"The Wide World of Mystery" Shadow of Fear (TV Episode 1974) Poster

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6/10
A fun Dan Curtis TV film
BandSAboutMovies24 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Danna Forester (Anjanette Comer, The Baby) is a rich woman in a kept relationship with the much older Mark (Jason Evers, The Brain That Wouldn't Die). They're both having affairs, including her way close friendship with Mark Brolin (a very young Tom Selleck). One night, as she returns home, sinister messages are painted all over the walls of their house. The cops can't help, but perhaps ex-cop Styran (Claude Atkins!) can put it all together.

Then again, maybe Danna isn't all that tightly wound as it seems. Or perhaps she really is and all of this is one big ploy.

Herbert Kenwith is mainly known for his long associations with Norman Lear (Different Strokes, The Facts of Life, Good Times, One Day at a Time) and Mae West, for whom he directed theatrical presentations. He had an amazingly rich directing career, even if it was mainly for the stage and television. Reading his IMDB biography brought a smile to my face.

Writer Larry Brody's career has plenty of interesting cartoon scripts on it, including the pilot for the European Diabolik cartoon, Spider-Man Unlimited, Silver Surfer, as well as live action shows like Super Force and The Fall Guy.

This is another Dan Curtis produced episode of the ABC Wide World of Mystery. There aren't many episodes that have survived, but this is one of them. It's wild - shot on video and filled with the twists and turns of a soap opera.
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5/10
Talky TV movie
Leofwine_draca15 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
SHADOW OF FEAR is another TV movie made as part of the WIDE WORLD OF MYSTERY television series. It lasts just over an hour, and tells of a woman who has been repeatedly targeted by a burglar who only goes after her items. The police commit to a thorough investigation, at least until they discover that the woman has mental problems and decide she's doing it all herself. Or is she? There are few surprises in this rather predictable story, which is bogged down by the usual TV problems, namely set-bound locales and endless talk in the form of character building, exposition, and the like. However, the cast is a decent one here, with Claude Akins excelling as the gruff but likeable cop and even Tom Selleck popping up briefly, so that goes some way in making this watchable.
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"I Don't Want To Make What Could Be A Tragic Mistake!"...
azathothpwiggins28 October 2018
In SHADOW OF FEAR, Danna Forester (Anjanette Comer) returns from a night out with her friend, Mark Brolin (Tom Selleck), to find her home trashed. Police are stumped, so, her husband, Martin (Jason Evers), hires private detective, Styran (Claude Akins) to investigate the incident. Styran has suspicions about the case, especially after Danna exhibits some rather odd behavior. Digging deeper, he discovers her psychological records, which could shed light on what's really going on. Or, perhaps not.

A Dan Curtis production, SOF was shot on video tape, and has that ultra-cheeezey, soap opera look to it. In spite of this, it's not bad, and has a nice "shock" finale! Akins is the main star, and puts in a great performance as the crusty ex-cop. Comer and Evers are also good. Selleck plays more of a bit part, appearing for about 2-3 minutes...
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