Dying Room Only (1973)

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

A Masterpiece!

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

Some of the best made for TV movies were made in the 1970's. This film has the great Ross Martin playing a role that is a far cry from that of Artemus Gordon. Here he plays a mysterious cook in a filthy dinner somewhere in the middle of the desert. Cloris Leachman is excellent as the terrorized woman. This film contains an early performance by Dabney Coleman as her husband. The supporting cast is great, Ned Beatty straight of his role in "Deliverance," and three years before his Oscar win in "Network," Dana Elcar is equally as good as the policeman. Dana Elcar starred in many TV shows, films and Made for TV movies, and seemed to have always been underrated. I give this film **** and highly recommend it.

Apparently there was enough interest in "Dying Room Only" that made Warner Bros. release this on DVD on 1/19/10. Its on a web-site called www.warnerarchive.com. This is also a re-mastered print which isn't too common for made-for-TV-movies. I just ordered mine and it is definitely worth the investment. TV airings of this movie have all since passed and probably won't get the time of day any longer, so the DVD is worth it's weight in gold. ($19.99) It is crystal clear and the movie is un-cut. There aren't any extras or special features but it is still a treat. Kudos to Warner Bros!! (who has the Lorimar Productions library of movies).

It seems that the seventies was a good period for made for TV horror films, and this film helps to prove it. Dying Room Only will be familiar to anyone who has seen the excellent 1997 Kurt Russell thriller 'Breakdown' as it's obvious that this film was it's inspiration. The plot focuses on bickering couple Jean and Bob who stop at a diner while travelling through the desert. Bob gets into an argument with the owner, and when Jean returns from the bathroom, her husband is nowhere to be seen! The way that this film plays out is very similar to the later 'Breakdown', except this time it's the woman that is looking for her significant other rather than the man; which is actually a shame because Dabney Coleman has a more interesting character than Cloris Leachman, and I feel the film would have worked a lot better had it been the other way round (obviously the makers of Breakdown did too!). The mystery that is presented builds well and the film makes good use of its seventy five minute running time. I can't say that it's enthralling for the duration, but the film never becomes boring and overall, Dying Room Only is a very nice little made for TV flick.

While watching Leachman in "Spanglish" yesterday, I happened to think of the "Dying Room Only", and the terrific job done by Leachman, Ross Martin and the rest. I can still feel the incredible tension that was created entirely by the good acting and dialog alone.....no special effects. Having a loved one disappear without a trace while stopped at a creepy, remote diner seemed so believable the way it was portrayed. Leachman's character displayed such courage and determination motivated by her love for her husband. As the movie develops, you can REALLY feel Leachman's character's desperation. I agree that Kurt Russell's "Breakdown" was a modern day remake of this movie. "Dying Room Only" was much more simplistic, yet still managed to create just as much, if not more, suspense! Does anyone know a way to see this movie again? Please let me know.