Christopher Allport Movies
A character actor predominantly specializing in "tough" types, such as guards, military personnel, and the like, screen performer Christopher Allport worked in a myriad of genres but placed a markedly strong emphasis on horror and science fiction outings. Efforts included the 1981 zombie movie Dead and Buried, Tobe Hooper's 1986 sci-fi remake Invaders from Mars, and the slasher comedies Jack Frost (1997) and Jack Frost 2 (2000). In the 2000s, Allport increased his television presence via guest work on such series as ER, NYPD Blue, and Mad Men. An avid backcountry skier, Allport was killed in early 2008 by an avalanche in California's San Gabriel Mountains. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide- 1980
Seizure: The Story of Kathy Morris is a fact-based TV movie, inspired by a book by Charles L. Mee. Penelope Milford stars as Kathy Morris, a 22-year-old Manhattan-based songstress. Kathy undergoes brain surgery to halt her occasional seizures. Unfortunately, her brain begins swelling, resulting in severe neurological damage. In a surprisingly dispassionate fashion, the film chronicles how Ms. Morris overcomes her handicap with the help of a skilled but brusque doctor (Leonard Nimoy), whose solicitous attitude towards his patient results in a reconciliation with his estranged wife. The Felliniesque climax of Seizure: The Story of Kathy Morris finds the real Kathy Morris taking over from Penelope Milford during a singing engagement. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
In his last appearance before the cameras, David Janssen plays an alcoholic journalist desperate for a comeback. Janssen hitches his star to ruthless publisher Robert Vaughn, who is exploiting a rash of brutal murders to sell papers. The danger here is that the unknown serial killer, who preys upon beautiful young women, is rapidly becoming a media celebrity--and may be prompted to continue killing just to see his name in print. Beyond its own potential for sensationalism, City in Fear raises several provocative questions about the responsibility (and culpability) of the press. For its March 30, 1980 premiere, City in Fear was given a two hour and fifty minute timeslot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
This TV movie dramatizes a catastrophic event of April 26, 1976. A plane carrying Lauren Elder (Blair Brown), and two other passengers, crashes into Mount Bradley in the Sierra Nevadas.12,000 miles above sea level, the survivors are tortured by their injuries and battered by the elements. Eventually, only Lauren is left alive after a valiant effort to save her comrades. With a broken arm and injured knee, she trudges across the merciless mountain terrain in the fading hope of reaching safety. The location-filmed And I Alone Survived was first telecast on November 27, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Scandalizing historians with its blithe disregard for the historical record, this American Civil War docudrama poses the theory that President Lincoln's Secretary of War, Edward Stanton, was behind a plot to kill him at Ford's Theater. His motive was his opposition to Lincoln's adamant refusal to allow the North to punish the South for its actions. The "official" assassination goes awry when another would-be assassin, the second-rate actor John Wilkes Booth, learns of the plot and decides to beat the government to the punch, for reasons of his own. In the movie, it is Stanton's assassin who is mistakenly captured and killed, rather than Booth. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
This is a relatively early entry in the slice-n-dicer genre that while made in 1976, was not actually released until the early '80s. Like most of the subsequent slasher flicks, the terror begins when a few horny couples head out to a remote location for fun and frolic. Unfortunately, their sexploits are interrupted by a homicidal maniac wearing a mask. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Allport, James Doerr, (more)
- 1975
The weather outside is below freezing and the enemy shelling is relentless as the 4077th tries to deal with a fresh supply of incoming wounded. The rattled surgeons try to save the life of an equally nervous patient--and it's a toss-up as to who is more scared. Somehow or other, Frank (Larry Linville) finds time to rifle through Hot Lips' tent in search of compromising letters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Man on a Swing, purportedly based on a true case, is a puzzling crime thriller concerning a clairvoyant who helps find a murderer. After a murder is committed, supposed clairvoyant Franklin Wills goes to police Chief Lee Tucker (Cliff Robertson) and gives him details of the crime that he has seen in visions. The details are startlingly correct and could only have been known to the killer. Tucker, not convinced that Wills is indeed clairvoyant, begins to suspect him of the murder. Man on a Swing, directed by Frank Perry, over-complicates its central theme, distracting the viewer from the film's strong central theme, the ambiguity of Wills. Joel Grey gives an outstanding, scene-stealing performance in that role, giving Wills both menace and a surprising vulnerability. Cliff Robertson is far-less successful in his portrayal of the no-nonsense police chief. The film's ambiguous ending should increase the suspense of the film but instead further confuses the viewer. However, because of the superb performance of Grey, Man on a Swing is worth a view. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
