The Borgia Stick

I saw this film in the late '60. It was made about four decades before Enron. I would have liked to do a plot summary but just don't recall it that well. What I do recall was that the subject matter was quite scary when the McGuffin was finally revealed at the end. Inger Steven and Don Murray were a typical suburban couple caught up into somethings way beyond their understanding. The story revolved around them not having any idea about what it was that they knew. And what did they know? Organized crime having so much money decided to buy into or buy up legitimate corporations and businesses. That wasn't unusual because that seems to be the way of the world in many quarters, but this story had unique twist, i.e., the crime families were going to buy up utilities, railroad, water, etc., to eventually monopolize them. It seemed to me that in the film they discussed that there eventually would be shortages either real or contrived. When that happened, they would be able to set or control the prices of necessities to any amount they wanted and no one could do anything about it. In 2008, the Borgia Stick has proved to be more fact than fiction except that the organize crime people today wear more expensive suits and attend the right schools. It was a great film that need to be out on DVD.

Tom and Eve Harrison seem to be living the good life. Nice home, picket fence, trendy life style, sporty friends. However, its not at all what it appears. In reality, their life together is a sham. Tom and Eve are covers for a crime syndicate and their "marriage" a mere front for the criminal activities therein. By day, Tom goes off to "work" donning disguises and wheeling-and-dealing syndicate money while Eve sets up a responsible household, caters to her "husband", takes part in civic activities and sees to it they blend into the unsuspecting community. Living together but ultimately lonely, separate lives and not knowing a thing about each others' past as per syndicate code, a wrench is thrown into the proceedings when they discover that they are deeply in love and want to leave the syndicate to lead a "normal" existence together. The syndicate has other plans.

Don Murray and Inger Stevens are perfect in their roles of two pawns trapped in a much bigger chess game. The virile Murray, in particular, shows a natural fortitude for this type of edgy, clean-cut anti-hero. Usually wasted as a frivolous love interest, the gorgeous, honey-voiced Stevens gets the fleeting chance to display her dramatic talents especially as their sedentary lives begin to unravel.

Durable Barry Nelson acquits himself well here as the next-door-undercover cop whose onto their charade while Fritz Weaver offers smooth, cultivated menace as a syndicate leader. Along the way you'll spot a number of familiar TV faces in minor, pre-stardom roles, including Conrad "Diff'rent Strokes" Bain, Ralph "The Waltons" Waite and Sorrell "Dukes of Hazzard" Booke.

The movie is appropriately tense throughout and there are a number of interesting plot turns and twists to keep the cat-and-mouse proceedings moving as our couple desperately try to elude both the police and the syndicate. One eerie moment occurs in a funeral parlor where Murray and Stevens are laid out. The fact that Miss Stevens died a suicide only three years later offers a sad, peculiar foreshadowing for this lovely and tragic leading lady.

A most adroit and intriguing time-filler.

Inger Stevens - fresh from The Farmer's Daugther (with William Windom and Cathleen Nesbitt) and the venerable Don Murray are superb. I bought an okay DVD online. The story still holds up after so many years and that is because of the leads and the supporting players. I've never forgotten it. So weird how we older people remember certain films that have touched our lives in some way or other. I believe it was Inger Stevens who did it for me. Sad life, a tragedy. The film is eerie and so true to life. And as it turned out could very well be reel life. I wish they would release it on a good, good DVD. It is worth watching on any venue however.

Okay. Now I'm hooked. I was only 7 when the movie was released but I saw the movie (probably in B&W) on our kitchen TV. I don't even really recall what the movie was about but I vividly recall a scene watching them run down railroad tracks...and after 48 years it remains one of a handful of movie names that I remember. I think I might have been only 9 or 10 when I saw it.

After reading the other reviews here with so many others recalling the movie from those many years ago I can't help but wonder why we all so hooked on a seemingly insignificant movie.

Huh-after 47 years I searched it on IMDb to see if I'd see what the hell there was in this movie that so impressed me almost 50 years ago. Now I am scared-maybe ill see it again and end up needing therapy..

Intrigued more then ever now.

great movie! i haven't seen it on TV in a couple of decades, but would love to see it again. anyone know when it might be on TV again, or where i might get a copy? it reminds me somewhat of another really good movie made for TV called brotherhood of the bell. a large and powerful crime syndicate was prevalent in both. the protagonist in both had to escape from life threatening situation. Inga Stephens has never been better. it is too bad this movie wasn't released to the theaters, or at least introduced on video. it is certainly considered a classic by those of us that have seen it, but so many haven't. it will probably be on video sometime in the future, the sooner the better.