flashback42

Yep. I steal only from the best. A 1960s Jerry Lewis filck, *The Errand Boy*, involves a family-run studio, Parimutual, and several executives named Paramutual. I don't go out and buy biographies; I'm limited to the mini-bios on line, The closest I can find to what you describe is Marcus Lowe. His Lowe's Metro theater and others he controlled were the part of the business that interfaced directly with the consumer. (He is the "Metro" in Metro Goldwyn Meyer.) His field was real estate, and even as a studio executive he saw himself in that light.-- renting out theater seats. Is this the person your question referred to?

yep, that's who it is. mtez44's thread.

lavender's login troubles continue; are under study by TMCADMIN Continuing the thread: A prolific American stage and screen star did a performance of *A Christmas Carol* every Christmas Eve from 1934 to 1953. He missed only one of these performances -- the Christmas Eve that his wife passed away. Who was that?

stick, I've spent some time trying to trace this one down. The only encouragement is a reference to a 2009 Austrian movie, *Dead In Three Days*, about teenagers getting cryptic text- messages. Is that the one you mean?

Going out-of-turn to get back from page 3: Tybalt -- Michael York in *William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet* (1968)

Over 200 Views, no bites; retiring the question. Angie Dickenson, (the wayward wife), had played "Feather" and "Pepper Anderson" Mel Ferrer, (the suspicious husband). had played "Robert Cohen" Robert Mitchum had twice portrayed gumshoe Phillip Marlowe in remakes of earlier movies. The deceased was found on the sidewalk fully dressed, but wearing just one shoe. The Matching shoe was found in the middle of the room he had left, many stories up. The detective surmised he had been dragged across the room and thrown out. The TVM takes this clue for the title -- *One Shoe Makes It Murder* (1982). Thread open

Professor follows through on his determination; Sobers up, cleans up. Has contact with a friend from his academic days. He's offered a job on condition of keeping it if his performance is satisfactory (construction). Makes fair wages, accumulates a little money ahead. Then he hires a private investigator to look into the case of his friend's death. In his fadeout scene, Professor is settling into his new existance, and he shows confidence that he will not relapse. In the TVM's final scene, the P.I, showing around the rich merchent's photo, finds a witness who saw that guy give a ride in his limo to Professor's friend. Fadeout on a hopeful conclusion.

Leo Paramount?

Dumb law enforcement has been a staple of comedy for centuries. It goes back to comedia del arte, and it includes Shakespeare's "Constible Dogberry" in *Much Ado About Nothing* (Michael Keaton played that role a couple of decades back). As a plot device, the police often have to be inept in order for the vigilante (Batman) or the P.I. (Lew Archer, say) to be right.

The villain has a cast-listed character name made famous in Horror fiction. // Developing pattern: The crimes take place at or near small rural light-craft airports, the type that are often closed and unmanned at night. The killer is a pilot.

Professor is not believed, and is humiliated, when he goes to the police with his suspicions. Word gets to the Dept. Store owner he is accusing. That man visits him and warns him to back off "or I'll stomp you like a bug." Shaken and fearful after this encounter, Professor takes the first steps in his own rehabilitation.

...and in the sequel the Chamber ;of Commerce had changed Ararene's name to Texasville. Didn't help much. mudskipper's thread.

(14,503) "Professor" catches a news blurb: The widower of the woman who died in the robbery is engaged, just a couple of weeks after the deaths. He's beginning to put together a theory that his friend was set up. There was always the question of how his friend got to the scene of the incident, 30 miles or so, when he never even had bus fare.

Two Oscar-winning performances in the first movie. One of those performers was in the sequel; the other was deceased by then. One key performer in both movies has won an Oscar since the sequel.

Down in just under four hours. Gipper's thread.

Thanks, cagney. Next up: Swifty Morgan. He never managed to get his boots off. ??

9 days idle = abandoned thread. A serial killer who rapidly changes jurisdections. It slowly develops that the actions are moving into Vampire lore. Reporters who want a scoop are the most persistant ones on the case.

Mid 1960s. The series title uses the brand name of a consumer product. The episode title is a quote from Homer.

Theatrical releases. The earlier B&W, the later in Color.

Before the loss of his family, the street bum was a mathematics instructor. He still has the manners and vocabulary of an educated man, and is called "Professor" by those who are now his companions.

*The Petrified Forest* looks right as to the year. Paul Harvey as Mr. Chisholm, Slim Thompson as the chauffeur. ???

For this variation on that "Fictious Place" foremat: First film, early 1970s. Second film, late 1980s. Most major cast members in both films.

Universial Studios Fanfare, composed by Jerry Goldsmith?

Extende Role Call "Feathers" was sometimes "Sgt. Pepper Anderson."

The panhandler hangs around places where he can keep up with the TV news blurbs. Learns that a prominent merchant's wife also was killed in the robbery.