Kojak (TV Series) Nursemaid (1974) User Reviews

Kojak's softer side

[pattersonros · 8/10 · 3 May 2013]

The other writer's review was a bit skewed. Lynette Mettey was NOT the witness, but the policewoman who is protecting the eyewitness to the murder of the gun dealer boss. The reason the witness looks 50, instead of 30, is because the witness is Kay Medford, who probably was 50 at the time! I like how Medford's character was a salty, old soul at the beginning, but warmed up to Det. Crocker by the end, like a mother (you almost expected her to start bringing chicken soup around to the precinct). The shootout seemed more appropriate for a mobster, than a bookkeeper.

I believe that we see policewoman Mettey again (undercover as a call girl), later in the series.

Surprisingly entertaining

[nqure · 7/10 · 28 July 2014]

Gave this episode 'Nursemaid', a 7/10 but maybe it even deserves an 8/10.

I went to my local barber's to be surrounded by the ubiquitous noise of wall-to-wall TV and music. Bored, ITV4 (English digital channel) was showing an old episode of 'Kojak'. I grew up in the 70s as a child and was familiar with the lollipop loving detective, but wasn't aware of the subtleties of the show/adult themes as I was still a child.

I have to say I was impressed & the episode quite engrossing which must be a sign that it was entertaining and able to hook viewers through deft characterisation and a fast-moving but plausible plot.

I preferred it to 'Colombo', another 70s era detective show. Both possess the key element of humour to balance the main story, but I liked the human side to 'Nursemaid' & how the plot cleverly developed from a gun-seller being forced to make blank guns live for criminals into a murder story, and how a group of gangsters lose control of the situation. As with strong US drama shows, the supporting cast are vital to the main star, and Kay Medford is excellent as the widow dragged into a dangerous situation as a witness to a crime.

I like the characterisation of Kojak, & the police procedural seemed entwined seamlessly in the plot rather feeling contrived as can often happen in crime dramas.

Unfortunately, I missed the conclusion, just as the mobsters tried to bump off the witness in a hotel, as it was my turn in the barber's chair!

Doris, Guns & Protection

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 19 January 2012]

Lynette Mettey is good in here as the material witness in a murder case, a person under "protective custody" by Kojak and the N.Y. cops.

She is "Doris," an older Jewish lady who is understandably a little nervous about this whole thing. She's a tough nut to crack but hand-kissing and sweet-talking Kojak warm her up a bit by the end. Oddly, IMDb lists her birth as 1943 which would make her about 30 years old but I swear she looks at least 50, no offense meant.

Meanwhile, the murder case has to be first figured out, and that's no easy task despite the witness, who did not see the actual killing. It's when some of the good wind up in the hand of young gang members, and people get killed, where it's all traced back to the gun store owner and then we find out a lot more.

All the crooks in here are interesting, as is the gun dealer caught in the middle of this mess.

Blazing shootout

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 29 April 2016]

The Manhattan South Squad gets a case which starts as a street gang shooting and then moves up to illegal gun trafficking. The episode is highlighted by the appearance of Broadway actress Kay Medford who made too few appearances on the big or small screen.

Medford plays the widowed bookkeeper of Eugene Troobnick who has a gun store on Broome Street and is selling guns illegally. Troobnick is being pressured by the mob selling the weapons. Later Medford witnesses Troobnick being kidnapped and now the gang wants her dead.

It nearly happens too with Telly Savalas and Kevin Dobson engaged in one of the best shootouts ever shown on Kojak. Great car chase too.

That and Medford's performance as the ultimate Jewish widowed mama are worth seeing this.