Alexander Scourby Movies
Of Greek parentage, Alexander Scourby hid his natural Brooklynese cadence behind a "stage British" accent in his earliest stage appearance. After an apprenticeship with Eva LeGalliene's company, Scourby graduated to Broadway with a major role in Leslie Howard's 1936 production of Hamlet. In radio from 1937, Scourby became one of the busiest and most sought-after voice-over specialists in the business, functioning as narrator on innumerable TV documentaries and as commercial spokesman for a myriad of products (most notably Johnson & Johnson bandages). In his Broadway and film work, Scourby was frequently cast as a villain, such as the Italian-American gangster boss in Fritz Lang's The Big Heat (1953). One of his last assignments was as the host of the PBS broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera. The resonant voice of Alexander Scourby can still be heard on religious radio stations by virtue of his mid-'60s syndicated series "Alexander Scourby Reads the Scriptures." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2008
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This release features a full reading of the King James Bible. The different books, chapters, and verses have all been marked for easy access. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Alexander Scourby
- 1993
NASA: Tribute -- Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab provides a time capsule of America's first steps into space. These four NASA-produced films, The World Was There, Legacy of Gemini, Time of Apollo, and Four Rooms, Earth View, chronicle the space missions and offer an overview of the historical and revolutionary period of the 1960s and 1970s. The World Was There, a discussion of Project Mercury, the United States' first man-in-space program, is narrated by Alexander Scourby. Legacy of Gemini looks at the concept of two-man spacecraft. Time of Apollo, the story of the moon missions, is narrated by Burgess Meredith. Four Rooms, Earth View documents and discusses Skylab, America's first experimental space station. E.G. Marshall narrates the latter. ~ Betsy Boyd, Rovi
- 1985
National Geographic: Miniature Miracle, released in 1985, hearkens back to an era when computers were not the enormously popular consumer goods they are today. The video chronicles a time when the hype surrounding the computer revolution was just starting to filter out of research institutions and into the mainstream. Explorations of the computer chip's practical applications in science and art comprise the thrust of the video: robots helping the disabled, complex suits designed to record human motion, and three-dimensional images. The central metaphor of the video is that of the computer chip to the human brain, both of which possess astounding physical intricacies and remarkable multi-tasking abilities. ~ John Schietinger, Rovi
A documentary that covers the life and works of Arturo Toscanini. Includes some rare color home movies of Toscanini at work and play. ~ Rovi
When a group of miners discovers a mysterious but delicious white substance bubbling up from the earth, a conglomerate markets the gooey, addictive fluff as a dessert in this tongue-in-cheek horror spoof from former NBC scriptwriter Larry Cohen. When a new product called "The Stuff" begins eating into the market share of traditional frozen desserts, the dairy industry hires former FBI agent Moe Rutherford (Michael Moriarty) to investigate the competition. With the assistance of deposed ice-cream magnate Chocolate Chip Charlie (Garrett Morris), Rutherford discovers that the substance is actually a sentient entity that takes over its victims' minds while eating away at their bodies from the inside. Meanwhile, young Jason (Scott Bloom) realizes that his family's strange behavior has something to do with the dessert product in their refrigerator that refuses to stay in its carton, and he launches a campaign to destroy the threatening confection. Soon Rutherford and Jason must team up with Nicole Kendall (Andrea Marcovicci), The Stuff's unwitting advertising mastermind, and Vietnam vet-turned-militia leader Colonel Spears (Paul Sorvino) to save America from its own sweet tooth. Sorvino and Moriarty would go on to co-star in NBC's hit police procedural, Law & Order. Icy-eyed As the World Turns hunk Brian Bloom appears alongside his brother, Scott Bloom. The Stuff's television connections also extend to cameos from Clara Peller, pitchwoman for the Wendy's "Where's the beef?" campaign, and Abe Vigoda of Barney Miller fame. Actresses Brooke Adams, Tammy Grimes, and Laurene Landon also appear in parodic commercials for the titular dessert. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Moriarty, Andrea Marcovicci, (more)
- 1984
This documentary examines the nearly 30 years worth of primate research conducted by Jane Goodall. In 1960, Goodall arrived in Tanzania and became a fixture in the Gombe Reserve, a wildlife refuge. Here she began her lengthy study of wild chimpanzees and their social structure. By not interfereing in the chimps lives, but always being present, Goodall gained a moderate level of acceptance from her subjects, allowing her to observe the most intimate of these primates social interactions. National Geographic: Among the Wild Chimapanzees accompanies Goodall as she explains her work and points out several chimp actions for the camera, including a now famous scene of chimps using tools to gather food. ~ Ed Atkinson, Rovi
- 1983
In a direct, effective approach to the holocaust and its meaning, this historical documentary features film clips on the Warsaw ghetto, the gas chambers, bodies bulldozed into mass graves, and other Nazi atrocities, and contrasts these silent scenes with propaganda tirades by Hitler and his minions. Long-time Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal introduces the documentary in straightforward language that emphasizes the importance of never forgetting these horrors in the hope that nothing like this will ever be repeated again. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- 1982
Filmmakers Ron and Valerie Taylor go beneath the surface to tackle the fear and loathing of the ultimate predator -- the shark. This documentary bares its teeth to show the viewer the full spectrum of these carnivores, from their eating habits to their stalking maneuvers. The tape includes stunning actual footage of divers in cages and petting "sleeping" tiger sharks. While the video dispels the overstated body counts concerning shark attacks, it leaves no doubt that the threat from down below is a real one. ~ C. Dwayne Smith, Rovi
- 1980
Filmed in Namibia's Etosha National Park over a two year period, this National Geographic documentary studies the diverse animal life of this refuge. Filled with stunning landscape shots, close-up action sequences and concise commentary, the film focuses on the birth, life and death cycle of lions, wildebeasts, hyenas and several other species. There is a scene of a lioness teaching her cubs the art of the kill and also a birth scene that may not be suitable for young children. ~ Ed Atkinson, Rovi
- 1980
Long before supersonic aircraft could take passengers from the bright lights of New York to the bustling streets of London in less than an average workday, the only mode of transatlantic transport was via ship. This documentary from National Geographic and Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment sails back to a time when "superliners" cruised the Atlantic Ocean with regal grace. This 59-minute journey takes the viewer aboard some of the more famous luxury liners from a bygone era, including the Queen Elizabeth II, the Normandy, and the United States. Sentimental interviews from passengers and crew members complete the voyage. ~ C. Dwayne Smith, Rovi
- 1979
- G
Though filmed in Israel using a predominantly Israeli cast, this portrait of the life and times of Christ is not among the best. Much of the dialogue was derived from the Good News Bible. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Brian Deacon, Rivka Noiman, (more)
- 1976
When Andrew Jackson, a hero of the War of 1812, was inaugurated as president in 1829, Jackson's opponent in the bitter campaign, John Quincy Adams, boycotted the event. Jackson was wildly popular with the common man, and so many people crammed into the White House to meet the new president that furniture was muddied, dishes broken, and the 62-year old Jackson finally exited by a window to escape the crush. This and other provocative tales of inauguration from throughout this country's history are presented in American Documents: Vol. 6: Inaugural Souvenir, the sixth installment in the 13-volume American Documents documentary series, which presents United States history in an entertaining, yet well-researched manner. Highlights of this program include historical paintings, archival photographs, and film footage from various inaugurations. The episode is hosted by famed narrator Alexander Scourby, who was a Broadway actor and host of PBS broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera. ~ Steve Blackburn, Rovi
- 1976
"Just around the corner" refers to an overly optimistic prediction by President Herbert Hoover as to when Depression-era Americans might expect prosperity to return. As this program shows, Americans pulled together and the policies of the Roosevelt administration helped alleviate some of the extreme poverty caused by the devastated economy. This is the seventh installment in the 13-volume American Documents documentary series, which presents United States history in an entertaining, yet well-researched manner. Highlights of this program include archival photographs, radio recordings, and newsreel footage. The episode is hosted by famed narrator Alexander Scourby, who was a Broadway actor, and host of PBS broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera. ~ Steve Blackburn, Rovi
- 1976
Construction began in 1791, but it took 34 years, six presidents, and six architects to complete the original U.S. Capitol, and by then it was too small for the burgeoning nation and additions were required. As this program shows, the distinctive Capitol dome was still unfinished when the opening shots of the Civil War were heard. This is the third installment in the 13-volume American Documents documentary series, which presents United States history in an entertaining, yet well-researched manner. American Documents, Vol. 3: The Building of the Capitol is hosted by famed narrator Alexander Scourby, who was a Broadway actor and host of PBS broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera. Highlights of this program include archival illustrations and photographs of the Capitol during various stages of construction and modification. ~ Steve Blackburn, Rovi
- 1970
Set in England, The Executioner stars American actor George Peppard as John Shay, a British spy. Shay is convinced that there's a double agent at large, and he's further convinced that it's his former colleague Adam Booth (Keith Michell). Having set himself up as judge and jury, Shay now intends to act the part of executioner. Also figuring into the proceedings (and displaying various degrees of guilt and innocence) are Joan Collins, Judy Geeson and Oscar Homolka. The talky script isn't given much in the way of visual dynamics by director Sam Wanamaker, but The Executioner manages to sustain an acceptable level of tension. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- George Peppard, Joan Collins, (more)
- 1965
Alexander Scourby narrates this documentary on Red China directed by former BBC correspondent Felix Greene. Greene was invited by the Chinese government for a carefully monitored tour of the country. The main focus is on the cities of Shanghai and Peking, with some scenes of the frigid Mongolian steppes. The Peking symphony is shown performing, and both Buddhist and Catholic religious ceremonies are highlighted, but the government of China is quick to tell the viewer that under communism the country has no official recognition with the Vatican in Rome or other religious affiliations. The feature served up is little more than wishful propaganda on the part of China. Still, Felix Greene was one of the only Westerners to have access to the country at the time. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
Spencer Tracy plays an American priest tending to the natives of a South Sea island. A plane carrying three convicts -- Harry (Frank Sinatra), Marcel Gregoire Aslan and Charlie Bernie Hamilton) -- lands on the island; Father Doonan (Tracy) manages to enlist their (reluctant) aid in working at a children's hospital. When the island falls victim to a series of earthquakes, Father Doonan and the convicts work together to evacuate the hospital staff and the children. Harry, the least cooperative of the prisoners, becomes a hero during a volcanic eruption by going back to rescue the priest, who with convict Charlie has been holding a bridge in order to allow the others to escape. Father Doonan and the two convicts are killed, but all the children are rescued. Blighted by bad special effects and ponderous direction, Devil at Four O'Clock is less interesting than the behind-the-scenes rumors concerning the friction between Spencer Tracy and Frank Sinatra. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Spencer Tracy, Frank Sinatra, (more)
- 1960
Richard Matheson's first full-fledged Twilight Zone script was written for this February 5, 1960, episode. Kenneth Haigh stars as Flight Lt. Decker, a WWI British flying ace who passes through a queer-looking cloud in 1917 -- and ends up on an American Air base in the year 1960. Naturally, no one believes Decker's wild story, but General Harper (Alexander Scourby) and Major Wilson (Simon Scott) are in for quite a jolt when elderly British Air Marshal McKaye (Robert Warwick) pays a visit. The stunt flying sequences were handled by Frank Gifford Tallman. "The Last Flight" received the ultimate accolade when excerpts were included in the Twilight Zone advertisements shown on local CBS affiliates in early 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kenneth Haigh, Simon Scott, (more)
Discredited professor Edward G. Robinson organizes a seven-person criminal gang. Robinson plans to steal a fortune from the underground vaults of the Monte Carlo casino. Despite a few tense moments, the plot moves like clockwork. Alas, Robinson isn't around long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labors. As for the other criminals, they find that fencing their stolen booty is next to impossible. All they come away with is $3000--won legitimately at the gaming tables. Those not interested in the male contingent of Seven Thieves (Robinson, Rod Steiger, Eli Wallach et. al.) are advised to feast their eyes upon leading-lady Joan Collins, in her considerable prime. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Edward G. Robinson, Rod Steiger, (more)
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