Allied Artists Puts Modest Foot Forward
Would We Pay To See Twenty Plus Two 1961 Mystery Unfold?
I still don't understand the title, nor much of
the picture after watching, though it fascinates at level of a TV mystery blown
up to theatre scale. Was it intended, or produced, for the tube, then
rerouted by Allied Artists to cinemas? David Janssen was fresh off one series
(Richard Diamond), bound for another (The Fugitive). His was unique
enunciation that made line readings fresh; we could regret he didn't do more in
features, or at least live longer so as to have that opportunity. Twenty Plus
Two installs Janssen as man (and in this case) woman hunter in one hotel room
after another, forever on telephones tracking witnesses and clues, little of
this stimulus toward interest for us. There is something approaching an
"all-star" cast, most of them in for a day's shoot, with probably an
early quit-time. You'd think this was a Burke's Law episode but for Twenty
Plus Two predating that series. Longest arm of coincidence is summoned to tie
ends together for a finish, the tale lagging from convoluted to unbelievable.
Gerald Fried jazzes up a score to put you right at 60's "Bachelor
Pad" address --- I wish there were a CD of it. He had composed for Stanley Kubrick's first three as director, and television since. Twenty Plus Two was
notably a last venture for Scott R. Dunlap, directing/producing since the teens
and signer-off on more westerns than he likely could count. His was
executive producer credit here --- was it Dunlap who talked AA into backing and
distribution? Directing Joseph M. Newman had been competently at 20th Fox
through much of the 50's, and did legendary This Island Earth as well for
U-I. He'd live long enough (age 96) to give enlightening interviews.
Received via e-mail from Joe McGrenra:
ReplyDeleteJohn,
One night after school (college) and working and homework, I stumbled on this late, late night. Really caught my interest, but I had to turn in. Been waiting for somebody to show it again, but have never seen it listed. Where did you manage to see it, your post didn’t say.
Joe from Virginia Beach
From John: Can't recall where I saw this. Might have been TCM, as I do not have a DVD of it.
John, whether you saw it on TCM or not, you definitely caught an important piece of TCM history. According to IMDB, "Turner Classic Movie host Robert Osborne has a bit as the drunken sailor with dance tickets."
ReplyDeleteThis was definitely on TCM, maybe about a year or so ago. It wasn't bad but like you mentioned, it seemed like something in between a theatrical movie and a TV episode.
ReplyDeleteDunlap didn't convince Allied Artists to pick up the distribution; TWENTY PLUS TWO was produced in-house at AA, using the studio's facilities and staff.
ReplyDeleteThere's a story in John C. Esposito's book "Fire in the Grove" about Dunlap. In 1941 Dunlap was co-producing the Buck Jones westerns for Monogram, and he accompanied Jones to Boston's Cocoanut Grove nightclub. When the disastrous fire broke out, Dunlap managed to escape to the street. Overcome by smoke, he begged a passer-by to get him to a hospital. Dunlap offered the fellow $300, then passed out. When Dunlap awoke, he was in a hospital bed -- and found that the passer-by had taken exactly $300 from his wallet, no more and no less.
Scott: It's always refreshing to read about an honest person.
ReplyDeleteFriends, this is available on DVD now from Warner Archive.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Plus-Two-David-Janssen/dp/B004MFFB4O
Janssen had those "open car door ears" and I believe he was thankful when longer hair in men became the style and Janssen adopted a hair style that always covered his ears. When he died it was a shock. An article I was reading at the time about Janssen's death stated: "Janssen blew his heart out playing high intensity roles." Oooookayyyyyyyy.
ReplyDelete