for a case like this? Bossy nurse who "takes care of" widow? Why not? Widow says she saw dead guy, he "Talks to her"? She's a nut. Yup; it's obvious. what isn't, is the widow NOT having her place swept fur electronic devices; Kookie found them, later.The guys skid up in front of widow's place dramatically a couple of times; widow's in trouble. Ghost of dead guy racket is preposterous, but it's still obvious whodunnit. Any plot or story involving spirits of the undead (or the opposite) are silly, but one thing that is almost unforgivable is the idea that teenagers would make their idol out of someone who sang old people songs. That's what Johnny Main (dead guy) was; not a teen idol, but a young guy that middle aged women would love; ridiculous.
COME TO THE GRAVE WITH ME!
tcchelsey5 February 2024
Spooky story, all about fabulous, young singer Johnny Main who is killed in a plane crash --and returns from the grave!
10 Stars for chills and thrills.
His grieving widow, Barbara (played by Kathie Browne), is bound to a wheel chair and the perfect sitting duck for a string of creepy phone calls from him. All Johnny wants is for her to die, and as soon as possible! You have to admit, the phone calls are bizarro, and love that weird voice.
Jeff takes the case, naturally looking for "live" suspects and doesn't it all come down to money?
Sure does. Barbara inherits a fortune from his recordings and ya' know someone wants a giant chunk of the pie. Just who is it?
Some rather interesting characters in this mystery, and very good acting. Popular actress Kathie Browne is excellent, and scared silly in a few eerie scenes. Veteran character actor and comedian Chick Chandler plays Eddie. Ron Brown plays the ghost of Johnny, and rather ghoulish at times. Browne later turned up in several episodes of the FBI.
This was the only episode written by Paul Schneider, who did many episodes for BONANZA, later MARCUS WELBY. Director Charles Rondeau handles the cast quite well, especially Kathie Browne. Rondeau is best known for his work on LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE.
The ending is fast and dangerous when wet! Don't miss it. SEASON 4 EPISODE 31 remastered.
10 Stars for chills and thrills.
His grieving widow, Barbara (played by Kathie Browne), is bound to a wheel chair and the perfect sitting duck for a string of creepy phone calls from him. All Johnny wants is for her to die, and as soon as possible! You have to admit, the phone calls are bizarro, and love that weird voice.
Jeff takes the case, naturally looking for "live" suspects and doesn't it all come down to money?
Sure does. Barbara inherits a fortune from his recordings and ya' know someone wants a giant chunk of the pie. Just who is it?
Some rather interesting characters in this mystery, and very good acting. Popular actress Kathie Browne is excellent, and scared silly in a few eerie scenes. Veteran character actor and comedian Chick Chandler plays Eddie. Ron Brown plays the ghost of Johnny, and rather ghoulish at times. Browne later turned up in several episodes of the FBI.
This was the only episode written by Paul Schneider, who did many episodes for BONANZA, later MARCUS WELBY. Director Charles Rondeau handles the cast quite well, especially Kathie Browne. Rondeau is best known for his work on LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE.
The ending is fast and dangerous when wet! Don't miss it. SEASON 4 EPISODE 31 remastered.
Elvis has left the building
bkoganbing13 July 2017
Some of the wackier aspects of the Elvis Presley is still alive phenomenon might be recognized in this 77 Sunset Strip story. Singer Johnny Main is killed in a plane crash and a lot will not accept his death. Especially since he's heard singing right at the funeral, a disembodied voice out of nowhere.
Where our detectives come in is that someone is using this phenomenon to scare the widow Main to death quite literally. She owns about 75% of the estate which looks to be as booming as Elvis Presley's or John Wayne's.
It's Roger Smith who saves the widow Main played by Kathie Browne. Quite a scheme afoot here.
Where our detectives come in is that someone is using this phenomenon to scare the widow Main to death quite literally. She owns about 75% of the estate which looks to be as booming as Elvis Presley's or John Wayne's.
It's Roger Smith who saves the widow Main played by Kathie Browne. Quite a scheme afoot here.
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