Joan Hackett Movies
Former model Joan Hackett diligently studied acting under Lee Strasberg; proof that her diligence paid off was her critically acclaimed performance in the 1961 Broadway production Call Me By My Rightful Name. A versatile actress who successfully combined brains with beauty (not always the case with ingenues of the 1960s), Hackett made her film debut in 1966's The Group. Perhaps her best film performance was as the lonely frontier wife who is briefly attracted to drifter Charlton Heston in Will Penny (1968). Hackett's TV work included recurring roles on the dramatic weekly The Defenders in the early 1960s and the situation comedy Another Day in 1978. Ravaged by cancer in her last months, Hackett could take some small comfort in the knowledge that her penultimate movie appearance in Only When I Laugh (1981) had won her a Golden Globe award and an Oscar nomination. Joan Hackett was at one time the wife of actor Richard Mulligan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1970
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
- 1970
Joan Hackett plays the neglected wife of prominent attorney Arthur Hill. Almost before she know what is happening, Joan is drawn into an affair with handsome stranger Roy Thinnes. Her indiscretion leads to an attempted murder. All that transpires is part of a complicated plan by an ex-convict to wreak vengeance upon lawyer Hill. Broadway actress Tammy Grimes makes a rare TV appearance in The Other Man, which was filmed on location at Big Sur, California. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
James Garner is a nothing short of a delight in this western spoof that stands western clichés on their ears. The film takes place in the small western town of Calender, a town that experiences a gold rush when gold is discovered in an open grave by Prudy Perkins (Joan Hackett). As gold prospectors flood in and out of town, the Danby clan, anxious to take advantage of the situation (since their ranch blocks the main road out of town) levies a 20% tribute on every gold shipment that passes through. Three sheriffs have been dispatched by the Danbys, and they control the town. Into this situation, on his way to Australia, rides Jason McCullough (Garner). McCullough is an easy-going sort who just happens to be a crack shot. The town rapidly makes him sheriff. His first line of business is to break up a fight and to arrest Joe Danby (Bruce Dern) for murder. As McCullouch settles down in the Perkins boarding house, Pa Danby (Walter Brennan) plots to spring his son from jail. But when all his mechanizations fail to gain Joe's release, Pa Danby gathers together all the Danbys in the surrounding countryside to head into Calender to get rid of McCullough. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Garner, Joan Hackett, (more)
- 1968
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
- Starring:
- Patrick O'Neal, Joan Hackett, (more)
Rambling along at its own measured pace, Will Penny is a vivid western character study, completely dominated by the rapport between stars (Charlton Heston) and (Joan Hackett). Heston plays Will Penny, an aging and impoverished cowboy. With his cohorts Blue (Lee Majors) and Dutchy (Anthony Zerbe), the trio sets out to find employment before winter sets in. Their job search is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Preacher Quint, a vicious Bible-thumping bandit (Donald Pleasance) and his moronic, sadistic sons. Dutchy gets wounded in the fight and Blue stays with him in a small town nearby to nurse him back to health. Will gets a job on a ranch, and though he is supposed to keep squatters off the land, he can't kick out Catherine (Joan Hackett) and her little son (Jon Gries). She herself is en route to join her husband, an Oregon farmer. Despite her wedding vows, Catherine finds herself drawn to Penny -- who makes no unwarranted move towards the woman, but is equally attracted to her. Then the murderous Quint and his sons reappear to exact their revenge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Joan Hackett, (more)
- 1966
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
- Starring:
- Candice Bergen, Joan Hackett, (more)
- 1965
In this frontier spin on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, Joan Hackett guest-stars as Margarita, the fiery, sharp-tongued daughter of a Mexican nobleman (Jay Novello). Having frightened off most of her potential suitors, Margarita may never be married-a sorry state of affairs for younger sister Eleana (Susan Silo), who cannot be wed until Margarita takes a hustand. It is up to Adam Cartwright to play "Petruchio" to Margarita's "Kate". Also in the cast are Cesare Danova as Luis, Eugene Iglesias as Carlos and Valentin DeVargas as Manuel. Written by Suzanne Clauser (with no credit afforded the Bard of Avon!), "Woman of Fire" first aired on January 17, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
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
- Starring:
- Joan Hackett, Kathleen Nolan, (more)
- 1963
Searching for an evacuation hospital behind enemy lines, King Company medic Doc Walton (Steven Rogers) is captured along with Pvt. Braddock (Shecky Greene) and several wounded soldiers. The prisoners are herded into a chateau owned by French aristocrat Count De Gontran (Ben Wright) and his daughter Gabrielle (Joan Hackett), currently under the command of Nazi major Richter (Dan O'Herlihy). Walton hopes that De Gontran will help him and the other Americans escape, but the Count is more concerned with the survival of himself and his home than in the outcome of the war--and to that end, he continues currying favor with Richter, a self-styled art connoisseur who has been "rescuing" the valuable paintings adorning the chateau walls, and isn't about to let the prisoners get in his way. Series stars Vic Morrow and Rick Jason do not appear in this episode, though both are billed in the opening credits. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
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
- Starring:
- Barry Morse, Joan Hackett, (more)
- 1961
Just before he is to hold a very important party, successful novelist Kerwin Drake (John Emery) is confronted by his alcoholic wife, Molly (Jo Van Fleet), whom he hasn't seen for 23 years. To avoid public embarrassment, Kerwin tells his guests that Molly is his new cook. Somehow or other this situation leads to murder -- and a remarkable statement from one of Kerwin's A-list guests. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
