THE RESURRECTION OF ZACHARY WHEELER {1971}

SLOW SLOW SLOW BUT INTRIGUING film about a secret government set-up in which "clones" of "important" people are created and held in order to supply worn-out or damaged body p

arts so these VIP's can have a sort-of eternal life.  The one and only feature film by director Bob Wynn, this sure looks and feels like a low-grade TV movie (but actually, most 1970's TV movies had much better production values).  Marlin Skiles' musical score also sounds very much like it was made for a 70's TV cop show.  The film is let down (despite the interesting premise) by Wynn's lackluster direction and what must have been a microscopic budget.  I still find it hard to believe this film was released theatrically and was not made for the boob tube!  Leslie Nielsen is well into his pre-AIRPLANE overly-serious earnest performance mode as a crusading reporter while Bradford Dillman and Angie Dickinson are good but given little to do.  A nice little easter egg for fans of 1940's-era B-movies is the appearance of Tristram Coffin as Dr. Keating.  Best line:  "Chou En Lai has just had his second coronary.  He'll be here in about 12 hours".