Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Blindfold’ stars Rock Hudson

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Rock Hudson is a famous psychiatrist in the suspense film Blindfold. Claudia Cardinale and Jack Warden co-star in this 1966 movie.

Hudson is Dr. Bartholomew Snow, a man famous for being a top New York psychiatrist and for getting engaged over and over again. While on one of his morning horse rides through Central Park, a government agent asking for his help confronts Snow. Apparently one of Snow’s former patients, Arthur Vincenti (Alejandro Rey), has been taken by the government to keep him from divulging information to the enemy. General Prat (Warden) asks for Snow’s help in treating the emotionally fragile man. Snow agrees and the journey begins.

Snow is always blindfolded when he is taken to see his patient. The team of Prat, Davis (Hari Rhodes), and Snow, get on a private jet out of NYC. Snow is the only one that is kept in the dark – literally – about their destination. Upon arrival they then get into a vehicle and travel a distance to an old house where Vincenti is being held.

Then one day Snow is confronted by Vincenti’s sister Vicky (Cardinale) who insists her brother has been abducted. Snow proposes (once again) to Vicky to keep her quiet so she doesn’t let out the government secret. But slowly the two form a bond and Vicky and Vicky finds herself in the middle of an espionage case.

Meanwhile, a man named Fitzpatrick (Guy Stockwell) visits the good doctor in his office and tells him he is with the CIA. He says the man Snow has been working with is not with the government.

Who is telling the truth? Is Vincenti being held by the good guys or the bad ones?

As the story unfolds, Vicky and Snow decide they must go to help her brother. But just where in the world is he? All they have to go on is Snow’s recollections about what he heard and felt while being blindfolded.

With plot twists and fun characters, this is an interesting story but not one of Hudson’s greatest. It seems like a low-budget cold war espionage movie but Hudson is likeable as usual! Viewers will enjoy seeing Hudson as a cool, calm, collected psychiatrist caught in the middle of an espionage episode where he must use both his cunning and his composure to help the right side, once he knows which side that is, of course!

Blindfold is not rated.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

‘Support Your Local Gunfighter’ now on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Two years after he made Support Your Local Sheriff, James Garner and a bunch of the same actors joined together for Support Your Local Gunfighter. This is not a sequel. It is a separate film.

Garner is Latigo Smith who is smart and cunning and manages to outsmart an entire town. He doesn’t ride horses and doesn’t like to shoot a gun. He also doesn’t drink alcohol, except on certain occasions.

Smith finds himself in a dangerous situation when he gets off a train in a small Western town. He is mistaken for the famous – and fastest – gunslinger, Swifty Morgan (Chuck Conners). Supposedly Swifty was hired by one of the two competing mining companies to get the other to leave.

After meeting a man named Jug May (Jack Elam), they start a friendship and Smith manages to convince everyone that Jug is Swifty. That takes the pressure off of himself, as many in the town, most of all a young woman names Patience (Suzanne Pleshette), start taking shots at the man.

This is a rather far-fetched and whacky story, but the actors are all good and seeing Garner as a New York gentleman/ con artist/ladies man out of his element in the rough and tumble Western town is the fun part. This is definitely not one of his greatest films, but Garner is always good in everything he does and turns in another enjoyable and entertaining performance. It also looks like he had a fun time filming the movie.

Others in the film are Harry Morgan, Joan Blondell, Dub Taylor, Henry Jones, John Dehner and Ellen Corby. This film falls in the categories of Comedy, Western, and Romance, so you know what the ending will be when it comes to Patience and Smith.

If you’re in the mood for a whacky Western, with a great cast and all the attraction James Garner brings to his character of Latigo Smith, check out Support Your Local Gunfighter. It is rated G.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

James Garner in ‘Support Your Local Sheriff’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Legendary actor James Garner is both entertaining and adorable in this 1969 western comedy. Support Your Local Sheriff is filled with wit, wackiness, and a lot of fun. It’s now available on Blu-ray.

Garner is Jason McCullough, a man passing through town “on his way to Australia” but heard about gold being discovered in this little Western town. He’s smart, witty, and cunning. To pay for his stay in the town, he takes the job as the sheriff. It comes with room and board from the mayor (Harry Morgan) and his daughter Prudy (Joan Hackett).

Prudy is instantly attracted to McCollough but she’s a bit of a klutz. Everything she does ends up embarrassing her. She and her dad own one of the largest gold mines in the town, which is an interesting fact for Jason.

While the new sheriff sets about putting law and order into this town filled with chaos, he doesn’t let anything get in his way, even the Danby family (Walter Brennan, Gene Evans, Dick Peabody) that runs amuck in the lawless town. McCollough is about to put an end to that, however.

While setting the town on the right track of the law, along with his deputy Jake (Jack Elam), Jason also tries to strike gold for himself. After all, that is why he came to the town. The job of sheriff was only to pay for his room and board, although he does take it seriously.

With a jail with no bars on it, McCollough uses his intelligence and quick draw to keep Joe Danby (Bruce Dern) in the cell, which is one of the most comical parts of the film. There’s no one who can rein in this family or for that matter the town, but McCollough is determined to do so.

All the while he is busy putting law back in the lawless town, Prudy is wooing him in her own way. Will McCullough end up taming this town and will he get his gold mine? The fastest draw in the town is about to get everything he wants, and the viewers are in for a treat.

Garner is absolutely adorable and even if he isn’t saying anything, his expressions are priceless. This is definitely a fun film.

Support Your Local Sheriff is rated G.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

‘A Touch of Class’ on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Today George Segal co-stars as the grandfather in the hit sitcom The Goldbergs. He has a long list of credits including the 1973 romantic comedy A Touch of Class.

Segal stars as Steve Blackburn, an American living and working in London. He has a wife, two children, and a dog, and claims he “lives around the corner” from where Disraeli lived.

Steve meets Vickie Allessio (Glenda Jackson), an accomplished fashion designer with an ex-husband, two kids, a dog, a cat, and a bird. Their accidental meeting turns into several and suddenly Steve asks Vickie for tea, then lunch, then, well, let’s just say his intentions are not above board. Vickie sees what is on his mind and decides it might not be a bad idea for the two of them to hook up. But she insists he takes her for a weekend away from the London rain. So off they go for a week to Spain, where Steve’s wife believes he is going on business.

The interactions with Steve and the Iberia ticket agent (Eve Karpf) are adorable.

On the way to Spain Steve bumps into his old friend Walter (Paul Sorvino) who is on his way to meet his wife and family. This is where things get tricky. How can Steve and Vickie spend the week in a vacation resort area near his old friend and not get caught?

Their escapades in Spain are only half of the show. When they return to London they decide to get an apartment, aka flat, in SOHO so they can rendezvous and continue their clandestine affair. But Steve and Vickie are falling in love. This presents a problem for both of them, but especially for Steve who has a happy home life. Why would someone with such a happy home life go out looking for an affair in the first place? As Vickie would say, it’s because he’s a man and has sex on his mind all the time.

Anyway, this romantic comedy is filled with plenty of great moments and some laugh-out-loud scenes. The soundtrack is wonderful and when the film is over there is no doubt viewers will be humming the theme song for hours.

This is a fun film with Segal when he was at the top of his game. He continued to star in films and television, and had a hit sitcom from 1997-2003 (Just Shoot Me).  Jackson, too, has had a long career in the industry.

A Touch of Class is rated PG. There are no bonus features on this Blu-ray except the trailer. The movie can be ordered from the Warner Archive site or wherever DVDs and Blu-rays are sold.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

Clips from DreamWorks ‘Dragons Rescue Riders’ on Netflix

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


This is absolutely adorable. Check out the clips from the new episodes of DreamWorks Dragon Rescue Riders on Netflix!

DreamWorks Animation’s exciting new preschool series Dragons Rescue Riders hatches today with all 14 episode of the show’s first season now available to Netflix members worldwide. The CG animated comedy adventure marks a brand new chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s Academy® Award-nominated and Golden Globe®-winning How to Train Your Dragon franchise.

‘Diana: Case Solved’ Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The death of Princess Diana has stirred up several conspiracy theories, much like the assassination of President Kennedy. “Diana: Case Solved” is an investigative book into the life and death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Writers Dylan Howard and Colin McLaren bring out many interesting facts and premises about the late princess and the investigation of her death.

There are many things included in this book that Diana followers will probably not have known prior to reading it. We all know that the princess had predicted her death by a car crash made to look like an accident. We all know that it took too long to get her to the hospital after the crash. We all know the paparazzi were taking photos of the passengers of the infamous Mercedes after the crash. But there are many important things we find out in this book.

First of all, Dylan Howard weaves together an impressive biography of the princess. Secondly, Colin McLaren, an investigator from Australia, adds his input of the crash and the investigation. He traveled to Paris to put together pieces to figure out what actually happened in the Alma Tunnel in Paris. He spoke with countless people, witnesses, police, and others. Together these men present some interesting facts about the princess, the royals, the witnesses, and the police.

What struck me was the fact that the tunnel was not preserved as a crime scene as would normally be done in the case of a high-profile accident. It was immediately cleaned and cleared as soon as possible and washed down. Any evidence was gone within hours and the tunnel was open again for drivers.

The French police immediately put the blame on the paparazzi, but this book does bring out many other facts that for most of us were previously unknown. And there are several things that just don’t add up. It is easy to blame an intoxicated driver, but there are definite facts that bring confusion to readers as they flip the pages and the story continues. Who would benefit from Diana’s death? There are plenty of people and organizations that benefitted from the princess’ death.

Did a flash go off inside the tunnel temporarily blinding Henri Paul as he drove into the Alma tunnel? According to this book, there was a police speeding camera/light positioned there, which could have done just that. Interestingly, that was taken away while the paparazzi were still there and the scene was unfolding.

Whether you believe this was an accident or something sinister was behind the crash, the book is an interesting read, however there are a few contradictions. With so much information to cover, so many facts and conjectures are presented.

In the end, both authors speak with the one person who was at the scene. This meeting is very telling!

“Diana: Case Solved – The Definitive Account That Proves What Really Happened” is an interesting look at Princess Diana and the aftermath of her death.

Publisher: Skyhorse
Hardcover: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 1510755039
ISBN-13: 978-1510755031

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

‘Poldark’ returns for the last time on PBS’ MASTERPIECE

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The fifth and final season of Poldark picks up only a few months after Season 4 ended and follows the lives of the Poldarks, Enyses, Warleggans, and Carnes. The eight-episode Season 5 focuses on the first two years of the 19th century between Winston Graham’s Poldark Book 7 (The Angry Tide) and Book 8 (The Stranger From the Sea). The show creator Debbie Horsfield filled in the gap years not only with the well established Poldark characters but also with historical events and people of the time, namely over 20 new characters.

It is a new century, but instead of hope the past casts a long shadow over Cornwall. Only a few months after the tragic death of Elizabeth Warleggan (Heida Reed), Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) still grieves the loss of his ‘first and only love.’ He’s devastated and tormented with all-consuming guilt for Elizabeth’s scheme gone wrong. Ross and his estranged wife, Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson), decide to forgive and forget each other’s sexual indiscretions (because they’re even?) and move on with their ‘head-down, mouth-shut’ quiet life in Cornwall.

Ross, however, believes that the remedy for a sore heart is a mission. A welcome opportunity arrives in the shape of Kitty Despard (Kerri McLean) carrying an SOS message from her jailed husband, Colonel Ned Despard (Vincent Regan). Captain Poldark rushes to his former officer’s rescue and once again challenges the establishment. Forget the quiet life! He’s not about to sit still, feel the pain, and work through his emotions.

Demelza has no choice but to stay put and be in charge of Nampara, the mine, and her needy brothers. It’s a matter of time before she gets into all kinds of troubles; she’s a wild card and has always played with fire. Demelza is too busy fixing Ross to own up to her gigantic mistakes, get with the program, and change her tunes. And stop telling people how you had found a way to privilege. Have you no shame? I can guarantee you Verity Blamey (Ruby Bentall), Ross’ favorite cousin, would not proudly tell people how she had caught her Mr. Right. That’s so common! I guess you can’t help it considering your upbringing and competitive streak! Action speaks louder than words. Ross & Demelza are like two bulls staring at each other, waiting for the other one to give in.

Recruited for Ross’ mission are the most sensible, sensitive, yet fiercely loyal Dr. Dwight Enys (Luke Norris) and his privileged and entitled wife, Caroline (Gabriella Wilde). Dr. Enys’ devotion to his noble profession is always the point of contention and the frivolous busybody is jealous of all the women who get Dr. Enys’ attention and compassion. I can’t believe she would jeopardize his career by blackmailing George Warleggan (Jack Farthing) with illegitimately obtained medical records. Thank God Dr. Enys doesn’t have to suffer the consequences any more, but I wouldn’t be mad if a spin-off series featuring Dr. Enys and his research on causes and treatments of insanity were produced. He turned out to be my true hero after all!

The grieving George is haunted by the ghost of Elizabeth for a while, but eventually has to be exorcised, tortured, and purged by a quack his henchman Cary Warleggan (Pip Torrens) brings in. George, of course, comes back with a vengeance and adds another offense to his long list of evildoing by associating with Ralph Hanson (Peter Sullivan), an unsavory mahogany trader whose business is built on the backs of enslaved people. Even the knighthood cannot make up for his inferiority complex and self-loathing. Having Valentine Warleggan (Woody Norman) around rubs Sir George the wrong way; he is a living proof and constant reminder of undying love between Elizabeth and Ross. Valentine is a ticking time bomb in a cute little Mini-Ross package that could go off at any moment. Tick, tick, tick!

Instead of jam-packing Season 5 with so many new characters we barely care about, I wish Horsfield focused on the Cornwall couples who do not see eye to eye any longer. The disappointed, disillusioned, and disenchanted couples certainly could use couples therapy to figure out how they’ve contaminated their relationships! I know it’s not that kind of a show, but the final season was uninspiring to say the least. No pains faced head-on! No lessons learned! No phoenix rose from the ashes! What a bummer!

Poldark returns Sunday, September 29, 2019 for the last time on PBS’ MASTERPIECE.

About the Author

Meg Mimura is a TV critic who actually watches shows zealously in search of thought-provoking and paradigm shifting human drama worth our precious time. She is a member of Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter.

Disney Junior picks up two fan favorites

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Disney Junior just announced it has ordered a third season of the popular series Fancy Nancy even before the second season premieres on October 4, 2019.

The series was Cable’s #1 series with girls 2-8 since its premiere in July 2018. Even adults enjoy watching Nancy, a girl from a simple family who makes everything a bit fancier!

Nancy in six years old and uses her creativity to spruce up everything. With music and an adorable cast, Fancy Nancy has become a favorite and her merchandise is highly sought after.

Fancy Nancy will be part of the all-new “Disney Junior Holiday Party! On Tour” traveling across the country beginning November 1.

Elena of Avalor has also been renewed for a third season, with its premiere October 7. In this series Princess Elena continues to gain powers as she proves herself ready to become Queen. Her coronation special will debut next year. Long live Queen Elena. Elena will also be appearing in the “Disney Junior Holiday Party! On Tour.”

Check out the dates and locations of this fun-filled family event at their website.

About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

‘Adventures of Dally & Spanky’ on DVD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Adventures of Dally & Spanky is a fun little story taken from real life. It’s about the unlikely friendship of a little Jack Russell Terrier named Dally and a miniature horse named Spanky. But more than that, it’s the story of how these two animals rescued a family.

Addy (Brenna D’Amico) and her younger half-sister Ella (Reylynne Caster) are at odds with each other. After all, they don’t have much in common. They live with their mother and her second husband, Ella’s father. When Addy’s father (Trace Adkins) dies, she is deeply depressed and only finds solace in the miniature horse he left her. Spanky is the only thing she has from her dad and she adores the little guy.

The family soon discovers that Ella’s dog Dally adores Spanky too, and vice versa. The two get along and Spanky even takes Dally for rides on his back.

After entering the school’s talent competition with their “Dog and Pony” show, Ella and Addy think they have a way out of their family’s financial troubles. If they can win enough money their parents won’t have to give Spanky away. If they can win the prize money then that will help with Spanky’s expenses. But what they soon discover is that the thousand-dollar prize is simply not enough.

With only a short time before Spanky is scheduled to go to a local ranch, the girls decide to enter a national talent competition. Perhaps that will help keep Spanky at home.

While they practice and train the two animals, viewers see a sweet bond between the dog and pony and the love between the two girls.

The antics of the two animals has captured the hearts and attention of Internet viewers so much so that this heartwarming film was produced to bring their story to a wider audience. This is a cute family film everyone will enjoy.

Adventures of Dally & Spanky is rated PG for brief language.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

Crystal Gayle: ‘You Don’t Know Me’ on CD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

It has been about 16 years since we have been treated to a new album, aka CD, from Crystal Gayle. “You Don’t Know Me” was just released and it is a treasure for fans of the country singer whose roots in the music industry are deep and beloved. Gayle is the sister to legendary performer Loretta Lynn and this release is truly a family affair with Gayle’s son Christopher Gatzimos co-producing the project and both Lynn and their sister Peggy Sue Wright singing together as a trio for the track “Put it Off Until Tomorrow.”

It is so much fun for fans of the singer to hear her again with some fresh recordings. I especially enjoy her rendition of “You Don’t Know Me.” Her soulful style combined with her recognizable voice makes this and all the tracks enjoyable and memorable.

“Please Help Me I’m Falling” is another oldie but goodie and with Gayle’s voice it is even more impactful than ever. The trio of the three sisters has their voices blending with style and polish as they sing “Put it Off Until Tomorrow,” a tune that listeners will be humming and singing long after the track is over.

“I Cried the Blue (Right Out of My Eyes) is a bit reminiscent of Gayle’s hit song “Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue.”

Crystal Gayle is a platinum recording artist and a CMA “Female Vocalist of the Year” two years in a row, as well as a Grammy Award winner for “Best Female Vocal Performance.” Her awards kept piling up in the 1970s and 1980s as she cranked out hit after hit. Her deep voice combined with her long – long – hair made her a favorite among Country Music fans and People Magazine selected her as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world in 1983. In 2017 she was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

She was born Brenda Gail Webb, but the name Crystal suits her because of her beautiful voice. Some of the songs I remember most from her past recordings are “Half the Way,” “You and I,” “Talking in Your Sleep,” and of course, “Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” This new collection of songs adds to her repertoire of memorable recordings and it’s about time. After all these years it is good to hear her again and her fans will definitely appreciate every track on this new CD.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.