Like PEYTON PLACE, this film brings murder, mystery, and scandal to a small New England community. Ron Howard is the new boy in town, an adopted teen who is trying to track down his natural parents. Even after a genuinely touching reunion with his mother(Cloris Leachman), she is still adament about revealing his father's name. As he continues to search for clues to his father's identity, the community is ravaged by a series of bloody knife and cleaver murders which are unfortunately closely connected to Howard's past. Patricia Neal co-stars as Howard's eccentric aunt who has her hands full trying to keep her very disturbed daughter from discovering the bizarre truth about her father's death. Neal's daughter is played by Tessa Dahl, her daughter in real life as well. Former singing idol Bobby Darin also does fine work as Leachman's cook and live-in-lover who wants Howard to leave town and go back to where he came from. The film was the directorial debut of the brilliant character actor Darren McGavin who seems to be just at home behind the camera as he is in front of it. Although there are several scary and suspenseful scenes, the character development, acting, and direction are the three top elements that make this movie click. - CHAD EDWARDS
Review of Happy Mother's Day, Love George
