'Hart To Hart: Movies Are Murder Collection'
(Robert Wagner, Stefanie Powers, Lionel Stander, et al / 4-Disc DVD / NR / 2019 / Mill Creek Entertainment)
Overview: Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers return after a successful series run as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart for 8 feature-length mysteries that will entertain and thrill you.
See everyone's favorite crime-solving couple along with their loyal butler, Max (Lionel Stander), and their dog, Freeway in these eight whodunits.
Hart to Hart Returns (1993) - Home is Where the Hart Is (1994) - Crimes of the Hart (1994) - Old Friends Never Die (1994) - Secrets of the Hart (1995) - Two Harts in 3/4 Time (1995) - Harts in High Season (1996) - Till Death Do Us Hart (1996).
DVD Verdict: Up first in this quite wondrous new collection from Mill Creek Entertainment is 'Hart to Hart Returns' (1993). As Jonathan Hart contemplates what to give Jennifer for their anniversary, a murder is committed and Jonathan is being set up to take the fall. It all has to do with codes, cave-ins, burnouts, and bugging's!
What can I say the "Return" was like they never left. I really enjoyed the story line and especially the last scene which was true 'Hart to Hart' style.
The writers again captured the essence of what the series was really about love, adventure and mystery. The characters, Jonathan, Jennifer and the late Max is timeless.
As a baby boomer this is what I call good television. There are very few good shows on today so I am finding myself going back to the '70s, '80s and '90s for good viewing pleasure.
Then comes 'Home is Where the Hart Is' (1994) where the Harts travel to Kingmans Ferry a town a quaint little town where people know Jennifer Hart as Jennifer Edwards.
Here the sleuthing couple attend a funeral of a friend but are forced to stay in town when they learn they've inherited a seat of power from the dearly departed. But, when Stephanie receives some threatening messages, it's clear someone in town wants them to leave!
Next up is 'Crimes of the Hart' (1994) in which are rich married sleuths uncover a sabotage plot in N.Y.
With yet another appearance from Lionel Stander as Max it seems to me that the Hart's must be on lean times here as there are no more private jets and they are actually flying via Delta Airlines!
That aside, I love the love they shared as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart. Not too many shows have the kind of chemistry they had.
They actually loved each other which gives hope as to what the future could potentially hold those looking for that legit kind of love in their marriage and relationships!
Then comes 'Old Friends Never Die' (1994) where our intrepid duo show up for a literary weekend and overhear a plot for murder.
Once Jennifer happens to overhear two men discussing a murder they plan to commit and discovers it sounds like it might well be her very own Jonathan, suddenly the Harts have to find out why he has become a marked man while staying out of harm's way as they track the killers!
In 'Secrets of the Hart' (1995) Jonathan and Jennifer Hart are in San Francisco to help with a charity auction. Jennifer picks up an old locket for auction and shows it to Jonathan.
Jonathan quickly recognizes a picture of him and his sister who he hasn't seen since he was a child, inside. Stuart Morris approaches the Harts claiming to be Jonathan's nephew.
Stuart tells them that his aunt is Mr. Harts long lost sister but perhaps, this family reunion isn't quite what it seems!
Then comes 'Two Harts in 3/4 Time' (1995). When the Harts accept a clock left to them by Max, their recently deceased valet, the timepiece becomes the centerpiece of a case involving blackmail and murder.
Yet another delightful portrayal of how a relationship can be successful no matter how much external strain you put on it (!), it was very sad to know that Max (Lionel Stander) had passed away around the time of this TV movie. But it was rather lovely to see some of Montreal!
In 'Harts in High Season' (1996) when his old enemy Elliot Manning goes missing in Australia, Jonathan Hart is suspected by the Australian police of having done away with him.
With help from his wife, Jonathan turns sleuths in order to prove himself innocent. The couple go through a few adventures while trying to clear Jonathan's name.
As the TV films had progressed over the years since the very first one, Stephanie Powers amazingly still looks great, but Robert Wagner does look well aged here!
I also missed Max and Freeway as the former had passed away by now and the latter had "retired" from showbusiness but all in all this is yet another fun, and therefore typical 'Hart to Hart' TV film.
Finally we get 'Till Death Do Us Hart' (1996) where the Harts go to Munich where Jennifer is to donate bone marrow to a little boy who has leukemia.
The doctor is amazed that Jenifer looks like his fiancée who is missing just before the wedding. There is a party and the doctor will be embarrassed if he comes without his fiancée.
OMG, what is Jennifer thinking? Another great and what was to be final story that, once again, showcases the fact that Hart's never got to be alone - even when they were celebrating their Anniversary! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.
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