Nowhere to Run

This was a television movie from late in Janssen's career. His character, Harry, is an unhappy man stuck in a loveless marriage. His wife is cheating on him and he is rather indifferent towards her. He does not hate her--he just wants out but she doesn't want to let him go too easily. So, Harry slowly creates a complicated plan by which he will fake his death and go to Vegas for a big score (as he's created a nearly foolproof technique that should pay off big).

Along the way, he meets and falls for Stephanie Powers and befriends the hapless Herbie Stoltz (played by Alan Garfield)--Herbie BEFORE he arranged his fake death and Stephanie AFTER. In fact, Herbie is broken up by Harry's apparent death and is sure Harry's wife did it--until he accidentally stumbles on Harry in his new life! What happens next and the tense build up until the "big score" make this an unexpectedly good film.

I saw this film in Australia when I was working with Frankie Vaughan in the mid seventies and have not seen or heard of it since. I'm not a fan of David Jansen, I feel he takes 'taciturn' way past it's sell by date, but in my opinion he did a great job on this. I was blown away by the audacity of the plot. Frank and I and the rest of the team ALL agreed the story was superb. The twists and turns kept me / us on the edge of our collective seat. The ending was SPECTACULAR. After all the "will he - won't he" our whole crew was cheering as the credits rolled. To help with a happy retirement I need to get a copy of this film at any reasonable price. Please - can anybody help me ? ken h.

I love this TV movie, one of dear David Janssen's best-he plays the very essence of a world-weary guy. All the supporting cast are perfectly chosen and believable; the San Francisco settings are great; the music is marvellously wistful. The script is first class, holds one's attention throughout, and has several delicious twists and turns.

My only reservation is that-OK, his wife is cheating on him, but did that start after his years of indifference?-but would any sane guy want to leave the absolutely gorgeous Stefanie Powers?! And I felt sorry for his in-laws who are nice folk and really try to engage with and understand him.

Those reservations aside, this is a perfect example of that sadly long-gone golden age of the Hollywood TV movie. Every time this comes up on one of our UK free TV channels I make sure I catch it. Warmly recommended.

I first saw this movie as a 2 a.m. late-night feature in 1979, I then gleaned the TV guides for the next 12 years before it was re-run in my area, such was the impact that David Janssen's performance had on me.

Janssen plays Harry Adams as a we suppose Janssen to be in real life, a disenchanted loner knowing there's something better right around the corner. With just a little help...

The story is wrapped around the backdrop of President Kennedy's assassination and loss of his still-born child, a loss Harry knows but doesn't sharedwith his wife Marian, played coldly but superbly by Stefanie Powers, and her overbearing parents.

Harry has a plan he slowly and meticulously puts into action while being pursued by bumbling P.I. Herbie Stoltz (Allen Garfield). Harry and Herbie accidently become friends sharing the same "something-better-around-the-corner" feeling albeit on different levels and different reasons.

After Harry's plan is parleyed we're introduced to Linda Evans, a somewhat after-thought character, yet essential to the surprise and amusing ending.

Throughout the movie Janssen gives his usual over-the-top performance that we've come to expect and really underestimate, while changing this character from caustic to encouraging. The backdrop of Kennedy's life intermingled through and through brings a hard, yet gentle touch of realism to the story, but it is Harry's plan that sets the intrigue.

For me, it was worth the wait of 12 years to see this picture again. I hope you get the same enjoyment I did watching the character development of David Janssen's "Harry Adams".

I am so glad to actually own a copy of this great movie, starring the late great David Janssen. Allen Garfield and Stephanie Powers are also superb in this believable (perhaps based on truth?) adaptation of Charles Einstein's novel, The Blackjack Hijack. The movie is much better than the book,much better ending in the film version. Usually I enjoy the book better than the movie, not the case this time.I loved everything about this movie. I was always a big fan of David Janssen, this is probably my favorite movie that he starred in, shortly before his very untimely and tragic death.They don't make movies of this quality any more it seems, good from start to finish!Do take the time to view this one, should it show up on your late night TV lineup.