Robert Drivas Movies

Released theatrically as God Told Me To, this inventive film from "B"-movie auteur Larry Cohen was later re-named Demon after television distributors refused to air it under the original title. The convoluted, tabloid-flavored storyline (predating the kind of stories frequently featured on The X-Files) involves a series of motiveless murders committed by various New York residents: a sniper picks off targets from a water tower; a mild-mannered father murders his entire family; and a cop (Andy Kaufman, of all people) opens fire during a St. Patrick's Day parade. The only consistent pattern to the crimes involves the perpetrators' calm admissions of guilt, explaining, "God told me to." While investigating the murders, devoutly-Catholic police detective Peter Nicholas (Tony Lo Bianco) is increasingly troubled by evidence of a Christ-like figure named Bernard Phillips (Richard Lynch) who appeared to each of the killers and can't seem to shake the feeling that his own fate is inexplicably linked to this mysterious being. As he comes closer to the truth, his worst fears are confirmed -- particularly after a telling conversation with Bernard's tormented mother (Sylvia Sidney), who reveals the horrifying secret of her son's unnatural birth. Cohen has often used the "B"-movie format to address rather lofty concepts, and this is certainly no exception -- tackling no less than the existence of God and the nature of human beliefs -- but clumsy editing and an outrageous FX-heavy finale tend to obscure this film's unique vision. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Two truckers struggle to stay financially afloat in economic hard times in his downbeat highway drama. But to do so, they must battle the cops and the major conglomerates that threaten to overtake them. While driving they pick up a prostitute who offers her services in exchange for a lift to New York. They give her a ride, but when they refuse her favors she punishes them with long, dull stories about her miserable life. Eventually the self-destructive, angry young woman destroys them all. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) is puzzled when Mary Cochella (Zohra Lampert), a woman of very modest means, is kidnapped. It turns out that Mary's abductors are using their victim to secure the cooperation of her husband Fred (Paul Picerni), a cashier at a big sports arena which has been targetted for robbery. Anne Francis appears as one of the kidnapper's wives, who suffers a sudden--and potentially fatal--attack of conscience. Also, watch for future Happy Days costar Erin Moran as the little girl who witnesses the kidnapping. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A.C. Smith (David Janssen) is a Las Vegas casino operator whose son visits during his summer vacation from Princeton. His son Andy (Robert Drivas) would rather go to Europe, but daddy dearest wants him to learn the ropes of the gambling business. Pappy approves of and pays for a showgirl to teach his son an extracurricular lesson in erotica. Molly (Brenda Vaccaro) is A.C.'s worldly secretary who watches the office, and Don Rickles has a small role as a crooked blackjack dealer who is caught with his fingers in the pie. Andy catches on quickly and acquires two-thirds of the controlling interest in the casino. He'll have the best story about how he spent his summer vacation when he returns (if he does) to the hallowed halls of Princeton and Ivy League living. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

In the town of Smithville, Joe Cartwright's life is saved by Tracy Blaine (Robert Drivas), who then manages to sweet-talk his way into a job at the Ponderosa. Neither Joe nor the rest of the Cartwrights are aware that Blaine has formulated a diabolically clever scheme to rob Ben Cartwright, a scheme that includes incapacitating Ben and luring Joe and Hoss far, far away from the ranch. Conlan Carter and Leo Gordon appear as Blaine's crooked cohorts Clay and Fargo. Scripted by Arthur Dales, "Blood Tie" originally aired on February 18, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Paul Newman was nominated for an Oscar and George Kennedy received one for his work in this allegorical prison drama. Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is sentenced to a stretch on a southern chain gang after he's arrested for drunkenly decapitating parking meters. While the avowed ambition of the captain (Strother Martin) is for each prisoner to "get their mind right," it soon becomes obvious that Luke is not about to kowtow to anybody. When challenged to a fistfight by fellow inmate Dragline (George Kennedy), Luke simply refuses to give up, even though he's brutally beaten. Luke knows how to win at poker, even with bad cards, by using his smarts and playing it cool. Luke also figures out a way for the men to get their work done in half the usual time, giving them the afternoon off. Finally, when Luke finds out his mother has died, he plots his escape; when he's caught, he simply escapes again. Soon, Luke becomes a symbol of hope and resilience to the other men in the prison camp -- and a symbol of rebelliousness that must be stamped out to the guards and the captain. Along with stellar performances by Newman, Kennedy, and Martin, Cool Hand Luke features a superb supporting cast, including Ralph Waite, Harry Dean Stanton, Dennis Hopper, Wayne Rogers, and Joe Don Baker as members of the chain gang. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Having been rejected as a police candidate for health reasons, Dale Hillman (Robert Drivas) exacts revenge against Police Chief John Stanford (Andrew Duggan) by kidnapping and murdering Stanford's daughter. Chasing after Hillman, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) finds out that the fugitive has been recruited by a group of far-right extremists. Infiltrating the group, Erskine hopes not only to prove Hillman's guilt but to end the extremists' hate campaign once and for all. This is the final episode of The F.B.I.'s first season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Wrongfully accused of murder, Dr. Richard Kimble (David Janssen) continues his search for the "One-Armed Man" who can prove his innocence, while the relentless Lt. Gerard (Barry Morse) steps up his efforts to recapture Kimble and deliver him to Death Row, as The Fugitive launches its second season. Guest star Ed Begley appears as famed criminal laywer G. Stanley Lazar (Ed Begley), who during a TV discussion show claims that he could not only get a new trial for Kimble, but also an acquittal. After being contacted by the still-in-hiding Kimble, Professor Lazar tests his theory in a mock trial held before his law students. Alas, Lazar is plagued by a plethora of personal demons that could negatively affect the outcome of the "trial"--while Gerard, suspecting that Kimble is somewhere in the vicinity of the classroom, slowly closes in on his quarry. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi