Mrs Pollifax – Spy

The always-underrated Rosalind Russell's final theatrical film is the perfect "little movie" to watch in the comfort of home, preferably on a nice big screen to enjoy the wonderful animated opening credits (titles by Don Record). Under the capable hands of frequent TV and sometime film director Leslie Martinson ("PT 109", and 1996's campy "Batman"), the story sails along at an even pace (though the setting is dreary and claustrophobic, which may cause some to lose interest). It also makes textbook use of what Alfred Hitcock famously referred to as a "McGuffin" (that one thing in a suspense film everyone wants, no matter what it is). The chemistry between Russell and Darren McGavin is reminiscent of William Powell and Myrna Loy. And while this may not quite be on the level of "The Thin Man" movies, it certainly comes as closer than anything else released in 1971 ever would. It's like getting the nostalgia of two eras for the price of one viewing. Before TCM's August 2007 airing of this film, few reviews were available in cyberland, and the ones that could be found weren't very positive. Well, it looks like the previous reviewers may now be in the minority, since the majority of viewers of that airing seem to have enjoyed it. Somwhere screenwriter "C.A. McKnight" (Russell herself) must be smiling!