The Crooked Hearts

Last updated
The Crooked Hearts
GenreComedy
Crime
Romance
Based onLonelyheart 4122
by Colin Watson
Written byA.J. Russell
Directed by Jay Sandrich
Starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Rosalind Russell
Ross Martin
Michael Murphy
Maureen O'Sullivan
Music by Billy Goldenberg
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producer Lee Rich
ProducerAllen S. Epstein
Production location 20th Century Fox Studios
Cinematography Joe Biroc
Editor Gene Fowler Jr.
Running time74 minutes
Production company Lorimar Productions
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseNovember 8, 1972 (1972-11-08)

The Crooked Hearts is a 1972 American made-for-television comedy film starring Rosalind Russell, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and was directed by Jay Sandrich. The film marked Russell's final acting appearance and was originally broadcast as the ABC Movie of the Week on November 8, 1972.

Contents

Plot

Lorita Dorsey is a widow trying to marry rich bachelor, Rex Willoughby, through a lonely hearts club, but her plans fails into a deadly cat-and-mouse game. [1]

Cast

Production

The film was shot over 12 days. [2]

Reception

The New York Times said it was "pleasant but wears exceedingly thin". The review concludes: "Some viewers probably would settle for outright comedy minus the clanky hanky‐panky, with Miss Russell simply being her rakish, lah‐de‐dah self. This lady's not for murder, she's for winks. And so, at this point, is Mr. Fairbanks, with his vintage courtliness. Miss O'Sullivan, looking like a million, Ross Martin, Michael Murphy and Kent Smith all do well in supporting roles, under Jay Sandrich's smooth direction of an equally smooth script by A. J. Russell. But better a short breeze than a long‐winded teaser." [3]

The Los Angeles Times called it "outstanding". [4] Judith Crist in TV Guide said, "1972's 'The Crooked Hearts' is a better-than-usual tailored-for-television flick, only because the performers--Rosalind Russell, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Maureen O'Sullivan--prove themselves old pors at charming their way through weak material as lonely-hearts racketeers."

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References

  1. "The Crooked Hearts". www.tcm.com.
  2. Roz is alive... and on TV Peterson, Bettelou. Chicago Tribune 21 Jan 1973: l7.
  3. Thompson, Howard (8 November 1972). "TV Review". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  4. TV MOVIE REVIEW: Not 1 but 2 Twists in 'Crooked Heart' Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 8 Nov 1972: d22.