One of our local TV channels used to show this movie frequently on the late show--but not at all in the last 10 years, so it appears "My Blood Runs Cold" is another in the long line of forgotten '60s potboilers. Too bad, because it's dopey fun. Joey Heatherton proves she's quite the little thespian here, portraying swinging single meeting a strange young man who is convinced he was her lover in a past life! Story is fairly tight, until the last reel when it begins to unravel. The chase-climax is straight off the assembly line. However, Joey is really charismatic here and had me glued to the screen. She overcomes the obvious exploitation angle director William Conrad takes and gives the picture a big boost. **1/2 from ****
25 Reviews
"marriage - something people do when they want children"
blanche-210 April 2015
Well, not any more.
You can tell by the production values in "My Blood Runs Cold" that Troy Donahue's stock had taken a nosedive at Warners. It's in black and white, is directed by William Conrad, a serviceable but by no means A list director, and it makes use of the Doheny Mansion, a common setting for lots of movies. The film was made in 1965; by 1966, Warner Brothers had dumped him.
Here, Donahue plays a mysterious man named Benjamin Gunther. In another life, he was in love with Barbara Merriday, the great-great grandmother of Julie Merriday (Joey Heatherton). He believes that Julie is a reincarnation of Barbara, and that they are meant to be together. He gives her a necklace with Barbara's picture in it, which looks just like Julie, and takes her to a cave where the lovers would meet. However, the two were separated by Barbara's father, and she would up marrying Merriday.
Julie finds herself drawn to Ben in spite of herself; her father (Barry Sullivan) and boyfriend (Nicolas Coaster) disapprove.
Are Julie and Ben intended to live Barbara and Ben's love story? And will they meet the same sad ending this time too? Troy Donahue by 1965 was 29 and, due to his drinking, was looking bloated and pasty. For a time he was a huge heartthrob, and this film was intended to appeal to young people, despite the fact that Donahue wasn't playing his usual nice guy.
Donahue possessed, in the beginning anyway, striking looks and a good speaking voice. But he comes off as wooden; he wasn't an unlikeable actor, he just didn't have much range. Joey Heatherton was better, even in baby doll pajamas. Jeannette Nolan, as her aunt, is the best in the cast.
"My Blood Runs Cold" is an entertaining film, probably not for the reasons it was intended, but nevertheless, viewers who don't take it too seriously will enjoy it.
You can tell by the production values in "My Blood Runs Cold" that Troy Donahue's stock had taken a nosedive at Warners. It's in black and white, is directed by William Conrad, a serviceable but by no means A list director, and it makes use of the Doheny Mansion, a common setting for lots of movies. The film was made in 1965; by 1966, Warner Brothers had dumped him.
Here, Donahue plays a mysterious man named Benjamin Gunther. In another life, he was in love with Barbara Merriday, the great-great grandmother of Julie Merriday (Joey Heatherton). He believes that Julie is a reincarnation of Barbara, and that they are meant to be together. He gives her a necklace with Barbara's picture in it, which looks just like Julie, and takes her to a cave where the lovers would meet. However, the two were separated by Barbara's father, and she would up marrying Merriday.
Julie finds herself drawn to Ben in spite of herself; her father (Barry Sullivan) and boyfriend (Nicolas Coaster) disapprove.
Are Julie and Ben intended to live Barbara and Ben's love story? And will they meet the same sad ending this time too? Troy Donahue by 1965 was 29 and, due to his drinking, was looking bloated and pasty. For a time he was a huge heartthrob, and this film was intended to appeal to young people, despite the fact that Donahue wasn't playing his usual nice guy.
Donahue possessed, in the beginning anyway, striking looks and a good speaking voice. But he comes off as wooden; he wasn't an unlikeable actor, he just didn't have much range. Joey Heatherton was better, even in baby doll pajamas. Jeannette Nolan, as her aunt, is the best in the cast.
"My Blood Runs Cold" is an entertaining film, probably not for the reasons it was intended, but nevertheless, viewers who don't take it too seriously will enjoy it.
Worth viewing for all the wrong reasons.
ags12331 January 2011
This silly potboiler starts out promisingly enough to get you hooked, but sadly veers off track toward the end. However, the plot is not the reason to watch this film. It's the 1965 trappings - the cars, the clothes, the sharp-focus black & white photography - that keep you glued to this picture. It's an inadvertent but accurate time capsule. Viewers with a camp sensibility will have a field day with Jeanette Nolan's hairdos alone. Each scene she's in brings yet another mind- blowing creation which we're supposed to believe she whips up on her own. Joey Heatherton sports a few odd coifs herself. Joey was a fine 60's-style sex kitten and her look is immortalized here. Troy Donahue's acting skills, which were passable in previous films, here prove why his career didn't last much longer. Nice scenery along California's 17-mile Drive. Watch this film for a guilty wallow in 1965 mindset.
Needs 40's RKO
dougdoepke11 April 2015
Plot—A polite but obscure young man gains entrée into a wealthy household by claiming he and the family's daughter are reincarnations of past lovers. He's got just enough family secrets to lend some credence to the outlandish claim.
For a psychological thriller (why else the title) the film never achieves needed menace. Frankly the role is outside actor Donahue's limited range. Here he comes across more as a blandly mixed up beach boy than anything psychopathic. Thus the narrative unfolds rather than rivets. Heatherton is okay as the object of Gunther's (Donahue) obsession; at the same time, I almost forgot my Gidget flashbacks during the beach scenes. Actually I was most impressed with the unknown Coaster as the buttoned-down attorney, Harry. His sudden turnabout in that showdown scene with Merrivale (Sullivan) is impressive. Harry goes from a passive yes-man to a razor sharp critic in a scene that is both well scripted and acted, and may very well be the film's best.
Too bad RKO of the late 40's didn't get the project first. For b&w photography, they would have known what to do with noir material like this. Here the narrative is unfortunately filmed in flat style, at the same time the direction remains largely impassive. Consider what Anthony Mann or John Brahm could have done with, say, the boyish Robert Walker of Strangers on a Train (1951) as Gunther. Perhaps that's not very fair. But considering the potential this film shows, some such comparison is irresistible. Anyway, Donahue's rather sad career again shows the hazards of Hollywood. After all, like many youngsters, his brief moment depended more on youthful good looks than on talent. Too bad he didn't transition into a post-Hollywood career or marriage as many of his peers managed to do. All in all, I prefer to remember him from A Summer Place (1959) rather than for this obscurity.
(In passing--The topic of reincarnation briefly seized public attention in 1956 when a Colorado housewife, under hypnosis, claimed to be a reincarnation of an Irish girl, Bridey Murphy, from a century earlier. Apparently, the housewife had the brogue down pat and was just convincing enough to invite serious attention. For a while, many folks were undergoing hypnosis to maybe investigate their own previous lives. Anyway, the fad soon died out, but, for better or worse, I'm reminded of it by this movie.)
For a psychological thriller (why else the title) the film never achieves needed menace. Frankly the role is outside actor Donahue's limited range. Here he comes across more as a blandly mixed up beach boy than anything psychopathic. Thus the narrative unfolds rather than rivets. Heatherton is okay as the object of Gunther's (Donahue) obsession; at the same time, I almost forgot my Gidget flashbacks during the beach scenes. Actually I was most impressed with the unknown Coaster as the buttoned-down attorney, Harry. His sudden turnabout in that showdown scene with Merrivale (Sullivan) is impressive. Harry goes from a passive yes-man to a razor sharp critic in a scene that is both well scripted and acted, and may very well be the film's best.
Too bad RKO of the late 40's didn't get the project first. For b&w photography, they would have known what to do with noir material like this. Here the narrative is unfortunately filmed in flat style, at the same time the direction remains largely impassive. Consider what Anthony Mann or John Brahm could have done with, say, the boyish Robert Walker of Strangers on a Train (1951) as Gunther. Perhaps that's not very fair. But considering the potential this film shows, some such comparison is irresistible. Anyway, Donahue's rather sad career again shows the hazards of Hollywood. After all, like many youngsters, his brief moment depended more on youthful good looks than on talent. Too bad he didn't transition into a post-Hollywood career or marriage as many of his peers managed to do. All in all, I prefer to remember him from A Summer Place (1959) rather than for this obscurity.
(In passing--The topic of reincarnation briefly seized public attention in 1956 when a Colorado housewife, under hypnosis, claimed to be a reincarnation of an Irish girl, Bridey Murphy, from a century earlier. Apparently, the housewife had the brogue down pat and was just convincing enough to invite serious attention. For a while, many folks were undergoing hypnosis to maybe investigate their own previous lives. Anyway, the fad soon died out, but, for better or worse, I'm reminded of it by this movie.)
Classic Early 60's "Chiller"
pierrotlunaire017 April 2015
I put chiller in quotes, because this is just not thrilling or chilling in any way, It needs to be edited down (almost 2 hours for a thin plot), and the writing and the direction needed to be scaled back -- too much scenery chewing and yelling.
But there are some fun compensations.
The director, William Conrad, was better known as a radio actor, and the small parts of this movie are filled with veteran radio performers: Jeanette Nolan, Howard McNear, Ben Wright, Barry Sullivan, and even Conrad's voice turns up as the helicopter operator towards the end. If you listen to old radio shows, this is a bit of a treat.
The fashions are....well, Jeanette Nolan must be seen to be believed. Her hair is tortured into some demented structure in every scene. One dinner scene has her sporting a tower of hair that Marie Antoinette would have envied. Then there is the part where she has her hair in braids like a coronet, this is the scene where she stays up all night long to make sure that her niece is okay. Bright and early, the next morning, her hair is piled up like a castle battlement with curls and ruffles with an incongruous pony tail sticking straight out the back. When does the woman find the time to do her hair? Does she have a fully staffed beauty salon in her bedroom, or does the long suffering butler (the only servant we ever see) do the hot curler thing in addition to everything else? Her costumes are also flowing caftan like things made of satin. Who really dressed like this? Sorry to go on so much about the clothes and hair, but it was absolutely fascinating, in a bizarre way.
But there are some fun compensations.
The director, William Conrad, was better known as a radio actor, and the small parts of this movie are filled with veteran radio performers: Jeanette Nolan, Howard McNear, Ben Wright, Barry Sullivan, and even Conrad's voice turns up as the helicopter operator towards the end. If you listen to old radio shows, this is a bit of a treat.
The fashions are....well, Jeanette Nolan must be seen to be believed. Her hair is tortured into some demented structure in every scene. One dinner scene has her sporting a tower of hair that Marie Antoinette would have envied. Then there is the part where she has her hair in braids like a coronet, this is the scene where she stays up all night long to make sure that her niece is okay. Bright and early, the next morning, her hair is piled up like a castle battlement with curls and ruffles with an incongruous pony tail sticking straight out the back. When does the woman find the time to do her hair? Does she have a fully staffed beauty salon in her bedroom, or does the long suffering butler (the only servant we ever see) do the hot curler thing in addition to everything else? Her costumes are also flowing caftan like things made of satin. Who really dressed like this? Sorry to go on so much about the clothes and hair, but it was absolutely fascinating, in a bizarre way.
Falls apart eventually but mostly pretty good
preppy-39 April 2015
Young 21-year-old Julie (Joey Heatherton) is dating old but dependable Harry (Nicholas Coaster). Then she meets young hunky Ben (Troy Donahue) who seems instantly smitten with her. It seems he thinks she's the reincarnation of a woman he loved in another life! He knows a lot about her family that there's no way he could have known. Is it true?
Obscure little thriller. The basic plot is interesting and it moves quickly enough. Donahue and Heatherton are certainly an attractive couple and shown in their bathing suits often. But this movie has problems. It's flatly directed and Barry Sullivan and Coaster are dreadful in their roles. Donahue and Heatherton are bad too but Donahue tries and is actually very good at times. Old pro Jeanette Nolan however is superb as Aunt Sarah. The ultimate resolution was disappointing but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't entertained. I give it a 6.
Obscure little thriller. The basic plot is interesting and it moves quickly enough. Donahue and Heatherton are certainly an attractive couple and shown in their bathing suits often. But this movie has problems. It's flatly directed and Barry Sullivan and Coaster are dreadful in their roles. Donahue and Heatherton are bad too but Donahue tries and is actually very good at times. Old pro Jeanette Nolan however is superb as Aunt Sarah. The ultimate resolution was disappointing but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't entertained. I give it a 6.
I've lost you before I won't lose you again
kapelusznik1813 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** Somewhat strange and ridicules story of love and reincarnation that spans something like 100 years with 29 year old former teenage heartthrob Troy Donahue as the mysterious and at the same times freaked out and delusional Ben Gunther. It's Ben who literally runs into-with his motorcycle- pretty and filthy rich Julie Merriday, Joey Heatherton, while zooming along the Pacific Highway at 120 mph. As if it were fate or a sign from heaven Ben realized that Julie and him were lover back in the 1870's who ended up killing themselves-Like Romeo & Juliet- when their parents disapproved of them getting married to each other.
At first Julie thinks that Ben is suffering from brain damage due to his accident but in time he proves to her that his crazy statements about him knowing her in a past life are legit. That by providing evidence like photos and trinkets of his romance with Julie 100 years ago when she was actually her own great-great-great grandmother! It's Julie's dad Julian, Barry Sullivan, who sees Ben as a both fraud and gold digger who tries to get Julie to stop seeing him only to have her end up eloping, in Ben's boat,to Mexico with him to get married.
"""SPOILERS***The truth about Ben's true identity slowly comes to the surface together with two of his victims who he strangled to death and dumped into the Pacific Ocean. With the fact coming out about Ben being an escaped inmate from a hospital for the criminally insane he tries to kidnap Julie only to have the local police as well as Julie's former lover and fiancée Harry Lindsey, Nicolas Coaster, try to rescue her before he does her any harm. In the end it's Ben who does himself in-in knowing that the jig is up- by jumping some 200 feet to his death in order to avoid ending up locked up for life in a mental institution or being strapped into the San Queinton gas chamber for multiple murder.
P.S This film -"My Blood Runs Cold"- turned out to be the last major movie that Troy Donahue was to star in before his film career hit rock bottom co-staring in such low budget and forgettable films like "The Cock Fighter" and "The Chilling" before dropping out of sight altogether. Troy in the end ended up broke and homeless sleeping on a park bench in New York City's Central Park and dying of a heart attack in 2001 at the age of 65.
At first Julie thinks that Ben is suffering from brain damage due to his accident but in time he proves to her that his crazy statements about him knowing her in a past life are legit. That by providing evidence like photos and trinkets of his romance with Julie 100 years ago when she was actually her own great-great-great grandmother! It's Julie's dad Julian, Barry Sullivan, who sees Ben as a both fraud and gold digger who tries to get Julie to stop seeing him only to have her end up eloping, in Ben's boat,to Mexico with him to get married.
"""SPOILERS***The truth about Ben's true identity slowly comes to the surface together with two of his victims who he strangled to death and dumped into the Pacific Ocean. With the fact coming out about Ben being an escaped inmate from a hospital for the criminally insane he tries to kidnap Julie only to have the local police as well as Julie's former lover and fiancée Harry Lindsey, Nicolas Coaster, try to rescue her before he does her any harm. In the end it's Ben who does himself in-in knowing that the jig is up- by jumping some 200 feet to his death in order to avoid ending up locked up for life in a mental institution or being strapped into the San Queinton gas chamber for multiple murder.
P.S This film -"My Blood Runs Cold"- turned out to be the last major movie that Troy Donahue was to star in before his film career hit rock bottom co-staring in such low budget and forgettable films like "The Cock Fighter" and "The Chilling" before dropping out of sight altogether. Troy in the end ended up broke and homeless sleeping on a park bench in New York City's Central Park and dying of a heart attack in 2001 at the age of 65.
Ben has 'issues'.
planktonrules15 March 2020
Troy Donahue plays a most unusual role. In "My Blood Runs Cold", he plays Ben...a man obsessed with Julie (Joey Heatherton) and insists they knew each other in a previous life. The closest thing to proof is a locket with a portrait of Julie's great-great grandmother who apparently was the spitting image of her. But he insists they are destined to be together forever...which really creeps out Julie's father as well as her boyfriend. Inexplicably, Julie falls for Ben...and you can't help but think she's in for trouble as Ben is most likely psychologically imbalanced. Again....this is most unusual for Donahue as he usually played heartthrob roles that were a bit bland. Here, he's anything but bland!
So is it any good? Yes...but not great. One big problem I have about the story is that Julie comes from a rich family who is worried about Ben. Yet, they never have a private investigator look into who he is...had they even done a quick examination of his past, they would quickly learned the truth. A minor problem is that Julie is a really annoying character--impulsive and selfish. Heatherton's acting, especially at the end, was 'different'. So, worrying about her character's plight isn't very likely. Making her character more naive, less whiny and more likable would have helped the film. And, the ending was...well...a bit weak (that's putting it nicely!). Apart from these things, it's not bad and Donahue is a bit better than you'd expect. Worth watching mostly because it's different.
So is it any good? Yes...but not great. One big problem I have about the story is that Julie comes from a rich family who is worried about Ben. Yet, they never have a private investigator look into who he is...had they even done a quick examination of his past, they would quickly learned the truth. A minor problem is that Julie is a really annoying character--impulsive and selfish. Heatherton's acting, especially at the end, was 'different'. So, worrying about her character's plight isn't very likely. Making her character more naive, less whiny and more likable would have helped the film. And, the ending was...well...a bit weak (that's putting it nicely!). Apart from these things, it's not bad and Donahue is a bit better than you'd expect. Worth watching mostly because it's different.
Comical melodrama worthy of unintentional laughs even with uninteresting leads.
mark.waltz22 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Taking over for Sandra Dee as Troy Donahue's blonde vis-a-vis, that outstanding thespian Joey Heatherton is about as exciting as the film's credits. As for Donahue, he tries valiantly as a psychopathic man who may or may not be a re-incarnation of Heatherton's great-great grandmother, but no matter how many convulsions he has, he still lacks the spark to be a sustainable leading man.
This story of a so-called family legend has potential, but can't escape the leads, being notable mainly for its romantic supporting actor, Nicolas Coster, and the wild and wacky hairstyles of Heatherton's aunt, Jeanette Nolan, who seems to have gotten this role because Ruth Gordon wasn't available. Her initial appearance has her in a hat which resembles a pom-pom, and in subsequent scenes, her overly piled coif resembles everything from roadkill to a soufflé. Her performance of a wacky but wise aunt is fun to watch, sort of like that crazy older relative that manages to be dragged out for family holidays whom the younger members enjoy watching get tipsier and tipsier.
Unfortunately filmed in black and white (which really doesn't help make this any spookier), that makes much of the dramatic action truly boring, even its climax on a storm-swept lake. Poor Barry Sullivan plays such a beast of a power-throwing patriarch that it is difficult to feel any empathy for him other than the poor material the actor has to speak.
A non-Gothic version of a similar story was "A Kiss Before Dying" where Robert Wagner gave a much more convincing portrayal of a psychopath, one you really felt a tinge of sympathy for. Even Robert Walker's psycho in "Strangers on a Train" was more ingratiating and fun to watch than Donahue's here.
This story of a so-called family legend has potential, but can't escape the leads, being notable mainly for its romantic supporting actor, Nicolas Coster, and the wild and wacky hairstyles of Heatherton's aunt, Jeanette Nolan, who seems to have gotten this role because Ruth Gordon wasn't available. Her initial appearance has her in a hat which resembles a pom-pom, and in subsequent scenes, her overly piled coif resembles everything from roadkill to a soufflé. Her performance of a wacky but wise aunt is fun to watch, sort of like that crazy older relative that manages to be dragged out for family holidays whom the younger members enjoy watching get tipsier and tipsier.
Unfortunately filmed in black and white (which really doesn't help make this any spookier), that makes much of the dramatic action truly boring, even its climax on a storm-swept lake. Poor Barry Sullivan plays such a beast of a power-throwing patriarch that it is difficult to feel any empathy for him other than the poor material the actor has to speak.
A non-Gothic version of a similar story was "A Kiss Before Dying" where Robert Wagner gave a much more convincing portrayal of a psychopath, one you really felt a tinge of sympathy for. Even Robert Walker's psycho in "Strangers on a Train" was more ingratiating and fun to watch than Donahue's here.
Enjoyable film with a lot to offer
Scorpio_6510 July 2020
There are a lot of things to enjoy about this film. When I first saw the low 5.6 rating, I figured that this must be in part due to several people who are comparing this film with Troy Donahue's romance drama films such as 'A Summer Place', 'Parrish', and 'Susan Slade'. Some of the reviews that focus less on this film help to prove my point about this.
Ben Gunther (Troy Donahue) has the seductive characteristics of a homme fatale who puts forth an over-the-top story that initially causes skepticism from Julie Merriday (Joey Heatherton), but this gradually takes a backseat to the hypnotic attraction she has for him. Some of the intimate scenes between Donahue, who slightly resembles Chris Hemsworth in some camera angles, and Heatherton are some of the sexiest I've seen in a film in a long time. Heatherton appears very comfortable in this genre that unfolds a mystery and I really enjoyed her natural style of acting. In the scenes where Ben (Donahue) is alone experiencing emotional and physical anguish, I couldn't help but think about art imitating life as this would have been near the end of Donahue's career with Warner Brothers, and appears to be a bit of a foreshadowing of him drinking more heavily, becoming bankrupt, and losing his home. Despite the eventual and unfortunate circumstances surrounding Donahue's real life, his chemistry with Heatherton is excellent here and you truly believe the attraction that the two have for each other in their scenes. This is particularly the case in the scene inside the boat where they kiss, and Heatherton slides her hands through Donahue's messy blond locks. Very hot!
The entire cast, in fact, has great character chemistry and what we learn about how the characters feel about each other, whether confidentially or through open confrontation, offers some nicely paced dramatic scenes. Actors Barry Sullivan (born 1912) and Jeanette Nolan (born 1911) are within a year apart from each other in real life and it was nice to see their roles as brother (Julian Merriday) and sister (Aunt Sarah). Oftentimes, in films throughout the 1940s to the 1960s, you had actresses in their 40s and older playing mothers of actors who were the same age as them in real life, so it was refreshing and believable to see these actors as sibling characters. I agree with all the other reviewers commenting on Jeanette Nolan giving a standout performance (interesting tidbit from the IMDb credits for Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' is that she is one of three uncredited actors of the voice of Norma Bates). There's a scene with her and Julian (Sullivan) where she comments on the rocky relationship between him and his ex-wife Marian, who is said to have left him due to his temperament, and is pushing his dysfunctional and alienating relationship with Julie in the same direction where he may lose her as well. The scene is one that provides context of the history of their family dynamic and nicely balances the narrative so that the supporting characters are also given multi-dimensional importance within the film.
For fans of Troy Donahue who've seen 'Susan Slade', you will likely recognize and enjoy the beautiful scenery and coastlines of the Monterrey Peninsula in California that were also seen in that film. For fans of the cinematography and location shooting found in film noir and neo noir, there is a very enjoyable chase sequence at a salt mine in nearby Marina, California, as well as some wonderful long shots and pans of the Santa Cruz Harbor (acting as the Merriday Marina that the Merriday family dedicates to the people of Dolphin Bay). The well-cast two blond leads along with their relaxed attire, Donahue's snug-fitted white pants (which almost appears to be a trademark if you've seen his other films), and the bright sunlight in many scenes give the film a relaxed viewing experience while also keeping you engaged with the narrative. The black and white format really allows the higher key lighting to show off the summery sunlight more so than if you had multiple saturated colours competing with one another in a colour film. To me, it all works well in black and white to emphasize an organic and picturesque coastal California lifestyle.
Overall, enjoy the film. Don't compare it to Troy Donahue's performances in the brightly coloured romantic dramas of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Enjoy those when you're in the mood for them. But when you're watching this film, don't try to take it too literally and cerebrally - just enjoy the experience.
Ben Gunther (Troy Donahue) has the seductive characteristics of a homme fatale who puts forth an over-the-top story that initially causes skepticism from Julie Merriday (Joey Heatherton), but this gradually takes a backseat to the hypnotic attraction she has for him. Some of the intimate scenes between Donahue, who slightly resembles Chris Hemsworth in some camera angles, and Heatherton are some of the sexiest I've seen in a film in a long time. Heatherton appears very comfortable in this genre that unfolds a mystery and I really enjoyed her natural style of acting. In the scenes where Ben (Donahue) is alone experiencing emotional and physical anguish, I couldn't help but think about art imitating life as this would have been near the end of Donahue's career with Warner Brothers, and appears to be a bit of a foreshadowing of him drinking more heavily, becoming bankrupt, and losing his home. Despite the eventual and unfortunate circumstances surrounding Donahue's real life, his chemistry with Heatherton is excellent here and you truly believe the attraction that the two have for each other in their scenes. This is particularly the case in the scene inside the boat where they kiss, and Heatherton slides her hands through Donahue's messy blond locks. Very hot!
The entire cast, in fact, has great character chemistry and what we learn about how the characters feel about each other, whether confidentially or through open confrontation, offers some nicely paced dramatic scenes. Actors Barry Sullivan (born 1912) and Jeanette Nolan (born 1911) are within a year apart from each other in real life and it was nice to see their roles as brother (Julian Merriday) and sister (Aunt Sarah). Oftentimes, in films throughout the 1940s to the 1960s, you had actresses in their 40s and older playing mothers of actors who were the same age as them in real life, so it was refreshing and believable to see these actors as sibling characters. I agree with all the other reviewers commenting on Jeanette Nolan giving a standout performance (interesting tidbit from the IMDb credits for Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' is that she is one of three uncredited actors of the voice of Norma Bates). There's a scene with her and Julian (Sullivan) where she comments on the rocky relationship between him and his ex-wife Marian, who is said to have left him due to his temperament, and is pushing his dysfunctional and alienating relationship with Julie in the same direction where he may lose her as well. The scene is one that provides context of the history of their family dynamic and nicely balances the narrative so that the supporting characters are also given multi-dimensional importance within the film.
For fans of Troy Donahue who've seen 'Susan Slade', you will likely recognize and enjoy the beautiful scenery and coastlines of the Monterrey Peninsula in California that were also seen in that film. For fans of the cinematography and location shooting found in film noir and neo noir, there is a very enjoyable chase sequence at a salt mine in nearby Marina, California, as well as some wonderful long shots and pans of the Santa Cruz Harbor (acting as the Merriday Marina that the Merriday family dedicates to the people of Dolphin Bay). The well-cast two blond leads along with their relaxed attire, Donahue's snug-fitted white pants (which almost appears to be a trademark if you've seen his other films), and the bright sunlight in many scenes give the film a relaxed viewing experience while also keeping you engaged with the narrative. The black and white format really allows the higher key lighting to show off the summery sunlight more so than if you had multiple saturated colours competing with one another in a colour film. To me, it all works well in black and white to emphasize an organic and picturesque coastal California lifestyle.
Overall, enjoy the film. Don't compare it to Troy Donahue's performances in the brightly coloured romantic dramas of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Enjoy those when you're in the mood for them. But when you're watching this film, don't try to take it too literally and cerebrally - just enjoy the experience.
Bland and Boring Reincarnation Story that Never Comes to Life
LeonLouisRicci15 April 2015
Cookie Cutter Supernatural Thriller that Reeks of Anthology TV, like "The Twilight Zone" or "Thriller". Popular Shows in the Late Fifties and Early Sixties.
Troy Donahue who was Almost but Not Quite a Major Hollywood Star that Shined for a Few Films and then Burned Out on TV Gigs and Booze. William Conrad Directs without much Enthusiasm and the Movie Suffers from Bland Cinematography, Sets, and Dialog and is only the Least Bit Interesting Outdoors.
Joey Heatherton was a Cutie that Never Attained a Long Career but was a serviceable Actress with a High Pitched Voice and a Highly Curvaceous Body. Barry Sullivan Chews the Scenery Playing the Domineering Father and Cutthroat Capitalist. He Thrashes about and Yells a lot, but is still Upstaged by Jeanette Nolan as a Sympathetic and all Knowing Aunt. Nicolas Coaster is the Third Wheel of the Reincarnation Romance between Troy and Joey and it's a Pretty Good Performance.
But its all so Routine without as much as a Boo and the End Chase Scene goes on Forever where Nothing much Happens and is very Predictable.
Overall, the Movie Barely makes Passable Entertainment, with just Enough Talent hanging around the Set to make this Watchable, but In the End it is a Styleless and somewhat Silly Misfire.
Troy Donahue who was Almost but Not Quite a Major Hollywood Star that Shined for a Few Films and then Burned Out on TV Gigs and Booze. William Conrad Directs without much Enthusiasm and the Movie Suffers from Bland Cinematography, Sets, and Dialog and is only the Least Bit Interesting Outdoors.
Joey Heatherton was a Cutie that Never Attained a Long Career but was a serviceable Actress with a High Pitched Voice and a Highly Curvaceous Body. Barry Sullivan Chews the Scenery Playing the Domineering Father and Cutthroat Capitalist. He Thrashes about and Yells a lot, but is still Upstaged by Jeanette Nolan as a Sympathetic and all Knowing Aunt. Nicolas Coaster is the Third Wheel of the Reincarnation Romance between Troy and Joey and it's a Pretty Good Performance.
But its all so Routine without as much as a Boo and the End Chase Scene goes on Forever where Nothing much Happens and is very Predictable.
Overall, the Movie Barely makes Passable Entertainment, with just Enough Talent hanging around the Set to make this Watchable, but In the End it is a Styleless and somewhat Silly Misfire.
It's a screamer alright just not the kind the film makers envisioned
jjnxn-111 April 2015
If you go in with your expectations adjusted to the fact that the stars of this are Troy Donahue and Joey Heatherton, hardly renown for their thespic abilities, then you should enjoy this rather overwrought drama that wants to be a thriller but isn't very chilling at all.
Troy shows up out of the blue when heiress Joey almost runs him down and is transfixed from the beginning telling her she's the reincarnation of his long lost love, Joey's great, great grandmother. This gives her understandable pause until he shows her a locket of the woman that Joey is a dead ringer for, apparently they had bottle blonds in the 17th century! It doesn't get any more believable from that point on but if you like 60's potboilers this has its charms.
Jeanette Nolan as Joey's aunt who knows most if not all the secrets gives the best performance and her hairpieces have to be seen to be believed! One is so mountainous that it's bigger than her head!
A great deal of fun in an over the top ridiculous kind of way.
Troy shows up out of the blue when heiress Joey almost runs him down and is transfixed from the beginning telling her she's the reincarnation of his long lost love, Joey's great, great grandmother. This gives her understandable pause until he shows her a locket of the woman that Joey is a dead ringer for, apparently they had bottle blonds in the 17th century! It doesn't get any more believable from that point on but if you like 60's potboilers this has its charms.
Jeanette Nolan as Joey's aunt who knows most if not all the secrets gives the best performance and her hairpieces have to be seen to be believed! One is so mountainous that it's bigger than her head!
A great deal of fun in an over the top ridiculous kind of way.
William Conrad's Noirish Melodrama
TheFearmakers18 November 2023
Along with a throwaway horror flick in an extremely busy three-picture year of 1965, the best-known-for-television actor William Conrad directed an unintentional neo-noir double-feature, BRAINSTORM and MY BLOOD RUNS COLD, both highly memorable, unique, creative and eclectic: the latter providing limited-rage Troy Donahue a surprisingly intense performance... with layers...
Albeit most of them intentionally hidden since his character is deeply enigmatic from the start, and desperately vulnerable -- literally when he's almost killed by spoiled, fitfully gorgeous rich girl Joey Heatherton...
Caustic and careless, stubborn and carefree, Heatherton's Julie Merriday drives her convertible towards the rural seaside Monterey-based locale so dangerously, pseudo-boyfriend Nicolas Coster fears for his life before she almost genuinely ends ten-speed-riding Donahue's - here as stranger-in-town Ben Gunther: despite the bizarre assertion to have been around forever...
Or at least a hundred years, claiming he's been reincarnated as Julie's distant ancestor and spending most of the film strategically romancing the full-lipped blonde bombshell by convincing her she's his former doomed love, who was her own great-grandmother: providing Donahue an offbeat and eccentric, borderline psychopathic role channeled through an otherwise straight/subdued persona...
And where a more animated actor might've seemed part of a charming con-man ruse, Donahue's wooden/stilted underacting works for both story and character... his only challenge is Heatherton's "I own this town" tycoon father Barry Sullivan, fretting for his adored only-child while sporadically curbed by his artistic, open-minded sister (and Julie's mentoring aunt) Jeanette Nolan...
And as the most intriguing sequences occur early on... when the mysterious, noir-inspired investigating-the-past slowly unveils... Heatherton can take her time, balancing sheer disbelief with lovestruck confusion without rushing into the inevitable wispy Harlequin melodrama, thankfully enveloped by a slowburn boat chase before a quick foot-chase finale, ultimately making MY BLOOD RUNS COLD an entirely different kind of romantic thriller, and beyond.
Albeit most of them intentionally hidden since his character is deeply enigmatic from the start, and desperately vulnerable -- literally when he's almost killed by spoiled, fitfully gorgeous rich girl Joey Heatherton...
Caustic and careless, stubborn and carefree, Heatherton's Julie Merriday drives her convertible towards the rural seaside Monterey-based locale so dangerously, pseudo-boyfriend Nicolas Coster fears for his life before she almost genuinely ends ten-speed-riding Donahue's - here as stranger-in-town Ben Gunther: despite the bizarre assertion to have been around forever...
Or at least a hundred years, claiming he's been reincarnated as Julie's distant ancestor and spending most of the film strategically romancing the full-lipped blonde bombshell by convincing her she's his former doomed love, who was her own great-grandmother: providing Donahue an offbeat and eccentric, borderline psychopathic role channeled through an otherwise straight/subdued persona...
And where a more animated actor might've seemed part of a charming con-man ruse, Donahue's wooden/stilted underacting works for both story and character... his only challenge is Heatherton's "I own this town" tycoon father Barry Sullivan, fretting for his adored only-child while sporadically curbed by his artistic, open-minded sister (and Julie's mentoring aunt) Jeanette Nolan...
And as the most intriguing sequences occur early on... when the mysterious, noir-inspired investigating-the-past slowly unveils... Heatherton can take her time, balancing sheer disbelief with lovestruck confusion without rushing into the inevitable wispy Harlequin melodrama, thankfully enveloped by a slowburn boat chase before a quick foot-chase finale, ultimately making MY BLOOD RUNS COLD an entirely different kind of romantic thriller, and beyond.
Merriday family values
bkoganbing13 March 2020
Troy Donahue's peak years were the late Eisenhower/Kennedy years when he was
the All American boy. By 1965 he was looking to branch out in an effort to sustain his stardom. Hence this horror/thriller My Blood Runs Cold.
In this Donahue plays a mysterious young man who runs into Joey Heatherton's car and insists she's a girl from the past named Barbara and he was her lover.
Some credence is given to this by Aunt Jeanette Nolan who says that back in the day great great grandma disgraced the family name with a sailor who had Troy Donahue's character name of Ben Gunther.
Heatherton is intrigued by Donahue and is ready to throw over nice lawyer Nicholas Coster for Donahue. Heatherton's father Bazrry Sullivan ain't liking any of this as the Coster/Heatherton nuptials are part of his business dealings.
My Blood Runs Cold had promise but it settles for a mediocre ending. Had the ending reached into the fantasy realm this could have been a big hit.
I think if you see it, you'll know what I mean,.
In this Donahue plays a mysterious young man who runs into Joey Heatherton's car and insists she's a girl from the past named Barbara and he was her lover.
Some credence is given to this by Aunt Jeanette Nolan who says that back in the day great great grandma disgraced the family name with a sailor who had Troy Donahue's character name of Ben Gunther.
Heatherton is intrigued by Donahue and is ready to throw over nice lawyer Nicholas Coster for Donahue. Heatherton's father Bazrry Sullivan ain't liking any of this as the Coster/Heatherton nuptials are part of his business dealings.
My Blood Runs Cold had promise but it settles for a mediocre ending. Had the ending reached into the fantasy realm this could have been a big hit.
I think if you see it, you'll know what I mean,.
Portrait of Barbara
dbdumonteil17 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Troy Donahue must have been sick and tired of his parts of nice good-looking boys ;his attempt at a troubled character is certainly laudable,for who could believe he is able to do so very bad things?
The problem is the prologue which promised more than we are given :the picture imitates a tapestry,giving the feeling of something of long ago ;and there are four lines of a poem by a poem by Byron ,which finally doesn't bring anything to a plot which steals from " portrait of Jennie" "Vertigo" and "Pandora" -hasn't Donahue got a ship?- to name but three ,but there is more.There's even a "love story" side for the girl's dad is a rich man whereas the blond boy has ,it seems ,no penny to his name .
After three or four melodramas (the best of which is arguably "Parrish" ),it was a good idea to cast this good -looking actor in a disturbing role:at the beginning of the movie,and at least in the first half ,the audience does believe he is a romantic man who lives in the past and comes back (from the dead?) to claim his one and only love.But things go wrong in the second part in which the director seems not able to build an eerie magic atmosphere ;the final chase is the easy way out and the final pictures do not even try to disturb the viewer a little bit.
The problem is the prologue which promised more than we are given :the picture imitates a tapestry,giving the feeling of something of long ago ;and there are four lines of a poem by a poem by Byron ,which finally doesn't bring anything to a plot which steals from " portrait of Jennie" "Vertigo" and "Pandora" -hasn't Donahue got a ship?- to name but three ,but there is more.There's even a "love story" side for the girl's dad is a rich man whereas the blond boy has ,it seems ,no penny to his name .
After three or four melodramas (the best of which is arguably "Parrish" ),it was a good idea to cast this good -looking actor in a disturbing role:at the beginning of the movie,and at least in the first half ,the audience does believe he is a romantic man who lives in the past and comes back (from the dead?) to claim his one and only love.But things go wrong in the second part in which the director seems not able to build an eerie magic atmosphere ;the final chase is the easy way out and the final pictures do not even try to disturb the viewer a little bit.
Heatherton will make your blood run hot
scsu197521 November 2022
Ok suspense yarn with Troy Donahue trying to convince Joey Heatherton that she is his reincarnated lover from about 100 years ago. Heatherton's father (Barry Sullivan) is pretty suspicious, while her aunt (Jeanette Nolan) seems to know a lot that the others don't. The ending is a little too unsatisfying, but what the hell ... at least we get some shots of Heatherton in a couple of bathing suits. The location photography is pretty good too. William Conrad produced and directed, and that's his voice in the opening credits reading a verse from Lord Byron. He can also be heard as the voice of a helicopter pilot.
My blood runs hot.
DoorsofDylan12 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Finally seeing Joy House (1964-also reviewed) after having it sat on a USB since 2019 waiting to be played, I decided to follow this, by watching a disc I've kept pushing back for years. Importing this DVD over a decade ago, but for some reason having left it on the shelf since it arrived in the post,I felt it was time to discover how cold blood can run.
View on the film:
Whilst the odd spot of dirt appears near the ending, Warner Archive present a great transfer featuring a crisp soundtrack and a print that retains film grain.
Ending a run of pretty boy roles, Troy Donahue takes advantage of his pin-up looks with a very good performance as Gunther, with Donahue twisting Gunther's dashing charm in his romantic swooning of Merriday, which Donahue uncoils with outbursts that hints he might not be showing his full hand.
Keeping the blood of everyone running cold, director William Conrad & Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965-also reviewed) cinematographer Sam Leavitt twists an ambiguous Thriller atmosphere on if Gunther really is an old romantic, or something more sinister, with excellent, stylish arc shots circling the increasingly fearful doubts the parents of Merriday (played with a romantic naivety by Joey Heatherton) have over who is loved-up for her.
Hitting the shores with an opening quote from Byron, the screenplay by John Mantley and John Meredyth Lucas spill out teen Melodrama, with a bubbling psychological Neo-Noir Thriller of reincarnation and creepy psychotic outbursts landing hard against the rocks,as Gunther reveals to Merriday that blood runs cold.
View on the film:
Whilst the odd spot of dirt appears near the ending, Warner Archive present a great transfer featuring a crisp soundtrack and a print that retains film grain.
Ending a run of pretty boy roles, Troy Donahue takes advantage of his pin-up looks with a very good performance as Gunther, with Donahue twisting Gunther's dashing charm in his romantic swooning of Merriday, which Donahue uncoils with outbursts that hints he might not be showing his full hand.
Keeping the blood of everyone running cold, director William Conrad & Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965-also reviewed) cinematographer Sam Leavitt twists an ambiguous Thriller atmosphere on if Gunther really is an old romantic, or something more sinister, with excellent, stylish arc shots circling the increasingly fearful doubts the parents of Merriday (played with a romantic naivety by Joey Heatherton) have over who is loved-up for her.
Hitting the shores with an opening quote from Byron, the screenplay by John Mantley and John Meredyth Lucas spill out teen Melodrama, with a bubbling psychological Neo-Noir Thriller of reincarnation and creepy psychotic outbursts landing hard against the rocks,as Gunther reveals to Merriday that blood runs cold.
DILATED MELODRAMA
giuliodamicone27 May 2022
One of the things that most unpleasantly impressed me in this film are Jeannette Nolan's ridiculous, hypertrophic wigs.
Indeed, in a couple of scenes she puts an even more ridiculous white top hat on her head!
For the rest, Troy Donahue is expressionless, Heatherton is constantly provocative and the dialogues between her and Nolan are perfectly useless.
Indeed, in a couple of scenes she puts an even more ridiculous white top hat on her head!
For the rest, Troy Donahue is expressionless, Heatherton is constantly provocative and the dialogues between her and Nolan are perfectly useless.
Above Average and With a Bit of a Twist
ldeangelis-7570822 November 2023
This was a pretty good movie, and I'm sorry Joey Heatherton didn't make more films, as she showed a lot of promise. This was the kind of movie where it's so easy to overact and go in for the melodrama, and she never lapsed into that.
Troy Donahue was his usual appealing self, with his understated, lowkey style, and I think it fit well in this story. (A friend of mine used to joke about anyone without a personality having gone to the "Troy Donahue School of Acting", but his style still brought him success!)
There are other familiar faces: Jeanette Nolan, Barry Sullivan, and anyone who's a fan of soap operas will recognize a young John McCook!
The movie combines suspense, the supernatural, dark family history, romance and the lure of the "bad boy", while the "nice guy" finishes last. Entertaining all the way!
Troy Donahue was his usual appealing self, with his understated, lowkey style, and I think it fit well in this story. (A friend of mine used to joke about anyone without a personality having gone to the "Troy Donahue School of Acting", but his style still brought him success!)
There are other familiar faces: Jeanette Nolan, Barry Sullivan, and anyone who's a fan of soap operas will recognize a young John McCook!
The movie combines suspense, the supernatural, dark family history, romance and the lure of the "bad boy", while the "nice guy" finishes last. Entertaining all the way!
Bizarre character study
jordondave-2808511 September 2023
(1965) My Blood Runs Cold
PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA/ THRILLER
Produced and directed by William Conrad, that has wealthy socialite of a lawyer's firm's daughter, Julie Merriday (Joey Heatherton) meets unknown sailor, Ben Gunther (Troy Donahue) who claims he is to be a reincarnation of her long lost boyfriend of over a 100 years, with the only physical proof is the locket he hangs around his neck, with a picture that resembles her.
Something can be made from this which I thought was quite stylish and unique that is a character study, or a mystery-like scenario that is similar to what one can watch from the Twilight Zone.
Produced and directed by William Conrad, that has wealthy socialite of a lawyer's firm's daughter, Julie Merriday (Joey Heatherton) meets unknown sailor, Ben Gunther (Troy Donahue) who claims he is to be a reincarnation of her long lost boyfriend of over a 100 years, with the only physical proof is the locket he hangs around his neck, with a picture that resembles her.
Something can be made from this which I thought was quite stylish and unique that is a character study, or a mystery-like scenario that is similar to what one can watch from the Twilight Zone.
Troy Donahue's Last Film At Warner Bros.
arsportsltd24 June 2011
Troy Donahue was on suspension for a while refusing WB films etc and returned to the studio to film this William Conrad thriller. Troy Donahue excelled in the lush romantic dramas filmed by Delmer Daves at Warners however Troy Donahue lost his footing in this film. My Blood Runs Cold should have been filmed in Color and lost some of its edge by filmed in black and white. William Conrad who would have a TV career in Jake and The Fatman was also a Director and did Connie Stevens' Two On A Guillotine, Jeff Hunter's Brainstorm among other films. Not a great Film Director but Mr Conrad's films are enjoyable. Carol Lynley was first slotted for this film but was optioned by Otto Preminger under a contract Carol Lynley had with Preminger to do a Preminger film. Joey Heatherton took the role.
Joey Heatherton made Where Love Has Gone with Susan Hayward, and Bette Davis at Paramount, Twilight of Honor at MGM with Richard Chamberlain and this WB movie. Not sure why Joey Heatherton made no other noteworthy films.
This was Troy Donahue's last movie at Warner Bros and his last as a Star
Joey Heatherton made Where Love Has Gone with Susan Hayward, and Bette Davis at Paramount, Twilight of Honor at MGM with Richard Chamberlain and this WB movie. Not sure why Joey Heatherton made no other noteworthy films.
This was Troy Donahue's last movie at Warner Bros and his last as a Star
T. Donahue and J. Heatherton
ksf-210 May 2020
When Julie and Harry (Joey Heatherton and Nic Coster) almost run Ben (Troy Donahue) off the road, they all sit down for drinks later. and Ben falls hard for Julie, although he keeps calling her "Barbara". and it turns out that Barbara died YEARS ago. so who IS this new guy? and then bodies start turning up. something strange is going on. and Julie's father is determined to keep them apart. keep an eye out for Howard McNear, Floyd the barber from andy griffith. it's all very mysterious. pretty thin plot. Donahue and Heatherton were actually real heart-throbs at the time, so the plot wasn't so important. Ben takes Julie out for a ride on his sailboat, and the thunderstorm rolls in right on cue. all is revealed right at the end. Directed by William Conrad, who was probably better known for Cannon and Jake and the Fat Man. and of course, the Narrator on the Rocky & Bullwinkle Show in the 1960s. this one is just fair to middlin.
Troy Donahue's Finale at Warner Bros
adventure-2190322 July 2020
Warner Bros gave Troy Donahue a great buildup. From A Crowded Sky , A Summer Place, and a great hit Parrish gaining top billing over a true movie legend Claudette Colbert. Donahue romanced a trio of WB beauties in Parrish: Connie Stevens, Diane McBain and Sharon Hugueny. Troy Donahue starred in Susan Slade with Connie Stevens, Rome Adventure with Angie Dickson and his future wife Suzy Pleshette, onto Palm Springs Weekend again with Connie Stevens, Ty Hardin, Bob Conrad, then a serious Director Raoul Walsh in A Distant Trumpet again with Ms. Pleshette and sexy Diane McBain . William Reynolds a great WB contract star has a small role but would go on to star in Warner Bros TV hit show the FBI
Troy had a star bungalow on the WB Lot asnd was treated as a major star! WB always starred Troy: In his WB movies he was first billed over stars such as Claudette Colbert. His movies were great A Summer Place, Parrish, Susan Slade, Rome Adventure are all wonderful. Palm Springs Weekend was a big hit and WB gave him a giant western in A Distant Trumpet! In hindsight Troy made a poor ly strategic movie fighting Jack Warner.
Troy Donahue fought for more adult roles and long came this one directed by Bill Conrad. This is a suspense with good locations and some nifty photography. Joey Heatherton co stars. Carol Lynleyy was supposed to co star but Otto Preminger who had Lynley under contract exercised his option on Lynley so she would not have to do this film.
Troy Donahue is alleged to have had 2 years left on his WB contract and gained his release. Troy Donahue claimed Jack Warner blackballed him the industry. Troy was the #1 male star at WB yet could not get a TV show after his release the way fellow WB stars did: Bob Conrad The Wild Wild West, Van Williams The Green Hornet or William Reynolds with the FBI. Troy's only role on TV was a cameo on the Patty Duke Show!
Troy Donahue and his Warner Bros films especially Parrish and Rome Adventure are wonderful to watch.
RIP Troy.
Troy had a star bungalow on the WB Lot asnd was treated as a major star! WB always starred Troy: In his WB movies he was first billed over stars such as Claudette Colbert. His movies were great A Summer Place, Parrish, Susan Slade, Rome Adventure are all wonderful. Palm Springs Weekend was a big hit and WB gave him a giant western in A Distant Trumpet! In hindsight Troy made a poor ly strategic movie fighting Jack Warner.
Troy Donahue fought for more adult roles and long came this one directed by Bill Conrad. This is a suspense with good locations and some nifty photography. Joey Heatherton co stars. Carol Lynleyy was supposed to co star but Otto Preminger who had Lynley under contract exercised his option on Lynley so she would not have to do this film.
Troy Donahue is alleged to have had 2 years left on his WB contract and gained his release. Troy Donahue claimed Jack Warner blackballed him the industry. Troy was the #1 male star at WB yet could not get a TV show after his release the way fellow WB stars did: Bob Conrad The Wild Wild West, Van Williams The Green Hornet or William Reynolds with the FBI. Troy's only role on TV was a cameo on the Patty Duke Show!
Troy Donahue and his Warner Bros films especially Parrish and Rome Adventure are wonderful to watch.
RIP Troy.
Troy Donahue Was A Great Star at Warners!
atkinsnedryart29 November 2020
Troy Donahue was a truly big star at Warner Bros. Troy was under cotract to Universal and made a great hit in Lana Turner's splendid soap opea Imitation Of Life. Troy went t nearby Warner Bros., and was first cast in the fine film A Crowded Sky" but then hit the big time in DElmer Daves massive hit A Summer Place with Sandra Dee. (Troy may have let Universal bit Sandra went to Universal and became a huge box office star in Imitation Of Life, Come September, workinf with such big stars as RockHudson and Lana Turner and John Gavin and Gina Lollobrigida). Delmer Daves film " A Summer Place" is a classic with a great musical score incredibly beautiful scenery and a great supporting cast: Dorothy McGuire, Richard Egan and Constance Ford. (Ms. Ford seemed to have a lock on "tough women" roles at WB with Diane McBain in "Claudelle Inglish" Shirley Knight in WB "House of Women" Troy Donahue's smash hit "Rome Adventure "with Suzanne Pleshette
Troy Donahue was a major Star at WB. Troy made this film directed by Willaim Conrad who would go on to star in the successful TV series Jake and the Fat Man. This movie is predictable and didn't do the business Troy's other WB movies. WB made this movie in black and white and color would have been better.
Joey Heatherton was cast. Joey made Richard Chamberlain's fine dram at MGM "Twilight Of Honor" Joey then was cast with 2 movie legends Susan Hayward and Bette Davis in Paramount's "Where Love Has Gone" which was loosely based on the sensational Lana Turner -Johnny Stompanato murder case. Joey played Susan Hayward's daughter and Bette Davis' grandaughter ( I would have thought "Where Love Has Gone" would have propelled Joey great stardom. Joey then was signed to do this movie but to me the sparks didnt fly between Troy and Joey
What happened next is up to dispute: Troy Donahie had 2 years left on his contract an insisted WB give him his release. Jack Warner gave Troy his release but per Troy blackballed him in the movie Industry. Where Troy's peers at WB Bob Conrad got the Wild Wild West and Van Williams got the Green Hornet and Chad Everett got Medical Center Troy's career went downward.
Troy Donahue was a major Star at WB. Troy made this film directed by Willaim Conrad who would go on to star in the successful TV series Jake and the Fat Man. This movie is predictable and didn't do the business Troy's other WB movies. WB made this movie in black and white and color would have been better.
Joey Heatherton was cast. Joey made Richard Chamberlain's fine dram at MGM "Twilight Of Honor" Joey then was cast with 2 movie legends Susan Hayward and Bette Davis in Paramount's "Where Love Has Gone" which was loosely based on the sensational Lana Turner -Johnny Stompanato murder case. Joey played Susan Hayward's daughter and Bette Davis' grandaughter ( I would have thought "Where Love Has Gone" would have propelled Joey great stardom. Joey then was signed to do this movie but to me the sparks didnt fly between Troy and Joey
What happened next is up to dispute: Troy Donahie had 2 years left on his contract an insisted WB give him his release. Jack Warner gave Troy his release but per Troy blackballed him in the movie Industry. Where Troy's peers at WB Bob Conrad got the Wild Wild West and Van Williams got the Green Hornet and Chad Everett got Medical Center Troy's career went downward.
One Superbly Unforgettable Performance
jlthornb5112 March 2020
A spine tingling thriller with a strong cast of veterans, solid direction, and a good script. However, what really sets this film apart and makes it a classic movie is the incredibly powerful performance of a superb actress, Ms. Joey Heatherton. This is a woman who knows her craft and virtually sets the screen afire with one of the most powerful performances audiences have ever seen. The intensity, passion, and emotion she puts into every scene simply takes ones breath away. Ms. Heatherton proved in this film that she is a fine actress and she was worthy of far better projects. Still, she raises this film up from the commonplace and transforms it into a classic film noir of Warner Brothers' later period. Do not miss the unforgettably passionate and incredibly moving artistry of Ms. Joey Heatherton and the magic she works giving what is nothing less than the performance of a lifetime in William Conrad's My Blood Runs Cold.
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