When we think of Elizabeth Montgomery we naturally think of Bewitched. She had quite a range as an actress that you rarely get to see. Three years after Bewitched ceased production she did this TV film of the story of Lizzie Borden. It's notable in both its accuracy and its supposition - the court scenes are practically reenactments of the trial transcripts, however, there are a series of flashbacks that portray the theory of the crime that supposes that Lizzie committed the murders in the nude. Ms. Montgomery acquits herself admirably in the production, playing Lizzie as a demure, but troubled girl, nude murder scenes not withstanding. Also in the cast are Katherine Helmond, two years before playing Jessica Tate in the series Soap and Fritz Weaver as Lizzie's father. An odd tidbit about the production was brought to light by genealogist Rhonda McClure in her book Finding your Famous and Infamous Ancesters (Betterway Books, 2003). Apparently Ms. Montgomery and Miss. Borden were 6th cousins!
The entire film has been uploaded to YouTube by SuperBewitchedFan. The first installment of it is above. This is rarely shown on TV and isn't available on DVD. You can find it on iOffer.com, however.
Obscurity factor: 7 (rarely screened on TV, no DVD available, available on YouTube and iOffer.com)
I remember watching this 1st run on TV*! Loved it. Those made-for-TV movies were so scary, like "House on Greenapple Road"(1969) w/ Janet Leigh & "Whatever happened to Aunt Alice?"(1970) w/Geraldine Page & Ruth Gordon. (*I'm sure that's a little before your time, you young thing!)
ReplyDeleteDon't know about "House on Greenapple Road", but someone just told me about "Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice". You may see it on the blog one day!
ReplyDeleteI watched this film several times when it aired originally and then went into repeats. The horrors of nude murdering and mutton stew changed my then-young perspective on the world.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it had that effect on many a young mind...
ReplyDeleteWeb site oddthingsiveseen.com (OTIS) has a very interesting blog about spending the night in the Lizzie Borden house - now a B & B. Check it out.
ReplyDeleteI've toured the Lizzie house, and even had my photo taken lying on the couch. Don't know if I have the nerve to spend the night though.....
ReplyDeleteThat makes me think of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.
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