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Reviews
Search (1972)
Search, a great show with high-tech gadgets for 1972
I used to watch "Search" all the time. It was as other viewers have said, part Spy, part sci-fi, part drama, and of course, a very watchable show. The Probe headquarters was so advanced, that they could use one of the Probe agent's ring for a camera, recorder, Geiger counter around radiation, and a reviver, if one of the agents was knocked out, on thrown overboard into the Sea(like one of the episodes.) What some viewers have failed to mention, is that Probe agents had a dental implant too, so they could click their teeth and send a signal if they were in trouble, and could not talk. The ear implant was ingenious, and could not be detected by the enemy. However; one episode where a Probe agent was captured by terrorists(or mad scientists)the enemy became aware of the implant and used it to send their signals into it, to cause pain, obedience, and to basically control the agent like a robot. However; Probe found the agent's location, and blocked the signals of the enemy, and even talked to the enemy, warning them, to release their prisoner, of Probe would bombard them with an electronic attack. Is the cool or what? Shows written today don't have this kind of writing, like Search. The Actors were well seasoned, and played their roles very well. Search was best when Probe control room was black with red lights shining down. Burgess Merridith played his part very well as the Head of Probe, and the Agents, Lockwood(Hugh O'Brian), Nic Bianco(Anthony Franciosa)(My favorite agent.) I loved it when Nic would say to the Probe headquarters; "We did it your way first; now we are doing it Nic Bianco's way." Search at times, was along the lines of Star Trek characters too. You could see them going through all the switching, and powering up for each Agent they sent out. Search ran from 1972-1973, but it spawned other shows that came later; like "LeFemme Nikita", movies like "Johnny Neumonic", and of course "24". Search was a pleasant alternative to the other shows available in 1972, on a WED night. Re-runs of the show would be welcome. Some of the episodes would appear very 70s, but in it's time, Search was with the times, if not ahead of the times.
The Lathe of Heaven (1980)
"The Lathe of Heaven" TV movie of 1980
This movie had me wondering what would happen next. George Orr, a dreamer that could turn dreams into reality(even if he was not at the Lab of Dr. Habber); was the main character in this mysterious scifi TV movie. I watched in 1980(new), and during that time period, you had scifi shows like "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century", "Galatica 1980", "Greatest American Hero", for example. This movie really got to you, because you wondered what George Orr would dream next; and what the Power-seeking Dr. Habber would do if he could develop the power of dreams that George Orr had. In fact, Dr. Habber did try to steal George Orr's mystical dream powers; but enhanced his ability with a machine in his lab. Dr. Habber wanted to control the world and make things in it, the way he wanted them. The movie added the cute, but eerie touch of aliens landing on our moon. The aliens looked like turtles, that stood up on two feet. The movie was filmed in Dallas, Texas, and all the buildings shown, like Reunion Tower for instance, did look futuristic. Movie ends with a battle between George Orr and Dr. Habber. It was a dream, mind against mind battle, with electrical energy discharged by both characters. George Orr defeats Dr. Habber, and decides never again to use his dream powers.
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
This is a movie that is not blemished by time.
This is a first-rate, on the edge of your seat movie. The actors and actresses are first rate. You will be wondering what is going to happen next, all the way to the climax of the movie. You will feel for the passengers of Pelham 1-2-3, as they deal with the hijacking of their subway.
The hijackers are quite ruthless, and have no reservations about gunning down the passengers with their sub-machine guns; if the passengers don't cooperate. Also, the hijackers don't allow a lot of time for their demands to be met. This a 1974 movie that is still good today. Contains some foul language, so, if your VCR has the built-in Censor control, you might want to program certain words out. You will be in suspense during this entire movie.
Note: There is a reamake of Pelham 1-2-3(1998 version), but it is not as good as 1974.