The Yellow Canary

I watched this only because I had heard Rod Serling wrote it. Well, you'd never know it just from watching. Judging from his other work, he must have rushed this out for a payday. It would barely pass as a bad 1970s TV movie.

Pat Boone and Barbara Eden were attractive and charismatic performers adept at comedy but they were not dramatic actors and in this it really shows.

It's a shame that this film gets trashed all the time by critics, when it's really a fine Rod Serling movie. Boone, Eden, and Forrest give nice performances in this little mystery. I sure wish that I could find a copy of it on VHS, but I don't think it's ever been released on video. Maybe someday.

Pat Boone is a world-famous singer. He's opening at a major venue in Los Angeles. The crowds adore him. Wife Barbara Eden is divorcing him, and they come home to find their baby has been kidnapped.

I don't think of good acting when it comes to Boone, and Miss Eden, while a fine performer, is usually notable for her lighter work. Yet Boone gives a fine performance here as a man who thinks he has millions of friends until he discovers he doesn't have any. Miss Eden also gives a fine performance, and so does Jack Klugman as the police detective who initially browbeats the information about the kidnapping out of Boone. There are also good roles for Jesse White and a small one for Boone's acting teaching, Jeff Corey. If the ending is a bit discordant, the script by Rod Serling gets the audience there in a good fashion.

Competent but not extraordinary thriller is interesting for several elements.

First it gives Pat Boone a chance to play a slightly less savory character than his candy coated image usually allowed. I'm not much of a fan of the actor but he does a good job as the initially self involved singer who is a neglectful husband and father but basically decent man who gets an unexpected wake-up call when his infant son is kidnapped. The script also presents a few instances for him to sing without disturbing the flow of the story.

Barbara Eden, quite the knockout, was still a couple of years away from I Dream of Jeannie and working her way up the leading lady chain. Her role doesn't offer much opportunity outside frantic anguish but she handles the requirements well. Also on hand, though given little to do, is Jack Klugman as the police inspector on the case adding another solid portrayal to the film.

As for the general story while it has several plot holes that stretch believability it is overall an enjoyably put together nail-biter. A real benefit comes from the effective and evocative musical score provided by Kenyon Hopkins. It adds a great deal of tension and snap to scenes that could have otherwise been flat.

Not a long lost classic but an under-known worthwhile entertainment. Hard to find but if you happen upon it take the time to give it a chance.

I agree 100% with Jonboy1 from Texas. Pat Boone gives a very credible performance as the smooth nightclub singer, Andy Paxton. He teams again with Barbara Eden (together first in "All Hands on Deck - 1961?) who plays his wife, and is the "yellow canary" who like the proverbial worm, turns. Jack Klugman, always a welcome presence on screen appears as the probing Lieutenant Bonner. 1950s film luminary, Jeff Corey also makes an appearance. I cannot understand why this film has been canned when many less deserving films appear on DVD. Another of Pat's efforts "Never Put It In Writing" is similarly discarded while the nonsensical "The Horror of it All" is available. Strange! If anyone knows where I can buy a copy, I would be obliged.