Phil Karlson (1908–1985)

2022 movie #194. Captain Kirk is Alexander the Great in this 1963 TV pilot released in 1968 as a made-for-TV movie. Not really terrible and a bit ambitious, it's hard to figure where they thought this could go as a series. Adam West was a minor player.

Great newspaper story as reporter Derek, who is very good in this role, turns detective to track down the Lonely Hearts Killer, with the assistance of lovely Donna Reed, and under the more than watchful eye of editor Broderick Crawford--who has good reason to be watchful. No one did this type of film better than Karlson.

Intriguing premise and a great chance to see some memorable actors, but the film drags toward the middle and is a bit over-melodramatic. Payne is great, however, as the man trying to get to the bottom of how he almost did 20 years in prison for someone else's perfect heist. Elam, VanCleef, and Brand make a memorable trio of bad guys. I love the way they're all supposed to be on vacation in Mexico, but they wear suits all the time!

2021 movie #203. 1955. Brassy inmate (Rogers) is holed up with FBI agents (Robinson and Keith) trying to convince her to testify against a gangster (Loren Green?). Talky and claustrophobic but some good performances and a noir twist.