B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - THE DEATH OF RITCHIE (TV 1977)

Looks like a lot of fun to me, I don't know. Seriously and for those that don't know, The Death Of Ritchie is one of the most iconic TV movies of the entire '70's decade. I was roughly 15 when it aired and i can tell you that both Robby Benson and teens taking drugs were very hot topics at the time. The film is based on a true story where a father who couldn't control his teen's behavior from drug abuse was forced to take the law into his own hands. The father here is good ole Ben Gazzara and he is at his Gazzara best with a ferocious intensity, his scenes with Benson as father and son a perfect chemistry. At the time more emphasis was on Benson as a model but his performance here is really amazing. Streams free on Tubi, Freevee, Roku and Plex, if this was being rated on the standard scale I would give it five stars, 'nuff said. 2.75 stars/2.75

Friday, August 2, 2024

SCOTT JACOBY IS A TROUBLED TEEN LIVING INSIDE THE WALLS OF ANOTHER FAMILY'S HOUSE IN "BAD RONALD" (TV 1974) - (ALSO TURNS 50 THIS YEAR)

 

Scott Jacoby, one of five siblings, all actors, more than made his mark in TV and movies during his more active years, 1970-1991. On only his second appearance in a TV movie he won an Emmy for 1972's "A Certain Summer." He was stellar in The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane and seems to make that special difference with every project. 

Bad Ronald is easily the best if not strangest horror movie of early '70's television with the possible exception of Karen Black's "Trilogy of Horror." Jacoby plays a troubled teen who accidently kills a girl and his mom (Kim Hunter, yayy!) covers it up by putting him in a wall behind the kitchen pantry. She eventually dies and another family buys the house and guess who lands up staying? He expands his territory behind the walls complete with peep holes and things really start to get strange. He paints these tripped-out things on the walls. 

If this sounds like your cup of tea, then it's very easily found on DVD or Blu-ray but didn't enter the streaming world until recently, only on Amazon, 1.99 to rent. It's expertly directed based on a novel, shot at good ole Burbank Studios. Great to see Kim Hunter without Planet Of The Apes makeup on, she was a very underrated actress. 

This one's a don't pass go and don't collect $200, you're going to want to see this! 2.75+stars/2.75

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