Vernon Hayden Movies
Hanna-Barbera's beloved picnic-basket-stealing bear makes his big-screen debut in this live-action/animation mix children's flick from Journey to the Center of the Earth director Eric Brevig. The tourists just aren't flocking to Jellystone Park like they used to, and when the budget starts to get tight, Mayor Brown (Andrew Daly) brings down the axe. But while the mayor can certainly make a quick buck by selling the land, what about the families who like to spend their summers in the great outdoors? When Yogi (Dan Aykroyd) and Boo-Boo (Justin Timberlake) discover they're about to become homeless, they realize that their only hope for keeping Jellystone open is to team up with their old enemy Ranger Smith (Tom Cavanagh) and wage wildlife warfare against greedy Mayor Brown. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Dan Aykroyd, Justin Timberlake, (more)
This film of the wartime exploits of Baron Von Richthoven, who was also known as the "Red Baron," was a relatively lavish Corman-brothers production, and is directed by Roger Corman. The film's airborne dogfight sequences are among its most notable features. Vintage World War I airplanes were used, and accidents during filming resulted in one death and several injuries. The evolution of airborne warfare from being a sporting game between gentlemen to its use as an instrument of total war is integral to the story. Von Richthoven (John Phillip Law), who becomes an air ace and an important German hero, was an early aeronautical rival of Hermann Goering (Barry Primus). So important was he to German morale that he was asked to retire from fighting, so that he could assume a position in the post-war German government. He refused, and was killed by a young Canadian (Don Stroud) in an airborne battle. Spookily enough, even though he died in the air, his plane is reputed to have landed intact. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- 1970
- PG
In this drama, an Irish Catholic bride is devastated when her pregnant mother miscarries and dies on her wedding day. The young woman, one of seven children, blames her father's lust for the death. When her own wedding night arrives she is terrified and refuses to consummate the marriage. Her husband is gentle and hopes that she will get over her fear. He decides to give her time and so takes a job as a commercial artist in London. The bride stays in Dublin and takes care of her younger brothers and sisters until another sibling urges her to join her spouse. By this time the husband's patience runs out and he tries to take her by force. The bride becomes hysterical and flees back home. Meanwhile the husband eases his sexual tensions with a former girl friend. The bride goes to the doctor who suggests she use contraceptives. Unfortunately, the Church forbids it. She then asks her priest to annul her marriage, but he will not. The poor girl is so upset that she suffers a breakdown and tries to kill herself in the hospital. When her husband hears of this he comes to her. Together, they swear to take all the time they need to help her overcome her terrible fear with love and understanding. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tessa Wyatt, Dennis Waterman, (more)
The McKenzie Break is an unusual POW escape drama in that the would-be escapees are German prisoners, held in a Scottish camp. When a Luftwaffe pilot is murdered in the compound, British major Ian Hendrey investigates. He suspects that the killing is tied in with a complex escape plan, engineered by German commander Helmut Griem. Before the inevitable break, the prisoners form into the sort of separate factions and pressure groups that fomented the Nazi upheaval in Germany in the first place. Based on a novel by Sidney Shelley, The McKenzie Break was actually filmed in Ireland rather than Scotland. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Brian Keith, Helmut Griem, (more)
- 1969
- R
Three sailors on shore leave engage in a series of comedic sexual pursuits in Lock Up Your Daughters!. Jim Dale, Ian Bannen, and Tom Bell hit dry land with one thing on their minds -- something that lands everyone in jail in this comedic romp. Susannah York, Glynis Johns, and Elaine Taylor become the objects of the lovesick sailors' alleged affections. The farcical proceedings are witnessed by Lord Foppington (Christopher Plummer), the aristocratic dandy who shudders in horror over the trouble the three salts cause in their efforts to spice up their love lives. This film version is taken from the musical of the same name, sans the music. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Christopher Plummer, Susannah York, (more)
- 1969
Jack Sheppard (Tommy Steele) is the locksmith's apprentice who is forced into highway robbery when he is betrayed by Jonathan Wild (Stanley Baker). Jack runs for his life and takes to a life of crime. He is captured but breaks out of jail, quickly becoming the subject of lore, legend and song. The arrogant and popular Jack ends up heading for the gallows after taunting the King, the Lord Chancellor and a harridan aristocratic dowager. Wild tries to track down the elusive robber and collect on the reward like he has done so many times before in this dramatic adventure biography. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tommy Steele, Stanley Baker, (more)
Originally titled Blues For Lovers, Ballad in Blue was the last of actor Paul Henreid's theatrical-film directorial efforts. R&B legend Ray Charles plays himself, attempting to help a newly blinded British boy adjust to sightlessness. Charles is no actor, but he has a natural ease and grace that many "real" movie stars might envy. As a bonus, we get to hear him perform such favorites as "What'd I Say?" and "I Got a Woman". Monika Henreid, the daughter of the director, can be seen in a minor role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ray Charles, Tom Bell, (more)
