Some of William Holden's best work from the 70s is in this made for TV movie The Blue Knight. It came out at the time that Joseph Wambaugh was being celebrated for his work involving police. The Blue Knight was a best selling novel
and one of Wambaugh's best.
Holden perfectly captures the aging Bumper Morgan on the last week of his job
hoping to go out on top against the criminals. A prostitute he knew from his
beat is found murdered.
That in itself is interesting because police as a rule don't give too much attention to crimes against hookers. But Holden is apparently thought of enough that they make an effort on this one.
Holden is keeping company with college professor Lee Remick who would like
to marry and settle down with him. Holden is at loose ends though contemplating his retirement.
Some praise should go to Sam Elliott as the homicide detective who is assigned the hooker case. He and Holden don't get along, but by the end
respect each other. Also to young Sergeant Joe Santos who the following year
would be another sergeant, Dennis Becker on The Rockford Files who serves
kind of as Bumper's alter ego and better self.
What I liked best about this film is that we really have no idea what Holden's
future will be. You can speculate for a week about it.
A Golden Globe for Lee Remick and an Emmy for William Holden as Best Actor
to go with his Best Actor Oscar for Stalag 17. The Blue Knight is one of the
best made for TV films out there.
