Elsbed

Another movie I saw as a child that I located on video again as an adult and fully enjoyed. This movie is suspenseful, quite sad at parts, and also EXTREMELY CREEPY...I recall the scene that seemed the most freakish to me as an 11 year old was the cobweb-encrusted child's wheelchair moving on its own... it still freaked me out as an adult, as well as the scene where the ball bounces down the stairs after George C Scott has thrown it over a bridge. This type of "poltergeist" or "haunted house" type of scenario scares me more an any of the "slasher" type horror films, really. George C. Scott's character solving the mystery behind the house is excellent, as well as the ending.

This series is absolutely incredible. For several summers after it came out in '78, PBS would run the entire 13 part series. My sister and I watched it religiously. Then, inexplicably, it seemed to drop off the face of the earth. We were so excited when, years later, A&E ran it, albeit with commercial interruptions and cutting. Even more excited when another local PBS channel aired the complete version of the series. We both have them on tape now and have watched them again, and again... and again. I have read the books by KM Peyton, and although they are very good, this is one instance where the film version surpassed the books. The performances were fantastic. Christine McKenna as the freespirited orphan Christina, Steven Grives is excellent as the naughty, arrogant (but lovable) Mark, and Alan Parnaby as the shy, intelligent William. We watch the characters grow from sheltered teenagers to adults with difficult choices to make. Based on three books, one can almost see the "break" within the series, the first part being Christina's arrival at Flambards, her introduction to horseback riding, her adjustment to living with the crumbly, wheelchair bound Uncle Russell, and the two brothers. Secondly, she falls in love with William and runs off to London with him so that he may pursue his dream of designing airplanes. There they live a relatively carefree existence until World War I approaches and William decides to join the Royal Flying Corps. These characters are so endearing, so lovable; the entire series is beautifully filmed, music and costuming are great, and the "flying machines" are spectacular. What is most astonishing to me is that very few people I've talked to have ever heard of this series, and it is so seldom shown anymore that I doubt if many people will be introduced to it any time soon. Yet, I have actually gotten people ADDICTED to it by watching my videos; in college I would come home from class to find my roommates completely engrossed and watching it for the second, or third time. I do wish that this series would get the recognition it deserves. I believe now that it is available as a video boxed set, which is at least a start, but I believe that PBS should revive this, and other great series from the 70's.

Based on the book by Fred Mustard Steward, this movie is a bit hard to keep track of. Myles (Alan Alda), a frustrated musician and writer, is offered an interview with "the greatest pianist alive" Duncan Eli. Duncan (who, along with his "daughter" Roxanne, happens to be a Satanist) notices that Myles has "wonderful hands"...soon we learn that Duncan's sudden attention to Myles and his family is merely a ploy to switch souls (and bodies) with Myles so that he may continue living eternally, as Duncan, in his present body, is dying of leukemia. If you can grasp who is who, it's not too bad...most of its merit is in the amusement factor...the fluorescent blue oil that seems to be key in the Satanists' rituals...Jacqueline Bissett's dry comments and digs, which are hilarious...Alan Alda looking very young...with his equally humorous transformation into "Duncan." Worth watching, at least once.