I'm not gonna tell you the story of the story; I'm just gonna say that Dorothy Provine was a pretty fair actress. Along with such experts as Andrew Duggan, and John Van Dreelan, they make a dull script and story worth watching. As so often happens in these dramas, it is the excellent acting that saves the day. In this case somebody decided it would be a good idea to have a Spy vs. Spy episode. Unfortunately, they left out the humor, and decided to substitute manners and gentility. A stupid choice; as far as I see it anyway. Long on boredom and short on action, and a relief when over. It was even bad at being boring; it might at least have put me to sleep.
3 Reviews
STU AND ONE NOTORIOUS SPY...
tcchelsey26 February 2024
If Montgomery Pittman directed and wrote this adventure, you know it's good. In fact, this may have been the very last episode he wrote, passing due to cancer in the summer of 1962. His wife, Maurita, also a writer, contributed to the story.
Pittman's death followed the sudden passing of fellow writer Fred Brady, about six months earlier, which was another blow to the WB dream team.
This is actually a continuation of a previous episode in which Stu put away master spy John Van Dreelan (as Van Horn), who he had known since his undercover days in WWII. Van Horn is now working for the Russian government and plots his revenge, having JR kidnapped so Stu will rescue him and be captured himself.
Beautiful Dorothy Provine returns to the series as the proverbial mystery woman (Nora) caught up in the case as is tough guy Norman Alden, looking quite sinister, playing a goon named Rene. The eventual meeting with Stu and Van Horn is quite dramatic, and with some excellent dialogue between the two, again thanks to Montgomery Pittman.
Warner Brothers regular Andrew Duggan turns up as Cal. Van Dreelan appeared a record seven times on the series, and for good reason. He's the whole show, and I agree with the last reviewer, definitely the one to watch. Van Dreelan was expert in multiple foreign languages. The closing plane scene is extremely well directed, and something different for the series, which usually relied on the WB backlot.
Recommended for devout 77 fans. Best of SEASON 4 remastered WB.
Pittman's death followed the sudden passing of fellow writer Fred Brady, about six months earlier, which was another blow to the WB dream team.
This is actually a continuation of a previous episode in which Stu put away master spy John Van Dreelan (as Van Horn), who he had known since his undercover days in WWII. Van Horn is now working for the Russian government and plots his revenge, having JR kidnapped so Stu will rescue him and be captured himself.
Beautiful Dorothy Provine returns to the series as the proverbial mystery woman (Nora) caught up in the case as is tough guy Norman Alden, looking quite sinister, playing a goon named Rene. The eventual meeting with Stu and Van Horn is quite dramatic, and with some excellent dialogue between the two, again thanks to Montgomery Pittman.
Warner Brothers regular Andrew Duggan turns up as Cal. Van Dreelan appeared a record seven times on the series, and for good reason. He's the whole show, and I agree with the last reviewer, definitely the one to watch. Van Dreelan was expert in multiple foreign languages. The closing plane scene is extremely well directed, and something different for the series, which usually relied on the WB backlot.
Recommended for devout 77 fans. Best of SEASON 4 remastered WB.
A little payback
bkoganbing5 May 2018
This story from 77 Sunset Strip picks up from a 1959 episode where Efrem
Zimbalist, Jr. was the bait in an elaborate con to trap spy John Van Dreelan who
worked in the Dutch Underground during World War II while Stu Bailey was with
the OSS. Van Dreelan is now working for the Russians.
Van Dreelan did two years in the joint and was deported. But he's working an elaborate con game of his own to lure Robert Logan who was not part of the series back then and then to have Zimbalist go to his rescue. As in the episode in 1959 Dorothy Provine figures prominently in the proceedings.
Andrew Duggan formerly of Bourbon Street Beat who is now back with the New Orleans PD also makes a guest appearance.
Van Dreelan is who to watch in this story. He's no one's fool and in wanting some payback gets nailed once again. You have to see how.
Van Dreelan did two years in the joint and was deported. But he's working an elaborate con game of his own to lure Robert Logan who was not part of the series back then and then to have Zimbalist go to his rescue. As in the episode in 1959 Dorothy Provine figures prominently in the proceedings.
Andrew Duggan formerly of Bourbon Street Beat who is now back with the New Orleans PD also makes a guest appearance.
Van Dreelan is who to watch in this story. He's no one's fool and in wanting some payback gets nailed once again. You have to see how.
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