*** This DVD is going to finally get its due after sitting on a shelf for like 2 years. In my defense, the Box tells me that the Feature is 5 hours long.
Thankfully, upon further inspection, it is a TV Mini-Series broken into 3 Parts. This way I can break into said Parts and not lose- let's be honest- about half of my day on this Film. ***
This is 1978's The Dain Curse, based on a Story by Daschell Hammett. I feel like that name doesn't hold the same gravitas in 2024 as it did back when this was made. That's a shame.
He created The Thin Man- a very popular Series in its day- and, oh yeah, wrote The Maltese Falcon. Too bad he was blacklisted for 'being a Communist.' Damn!
The Plot involves Hamilton Nash- who's not the Lead in the Book- trying to solve a case of robbery that turns into murder and so much more.
The Cast includes James Coburn as Nash, as well as Jason Miller, Hector Elizando, Beatrice Straight and Jean Simmons. It's very '70s and I love it.
How does it start? Let's find out...
Hamilton Nash- Coburn- is a Private Detective who works for an Agency.
He just broke a big case, but will get no credit.
If you think that this Plot Point matters, you're wrong.
He's hired to look into the theft of some Diamonds at a Scientist's House. The Insurance Company just wants him to sign off on it, but he's not that easy to fool.
He finds a diamond on the lawn, realizing that this is a setup...but for what?
Working the case leads to the Daughter- who's viewed as very eccentric- going missing.
She's found at, well, a Cult.
They're...clearly up to no good.
He brings her home, but right in time to find out that her Father was dead!
They claim that it is suicide and she's...happy?
Oh boy- exposition dump time....
The Scientist leaves behind a note admitting to killing his Wife (and the Mother of his Daughter) long ago and being in trouble.
However, Nash believes that this was not a suicide.
Stepmom says that the Daughter killed her Mom due to The Dain Curse.
When accused of the murder...
She grabs a gun and tries to get away.
She accidentally shoots herself and dies.
The Daughter ends up back with the Cult a bit later and Nash is hired to watch her.
While there, the Leader is conspiring in some way with a rich lady.
Meanwhile, someone gasses Nash, explaining this face.
He's able to stay away from too much gas (tee hee), but is still affected quite a bit.
One of the Cops shows up and, along with Nash, finds the Daughter with a knife and she's confessing to murder!
The End...of Part 1.
A good start, even if it does have to do all of the boring stuff that the beginnings of Trilogies do.
Imagine being able to just begin a Trilogy with the action. No Story to worry about it. It would make no sense, but it would be exciting!
The Story here is good and it really nails the feel of a Hammett Story. Even though Nash is a composite character (and designed to look like the Author), he just feels right.
He's just smart and sly enough for realism, but also able to be surprised by the facts as they unfold. Making a smart, but vulnerable Hero in these is hard to do.
Make things too surprising or uneven and they look like a dope. Make them too prepared and there's no drama.
Coburn, as you could guess, is great in the role. He's not alone, as everyone does a pretty darn good job here. You've got '70s Character Actors coming out of the woodwork, so you'd hope that it would be great.
Casting-wise, it is fun as a Horror Fan to see Jason Miller post-The Exorcist and Beatrice Straight Pre-Poltergeist. It's just a sweet spot timing-wise.
I will say that the Title does not play too much into the Plot so far, but would it shock you to learn that it matters a whole lot in Parts 2 and 3?
I guess so.
Anyways, keep an eye out for Part 2 soon...
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