Baffled! (1972)

Baffled! (1972)

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Baffled

Tagline(s):

Who Dares Walk the Line Between Life and Death.

Nomination Year: 1993

SYNOPSIS:

Leonard Nimoy stars in what was a failed TV pilot about a smiling, charismatic race-car driver who suddenly discovers he's psychic. It's painfully 70's. Along with a fetching young psychological researcher, he follows one of his visions to England, where there's murder afoot at an old manor house. A strange plot, indeed. Throughout.

Bryan Cassidy

Smithee Award Nominations

Oblivious

I'm Chad, Your Assailant for This Evening -- Please Wait To Be Bludgeoned

The intrepid duo is forced off the road by a mysterious black van. The heroine promptly goes up to the back of the van, opens the doors, and stares inside. There's a pause, one obviously long enough to see someone inside, note how he's dressed, and to read his lapel buttons. And yet--BONK!--she gets clubbed unconscious by somebody within. Didn't she see him?!

Best One-Liner

"I Do Little Kids, Too."

The real villain of this film turns out to be a man who spent the entire time disguised as a wheelchair-bound elderly woman (shades of Anthony Perkins!). Leonard and the villain struggle and both fly out the window. Leonard, of course, makes it. Later, when everyone is saying their goodbyes, the landlady thanks the racer for his help. "Smilin' Lenny" Nimoy's reply: "Next time you need someone to wrestle with an old lady, just give me a buzz." I really think he should stick to "Live long and prosper."

Inane Dialogue

Feel My Groove, Babe

Smilin' Lenny tells his co-star upon their first meeting, "Hey, why shouldn't I use the words -- you're a great-lookin' chick!"

There are approximately four dozen reasons why you shouldn't use those words. #1 is: It's STUPID.

Directors

Director	Claim to Fame
Philip Leacock	Directed 78 things, including episodes of many famous '70s TV shows such as "Falconcrest," "Fantasy Island," "Dynasty," and "The Waltons."

Cast

Actor	Character	Claim to Fame
Leonard Nimoy	Tom Kovack	The quintessential Mr. Spock from Star Trek, as well as an award-winning director of many a good film. Also singer of "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins."
Susan Hampshire	Michele Brent	Winner of three Emmy Awards (not for this) and British advocate of Dyslexics' Rihgts. Was Molly MacDonald on "Monarch of the Glen" and Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair.
Rachel Roberts	Mrs. Farraday	Plays dour-faced matronly types, like Hildegarde in Murder on the Orient Express and Mrs. Bonnie McClellen on "The Tony Randall Show."
Vera Miles	Andrea Glenn	Long career which included such roles as Hallie Stoddard in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Lila Crane in Psycho and Psycho II, and Laurie Jorgensen in The Searchers.
Jewel Blanch	Jennifer Glenn	Charlotte Sutter in Against a Crooked Sky and Abbie Singleton on "The Young Doctors."
Valerie Taylor	Louise Sanford	Had a couple uncredited parts in the original "Doctor Who" TV show (1966). Baffled! was her final role.
Ray Brooks	George Tracewell	Joe on "EastEnders," Tom Hollingsworth on "Growing Pains," and Tolen in The Knack...And How to Get It. Oh, he was also the 5 of Spades in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1972).
Angharad Rees	Peggy Tracewell	Gossamer Beynon in Under Milk Wood, Demelza on "Poldark," and Helen De Angelo on "Close to Home."


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