Bruno Ve Sota Movies
Corpulent actor/director, best known as a featured player in numerous Roger Corman-produced and directed features of the late '50s. VeSota's earliest appearances are in key supporting roles in such films as Hugo Haas' B-thriller Bait (1954), but he began appearing in Corman's movies very early, with Apache Woman (1955), where his large girth and scowling visage made him a natural villain in pictures like Daddy-O (1958). Apart from Corman's movies, VeSota also played in such odd low-budget films as John Parker's Dementia (1955, also known as Daughter of Horror) and directed the B-crime thriller classic The Female Jungle (1955), which plays like a Jim Thompson nightmare and marked the big-screen debut of Jayne Mansfield. He moved back into the director's chair for The Brain Eaters (1958), a suprisingly effective (though wholly unauthorized) adaptation of Robert Heinleins The Puppet Masters. During the '60s, VeSota was most visible as an actor in television, especially in westerns, and he continued to play small parts in exploitation pictures such as the surf-and-sand songfest The Girls on the Beach. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide- 1974
Judge Philip Mackie (John Randolph), a man long suspected of allowing favoritism to sway his courtroom decisions, dies under mysterious circumstances. The evidence points to suicide, but Kojak (Telly Savalas) suspects otherwise. The solution to the case rests in the hands of Mackie's son (Walter Stocker), likewise a judge--who may soon have to set a known murderer free to cover up for his father's misdeeds. Appearing as the killer is future Barney Miller costar Abe Vigoda, while showing up in a supporting role is soap-opera stalwart John Aniston, father of Jennifer Aniston. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
A young Steven Spielberg helmed the made-for-TV Something Evil. Johnny Whitaker (Family Affair) is cast as Stevie Worden, an angelic child whose parents move into a foreboding Pennsylvania mansion. It isn't long before Stevie is possessed with the house's resident demonic spirit. In anticipation of The Exorcist and The Omen, the spirit within Stevie never lets anyone know when it's going to strike -- but everyone knows full well when it does. Spielberg evokes horror throughout by contrasting the most terrifying events with the plodding commonplace of day-to-day life. Something Evil was Spielberg's last TV-movie assignment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
- PG
If you want to know what The Wild Bunch would have looked like with Blake Edwards rather than Sam Peckinpah in the director's chair, we submit for your approval Wild Rovers. William Holden and Ryan O'Neal play a couple of shiftless ranch hands who impulsively decide to rob a bank. They manage to make off with the money, but also incur the wrath of their former boss Karl Malden, who sends his two sons Tom Skerritt and Joe Don Baker out to bring back Holden and O'Neal, preferably dead. The film's climax is surprisingly melancholy for an Edwards film, but one can't deny that the ending grows logically from the events leading up to it. Severely edited by its distributor Warner Bros, Wild Rovers doesn't make a lot of sense in its release version; the director's cut, incorporated 30 minutes' worth of extra footage, is fortunately available on video. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Holden, Ryan O'Neal, (more)
- 1970
Hogan plans to use the wedding of General Burkhalter's chubby niece Frieda (Muriel Landers) as a rendezvous point with an Underground agent -- and as step one in an elaborate escape plan. Thus it is that Hogan's Gallic "hero" LeBeau impersonates an effete Parisian designer. Others in the cast include Dick Wilson ("Mr. Whipple" of TV commercial fame) as Count Von Hertzel, horror-film regular Bruno VeSoto as the Allied agent, and Bruce Kirby (father of actor Bruno Kirby) as a Gestapo man. Written by Laurence Marks, "Gowns by Yvette" first aired on January 30, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
In this melodrama, Johnnie (Jayne Mansfield) struggles through a series of relationships and pregnancies only to be repeatedly deserted by her no-good lovers. As she moves from relationship to relationship, Johnnie continues to change her name, each time hoping for a new and better life. This was Jayne Mansfield's last film. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1968
As a result of a wager, Hoss and Joe Cartwright decide to enter politics, each supporting an opposing mayor candidate for the upcoming Virginia City election. Comic chaos ensues when both brothers become campaign managers for their respective candidates, and are thus forced to suck up to the man holding the deciding vote: Their own father Ben! Tom Bosley and Wally Cox guest-star as competing candidates Titus Simpson and Phineas Burke. Written by Robert Vincent Wright, "The Last Vote" first aired on October 20, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1968
Beaudry (John Vernon), an old army buddy of Ben Cartwright, is just a man who wants to have fun. Unfortunately, his idea of fun is to steal Hoss' horse, pick fights with the townsfolk, and seriously injure Candy. But there may be even worse in store: Tired of a life as vagabond, Beaudry plans to settle permanently in Virginia City. Also in the cast are Melissa Murphy as Noreen, Rodolfo Acosta as Matar, Larry Ward as Stryker and Pepper Martin as Hawkface. Written by Milton S. Gelman, "Yonder Man" was originally telecast on December 8, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1968
Candy comes to the aid of down-and-out Laura Jean Pollard (Tisha Sterling), offering the bedraggled young woman the shelter and hospitality of the Ponderosa. Before long, however, an ex-marshal named Passmore (William Windom) has arrived on the scene to blackmail poor Laura. What is her secret-and how will it affect the Cartwright clan? Also appearing are Jean Willes as Mrs. O'Brien and Bruno Ve Sota as the Bartender. Written by Thomas Thompson, "Star Crossed" was originally telecast on March 10, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1968
On July 28, 1968, the producers of Bonanza surprised the series' fans by interrupting their summer-rerun schedule with the first-run episode "Stage Door Johnnies." Kathleen Crowley appears as Mademoiselle Denise, the sexy new singer at the Silver Dollar Saloon. The men of the Ponderosa vie for her attentions, only to find themselves defendants in a damage suit when Denise's pampered pooch Andre disappears. Featured in the cast are Mike Mazurki as "Big Man" (what else) and Shug Fisher as the Driver. "Stage Door Johnnies" was written and directed by William F. Claxton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
A bunch of hairy guys on Harleys are causing trouble again in this, one of the best-remembered examples of the biker flicks of the 1960's. Poet (Jack Nicholson) is a moody gas station attendant who is looking for more excitement in his life. When a gang of bikers roars through town, Poet is intrigued, and after he pitches in to help the Hell's Angels in a bar fight (and pulls a well-timed stick up), one of the gang's higher-ups, Buddy (Adam Roarke) asks Poet to join. Soon Poet is riding with the Angels and living their lifestyle of violent debauchery, but Poet begins to tire of their rootless decadence, and Buddy is none too happy with Poet when he learns they're both in love with the same woman. Hell's Angels On Wheels won a cult following for its agressive but languid atmosphere and the fluid camerawork of cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs (at this point still billed as "Leslie Kovacs"). Richard Rush directed, and legendary Hell's Angels leader Sonny Barger appears as himself. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Nicholson, Adam Roarke, (more)
- 1967
Armed with the latest in high-tech gadgetry, a spy attempts to bring in a mad Nazi war-criminal determined to conquer the world by brainwashing powerful leaders. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Terry Moore, Jan Murray, (more)
- 1967
Both Linda Roberts (Judi Meredith) and Amos Crenshaw (Frank Overton) have sworn vengeance against Joe Cartwright. Linda thinks that Joe killed her brother, while Amos' son was shot by Joe in self-defense. The tension reaches the boiling point when Linda hires a man to assassinate Joe, then changes her mind-only to realize that she doesn't know the true identity of the killer. Cowritten by Bonanza star Michael Landon and Joy Dexter, "The Wormwood Cup" (a title explained in the context of the episode) first aired on April 23, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Hoss Cartwright saves Old Charlie (John McIntire, the town's premiere spinner of tall and outlandish tales, from a knife-wielding outlaw. Determined to prove himself a hero, Charlie takes credit for killing the outlaw, even though the brothers of the dead man have sworn revenge. Does Charlie truly have the guts to back up his self-aggrandizing tales of courage, or will Hoss have to bail him out a second time. Written by Robert and Wanda Duncan, "Old Charlie" was a true family affair: In addition to John McIntire, the supporting cast included McIntire's wife Jeannette Nolan as Annie, and their son Tim McIntire in the dual roles of Billy and George Barker. The episode originally aired on November 16, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Hoss Cartwright befriends philosophical drifter Will Smith (Lonny Chapman), a brilliant poet but a chronic alcoholic. Characteristically, Hoss tries to reform Will-only to discover that his new friend is not the rootless vagabond everyone thinks he is. Jorja Curtwright is cast as the obligatory "woman from the past," Lydia Evans (note that last name-it's an important plot point). Written by Donn Mullaly, "The Genius" was originally telecast on April 3, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Once again, Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) has a fateful brush with history when he save legendary journalist Horace Greeley (Burgess Meredith) from an assassination attempt. Impressed by Jason's courage, Greeley hires him as his "social secretary" (translation: bodyguard). Now it is up to Jason to find out who wants to kill the eminent newspaperman--and why. (Incidentally, if you're thinking that Horace Greeley will at some point in the story say something like "Go west, Young Man", chances are that you're right...and never mind that Greeley never actually uttered those words). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
On September 11, 1966, the eighth episode of Bonanza got off to a strong start with the episode titled "Something Hurt, Something Wild." The long-standing friendship between the Cartwrights and Jed Ferguson is shattered when Jed's daughter Laurie (Lynn Loring) screamingly accuses Joe Cartwright of assaulting her. The neurotic Laurie sparks a simmering feud that threatens to erupt into irrevocable tragedy. Also in the cast are Erik Holland as Cleve Ferguson, Ron Foster as Stark, David Pritchard as Bret, Bruce MacFarlane, and Roger Corman "regular" Bruno Ve Sota in the semi-recurring role of a bartender. "Something Hurt, Something Wild" was written by William R. Cox. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1965
Former silent-movie idol Ramon Novarro guest-stars as Jose Ortega, a prevaricating old windbag who claims to possess a Spanish land grant deeding him the Ponderosa and most of the surrounding territory. Of course, nobody believes Ortega, and everybody takes turns beating him up. Rescued from another pummelling by Joe Cartwright, Jose rewards Joe with a valuable gift, which leads the Cartwrights' lawyer to conclude that maybe Ortega was telling the truth about his land holding after all-and that the Ponderosa may indeed no longer belong to Ben Cartwright. Michael Dante costars as Ortega's avaricious nephew Miguel. First telecast September 26, 1965, "The Brass Box" was written by Paul Schneider. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1965
The Beatles are coming! The Beatles are coming! Or so the members of the Alpha Beta sorority who are trying to raise $10,000 during Spring Break to save their sorority house believe. When the Fab Four do not show, the ingenious girls must create a passable imitation by imitating them themselves. The Beach Boys also appear in this film with an especially choice scene of Brian Wilson singing around a campfire. Songs in this musical comedy include: "Leave Me Alone," "It's Gotta Be You," "I Don't Want to Be a Loser" (sung by Lesley Gore), "Lonely Sea, La Bamba" (performed by the Crickets), "Girls On the Beach," and "Little Honda" (sung by the Beach Boys). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin West, Noreen Corcoran, (more)
- 1964
Charles Bronson guest-stars as Harry Star, a halfbreed who is regularly subjected to the bigotry of the townsfolk. Feeling that Harry has been unjustly persecuted, Ben Cartwright hires the man as a ranchhand. What Ben doesn't know, but the audiences does, is that Harry is a member of a gang of horse thieves, who intend to exploit Ben's trust by pulling off an elaborate scam. Originally telecast on December 13, 1964, "The Underdog" was written by Donn Mullally. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1963
American "B"-movie mogul Jerry Warren can always be counted on to turn a cheap but fun horror import into a boring, unwatchable mess -- as proven by this tedious effort, originally produced in Mexico as The Aztec Mummy and later padded out with deadly-dull exposition. The original film is silly enough; the first of a popular Mexican series, it involves the awakening of the mummy Popoca to avenge the desecration of his tomb by infidels. As a cost-saving measure, instead of re-dubbing the Spanish dialogue, Warren added new scenes with American actors, who drone on about reincarnation and past-life regression and bring the action to a screeching halt. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1963
The Haunted Palace is a witches' brew of stories written by Edgar Allan Poe and H. P. Lovecraft--with the fine hand of sinister scenarist Charles Beaumont stirring the pot. Vincent Price plays two roles this time: A New England doctor burned as a sorcerer in 1745, and the dead man's great-grandson of 1855. Arriving in the village where his grandfather was killed, Price and his bride Debra Paget are shunned by the community. They are told that the mutant progeny of the "sorcerer"'s evil experiments are still roaming the countryside--with hulking manservant Lon Chaney Jr. a good example of these monstrosities. The longer he stays in the family mansion, the more Price is taken over by the spirit of his ancestor. The result: The possessed Price, together with Chaney and a warlock assistant, set about to create a mutant race to overtake the world. Concluding with the near-sacrifice of bride Debra Paget and the torching of the mansion, The Haunted Palace is a marvelous--and economically produced--exercise in Grand Guignol. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vincent Price, Debra Paget, (more)
- 1962
This slapstick, silly sci-fi feature centers on two bumbling soldiers who get separated from their group and end up encountering terrifying leotard-clad, vegetable-headed space creatures. Curious, the dim-bulbed duo follow the aliens into a cave and find out that they are controlled by beautiful women from outer space who have come to take over Earth. Fortunately, the soldiers discover that what the she-creatures really need is a little good-lovin', and therefore save the day. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1962
The right for a rape victim to have an abortion is examined in this socially conscious drama. 21-year old Patty Smith is distraught to learn that she was impregnated during a rape. She looks for help, but finds none amongst the regular medical community. She tries talking to her priest, but he turns a blind eye, and offers no help. Finally, desperate to get rid of her unwanted baby, Patty goes to a back-alley abortionist. He literally butchers her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Merry Anders, J. Edward McKinley, (more)
- 1962
Three weeks prior to the repeal of Prohibition, Woody O'Mara (Mort Mills) prepares to eliminate brewery operator Franz Koenig (played by Hogan's Heroes' future "Sgt. Schultz" John Banner) so that he and Charlie Zenko (Luther Adler) can take over all illegal liquor activities on the North Side before it's too late. Zenko shows his "gratitude" by planting a bomb in O'Mara's car and assuming command of the entire operation himself. Ironically, Zenko himself ends up being betrayed by his own son Larry (Robert Loggia)--leaving Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) to solemnly pick up the pieces. Watch for Leonard Nimoy as a squirrelly trigger man named Packy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
