Reviews

"Richard Diamond" was one of the all-time great private eye television shows from the late 1950's. The series starred the raspy-voiced David Janssen as the title character driving around in his Ford convertibles trading innuendos with Sam, the female operator for the Hi-Fi Answering Service, via his car phone as he solves all manner of cases. Janssen is tough and sexy and one can only wonder if he and Sam ever connected in real time. Sam is only shown in profile from the shoulders down seated in front of a switch board, in tight fitting dresses, legs crossed and usually dangling a stiletto-heeled shoe from her toe as she delivers Richard's messages in a breathy low husky voice. The show is fast, well acted, entertaining and shot in "glorious" black and white with a great jazz score. An original soundtrack album was released by Mercury records during the shows run on network television. It's great fun and well worth a look.

ABC-TV's "The Sound of Christmas" is one of the last truly entertaining holiday specials. The stars shine, in particular Julie Andrews, with each performing musical numbers tailored for the vocal talents. Shot entirely in Austria utilizing locales featured in "The Sound of Music," the special is truly a visual and musical gem. Miss Andrews looks and sounds terrific. Her wardrobe is tasteful and flattering especially the silver lame show stopper she wears in the fantasy sequence. Surprisingly, the rapport between Placido and John Denver seems genuine and John's duet with Julie on "Edleweiss" is a joy. Other musical highlights include Placido's "Ave Maria," his duet with Julie on "Something New in My Life," the King Singers with Julie on "A Christmas Fantasy" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas," plus Julie's solos on "In the Bleek Midwinter" and "The Sound of Christmas."

"The Sound of Christmas" won 5 Emmy Awards.

ABC exercised their good taste in airing this special twice, originally in December, 1987 and again during the holiday season in 1989. Hopefully at some point "Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas" will be available on home video for all of us to enjoy over and over again.