Contentar
Best movie of this year hands down!
Janis
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
aimless-46
Here it is, almost 1200 minutes of the mystery series "Matlock", 24 episodes (including the pilot) that were broadcast during NBC's 1986-1987 season. So let's forget all we know about the long run of this series and just talk about its premiere season. Years after his run as Sheriff Andy Taylor, Andy Griffith finally got another regular job. This time he is playing Ben Matlock, an Atlanta lawyer who talks like Sheriff Andy. It's a comfortable role in a tried and true format; a mix of "Perry Mason" and "Columbo". "Columbo" veteran Dean Hargrove dreamed up the series and shared executive producer duties with Fred Silverman. The focus is on the title character and Griffith is great fun to watch. He charms and sweet talks his way through each case, getting everyone to let down their guard because they underestimate this good old boy as much as they did the seemingly scatterbrained "Columbo". Both series revolved around the main character's ability discern something incriminating in seemingly innocent little things and to pick up on a guilty party's casual slip of the tongue. In the "Perry Mason" tradition Matlock is not bound by the conventional rules of evidence or procedural requirements once he gets into a courtroom. He can say anything and introduce any sort of evidence simply by reassuring the judge that his line or questioning will eventually become relevant. Be prepared for the obligatory breakdowns and confessions on the witness stand. The prosecutors can only shake their heads and bluster helplessly in the face of Matlock's cunning strategy. Matlock is assisted by the show's version of Perry Mason's Paul and Della. In season one these are his daughter and partner Charlene Matlock (Lori Lethin in the pilot-Linda Purl in the regular episodes) and his investigator Tyler Hudson (Kene Holliday). His junior partner Michele Thomas (Nancy Stafford) would not join the team as a regular until the nest season and it wasn't until 1988 that Don Knotts reprises his Barney role as Ben's neighbor Les "Ace" Calhoun. Season One's episodes #6 and #7 (a two part story titled "The Don") featured William Conrad as District Attorney James "Fatman" McShane. The next year the producers took this character, changed his name slightly to Jason Lochinvar 'Fatman' McCabe, and with Conrad created the long-running series "Jake and the Fatman". Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
WeatherViolet
Its formula remains fairy consistent: 1. A heated argument before witnesses leads to an arranged meeting to sort things through.2. One of those witnessing the argument the meeting as the perfect opportunity to do in the would-be victim and beats the would-be suspect to the rendezvous point to perform the murder, usually leaving behind the weapon already containing the would-be suspects fingerprints.3. If the would-be suspect hasn't already handled the weapon, s/he for some reason handles it upon discovering the body.4. Within a matter of seconds, security guards arrive at the murder scene to apprehend the speechless suspect. If a pistol were used and the perpetrator takes it along, this doesn't matter to the guards that the suspect hasn't one on hand.5. The authorities (law enforcement, prosecutors and judges) are unable to grasp the notion that this suspect has been framed. No, they have an airtight case, by overlooking evidence and clues, such as time of death and those sorts of articles which the perpetrator has left behind.6. Neither the authorities nor the jury nor anyone in Matlock's office fathom that this type of frame-up has ever happened before. No, they have an airtight case, and only high-priced defender Ben Matlock with his team of investigators would be able to locate the missing clue.7. Once Matlock calls his last witness to the stand, the case is pretty well wrapped up, causing the prosecutor to request a dismissal of charges, which the judge and jury invariably welcome -- unless it was one of the judges who did it, which sometimes happens.Variations of this formula and diversions from it often provide welcome fodder for the story of Ben Matlock and company. Along the way, the sometimes Assistant District Attorney Julie Marsh realizes that Ben may be right about a thing or two, this leading to a romantic rivalry between them.A time or two, Julie rises to the occasion of defending the innocent, a hallmark of the Matlock team, which includes at different times his younger daughter, Charlene Matlock; his assistant attorney, Michele Thomas; his elder daughter, Leane McIntyre; his investigators, Tyler Hudson, Conrad McMasters and Cliff Lewis, as well as his friends and neighbors Les Calhoun and Billy Lewis.If Matlock and his defense team would ever lose a case, the episode is only beginning, as a closer investigation would reveal enough evidence to call for a retrial or something along these lines."Matlock" is at its best with sensitive acting, caring for just treatment for the innocent, especially by Andy Griffith, Linda Purl, Kene Holliday, Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. Later seasons tend to overlook some of its earlier sensitivity in favor of the strong-willed emotions of its ultimate cast, thereby losing some of its vision.Overall, "Matlock" provides for an interesting episode from its catchy opening theme to its closing credits. Viewers may well be led to appreciate this fine cast, which affords the next judge and jury to find their work cut out for them.
John
Andy Griffith has made a great career out of portraying "country" folk.
The character of 'Matlock': the country lawyer, who was cheap, expensive, set in his ways, had a razor sharp mind, adapted to modern standards when necessary to solve cases. "Matlock" was 'Perry Mason meets Columbo'. "Matlock" had the courtroom savvy of Perry Mason; able to extract the courtroom confession, whether by the culprit's words or by the culprit's reaction on the stand. "Matlock had the persistence and awkward habits of Columbo: While Columbo wore the trademark raincoat, Matlock wore the same dreary suit. Both appeared to be bumbling. This did nothing more than hide their brilliance. Anyway the 'Matlock' character was fun to watch. This is why the show lasted.However, the show was about mystery, about how the case was solved. While some of the episodes offered great detective clues which Matlock used to crack the case, many episodes featured detective clues and plot twists that were copied from 70's "Columbo". "Columbo" aficionados may know what I mean. Here are some examples for those who know Columbo:* Columbo's fingerprints turn up on paintings when they should not have in an episode entitled 'Suitable for Framing'. This trapped the murderer. The fingerprint stunt was repeated in the Matlock episode 'The Dame'.* In the classic 1973 "Columbo" episode entitled 'Double Shock', Martin Landau portrays two roles: a man and his twin. In this episode, it seems that one of the twins is guilty, but it turns out that the twins did it together. This entire concept was done again in the "Matlock" episode entitled 'The Brothers'.* Several "Matlock" episodes were open mysteries (we see the killer committing the crime). This was trademark Columbo.There are other examples. I just named a few.Many episodes featured the same, sometimes mundane plotting. When the murderer is committed, there were always three suspects (THREE!). In many detective short stories, the crime always featured three suspects. Sometimes, it would be better to take up the art of reading people like Ellery Queen to improve your literacy skills.In general, Columbo was a lot better. Here is the reason. During the Columbo runs on TV, there ranged between five and eight episodes per season, because it was part of the mystery wheel on NBC during the 70's. Since only a few episodes were done, each episode can be worked on longer to ensure quality of the scripts. Matlock had 22 to 24 episodes. Sometimes, the episodes could be poor while so many episodes in a short time.In all, Matlock was an above-average show. However, Griffith will always be remembered as Andy Taylor as opposed to being remembered as Ben Matlock!!
raysond
The scenario for the original format script to Matlock was supposed to be this..... Andy Taylor leaves Mayberry and goes into practice as a lawyer who takes on clients whom always never loses a case.That changed when the show premiered on NBC-TV in 1986.That show was "Matlock".The series ran for an impressive nine seasons on two major networks: One,it was originally on NBC from 1986-1992 and made the switch over to ABC from 1992-1995.Ben Matlock was a old-fashioned,Harvard Law School educated Southern lawyer from Atlanta,Georgia who always wore a grey seeksucker suit,a white buttondown collar shirt,and necktie with his partner and daughter Charlene Matlock(who was played by three different actresses during the shows' intital run) who takes in clients and rights the wrongs in their defense and if they were gulity of the crime Ben knew who the culprit was--in court. What made this show stand out was something viewers haven't seen since Raymond Burr's Perry Mason and Peter Falk's Columbo---blackmail,murder,corruption and unexpected twists and surprises all within a hour. Usually,Matlock always represents innocent clients,but he knew who the murderers were. Anyway,he always had backup help from Tyler Hudson(played by Kene Holliday)who was the P.I. and later on replaced by Conrad McMasters(played by Clarence Gilyard,Jr.,who left the show in 1993 to do a nine year stint on "Walker:Texas Ranger"),and also was replaced by Clifton Lewis(played by Daniel Roebuck) who was not only the P.I.,but Ben's grandson. The episode I will never forget consisted of a two parter where Conrad was kidnapped,drugged,placed in a coffin that was to send him to a watery grave,but it was Ben who saved him from a deadly and certain fate. As for the actresses who played the character of Charlene,in the pilot episode was played by a different actress and during the first three seasons by Linda Purl,and then in 1992 by Nancy Stafford when the show switched networks from NBC to ABC. Later was changed again,by Charlene's sister Leanne McIntyre,played by Brynn Thayer. What made Matlock stand out? The guest stars and the music that played.. Guest stars like country artists Randy Travis and even special appearances by Don Knotts made it shined out. Not to even mention some of the great writing that this show had since the same people that were behind "Columbo" and later on for "In The Heat Of The Night",and "Jake and the Fatman" wrote some of the astounding scripts. The location of the show changed too in 1992 when the show went to ABC for its final three seasons. The location shots were filmed in North Carolina instead of California near Andy Griffith's estate which was on the coast---near the city of Manteo,NC and also other locations throughout. This was a great show and it is not to be missed since it is shown five times a day in some markets around the country(they put it on the same timeslot as "The Andy Griffith Show" here in North Carolina where I'm at)and is seen daily on Superstation TBS and Chicago's WGN. Well worth it.
