Virgil Vogel Movies
Virgil Vogel enjoyed a half-century-long career in the movie industry, starting out in the editing department at Universal as an assistant in his early twenties and eventually becoming a successful director. Vogel's early credits as an editor include Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man, the Frank Sinatra vehicle Meet Danny Wilson, and the Tony Curtis costumer Son of Ali Baba. By the second half of the decade, he was working on such top studio releases as This Island Earth and Orson Welles' Touch of Evil (the editing of which became a major source of contention between Welles and the studio). In 1956, tired of editing, he earned his directorial debut on the sci-fi horror film The Mole People (1956), a silly but extremely popular and profitable release, and he also closed out the Ma and Pa Kettle series with The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm (1957), having edited the preceding movie in the series. Over the next few years, he handled the direction on such modest (if popular) programmers as The Land Unknown and Invasion of the Animal People (a Swedish-made science fiction film that had many hauntingly eerie and beautiful sequences), while also working increasingly in television, principally for Universal's Revue TV division, on series such as Mike Hammer, Overland Trail, and Wagon Train, and later on series such as Bonanza, Burke's Law, Honey West, Dan August, and The Streets of San Francisco. His 1970s credits included many detective and action series, among them Cannon, Police Story, and Joe Forrester, as well as the occasional science fiction-oriented show such as The Six Million Dollar Man and The Man From Atlantis. Vogel's career in the 1980s brought him to such series as Knight Rider, Magnum P.I., and Miami Vice, while in the 1990s he worked on Walker, Texas Ranger, among other series. Vogel retired in the mid-'90s and passed away in 1996. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide- 1976
The two-part opener of Streets of San Francisco's fifth and final season marks a major transition, as SFPD homicide detective Mike Stone (Karl Malden) loses his longtime partner Steve Keller (Michael Douglas) and gains a new one, athletic young inspector Dan Robbins (Richard Hatch). But before Keller can leave the force to launch a teaching career, he and Stone are faced with the daunting task of rescuing a busload of jurors who have been kidnapped by a "family" of dangerously misguided revolutionaries, who demand the release of their imprisoned cohorts. This two-parter is clearly inspired by the Patty Hearst kidnapping, with former Partridge Family regular Susan Dey delivering a shockingly powerful performance. As a publicity ploy, the season opener features fourteen guest stars, including Marion Ross (then appearing regularly on Happy Days, Barry Sullivan, Dick Van Patten, Norman Fell and Doris Roberts--not to mention such stars-to-be as Anthony Geary and Ron Glass. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
In the conclusion of Streets of San Francisco's two-part Season Five opener, a band of urban revolutionaries continue to hold an entire jury hostage on a ship, threatening to kill them one by one unless the group's leaders are released from prison. The tension mounts as the first hostage is murdered and homicide inspector Steve Keller (Michael Douglas, in his final series appearance) is gunned down on the eve of his retirement from the force. Keller's partner Mike Stone (Karl Malden) must rely upon the daring and resourcefulness of SFPD newcomer Dan Robbins (Richard Hatch) to rescue the terrified prisoners. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
As is customary, Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) are faced with a baffling mystery which they must unravel in the episode's alotted sixty minutes. The game is afoot the moment that the skeleton of a former convict is found during an excavation on Alcatraz Island. There's only one problem: this particular convict was supposed to have escaped from "The Rock" in the 1950s--and in fact, is still purportedly sending letters to his family! Featured in the cast are two seasoned veterans of radio's Golden Age: Paul Stewart and Virginia Gregg. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
In the first of two Streets of San Francisco guest appearances, Pat Hingle plays Bert Morris, the sole witness to a jewel robbery. Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) take Morris into protective custody in hopes of capturing the thieves. There's only one problem: Morris is a pathological liar, and his false information ends up making a bad situation even worse--especially for his long-suffering spouse Jeannie (Nancy Olson). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Diane Baker guest stars as Irene Martin, an attractive--and unattached--homicide inspector. Irene makes quite an impression upon widowed detective Mike Stone (Karl Malden), who eventually falls in love with her. Unfortunately, the wedding plans drawn up by Mike and Irene are compromised when they argue bitterly over their differing perspectives of an ongong homicide case. Featured in the cast is Mark Miller, the father of film star Penelope Ann Miller. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
A tense turf battle between rival street gangs becomes full-fledged warfare after one teen is knifed in a reprisal raid. Caught in the middle is dedicated youth-center worker Eddie Griffin, played by former Mission: Impossible regular Greg Morris. Efforts by Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) to avoid further bloodshed are complicated by Griffin's insistence upon trying to defuse the situation himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
A post-I Dream of Jeannie, pre-Dallas Larry Hagman guest stars as Terry Vine, the smarmy host of a radio advice show. Enjoying the idolatry of his many female fans, Vine begins dating one of them, who after he proves himself to be a louse threatens him with exposure. Shortly afterward, the woman is found murdered--and Vine is targeted by Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) as the Number One Suspect. Ingredients essential to the story include a second murder--not to mention a delicious comeuppance for the two-timing Terry Vine! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
This time, Stone (Michael Douglas) and Keller (Michael Douglas) comes up against a ruthless international executive determined to force several stubborn homeowners off their property. Carefully keeping his name out of the proceedings, the executive hires several sinister minions to get what he wants, utilizing terrorism and murder as his methods. Featured in the guest cast are three future TV series luminaries: John Ritter (Three's Company), Sorrell Booke (The Dukes of Hazzard) and Gordon Jump (WKRP in Cincinnati). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
The Passion of the Christ screenwriter Benedict Fitzgerald travels back to Biblical times once again to tell the life story of Mary, the woman who gave birth to the Christian savior. Beginning in Mary's childhood and presenting vivid recreations of every major moment in the virgin mother's life, Myriam, Mother of Christ follows the Holy Family as they return from Egypt to Galilee following the death if King Herod. In telling the story from Mary's perspective, screenwriter Fitzgerald allows the viewer to follow along as she gradually begins to perceive of God's plan and struggles to realize the mystery of her calling. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1975
The convicts in a maximum-security prison have developed a diabolically clever method to smuggle drugs in and out of the institution, using as their "mules" the prisoners' wives who show up on visiting day. When one of the convicts resists getting involved in the drug traffic, his wife on the "outside" is murdered in a laundromat. Hoping to rout the smugglers and prevent further murders, Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) focus their investigation on convict's wife Rita King (Stefanie Powers)--who defiantly refuses to cooperate. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Lloyd Bridges stars as plainclothes policeman Joe Forrester. When a gang of robber-rapists besiege his old beat, Forrester voluntarily returns to uniform duty. He hopes that his presence will encourage the frightened residents to help bring the gang to justice, but the most immediate results of Joe's return are several attempts on his life. Eddie Egan, the real-life model for The French Connection's Popeye Doyle, appears in a small role. First telecast as a 90-minute installment of Police Story on May 6, 1975, Return of Joe Forrester led to a weekly Joe Forrester series, which ran from September 1975 to August 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
In retaliation for the death of his son, a big-time hoodlum hires an expert female assassin known as Sydney to murder the three thugs responsible. At the same time, SFPD detective Keller (Michael Douglas) becomes romantically involved with his attractive new neighbor (played by Douglas' then-girlfriend Brenda Vaccaro. In this case, the viewer is way ahead of the detective: Keller's sweetheart is none other than the elusive Sydney. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
This episode is truly episodic, offering poignant and sometimes tragic vignettes occuring during a single San Francisco weekend. The catalyst for the the story is a .25 caliber pistol, hunting by both the police and the underworld alike. In the course of events, the pistol claims two victims: a syndicate thug and an innocent little boy. It is up to Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) to prevent further bloodshed--hardly an easy task, considered that the pistol has already passed through too many hands. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Several women have been strangled in the Bay Area--and the two chief suspects were spotted wearing uniforms of the U.S. Air Force. Going undercover as a USAF officer, Keller (Michael Douglas) tries to figure out which of the two suspects (Dennis Cole, Kaz Garas), both highly decorated colonels, is the guilty party...or if the actual culprit is someone else entirely. Most of this episode was filmed on location at Travis Air Force Base in California. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
The guest-star cast in this episode is studded by several seasoned movie-western veterans, including Jim Davis, Noah Beery Jr and Harry Carey Jr.--not to mention comparative newcomer Sam Elliott. The plot involves a rodeo rider whose biggest professional rival is his own brother. It so happens that the brothers are also rivals in love, both vying for the attentions of the same woman--who is married to one of them. Inevitably, murder gallops into the rodeo ring, and that's when Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) become involved in the intrigue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
San Francisco is held in thrall by a professional arsonist who burns down businesses for insurance purposes. Detectives Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) enter the story when one of the arsonist's assignments results in the deaths of two firefighters. A number of Streets of San Francisco "repeat offenders" make guest appearances in this episode, including Barry Sullivan and Kaz Garas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
With only fragmentary evidence at their disposal, Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) search for the person who raped and murdered a young waitress. Meanwhile, the killer (Don Stroud) and his reluctant accomplice (Charles Martin Smith) are holed up in the home of two innocent bystanders (Ida Lupino, Patricia McCormack). Seen briefly as the murder victim is starlet Cheryl Stopplemoor, soon to achieve stardom as one of Charlie's Angels using her married name, Cheryl Ladd. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Surrounded by the authorities after a bungled attempt to break through a police checkpoint, five terrorists take several people hostage. Unless they are given safe passage out of San Francisco, the terrorists will detonate a bomb, killing themselves and their prisoners. Making the situation personal for investigating detective Mike Stone (Karl Malden) is that one of the hostages is his own partner Steve Keller (Michael Douglas). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) mingle with the cream of San Francisco society in search of a murderer. The victim was the blackmailing publisher of a sleazy tell-all magazine--and as a result, the detectives are confronted with a veritable "Who's Who" of suspects. This is the final episode of Streets of San Francisco's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Murray Hamilton guest stars as Barney Lujack, former partner of SFPD detective Mike Stone (Karl Malden). Barney returns to San Francisco after a long absence, but not for a reunion with his old pal Mike. Instead, Lujack intends to kill the hired gun (Burr DeBanning) who murdered his son--and he isn't about to let anyone, not even Mike, get in his way. Featured in the supporting cast is onetime child actor Tommy Cook. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Syndicate chieftan Rudy Keppler (John Vernon) leaves the security of his Caribbean hideway and sneaks back into the States. He plans to kill Nick Thomas (Vic Mohica), the young hood who has murdered Keppler's brother in a Mob power play. Striking while the iron is hot, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) hopes to persuade Keppler to get even in a nonviolent fashion by testifying against his former colleagues--but Keppler isn't buying. A young Joan Van Ark appears as a duplicitous Syndicate moll. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
In a virtuoso image-smashing performance, pop star Rick Nelson appears in this episode as Billy Jeffers, a sweet-talking, baby-faced "Pied Piper" who lures teenage girls into prositution. Despite his gentle demeanor, Billy is a ruthless criminal and manipulator--and ultimately, a murderer. In one remarkable scene (remarkable for 1973, that is), detective Steve Keller (Michael Douglas) interrogates Billy, who makes the implicit confession that he's far more interested in boys than in girls! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Three tons of narcotics are stolen by dealer Sam Hibbing (Claude Akins). To recover the drugs, and to ruin both Hibbing and his higher-ups, the IMF concoct an undermining scheme that once again requires agent Casey to pose as a criminal's daughter. Filmed on location in San Francisco, this episode was highlighted by a superbly photographed motorcycle chase, and also by the first appearance of series regular Greg Morris' mustache. Jenny Sullivan, daughter of actor Barry Sullivan, appears as the "real" Margaret Hibbing. Written by Lou Shaw, "Speed" first aired on February 16, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1973
Stone (Karl Malden)and Keller (Michael Douglas) spring into action when a priest is killed in his Confessional. It turns out that the victim had attended the same seminary as three other priests who were murdered in similar fashion. To root out the killer, Stone goes undercover, donning the collar and robe of a Roman Catholic prelate. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Richard Egan guest stars as waterfront priest Father Joe Scarne, who hinders a robbery investigation by refusing to reveal the whereabouts of the main suspect to Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas). An essential ingredient to the outcome of the case is a stolen crate of cobra venom which, unbeknownst to the Law, actually contains heroin. Oh, and one more thing: Father Scarne is himself a reformed drug addict. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
