P.J. (film)

P.J. (UK re-release title: New Face in Hell) is a 1968 American neo-noir mystery film directed by John Guillermin and starring George Peppard.

Plot New York City private eye Peter Joseph "P.J." 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 Maureen seems to be growing. Orbison's business partner Jason 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 Maureen end up doing away with one another.

Cast

Production The film was originally called Criss Cross. George Peppard's casting was announced in November 1966.MOVIE CALL SHEET: Peppard to Star in 'Criss-Cross', Los Angeles Times, November 21, 1966: p. c-21. John Guillermin agreed to direct shortly afterwards.Martin, Betty. MOVIE CALL SHEET: 'Criss Cross' for Guillermin", Los Angeles Times, November 26, 1966: p. 18. In January 1967, Gayle Hunnicutt was cast as the female lead Maureen Preble. She made the film under a non-exclusive two-picture deal with Universal.Martin, Betty., "Pact for UCLA Graduate", Los Angeles Times, January 10, 1967: p. d-11

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."Criss Cross' Next on Peppard Slate", The Washington Post and Times-Herald (1959–1973); Washington, D.C. [Washington, D.C], January 27, 1967: p. D-9. Raymond Burr and Peppard purportedly clashed at first but then got along.Muir, Florabel. "Mia Joins Sinatra in 'The Detective'", The Washington Post and Times-Herald, August 1, 1967: p. C-10. 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."Steiger Gets 'Sergeant' Role", Los Angeles Times, September 9, 1967: p. 19. One scene has P.J. Detweiler (Peppard) beaten up by leather clad men in a gay bar.

Reception Critical reception was mixed. The Chicago Tribune called it "routine".Clifford, Terry. "'P. J.'—Routine Private Eyeful", Chicago Tribune, February 12, 1968: p. b-17. The New York Times called it "fun". Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times ranked the film 3 stars out of a possible 4, declaring P.J. "probably not the greatest movie ever conceived", but nonetheless elevated by good performances from Peppard (who Ebert believed had been "consistently underrated"), and the supporting actors (particularly Peters and Burr).https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/pj-1968

Home media Kino Lorber released the film in North America on DVD and Blu-ray on October 6, 2020.

P.J. (film)

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