I took in this early 70s TV thriller last night. A young man (Ron Howard) arrives in a seaside town searching for his real mother and solve the mystery of who his father is. What he doesn't expect is to uncover a series of bizarre disappearances and murders. While the film is a bit slow (the first murder doesn't occur until over an hour in), RUN STRANGER RUN is worth a look. The script by Robert Clouse jumps from initially mysterious to predictable in the end but does carry that PLAY MISTY FOR ME (1971) psycho-sexual vibe. What makes RUN interesting is it is the only film directed by actor Darren McGavin. He has a good eye and the last half hour, which includes a great scene in an empty house, is pretty tense. And McGavin fills the film with great supporting performances from Cloris Leachman, Patrica Neal, Bobby Darin and NIGHT STALKER co-star Simon Oakland. Ron Howard gives a wonderful performance as the impish kid but the best work is done by Tessa Dahl, daughter of Roald Dahl, as the psycho killer teen.
Review of Happy Mother's Day, Love George
