highwaytourist
This film was intended for TV, but released theatrically, and it's important to remember that. It's an OK detective thriller about a policeman (David Janssen) on a stakeout who shoots someone he thinks is a stalker in self defense, only to discover that the suspect was a respected doctor and that the gun he allegedly pulled can't be found. Accused of shooting unjustly, he conducts his own investigation to clear his name. The film is well-acted and sometimes interesting, but many scenes are not believable. If this had happened in real life, Jannsen's character would have never been given access to the people he questions, especially the victim's widow and loyal nurse, let alone obtained cooperation from them. Still, the story moves briskly enough and gives a view of Los Angeles at the time, which was going through a cultural transition to a greater degree than the rest of the country. If the plot and cast really interest you, give it a look and you'll be entertained enough.
moonspinner55
David Janssen, much like Richard Crenna or Robert Wagner, was an actor ideally suited for the small screen. His stern, quiet authority and low-key personality made him a great TV detective, but in theatrical films like "Warning Shot", his hard-boiled, ambling charm didn't really come through. This '60s crime thriller involves an L.A. stakeout which goes awry for police sergeant Janssen after he shoots a nervous doctor. Janssen swears the doc pulled a gun, yet all the evidence points to the contrary. From Whit Masterson's book "711--Officer Needs Help", this must have looked awfully bland in theaters, what with a cheesy production and a tame, late-night-TV supporting cast which includes Stefanie Powers, Carroll O'Connor, Keenan Wynn, and Joan Collins. Despite these names, there's not a trace of camp value to be savored, mostly because the filmmakers have not a shred of good, dark humor. *1/2 from ****
inspt71-1
Warning Shot is a good film with an excellent all star cast. The story has an interesting plot. A cop is falsley accused of murder and he goes around trying to find a way to get his job back and clear his name. David Janssen is the cop, Ed Begley is the boss who gets mad when things go wrong. The cast and a jazzyscore by Jerry Goldsmith makes this film worth watching. It may not be the best movie in the world nor the best mystery but it's worth watching. *** out of ****
dan_in_denver
Sure this film is cheesy, and I agree with the comments that this film has a "made for late night movies" appearance, but consider the year in which it was made! I think that Warning Shot is a good movie, but by no means a great one. It is a police procedural / murder mystery that was typical in cinematography, casting, and scripting to all the other movies in the genre shot at the time. David Jansen does a good job the cop in trouble accused of shooting down an innocent man during a stake out that goes wrong. Joan Collins does a good job supporting Jansen's character as his sultry ex-wife.The movie is worth watching, and provides an insight (as so many classics do) of the differences in society from then to now. One memorable example of this is the role played by George Grizzard as a desirable bachelor. In the scene with Jansen in his apartment, Grizzard tells him that he is an airline co-pilot and has a flight that day, then proceeds to pour himself a scotch. Or the scene with the insurance broker who is boasting of his firms new state of the art computer that covers an entire wall in one office.Over all, it's a good movie. See the film, but watch it with an open mind and just don't expect too much. That way you wont be disappointed!
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