THE MANCHU EAGLE MURDER CAPER MYSTERY (1973, 1975) – This film was made in 1973 but not released until 1975. Where to begin with this bizarre detective “comedy” that starred Gabriel Dell long after his days with the Dead-End Kids/ Bowery Boys/ Little Tough Guys. For starters, fans of that series of films that ran from the 1930s onward will enjoy the fact that Dell gets to share a few scenes with his fellow veteran of those movies – Huntz Hall.
Sadly for such fans, Leo Gorcey and the rest are nowhere to be found in this flick. Making up for their absence is a cornucopia of cult stars and fringe figures that will simplify all your future games of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.
The Manchu Eagle Murder Caper Mystery was directed and co-written (with Dell) by Dean Hargrove, producer and director of countless television detective shows like Columbo, Perry Mason, Matlock, Jane Doe, McBride, Real McCoy, and many, many others. In fact, Columbo’s basset hound is said to be the dog playing Winston in this flick! Continue reading
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