Ray Walston Movies
Raised in New Orleans' French Quarter, Ray Walston relocated to Houston, where he first set foot on stage in a community production of High Tor. Walston went on to spend six years at the Houston Civic Theater then three more at the Cleveland Playhouse. Moving to New York, he worked as linotype operator at the New York Times before landing small parts in theatrical productions ranging from Maurice Evans' G.I. Hamlet to The Insect Comedy. He won Theater World's "Most Promising Newcomer" award for his portrayal of Mr. Kramer in the original 1948 production of Summer and Smoke. In 1950, he was cast as "big dealer" Luther Billis in the touring and London companies of South Pacific, and it was this that led to a major role in Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1953 Broadway musical Me and Juliet. Two years later, he was cast in his breakthrough role: the puckish Mr. Applegate, aka The Devil, in the Adler-Ross musical smash Damn Yankees. He won a Tony Award for his performance, as well as the opportunity to repeat the role of Applegate in the 1958 film version of Yankees; prior to this triumph, he'd made his film debut in Kiss Them for Me (1957) and recreated Luther Billis in the 1958 filmization of South Pacific. A favorite of director Billy Wilder, Walston was cast as philandering executive Dobisch in The Apartment (1960) and replaced an ailing Peter Sellers as would-be songwriter Orville J. Spooner in Kiss Me, Stupid (1960). Having first appeared on television in 1950, Walston resisted all entreaties to star in a weekly series until he was offered the title role in My Favorite Martian (1963-1966). While he was gratified at the adulation he received for his work on this series (he was particularly pleased by the response from his kiddie fans), Walston later insisted that Martian had "ruined" him in Hollywood, forever typecasting him as an erudite eccentric. By the 1970s, however, Walston was popping up in a wide variety of roles in films like The Sting (1974) and Silver Streak (1977). For the past two decades or so, he has been one of moviedom's favorite curmudgeons, playing such roles as Poopdeck Pappy in Popeye (1980) and officious high school teacher Mr. Hand, who reacts with smoldering rage as his class is interrupted by a pizza delivery in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). He would re-create this last-named role in the weekly sitcom Fast Times (1985), one of several TV assignments of the 1970s and 1980s. In 1995, Ray Walston reacted with schoolboy enthusiasm upon winning an Emmy award for his portrayal of irascible Wisconsin judge Henry Bone on the cult-fave TVer Picket Fences. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
- Add Broadway's Lost Treasures, Vol. 3 to QueueAdd Broadway's Lost Treasures, Vol. 3 to top of Queue
Experience the performances that made Broadway history in this release that compiles twenty-three unforgettable musical performances from the Tony Award broadcast archives. Featuring such stars as Harvey Fierstein, Robert Goulet, and Carol Channing in performances from Show Boat, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Kiss Me Kate, My Fair Lady and many more, this release brings the magic of the stage directly into your living room. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Season Seven of Touched by an Angel begins as overage playboy Everett Clay (Richard Chamberlain is disinherited by his millionaire father Benjamin (Ray Walston). Inspired by the story of the Prodigal Son, Benjamin intends to make Everett miserable enough to change his ways and learn something about self-reliance. With a bit of prodding from Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey)--and through the auspices of a mysterious painting on a barroom floor in Central City, Colorado--Everett flashes back to the misadventures of his great-grandfather Jack (also Richard Chamberlain), who started the family business. It turns out that young Jack was an even less admirable character than his great-grandson...but all this changed during a memorable stopover at Central City. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
My Favorite Martian stars Jeff Daniels as Tim O'Hara, once a newspaper man and now a struggling television producer in Santa Barbara. Tim has a crush on vapid news reporter Brace Channing (Elizabeth Hurley) while overlooking his feelings for Lizzie (Daryl Hannah), a technician working at the station. Driving home one night, Tim wanders upon the crash landing of a spaceship from Mars. The Martian inside (Christopher Lloyd) has come to Earth searching for a fellow Martian who had been lost here 35 years ago. After the crash, he hides on the beach and shrinks his spaceship to the size of a toy to avoid detection; Tim finds the ship anyway, and takes it home. With little choice, the Martian, aided by his sentient and very neurotic spacesuit, follows Tim home and reveals himself. Tim sees the alien as his ticket to the big time, but the Martian, now masquerading as Tim's Uncle Martin (thanks to some Martian gum that transforms his appearance to that of a human) thwarts Tim at every turn. Just as he gets the video he needs for his story, O'Hara develops a friendship with his planetary neighbor and new "Uncle." The two suddenly find they are racing against the the clock -- a government team, led by a wacky scientist (Wallace Shawn), hunts Martin down, and the spaceship (a rental) is on a timed sequence to self-destruct if it cannot be repaired in time. Along the way, Tim loses his infatuation with Brace and finds his true feelings for the loyal Lizzie. Martin might also find his lost friend on Earth, just as he has found new ones. ~ Ron Wells, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Daniels, Christopher Lloyd, (more)
- 1999
- NR
In this courtroom drama set in the near future, the U.S. Supreme Court has recently overturned the Roe vs. Wade decision and thrown the issue of abortion rights back to the individual states. Alabama has subsequently outlawed abortion on demand and has prosecuted Virginia Mapes (Lisa Gay Hamilton) for first degree murder after she opted to terminate her pregnancy. Mapes and her attorney have taken the case to the Supreme Court in hopes of keeping her out of prison, and with the court evenly divided on the issue, newly appointed Supreme Court Justice Joseph Kirkland (Andy Garcia) looks to be the man who will cast the deciding vote in a case that could reinstate a woman's right to choose. Kirkland, however, finds himself surrounded by proponents of both the pro-choice and pro-life agendas, with his fellow justices, his secretary and even his wife trying to influence his vote. Produced for ABC Television, Swing Vote boasts a distinguished supporting cast, including Harry Belafonte, Robert Prosky, Milo O'Shea, Kate Nelligan, Albert Hall, and Bob Balaban. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andy Garcia, Harry Belafonte, (more)
- 1998
In this made-for-TV sequel to the popular films, the Addams set out to find some of their weirder relatives. Tim Curry and Darryl Hannah star. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Curry, Daryl Hannah, (more)
Based on the acclaimed children's book The Westing Game, the movie version of this tale, Get a Clue!, draws young viewers into the strange mysteries encountered by 13-year-old "Turtle" Wexler. After moving into a new town, Turtle learns the house next door is the notoriously haunted Westin mansion. Discovering the body of the dead millionaire, the spunky Turtle attempts to solve the case in hopes of receiving a $20 million reward. The live-action adventure stars Ashley Peldon, Diane Ladd, Sally Kirkland, and Ray Walston. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ashley Peldon, Ray Walston, (more)
- 1997
- R
Too old to work as a showgirl in Reno, Nevada, Jackie, a middle-aged beauty (Mimi Rogers), is reduced to prostitution to support herself and her ailing son. She also has a part-time job at a casino, until an abusive client from her other profession beats her senseless and gets her fired. Not only does she lose her job, she is also blacklisted from the other casinos. When the abusive john threatens her son, Jackie plots her revenge. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mimi Rogers, Tyne Daly, (more)
Grover Reindorf (Kyle Howard) is a kid with a problem, which is how to keep his parents from divorcing. He hits on a solution that makes sense to him. Why not lock them up in the basement, and keep them there until they reconcile? He and his younger sister Stacey (Amy Sakasitz) agree to do just that, and they successfully lure their parents into the basement and lock them in. When their junior-high-school friends find out what they've done, they decide that their own misbehaving parents need exactly the same treatment. One after another, all are tricked into entering into the Reindorf's basement. Meanwhile, upstairs, the youngsters have a very mild good time, as they can't even bring themselves to swallow the champagne they try. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Pollak, (more)
- 1996
This made-for-television comedy picks up where the popular alien TV-series ALF left off. Captured by the military on his way back home, ALF is forced to undergo experiments at the hands of the unsympathetic Col. Gilbert Milfoil (Martin Sheen). Two military officers take pity on poor ALF and decide to free him from his captors. They escape and set out on a road trip that takes them on some bizarre adventures -- but ALF isn't out of the woods just yet. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Sheen, Jensen Daggett, (more)
Gary Sinese directed this respectful re-telling of John Steinbeck's classic novel, with Sinese as the wily George and John Malkovich as the brutish, simple-minded Lennie. Set during the Depression era, the film opens as George and Lennie are running from a woman with a torn dress, who has sent a gang of ruffians to chase the two out of the county. After a long bus ride and a ten-mile walk, George and Lennie arrive at a migrant farm in California's San Joaquin Valley, where they seek work. George dreams of putting together enough money to buy a small piece of land where he and Lennie can build a home; he hopes that in California the two can realize their dream. Unfortunately, the foreman of the ranch, Curley (Casey Siemaszko), enjoys tormenting Lennie, while Curley's frustrated wife (Sherilyn Fenn) entices Lennie with her sexual allure. George warns Lennie to steer clear of Curley's wife, but Lennie follows her to a barn where a tragedy occurs and George and Lennie's dreams are shattered. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, (more)
- 1992
On the eve of his graduation from Starfleet Academy, Wesley Crusher is involved in a fatal in-flight accident. Though he knows the truth behind the tragedy, Wesley is reluctant to tell all for fear of hurting his friends in the Academy. As his fate is determined during a hearing, the crew of the Enterprise arrives to offer character testimony. Ray Walston guest stars as the elderly Academy groundskeeper Boothby. First telecast on April 4, 1992, "First Duty" was cowritten by Ronald D. Moore and Naren Shaker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Robert Altman takes a scalpel to Hollywood ethics in the 1990s (or the lack thereof) in his acidic satire The Player, adapted from Michael Tolkin's novel. (Tolkin also wrote the screenplay.) The film concerns a sleek and smooth Hollywood studio executive who starts receiving death threats from a disgruntled writer because he has committed the ultimate Hollywood sin -- he promised the writer he would call him back and he never did. This is particularly ironic because the studio executive, Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins), is considered "writer-friendly," spending his days listening to pitches from such noted screenwriters as Buck Henry, who is pushing "The Graduate, Part II" and Alan Rudolph, who is hawking a Bruce Willis action film described as "Ghost meets The Manchurian Candidate." But The Player finds Griffin's comfortable life style in danger of collapse. He is trying to find a way to unload his girlfriend (Cynthia Stevenson) whose independence and intelligence make her a poor candidate for a trophy wife. More importantly, it seems that Larry Levy (Peter Gallagher), a slippery executive from Twentieth Century Fox, is angling for his job. And then there are those nasty postcards and faxes from a screenwriter threatening to kill him. Altman cast over 65 stars in cameo roles as texture for his scabrous tale. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Robbins, Greta Scacchi, (more)
- 1991
When a self-involved real estate agent is given fifty hours of community service to do by a judge, he becomes the coach for a basketball team of developmentally challenged adults. In trying to teach them, he learns. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Larroquette, Kathy Baker, (more)
- 1991
Pink Lightning is a 1991 Fox Network TV movie set in the California of 1962. Five typically blinkered 60s ladies come of age in a male-dominated society. As sarcastically pointed out by TV critics in 1991, the five girls are conveniently compartmentalized into stereotypes: Nice Girl, Beautiful Girl, Bright Girl, Hot-to-Trot Girl and Married Girl; the marriage of the last one is the centerpiece of the film. The girls are portrayed (in no particular order) by Sarah Buxton, Martha Byrne, Jennifer Blanc, Jennifer Guthrie and Rainbow Harvest. Pink Lightning concludes with a pointed put-down of male superiority, which is supposed to make the silly proceedings leading up to the event (including a Thelma and Louise style drive down a deserted highway) seem profound. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sarah Buxton, Martha Byrne, (more)
- 1990
Gregory Harrison is the Angel of Death in this made-for-TV suspenser. In love with artist Jane Seymour, escaped convict Harrison vows to protect Seymour and her six-year-old son Brian Bonsall from any and all antagonists. Trouble is, Harrison is apt to love Seymour and her boy to death. If you don't care for the melodramatic angle, you'll love the scene wherein Harrison gains Seymour's confidence by agreeing to pose nude for her! Angel of Death premiered on October 2, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
An oddball trip to Texas Chainsaw Massacre territory by way of Peter Weir's The Cars That Ate Paris, this presents an inbred family of redneck psychopaths who orchestrate highway accidents, disassemble the vehicles for parts, then do the same to the drivers. The patriarch of this cabal of religious wackos, Mad Jake (Danny Nelson), then sells the pilfered human organs to a sleazy black-marketeer (Ray Walston). When traveler John Saxon and his wheelchair-bound daughter (Lori Birdsong) are ensnared by Jake's seedy gang, they manage to outwit the dimwits, slip past the jaws of the cuddly pet alligator and put paid to their hillbilly tormentors in appropriately gory fashion. Despite some clever moments of morbid humor, this opus comes off more grim than its makers probably intended, and there's not a sympathetic character in the bunch. And yes, the character of the boxer is played by Evander Holyfield. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Danny Nelson, Lori Birdsong, (more)
- 1990
Fine Gold was originally made for cable television, where it first aired July 15, 1990. Ted Wass stars as a man falsely accused of embezzlement. In the months that follow, he loses his job, his family, and most of his reason for living. The second half of the film concerns itself with revenge and an abundance of surprise plot twists. Jane Badler co-stars in this torrid melodrama. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this off-beat horror outing, a band of film students decide to scare up some cash by holding a film festival celebrating horror films from the '50s. Its all great fun until they discover that the projectionist is a homicidal maniac. Gory violence ensues as audience members begin dying in horrible ways. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jill Schoelen, Tom Villard, (more)
- 1989
- PG
In this slapstick comedy, a group of faithful ski patrol members set out to save Snowy Peaks ski resort from the evil plans of greedy businessman Maris (Martin Mull). ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roger Rose, Corby Timbrook, (more)
- 1989
- R
Spanish director José Antonio de la Loma helmed this 1988 coming-of-age drama starring Anthony Quinn as an aging retired artist. When Quinn's ambitious daughter leaves her home to seek fame and fortune, she sends her young son to live with his grandfather, who resides on a Mediterranean island. While living together, Quinn fills the awkward and nervous boy in on the ins-and-outs of life, love, and sex. Also starring Maud Adams and Elizabeth Ashley, the original Spanish-language title of A Man of Passion was Pasión de hombre. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Quinn, R.J. Williams, (more)
- 1989
Based on a true story, the two-part TV movie I Know My First Name Is Steven tells the tragic story of Steven Stayner. At age seven, Steven was kidnapped by two men who held him captive in a tiny shed for seven years. One of the men, a habitual child abuser named Kenneth Parnell, sexually assaulted Steven on an almost daily basis during the boy's ordeal. At age 14, Steven finally was able to escape and return to his family. But we are shown that Steven's safe return was far from the happy ending it appeared to be. He's forced to adjust to a family he'd never really known, to convince himself that his parents had never forgotten him, and to put his seven-year hell behind him. While I Know My First Name Is Steven ends on an upbeat note, the real Stayner died in a motorcycle accident only a few months after this film was first telecast in May 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The made-for-TV Class Cruise is Animal House for the MENSA crowd. As a reward for their scholastic brilliance, a group of high school kids is rewarded with a 14-week ocean cruise. Not surprisingly, the snootier kids spend most of the trip fending off the idiocies of the "slobs." There's also plenty of tickle-and-tease sexual situations, few of which get past first base. So many TV regulars (including the ineluctable McLean Stevenson) appear in the cast that the original ads for this film didn't bill the actors, but instead listed the series in which they appeared. The best scenes belong to Ray Walston as grizzled, generously eyebrowed "Cappy Connors." Class Cruise first sailed into view on October 22, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
