Kevin Tate Movies
- 1968
Thanks to a loose address number, a layer of synthetic grass is accidentally installed on the Stephenses' front lawn. Upon arriving home, Darrin thinks that Sam created the grass via witchcraft, and a battle royal ensues. The couple's argument spreads like wildfire throughout the neighborhood, especially when Bill McLain (Richard X. Slattery) accuses Darrin of "stealing" the plastic grass meant for him. Written by Ed Jurist, "How Green Was My Grass" first aired on February 29, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda headline this western in which an old lawman (Stewart) attempts to keep his town safe from a band of recent returnees from the Missouri range wars and their villainous leader (Fonda), who threaten to destroy it with their drunken revelry. The old sheriff usually avoids the town, preferring to live on the outskirts of town with his pregnant wife. He is a bit of a pacifist, and when he sees what the outlaws are doing to the peaceful little village, he decides he must intervene, as no one in town seems to have the grit to fight back. At first the lawman attempts to reason with the outlaws. He fails at this, and even more violence ensues, forcing the sheriff to use a stronger form of persuasion. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- James Stewart, Henry Fonda, (more)
- 1967
The Andy Griffith Show launched its eighth and final season with its September 11, 1967 episode "Opie's First Love." Preparing to escort Mary Alice Carter to his friend Arnold's 13th birthday party, Opie is stood up at the last moment when Mary Alice decides to go with swaggering young Fred Simpson (Kevin Tate). Following his dad Andy's advice, Opie decides to swallow his pride and attend the party "stag"-and ends up having the time of his life. The role of little heartbreaker Mary Alice is played by Suzanne Cupito, who went on to adult stardom as Morgan Brittany. "Opie's First Love" was written by Douglas Tibbles. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
To prevent Roger (Bill Daily) from arranging a blind date for Tony (Larry Hagman), Jeannie (Barbara Eden) turns Roger into a French poodle. Alas, before she can reverse the spell, Roger has been whisked off to the dog pound. Tony rushes to the pound and purchases Roger back--only it isn't Roger, but an entirely different dog. Dick Wilson, best known as "Mr. Whipple" in a long-running series of bathroom-tissue commercials, is herein intriguingly cast as a "Mr. Wimple"! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1964
Audie Murphy continued to make 1950s-style westerns into the 1960s. In Bullet for a Badman, Logan Keliher (Murphy) is framed for murder by onetime friend Sam Ward (Darren McGavin). Keliher escapes to mete out justice and to reclaim his former wife (Ruta Lee), whom Ward has married. The escapee gradually comes to realize that the true villain of the piece is not his ex-friend but instead his ex-wife. A Bullet for a Badman was shipped out to the lower halves of Universal's drive-in double bills for the 1963-64 season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Audie Murphy, Darren McGavin, (more)
- 1964
Child actor Billy Mumy and veteran scene-stealer Cecil Kellaway appear in this "very special" episode of Bewitched. During the Yuletide season, Samantha and Darrin try to convince a surly orphan named Michael (Mumy) to believe in Santa Claus -- and in Christmas itself. Need it be added that twinkly eyed Kellaway is cast as that "jolly old elf"? Written by Herman Groves, "A Vision of Sugar Plums" first aired on December 24, 1964, then was rebroadcast on December 23, 1965, with new footage added to frame the basic story as a flashback. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1964
- NR
Perhaps the most popular and influential songwriter in the history of country music, Hank Williams Sr. didn't have a long recording career (only four years), but after passing away on New Year's Day, 1953, at the age of 29, he became a legend of American music practically overnight, and this biopic puts a veneer of Hollywood gloss on the story of his rise to fame. Hank Williams (played by Donald Losby as a young man) is a boy growing up poor in a small Alabama town who learns how to play guitar from itinerant musician and shoeshine man Teetot (Rex Ingram), who looks out for the boy. After Teetot's untimely death, young Hank sets his sights on a career in music; years later, Williams (played as an adult by George Hamilton) is performing as part of a traveling medicine show when he meets Audrey (Susan Oliver), who recognizes the full extent of Hank's talent. At Audrey's urgings, Williams joins forces with manager Shorty Younger (Red Buttons) and music publisher Fred Rose (Arthur O'Connell), and with their help Hank becomes a rising star in country music, developing a loyal following through hit records, heavy touring, and appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. However, Williams doesn't cope well with the pressures of fame, and despite the help of his friends and the guidance of his wife, he begins missing shows, developing a reputation as an unreliable performer, and drinking heavily. Produced by legendary B-movie magnate Sam Katzman, Your Cheatin' Heart featured 15-year-old Hank Williams Jr. re-creating his father's vocals for the film's soundtrack. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- George Hamilton, Susan Oliver, (more)
- 1963
Using the alias "Jerry Shelton", Kimble (David Janssen) goes to work as lifeguard at the Nevada gambling resort run by a tough customer named Danny Polichek (Telly Savalas). While thus employed, Kimble catches the eye of Polichek's spoiled daughter Chris (Joanna Frank), who ever since her mother's death has gone out of her way to humiliate her father in public. Now Chris intends to raise some hell with the reluctant Kimble--knowing full well that Polichek has enough power and influence to slice the hapless lifeguard into tiny pieces. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Tony Randall has the showcase of a lifetime in the marvelous George Pal production The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao. We first see Randall as Dr. Lao, an enigmatic Chinese medicine-show impresario. The doctor brings his travelling show into the frontier town of Abalone, which is chafing under the oppression of land-hungry Clint Stark (Arthur O'Connell). Newspaper editor Ed Cunningham (John Ericson) is conducting a campaign of words against Stark, but he is no match for the land baron's money, power, and hulking henchmen. Nonetheless, Cunningham continues his crusade, all the while attempting to romance icy young widow Angela Benedict (Barbara Eden). All of this is observed with bemusement by Dr. Lao, who has already established himself as a man of many talents by alternating between pidgin-English and eloquent articulation, depending on the circumstances. Each of the townspeople--including the three already mentioned--learn a great many truths about themselves when they attend Dr. Lao's unusual circus. In the course of straightening out everyone's problems, Lao metamorphoses into (1) Merlin the Magician, (2) Pan, (3) Medusa, (4) The Abominable Snowman, (5) Apollonius of Tyana and (6) a Talking Serpent. The combined talents of Randall, puppeteer Pal and make-up wizard William J. Tuttle (who won two Special Oscars) resulted in this captivatingly unique entertainment experience. Curiously, Tony Randall is not fond of Seven Faces of Dr.Lao, and refuses to be interviewed on the subject. Perhaps he was unhappy that much of the philosophy dispensed in the original Charles G. Finney novel The Circus of Dr. Lao was weeded out of Charles Beaumont's script....or perhaps he just didn't like having his head shaved for the part. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tony Randall, Barbara Eden, (more)
