A Sensitive, Passionate Man

Angie Dickenson and David Jannsen, along with supporting actors, were at their best in "A Sensitive Passionate Man."

I have often wondered why the TV networks do not run more of Janssen's films.

I'm middle aged and I remember as a little boy my "first TV series" with the original "Fugitive" with Janssen.

Contrast TV network "programming" today with what it was in the 1960's and 1970s and I'll go back in time, even with "fewer channels" and even some black and white of the mid-1960's.

Today, I am going to turn off the satellite dish and save $700 a year ($14,000.00 over 20 years.) What isn't garbage has seven and eight commercials at a time. The very few TV shows worth watching break up several times with seven or eight commercials and I sit there and wonder what it was I was even watching.

I have recently purchased several DVD's---no commercials---and one was "A Sensitive Passionate Man."

When I turn off the satellite TV at the end of this month, that will give me $70 a month to buy such DVD's with and I can watch what I want, when I want, without long, long commercial breaks.

I believe the TV, cable and satellite industries are making huge mistakes today. Viewership in down. Maybe many people are on the internet as I am now.

People who watched TV in the 60's and 70's remember LOCAL TV programming where there were actual local hosts on TV in local markets.

We had "Bob Hope" specials, Ed Sullivan who gave us a variety of talent, etc.

In my mind, TV, cable and satellite have been ruined by GREED. I began this article about "A Sensitive Passionate Man." This is what got me off on the topic of the waste of today's TV, generally speaking. There may be a few exceptions.

Give me the shows of the 60s and 70s---with far less "technical" improvements, and I will give you everything that is on cable and satellite TV today.

Bring back Angie Dickenson and David Janssen type acting and fare.

Bill Histed

Regret can't really watch films about alcoholism, Angie Dickinson's presence notwithstanding. And poor David Janssen, long one of my favourite TV actors, looked old and tired by this time.

As a late comer fan of David Janssen's, I been looking for some time for this film and finally found it-- "A Sensitive, Passionate Man"-- for sale on the Internet.

I almost wish I hadn't. The acting by Janssen is almost too believable and I was quite unsettled by the whole story. My late husband was an alcoholic and some of the scenes were just so true to life that it brought up memories that were painfully familiar.

For its time, it was a very good portrayal of a subject that wasn't dealt with openly in society. Folks didn't really understanding that alcoholism is a disease, not a character flaw. Unfortunately, as in the film, sometimes the patient is lost. I watched my husband die of problems related to drinking and the final scene was almost more than I could personally take.

For Janssen fans, it is also notable that he helped write the title song for the film!

I remember seeing the original broadcast of this made for TV movie at the age of about 25 in the late seventies and finding it well above average in every way one with an appetite for much beyond mindless nonsense might wish for in passing prime time, and since then have enjoyed reruns of A Sensitive Passionate Man at least once or twice and probably will again if the opportunity arises conveniently. My only problem with this story is its title, because most guys would probably feel uncomfortable reciting those words to describe a good show they experienced about a hardcore alcoholic and his otherwise reasonably successful family life. So my main suggestion would be to warn anyone against neglecting this fine film on that basis alone because you definitely will be missing something very special. David Janssen and Angie Dickenson both give very moving, unschmaltzy performances complemented by a capable cast of believable supporting players including the children victimized by this suburban American tragedy.

"My Sensitive, Passionate Man" was originally an NBC TV movie, released in 1977. I have a video of this movie (released in 1994) retitled "Hooked." The video is trimmed down to 90 minutes, leaving two key scenes out. The first scene is Janssen tossing Dickinson into their pool, during one of his drunken stupors, while having a party. The following scene was cut as well. It's where the couple are having a heart-to-heart talk & she tells him how much he means to her, & expresses that she's his 'best friend' (this aided in character development). The video is not edited very well. They also had the nerve to put the "Retail" price of $59.95 on the box!!! Aside from the video's shortcomings, this is a compelling story of an alcoholic's downfall & the effects it has on him & his family. Angie Dickinson leaves her saucey Pepper Anderson ("Police Woman") persona aside to play a devoted housewife, & mom to two boys. David Janssen plays her tortured soul/boozehound husband who gives up on life after he's fired from his job in aerospace. He refuses to seek other employment or get long term help for his alcoholism. He's supposed to be 42 years old, but looks about 52 (I don't know if this was intentional but it works in this movie, showing what alcohol abuse can do to someone). In one scene he slaps her, but he's really the one you want to see smacked across the face & knocked some sense into! You know his character is sick, yet he's so obnoxious, pompous, & unlikable it's hard to really feel sympathy for him. (Also,much of Janssen's dialog is mumbled, which can get annoying). It's Angie & their sons you feel bad for. Angie Dickinson is very good in this film. She's a sexy forty-something & looks great! The two kids who play their sons are also good. This was unusual for the 70's because so many child actors were horrible, or annoying (remember Quinn Cummings & Glenn Scarpelli?!) I recommend this movie if you like thought provoking dramas about family life & relationships. (The theme song, sung by Melba Moore & released as a single, is also memorable).