Richard Crenna & Lee J. Cobb in Double Indemnity (1973)

This television remake of the iconic film noir might, on the surface seem like a mistake. It is, of course, not the original, however it holds its own, and there's a lot to like about it. The story is the familiar one told so beautifully back in 1944 by Billy Wilder, but it's updated to then present day LA. Walter Neff (Crenna) is an insurance agent who gets caught in a complicated web of intrigue by Phyllis Dietrickson (Samantha Eggar) when she enlists him to help her do away with her husband. Barton Keyes (Cobb) is the pensive investigator who just misses putting it all together until the last reel. This production was adapted for television by a young Steven Bochco from the original film and novel by James M. Cain. Much like in the neo noir film The Long Goodbye by Altman, also released in 1973, it's fun and incongruous to see the hard boiled dialog and world weary noir characters among the trappings of early 70's Los Angeles.

You can find this version of the story among the extras of the DVD release of the original 1944 film. It can also be seen on StageVu, uploaded by Horror Vision. It's otherwise difficult to find.

Obscurity factor: 8 (available as an extra on the original film's DVD, also on StageVu, largely forgotten)

Lynn & Vanessa Redgrave in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1991)

Obscurity factor: 8

This early 90's remake of Baby Jane was done for ABC. The familiar plot is updated to 1991 with video stores and drag queens, but presents the same themes. The interpretations of Jane and Blanche are softer, more gentle, but animosity still shines through. Look for John Glover as a hopeless sycophant.

This version of the film is hard to find. There was a DVD release back in 2007, but it's out of print, and copies are quite expensive now. You can find some scenes on to YouTube. The video store scene is above, uploaded to YouTube by Grinnygog1975.

Obscurity factor: 8 (on DVD but hard to find, partially available on YouTube)

Susan Hayward in Stolen Hours 1963

With the upcoming debut of the Obscurity Factor screening series on Monday featuring The Opposite Sex, the 1956 remake of The Women (1939) I thought we'd take a look at another remake. This film is a remake of the Bette Davis tour de force Dark Victory, also from 1939.

There are a few changes to the details, but the story remains the same. The venue has changed from the North East to England, where Susan Hayward plays Laura Pember, a divorcee. The doctor (played by a beautiful Michael Craig) isn't a research physician, he's a London practitioner who tends to the wealthy. As their romance and marriage develops, Laura convinces him to go home to the seaside town where he was reared and take up the life his father lead - that of a country doctor. While this version doesn't have the fire of the original - you don't get as much of a sense of Laura Pember as a take-no-prisoners party girl as you do with Ms. Davis, it's still a 3 hankie tear jerker, and the ultimate nobility of Laura Pember is nicely portrayed. Look for Diane Baker, looking especially lovely as Ms. Pember's younger sister.

 

There hasn't been a DVD release of this film as of yet, though it is available on VHS with a few copies to be had on Amazon.com. I recently saw this on TCM, so it's occasionally aired on TV. While the entire film hasn't been uploaded to YouTube, there are some scenes to be seen. Above is one from early in the film, uploaded by LorreB. The poster above is available from MoviePosterShop.com.

Obscurity factor: 7 (not on DVD, available on VHS, occasionally aired on TCM, not on YouTube in full)

Jim Backus in Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol 1962

When it comes to holiday tradition nothing fills the bill like A Christmas Carol. Most people think of Reginald Owen or Basil Rathbone, or even Michael Caine if you're fond of the Muppets (and who isn't?). We mustn't forget Mr. Magoo, however. For some, this is the definitive Scrooge, simply because it was their first exposure to the character. It's a very cute adaptation, even if it doesn't have the weight of some other versions. This one, like Scrooge with Albert Finny which premiered 8 years after this, is a musical with some delightful original songs. Though it has it's champions, this version has largely been forgotten by the culture as a whole, which is a shame because it has some charming moments.


If you find yourself with a little time on your hands today, spend some time with Mr. Magoo. The full version is above, thanks to Hulu. You have to endure commercials, but there's a bonus at the end - a feature with Mr. Magoo as Rip Van Winkle. You can also find this on DVD.

Obscurity factor: 3 (available on DVD, available on Hulu, largely forgotten except by hard core fans)

Sebastian Cabot in Miracle on 34th Street 1973

Since the 1947 original premiered, Miracle on 34th Street has been a holiday classic. It's was remade twice for television in the 50's and 60's, as a Broadway play in 1963 called Here's Love starring Janis Paige and featuring a lovely score, and was remade again in the 1990's. Sebastian Cabot stars as Kris Kringle in this 1973 television film remake. It's a fairly faithful retelling of the story, updated to the mod 70's. Cabot is charming as Santa Claus. It also features Roddy McDowell as the officious Dr. Sawyer, Jane Alexander as Susan's mother, David Hartman as the love interest, Jim Backus as the VP in charge of sales at Macy's, David Doyle as Mr. Macy and Tom Bosley as the Judge. I'm especially fond of the footage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from the period, and the opening sequence features some wonderful shots of New York City in the early 70's.