David Canary Movies
Square-jawed, mellow-voiced character actor David Canary achieved his greatest prominence on television, in roles that typecast him as a "man's man" with an unmistakably tough edge but a smooth demeanor and approach. Born in Elwood, IN, Canary grew up in Ohio as the son of a JC Penney manager. He took to musical performance (as a baritone vocalist) during adolescence, then after high school attended the University of Cincinnati on a football scholarship and concurrently took classes at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, qualifying as the first person to combine studies at both institutions, graduating as a music major in voice from the university. During that period, the university theater director, Paul Rutledge, observed Canary's innate dramatic gifts and strongly encouraged the student to try out for roles in numerous productions, many of which he landed with great ease, thereby opening himself up to a talent all but unrecognized and untapped, and paving the way for a prestigious foray into acting that commenced with several years of summer stock. Canary began his professional acting career on-stage, in musicals, but he made his Broadway debut in the play Great Day in the Morning, opposite Colleen Dewhurst. His career was put on hold for a time when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed at a base in Texas, but he made the most of it, entertaining the troops and winning the All Army Entertainment Contest for best popular singer. When his service time was completed, Canary returned to the theater, but it wasn't long before he moved into filmed work.As a professional actor, Canary divided his time between big- and small-screen outings, but placed his strongest emphasis on television. He is best known for two ongoing, multi-season series roles: Candy, a wanderer hired onto the Cartwright property as a ranch hand, on the immensely popular Western saga Bonanza (a part held from 1967 through 1970 and again during the final season of 1972-1973), and -- on a much different note -- long-running portrayals of twins Adam and Stuart Chandler on the ABC daytime drama All My Children. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 2001
In the conclusion of Touched by an Angel's two-part Season Seven finale, angel Monica (Roma Downey) and psychiatrist Rebecca Markham (Faye Dunaway) continue their (extremely separate!) efforts to help Diana Winslow (Delta Burke), a member of a famous gospel-singing family group, come to grips with the death of Danny Winslow--and to locate Diana's brother-in-law Jed (Randy Travis), who caused the accident that killed Danny. Diana remembers nothing of the tragedy, while Joshua Winslow (John Schneider), son of family patriarch Carter Winslow (John Schneider) remains on life support. Although the taciturn Carter is unable to forgive Jed, his wife Lila (Rue McClanahan) may be willing to do so--and forgiveness is the only thing that can keep the family from permanently breaking apart. Of course, Monica's first concern is the Winslows, but it turns out that Dr. Markham needs her assistance as well. Musical highlights in this episode, performed by the formidable guest-star lineup as well as the real-life gospel aggregation The Gaither Homecoming Singers, include "Shallow Water", "See Myself In You", "Don't Ever Sell Your Saddle", "God Trying to Get Your Attention". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
In the first episode of Touched by an Angel's two-part Season Seven finale, Monica (Roma Downey) is celebrating her newly acquired ability to see humans "from the inside out." It doesn't take long to find the perfect test for her new skills, as manifested in a famous gospel-singing aggregation called the Winslow Family. When the group splits up after a bitter argument, Monica is certain that she can bring them back together--and thenl tragedy strikes. The bulk of the story is told in the form of a therapy session, as the troubled Diana Winslow (Delta Burke) tries to assuage her sorrow with the assistance of her cynical psychiatrist Rebecca Markham (Faye Dunaway). Among those appearing as the Winslows are guest stars Randy Travis, David Canary, John Schneider and Rue McClanahan, as well as the members of the real-life gospel group The Gaither Homecoming Singers. Musical highlights include "Shallow Water", "Oh, What a Time" and "Because He Lives". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Young viewers gain a broader understanding of the working world in this Reading Rainbow episode. The featured book, Worksong, written by Gary Paulsen and read by David Canary, honors working people like nurses, farmers, soldiers, and office workers. The program examines a range of jobs, as host LeVar Burton talks to an obstetrician, a potter, and a maker of drums. Other books discussed in the program are A Day's Work by Eve Bunting and Work by Anne Morris. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1998
A "black widow killer" is at the center of this episode. First, detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt). Next, A.D.A.'s McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Carmichael (Angie Harmon) shed the spotlight of suspicion on Dennis Pollock (Matt Keeslar), a young man who is romantically involved with two considerably older women. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The Hotel Copacabana is about to host members of the tobacco industry for a convention of some sort. It is unclear why they have chosen this particular ill-managed and slightly run-down hotel. Perhaps the odd scientific studies by the hotel's owner, which seek to prove that tobacco is harmless, are the reasons for the choice. Shortly before the convention is to begin, Isabel Purvis (Mabel Seldes), a rather starchy and quite suspicious tobacco industry p.r. representative checks into the hotel to make sure that all the necessary arrangments for the convention have been made. The bumbling management and incompetent hotel staff make her stay a memorable one. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marian Seldes, David Canary, (more)
- 1980
In this PBS American Playhouse presentation, a Greek immigrant (Michael Welden) battles a notorious labor leader for his honor and freedom. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1975
- R
Puerto Rican actor Victor Mohica plays the title character, a Native American who has returned to his small California desert home town after service in Vietnam to face a new enemy -- a gang of ruthless racist thugs led by town boss Colby (Ralph Meeker). Pushed to his breaking point by a neverending string of brawls and harassment by town sheriff Jesse (well-played by David Canary, later on All My Children), who is kept under Colby's thumb by a hidden secret. Johnny finally snaps when Colby's goons lynch his alcoholic grandfather (Frank De Kova of F Troop) for kicks. Johnny escapes from prison and vanishes into the desert. There, he stalks and brutally murders each of the gang members responsible for his grandfather's death. A panicked Colby sends Jesse after Johnny, and soon, the two are facing each other down. Jesse must choose between obeying his cruel employer or freeing a man who has suffered the same sort of injustice as he. ~ Paul Gaita, All Movie Guide
- 1975
- PG
When a group of treasure hunters attempt to locate a sunken fortune, they enlist the help of an adventure-hungry fisherman (Cornel Wilde). This film was written, directed, and produced by Cornel Wilde, who has the starring role as well. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cornel Wilde, Yaphet Kotto, (more)
Kirk Douglas produced, directed, and starred in this cynical western concerning Howard Nightingale (Kirk Douglas) a United States marshal who uses the pursuit of an outlaw to further his political career. Nightingale organizes a posse to track down Jack Strawhorn (Bruce Dern), a notorious bank robber. But Strawhorn turns the tables on Nightingale, kidnapping him and holding him hostage. He then demands that the posse pay $40,000 for Nightingale's safe return. In order to raise the money to free Nightingale, the posse must become bank robbers themselves. Meanwhile, Nightingale tries to insinuate himself with Strawhorn and cut a deal for his freedom. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, Bruce Dern, (more)
- 1974
Melvin Purvis: G-Man was one of two TV pilot films intended to launch a series based on the life of famed FBI agent Purvis. Dale Robertson played the title role in both, emphasizing the heroics and downpedalling Purvis' shameless self-aggrandizement (he was so rabid a publicity hound that many historians have come to doubt the veracity of his accomplishments). The "public enemy" tackled by Purvis in this 90-minute film is kidnapper/bandit Machine Gun Kelly (Harris Yulin). The script accurately portrays Kelly as a cowardly dolt, completely dominated by his ambitious wife (played by Maggie Blye). First aired April 9, 1974, Melvin Purvis: G-Man was followed by The Kansas City Massacre (1975). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Once again, Bonanza ranch hand Candy has been thrown in jail on a trumped-up murder charge. As his trial approaches, Candy must put his life in the hands of attorney Oscar Hammer (Stephen Nathan), a 20-year-old fresh out of law school. The outcome of the trial hinges on the testimony of an eyewitness named Kate (Sally Kemp), who has good reason not to appear in court. Originally broadcast on January 2, 1973, "The Witness" was written by Joel Murcott and Arthur Heinemann. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1973
Ponderosa ranchhaned Griff King agrees to pose as the husband of one Theodora Duffy (Karen Carlson). There is nothing personal in this arrangement: Theodora wants to solve a crime, and pretending to be Mrs. King is merely a means to an end. Also in the cast are Ramon Bieri as Jonas Holt, Robert Yuro as Dody Henderickson, Richard Eastham as Stanton and Rayford Barnes as Shaw. Written by Ward Hawkins, "The Marriage of Theodora Duffy" was the last-ever Bonanza episode to be filmed-but was shown next to last, on January 9, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
This TV movie was the pilot for a series that would have been titled The Prosecutors...had it sold. David Canary and Robert Pine play two green law school graduates, sent to work at the Department of Justice's office in Manhattan. The standard-issue "gruff but lovable" father figure is US attorney James Olson (who would have been the star of the subsequent series). The first case-load: Getting the goods on a mafia boss, while simultaneously exposing City Hall corruption and tracking down a narcotics operation. Richard Castellano, late of The Godfather, shows up as a minor mafioso. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Jamie's new bird dog April, an Irish setter, is denigrated as a "bucket dog" by Tim Riley (Don Knight), an employee of the man responsible for bringing this particular breed of dogs to the United States. As such, April may well be destroyed if unable to prove its mettle. To save the dog's life, Jamie agrees to allow April to participate in a grueling three-hour field trial-an ordeal which the setter may not survive. William Sylvester of 2001: A Space Odyssey fame is seen as imperious dog breeder Horace Kingston. Originally telecast on December 19, 1972, "The Bucket Dog" was written by John Hawkins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
The shadow of the recent Attica uprising looms large over the October 3, 1972 Bonanza episode "Riot!" While on a tour of the Nevada State Prison, Ben Cartwright and several other prominent men are taken hostage by rioting prisoners. Though some of the inmates hope to escape, most of the others simply want to expose the brutal conditions in the prison-conditions that the corrupt wardens are determined will never be made public. The supporting cast includes Gregory Walcott as Will Cooper, Marco St. John as Plank, Aldo Ray as Heiser, Barney Philips as Calhoun, and Denver Pyle as the head warden. Also on hand is Tim Matheson, making the first of several Bonanza appearances as reformed convict Griff King. Riot! was written by Robert Pirosh. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, David Canary, (more)
- 1972
Having saved Ben Cartwright's life during a prison riot, convict Griff King (played by new Bonanza regular Tim Matheson) is released into Ben's custody. In hiring Griff as a Ponderosa ranchhand, Ben faces the challenge of convincing the former prisoner to forsake his deep and abiding grudge against the rest of the world. Others in the cast include Ronny Cox as Lucas and Charles Dierkop as Shorty. Written by Jack B. Sowards, "New Man" originally aired on October 10, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
The beautiful black stallion given by Ben Cartwright as a birthday present to his son, Joe, is stolen. Searching for the horse, Joe comes across a family of drifters, and is soon embroiled in a potentially deadly rivalry between Bill Brenner (Clu Gulager) and his son, Tommy (Vincent Van Patten). Mitzi Hoag appears as Bill's wife, Alice. Written by Jack B. Sowards, Mort Zarcoff, and Juanita Bartlett, this episode is highlighted by a climactic "race for life" between a horse and a train; by the lush location photography, filmed in the Sierra Foothills near Sonora; and by the musical score of David Rose, which would later serve as the main theme music for the subsequent Michael Landon-starring series Little House on the Prairie. Alas, by the time "Stallion" was originally broadcast on November 14, 1972, NBC had already cancelled Bonanza, which had never recovered ratings-wise from the loss of Dan Blocker or its move from Sunday to Tuesday evening. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
Circuitously commenting upon the drug culture of the 1970s, this Bonanza episode probes the dangers of the onetime "wonder drug" morphine. Future MASH regular Mike Farrell is cast as Dr. Will Agar, who is revealed to be a morphine addict after he inadvertently causes the death of a young patient during routine surgery. Also in the cast are Gary Busey as Dr. Agar's hapless victim Henry Johnson, David Huddleston as Henry's father, Melissa Murphy as Agar's wife Nancy, and Mons Kjellin (the son of director Alf Kjellen) as Agar's son Chris. Written by Stanley Roberts and Jack B. Sowards, "The Hidden Enemy" first aired on November 28, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
Humorist Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, makes his third Bonanza appearance, this time in the person of actor Ken Howard (fresh from his Broadway and Hollywood triumph in the musical 1776). As editor of the Virginia City Enterprise, Clemens is determined to prove that a government assayer is guilty of fraud and murder. Because he won't reveal his source in court, Clemens loses a libel suit, whereupon he enlists the aid of Ben and Joe Cartwright to bring the villain (who in the interim has committed another killing) to justice. The episode's closing scene, involving an outraged lady stagecoach passenger, is priceless. The supporting cast includes Dana Elcar as Merrick, Phil Kenneally as McNabb, Walter Burke as Campbell, Staats Cotsworth as Judge Hale, Richard Bull as Goodman, and Stacy Keach Sr. as Lawyer Prentiss. Written by Stanley Roberts, "The 26th Grave" was the first Bonanza episode to be filmed for the series' fourteenth season, but was shown as the eighth installment on October 31, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
The fourteenth and final season of Bonanza began on September 12, 1972 with a special two-hour episode. As originally written by series star Michael Landon (who also directed), "Forever" was supposed to have focused on the ill-starred marriage between Hoss Cartwright (Dan Blocker) and Alice Harper (Bonnie Bedelia). The tragic death of Dan Blocker forced Landon to rewrite the story as vehicle for his own character, Joe Cartwright-and the result was one of the series' most heartbreakingly poignant episodes, not so much because of what was seen on camera, but because of the emotional baggage brought to the set by surviving Bonanza regulars Landon and Lorne Greene (Ben Cartwright). In the final version of "Forever," the happiness of the union between Joe and Alice is clouded by the fact that the girl is pregnant by another man-and by the criminal activities of her ne'er-do-well brother John Harper (Andy Robinson). Exquisitely photographed on location in the High Sierras, the episode was enhanced by David Rose's haunting musical score, elements of which were later heard in Landon's subsequent starring series Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven. This episode also marked the return of Rose's original Bonanza main theme, after a two-season absence. The ending of "Forever", in which both Joe and Ben quietly weep over their respective losses, is guaranteed to move even the most jaded viewer to tears. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1971
John McIntire is cast as Michael "Doc" Lacy, a lifelong criminal whose career stretches back to the Dillinger era. Having never truly succeeded in his chosen profession, Lacy escapes from prison in hopes of pulling off one last "dream" robbery. Inasmuch as the old man's target is a huge military payroll, the FBI takes a more than passing interest in his movements. Appearing as Lacy's wife Helen is John McIntire's real-life spouse Jeanette Nolan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
All three Cartwright men-Ben, Hoss and Joe-are arrested for trespassing along with their ranch hand Candy. The men are summarily sentenced to a brutal prison camp run by a despot known as The Judge (Alfred Ryder), who specializes in acquiring slave labor to work his gold mine, then in killing his mostly innocent workers when they've outlived their usefulness. Joe manages to escape, but will he be able to save the others? Richard Mulligan also appears as Farley. Written by series star Michael Landon and originally filmed in 1968, the ultra-violent "Kingdom of Fear" was shelved due to the rash of high-profile assassinations in the spring of that year. The episode finally saw the light of day on April 4, 1971, by which time David Canary (Candy) had left the series; accordingly, Canary was given "special guest star" status in the opening credits. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1970
Multi-talanted dwarf actor Michael Dunn guest-stars as George Marshall, a former circus midget who, fulfilling a promise to his late wife, gives up show business to lead a normal life in Virginia City. Despite the assistance of his friend Ben Cartwright, George is unable to secure employment because of his size, thus he turns to crime. The story reaches a climax when the daughter of George's chief tormenter, banker John Flint (Edward Binns), is trapped in a very narrow mine shaft. Written by directed by Bonanza star Michael Landon, "It's a Small World" first aired January 4, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1970
Robert Lansing is cast as Gunny, a former Army officer dishonorably discharged for desertion, and now the owner of a small freight-hauling concern. Though Ben Cartwright cannot forgive Gunny for his dereliction of duty, he is willing to let the man prove his mettle by delivering three 30-foot beams to a distant construction site-but only after the Cambeau Construction Company has turned down this highly dangerous mission. Once Gunny undertakes the job, the envious Mr. Cambeau (William Sylvester) is keenly interested in the ex-officer's success-or failure. First shown on January 11, 1970, "Danger Road" was written by Milton S. Gelman and Brian McKay. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1970
Inheriting a fortune from an Indian benefactor, Candy fulfills his long-standing ambition to quit the Ponderosa. Before long, Candy has accepted an executive position with a prosperous-looking land promoter (Walter Brooke). But when he discovers that his boss is a crook, Candy enlists the aid of the Cartwrights to turn the tables on the duplicitious promoter. Written by John Hawkins, "The Big Jackpot" has seldom been aired since its original network playdate of January 18, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
