Nightmares & Dreamscapes - Umney's Last Case (TV)

Umney’s in his shadowy, cluttered office, sitting at his big wooden desk when one last client comes in. To his shock and surprise, it’s his complete double in every way. Yet his double, Sam Landry (also Macy), does not seem surprised in the least. Landry seems to know that there are two of them. Exact doubles. Dopplegangers. Comic twins.

But how?

Turns out Landry is a the author of several successful detective novels that feature the ever-popular P.I. character, Clyde Umney. Through some unknown means of magical mumbo jumbo, Umney is forced to trade places with the writer and finds himself in present day, where he reluctantly assumes his new identity but will never stop working on returning to his own universe.

Macy does a great job playing opposite himself, creating two totally different characters that may embody the same body, but that have completely different mannerisms, speech patterns, and motivations. It’s fun to watch them ‘spar’, bring to mind an old episode of Bewitched, or (another King story featuring a writer at war with himself) The Secret Window.

The music, set design, and special effects that showcase the two worlds – noir and now – are top-notch, as is the supporting cast and deft direction.

The problems lie inherently with the plot. I read this short story and loved it, but it truly does lend itself much better to the page. The downbeat, rather ambiguous ending worked just fine when reading King’s words, but seeing it acted out felt unsatisfying and unfinished.

Still, Umney’s Last Case is worth a peek for fans of King’s quirky ideas on the writing life, and to see Macy strut his stuff.

= = =

Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson