Warning Shot (1967)

Too much of everything

Simply A Masterpiece

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This is MTV quality and it looks like an episode of a TV series ,which David Janssen 's presence reinforces ;who has forgotten "the fugitive" ? But it is thoroughly enjoyable,for there is a very good screenplay ,and an excellent suspenseful final scene in a pet cemetery.It's also helped by a stunning supporting female cast: Joan Collins as the elegant hot ex-wife,Stephanie Powers as the sympathetic nurse ,Eleanor Parker (only one scene)as the merry widow and to top it all, veteran silent age Lilian Gish ,whose career spans the whole century,as a spinster fond of herb teas ,dogs and nice doctors.Lilian Gish's character ,however,provides the low point of the screenplay:as she saw the cop in the courtroom ,why does she welcome him so warmly ?She must have recognized him and she says she hates that "assassin".That's just a minor detail ,it's really an entertaining movie .In the last part ,David Janssen becomes a real fugitive.

It seems the late, great actor, David Jansen always chased fame during his cinematic life. On television he was 'the fugitive' and due to its popularity, became not only a household name, but a fixture in American language. On screen, his movies are a thin veneer of what he really could have achieved. As one of his most ardent fans, I always believed he would one day peak. In this film called " Warning Shot " he came awful close to the mark. Within the story he plays Sgt. Tom Valens, a veteran L.A. police officer with a serious approach to his job. However five years prior, he tried to arrest a scared young punk who fired his gun hitting Valens in the gut, leaving him apprehensive about future suspects with guns. As a result, when Valens is assigned to a stakeout at an exclusive apartment complex, he confronts another frightened suspect and orders him to halt. The suspect instead runs suspiciously and when cornered draws what appears to be a pistol, prompting Valens to shoot first. It is later learned the man Valens' killed was not only a revered and social philanthropist, but a highly respected doctor, catering to the poor. Sadly, no gun can be found. Suspended from duty and placed on leave, Valens is advised to enlist a high profile attorney who like most others, advises his client to plead guilty and ask for leniency. Valens states he is a sore looser and opts instead to prove the good doctor was not so saintly as everyone seems to think he was. The film is highly underrated and with the star power has become a cult favorite. Ed Begley who plays Capt. Roy Klodin, Keenan Wynn who plays Sgt. Ed Musso, Carroll O'Connor, Steve Allen, George Sanders and Walter Pideon are among the most notable stars who have bit parts in the film. Together, along with the haunting theme by Jerry Goldsmith they are the reason why this film succeeds in becoming a David Jansen Classic. ****

It's a definite cult classic - that's all that I can say. But it does have an incredible cast, filled with once and future stars. The direction is quite stylish, and the theme is still timely. In many ways, _Warning Shot_ is rather like a film-noir shot in color. Like DOA, there's the theme of one man against the entire world - and the forces of time, also. There is emphasis on his need to prove himself - because he is a man. Like all noirs, the actual plot is irrelevant, although Whit Masterson (Touch of Evil) did think up some good twists. It's the atmosphere that you take away with you from this one.

The film is very dated and highly overrated. Any film buff knows that continued reference to a supposedly non-essential theme (the dog) will have major relevance. The characters are TV stereotypes, and the entire production is no different from a below average TV movie.