Leo Townsend Movies
- 1972
Dining out at a Chinese restaurant, Samantha downs an exotic drink called "The Heavenly Himalayan," and as a result, her face breaks out in red stripes. Worse still, Sam loses all her powers, and the only antidote is the tail feather of the extinct dodo bird. The ensuing complications lead Sam and Darrin on a circuitous route, ending up in the same restaurant where it all began. Janos Prohaska, an "animal impersonator," whose repertoire included gorillas and bears, is here cast as an oversized and very surly dodo bird. Written by Leo Townsend, "Sam's Witchcraft Blows a Fuse" first aired on March 18, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1971
This time around, Endora has turned Darrin into a gorilla. As Samantha struggles to undo the spell, the now-hirsute Darrin is forced to evade a pair of crooked hunters named Alex (Allen Jenkins) and Pete (Milton Selzer), who are seeking a mate for their 400-pound female ape. Herb Vigran appears in his standard characterization as a flustered police sergeant. Written by Leo Townsend and Pauline Townsend, "Darrin Goes Ape" originally aired on March 11, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1969
At the insistence of his boss Larry Tate, a reluctant Darrin joins the snooty and exclusive Burning Oak country club. Believing that he has sold out his egalitarian values, Endora transforms Darrin into an insufferable, bigoted snob. Samantha straightens out the mess by revealing a few unsavory truths about the ancestors of "blue-blooded" club chairman J. Earl Rockeford (Edward Andrews) and his equally haughty wife, Hortense (Glenda Farrell). Taking time out from her duties as Mrs. Drysdale on The Beverly Hillbillies, Harriet MacGibbon is seen as Jessica. Written by Pauline Townsend and Leo Townsend, "The Battle of Burning Oak" was first broadcast on March 13, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1967
Opie insists upon taking piano lessons from Clara, only to find that the lessons cut into his football practice. For a while, it looks as if Opie is going to have to choose between a musical and an athletic career. It is up to the boy's football coach Flip Conroy (Rockne Tarkington)-a former professional gridiron star and a classically trained pianist-to save the day. Written by Leo and Pauline Townsend, "Opie's Piano Lesson" was originally telecast on March 13, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In London, a plum-pudding shop owned by the unwitting Victoria Poque (Nancy Kovack) is being used as the headquarters for a diamond-smuggling ring maintained by one Mr. Blodget (Larry D. Mann). To expose this operation, Solo and Illya must rely upon the aid of charismatic -- and highly untrustworthy -- master jewel thief Rafael Delgado (Ricardo Montalban). The climax takes place in Brazil, where Solo, Illya, and Victoria are slated for execution by cannon! Scripted by Edwin Blum and Leo Townsend from a story by Blum, "The King of Diamonds Affair" originally aired on March 11, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In this musical aimed at teenagers, Frankie Avalon, and Fabian battle it out for Annette Funicello's affections on the stock car track. The tale begins when smugglers trick Avalon into taking on contraband during a cross-country race. He catches on to their ploy and helps the Feds capture the crooks. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, (more)
Part of American-International's "Beach Party" series, Beach Blanket Bingo was directed by William Asher. Frankie (Frankie Avalon) briefly deserts Dee Dee (Annette Funicello) in favor of pop star Sugar Kane (Linda Evans). Also around and about is a mermaid, appropriately named Lorelei (Marta Kristen). Scurrilous cycle gang leader Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck) finds time to sing a tune, while Paul Lynde sneers a lot, Don Rickles insults a lot, Buster Keaton mimes a lot, and columnist Earl Wilson lets everybody know who he is by exclaiming "That's Earl, brother." The whole cast rushes to the rescue when South Dakota Slim (Timothy Carey) binds the lovely Sugar Kane to a buzzsaw. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, (more)
- 1965
Gidget (Sally Field) and her friends are aghast when "their" beach cove is invaded and claimed by a rival bunch of kids. In her efforts to win back the cove, Gidget devises a strategy which ends up pitting the boys against the girls--oops! Appearing as "Casey" is Japanese-American actor Mako, best known for his dramatic work in such films as Testament, Tucker: A Man and His Dream and Memoirs of a Geisha. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini is considered to be the strangest of the "Beach Party" movies. Frankie (Frankie Avalon) is off in the navy, serving in the South Pacific, and nervous about all of the guys that will be hitting on Dee Dee (Annette Funicello) back at the beach. He makes a deal with an eccentric white witch doctor (Buster Keaton), who conjures up a woman named Cassandra (Beverly Adam) who is irresistible to all men, and she attracts all of the guys on the beach. But complications ensue when lunatic advertising man Mickey Rooney decides to try and make Cassandra a new national sex symbol, and she gets noticed by nutsy bike gang leader Erik Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck), who vows to have her. With enough plot complications to rival A Midsummer Night's Dream, Wild Bikini is laced with satire and some surprisingly good music. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Annette Funicello, Dwayne Hickman, (more)
- 1964
Maurice Chevalier plays Philip Dulaine, a supposedly dying millionaire, while Sandra Dee co-stars as Cynthia, the elderly man's granddaughter. To allow Dulaine to die happy, Cynthia promises to find a husband. Actually, Dulaine is only pretending to be at death's door to get Cynthia married off. Subsequent complications involve Cynthia's personal choice for a husband, Warren Palmer (Andy Williams), and Dulaine's selection, Paul Benton (Robert Goulet). Deanna Durbin fans will quickly detect that I'd Rather Be Rich is a remake of Durbin's It Started With Eve (1941), with a gender switch (in the original, Robert Cummings is the grandson, and Durbin is the instant fiancee) and with Maurice Chevalier filling the sizeable shoes of Charles Laughton as the foxy grandpa. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sandra Dee, Robert Goulet, (more)
- 1964
The Beach Party gang is back in this third episode. This time out, the gang is visited by the handsome British pop star Potato Bug (Frankie Avalon in a dual role) who has come to CA for a little r&r. When Potato Bug sees the perky Dee Dee (Annette Funicello), he falls head over heels. This doesn't set well with her boyfriend, Frankie. Later the kids all join forces to keep aged developer Harvey Huntington Honeywagon from buying their beach and using it to build a senior citizen's resort. Honeywagon is assisted by Brandoesque biker Eric Von Zipper while the kids are helped out by the adolescent supporter Big Drag. Songs include: "Bikini Drag", "Love's a Secret Weapon", and "Because You're You". Special guest artists include Little Stevie Wonder, the Exciters and the Pyramids. Boris Karloff has an un-credited cameo. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, (more)
- 1960
When scatterbrained millionairess Kiz Bouchet (Kathleen Crowley) insists that somebody is trying to murder her, Beau Maverick (Roger Moore) is convinced that the girl is out of her mind. But he soon comes to believe Kiz's story--and in so doing, he tries to thwart a scheme hatched by the girl's cousin (Peggy McCay) and a crooked doctor (Tristam Coffin) to cheat Kiz out of her inheritance. Devotees of humorist Mark Twain will get a chuckle out of the character name bestowed upon supporting actor Whit Bissell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
No sooner has he arrived at Fort Casper than Beau (Roger Moore) is framed for the murder of Indian brave Swift Rider (Miguel Landa). The actual killers were Marsh (John Zaccaro) and Lawson (Richard Coogan), a pair of crooked shopkeepers who have been systematically cheating Swift Rider's tribe, and are hoping to stir up a war between the Indians and the Army to cover their tracks. Locked up in the stockade, Beau is rescued by Chief Standing Bull (Robert Warwick)--but only so he can be married to Swift Rider's sister Pale Moon (Andra Martin, a marriage slated to end as quickly as it begins with Beau's swift and ignominious demise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Arrested and jailed on a charge of murdering a small-town mayor, Bret (James Garner) is none too encouraged by his court-appointed defense attorney Luke Abigor (Alan Mowbray), a momument to ineptitute who bases his entire defense on an astrology chart. The only hope for salvation is to locate the real killer, who has been going around town impersonating Bret. In this pursuit, our hero receives some unexpected assistant from the redoubtable Melanie Blake (Kathleen Crowley), who'd caused him a heap of trouble in the previous episode "Maverick Springs". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Championing the cause of widowed bank president Wilma White (Julie Adams), Bart (Jack Kelly) is determined to find out who has been writing threatening letters to the beleagured woman. At the same time, Bart wants to track down the person who stole the money that he'd had locked up in a hotel safe. As it turns out, the intended victim of the murderous poison-pen correspondent isn't Wilma--it's Bart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Kate Dawson (Doris Packer) hires Bret (James Garner) to bring back her prodigal brother Mark (King Donovan), who is being systematically fleeced by the beautiful Melanie Blake (Kathleen Crowley) in the town of Saratoga. To do this, Bret and Bart show up impersonating men of great wealth. The plan involves beating Melanie at her own game by selling her some worthless property...but the Mavericks haven't taken into consideration the girl's partner-in-crime John Flannery (Tol Avery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Gold Flats is the first of three cities in which Bart Maverick (James Garner) comes face to face with the estimable Stephanie Malone (Pat Crowley)--who proceeds to rob him at gunpoint a few seconds after introducing herself. But Stephanie insists that she isn't a bad girl, and that she's only trying to help her father (Louis Jean Heydt), who has accrued a huge gambling debt. Somehow or other, both Bart and Stephanie are rescued by the members of the Ladies Aid Society, headed by the formidable Hannah Adams (played by Barbara Jo Allen, the dithery "Vera Vague" of radio fame). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
In this mystery, the wife of the recently kidnapped Dr. Manning enlists the assistance of a Scotland Yard detective and a private eye to find him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1958
On behalf of his current client, Perry (Raymond Burr) is endeavoring to reach an acceptable financial settlement for a hit-and-run accident. Somehow or other, this assignment leads to a morass of intrigue involving blackmail, a frameup, a missing witness, a secret marriage--and the murders of two guys named Hollister (James Seay) and Pitkin (Harry Jackson). Based on a 1949 novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner, this episode features one of the most repulsive "surprise" killers in the series' history. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
About the only perils that heroine Dana Wynter avoids in Fraulein are being tied to the buzzsaw and chased across the ice by bloodhouds. Wynter plays a German girl of genteel upbringing who is forced to wake up and smell the coffee when her family is killed in a WW2 air raid. She helps American officer Mel Ferrer escapes the Gestapo, then must figure out a way to elude her Russian Army captors, headed by Theodore Bikel (who later ruefully commented that more people remembered him for this film than for anything else). Escaping to the American sector of Berlin, Wynter naively registers herself as a prostitute, leading to a daunting series of tribulations. The upshot of all this is that German officer Helmut Dantine lusts after Dana because of what he thinks she is, while American officer Ferrer loves her because he knows deep down that she's not what she's supposed to be. Filmed on location, Fraulein was based on a novel by James McGowan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Wynter, Mel Ferrer, (more)
- 1957
Musical comedy star Betty Garrett goes dramatic big-time in the hostage drama Shadow on the Window. Betty plays Linda Atlas, the mother of seven-year-old Petey Atlas (portrayed by Jerry "The Beaver" Mathers). When Petey witnesses a murder committed by a trio of juvenile delinquents, he wanders off in a state of shock. The three punks (John Barrymore Jr., Corey Allen and Gerald Sarricini) kidnap Linda, who's also witnessed their crime, holding her prisoner to keep the boy from talking -- if and when he recovers. Meanwhile, the authorities launch a frenzied manhunt in search of the catatonic boy, led by Petey's dad, police officer Tony Atlas (Phil Carey). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Philip Carey, Betty Garrett, (more)
- 1957
Long before he became entrenched in the public's consciousness as Sgt. Carter on Gomer Pyle USMC, Frank Sutton topped the cast of the minor juvenile-delinquent melodrama Four Boys and a Gun. Sutton plays Ollie Denker, a runner for a gang of bookies who gets into deep doo-doo when he rips off his bosses. To raise a lot of money in a hurry, Denker masterminds a boxing-arena holdup with three pals: Johnny Doyle (a very young James Franciscus), Eddie Richards (Tarry Green) and Stanley Badek (Bill Hinnant). When a cop is killed during the holdup, it is up to the district attorney (Otto Hullett) to determine which of the four conspirators fired the fatal shot. Four Boys and a Gun can be seen as a precursor to the bigger budgeted The Young Savages (1961). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Sutton, James Franciscus, (more)
- 1956
Tony Dumont (Rory Calhoun) is none too trustworthy at the beginning of Flight to Hong Kong. A dealer in contraband goods, Dumont is the bane of his girlfriend Jean Blake's (Dolores Donlon) existence. She wants him to go straight, but the other woman in his life, novelist Pamela Vincent (Barbara Rush), wants him to remain a crook--the better to provide material for a book she's writing. Dumont has a belated change of heart when he steps on the toes of the Mob once too often. Flight to Hong Kong also includes brief stopovers in San Francisco, Honolulu, Tangiers and Macao. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rory Calhoun, Barbara Rush, (more)
- 1955
Third-billed Lee Marvin dominates the proceedings in A Life in the Balance. Marvin plays a psycho killer, whose trail is dogged by inquistive young Jose Perez. Jose's father, musician Ricardo Montalban, has been accused of a series of murders. The boy is convinced (correctly, it turns out) that Marvin is the guilty party, and trails the man in hopes of bringing him to justice. No dummy he, Perez leaves a trail for the authorities to follow--a series of smashed-up police call boxes (a similar plot device was deployed for comic purposes by Harold Lloyd in Professor Beware). A Life in the Balance was filmed on location in Mexico City, with a great deal of screen time devoted to a colorful carnival. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ricardo Montalban, Anne Bancroft, (more)
- 1955
Unusual for its time, this 1955 film is a sympathetic treatment of the U.S. Army's resettlement of Native Americans in the Old West. The Cheyenne tribe agrees to leave its hunting grounds in Wyoming so that white settlers looking for gold can move in. Colonel Lindsay (John Lund) is in charge of the troops carrying out the resettlement journey. He is helped by an experienced land surveyor, John Tanner (Robert Wagner). Cheyenne tribesmen Little Dog (Jeffrey Hunter) and American Horse (Hugh O'Brian) are friends with Tanner and helpful in the resettlement -- at least until Little Dog's fiancée, Appearing Day (Debra Paget), takes a liking to Tanner. The attraction threatens to scuttle everything, and the tribe sends an arrow with a white feather as a declaration of war. Tanner convinces tribal leader Chief Broken Hand (Eduard Franz) to allow the men to settle the matter themselves. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Wagner, John Lund, (more)
