Joan Hackett Movies

An atypical Twilight Zone entry from scriptwriter Earl Hamner, Jr., this episode stars Barry Morse as theatrical critic Fitzgerald Fortune, whose snide cynicism is matched only by his sadistic streak. While seeking out a birthday present for his young wife Esther (Joan Hackett), Fortune happens upon an old player piano, which, when activated, forces the people in its vicinity to reveal their true feelings. Wickedly amused by this, Fortune utilizes the piano at his wife's birthday party, resulting in a deluge of hidden emotions -- and, ultimately, disaster for Fortune himself. Not one of the better Twilight Zone episodes, this one benefits immensely from a stellar supporting cast, including Muriel Landers and Cyril Delevanti. Directed by future Hill Street Blues stalwart David Greene, "A Piano in the House" first aired February 16, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Helen Clarvoe (Joan Hackett) informs her lawyer, Paul Blackshear (Kevin McCarthy), that she has been the victim of threatening phone calls. Helen insists that her tormentor is Dorothy Johnson (Kathy Nolan), the embittered former fiancée of Helen's brother. Using evidence provided by Helen, Paul concludes that Dorothy is indeed dangerous -- in fact, she might even be a murderer. Then comes another phone call: it's Helen again, this time informing Paul that Dorothy is holding her captive in her own home. Based on a novel by Margaret Millar, this episode is capped by a marvelous twist ending that might have worked even better had The Alfred Hitchcock Hour been a radio show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Based on the novel by Mary McCarthy, The Group was one of the slickest, and most highly publicized, cinematic soap operas of the 1960s. Filmed largely in New York, the story charts the exploits of eight young women, all of whom graduate from an exclusive Vassar-ish college in the middle of the Depression. Among the talented young actresses making their screen debuts herein are Candice Bergen as Lakey, the group's resident Lesbian; Joan Hackett as Dottie, a repressed socialite who takes up with bohemian artist Dick Brown (Richard Mulligan); Joanna Pettet as Kay, who marries philandering playwright Harald Peterson (Larry Hagman); and Kathleen Widdoes as Helena, the wealthiest of the girls who insists upon proving her value in the workplace. The other girls are Pokey (Marin-Robin Redd), who seems happiest when pregnant; Jessica Walter as Libby, the group's viper-tongued gossip and the darling of the Manhattan literary set (some have suggested that McCarthy based this character on herself); Elizabeth Hartman as Priss, the requisite heart-on-sleeve liberal; and Shirley Knight as Polly, whose bumpy love life culminates in a very colorful engagement party. Hal Holbrook, likewise making his first screen appearance, plays Gus LeRoy. Sumptuously produced, The Group is a bit empty dramatically, though the sheer volume of continuing characters manages to sustain audience interest. (Incidentally, here's a note for "blooper" spotters: wasn't the Pan Am building constructed in the 1950s? ) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Insurance investigator Richard Cutting (Patrick O'Neal) is summoned to look into the sinking of some ships owned by wealthy shipping-magnate Curt Valayan (John Gielgud). Traveling to Switzerland, he interviews the owner and finds that his henchmen Matt (Herbert Lom) and the Big Man (Leon Greene) may be on Curt's payroll but are definitely looking out for their own interests. One agent has already been killed, and the local police inspector Ruff (Oscar Homolka) briefs Richard on the situation. Dominique (Joan Hackett) is on her way to provide some valuable information before being violently murdered. Richard tries to keep himself alive in a foreign country as he tries to solve the crimes in this dramatic mystery. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Director Curtis Harrington (The Killing Kind) teams with screenwriter Henry Farrell (Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte) for this quietly disturbing tale of a man driven to psychosomatic blindness by a horrific family tragedy. Unable to cope with the fact that he has been blamed for the fire that killed his father and disfigured his sister (Julie Harris), psychologically unsound Allan (Anthony Perkins) is committed to a mental institution. Some time later, Allan is deemed fit for release and sent to live at his sister's house. But Allan's sister is far from happy to have her brother back home, and begins to sadistically toy with his fragile psyche to the point that he starts hearing disembodied voices and sensing an ominous presence. Could it be that Allan's father is actually reaching out for revenge from beyond the grave, or have Allan's sister's continued attempts to wear at her ailing brother's fragile psyche finally had the intended results. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

In this made-for-television western adventure, a gambler has many exciting experiences while looking for the rightful owner of a stolen cache of cash. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The Killing Affairs is comprised of two one-hour episodes from the 1970 TV series Dan August. Burt Reynolds stars as August, a detective on the San Luisa (California) police force. The two episodes included herein deal with politics, scandal and murder . The better of the two is "The Manufactured Man", featuring guest stars Mickey Rooney and Billy Dee Williams. The Killing Affairs was one of several ersatz Dan August feature films released to TV in the late 1970s to capitalize on the enormous popularity of Burt Reynolds. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this family drama, a newly remarried woman finds herself between a jealous 10-year-old son, and her equally jealous new husband. Things get really rough when her son decides to kill his perceived usurper. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This suspense drama features an all-star cast, including Richard Benjamin, Dyan Cannon, James Coburn, James Mason, Ian McShane, and Raquel Welch. An interesting production fact about the film: its screenplay was written by actor Anthony Perkins and lyricist/songwriter Stephen Sondheim. Their careers depend on keeping in the good graces of Clinton (James Coburn), a powerful movie producer. That is why a group of actors, director, agents and other movie professionals (who hate each other) accept an invitation to spend a week on the producer's yacht on the anniversary of his wife's untimely death in a hit-and-run car accident. Once on board, Clinton requires them to play a vicious game which involves each person's revealing a damaging secret about themselves or someone else in the party. When one of the secrets to be revealed involves the hit-and-run murder of his wife, the game turns fatal. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Based on a novel by Michael Crichton, Terminal Man is a sci-fi thriller about a scientist who decides to be the lab rat in an experimental surgery to control his violent tendencies. During the surgical procedure, a miniature computer is implanted in his head. Unfortunately, the mechanism malfunctions, and he becomes a vicious killer. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide

This adventure chronicles two boys' search for a treasure buried somewhere in the Florida Keys during the mid 1800s. The children are assisted by three adults, who each have the their own agendas for finding the cache. The hunters are followed by a greedy gang of villains. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Barbara Eden, who's had more pilots than series to her name, goes the Police Woman route here as she plays the widow of a cop shot down while on duty. Honoring the memory of her husband, she becomes a private eye, devoted to tracking down those miscreants who've slipped through the long fingers of the Law. Her present case involves a missing porno stars, blackmail and murder. As a tip of the hat to her I Dream of Jeannie fans, Eden dons the revealing garb of an X-rated actress, then begins frequenting the adult-movie houses of LA in search of her missing quarry. Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model? toted up impressive ratings when first shown on January 16, 1977, but a weekly series was not in the cards. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide