Richard Crenna was a fine actor who rose to television prominence in The Real McCoys, playing Luke, the son of Amos McCoy, played by the estimable Walter Brennan. Later, he starred in Slattery’s People, and from then on he was a familiar face on TV and in movies (he played Colonel Trautman in the first three “Rambo” movies).
In the late 1980’s and 1990’s, he starred in seven TV movies as Lieutenant Frank Janek of the NYPD. One of those movies was 1994’s The Forget-Me-Not Murders, co-starring Tyne Daly as Dr. Archer, who is convincing her patients to commit murders on her behalf, including trying to kill Janek’s daughter. Dr. Archer has what might be called an unhealthy obsession with a painting of her mother, done by her erstwhile father.
It was actually a pretty good movie, as TV movies go. Here is the entire movie, courtesy of YouTube user Retro Movies Central. If you have an hour and a half, it’s worth watching.
Had you already seen the movie, or did you watch? What did you think?
Never saw any of the “Janek” movies, but I do remember The Real McCoys.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
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That’s a show I hope comes back in syndication, because although I remember it, I was too young to appreciate it.
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You know, I remember that character! I don’t know if I’ve seen the specific movie you link, but I know I’ve seen some them! I kind of remember when NYPD Blue came out, I thought there was a connection with Janek.
My “theme” – A Thirty-Word Story, revealing one word of the story each day of the challenge.
#AtoZChallenge The Letter K
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Just watched the movie, definitely my genre. Thanks for sharing it. Always loved Richard Crenna since his McCoy days.
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He was in a few other “Janek” movies that might be available on YouTube. He was a fine actor.
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He sounds like one of those guys I’m sure I’ve seen but don’t remember, but they’re always a good hand and bring something to a role
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He never outshone the roles he played. That’s a great skill to have as an actor.
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Well, now you’ve got me wanting to see Wait Until Dark. What a classic! But who has the time in April when there are so many blogs to attend to?!!
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Put it on the list for next month… 😉
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I know I’ve seen him in a million things but I don’t connect him with any one in particular. It looks like he had a prolific career. WeekendsInMaine
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He was one of the old-school actors that was always working, whether acting or directing.
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I’ve never even heard of malignant hypertension, it sounds horrible! Let’s hope there’s a way to treat it nowadays. I will look ou for the film on Netflix – can’t watch small!
L http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
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I think you meant Billy Preston with the malignant hypertension, and yes, they can control it. I’ve had hypertension for years (my stroke was caused by it) and I take several medications to control it, plus cut back on the salt and (try to) lose weight.
Which film are you talking about, “Wait Until Dark” or the one I’ve embedded? If it’s the latter, you can make the video full-screen size. Netflix might be your best chance at seeing the former.
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I forgot about this one. I remember watching Richard Crenna in The Real McCoys! Good use of the letters.
Janet
J is for Journey
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Same here. I guess he directed a number of episodes of “Andy Griffith” as well, and I never picked up on it.
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Hi John – I haven’t seen this series … but if he starred with Audrey Hepburn in “Wait Until Dark” – I’ve only not seen it because it’s a scary but I love Audrey’s work … cheers Hilary
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http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/j-is-for-jellicles.html sorry forgot that – Hilary
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She was a tremendous actress. “Sabrina,” “Breakfast At Tiffany’s,” “How To Steal A Million”… great movies.
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I loved him in the TV series “Judging Amy.” He played Tyne Daley’s fiance. My favorite movie with him was one with Audrey Hepburn, “Wait Until Dark.” Scared the bloody hell out of me!!!
Calen~
Impromptu Promptlings
A to Z Challenge Letter J
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I remember when “Wait Until Dark” first came out, and the big deal was they’d turn down the lights in the theater as low as the law permitted (leaving the Exit signs on, I guess) in the last ten minutes. I never saw the movie; I think I was eight or nine when it came out and it never showed on TV as far as I know (or I missed it). Funny that, in this movie, Tyne Daly was his antagonist and in “Judging Amy” he was her fiance…
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I really liked this actor and totally forgot about this character but I watched this along with my mom who loved this show. It’s not really a show but special TV movies I guess. I was surprised when I heard he passed away and saddened
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Right, “Janek” was never a series, but (I think) eight Made-for-TV movies. Another casualty of pancreatic cancer….
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He was playing a role on Judging Amy when he passed away. They had to kill off his character. Such a great actor!
Cheryl
Plucking Of My Heartstrings
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He was a good one. He could do both comedy and drama, and though he was a leading man he never outshone his role. It was never “Richard Crenna playing Janek” or “Richard Crenna playing Luke McCoy.” Don’t know if that makes any sense…
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