P.J. (film)

P.J. (UK re-release title: New Face in Hell) is a 1968 neo-noir crime mystery film from Universal Pictures. It stars George Peppard, Raymond Burr, and Gayle Hunnicutt and was directed by John Guillermin.

P.J.
Directed byJohn Guillermin
Produced byEdward Montagne
Screenplay byPhilip Reisman Jr.
Based onstory by Philip Reisman
Edward Montagne
StarringGeorge Peppard
Raymond Burr
Gayle Hunnicutt
Music byNeal Hefti
CinematographyLoyal Griggs
Edited bySam E. Waxman
Production
company
Universal Pictures
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • February 9, 1968 (1968-02-09) (Chicago)
  • March 6, 1968 (1968-03-06) (United States)
Running time
109 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1,000,000 (US/ Canada)[1]

Plot

New York City private eye P.J. (Peter Joseph) Detweiler needs the work, so he accepts an offer to be a bodyguard to protect Maureen Preble, the mistress of shady millionaire William Orbison.

Orbison takes the family to the Bahamas, where a romantic attachment between P.J. and the married Maureen seems to be growing. Orbison's business partner, Grenoble, is shot dead and P.J. is arrested by the police. It becomes clear to P.J. that he has been set up by the Orbisons, who wanted to rid themselves of Grenoble and needed a fall guy.

P.J. is released by the authorities and makes it back to New York, where he confronts the masterminds of the plot. About all he can do is stand by as Orbison and his mistress end up doing away with one another.

Cast

Production

The film was originally called Criss Cross. Peppard's casting was announced in November 1966.[2] John Guillermin agreed to direct shortly afterwards.[3]

In January 1967 Gayle Hunnicut was cast as the female lead. She made the film under a non exclusive two-picture deal with Universal.[4]

Filming started in January 1967. It was reported that Peppard's earnings for four films he made for Universal--this, Tobruk, Rough Night in Jericho and What's So Bad About Feeling Good?--came to $1.6 million plus percentages.[5]

Raymond Burr and Peppard purportedly clashed at first but then got along.[6]

The film's title was changed to New Face in Hell then in September 1967 the title was changed from New Face in Hell to PJ.[7]

Reception

The Chicago Tribune called it "routine".[8] The New York Times called it "fun."[9]

Filmink said the movie "seems to have been made with one eye on being a new Harper (1966) – only it doesn’t have Ross MacDonald, William Goldman, an all star cast or Paul Newman... George Peppard is an ideal private eye but the film seems unsure how tough or comic to make his character – one minute he’s a clown, the next a smart arse, the next a tough guy, the next someone who gets beaten up by patrons of a leather bar."[10]

Home media

This film has yet to be released in North America on VHS or DVD, but is scheduled to be released by Kino Lorber on Blu-ray in October 2020.

See also

References
  1. "Big Rental Films of 1968", Variety, 8 January 1969 p 15. Please note this figure is a rental accruing to distributors.
  2. MOVIE CALL SHEET: Peppard to Star in 'Criss-Cross' Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 21 Nov 1966: c21.
  3. MOVIE CALL SHEET: 'Criss Cross' for Guillermin Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 26 Nov 1966: 18.
  4. Pact for UCLA Graduate Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 10 Jan 1967: d11
  5. 'Criss Cross' Next on Peppard Slate The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973); Washington, D.C. [Washington, D.C]27 Jan 1967: D9.
  6. Mia Joins Sinatra in 'The Detective' Florabel Muir:. The Washington Post, Times Herald 1 Aug 1967: C10.
  7. Steiger Gets 'Sergeant' Role Los Angeles Times 9 Sep 1967: 19.
  8. 'P. J.'--Routine Private Eyeful Clifford, Terry. Chicago Tribune 12 Feb 1968: b17.
  9. Film: George Hamilton vs. 'The Power': Science-Fiction Movie on Local Screens By RENATA ADLERVINCENT CANBY. New York Times7 Mar 1968: 52.
  10. Vagg, Stephen (17 November 2020). "John Guillermin: Action Man". Filmink.
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