mentummike Reviews

This Is the Life (1952–1988)

BIG CASTMEMBERS IN LITTLE ROLES

[9/10 · 11 April 2021]

This series is most succinctly summarized in a recent TV program menu description: "Contemporary problems are resolved using a Christian solution." Those not old enough to remember this program, replayed on Sunday mornings in my neck of the woods in the 1960's-1970's, will find some very interesting appearances among the episodes currently being played in syndication. The new host for the series, Pastor Matthew Harrison, President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, says it best:

"Starting in the late 1950's, Lutheran Hour Ministries aired a television program called "This Is The Life", in an effort to bring Christ to the nations. It was a critically acclaimed show that used story and drama to convey eternal truths . . . And it featured actors who were just getting started in their careers. Recently, Lutheran Hour Ministries, in partnership with Main Street Living, remastered and brought to HD-quality about 50 of these programs. You may notice some young actors who become very famous, and even though the props and styles are of the 1960's and '70's, the subject matter's still very relevant."

What the good Pastor does not mention is the fact that many of the character actors who appeared in this series already had long resumés, faces that were familiar both then and now. Some were already famous for acting in TV series from the era, shows like "The Andy Griffith Show", "Lost In Space" and "My Three Sons". Perhaps not surprisingly, some of these actors are barely recognizeable, a testimony to their talent and flexibility for different roles. Therein lies the strength of this series. However, it was not only the acting, but also the professional quality of the production and direction that I personally always found mesmerizing.

These days, there is also the same entertainment value one might find in watching any old films. As I said in one of my episode reviews, "most of the series is now 50+ years old, and often hysterically dated." But younger film and trivia buffs may get a kick out of this show, and those who paid attention when they were young will definitely experience some nostalgia.

This Is the Life: The Day We Lost Ella Mae (1969) Season Unknown, Episode Unknown

BIG CASTMEMBERS IN LITTLE ROLES

[7/10 · 16 February 2021]

This episode really exemplifies the later appearances of big names in this series, which was at first early work for giants such as a very young Jack Nicholson, but eventually became another staple in the acting community. I also thought I'd heard somewhere that later celebrity guest stars (who were probably church members) worked for scale, or even for free, as a favor to the producers, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

A broader comment about this series, I don't believe in 40 years there was a single clunker. Of course, it is what it is - a mostly dramatic Christian series portraying ordinary people confronted with life's problems and moral dilemmas, wherein by the end some small transformation has occurred that demonstrates that there are always solutions, though sometimes only hard ones. On top of that, most of the series is now 50+ years old, and often hysterically dated.

Those old enough to remember this program, replayed on Sunday mornings in my neck of the woods in the 1960's-1970's, will find some very interesting tidbits among the episodes being played in syndication. This episode, for example, features a post-"Lost in Space" Veronica Cartwright in a role performed so perfectly that you might not even know who she is. Playing a "hillbilly" living alone with her baby in a big-city apartment while her husband is away looking for work, the story mostly involves her interactions with her gruff, grouchy landlady, played by none other than Kathleen Freeman, the very recognizable comedic character actress from several prior decades in both film and on television - a testimony to the recognition that this quiet, unassuming little show attained through the years. All captured on film, this series belongs in the Library of Congress.

London Suite (1996 TV Movie)

One Suite Too Many

[1/10 · 31 May 2016]

This is a total bomb. The play on which it is based is also a bomb, considering the source. The baker's dozen of super talented actors could not save this monument to mediocrity. It truly screens like the very definition of a made-for-TV movie, only from the eighties rather than 1996. It's almost as if Mr. Simon was trying to squeeze out another "Suite" as excellent and successful as the first two . . . oh, wait . . . I guess that might be the point (?!?), but apparently the only point. A very constipated mash-up of retro-'60's dialogue and '90's comedic sensibilities, there is awkwardness to be had at nearly every turn.

The Cross and the Switchblade (1970)

Outdated before it was released

[6/10 · 3 September 2015]

I agree with most every review on here: this was an important film, an important story, the story is true. . . and, it is laughable, embarrassing, engrossing in that is so hard to watch, like a really bad, tragic accident.

I've always had some affection for really mediocre cinema and TV. That's enough to flag this with a spoiler alert in my book, although anyone not familiar with this story by now must have been a toddler when I was in my 30's. So there's that, and the incredibly inane music of this film; honestly, the movies from this period always contained music and songwriting that was 20+ years behind, if not belonging to another dimension that reflected sentiments that never existed in the most naive or plain mindset of anyone, anywhere.

As with many low-budget, and Christian, films (which are almost always low-budget), the attempts to portray "cool" "street" behavior, with a matching soundtrack, are a true exercise in futility. It is honestly hard to believe that the 1950's (when the actual story took place) were even that dumb.

Watching this for the first time in 2015, however, was a real treat, although it took me several attempts to actually go through with it. The initial fight scene reminds me of "West Side Story" (someone had to have mentioned this already), but Pat Boone and Erik Estrada both did far better acting jobs here than they will ever get credit for.

Of course, Pat Boone versus street gangs reminds me somehow of Pat Boone singing heavy metal. . . it just ends up sounding like Pat Boone singing Pat Boone.

For the record, I am a Christian, one who is perpetually disappointed with most Christian art of any kind. But all things considered, this film is really not too bad. But if I'd seen it when I was 12 (when it was released), I may have found it believable. Much older than that I would have seen right through it, much like "Lost in Space" or the Billy Jack series.