Isn't It Shocking?

ISN'T IT SHOCKING starts right off with the murder of an elderly woman by a man (Edmond O'Brien) who uses a unique weapon for the deed. The police Chief (Alan Alda) notices only one odd thing about the death, and figures it was just natural causes. When more older folks begin dying in similar fashion, the Chief wonders if something quite unnatural is going on.

One of the most striking aspects about this, as with other early made-for-TV movies, is the cinematic quality of the production. It plays like a theatrical release. Also, the plot is original, scary, and absorbing. The suspense builds slowly, and even though the killer's identity and method are known from the opening seconds, the cat-and-mouse is thrilling.

Alda is at his best, showing his dramatic range. Those only accustomed to his "Hawkeye" character, should definitely see him here. Don't worry though, Alda's wry humor comes through when necessary. Louise Lasser puts in a memorable performance as the resourceful Blanche, as does Dorothy Tristan as the town doctor.

Watch for the great Will Geer as the Coroner and the mighty Ruth Gordon as the irrepressible Marge Savage! Her last words of dialogue are priceless!...

I am trying to find somewhere to purchase a DVD/VHS copy of the movie "Isn't it Shocking?" I was 7 years old when I saw this movie and I lived in the town where it was filmed. A couple of items from my family were used in the movie as props and a couple of my friend's homes were used in a couple of the scenes. The filming pretty well took place in the town and surrounding community. I have only seen the film once originally and I would like to get a copy so now I can show my family the film. I have done extensive searches online with not luck and I was wondering if anyone would have any ideas on trying to get a copy of this movie?

This is a great TV movie with a good story and many comic moments thanks to the excellent cast.

The only problem this movie has is that it hasn't stood the test of time as well as it might have.

Despite this, it's definitely worth viewing, particularly if you are an Alan Alda or Ruth Gordon fan.

"Isn't it Shocking?" is a low-keyed and inconspicuous TV-movie that greatly benefices from a terrific ensemble cast, an unusual but nevertheless intriguing premise and a script full of witty jokes and fun dialogues (and this in sheer contrast to the sober subject matter). This was one of the many legendary "ABC Movies of the Week" that were especially produced for cable-TV during the early seventies, and I have yet to encounter one of those that isn't worth tracking down. I was born in the wrong decade and the wrong continent in order to enjoy this series on actual television, but thanks to the modern wonders such as You Tube these old TV-movies still find their way to new fans. The story takes place in a small American town called Mount Angel, where in a short period of time three senior citizens – including the deputy Sheriff – die from seemingly ordinary heart failures that nevertheless raise the suspicion of Sheriff Dan. At the beginning of the film we witness how a strange and also elderly man comes to town and kills his first victim with a portable device that induces the heart failure. So the viewer knows the killer's identity immediately, but it's up to Sheriff Dan and his gossipy assistant Blanche to figure out why these gentle old folks are knocked off. They discover that all victims graduated together in the class of '28 so perhaps something sinister happened back then. It always amazes me how those modest ABC movies managed to rely on such acclaimed and respected actors and actresses! "Isn't it Shocking?" stars class players like Alan Alda ("MASH", "The Mephisto Waltz") and Edmond O'Brien ("The Wild Bunch", "Fantastic Voyage"), but also a splendid supportive cast including Louise Lasser, Will Greer and Ruth Gordon (as a character that may perhaps have inspired the "Crazy Cat Lady" from "The Simpsons"). This was also one of the first directorial efforts of John Badham, who would later make a handful of action favorites like "Blue Thunder", "Stakeout" and "Nick of Time". There's one remarkably spectacular sequence involving a battle with cars (!) but what I really liked most were the smooth jokes and sly interactions between the lead characters. Fun movie!

I remembered this film when I was a kid and loved it.

Does it still match up to my memories? Yes and no but in the end I'll say yes.

Okay lets start positive:

The cast is great, Alan Alda and a cast of veteran actors making the most they can of the material available.

The plot is different and interesting at first you think its just a serial killer on a spree but there is a sanity to the killers insanity.

The negative:

Who wrote the dialog? its crap!

I said the cast made the most of the material they had and man its a good thing they knew their job because the script writer sure didnt.

The actors are all saying what they are doing before or as they do it, who the hell does that?

The cast & plot are great but the screenplay's dialog drags this film down to only a good film.