End-eavour Morse Coda

Sunday on PBS will be the series finale of Endeavour. I’ve been binge re-watching all of the previous episodes on Amazon Prime to get ready for the final three, recorded from GBH Boston.

Some of the cases that Morse solves are preposterous, but that’s true of every murder mystery show. The point of the series is, of course, the soap opera continuity of the relationships between the principle characters.

Along with Morse, I’m an admirer of Joanie, with Sarah Vickers as the girl next door who happens to be the boss’ daughter.

Dakota Blue Richards, as officer Trewlove, was in the show for several seasons. Morse kept the relationship professional, even after she suggested they should sleep in the same bed when posing as a married couple for an undercover assignment.

A favorite supporting character is the distinguished and well-spoken Dr. DeBryn, played by James Bradshaw. He has a catchphrase, “Shall we say 2 O’Clock?”

Anton Lesser as Superintendent Bright starts off as a prickly martinet who is doubtful of Morse’s resourcefulness to the point of undermining him. Bright comes to be a staunch advocate for Morse, and as the eldest member of the cast he evolves into a finely nuanced character.

Troubled Classic Movies

After the first round of layoffs at Turner Classic Movies, TCM Underground was cancelled. I was talking with someone last weekend who was enough of a TCM Underground fan that he cancelled his cable TV service.

Reassurances from the new axe-wielding boss at Warner Discovery that, despite his recent removal of the TCM management team, the station will continue as before aren’t convincing me, or most anyone else it seems.

The New Yorker’s film critic is calling TCM a national treasure.

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/turner-classic-movies-is-a-national-treasure

The final movie that was shown on TCM Underground was that sterling classic of compelling inhuman drama by Ed Wood, Bride of the Monster.

Another source of classic movies, the Movies! TV Network, is no longer being broadcast on Boston television. The only way to watch it is online with the FrndlyTV service. I might give it a try.

https://try.frndlytv.com/

Wu Who?

Today I was asked an out-of-nowhere question by my eldest sister. “Do you remember meeting Michelle Wu?” Boston mayor Michelle Wu? Uh, no.

At my nephew’s wedding in 2006, Wu was his wife’s maid of honor, and when I was told that, I remembered her at the ceremony and reception. In a toast to the happy couple, Wu gave a moving speech that had some people in tears, wait staff as well as invited guests.

A Pair of Jeans

In 1951, Jeanne Crain and Jean Peters appeared together in the fluffy film Take Care of My Little Girl. When I see Jeanne I think she was more beautiful than Jean, and when I see Jean I think she was more beautiful than Jeanne. When they’re together I can’t make up my mind.

Jeanne Crain and Jean Peters in Take Care of My Little Girl

Jeanne and Jean became close friends. They looked as though they could have been sisters, and in a bit of casting that was equally obvious and inspired, they played sisters in Vicki, from 1953.

Jean Peters and Jeanne Crain in Vicki

As a murder mystery Vicki isn’t a great movie, but it’s fast-paced and entertaining. Along for the ride with Jeanne and Jean there is Richard Boone before Have Gun Will Travel, Carl Betz before The Donna Reed Show, and Aaron Spelling before he became a TV producer.