Reviews
There Was a Crooked Man... (1970)
An Old West Greek Tragedy
If you're really looking for a comedy, look elsewhere. This is no more a comedy than Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus is a comedy. If this had been released under today's rating system it would receive an R rating for nudity - bare breasts and bare butts. The language and violence were far from uplifting or story driving.
Our social group elected to view this film, probably thinking Henry Fonda wouldn't lead us astray. While his Woodrow Lopeman character initially exhibited high principles, in the end he didn't find fulfilling meaning in his integrity.
Our group wondered why we invested two hours together in this shallow depiction of greed, stereotypes, and distrust of everyone, whether friends or authority figures. The film left us with little hope for the future.
I am amazed "There Was a Crooked Man" received higher viewer ratings here than "The Cheyenne Social Club", also from 1970 and also starring Henry Fonda (along with James Stewart). In my humble opinion, Cheyenne Social Club is the far superior film.
Against the Grain (1993)
Against the Grain should have succeeded
I too loved this series and was astounded it disappeared so quickly.
Ed Clemons quit his job as an insurance salesman, his wife Maggie had taken over the business while he was recovering. (His best friend runs the car dealership).
I loved the family dynamics that showed how each person could both need help and give help. My favorite episode is titled "Respect". It was so good to have an example where the parents didn't automatically buy the latest music player for their daughter, the son didn't automatically have sex with the cheerleader because there was an opportunity, the father trusted his wife while wanting to protect her.
What a wonderful program about real family values. I truly hope that someday this short-lived series will be made available on DVD.