(TV Series)

(1955)

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7/10
P.I. McGraw strikes again
gordonl5611 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
STAGE 7 – The Long Count – 1955

This is the 9th episode of the one season run of the anthology series, STAGE 7. The series ran for 25 episodes during 1955. The headliner in this film noir like episode is, Frank Lovejoy.

Frank Lovejoy plays a Private Eye in this one who goes by the name of, McGraw. Lovejoy is hired by mobbed up boxing promoters, Ted de Corcia and Mel Welles. His job is to keep an eye on boxer Biff Elliot for a few days before his title shot. Elliot has eyes for the ladies, and it might get him in a bit of trouble. He has a thing for De Corcia's girl, Joan Vohs.

Lovejoy and Elliot are put up in a hotel so Lovejoy can keep him quiet and "alone." That night however, Elliot leaves through the window and hotfoots it into the dark. He has a date with Miss Vohs.

The next morning, Nestor Pavia, Elliot's manager shows to collect Elliot for the pre-fight medical. Needless to say, Lovejoy, or anyone else is happy that Elliot had taken off.

He pays a visit to Voh's apartment but no joy there. Elliot never made it to her place for their horizontal cha-cha meeting. It turns out that Elliot managed to get himself killed in a hit and run accident.

Now everyone is really annoyed at Lovejoy. Lovejoy pays a visit to the doctor's to get the info on Elliot's death. It seems that he had an underlying heart problem and most likely would not have passed the medical.

Lovejoy has a chat with his Police buddies and they do a check of various cars. They soon find out that Miss Voh's car had been used to run down Elliot. However, the car was full of promoter Welles fingerprints. A bit of 3rd degree soon has things settled. Welles knew about the heart problem and decided to bump Elliot off before the medical. Welles would then make a large score off all the insurance he had in case of a cancelled fight.

Not great, but, by no means a stinker. The look of the episode is excellent with veteran film noir man, Harry J Wild at the controls. Wild's big screen work includes, JOHNNY ANGEL, CORNERED, NOCTURNE, THEY WON'T BELIEVE ME, PITFALL, THE BIG STEAL, THE THREAT, HIS KIND OF WOMAN, MACAO and MURDER MY SWEET.

This episode was the second pilot for the series, MEET MCGRAW. The series ran for 42 episodes in 1957-58.
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7/10
Enjoyable for Lovejoy's seemingly effortless performance.
planktonrules27 September 2014
Frank Lovejoy stars in this half hour drama as a guy simply known as McGraw. McGraw is described as a clever guy who works on the fringes of what is legal but is also a guy with a strong moral code. In his latest adventure, a boxing manager pays him to keep an eye on an idiot boxer and keep him away from women. It seems that Pretty Boy Mendaro has an eye for the ladies (and vice-versa) and EVERYTHING, including boxing, takes a back seat to women. And, since he has a title bout in only a few days, the manager is anxious because keeping Mendaro away from them and out of trouble seems practically impossible!

McGraw's job isn't easy. He locks Pretty Boy in a hotel room with him and actually has to slug the 'great boxer' a couple times to keep him in line. However, even despite his best efforts, Mendaro is determined to destroy his chances at the title. And, when this happens, something VERY suspicious occurs--and McGraw is determined what REALLY is happening.

While this is not the finest half hour of entertainment I've ever seen, it is solid and entertaining thanks to two things. Although Lovejoy is not a household name, he was a very solid actor and did well in the lead. Additionally, while there are too many boxing shows and films, this one is unusual and has a fresh spin on this ugly industry. Well worth your time.

Also, I recommend you read through some of the other reviews, as they give background information concerning the McGraw character and his other TV performances.
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