I call it "The curse of the Montgomerys". Robert Montgomery was a fantastically gifted actor and (to a lesser extent) director and producer, but while recognized by his peers as such he was never given the ultimate accolades of Hollywood - top rank stardom and an Oscar (preferably for his marvelous performance as "Danny" in NIGHT MUST FALL). After 1951 he called his movie career quits and went into television, where he did very well with his anthology series ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS, and finally did get some award recognition in the form of an "Emmy". But his show has been out of syndication for decades, and there is no way for current audiences to judge his work. This is sad because Montgomery attempted, in his series, to lift television out of the rut he saw it falling into, and that he later condemned in writing.
Montgomery died in 1981. By that time he was gratified (one hopes) by the success of his daughter Elizabeth, who achieved television stardom as "Samantha Stevens", the central witch on the comedy BEWITCHED. But like others in television, Liz Montgomery never could escape the great success of her role, nor could she make the jump (which given her lovely figure and face she could have made) into films. She made a few movies, but none were strong enough to make her a star (not even on the level of her father). She would, however, be successful in choosing good television properties to do until the time of her own death in 1996.
Hence the "curse of the Montgomerys". Both very good talents - and never able to get into that really upper echelon they should have reached.
One of the films Liz chose to make was this 1975 reconstruction of the Fall River Axe Murders of August 1892 - the murders that are forever linked to another "Liz": Elizabeth "Lizzie" Borden. Briefly, Lizzie Borden lived with an older sister (Emma), her father Andrew Borden, and a stepmother (Abby Borden) in a house in Fall River, Massachusetts. Andrew was originally an undertaker, but he parlayed his cash and shrewdness into a large fortune (for that day). Unfortunately he was an absolute tightwad, forcing his daughters to take care of their own clothing when they could have had their own maids, and he was rather tyrannical about them serving him and his wife, the unloved Abby. The only other person who resided in the house was the household maid, Bridget O'Sullivan.
There was a food poisoning event a few weeks before the final catastrophe, but given the standards for poor food in the 19th Century this by itself means little. Then, on an August afternoon, Andrew was found hacked to death while napping on a couch in the parlor, and Abby similarly found hacked up on the floor of an upstairs bedroom. Emma had an alibi, as did a visiting uncle. Only Lizzie and Bridget were in the house, and neither claimed they heard anything unusual (although Bridget thought she heard a laugh at the top of the stairs when Andrew came home from his office). Due to Lizzie burning an old stained dress the police narrowed their suspicions on her. She was arrested, and the trial for the murders took place in 1893.
To this day, most Americans who hear the "Lizzie Borden took an ax" quatrain think she did it. She most probably did. But Lizzie was acquitted. The general reason given is that there was a lack of any desire by the all male jury to hang a gentlewoman. Whatever the reason, the case is still officially unsolved. If you would like to consider Bridget (under extreme stress from her employers doing her chores in that blazing August weather) cracking and doing them in you can consider it. There have been other theories avoiding Lizzie or Brigid, including Emma or her Uncle Morse getting involved, or a passing tramp, or even Andrew's discarded illegitimate son doing it.
Montgomery played Lizzie with dignity and guts, and (SPOILER COMING UP) knowledge that she was guilty. The concluding of the film showed her doing in first Abby and then waiting, naked, for Andrew to show up. It was a terrifically ice-cold performance in that part.
Of note too was the always dependable Fritz Weaver as Andrew and Katherine Helmond as Emma (not quite sure what to think). Don Porter played former Massachusetts Governor George Robinson, who skillfully navigated his client to acquittal. And that ultimately tragic actor, Ed Flanders played the district attorney, who is under intense pressure not to win this one if he can avoid it. It was a very well done piece of Americana, and again makes one regret that Montgomery could only get so far with her talent.
Montgomery died in 1981. By that time he was gratified (one hopes) by the success of his daughter Elizabeth, who achieved television stardom as "Samantha Stevens", the central witch on the comedy BEWITCHED. But like others in television, Liz Montgomery never could escape the great success of her role, nor could she make the jump (which given her lovely figure and face she could have made) into films. She made a few movies, but none were strong enough to make her a star (not even on the level of her father). She would, however, be successful in choosing good television properties to do until the time of her own death in 1996.
Hence the "curse of the Montgomerys". Both very good talents - and never able to get into that really upper echelon they should have reached.
One of the films Liz chose to make was this 1975 reconstruction of the Fall River Axe Murders of August 1892 - the murders that are forever linked to another "Liz": Elizabeth "Lizzie" Borden. Briefly, Lizzie Borden lived with an older sister (Emma), her father Andrew Borden, and a stepmother (Abby Borden) in a house in Fall River, Massachusetts. Andrew was originally an undertaker, but he parlayed his cash and shrewdness into a large fortune (for that day). Unfortunately he was an absolute tightwad, forcing his daughters to take care of their own clothing when they could have had their own maids, and he was rather tyrannical about them serving him and his wife, the unloved Abby. The only other person who resided in the house was the household maid, Bridget O'Sullivan.
There was a food poisoning event a few weeks before the final catastrophe, but given the standards for poor food in the 19th Century this by itself means little. Then, on an August afternoon, Andrew was found hacked to death while napping on a couch in the parlor, and Abby similarly found hacked up on the floor of an upstairs bedroom. Emma had an alibi, as did a visiting uncle. Only Lizzie and Bridget were in the house, and neither claimed they heard anything unusual (although Bridget thought she heard a laugh at the top of the stairs when Andrew came home from his office). Due to Lizzie burning an old stained dress the police narrowed their suspicions on her. She was arrested, and the trial for the murders took place in 1893.
To this day, most Americans who hear the "Lizzie Borden took an ax" quatrain think she did it. She most probably did. But Lizzie was acquitted. The general reason given is that there was a lack of any desire by the all male jury to hang a gentlewoman. Whatever the reason, the case is still officially unsolved. If you would like to consider Bridget (under extreme stress from her employers doing her chores in that blazing August weather) cracking and doing them in you can consider it. There have been other theories avoiding Lizzie or Brigid, including Emma or her Uncle Morse getting involved, or a passing tramp, or even Andrew's discarded illegitimate son doing it.
Montgomery played Lizzie with dignity and guts, and (SPOILER COMING UP) knowledge that she was guilty. The concluding of the film showed her doing in first Abby and then waiting, naked, for Andrew to show up. It was a terrifically ice-cold performance in that part.
Of note too was the always dependable Fritz Weaver as Andrew and Katherine Helmond as Emma (not quite sure what to think). Don Porter played former Massachusetts Governor George Robinson, who skillfully navigated his client to acquittal. And that ultimately tragic actor, Ed Flanders played the district attorney, who is under intense pressure not to win this one if he can avoid it. It was a very well done piece of Americana, and again makes one regret that Montgomery could only get so far with her talent.