The Letters

The 1970s was one of the most prolific in terms of TV productions. Cable channels and VHS rental did not yet exist. Films for cinema were strictly for cinema and television had its own production, with a smaller budget but with great ideas and actors. This film narrates three different stories, the first about a middle-aged couple whose husband decides to run away with a young lover, the second about two sisters who fight for the same man, and the third about a young couple who are very much in love who have to face the refusal of her mother. The three stories coincide in that their protagonists have written letters that end up reaching their recipients 1 year later than expected. This detail gives a dramatic turn to the resolution of each segment. The film is simple but charming, the cast is wonderful, Barbara Stanwick, John Forsithe, Dina Merril, Ida Lupino and Pamela Franklin are just some of the established figures that participate in the telefilm. It is a pity that this, like many other productions of the 70s and 80s, have been practically forgotten.

"The Letters," this 1973 TV movie is told in three stories which have a common factor – they all received a letter a year late due to the carrier plane crashing. Story #1: We see married couple John Forsythe and wife Jane Powell. He is going on a business trip, but when he gets on the plane, we see him hold hands with the lady already sitting there, Lesley Ann Warren. Oh, John! While on his business trip and rendezvousing with Lesley, he writes a "Dear John" letter to Jane, but never mailed it. He then winds up going back to her, when he can't see a real life with children with Lesley. When Lesley sees he has accidentally dropped it, she has her own agenda that may hurt all of them. Story #2: Leslie Nielsen is a concert pianist, or at least wants to be. He has talent, but is undiscovered. Dina Merrill, who loves him, tells him it will happen. But Dina's rich sister Barbara Stanwyck sinks her teeth into Dina's love life and Stanwyck really packs a wallop with her spunky but brief role. And, Barbara mails a letter that will not surface for a year and will give someone the upper hand. Story #3: Ida Lupino is Pamela Franklin's controlling but loving mother who only wants the best for her when she tells Pamela's beau to hightail it out of town or she'll put him in jail for an accidental death he caused that he's wanted for out of the state. He ultimately leaves and learns something about himself in the process, thereby writing Pamela a letter. All three stories are modest yet very engrossing little vignettes. Some are more effective. Some are more melodramatic than others. All gave good performances, even John Forsythe who usually doesn't emote much. Stanwyck of course is a highlight. The second story is the most unsatisfying maybe, due to its superficial and unlikeable characters. The film, on the whole, was very entertaining, but you're not very likely to ever see this on TV now or know anything about it, unless you find this at a DVR website. If you do decide to get it, you won't be disappointed. I would watch it again. Movies like this always make me yearn for the more simpler time and life of the 1970s and 80s when everything was so completely different. This may seem to be undemanding but that also is its charm. Simple stories of simple yet multi-layered people who make mistakes and learn from them – a year later.

I loved "The Letters" (1973, made-for-TV). Why is it never shown on TV or available in video rental? There are lots of people out here with a bent for romantic themes. For example, "Somewhere in Time" is the greatest love story ever made, hated by the critics, but loved by the fans. Today, 20 years later, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan has an annual "Somewhere in Time" Weekend, and it is always a sell-out.. Shows what the critics know.

"The Letters" is an interesting idea for a film and apparently was a pilot for a series that never came to be. You see three separate stories that are all tied together by a common thread...a letter which was sent but not delivered for a year. While you could argue that the Postal Service sucks, this is explained away by a bag of mail being on a plane that crashed in the mountains...and the missing sack of mail was only just discovered. In each story, you see the story up until the letter is written...then a break to show the plane crash...and then later the rest of the story once the letter arrives.

The film has a cast of various A and B list stars including the likes of John Forsythe, Barbara Stanwyck, Dina Merrill, Ida Lupino and many others. One story is about an unfaithful husband, another about a slimy pianist who murders his ancient wife and the final about a man who is killed on the way to doing the right thing and straighten up his life! I was surprised how touching some of the stories were (particularly the first and third) and in hindsight I would have liked to have seen more. Too bad the series never was made. It was well written, had an interesting cast and was quite original.

I was pleasantly surprised by this little drama, very well acted which could have given a good TV show. what amused me the most is that's the same mail man for all those three stories. But after all, maybe the three stories took place in the same neighbourhood...

Yes, this is a pretty good surprise, the typical stuff that TV industry may give from time to time. I guess there must me many more hidden. I am myself a French mail employee and that tale amused me a lot. Thanks.