Don Weis Movies
Leaving his Milwaukee home in 1942 in hopes of attending the University of Southern California, Don Weis secured work as a messenger at Warner Bros. After war service as a technician in Warners' army training film unit, Weis became a dialogue director at Enterprise Productions, working on such films as Body and Soul (1947) and Arch of Triumph (1948). Hired as a director for Ida Lupino and Collier Young's Filmakers Company, Weis was wooed to MGM by that studio's head man, Dore Schary. His first effort for MGM was a brief sequence in It's a Big Country (1951), followed by his first full-fledged feature, Bannerline (1951). Weis' helming of such lightweight MGM musicals as I Love Melvin (1953) and The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953) earned him a brief cult reputation with foreign film critics, though he was hardly confined to the song-and-dance genre. He entered television in 1956, eventually winning several Director's Guild Awards. During his TV years, Weis was busiest with comedy programs like The Jack Benny Show and The Andy Griffith Show, and slick adventure series like Burke's Law and It Takes a Thief; one of his more notable TV assignments was the 1959 pilot film Head of the Family, Carl Reiner's precursor to the popular Dick Van Dyke Show. In the mid-'60s, Weis directed several of the American-International teen-oriented musicals, among them Pajama Party, Ghost in the Invisible Bikini, and Looking for Love (which has earned latter-day notoriety as being the first and last film to star Johnny Carson). After completing the never-released Darren McGavin feature film Zero to Sixty (1977), Don Weis closed out his career with such episodic TV efforts as Charlie's Angels and MASH. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1973
Col. Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) returns from a sojourn in Tokyo even giddier than usual. And no wonder; Henry has fallen in love with nurse Nancy Sue Parker (Katherine Baumann), a woman half the age of his wife. Even allowing for the relaxed morals overseas, the other officers are convinced that Henry is making a mistake, especially when sweet Nancy makes a play for Hawkeye. It is up to Cpl. Radar O'Reilly (Gary Burghoff) to bring Henry back to his senses with a strategically placed phone call. "Henry in Love" was initially broadcast on January 5, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
In his latest letter to his father, Hawkeye (Alan Alda) relates a number of memorable events from the recent past of the 4077th. For example, there was the time that the doctors removed a grenade from the body of a soldier; then there was that bigoted GI who refused a blood transfusion from anyone of another race -- a refusal that became a moot point after Hawkeye and Trapper (Wayne Rogers) performed a little cosmetic surgery; and then there was yet another hilariously pointless staff meeting. The letter closes with a poignant account of the home movies received in the mail by Col. Blake (McLean Stevenson). "Dear Dad...Three" first aired on November 10, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
When the supply lines are cut, camp clerk Radar (Gary Burghoff) must resort to extreme, even Draconian conservation measures. Staff members are doubled up in tents to save on fuel, and before long every spare stick of furniture is being burned for heat. At the precise moment that the last of the toilet paper runs out, the wounded start pouring in. Jeff Maxwell makes his first series appearance as camp cook Igor. "Crisis" was first telecast on February 9, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Upon his return from Vietnam, ex-POW Mike Doyle (Cliff Potts) is certain that he sees his police-officer father (Warren Kemmerling) waiting for him at the airport--just before disappearing in the crowd. But the Commissioner (Gene Lyons), and everyone else who knows and cares about Mike, insists that the elder Doyle was killed in a car crash two years earlier. Worried that he is losing his mind, Mike conducts a frantic search for his father...while Ironside (Raymond Burr), who knows the whole truth about the father's reported "death" but is honor-bound to remain silent, tries to prevent the hapless veteran from going off the deep end. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Ironside (Raymond Burr) has degenerated from a respected law enforcement officer to a seedy skid-row bum, apparently because 10-year-old murder witness Jerry Abbott (Lee H. Montgomery) was killed while in the Chief's protective custody. What even Ironside's loyal assistants are unaware of is that little Jerry is still alive, and that the Chief is only posing as a derelict to flush out the murderer. The situation reaches the crisis stage when two attempts are made on Ironside's alive--and the Chief can't summon the aid of his associates without blowing his cover. This episode features two original songs by David and Marty Paich: "Street Song", peformed by Carol Carmichael; and "Way Up Here", sung by Marty Paich. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
After receiving a strange, plaintive phone call from his old friend and colleague Ted Ollinger, Ironside (Raymond Burr) sends his assistant Ed Brown (Don Galloway) to the small town of Grant Bay to investigate. Upon arrival, Ed finds that Ollinger has disappeared, and that most of the local citizens are hiding something. It soon becomes painfully obvious that Ollinger is dead--and unless he gets to the bottom of the things in a hurry, Ed will be dead as well. Featured in the cast is Loretta Swit, then concurrently starring in the first season of the CBS sitcom M*A*S*H. Like many another Ironside episode from this period, this one is highlighted by original song, "Where Can You Go?", written by Marty and David Paich and sung by Jim Haas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Ironside (Raymond Burr) heads to a farming community at the request of Vickie Dunhill (Kathy Cannon), the 18-year-old fiancee of wealthy middle-aged rancher Aaron Clark (Steve Forrest). It seems that a murder has occurred, and that the local citizens, resentful over the fact that Clark has "stolen" the delectable Vickie from her flock of young male admirers, are anxious to pin the blame on him. Though he tries to prove the rancher's innocence, Ironside is hampered by the fact that he and Clark have hated each other since their Navy days! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
After housesitting for a friend, Fran (Elizabeth Baur) begins receiving obscene phone calls at her own home. It doesn't take long for the caller to escalate to death threats--and when a murder occurs nearby, Fran takes it upon herself to find out if there's a link between her unseen tormentor and the killing. Meanwhile, Ironside sets a trap for the murderer...with Fran as bait. This episode was written by Star Trek veteran Margaret Armen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Season Seven of Ironside begins as Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr) goes head-to-head with the staff of a smarmy gossip magazine that has held a grudge with the San Francisco police department ever since the "botched" investigation of a missing actor. Now the magazine is going after Ironside himself, threatening to tell all about the Chief's alleged romance with a notorious Madam (Dorothy Malone). Ironcially, Ironside soon finds himself having to protect the lives of the magazine's employees from a mysterious bomber. A key player in the proceedings is an elderly caretaker William Schallert who seems to know more than he's letting on. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
While on a fishing trip, Ironside (Raymond Burr) and Ed (Don Galloway) make a quick stopover at a roadside inn. It soon becomes obvious that the establish is the front for an illegal gambling house, run by a sinister professional speculator named Lou Hogan (Robert Webber), who may also have the local sheriff in his pocket. When a fatal shooting occurs, Ironside simultaneouly tries to solve the murder and save the lives of an innocent young couple (Suzanne Charney, Don Kanmer) by sitting down to a VERY high-stakes poker game with the gimlet-eyed Hogan. Featured in the cast is a pre-Charlie's Angels Cheryl Ladd, billed under her maiden name Cheryl Stopplemoor. This is the final episode of Ironside's sixth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
In the first half of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), Chief Ironside is assigned to protect little Jerry Abbott, an autistic 10-year-old who has witnessed a murder. Not long afterward, the newspapers are reporting that Jerry himself has been killed--and that Ironside, tortured by guilt, has quit the force, crawled into a booze bottle, and ended up a derelict on Skid Row. But is this grim situation everything it appears to be? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
The centerpiece of this episode is an allegedly haunted house, where over the course of many years several people have mysteriously vanished. The niece of the San Francisco police commissioner makes a bet that she can spend one night in the house--whereupon she disappears as well. Investigating the phenomenon is Chief Ironside...or at least, he WAS investigating the pheonomenon before he also turns up missing! This convoluted tale of spectral intrigue was directed by Don Weis, whose previous forays into the "old dark house" genre include The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
A startled Ironside (Raymond Burr) is accosted by lawyer David Wills (James Olson), who claims to be suffering from amnesia. All Wills can recall from the last 72 hours is a fragmentary story of an unconscious man on a sinking boat. Racing against time, Ironside scours the streets and docks of San Francisco to find out which man, what boat--and where. But is Wills truly telling the Chief everything that he knows? Featured as the hapless attorney's wife is Lorraine Gary, two years shy of her film stardom vis-à-vis Jaws. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Frank (Larry Linville) and Margaret (Loretta Swit) joins forces to get Col. Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) removed from duty on a charge of incompetence. Covering all bases, the connivers place Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and Trapper (Wayne Rogers) under arrest so they can't come to Henry's rescue. The solution to the problem rests with Nurse Meg Cratty, played by former Andy Griffith Show regular Hope Summers. Written by M*A*S*H co-star McLean Stevenson, "The Trial of Henry Blake" was originally telecast on November 3, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Ironside (Raymond Burr) searches for a resourceful burglar who has figured out a method of "taming" vicious guard dogs so that he can rob stores without interference. In order to flush out the villain, Ironside adopts his own dog and sets both himself and the pooch up as bait. With the preponderance of fierce-looking German shepherds and Doberman pinschers in this episode, one wonders how the actors got through their scenes without being ripped asunder after each take! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Newly graduated from law school, Ironside's assistant Mark Sanger (Don Mitchell) is assigned to the DA's office. His first assignment is to build a case against robbery suspect Roger Stewart (Felton Perry)--a school caretaker whom Mark had befriended during his studies. Balking at the prospect of sending Stewart to prison, Mark is on the verge of ending his legal career before it even begins, when he formulates a plan to prove his friend's innocence while officially endeavoring to establish his guilt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
One of the wealthier sections of San Francisco is being terrorized by a crime wave. Studying the pattern of events, Ironside (Raymond Burr) figures out that the crimes are being planned and executed in the manner of a chess game. It now falls to the Chief to "checkmate" the two depraved socialites (Noel Harrison, Scott Marlowe) who are using their victims as human pawns in a sinister game that threatens to turn lethal at any moment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), Ironside (Raymond Burr) works in concert with attorney Ken Klaven (Cameron Mitchell) to secure the release of Walter Booth (William Campbell), whom the Chief had sent to prison on a manslaughter charge seven years before. Though now convinced of Booth's innocence, Ironside encounters a great deal of trouble persuading the DA's office. The Chief's only hope is to force a young woman to come forward with testimony she'd withheld during the original trial--but there are mysterious forces who are determined to silence both Ironside and his witness for keeps! Prominent in the supporting cast is Geraldine Brooks, who had played the sniper responsible for the Chief's confinement to a wheelchair in the original 1967 Ironside pilot film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
In the first half of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), Ironside (Raymond Burr) begins to question his judgment in a manslaughter case which occurred seven years ago. At the time, the Chief rammed through the conviction of chief suspect Walter Booth (William Campbell). Now armed with new evidence, Ironside works hand and glove with Booth's attorney Ken Klaven (Cameron Mitchell) to secure the man's release--despite the formidable opposition of the DA's office, which is determined to keep Booth behind bars. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Working undercover, Sgt. Ed Brown (Don Galloway) infiltrates the gang responsible for the kidnapping of the daughter (Kay Lenz) of a famous movie actress (Barbara Rush). Curiously, in his efforts to secure the girl's release, Ed's boss Ironside (Raymond Burr) encounters a stunning lack of cooperation from both the victim's mother and her overbearing business manager (Richard Anderson). Meanwhile, Ed finds out that the kidnapping was an "inside job" and that the abductors have been given strict orders not to hurt the blindfolded girl--but one of the gang members (Kaz Garas) has other ideas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Billy Green Bush guest-stars as Cowboy, a wonder chopper pilot. When Henry (McLean Stevenson) refuses to ship Cowboy home, the outraged pilot threatens dire consequences. Before long, the 4077th is plagued by all manner of weird calamities, ranging from a runaway jeep to an exploding toilet. But the worst is saved for last, when Henry is obliged to take a helicopter ride with the combustible Cowboy. This episode originally aired on November 12, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Raymond Burr tackles what amounts to a triple role in this episode, in which Chief Ironside investigates a series of murders that share a common bond. Each of four victims had in his possession a numbered disk: the current holder of Disk Number Five is none other than the police commissioner (Gene Lyons), while Number Six is held by an eccentric, bearded artist named Carlton Duffy (billed as "himself" in the closing credits but actually played by Raymond Burr). Bearing a startling resemblance to Duffy, Ironside takes the man's place in hopes of luring the murderer into a trap. Veteran Hollywood makeup artist Jim McCoy was handed the daunting task of transforming star Burr into ( a ) Chief Ironside, ( b ) Carlton Duffy, and ( c ) Ironside posing as Duffy! Featured in a supporting role is a young William Katt, the son of Burr's onetime Perry Mason costar Barbara Hale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
In his second Ironside guest appearance, Burgess Meredith is cast as Harry Grenadine, a Hollywood make-up expert who has done jail time for bank robbery. No sooner has Harry been released from prison than a series of holdups occur, each one bearing his distinctive "signature." Ironside (Raymond Burr) sets about to determine whether Harry is back in business, or if his technique has been hijacked by a clever copycat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Fed up with the irreverence of Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and Trapper (Wayne Rogers), Frank Burns (Larry Linville) and Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan (Loretta Swit) apply for a transfer to another M*A*S*H unit. Unwilling to lose their two favorite patsies, Hawkeye and Trapper hatch a scheme to prevent Frank and Hot Lips from leaving. Before long, the 4077th has succumbed to "gold fever" when our two favorite army doctors pretend to have struck it rich. Its title a reference to The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, "Major Fred C. Dobbs" first aired on March 11, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
After a series of disturbing medical mishaps, Hawkeye (Alan Alda) wonders if he has lost his surgical touch. Meanwhile, it appears as though Hawkeye's bête noire, the spectacularly incompetent Frank Burns (Larry Linville), could actually be speaking the truth for a change. Then again, appearances can be deceiving. A deft combination of hilarity and heartache, "Sticky Wicket" was originally telecast on March 4, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
