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Tv remakes of classic films usually don't work out very well these days.But in the case of the l999 MGM/Showtime presentation of Lawrence & Lee's courtroom drama:"InHeirit The Wind".This film is the best peformance ever brought to the small screen.It's not the first time that "Inheirit The Wind"has been remade for tv.In the l980's.Kirk Douglass and Jason Robards took their turns as "Brady"and "Drummond" in a CBS TV Adaptation.But both men were unable to capture the emotional and creative sparks that Jack Lemon and in his last performance George C.Scott gave to their fans in this faithful tv version of Lawrence & Lee's dark satire on controlling one's ideals.Lemon gives a quiet but powerful performance as the openminded lawyer:"Henry Drummond".Whose unconventional lawyer tactics are attacked by the ultra conservitive and biasly controlling "Mat Brady"(Scott).Who is praised and cheered as a great believer in God ,a defender of those less fortunate and a wonderful man.But "Brady"is little more than a dangeriously controlling religious fanatic.Whose misuse of the lord's word and his pollitical ambitions ,encourage him to try and destroy a decent man"Prof.Cates".Simply because Mr.Scott's "Mr.Brady"refuses to accept the true history of man's evolvement.There are also some fine acting efforts from Lane Smith as the equally demented "Rev.Jerimah Brown",From the young lady who plays "Rev.Brown's" Daughter "Rachel" and from John Cullium as"Judge Merrell Coffee".The film sticks to the script from The late Stan Kramer's l960 screen adaptation and plays it beautifully.The only damper in terms of this movie..is the casting of Beau Bridges as Newspaper reporter:"E.K.Hornbeck".Mr.Bridges plays "Mr.Hornbeck"as a snotty,arrogant and boring caracture.Who tries to play his role in the same vein as his big screen predicessor:The Late Gene Kelly.But after seeing his performance in this second tv remake of the show.Mr.Bridges is not "E.K.Hornbeck"nor is he Gene Kelly.Despite Mr.Bridges' forgetable attemps to be Gene Kelly.The l999 Showtime TV version of "Inheirit The Wind!"is a fine film filled with fine performances from all assembled.It's also a wonderful tribute to The Late Mr.George C.Scott.Bravo George!

"The World Of Hans Christian Anderson"is the third film remake of the life story of Denmark's most famous storyteller and philosohper.And it's the most enchanting of the three.Here the film looks back at young Hans' efforts to try and earn enough monies to attened the Opera.By trying to have his father create and enter his new line of shoes at the Odense shoe festival.But The corrupt mayor of Odense is only interested in another cobbler's entry.Hence.Poor Mr.Anderson's(The voice of Mr.Anderson is performed by Gil Mack)entry is ignored.Hand tries to work at various jobs to get the monies for the opera.But his efforts fail.So the poor lad and his cat:"Casper"are forced to listen to the opera out side the operahouse.But Hans sad life is aided by a kindly father godfather:"Uncle Oley"(performed with charm,wit and whimsey by Chuck McCann).Who shows the boy that he doesn't need to see the opera to create his own fund.When the opera is disrupted by the pair of red shoes.That Mr.Anderson is forced to give to the spoiled and abusive daughter of the mayor forces the hideious girl to dancing nonstop into the streets and everyone follows the girl.Everyone except an unhappy little boy.Who is missing the opera.Hans cheers little fellow up with one of his stories:"The Poor Little Match Girl".By the time that he finishes the story for the unhappy little kid.Hans is hailed by the Mayor of Odense(The voice of the mayor is performed by Lionel Wilson)and the King's Royal ambassedore.The Royal Ambassedore sends a message to his majesty.Telling about Hans' talents as a storyteller and the king bestows unto the boy a scholarship to the Danish Royal Academy to study reading,writting and drama.Hence The boy is on his way to a long and successful career as the world's most famous author.The film doesn't have alot of great songs.But it does have some charming characters and the story is warm,funny and imaginative.The most memorable characters in this animated tale are McCann's"Uncle Oley"and WIlson's Corrupt but loveable rouge of a pollitician.This animated musical fantasy may not be in the same league as Sam Goldwyn's l952 live action musical semi/fantasy with Danny Kaye and Rankin/Bass'"The Daydreamer!"? But on it's own merrits.It's a wonderful little musical fantasy that captures the charm,fancy and the wit of Anderson and McCann.Bravo Chuck!

In this second and last feature film comedy for Harry Hurwitz.Chuck McCann again tries to satirize the movie making industry.But Unlike his previous endeavour with Hurwitz:"The Projectionist"."Comeback Trail"Is a forgettable look at movie pornography.As Hurwitz fills the script with unnecessary violence,Tasteless gags,foul language and unreal settings that do little to endear this stupid parody of low budget filmaking to audiences and film students.The plot(Or what little plot there is)has "Enrico Kodiak"(McCann)(A bad screen version of Chuck's popular kidult tv villian:"The Great Bombo Dump")and his bumbling partner:"E.Eddie Eastman"(Bob Stats)trying to find a way of saving their little film business by trying to get enough monies to pay off their creditors.They come up with a scheme to bring an ex movie cowboy actor:"Bute Montanna"(Buster Crabbe)out of retirement to appear in a contemporary western and.Since the two fiends believe that this old guy is in no shape to do the strenouious stunts on camera.He'll drop dead,as the only beneficaries of his life insurance policy.They collect a fortune and pay off the bill collectors.But "Montanna"prepares himself for the film and succeeds in not only making the film a hit.He also takes over "Kodiak's & Eastman's"studio and their fourtunes.Crabbe gives his most capable performance in this film.But with little or no plot and with alot of offensive material being done.There is only so much that he can do in this film.Even Ina Ballin and Jara Kohout(Chuck's co stars from The Projectionist)do very little to help make this film a hit."The Comeback Trail"is Buster Crabbe's Last Movie.It's sad that this film provides very little in the way of thrills and excitement for Buster Crabbe fans or gives us any real comedy or nostalgia remincising for old movies fans or for fans of movie comedy and fans of Chuck McCann in general.Kevin S.Butler