Dark Corner

First of all, who are these irritating, long-winded people who always feel the need to write the entire synopsis of a TV episode or movie? Most reviewers have already seen a particular TV episode or movie or they wouldn't be here writing their opinion of it. They don't need your lengthy, detailed synopsis.

And secondly, who is the particular oddball here who's always referring to Richard Kimball as "Dick" in each of The Fugitive episodes he comments on? Are you a good friend of "Dick's"? Why not write his full name or Richard or Kimball? In the entire Fugitive series, not one character on the show (including his family members) ever refer to him as "Dick," so why do you? Yep, you're an odd one.

Kimble, escaping from a bus caught in a police roadblock, runs to a farm and hides. He is unaware that Mattie Braydon is sitting in the dark. Mattie, well-played by actress Tuesday Weld, is beautiful, blonde, sexy -- and blind. She deceives police and her family to help Kimble. The next day, when her modeling clay arrives by bus, she and Kimble pretend he has arrived on the bus, and will be working as her model. Also, Kimble can repair motorized farm equipment that has broken down.

Mattie lives in a complex family situation with her father, her sister Clara, and Bob, who has lived with the family for many years after his parents were killed, and who is now engaged to Clara. Mattie uses her beauty and blindness to manipulate others to her will. She has helped Kimble because she knows he must depend on her keeping quiet, and thus can use him to further her plans.

Mattie's devious actions pose danger for Kimble and for every member of Mattie's family.

A young Tuesday Weld is delicately beautiful in this episode and everything revolves around her. This is a gripping story, shot beautifully in black and white, with atmosphere and mood, and mounting violence. Writing this review 56 years after "Dark Corner" first aired, I'm still hesitant to give too much away. A first-time viewer should be allowed to see this as I did years ago, with no pre-knowledge of how the action will unfold.

The Braydons are dairy farmers in South Dakota. Poor, hard-working, salt of the earth. There's Papa and his two daughters, Clara and Mattie. Papa is a sweet old man who dotes on his daughters, especially Mattie, blind since an accident when she was 8 years old. And there's also Bob who lives in the house; he's Clara's fiancé. The men in this family are weak, easily manipulated, while the women are deceptively strong. Even the sheriff and his deputy are easily fooled.

While everyone else is busy working the farm, Mattie sculpts in her studio. She's lonely, isolated, yet all the action is centered on her. With her ethereal blonde hair and soft voice, Mattie is a sympathetic figure. Everyone but Clara underestimates her. But Kimble of course eventually figures her out after initially developing a closeness based on shared loneliness. He's the one who helps unravel the family secrets and allows the truth to be uncovered.

The role of Mattie was a dramatic challenge and Tuesday Weld, at age 21, was convincing in it. She matches David Janssen's intelligent portrayal of their central characters. It's why The Fugitive, five decades on, remains one of the best things to have ever graced the TV screen.