The Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon is Here to Commemorate 40 Years of ‘Murder, She Wrote’!

On By 18cinemalane7 Comments

Welcome to my blogathon, Cabot Cove-thon! With Murder, She Wrote‘s first episode premiering on September 30th, 1984, this event is commemorating the show’s 40th anniversary! In Murder, She Wrote‘s twelve season lifespan, viewers watched as Jessica successfully cracked each case, whether in her hometown, Cabot Cove, or beyond her own backyard. The show also proved to its audience how diverse the mystery genre can be; telling stories, expressing ideas, and showcasing talent that make each episode unique. The participants of Cabot Cove-thon created articles that highlight the multifaceted nature of Murder, She Wrote. From observing Angela Lansbury’s film career to discussing the show’s theme park presence, let the Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon begin!

Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

18 Cinema Lane — Why Universal Orlando Resort Should Host ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Weekend, Sally Reads…’Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire’ by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

Taking Up Room — Miss Angela Cruises the Nile

The Very Special Blog — Happy 40th Anniversary to Murder, She Wrote!

Why Universal Orlando Resort Should Host ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Weekend

On By 18cinemalane6 Comments

*This editorial was written before Hurricane Helene*

For the Cabot Cove-thon, I originally wanted to write an editorial about the Universal Studios Florida attraction, Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre. This show having a presence in any theme park, let alone Universal Studios, was an intriguing concept to discuss during my blogathon. But the more I learned about Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre from the Youtube channel, Poseidon Entertainment, the more I discovered that once guests consumed the information from Jessica and the actors associated with the Mystery Theatre, they had little reason to return. A behind-the-scenes look at how to create an episode of Murder, She Wrote from the post-production stage is both fascinating and educational. However, with the aforementioned details from Poseidon Entertainment in mind, I wondered how I could improve Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre. If Murder, She Wrote were to return to Universal Studios’ theme park, bringing the show back as an event instead of an attraction would give fans and park guests a reason to come back. This is how I created the idea of Universal Orlando Resort hosting a fan event called Murder, She Wrote Weekend! In this editorial, I will explain why Universal Orlando Resort should host Murder, She Wrote Weekend by providing a basic concept of the event’s schedule. My editorial is, simply, proposing an idea, so any decisions related to event creation will be determined by Universal Orlando Resort themselves.

Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

Friday

The beauty of having Universal Orlando Resort host Murder, She Wrote Weekend are the amenities and accommodations at their disposal. One of them are the soon to be ten hotels on their property. Each hotel has its own unique identity, offering their guests a variety of experiences. These unique identities could work in the favor of Murder, She Wrote Weekend, as the chosen hotel could play a role in the event’s theme. Murder, She Wrote has created some episodes related to music. In the season nine episode, “The Sound of Murder”, Jessica witnesses the filming of a rock music video. With the themes of rock n’ roll and music, the Hard Rock Hotel would serve as the perfect venue.

Using the Hard Rock Hotel as this editorial’s example, attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend would check in on Friday. At the front desk, hotel information as well as weekend itinerary, badges, and goodie bags will be presented. There will be a large gap in time between check-in and the first official event. This will give attendants an opportunity to rest, explore Universal Orlando Resort, or create a schedule for the weekend. When it’s time for the first official event, attendants will gather in the theater of either Velvet Sessions or Velvet Unplugged for a trivia contest. Trivia will include a variety of topics connected to Murder, She Wrote’s twelve season history. Attendants who win the trivia contest could receive prizes such as a signed script from the show, a shopping spree at the Tribute Store Plaza (if the store was open at the time of Murder, She Wrote Weekend), or an expenses paid trip to Blair House Inn (the house that portrayed Jessica’s home on Murder, She Wrote).

Since Murder, She Wrote: The Highland Fling Murders is about Jessica traveling to Scotland, I figured this photo would be an appropriate choice for my editorial. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

Saturday

The first official day of Murder, She Wrote Weekend will begin with a panel in the morning. This panel could focus on a topic related to the show, the mystery genre, or the event’s theme. According to the synopsis for “The Sound of Murder”, “Jessica records one of her novels for the blind”. So, in this editorial’s example, the panel on Saturday would revolve around the topic of audiobooks. The panel itself would consist of five people: an executive of a publishing firm, an author whose book was transformed into an audiobook, an audiobook’s narrator, the president of an audiobook company, and an employee of a recording studio. This diverse group of people would hold a discussion on what it takes to create an audiobook, exploring this topic from different perspectives. Toward the end of the panel, attendants will receive an opportunity to ask the panelists questions.

Another amenity Universal Orlando Resort has at their disposal are their theme parks. With Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, a water park known as Volcano Bay, and their Epic Universe on the horizon, Universal Orlando Resort provides guests with a bundle of attractions to make their day action-packed and fun-filled. Attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend can take advantage of their time in the parks by participating in a scavenger hunt. Clues related to Murder, She Wrote would be hidden throughout the parks. During this activity, participants will encounter various attractions, giving them a reason to stay in the parks after the scavenger hunt is over. Winners of the scavenger hunt will earn a prize, like a commemorative pin. Murder, She Wrote Weekend attendants also have the option of a Murder, She Wrote themed escape room. Similar to Universal CityWalk’s Universal’s Great Movie Escape, attendants can be transported to the world of Jessica Fletcher as they try to escape locations relevant to the show, such as Jessica’s living room. Winners of the escape room can also earn a commemorative prize like the aforementioned scavenger hunt. To close out Murder, She Wrote Weekend’s first day, a screening of a Murder, She Wrote episode and/or an upcoming movie from the mystery genre will take place at Universal CityWalk’s Universal Cinemark cinema.

In the Murder, She Wrote episode, “Murder Takes the Bus“, Jessica travels on, you guessed it, a bus. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

Sunday

The schedule for the second and final day of Murder, She Wrote Weekend is similar to Saturday’s schedule, except for two major differences. While Sunday will begin with a panel, this panel, in my editorial’s example, will feature a collection of actors, producers, screenwriters, and directors who worked on Murder, She Wrote. Like the aforementioned panel on Saturday, attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend will be able to ask the panelists questions toward the end of the panel. But this time, the attendants will have the chance to take photographs with the panelists in a meet & greet. The second major difference is the event that will conclude Murder, She Wrote Weekend. This event would either be a costume party (where attendants are invited to dress up as characters from Murder, She Wrote, programs from Universal Studios, or from ‘80s and ‘90s productions) or a mystery dinner theatre presentation. If attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend already participated in the scavenger hunt and escape room I talked about earlier in this editorial, they will have the opportunity to explore Universal Orlando Resort at their leisure.

As I have already mentioned, Universal Orlando Resort has a bundle of attractions in their parks. At Universal CityWalk, a collection of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options are located under Universal Orlando Resort’s umbrella. These attractions and facilities are another amenity Universal Orlando Resort can use to their advantage, especially if they hosted Murder, She Wrote Weekend. When bringing up ideas for trivia contest prizes, I mentioned the Tribute Store Plaza. This store, which operates during limited times, sells merchandise that represent a specific theme. In the case of Murder, She Wrote Weekend, the store could sell products related to Murder, She Wrote; from Cabot Cove postcards to a typewriter that mirrors Jessica’s. “The Sound of Murder” takes place in New York City. Keeping this editorial’s example in mind, Cold Stone Creamery could create a Murder, She Wrote Weekend exclusive flavor based on New York cheesecake. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen could also capitalize on Murder, She Wrote Weekend by crafting a blueberry pie flavored milkshake in honor of Jessica Fletcher’s home in Cabot Cove, Maine.

Since Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels is about Jessica traveling on a cruise trip, I figured this photo would be an appropriate choice for my editorial. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

2024 became the year when fan events failed. Two notable examples are the Bluey event in Las Vegas that disappointed families and Glasgow’s unimpressive Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory themed event. But for every fan event that attracts attention for the wrong reasons, there is a desire to see a fan event succeed. With the resources and amenities at their disposal, Universal Orlando Resort has the potential to host a Murder, She Wrote themed event that meets and even exceeds expectations. It also helps how Universal Orlando Resort is familiar with Murder, She Wrote’s IP (intellectual property), as this show has had a presence in Universal Studios Florida. Murder, She Wrote benefits from having a twelve-season lifespan. The abundance of stories, ideas, and famous faces can provide ideas for a Murder, She Wrote themed event. At the beginning of my editorial, I pointed out how bringing the show back as an event instead of an attraction would give fans and park guests a reason to come back to the parks. Hosting a Murder, She Wrote themed event would also create a new tradition and celebrate the legacy of Jessica Fletcher.

Have fun in Cabot Cove!

Sally Silverscreen

Featured references:

Poseidon Entertainment’s video, “A Deep Dive Into Classic Universal Studios Florida (Part 1)

(segment about Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre is featured from 28:12 to 31:46)

http://www.blairhouse.com

orlandoinformer.com/blog/the-tribute-store-plaza-universal-studios-florida/

universalorlando.com

IMDB synopsis for “The Sound of Murder” — http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0653664/?ref_=ttep_ep10

Sally Watches… Touched by an Angel (30th Anniversary Edition)!

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

2024 has hosted several anniversaries, from the 30th anniversary of the Disney animated film, The Lion King, to the 50th anniversary of Little House on the Prairie. But there is one anniversary that can’t be overlooked: the 30th anniversary of Touched by an Angel! With the show premiering on September 21st, 1994, I figured it would be appropriate to review some episodes this month in honor of the occasion. Since I reviewed three individual episodes of Touched by an Angel in the past, I will be writing about three episodes at once this time. Similar to past reviews of television episodes, I’m going to discuss what I liked about the episode, what I didn’t like about the episode, the story itself, the other factors from the episode, and my overall thoughts. Now, let’s talk about the three selected episodes: “The Southbound Bus”, “Psalm 151”, and “Mother’s Day”!

Touched by an Angel season one DVD poster created by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and MoonWater Productions

Episode Name: The Southbound Bus

Season 1, Episode 1

Premiere Date: September 21st, 1994

What I liked about this episode:

Touched by An Angel has incorporated serious, real-world topics into their stories; providing the show with dramatic, even sad, moments. But there are times when Touched by An Angel can become light-hearted. One perfect example is when David meets Tess for the first time. Tess arrives at David’s house as his new nanny. Because of hardships he experienced prior to the events of “The Southbound Bus”, David is skeptical of Tess and her new role. Tess, on the other hand, is ready to deal with David’s skepticism. Her no-nonsense attitude and motherly persona make it clear who’s in charge. She even calls David “dinosaur boy”, due to the dinosaur print on David’s shorts. The scene I described was genuinely hilarious because of how well written and acted it was. It also provided a balance between the episode’s light-hearted and serious tones!

What I didn’t like about this episode:

When she visits a rest stop known as Hewitt, Monica meets Ruth Ann and Christine. Later in the episode, a run-in with a local police officer forces Ruth Ann to confess to Christine how she’s attempting to flee the FBI due to her association with a criminal. During Ruth Ann’s attempt to flee, Monica pleads with Ruth Ann to confront her past. Monica’s pleading is fruitless, as not only Ruth Ann hitchhikes out of Hewitt, her part of the story is left unresolved. I know there’s only so much story you can tell in an hour-long episode. But if the show’s creative team knew Ruth Ann’s story wasn’t going to receive a resolution, why address it in the first place?

The story itself:

As I mentioned earlier in this review, Touched by An Angel has included dramatic, even sad, moments in their stories due to the show’s subject matter. However, as I’ve also mentioned, there are times when the show can become light-hearted. These tones were balanced very well in “The Southbound Bus” as viewers are introduced to Monica, Tess, and their roles as “case workers”! The story jumps right into the action as Monica not only receives an upgrade from “search and rescue”, she also receives her first assignment in her new role. This creative choice grabs viewers’ attention as Monica meets Tess at the bus stop. Touched by An Angel sometimes incorporates plot twists and surprises in their stories which can catch viewers off-guard. There is one plot twist in “The Southbound Bus” that I found really effective!

The other factors from this episode:

  • For this part of my review, I will spoil “The Southbound Bus”. If you have not seen this episode and are planning on watching it, please skip to the next point in this section.

When Monica confronts Christine on the loss of her daughter, Monica admits an angel was with Christine’s daughter, Katie, when she died. She also confesses how an angel is with Katie in Heaven. Monica’s statement confused me because I remembered how, prior to this episode, she was on “search and rescue”. Yet, when talking with her friend from “search and rescue”, Adam, Monica didn’t know the history of David’s family. Was Adam with Katie or was it perhaps Andrew, with this detail revealed in a later episode?

  • During her assignment to help David, Monica reconnects with a friend from “search and rescue” named Adam. Through their conversation, Monica receives key information about David’s mother and sister. From what I remember of Touched by An Angel, Adam doesn’t join the show’s main cast. This makes me believe Adam was the precursor of Andrew (who would make his debut in season two).
  • At the beginning of “The Southbound Bus”, Tess reminds Monica how she hasn’t appeared in human form for more than a few moments. This fact causes Tess to warn Monica not to eat everything in sight. Tess’s guidelines for the human world make me wonder what other rules angels have to follow? Were these rules expressed in other episodes?

My overall thoughts:

“The Southbound Bus” is the very first episode of Touched by An Angel. It’s also the very first time viewers meet Monica, Tess, and the world they interact with. I’d say this was a strong start for not only Touched by An Angel’s first season, but also for the series as a whole! The overall quality of the production sets up what viewers can expect from this show. “The Southbound Bus” addresses serious subjects like grief and neglect. But the way this story was written allowed moments of humor and even hope, providing a balance between serious and light-hearted tones. The dialogue is thought provoking as well, such as when Monica marvels at how humans have the courage to wake up and start a new day. I said in the past how “Perfect Little Angel” would be a good starting point when introducing someone to Touched by An Angel. Another good choice would be “The Southbound Bus”, as that is where it all began!

Rating: A solid 4 out of 5

Colorful dinosaur image created by Rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/various-animal-toy-figures-in-a-colorful-background_3011200.htm’>Designed by Rawpixel.com</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Rawpixel.com – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.
Touched by an Angel season five poster created by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and MoonWater Productions

Episode Name: Psalm 151

Season 5, Episode 9

Premiere Date: November 15th, 1998

What I liked about this episode:

If I could choose one phrase to describe “Psalm 151”, it would be “genuine sincerity”. The reason is how genuine sincerity was the glue that kept this story together! The interactions between the characters felt sincere, giving the impression they truly wanted to respect Petey’s wishes. Cornelia/Celine and Petey’s friendship came across as genuine due to the performances of Mika Boorem and Joseph Cross, as well as the screenwriting. Even Céline Dion’s inclusion in this story felt sincere as she tells Petey and Cornelia/Celine to always focus on the light. This genuine sincerity left me invested in the story and caring about the characters!

What I didn’t like about this episode:

“Psalm 151”is a music-centric episode because music is one of the story’s main themes. As I mentioned in my review of the episode, “Perfect Little Angel”, Della Reese is a real-life singer. With that said, I think not incorporating Della’s singing talents in “Psalm 151” was a missed opportunity. Like I stated while talking about “The Southbound Bus”, there’s only so much story you can tell in an hour-long episode. This means there’s only so much time to include the singing talents of Céline Dion and Wynonna Judd. I still wish some amount of time had been given to Della so she could sing at least one song.

The story itself:

For Monica’s 100th case, the creative team behind “Psalm 151” could have turned this story into a “remember when” episode; where Monica, Tess, and Andrew reflect on flashbacks that occurred in previous episodes. Instead, Monica received a new case containing its own unique conflicts and resolutions. Even though the story of “Psalm 151” was different from preceding episodes, it shared a major similarity with “The Southbound Bus”: the story revolved around a mother and son dealing with a challenging situation. This similarity allowed Monica’s story to come full circle. When a television show chooses to create a musical episode, it can sometimes be met with skepticism due to the concern of the musical episode feeling out of character. But in the case of “Psalm 151”, a musical episode felt like an appropriate choice for Monica’s milestone, especially since Touched by An Angel is known for being a heart-warming, uplifting program.

The other factors from this episode:

  • Monica celebrates her 100th case by throwing a party. Tess explains to Andrew how Monica wanted coffee-flavored treats at her celebration. When Monica travels to Hewitt in “The Southbound Bus”, she tells Christine and Ruth Ann how coffee was a treat for her, as she consumed coffee so infrequently while on “search and rescue”. This creative detail was a nice throwback to Monica’s very first case!
  • Petey’s friend, Cornelia/Celine, calls herself “Celine” because she adores Céline Dion. In fact, one of Petey’s wishes is for Cornelia/Celine to meet her favorite singer. Céline Dion’s appearance in this episode serves an interesting coincidence. “Psalm 151” premiered in 1998, ten years after Céline won Eurovision. Reviewing this episode now also serves a coincidence, as Switzerland (the country Céline represented) won this year’s Eurovision and Céline performed during this year’s Olympic opening ceremony.
  • While reflecting on the coincidences in “Psalm 151”, I realized there is one coincidence related to Wynonna Judd. 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of when Wynonna performed during the Super Bowl half time show. This is also a coincidence, as 1994 is when Touched by An Angel made its television debut.

My overall thoughts:

According to IMDB, “Psalm 151” is a top-rated episode with a score of 9.5 out of 10. Looking back on this episode, I can see why so many people like “Psalm 151”! Touched by An Angel pulled out every stop they could think of for Monica’s 100th case! The screenwriters created a script that allowed Monica’s story to come full circle. This same script also gave viewers characters, interactions, and resolutions that felt genuinely sincere; inviting viewers to care about the characters and stay invested in their story! Musical television episodes can sometimes receive a bad rap due to those episodes feeling out of place among their respective shows. For “Psalm 151”, its musical nature made the episode feel like a joyous celebration. Yet the serious subjects of chronic illness and grief were never overlooked or sugarcoated. If I came up with a list of the top ten best Touched by An Angel episodes, “Psalm 151” would find a place on that list!

Rating: A strong 4.5 out of 5

Coffee cup drawing image created by Valeria_aksakova at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Valeria_aksakova – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/painted-cup-of-coffee-with-natural-coffee-beans-on-a-chalkboard_1013935.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.
Touched by an Angel season six poster created by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and MoonWater Productions

Episode Name: Mother’s Day

Season 6, Episode 25

Premiere Date: May 14th, 2000

What I liked about this episode:

Wynonna Judd is, in my opinion, talented, yet underrated. Even though she guest-starred in “Psalm 151” and “Mother’s Day”, Wynonna’s strongest performance was found in “Mother’s Day”! The emotional intensity Wynonna brought to this episode made Audrey’s grief feel realistic. In a scene where Cornelia/Celine is confronting Audrey about her alcohol addiction, Audrey’s bitter tone, sharp look in her eyes, and anger show how she is not yet ready to handle the truth. Meanwhile, Cornelia/Celine is terrified of Audrey, even becoming sad and tearful by Audrey’s hurtfulness. Wynonna Judd should have, at least, been nominated for an award for her portrayal of Audrey in this episode!

What I didn’t like about this episode:

In order to help Audrey cope with Petey’s death, Monica is sent to “The Middle”; giving her the ability to enter Audrey’s dreams. The way these dreams were presented felt out of character for Touched by An Angel. The background and even certain objects were coated in bright, fluorescent colors. Monica would look at Audrey with a blank stare and speak to her in a cryptic manner. Even Petey’s iguana, Fluffy, talks to Audrey. The dreams Monica enters would be described as “trippy”, a word typically not used for a show known for being heart-warming and wholesome.

The story Itself:

“Mother’s Day” is the follow-up to “Psalm 151”, picking up the story after Petey passed away. The death of Petey causes Audrey to turn further into her grief as well as give up music. While the story has its touching moments and a resolution is found, it undermines the message of “Psalm 151”; how music can help people heal and bring them closer together. Cornelia/Celine understandably misses Petey. Yet her grief is glossed over due to the story primarily focusing on Audrey’s struggles. The story of “Psalm 151” dealt with serious topics such as chronic illness and grief. Yet the genuine sincerity I mentioned earlier in this review is one of the reasons why that episode felt heart-warming, even hopeful. Because Audrey is consumed by grief in the majority of “Mother’s Day”, the story felt depressing.

The other factors from this episode:

  • Jean Stapleton portrays Emma, an angel who poses as a housekeeper. Reflecting on Jean’s role on All in the Family made me realize how her appearance in this episode was an interesting coincidence. In All in the Family’s two-part episode, “Edith’s Crisis of Faith”, Edith struggles with grief and her faith after her friend is murdered around Christmastime. Touched by An Angel’s episode, “Mother’s Day”, shows Audrey struggling with grief and her faith after the loss of Petey.
  • Without spoiling this episode, I recognize why it is called “Mother’s Day”. Yet, in my opinion, this is a story that could have taken place any time of year presenting a similar outcome. When a television show episode is holiday themed, messages connected to that holiday serve as threads throughout the story. With all that said, it makes me wonder why, out of all the holidays on the calendar, was Mother’s Day selected for this episode? Why not Christmas or Petey’s birthday?
  • When I talked about “Psalm 151”, I mentioned how 2024 (the year I’m reviewing the episode) marks the 30th anniversary of when Wynonna performed during the Super Bowl half time show. It should also be noted that Naomi Judd also performed in 1994’s Super Bowl half time show, where she and Wynonna sang “Love Can Build a Bridge”. The reason why I’m bringing this fact up is because Naomi appears in “Mother’s Day”.

My overall thoughts:

When it comes to “Mother’s Day”, I’m honestly torn. Earlier in my review, I pointed out how “Psalm 151” is a top-rated episode on IMDB. Therefore, it makes sense for a popular episode to receive a follow-up. On the other hand, “Mother’s Day” isn’t as strong as “Psalm 151”. The message of music helping people heal and bringing them closer together is undermined as Audrey is consumed by grief for the majority of the episode. Even though there are touching moments in this story, as well as a resolution, the overall presentation didn’t feel as heartwarming or hopeful as “Psalm 151” or even “The Southbound Bus”. However, Wynonna’s portrayal of Audrey was a highlight of this episode, as her emotional intensity showed a more realistic depiction of grief. I also thought Mika Boorem gave a solid acting performance, showing how Cornelia/Celine tried to provide the thread that kept her world together. “Mother’s Day” is not a bad episode. But its weaker production kind of makes me wish a different episode had received a follow-up instead.

Rating: A 3.5 out of 5

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Have fun on television!

Sally Silverscreen

Comparing with the Critics – Worst of 1988 – Willow

On By 18cinemalane10 Comments

This review is from my series, Comparing with the Critics. If you’d like to learn more about the series, click on the link below.

Introducing my new series, Comparing with the Critics!

Siskel & Ebert and 18 Cinema Lane share one thing in common: the fantasy genre is underrepresented. This is a reason why I not only chose to participate in the Barbarians at the Gates Blogathon, it’s also a reason why I selected Willow for this review of Comparing with the Critics. But another reason why I picked Willow is how the film was featured in Siskel & Ebert’s Worst of 1988 episode. After hearing good things over the years about the movie, even some people giving it the coveted title of “classic”, I was shocked to see Willow included among the worst of 1988. But since I didn’t see the film before the Barbarians at the Gates Blogathon, I couldn’t agree or disagree with Siskel and Ebert. Film is subjective, with this subjectivity being the reason why I created the Comparing with the Critics series. So far, I disagreed with the critics on Network and Harry & Son, yet agreed with them on Amadeus. With that said, I’d have to say I disagree, yet again, with Ebert and Siskel. While Willow has its flaws, its placement in the Worst of 1988 episode is unjustified.

Willow poster created by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Lucasfilm, and Imagine Entertainment

Before going over his complete list of the worst films from 1988, Gene Siskel introduces the episode’s segment on Willow. He calls the film “a heavy duty and quite dreary production”. I will admit there are darker moments within the story. However, the movie was more humorous than I expected it to be! Most of the humor came from Madmartigan, portrayed by Val Kilmer. Because of the screenwriting and Val’s versatile performance, the comedic timing was effectively executed. One of the funniest scenes in Willow is when Madmartigan and Willow are traveling on a sled down a snowy hill. During this trip, Madmartigan falls off the sled. But instead of being left behind, Madmartigan rolls down the hill, becoming a giant snow ball. When Madmartigan was introduced in Willow as the story’s comic relief, I knew he was going to be a character I would like. His personality, along with the dialogue shared between him and Willow, presented someone who captivated my attention and kept me invested in his story. It also helps that Madmartigan is hilarious, as he is the reason why I burst out laughing several times while watching Willow!

Madmartigan and Sorsha picture created by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Lucasfilm, and Imagine Entertainment

Gene Siskel is not the only critic who disliked Willow. Though he didn’t put the movie on his list of the worst films of 1988, Roger Ebert expressed his disapproval over how the story seemed similar to Star Wars, claiming children who liked the movie “hadn’t seen it a hundred times before”. I can only speak for myself, but Star Wars never crossed my mind as I watched Willow. But some moments did feel reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz. The film clip included in the Worst of 1988 episode shows Cherlindrea, a fairy queen, revealing to Willow the purpose of his journey. She even gives him a wand to help him accomplish his mission. The scene reminded me of when Glinda explained to Dorothy how she could return home. The iconic ruby slippers became a tool to help Dorothy along her way to Emerald City. Story ideas are bound to get repeated over time. Therefore, moments in Willow feeling reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz didn’t bother me. Instead, it showed me how a film’s creative team can take a familiar story idea and add their own unique perspective on it!

The Barbarians at the Gates Blogathon banner created by Quiggy from The Midnite Drive-In and Hamlette from Hamlette’s Soliloquy

Another criticism Gene had about Willow was the film’s setting, stating “I’m tired of seeing epic pictures set in forests with lots of people running around and, uh, hitting each other over the head”. Personally, I was not bothered by this, as I felt the setting fit the story Willow’s creative team was trying to tell. What did bother me was how the build-up of Madmartigan and Sorsha going from enemies to lovers happened too quickly. Incorporating the “enemies to lovers” trope works in a fantasy story like Willow, where there is at least one battle and a major theme is good versus evil. It should be noted how Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley had nice on-screen chemistry, as well as Sorsha and Madmartigan appearing photogenic together. I still wish the aforementioned build-up had been more gradual. As the story progressed, Sorsha evolved from villain to hero. Unfortunately, this evolution was too abrupt. While Sorsha’s change of heart gave her some character development, it left some questions unanswered. Perhaps a scene explaining this transformation didn’t find its way into the movie?

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In past reviews, I criticized films for containing parts of a story that didn’t make sense. Willow is a film that doesn’t avoid this flaw. Bavmorda is the villain of the story. When the heroes attempt to defeat Bavmorda, she uses a spell to transform the heroes into pigs, with Willow and a sorceress named Fin Raziel being the only exceptions. This spell takes place in a short amount of time, with the afflicted heroes becoming pigs all at once. When Fin Raziel reverses the spell, this proves to be a lengthy process, as she uses her magic on one person at a time. This creative choice left me wondering why Fin Raziel wouldn’t use her magic on all the heroes all at once similar to Bavmorda? To me, it didn’t make sense, especially since the heroes didn’t have the luxury of time.

Comparing with the Critics banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. TV show title cards created by WTTW National Productions, WTTW, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Lifetime Television, Tribune Entertainment, Buena Vista Television, and Disney-ABC Domestic Television

During their discussion of Willow in Siskel & Ebert’s Worst of 1988 episode, Roger reminds Gene how, despite the movie’s bad reviews, it became the top selling video and was successful at the box office. Had I seen Willow sooner, I might have contributed to the movie’s statistics. This is another Comparing with the Critics review where I found myself disagreeing with Siskel and Ebert. That’s because I had a genuinely good time watching Willow! I brought up in this review how the project has its flaws. But the story was simplistic and straight-forward, which made it easier to follow what was happening on screen. Even though Willow was the movie’s protagonist, it was Madmartigan who stole the show! In fact, I’d say he was the MVP of this story, as his personality and comedic timing left a good impression. There were moments in the film that felt reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz. However, I saw those moments as ways for Willow’s creative team to bring their own unique perspective to familiar story ideas. I have to say I’m glad I chose to review Willow for this edition of Comparing with the Critics! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to watch the Siskel & Ebert 1988 Holiday Video Gift Guide episode in the hopes something Willow related can be included in my Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish List.

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Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Heart of a Stranger Review + 495 Follower Thank You

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Here at 18 Cinema Lane, some of my most popular content is Hallmark related. In fact, the top three most viewed articles are two of my Sunset Over Hope Valley re-cap posts and my list of the top ten worst Hallmark movies of all time. This popularity can sometimes overshadow other genres of film as well as other made-for-TV networks. One of those networks is Lifetime. Throughout my six years of blogging, I’ve reviewed Lifetime’s movies so infrequently. So, to kind of make up for that, I selected the 2002 picture, Heart of a Stranger, for this Blog Follower Dedication Review! While I had seen this film years ago, I had vague recollections of it. All I remembered was how the protagonist received heart surgery and that the protagonist and her daughter wanted to see The Nutcracker. Since my last two Blog Follower Dedication Reviews featured films that were new to me, I thought revisiting a picture from yesteryear would be a nice change. Let’s talk about Heart of a Stranger so we can get to the heart of this review!

Heart of a Stranger poster created by Fogwood Films, Von Zerneck-Sertner Films, and Lifetime Television

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: In the introduction of my review, I mentioned how Heart of a Stranger’s protagonist received heart surgery and that the protagonist and her daughter wanted to see The Nutcracker. This story revolves around a mother and daughter’s changing relationship after the mother receives a heart transplant. Jane Seymour’s and Maggie Lawson’s performance created a believable familial relationship. That is what made the crux of the story work. At a local restaurant, Maggie’s character, Amanda, is excited by how her violin performance turned out. Jane’s character, Jill, is proud of her daughter. Their big smiles and warm demeanor are soon followed by changed feelings when Amanda makes a confession to her mother. Jill’s initial confusion transforms into anger as she and her daughter get into an argument. During this argument, Amanda’s frustrations are on full display, from the sharp tone in her voice to her eyes intensely focusing on her mother. Maggie and Jane helped make the scene I just described feel realistic!

Not only did Jane and Maggie create a believable familial relationship, their individual performances are believable as well! A perfect example is when Jill goes to a local car wash. Before the car wash process begins, Jill excitedly tells her daughter over the phone how she’s about to do a mundane task like going to the car wash. The reason for Jill’s excitement is how, before her heart surgery, she used to be too sick to run errands. But as the car wash continues, Jill receives flashbacks she believes are from her heart donor. These flashbacks, along with being in a confined space, cause Jill to become nervous. Her eyes, filled with concern, quickly scan her surroundings. Jill also develops a frown out of worry. Eventually, her emotions get the better of her as she runs out of her car mid-car wash. The scene ends with Jill flinching from a car wash employee. The way Jane used her acting talents to adapt to the changing emotions in that scene was fluid and never missed a beat. Jane and Maggie worked as a team carrying this film!

Amanda’s subplot: Like I previously mentioned, Jill receives a heart transplant. The surgery is not only a success, it allows Jill’s view on life to change. Amanda’s perspective on life is also impacted because of her mother’s newfound health. In her subplot, Amanda is trying to apply for a music conservatory. To prevent burnout and fatigue, she learns a new musical style from performers at a local restaurant. Using music as a compass to guide Amanda’s new journey was, in my opinion, a smart creative choice. Through Maggie’s performance as well as the screenwriting, Amanda’s dedication for her craft turned into motivation to mold her own future! This subplot also gave Amanda character development as she slowly, but surely gained independence.

The honesty surrounding post-surgery: Made-for-TV movies about characters receiving transplants usually build up to the transplant surgery. Because the story’s climax is the aforementioned surgery, there is little to no time to highlight the characters’ life post-surgery. In Heart of a Stranger, Jill’s surgery takes place at the beginning of the movie, with the rest of the film showing Jill adapting to her new heart and health. Throughout the story, Amanda reminds her mother to take her medicine prescribed after surgery. Even though the surgery was successful, Jill follows doctor’s orders to prevent her body from rejecting her new heart. Later in the film, Jill attends a support group with other transplant patients. This part of the story addresses loneliness that could occur after experiencing a major medical transformation. Weaving honesty into Heart of a Stranger presents a more realistic depiction of patients receiving transplant organs. For viewers unfamiliar with this medical process, the movie may give them an idea of what transplant patients may experience.

Heartbeat image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/medical-logo_763775.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/logo”>Logo vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

An overshadowed mystery: According to a synopsis I read for Heart of a Stranger, the movie is about Jill trying to solve the mystery of who donated her heart. This is what led me to believe the story would emphasize Jill’s search for her donor. But when I revisited this film, I discovered the creative team chose to prioritize Jill’s new perspective on life after heart transplant surgery. I recognize how important that part of the story is, especially how it connects to the theme of taking advantage of second chances. However, the emphasis on Jill’s new perspective on life not only caused the mystery of Jill’s donor to, sometimes, be overshadowed, it gave the mystery a lack of urgency. While the mystery did get solved, I wish that had been the story’s main focus.

Unresolved parts of the story: As I just said in my previous point, the mystery of Jill’s donor was, sometimes, overshadowed because Jill’s new perspective on life was prioritized. But the aforementioned mystery is not the only overlooked part of the story. After unsuccessfully searching for information on Jill’s donor, Beth, a friend of Jill’s, shares her disapproval with Jill over locating the donor and their family. The rest of the story does not revisit this disapproval, despite showing Beth sharing Thanksgiving dinner with Jill. Later in the movie, Amanda has a fight with her boyfriend, Billy. Since this situation took place toward the end of the movie, there is little to no time to resolve this conflict. The creative team should had taken the time to tie up these loose ends instead of putting most of their eggs in one basket.

Brian’s subplot: One of Jill’s friends is a restaurant manager named Brian. When she visits the restaurant he works for, Brian shares with Jill his dream of starting his own restaurant. He even encourages her to become co-owner of the establishment. Despite this subplot receiving a satisfying conclusion, it was ignored for most of the movie. Even Brian himself made very few appearances in the story. The emphasis of Jill’s new perspective on life prevented Brian’s subplot from receiving a bigger role in Heart of a Stranger.

Blue sparkly Christmas tree image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/frame”>Frame vector created by Macrovector – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/merry-christmas-card_2875396.htm’>Designed by Macrovector</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

Before I share my thoughts on Heart of a Stranger, I want to thank all the followers of 18 Cinema Lane! Whenever it’s time to write a Blog Follower Dedication Review, I try to select movies that I feel good about recommending. I would actually suggest this 2002 made-for-TV production as an ‘alternative Christmas movie’. While the story leads up to Christmas, the holiday is not the story’s primary focus. Instead, the film prioritizes a mother and daughter’s life post heart transplant surgery, as well as the mother’s new perspective on life. At best, Heart of a Stranger is a fine, decent movie. The depiction of patients receiving transplant organs is more realistic due to the honesty woven into the story. Maggie’s and Jane’s performance helped create a believable familial relationship. But compared to the types of films Lifetime creates today, especially in the 2020s, Heart of a Stranger is more mundane and pedestrian. This would explain why the network has moved away from creating movies like this one.

Overall score: 7 out of 10

Have you seen Heart of a Stranger? Are there any older Lifetime movies you’d like to see me review? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Word on the Street: Movie Adaptation for Susanna Clarke’s ‘Piranesi’ on the Horizon

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Whenever I review a movie that’s based on a book or pre-existing piece of literature, I usually find myself stating how the film is based on a book I haven’t read. This has led me to create the “Based on a Book I Haven’t Read Yet” award for my annual Gold Sally Awards. But for this piece of movie news, an upcoming adaptation is based on a book I’ve actually read! Reported two months ago by Bill Desowitz from IndieWire, Susanna Clarke’s novel, Piranesi, will be brought to life by animation studio, Laika. Travis Knight, the CEO and president of Laika, will direct the movie. Though not much else is known about the Piranesi adaptation, Susanna herself gave her approval, stating, “I’ve been inspired by so many animated movies; and Laika has produced such extraordinary work – movies like ‘Coraline’ and ‘Kubo and the Two Strings,’ full of beauty and wonder and weirdness. I’m thrilled that ‘Piranesi’ has found a home with them and I can’t wait to see what they do.” Meanwhile, Travis expressed his enthusiasm over the project, saying how Susanna is “one of my all-time favorite authors” and how “I can scarcely imagine a more joyful experience than wandering through the worlds Susanna dreamed into being”.

Piranesi book cover image found on Goodreads

Like I said earlier in this article, I have read Piranesi. In fact, I read this book recently as one of my selections for this year’s Eurovisionathon readathon. When I first discovered the news about Piranesi’s adaptation, I wondered how this story would translate to the screen. This is because the story is written in a logical way, encouraging the reader to actively pay attention to what they’re reading. My interest piqued upon learning Laika would be creating the adaptation! I reviewed Kubo and the Two Strings back in 2019. The film was not only one of the top three best movies I saw that year, it was the first time an animated picture had earned a spot on my year-end best of list! The fact the same director and studio behind Kubo and the Two Strings will be working on the Piranesi adaptation makes me excited! It gives me a chance to check out more of Laika’s work, as well as showcases the creativity of a studio that, in my opinion, is underrated.

What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Are you looking forward to seeing Piranesi adapted as a movie? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Referenced article: https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/laika-announces-new-stop-motion-piranesi-susanna-clarke-1235017992/

Take 3: Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement Review

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This month, Hallmark Mystery premiered two new movies; Jazz Ramsey: A K-9 Mystery and Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement. I did see Jazz Ramsey: A K-9 Mystery, but I found the film underwhelming, as the biggest flaw was how the titular K-9 was barely in the story. To make up for not reviewing that movie, I chose to write about Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement instead. Months ago, before this film was announced as a Hallmark production, I stumbled upon the official synopsis for Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement on IMDB. At the time, the story sounded generic. But I was willing to give the film a chance after learning Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith were the project’s lead actors. Kavan and Pascale are two of the strongest actors in Hallmark’s community. Their on-screen chemistry has been so strong on When Calls the Heart, their characters, Rosemary and Lee, have become fan favorites. The idea of Pascale and Kavan working together on a mystery movie seems like a good idea. But did this good idea come to fruition or did this idea become wasted potential? The only way to find out is by reading my review!

Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement poster created by Muse Entertainment Enterprises and Hallmark Mystery

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: When introducing a new series, it’s important to establish the relationships between the protagonist and the story’s other characters. These relationships could make or break that introductory film, with interest from the audience determining whether more chapters are created. What helps keep on-screen relationships interesting is the acting abilities of the cast. At the beginning of Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement, Nelly, portrayed by Pascale Hutton, visits the diner of her friend, Helen, portrayed by Jill Morrison. The scene starts with the friends sharing happy greetings, their warm smiles and friendly tones in their voices express their excitement of seeing each other. But when Nelly sees someone she’s trying to avoid, her smile immediately drops to a look of concern with alertness in her eyes. Helen soon mirrors Nelly’s face with her own look of concern as she quickly gets on the same page as Nelly. Though this scene is short, the acting talents of Jill and Pascale create an on-screen friendship that feels believable!

Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement adopts the “opposites attract” trope, showcasing Nelly with an energetic, joyful personality and Michael, portrayed by Kavan Smith, with a calmer, yet serious personality that leaves wiggle room for emotion. One scene that presents the “opposites attract” trope perfectly is when, as they’re sharing milkshakes at Helen’s diner, Michael asks Nelly what makes her happy. Nelly shares how she chooses to be happy as she reveals how one of her loved ones passed away. But before she tells Michael about this loved one’s passing, Nelly talks about a happy memory she has with that person. Using a tone of voice that sounds reflective and sometimes gesturing with her right hand, Nelly’s happiness appears gentler, with her smile coming and going. After giving Nelly his undivided attention, Michael looks sad and even a bit concerned. His frown and look in his eyes make Michael almost appear as if he’s adopting Nelly’s sadness.

Nelly’s wardrobe: Whether starring on When Calls the Heart as Rosemary Coulter or appearing alongside Kavan in The Perfect Bride films as Molly, Pascale Hutton’s characters have been given wardrobes that not only compliment Pascale herself, but are also stylishly presented on screen. Nelly’s wardrobe in Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement is no different, as her attire is classy and sophisticated! When the audience is first introduced to Nelly, she wears a light pink short sleeved shirt paired with tailored navy pants boasting a blue and white pattern. A square-faced watch with a white band is the perfect accessory for this outfit! As she attends a party, Nelly wears another pink outfit. This time, she wears a bright pink tweed jacket with matching pink shirt. Light blue jeans, large gold earrings, and a simple gold heart necklace complete the look!

Addressing a flaw of an amateur detective: Amateur detectives from Hallmark Mystery movies may, sometimes, have a flaw that will either be brushed to the side or will turn into a blessing in disguise for the protagonist. This is one of the ways Hallmark has asked their audience to suspend their disbelief. In Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement, however, Michael actually points out one of Nelly’s flaws to her. Nelly is upset when someone she knows is arrested. Michael then addresses how Nelly is unable to observe the case’s suspects from an objective perspective. Nelly ends up agreeing with Michael, as she knows she’s seen in her community as someone who looks out for her fellow neighbors. The honesty toward one of Nelly’s flaws added a sense of realism to Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement!

Diner image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/american-vintage-restaurant-hand-drawn_902205.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/food”>Food vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

The contradictions: Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement incorporates the “everybody knows everyone in a small town” cliché; a story element that, in my opinion, is overused in Hallmark productions. Despite the presence of this cliché, there are some instances where the cliché is contradicted. While creating a mystery board, Nelly and her friend, Fiona, discover one of the residents of Babbleton (where this story takes place) is related to another resident of the town. If everyone in Babbleton knows each other, Fiona and Nelly shouldn’t be surprised by the familial connection of the aforementioned two characters. Earlier in the film, when questioned by Michael about the murder victim, Nelly tells him she’s known the murder victim for years. However, she’s unaware of how neat the murder victim kept their home. Again, if everyone knows each other in Babbleton, Nelly would have known the living conditions of the murder victim.

A misbalanced tone: It’s understandable why Hallmark would avoid making murder mystery stories too dark, as the network has gained a reputation for creating stories that exude coziness and heartwarming charm. In past Hallmark Mystery productions, a balance between tones was achieved by having a murder mystery serve as the film’s main plot while one or two subplots contained more lighthearted situations. The majority of Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement is coated in a cheerful tone. Prioritizing this lighter tone caused the characters to seem like they didn’t take the story’s mystery seriously. It also created a lack of urgency. There were even times when the movie’s lighthearted tone felt inappropriate, such as when an up-beat jazz tune played while a character was arrested.

A dialogue-heavy story: Dialogue is an important component of any mystery movie, as it can contain clues and other important information. In the case of Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement, the script was dialogue-heavy. The story was forced to rely on conversations and questioning from Michael to carry the mystery. Non-verbal clues, such as physical objects, were limited because of this creative decision. A dialogue-heavy story also made it difficult, at times, to keep track of characters.

Tools of a writer image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/camera-and-coffee-near-notebook-and-accessories_2399437.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/vintage”>Vintage image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

If I could choose a movie that visually represents the concept of “having cake and eating it too”, it would be Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement. The film’s creative team wanted to include a murder mystery in their story, yet they didn’t want their story’s tone to be too serious. By making their movie mostly lighthearted, the movie itself ended up being a little goofy for my liking. The creative team of Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement wanted to utilize the “everybody knows everyone in a small town” cliché. At the same time, they didn’t want to commit to the cliché’s consistency. So, the script contradicted the cliché on more than one occasion. Despite these errors I discussed in my review, Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith still shined bright together! The interactions throughout this movie felt believable, whether it was Nelly visiting Helen at her diner or Michael and Nelly discussing the story’s case. Addressing one of Nelly’s flaws as an amateur detective brought a sense of realism to the script. Within Hallmark’s library of films, there are worse titles than Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement. However, this film doesn’t stand up to pictures like Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans.

Overall score 6 out of 10

Did you see Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement? Would you like to see Kavan Smith and Pascale Hutton star in more mystery films together? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Why Stefan “Princ” Zdravković Should Appear on the Television Show, ‘Miss Scarlet and The Duke’

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This year, I was introduced to the television show, Miss Scarlet and The Duke, a mystery program airing as part of the PBS Masterpiece collection. While I have enjoyed watching the show, I believe it’s missing one person; Stefan “Princ” Zdravković. For those who don’t know, Stefan “Princ” Zdravković is a musical artist who tried to represent Serbia’s delegation of Eurovision by competing in the delegation’s national contest, Pesma za Evroviziju (also known as PZE). The more I watched Miss Scarlet and The Duke, the more I saw how Stefan “Princ” Zdravković could appear on the show. Therefore, I am presenting four key reasons why he should appear on Miss Scarlet and The Duke! Before I share my reasons, I want to give a reminder how any decisions about whether Stefan “Princ” Zdravković appears on the show are up to Miss Scarlet and The Duke’s creative team and Stefan “Princ” Zdravković himself, who I will be referring to as “Princ” throughout this editorial. Though I am aware the show is changing its name to Miss Scarlet from season five and onward, I will continue to call the program Miss Scarlet and The Duke in this article.

Pictures of Stefan “Princ” Zdravković found in the videos, ‘Princ “Cvet sa Istoka” Interview | Pesma za Evroviziju 2023’ and ‘PRINC – Cvet sa Istoka (INTERVIEW) // Pesma za Evroviziju 2023 // Serbia Eurovision 2023’ by the Youtube channels, wiwibloggs and eurovoxx. Images of Miss Scarlet and the Duke found on IMDB and created by Element 8 Entertainment, A+E Studios, 87 Films, Alibi Channel, and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Recruiting Local Talent

Since season two, Miss Scarlet and The Duke has filmed in Serbia. This decision has caused the show’s creative team to build their story’s world from scratch. According to the Executive Producer, Patty Lenahan Ishimoto, “Basically what ended up happening was we just built London. Anything that we couldn’t find, we built”. The decision to film in Serbia has also provided opportunities for Serbians to get involved with the program, either in front of the camera or behind it. Princ is from Serbia, specifically from Vranje. If he were to appear on Miss Scarlet and The Duke, he would receive an opportunity to, essentially, work within his own backyard. If any episodes were filmed on location, such as (for example) a part of the story taking place around Vranje’s White Bridge, Princ may also work in an environment he’s familiar with.

Serbian Flag image created by ibrandify at FreepikImage by ibrandify on Freepik

Built-In Enthusiasm

Miss Scarlet and The Duke will soon embark on its fifth season. During the show’s four-year lifespan, a fanbase from both the U.K. and the U.S. has been garnered, with the show providing reasons for the audience to return. But Miss Scarlet and The Duke’s creative team are not the only ones with built-in enthusiasm. When Princ competed in PZE last March, he not only qualified for PZE’s Final, he ended up receiving second place. Princ even received more televote points than Luke Black, the artist who was chosen to represent Serbia at Eurovision. To put Princ’s score into perspective, he acquired a higher score at last year’s PZE Final than Konstrakta did at this year’s PZE Final. For those who don’t know, Konstrakta represented Serbia at Eurovision in 2022. She qualified for Eurovision’s Grand Final, where she received fifth place. Going into 2024’s edition of PZE, Konstrakta had more name-recognition and built-in enthusiasm than Princ did in 2023. In his interview with the Youtube channel, Wiwibloggs, Princ said “I’m probably more famous in Bulgaria, actually, right now”. But, as I previously mentioned, Princ’s score in the PZE Final was higher than Konstrakta’s. He also obtained more televote points than Konstrakta, not only in PZE’s Final, but in the contest’s Semi-Finals as well. These numbers present an example of how there are people, including myself, who would be enthusiastic if Princ appeared on Miss Scarlet and The Duke.

In this chart of the PZE Final scores from 2023 and 2024, I highlight each competitor’s televote points, which were received from the audience. Also highlighted are Princ’s and Konstrakta’s overall scores in the PZE Final. PZE scores found on the website, Eurovision World.
This chart highlights the televote scores from Princ’s and Konstrakta’s semi-finals in PZE. Semi-Final scores found on the website, Eurovision World.

Work With What You’ve Got

In Miss Scarlet and The Duke’s second episode from season two, ‘The Black Moth’, William ‘The Duke’ Wellington, one of the show’s protagonists, tells Eliza Scarlet, the show’s other protagonist, to “use what you have to your advantage” in order to stand out as London’s only female detective. William’s advice could also be given to Princ if he appeared on Miss Scarlet and The Duke, as he possesses skills, talents, and attributes that would work in his favor. Like I have mentioned in this editorial, Princ is a musical artist. He not only has versatile singing vocals, he is also a talented guitarist. Perhaps he could perform a song in an episode or create a song for the show. Princ is also a marital artist with a black belt in karate. Marital arts have, so far, not been incorporated onto Miss Scarlet and The Duke, as fist-fighting and boxing have been the only fighting styles included in the show’s action scenes. Featuring martial arts in Miss Scarlet and The Duke’s story would bring something new to the show’s table as well as provide Princ with material to work with, as he would master the fight choreography. Miss Scarlet and The Duke establishes a world where characters with tattoos exist. When examining a specific tattoo in the first season’s second episode, ‘The Woman in Red’, Eliza says about the tattoo “It gave insight to a person’s past. Perhaps a badge of belonging like to the Navy or a quiet rebellion hidden on one’s body for one’s eyes only”. Princ has several tattoos on his arms, including one on his left forearm that appears to be a series of pine/Christmas trees. The inclusion of, at least, one of Princ’s tattoos in the show’s story could be used to serve a character’s backstory or symbolize a MacGuffin/clue. However, this specific idea is dependent on if Princ is comfortable with his real-life tattoos being incorporated onto the show.

In this photo, I point out the tattoo I referenced in this editorial. Photo found in the video, ‘Princ “Cvet sa Istoka” Interview | Pesma za Evroviziju 2023’ by Youtube channel, wiwibloggs

Steps Toward Eurovision

In some of his interviews, Princ has expressed a desire to compete in Eurovision. He said in his interview with Youtuber, Alesia Michelle, “I actually visualized myself winning Eurovision as a kid”. While you’re reading my editorial, you’re probably wondering, “If Princ wants to go to Eurovision, why would he spend his time working on Miss Scarlet and The Duke? What does one have to do with the other?” Miss Scarlet and The Duke broadcasts on Alibi, a U.K. channel owned by BBC Studios. BBC is the official broadcaster of the U.K. delegation of Eurovision. Princ is affiliated with the Serbian delegation of Eurovision through his participation in PZE. If he still desires to compete in Eurovision, Princ could use these connections, as well as his experience appearing on Miss Scarlet and The Duke, as a networking opportunity to get one step closer to Eurovision. This could be achieved by either finding people who could lead him in the right direction toward the song contest or by meeting people who could become vital members of his technical/artistic team. For example, Princ could collaborate with someone from Miss Scarlet and The Duke’s cinematography department to create a music video or figure out the most optimal camera angles for a live performance. Another example is Princ could receive advice from the show’s wardrobe department to achieve the most photogenic appearance for not only a live performance, but for other Eurovision related events, such as the Turquoise Carpet.

String of musical notes image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/pentagram-vector_710290.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com. 

I’ve made it a habit on 18 Cinema Lane to try to give more underrated people, characters, films, and topics their “standing ovation” because, according to Auggie from Wonder, “Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world”. But, as I said in April, in order for a “standing ovation” to take place, the person in question has to want it. Based on what I’ve observed, Princ is working toward that “standing ovation”. He’s even willing to deal with rejection and disappointment to make that “standing ovation” a reality. Princ could receive his “standing ovation” by appearing on Miss Scarlet and The Duke. It’s a situation where those involved with the program, including the fans, would benefit as well. In his interview with Alesia Michelle, when asked if he knew any of the fellow competitors of 2023’s PZE, Princ replied “So I think that, uh, supporting each other is very important”. Through this editorial, I’m hoping someone, either from Miss Scarlet and The Duke’s creative team or even a Eurovision delegation, recognizes Princ’s talent as well as his potential for success and provides him with the support to not only make his dreams come true, but to also finally give Princ his “standing ovation”!

Have fun on Miss Scarlet and the Duke!

Sally Silverscreen

Featured references:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Scarlet_and_The_Duke

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alibi_(TV_channel)

https://eurovisionworld.com/national/serbia/pesma-za-evroviziju-23

https://eurovisionworld.com/national/serbia/pesma-za-evroviziju-24

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2022

‘Team Serbia’ (Miss Scarlet and The Duke season two DVD featurette)

Video: Who is Pesma za Evroviziju’s Stefan “Princ” Zdravković? Check out the interview! by Alesia Michelle

Video: Princ “Cvet sa Istoka” Interview | Pesma za Evroviziju 2023 by wiwibloggs

Video: Stefan Zdravković “Dream on” from SvettRim

Take 3: Cricket on the Hearth (1967) Review

On By 18cinemalane5 Comments

You probably think it’s strange how, after a week and a half long hiatus, my first review back on my blog would be for a Christmas film (in the middle of August). However, I have a very good explanation for this choice. The first reason is how the 1967 animated movie, Cricket on the Hearth, is what I selected for Realweegiemidget Reviews’ (Aaron) Spellingverse Blogathon, as Aaron Spelling was one of the film’s executive producers. The second reason is how animated movies are reviewed so infrequently on my blog. In fact, Cricket on the Hearth is the first animated film to be reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane in 2024. When I chose to participate in the (Aaron) Spellingverse Blogathon, I knew I wanted to write about a made-for-tv movie. So, when I discovered the 1967 film on Aaron’s IMDB filmography, I felt I found the perfect movie for the blogathon, especially for the previously mentioned reasons! But did Cricket on the Hearth end up being the perfect choice to write about? Keep reading my review to find out!

Cricket on the Hearth (1967) title card created by Rankin/Bass Productions, Thomas/Spelling Productions, and National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Things I liked about the film:

The animation: Some of the best animated movies boast bright, colorful hues. These hues can be utilized in various ways, from creating imaginative worlds to providing interesting visual contrasts. Cricket on the Hearth was a very kaleidoscopic production! Scenes either burst with a bundle of color or at least one bold color sparkled against a darker background. Presenting Cricket Crocket in a mustard yellow suit jacket and shoes, paired with an orange vest and a red bowtie, was a smart creative decision. It forces the audience to focus on Cricket Crocket, especially when he’s standing on a dark wood table or a deep green top hat. The toys in Caleb’s toy shop come to life during the song, ‘Smiles Go With Tears’. Despite the title’s contraction, the song’s tone is joyful because the song is about someone shedding tears due to being happy. The joyful nature of ‘Smiles Go With Tears’ is wonderfully depicted in the presentation of the toys. From a doll’s bubble-gum pink dress and bonnet to a pair of bright yellow and blue elephants, this scene was great to look at!

While looking for a place to live, Caleb considers moving into a poor house. Because Cricket Crocket is perched on Caleb’s top hat, Cricket Crocket hangs upside down in order to face Caleb. While looking upside down, Cricket Crocket sees a nearby toy factory. As he is readjusting himself, the image of the toy factory flips from appearing upside down to becoming right-side up. Animated films from the 1960s, especially those that were made-for-tv productions, were created with limited resources compared to animated pictures from the twenty-first century. Therefore, scenes like the one I just described seem ahead of its time.

The songs: Before reviewing Cricket on the Hearth, I had never seen the 1967 movie. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered the movie was a musical! The songs featured in this film sounded like relics of the late ‘60s, the time when Cricket on the Hearth was released. But these sounds, from emotional ballads to cheery tunes, felt nostalgic. Danny Thomas, who voices Caleb, sings a ballad titled ‘Through My Eyes’. Throughout this song, Caleb expresses his desire for his daughter, Bertha, to see the world how he wishes he could present it to her. The combination of Danny’s vocals and the orchestral music felt reminiscent of Judy Garland’s ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’, songs that exude a sense of hope and contain timeless elements. Another song of Danny’s I liked was ‘The First Christmas’! Before this song, Caleb wonders how he will provide the kind of Christmas Bertha hopes for. He learns how to resolve his conflict as the song carries on. The lyrics of ‘The First Christmas’ illustrate how Christmas doesn’t have to look the same for those who celebrate the holiday. The inclusion of the Norman Luboff Chorus added gravitas to this song!

The religious aspects of Christmas: Based on what I know about Charles Dickens and his stories, A Christmas Carol, one of his most well-known pieces of literature, is typically not known for addressing the religious aspects of Christmas. Though it was briefly incorporated in Cricket on the Hearth, I was pleasantly surprised by the recognition of Christmas’ religious aspects! As I previously said while talking about ‘The First Christmas’, the lyrics of the song illustrate how Christmas doesn’t have to look the same for those who celebrate the holiday. This point is emphasized by reminding the audience how Jesus had very little in terms of decorations and presents during the First Christmas. By the end of the song, the message is made clear; it’s not about what you have, but who you spend Christmas with that’s important. Before closing out the movie, Danny quotes a poem by Edmund Cooke. The quote itself goes “Tis not the weight of jewel or plate, or the fondle of silk or fur, ‘tis the spirit in which the gift is rich, as the gifts of the Wise Men were. And we are not told whose gift was gold or whose was the gift of myrrh”. Edmund’s poem brings up an excellent point, as the Nativity story does not specify which gift came from which Wise Man. This quote also highlights the point made earlier about Christmas being about who you spend the holiday with.

The (Aaron) Spellingverse Blogathon banner created by Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews

What I didn’t like about the film:

Scenes that serve as padding: In order to satisfy a film’s run-time, a film’s creative team will, sometimes, choose to pad the story out by incorporating additional scenes or establishing shots. This creative decision was utilized in Cricket on the Hearth, mostly in between songs. During the song, ‘Through My Eyes’, a scene of Bertha dancing in a ballgown lasts for almost thirty seconds. The song itself takes up two minutes and twenty-three seconds of the movie’s run-time. I don’t think Cricket on the Hearth needed padding, especially since it lasted a little over forty-nine minutes.

The randomness of the ‘Fish and Chips’ song: I liked the featured songs in Cricket on the Hearth. However, there is one song that, in the context of the story, felt random. A cat named Moll, voiced by Abbe Lane, sings a song about the finer things in life called ‘Fish and Chips’. This song is sung to a jazzy, ragtime tune. During the performance, Moll dances in a red, low-cut, sleeveless dress and even attempts to flirt with the male characters in her audience. The animation in this scene didn’t look bad. Abbe Lane also did a good job with the material given to her. But the story appearing to take place somewhere in the 1800s and with the movie’s tone being mostly heartwarmingly gentle, Moll’s ‘Fish and Chips’ song feels out of place in Cricket on the Hearth.

Parts of the story that don’t make sense: For this part of my review, I will spoil Cricket on the Hearth. If you have not seen the 1967 film and are interested in watching it, please skip ahead to the part of my review titled ‘My overall impression’.

Cricket on the Hearth’s antagonist, Tackleton, has a pet bird named Uriah. More often than not, Tackleton and Uriah are inseparable. After Tackleton orders Uriah to get rid of Cricket Crocket, Uriah and two of his friends kidnap Cricket Crocket and try to sell him to a sea captain. During the scene of Uriah’s attempted business transaction, it is heavily implied Uriah and his friends died. Fast forward toward the end of the movie, Tackleton is upset by Bertha’s rejection of his marriage proposal. In fact, he’s more upset about Bertha’s rejection than the absence of his bird. If Tackleton and Uriah were as inseparable as they appeared to be earlier in the movie, wouldn’t Tackleton wonder what happened to Uriah? Wouldn’t Tackleton ask the other characters if they know where Uriah is? This is just one part of Cricket on the Hearth that, to me, didn’t make sense.

Three Wise Men themed wish list paper image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/christmas”>Christmas vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

As I watched Cricket on the Hearth, I was reminded of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the 1983 Christmas movie I reviewed last December. Both films are not only made-for-tv productions, they both feel more like television specials than movies. It’s expected to suspend some disbelief in stories from animated films. But Cricket on the Hearth tried to suspend disbelief to the point parts of the story didn’t make sense. Despite the movie being under an hour long, some scenes, including those in between songs, served as unnecessary padding. Throughout Cricket on the Hearth, however, I could tell the movie’s creative team tried their best to make their project as special as possible. The songs were not only well performed, the music and visuals provided a good combination for the song itself. Though briefly incorporated, I also liked the recognition of Christmas’ religious aspects. I have not read Cricket on the Hearth’s source material. But based on what I know about Charles Dickens’ work, this story seems different from his other adaptations, as Cricket on the Hearth relies more on elements of fantasy and magical realism.

Overall score: 6.5 out of 10

Have you seen or read Cricket on the Hearth? Which adaptation of Charles Dickens’ stories would you like to see me review? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen