Susan George in Final Eye aka Computercide

In 1977, Susan George starred in a TV movie called Final Eye. This science fiction project was the pilot for a proposed series (never made, of course), but thankfully it isn't one of those lost television artifacts and we are still able to view this gem today.

Some sources say that Final Eye was first aired in 1982 under the alternate title Computercide, but the above 1981 clipping shows that it was indeed broadcast under its original name before that.

Regardless of what you call it, Final Eye or Computercide, one thing is for sure: this is a fun sci-fi movie. In the far off future of 1996, actor Joe Cortese plays the last private detective left on Earth. Since he knows all sorts of old tricks, he is able to dupe the technologically advanced bad guys to gain important information or to escape dangerous situations.

The lovely Susan George plays a client and she wants him to find out what's going on with her missing father. He had founded a small Utopian society but many strange events had since occurred, so Ms. George and the P.I. must go undercover into the elite community (which is now being run by another famous British guest star, the inimitable Donald Pleasence) to investigate. Once inside, things turn out to be weirder than they could have expected and they must risk their lives to get to the truth.

Susan George is quite lovely in her role and she has good chemistry with her co-star, Joe Cortese. Final Eye/Computercide maintains a nice sense of humor throughout and the writers/filmmakers play around with the standard conventions of science fiction and detective films. It's entertaining stuff and Susan George is a great addition to the campy proceedings. 

Ann Dusenberry in Cutter's Way

In 1981, Ann Dusenberry co-starred with John Heard, Jeff Bridges and Lisa Eichhorn in Cutter's Way. The film, a dark and distressing look at a group of emotionally damaged individuals, was great exposure for the beautiful actress. Though she only has a supporting role and her time onscreen is limited, Dusenberry nevertheless manages to make a palpable impression on the viewer and her lovely presence is a great addition to the film. Her long blonde hair, soft appearance and emotional openness are in stark contrast to the sharp features and emotional retardation of her female counterpart (Eichhorn) in the movie.

Kathryn Harrold on Starsky and Hutch

In 1978, Kathryn Harrold made her first ever TV guest appearance on the final episode of the third season of the popular cop show Starsky & Hutch. The lovely and talented actress had already been working on the daytime soap The Doctors for a while and her featured role on S&H signaled a move to the high stakes world of evening television.

In the Starsky & Hutch episode titled "Deckwatch," Kathryn Harrold plays a beautiful young woman named Laura Kanen who gets drawn against her will into an extremely dangerous situation. A serial murderer who was critically wounded during his latest slaying winds up at the home of wheelchair-bound old lady who just happens to be Harrold's character's mother. When she returns home to see her mother she gets taken hostage by the psychotic killer. Luckily, she used to date 'Hutch' Hutchinson and eventually she is able to contact him and have him save the day (with Starsky's help, naturally).

This is a very claustrophobic episode, the bulk of which takes place inside a small suburban home. Tense scenes are played out with the sweaty bad guy making last desperate grasps at freedom even though the viewer knows full well that he is doomed. Kathryn Harrold, with feathered hair and a form-fitting tight sweater, does a fantastic job conveying nervousness and fear. She is perfect for her part and it's easy to see why she was utilized for bigger TV and film projects shortly after this aired.

Kay Lenz on McCloud

In 1974, Kay Lenz was a guest star on the premiere of the 5th season of the hit television series McCloud. In the episode, titled "The Barefoot Girls of Bleecker Street," Lenz shares many of her scenes with the star of the show, Dennis Weaver, and also with the other featured guest star, Shelley Winters.

In this episode of McCloud, Kay Lenz plays Eve Randall, a young woman on her own with a baby who must do very unsavory things to survive on the cruel streets. Shelley Winters plays her pimp/mother figure and she has the lovely Kay Lenz picking up older men at a club so she can steal their credit cards.

Kay Lenz had only been acting for about two years when she appeared on McCloud. Even at this early point in her long career, the young actress had such physical appeal and skill to warrant a special 'and' billing (to indicate that she was important guest). Indeed, just from watching her here, it's easy to see why Kay Lenz was so sought after for TV projects during the mid-to-late '70s.

Jan Smithers in Our Winning Season

In 1978, Jan Smithers co-starred with Scott Jacoby, Joe Penny, Dennis Quaid and many others in a coming-of-age film called Our Winning Season. This nostalgia piece, about a group of high school students in 1967, was a successful blend of drama and comedy.

In Our Winning Season, Jan Smithers plays a key role and her wonderful performance is one of the many memorable aspects of the movie. Besides looking quite beautiful, the lovely young actress (who had only been acting for a couple years at this point) displays great skill and adds delightful nuances to her role. She plays the sister of the film's main character (Scott Jacoby) and she is dating a young man (Joe Penny) who is going to be shipped off to fight in the Vietnam War. Smithers handles her dramatic/emotional scenes with great depth and confidence and it's easy to see why she was in high demand for television work shortly after she appeared in Our Winning Season.

Jan Smithers and Joe Penny

Jan Smithers and Scott Jacoby

Melody Anderson on Philip Marlowe, Private Eye

In 1986, Melody Anderson was the featured guest star on the second season premiere of Philip Marlowe, Private Eye. In the episode "Blackmailers Don't Shoot," based on Raymond Chandler's 1933 short story of the same name, beautiful actress Melody Anderson portrays beautiful actress Rhonda Farr, the target of a complex blackmail/kidnapping scheme. There's only one person with enough cunning to crack the case: private dick Philip Marlowe (expertly played by Powers Boothe)!

Melody Anderson is impeccably cast as a glamorous 1930s movie queen. She's not only physically attractive enough to pull this off, her incredible talent allows for her fully embody the role. During her nearly twenty year screen career, Melody Anderson was only occasionally given the opportunity to appear in period pieces. This particular appearance makes one wish that she could have further explored historical film and television projects (she would have been great in a Western). Regardless, this is one of Melody Anderson's finest TV guest spots and it's recommended that her fans (if they haven't already sought it out) take a look at it.