Charles Haid Movies
After a goodly number of stage appearances, Charles Haid made his TV-movie bow in 1974's The Execution of Private Slovik. A year later, he was cast in his first weekly-series role, playing the priest/attorney brother of lawyer Anne Meara in Kate McShane; he followed this with a one-year hitch on the detective series Delvecchio. In 1977, he made his big-screen entree in The Choirboys. In 1981, Haid played good-ole-boy police officer Andy Renko in the TV series Hill Street Blues, a role he essayed until the series' cancellation in 1987 (Renko was shot down and presumed killed in the opening episode, but audience reaction to Haid was so positive that he was resurrected in episode #2). Having directed several Hill Street episodes, Haid was well prepared for his feature-length directorial debut, the cable-TV production Cooperstown; Haid has since directed Iron Will (1994), a seriocomedy about dogsledding, for the big screen. Charles Haid is married to actress Deborah Richter. Charles Haid is the cousin of talk-show host Merv Griffin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Disney presents the animated musical Western Home on the Range, featuring an original musical score by Alan Menken. The Little Piece of Heaven family farm is about to go under and outlaw cattle rustler Alameda Slim (voice of Randy Quaid) sets his sights on it. Three dairy cows -- tough Maggie (voice of Roseanne), leader Mrs. Calloway (voice of Judi Dench), and naïve Grace (voice of Jennifer Tilly) -- team up to save the farm. Along with ambitious stallion Buck (voice of Cuba Gooding Jr.), helpful rabbit Lucky Jack (voice of Charles Haid), and other helpful barnyard friends, the cows set out to capture Alameda Slim and collect the reward money. However, a vicious bounty hunter (voice of Charles Dennis) is also after Slim. The film features vocal performances by Bonnie Raitt, k.d. lang, and Tim McGraw. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roseanne, Judi Dench, (more)
- 2003
Abby (Maura Tierney) has just about reached the end of her rope: Her biploar brother, Eric, has vanished, and her bipolar mother Maggie (Sally Field) has come back into her life. As Carter (Noah Wyle) tries to help Abby cope with her many burdens, a shaken and humbled Kovac (Goran Visnjic) returns to the ER -- albeit only after receiving an ultimatum from Weaver (Laura Innes). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Definitely a series for the post-9/11 generation, ABC's Threat Matrix detailed the exploits of an elite task-force unit of the Homeland Security division. Headed by John Kilmer (Jamie Denton), the unit, comprised of the cream of the FBI, CIA, and NSA, was dedicated to stopping terrorism before it started, using the multitude of threats and warnings received on a 24/7 basis by the White House as their guide. Kilmer's multicultural, multiethnic team included his ex-wife Frankie Ellroy Killmer (Kelly Rutherford), as well as Tim Serrano (Kurt Caceres), Lia Larkins (Melora Walters), Jelani (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), Mo (Anthony Azizi), and Holly (Shoshannah Stern). Created by Daniel Voll, Threat Matrix debuted September 18, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jamie Denton, Kelly Rutherford, (more)
- 2002
Anxious to get his hands on some Demerol, a frustrated patient pulls a gun in the ER waiting room and threatens dire consequences if he isn't serviced immediately. After this crisis passes, an outraged Carter (Noah Wyle) threatens a staff walkout unless efforts are made to step up security at County General. Meanwhile, Abby's (Maura Tierney) brother Eric (Tom Everett Scott), an Air Force traffic controller, drops in for a visit en route to his new assignment in Omaha. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Produced by the same team responsible for E.R. and The West Wing, The Court starred multi-award winner Sally Field as Kate Nolan, a feisty, independent Ohio governor newly confirmed to the Supreme Court. As a "swing" voter, Kate frequently clashed with her fellow Justices from both sides of the political spectrum, following her own instinctive sense of justice (and Constitutionality) to its logical end on each 60-minute episode. Along the way, Kate's trail was dogged by a muckraking journalist (Craig Bierko) who was determined to dig up dirt on the new judicial appointee. Also in the cast as Kate's berobed colleagues were such powerhouse actors as Pat Hingle, Diahann Carroll, Miguel Sandoval, and Chris Sarandon -- not to mention the "new, young" performers who played the requisite ambitious court assistants. The Court made its ABC network bow on March 26, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
A series of holdups in massage parlors culminates in murder, with several precincts working together to crack the case before things get worse. As result, John Clark Jr. (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) is forced to team with his estranged father, John Clark Sr. (Joe Spano), bringing the bad blood between John Sr. and Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) to a boil. In another case, a gang of thieves posing as exterminators prey upon elderly victims. After working hours, Andy tries to resist becoming permanent bodyguard for the eccentric Mrs. Hornby (Elmarie Wendel); Connie McDowell (Charlotte Ross) grows closer to Andy's son, Theo (Austin Majors); Valerie Haywood (Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon) is pregnant, and Baldwin Jones (Henry Simmons) is the father; and more ominously, new squad member Det. Rita Ortiz (Jacqueline Obradors) is harassed by her possessive husband, ADA Don Harrison (Stan Cahill). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Simmons
- 2000
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This miniseries details the complex real-life relationship between Thomas Jefferson (Sam Neill), author of the Declaration of Independence and his slave Sally Hemings (Carmen Ejogo). Fuelled by recent DNA evidence of the Hemings-Jefferson relationship, the miniseries sidesteps much of Jefferson's political life and instead focuses on the love story. Though she acquired her freedom at age 16 while traveling with Jefferson to France, she faithfully remained with her lover throughout his life in spite of emotional consequences to both her brother and her children -- who were doomed to be sold as slaves. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sam Neill, Carmen Ejogo, (more)
A priest finds his faith tested when he's assigned to investigate a possible case of divine intervention. Rev. Frank Shore (Ed Harris) is a Catholic priest who works as a postulator, a church official who investigates reports of holy miracles to determine their veracity. Some time back, one of Shore's investigations had ugly repercussions, and now he devotes his time to running a soup kitchen. But he's called back to service by Bishop Cahill (Charles Haid) when a number of Catholics begin calling for the canonization of the late Helen O'Regan, who is alleged to have performed miracles and whose statue is said to weep tears of blood. Shore begins digging into O'Regan's life and the miracles she is supposed to have performed; in his travels, he meets Maria (Caterina Scorsone), a teenage girl who was supposedly healed by O'Regan, and Roxane (Anne Heche), O'Regan's daughter, who was abandoned by her mother, wants nothing to do with her story, and has given up her belief in God. While investigating the miracle of O'Regan's statue, Shore witnesses the bleeding himself and tells the church that he believes the claims are legitimate. However, this view leads to angry reprisals from Archbishop Werner (Armin Mueller-Stahl); Shore's story is not given any greater credence when he become romantically involved with Roxanne. The Third Miracle was released only a few months after Stigmata, another story of Catholic priests investigating allegations of a modern-day miracle, not the sort of subject one might have expected to become a trend. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ed Harris, Anne Heche, (more)
- 1998
In a departure from ER's usual format, Greene (Anthony Edwards) heads to San Diego to look after his mother, Ruth (Bonnie Bartlett), whose behavior has become increasingly outlandish after an accident at home. Upon arrival, Greene argues with his taciturn father, David (John Cullum), over proper treatment of Ruth, a confrontation which dredges up unpleasant memories. Making a tense situation even more so is the unexpected appearance of Greene's erstwhile girlfriend Cynthia (Mariska Hargitay). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bonnie Bartlett
- 1998
The second elderly rape victim in as many weeks arrives at the ER. Elsewhere, things take a personal turn when Anspaugh's (John Aylward) young son Scott (Trevor Morgan), a recovering cancer patient, shows up at County General with stomach pains. Former ER head man Dr. Swift (Michael Ironside) pays a visit in connection with the cost-cutting organization Synergix. And while coping with her no-strings-attached relationship with Ross (George Clooney), Carol (Julianna Margulies) also must deal with disturbing news about one of her patients. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
In this TV drama-comedy, Julie Barber (Allison Smith) hires detective wannabe Bob Jones (Frank Whaley) to track down the legendary private eye Buddy Faro (Dennis Farina), who was once such a name that he was portrayed by an actor (George Hamilton) in a TV series. Now nearly forgotten, Faro has inherited a small fortune, but no one knows where he went. Traveling to the dusty streets of a little town in Mexico, Jones manages to find the booze-soaked Faro lying in the gutter. Rescued by Jones and Julie, Faro returns to Hollywood, where he made his mark 20 years earlier. Things have changed, but the stylish Faro is soon back in business in a big way, confronting criminals in his ultra-cool style, while the Joel McNeely soundtrack provides a jazzy accompaniment. Premiered September 25, 1998 on CBS. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Farina, Frank Whale, (more)
Frank Military and Susan Rhinehart scripted this western, a look back at the post-Civil War Black cavalry troops known as the Buffalo Soldiers, the fierce fighting unit previously covered in a PBS four-parter (1970) and an NBC pilot (1979). In the New Mexico Territory, ex-slave Sgt. Wyatt (Danny Glover) and the Buffalo soldiers arrest Captain Draper (Robert Knott) and other Texas Rangers, but politics mean the Rangers are quietly freed later. Back at Fort Craig, Wyatt reports to anti-black General Pike (Tom Bower) and Col. Grierson (Bob Gunton), a white responsible for assembling and supporting the black regiment. A search is underway for Indian chief Victorio (Harrison Lowe). Indian prophet Nana (Chesley Wilson) is tortured in an effort to get him to reveal Victorio's whereabouts. Determining that Victorio is at Rattlesnake Springs, the Buffalo Soldiers head in that direction for a confrontation. Filmed in the desert of Arizona's Cochise County, Buffalo Soldiers premiered December 7, 1997 on TNT. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Danny Glover, Bob Gunton, (more)
- 1996
Based on a popular Zane Grey novel, this well-wrought western centers on a plucky female rancher who incurs the wrath of the local clergy when she boldly refuses to marry a deacon. To get revenge, the town preacher and his followers begin harassing the woman and her ranch hands until a sympathetic gunslinger rides into town and decides to help her out. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, (more)
- 1995
Rule-bound Dr. Kayson (Sam Anderson) again incurs the wrath of Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) when he orders the early release of a heart patient named Vennerback (Michael Monks). But when Vennerback is brought back to the ER in critical condition, it is Lewis who is held responsible for the tragedy that follows. Elsewhere, Benton (Eriq La Salle) adopts a somewhat nasty method to stem the constant complaints of his student, Carter (Noah Wyle); and Lewis' pregnant sister, Chloe (Kathleen Wilhoite), announces her intention to move to Texas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Tom Selleck stars in this made-for-television movie about a judicial sting operation. Selleck stars as Judge Timothy Nash, a respected judge who's approached by special agents to take part in an undercover sting to expose a fellow judge's corrupt activities. At first Judge Nash is willing, but as the investigation grows, he gets cold feet and wants out -- only to find that it's too late to back out. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Selleck, Elizabeth McGovern, (more)
- 1995
Although the corrupt Borough commander Haverell has been forcibly retired, Haverell's replacement, Clifford Bass (Larry Joshua), proves to be just as big a bureaucratic pain in the neck to Lt. Fancy (James McDaniel). Bass' interference bogs down the investigation of a woman's charges that her ex-husband murdered her daughter. On other fronts, Simone (Jimmy Smits) is distressed to learn that a childhood friend is mixed up in a mob-controlled nightclub. And Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) and Lesniak (Justine Miceli) go after a "cosmetic" con artist. Guest star Shirley Knight won an Emmy award for her performance as Agnes Cantwell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Greene (Anthony Edwards) tries to find a heart transplant for a seriously ill business contractor (Alan Rosenberg) who has already resigned himself to his impending death. Ross (George Clooney) comes to the aid of an asthmatic teenager whose parents can't afford the necessary medication. Greene's wife, Jenn (Christine Harnos), moves out of their home. And Carter (Noah Wyle) worries that his fling with Liz (Liz Vassey) may have exposed him to a sexually transmitted disease. This episode was originally slated to air on October 6, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A daughter haunted by the memory of a morbid love affair suspects that the man who once seduced her has returned to kill her after eighteen-years after being convicted and imprisoned for murdering her mother. Mother and daughter have both had a torrid love affair with the same man, and in the end the mother paid for the transgression with her life. Though the diabolical seducer was quickly convicted and sent to prison, nearly twenty-years have passed and now the woman who was once a frightened young girl begins to suspect that the man who killer her mother has returned to claim her life as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A rousing Disney dog-sled adventure based on a real life event -- a 522-mile dog-sled race between Winnipeg, Canada and St. Paul, Minnesota that occurred in 1917. When his father is accidentally killed, South Dakota farmboy Will Stoneman (Mackenzie Astin) decides to enter the dog-sled race in order to save his family from financial ruin. His mother (Penelope Windust) wants Will to use part of the prospective $10,000 race winnings for college, but Will just wants to save the farm. With the help of Indian handyman Ned Dodd (August Schellenberg), Will begins to train for the race. But the rich mogul underwriting the race, J.P. Harper (David Ogden Stiers), doesn't want Will to enter, thinking the competition too arduous and too dangerous for such a young boy. To Will's aid comes yellow journalist Harry Kingsley (Kevin Spacey), who convinces Harper to permit Will to enter the race. But Harry also has his own agenda -- he sees a great story in Will and thinks it will sell newspapers and advance his journalistic career. With his father's best dog Gus at the head of his dog team, Will is ready and determined to win the race. But Will discovers that winning the race is only half his battle. Dealing with the petty and malevolent human beings involved in the race -- in particular, the egotistical Scandinavian champion Borg Guillarson (George Gerdes) and the wealthy gambler Angus McTeague (Brian Cox) -- prove to be as much of a challenge to his mettle than any natural obstacles Will might encounter. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- MacKenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, (more)
This ecological drama, set in 2017, presents a world where pollution has generated ever more unpredictable weather and rendered large chunks of the planet into disaster zones. After a hurricane destroys everything they've built for themselves, Louisiana shrimp fisherman Drew Morgan (Craig T. Nelson) and his family, including wife Suzanne (Bonnie Bedelia), flee through a series of refugee camps to upstate New York, where Drew's estranged former business partner Larry Richter (Jurgen Prochnow) -- who has designs on Suzanne -- lives in comfort and affluence. Along the way, Drew loses his daughter, Linnie (Ashley Jones), to an agrarian doomsday cult; watches his elderly father (Richard Farnsworth) suffer a stroke; and almost drives away his confused oldest son, Paul (Justin Whalin). When Larry offers to shelter Drew's family if Drew himself will leave, Suzanne and the kids rally behind him. Things go awry, however, when an attempt to smuggle themselves across the border ends with Craig washed up on Canadian shores and the rest of the family stranded and penniless back in America. Originally presented as a two-part miniseries, The Fire Next Time premiered on CBS on April 18 and 20, 1993. The movie has no connection to the James Baldwin book of the same name. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Craig T. Nelson, Bonnie Bedelia, (more)
- 1993
This gentle baseball fantasy centers on a former ball player who has spent thirty years bitterly brooding over the fact that he has been overlooked by the Baseball Hall of Fame. He finally decides to take action when his long-lost best friend returns from the dead to talk to him. Just before he died, the friend was inducted into the famous museum. The rest of the story is comprised of touching and sometimes funny vignettes. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Corporate women launch a bitter courtroom battle when their avaricious employer tells them that they will lose their jobs if they do not get sterilized. The fight takes the women through a disillusioning jungle of government red tape. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Though Janice (Amy Brenneman) has been promoted to the Intelligence division, she must continue biding her time with the 15th precinct detectives. Despite damning evidence, Kelly (David Caruso) feels that his pal Charlie (Charles Haid) is being framed for murder. Fancy (James McDaniel) worries that his wife is in for another very difficult pregnancy. And, while visiting the family of Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence), Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) has several drinks too many. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
The made-for-TV Freeze Frame stars Shannen Doherty, who in 1992 was still a "good girl" on Beverly Hills 90210. Doherty plays Lindsay Scott, a reporter for her high-school TV station. While on a standard fact-finding mission, Scott uncovers a major economic-espionage conspiracy. When the authorities refuse to believe her, Scott and her friends arm themselves with minicams and hidden mikes to tear the story wide open by themselves. Designed for a preteen audience, Freeze Frame is a traditional "girl reporter" yarn with a message: It's smart to be smart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
