BURKE'S LAW: WHO KILLED CABLE ROBERTS

Paul Lynde

BURKE'S LAW: WHO KILLED CABLE ROBERTS (1963). Director: Jeffrey Hayden. 

Cable Roberts, a big-game hunter who may have been a complete phony, is found dead in his trophy room, propped over a screen that nearly falls on top of the screaming maid (Zsa Zsa Gabor of Country Music Holiday). His personal secretary Arthur Clark (Paul Lynde) -- who is keeping his own secrets -- seems quite distraught over the death, but Roberts' wife Mona (Lizabeth Scott) not only can't be bothered to shed a tear but seems to have no real human reaction other than to blatantly flirt with Homicide Captain Amos Burke (Gene Barry) as if this lass with a pronounced overbite were the most beautiful woman on earth. Burke and his associates -- Detective Tim Tillson (Gary Conway) and Sgt. Les Hart (Regis Toomey of Three for Jamie Dawn) -- talk to numerous suspects, including Roberts' ex-wife Florence (Mary Astor), son Bud (John Saxon), business partner Harry Riggs (Chill Wills of Heartaches), and others. Who done it?

Gerry Conway and Gene Barry

"Who Killed Cable Roberts?" is one of the better episodes of this entertaining, amusing, and often very silly series that ran for two seasons in the sixties before being transformed into Amos Burke, Secret Agent. The acting of the assorted guest-stars in this story is especially notable, with Mary Astor -- no surprise there -- taking top honors along with a terrific Chill Wills. A big surprise is the excellent performance given by Paul Lynde. Although others have called him "campy" in this -- and no one would have blamed him if he had acted that way on this program -- he actually gives an essentially serious dramatic performance and is all the better because of it -- it is really good work. Barry, handsome Conway and Toomey are all at the top of their game as well. 

Verdict: Extra-special episode of this fun series with some fine performances. ***1/4.  

THREE FOR JAMIE DAWN

Thankless role: Marilyn Simms

THREE FOR JAMIE DAWN (1956). Director: Thomas Carr.

In New York City socialite Jamie Dawn (Marilyn Simms) loses her temper -- to put it mildly -- and puts about as many bullets into her man as Bette Davis did in The Letter. Before long Jamie is being represented by defense lawyer Martin Random (Richard Carlson of The Magnetic Monster), who decides the only thing he can do to get dear Jamie off is to bribe as many witnesses as he can. He and his associate Murph (Regis Toomey) zero in one three especially vulnerable individuals: George Lorenz (Ricardo Montalban of Mystery Street), who has a wife, Sue (Laraine Day) and children as well as severe financial troubles; Lorrie Delacourt (June Havoc), an out-of-work actress who is desperate for a new part in a hit play; and Anton Karek (Eduard Franz of Sins of Jezebel), a Czech with a wife, Julia (Maria Palmer), and a young son who is still behind the iron curtain. Which if any of these needy people will succumb to Murph's entreaties and bribery? And will they be worse or better off it they do?

June Havoc and Tristram Coffin

One can only imagine what actress Marilyn Simms might have thought when she was told she had the title role in Three for Jamie Dawn, but then read the script and saw she had not a single line of dialogue. No wonder the poor woman only had two credits despite her distinctive appearance. As for the other actors, Carlson is effective if a little too obvious as the sleazy lawyer, but the other performances cannot be faulted. June Havoc scores as the flamboyant and desperate actress -- Tristram Coffin who essays a playwright, is also notable  -- Montalban proves again that he was more than a Latin Lover boy; Day is lovely as his wife; and Franz and Palmer are perfect as the couple who are dying to see their little boy again. Regis Toomey gives one of his best performances as the equally sleazy Murph, all surface charm and heartless bravado. Dorothy Adams has a good turn as an associate of the defendant. The picture is absorbing and suspenseful, it not quite top-notch. Nice theme music by Walter Scharf. Thomas Carr also directed The Daltons' Women.

Verdict: Good story line, interesting characters, and some fine performances in this. **3/4.