William Witney Movies
One of the kings of B-movies, William Witney is rapidly achieving recognition at the end of the 20th century as an unheralded master of the action film. Born in Lawton, OK, Witney came to movies as a messenger boy, and gradually worked his way up the ladder at Republic Pictures. In 1936, he was on the site of the location shooting for The Painted Stallion, which had run into serious shooting delays, when he was ordered to take over directing the serial; Witney finished it on time and on budget, and for the next six years was one of the studio's three most reliable makers of chapterplays, along with Spencer Bennet and John English, with whom he frequently worked.Witney's serials were all characterized by breathtaking action sequences, seamlessly mated to well-played scenes depicting character development, which accounts for the fact that they continue to play well for modern audiences. His major contribution to action films derived from his innovative way of shooting fight scenes. After watching the way that choreographer Busby Berkeley broke his dances into segments, Witney did the same with his fight scenes, breaking them into shots lasting less than two minutes before changing his set-ups and giving his stunt men a rest; in that way, they could work full-out in every shot and put that much more into their work. Witney augmented this effect by undercranking the camera slightly -- that is, running the film slightly slowed down -- so that when projected at normal speed the action seemed even more furious, and his resulting fight scenes are amazing to watch. In 1946, after a stint in the U.S. Navy, Witney returned to Republic but declined to pursue serial work. Instead, he was assigned to take over the shooting of Roy Rogers' movies, which had fallen into a rut and were in danger of losing popularity. Witney put the action back into them and brought Rogers and the studio continued success into the mid-'50s.
Witney's most popular feature films are The Master of the World, starring Vincent Price and Charles Bronson, and The Bonnie Parker Story, starring Dorothy Provine, and the latter is considered something of a B-movie classic, and his exploitation movies Juvenile Jungle and The Cool and the Crazy also have cult followings. But his most enduring work, for those familiar with the genre, can be found in the Republic serials Nyoka and the Tigermen, Jungle Girl, and Spy Smasher. All of them display boundless energy and a lean, eloquent focus on character that never slows down the narrative. Although Witney himself would be the first to deny any artistic intentions, he is a master stylist within the action genre. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1982
A malevolent land mogul has threatened an honest group of Texas homesteaders, and when the innocent suffer justice must be served in director William Witney's action-packed, post-Civil War western. In a time when life was cheap and bullets were plentiful, Quell (Madison Mason) was a man to whom justice meant everything. A greedy land mogul whose mistreatment of the poor frontiersmen has raised the ire of Quell and his justice seeking band of followers, Kirk (Skip Homeler) thinks that he can bankroll respect and buy his way into power. That's not the way things work when in old Texas though, and when Kirk faces off against Quell and his crew, bullets are sure to fly. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1977
This low-budget entry in the "blaxploitation" genre of the 1970s is so stereotypical that it's almost a parody of the genre (which might well have been the intention). You might get some moderate interest out of the fact that future Magnum PI co-star Roger E. Mosley plays the male lead. Otherwise, there's a plethora of jive talk, lots of blaring R&B music, plenty of flesh-pressing between the girls and the guys, and lots of chasing around streets and alleyways. It ain't art, but it made back its cost. Get Down and Boogie was directed by onetime Republic Pictures actionmeister William Witney. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
A tough biker gang comprised of African-American women heads off to find a member's mother and her abductor in this exploitation comedy ostensibly designed to make fun of racial stereotypes. The film was later retitled Get Down and Boogie. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1973
- R
In this violent low-budget actioner from Roger and Gene Corman, two battered prisoners decide they've had enough and attempt to escape the notorious island. Papillon it isn't. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1970
This jungle adventure is comprised of two episodes from the 1966-69 TV show. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The directorial reins of 40 Guns to Apache Pass are in the expert hands of actionmeister William Witney, who helmed many of Audie Murphy's latter-day vehicles. Here Murphy plays a Cavalry captain who takes on the entire Apache nation virtually single-handedly. He is undermined by villainous Corporal Bodine (Kenneth Tobey), who runs a thriving business selling guns to the Indians. Michael Keep plays Apache leader Cochise, bringing a touch of humanity and dignity to his two-dimensional role. After wrapping up 40 Guns to Apache Pass, William Witney went into retirement, emerging every so often for "guest of honor" chores at the various western-movie conventions of the 1970s and 1980s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Ben Cartwright purchaeses a stallion from drunken lout Burt Loughlin (Tom Tully), hoping to fulfill the fondest dreams of Burt's sweet daughter Trudy (Kim Darby). It is Trudy's wish to ride the stallion to victory in a upcoming high-stakes race. But Ben's good intentions may be undone by Burt, who has aligned with crooked gambler Harper (William Bryant) to fix the outcome of the race. Written by Sydney Ellis and Robert Vincent Wright, "The Sure Thing" was originally telecast on November 12, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1967
Written by John Hawkins and Gil Lasky, "Sense of Duty" served to introduce new Bonanza regular David Canary as Candy. Donning a military uniform for the first time in years, Ben Cartwright is placed in command of the 116th Virginia City Militia, a unit including his own sons Joe and Hoss. Ben's mission: to escort Indian rebel leader Wabuska (Michael Forest) to prison. Surrounded from all sides by Wabuska's fanatical followers, Ben and his unit find their lives in the hands of an enigmatic stranger named Candy, who seems to understand the Indians better than the Indians do. "Sense of Duty" originally aired on September 24, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
In Part Two of "Ride the Wind", Curtis Wade (Rod Cameron takes over from the late Charles Ludlow as head of the new Pony Express service. Determined to keep the service running and to finish the route despite attacks by the Paiutes, Wade is driven not so much by duty as by his ego, which has been fuelded by exploitive Eastern journalist Tully (DeForrest Kelley. Wade's delusions of grandeur may prove fatal for Joe Cartwright, who has signed on as a Pony Express rider despite the protests of his father Ben. Tom Lowell appears as Charles Ludlow's son Jabez, who ends up as the story's eleventh-hour problem solver. Written by Paul Schneider, the second half of the two-part "Ride the Wind" was originally broadcast on January 23, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Written by Paul Schneider, "Ride the Wind" was Bonanza's first two-part story. Ben Cartwright is willing to provide Charles Ludlow (Victor Jory) with money to help finance the new Pony Express service, but isn't keen on allowing his son Joe to join Ludlow's riders. Nor is the Paiute Indian tribe amenable to allowing the Pony Express to go across their land. Exacerbating the problem is Ludlow's assistant, Curtis Wade (Rod Cameron), who hopes to make a name for himself as an Indian fighter. The story is sufficiently exciting to make one forget that the real Pony Express had been disbanded some three years before the events depicted in this episode. Part One of "Ride the Wind" first aired on January 16, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
In Sheriff Coffee's absence, Virginia City's mayor (Ted Knight) hires ruthlessly efficient lawman Wes Dann (Eric Fleming) as peacekeeper. At first an admirer of Dann, Joe Cartwright soon learns that the cold-blooded temporary sheriff is less interested in upholding the law than meting out his own sadistic brand of punishment. This episode marked one of the final TV appearances of former Rawhide star Eric Fleming; others in the cast include Roy Foster, Ray Stricklyn, Dee Pollack, Clyde Howdy, Grandon Rhodes, I. Stanford Jolley, and legendary serial villain Roy Barcroft. First telecast on February 6, 1966, "Peace Officer" was written by Don Mullaly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
In this adventure re-edited from the 1938 serial Hawk of the Wilderness, a savage white man (Bruce Bennett) rescues a band of shipwreck survivors. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Despite his dishonorable discharge from the Army, Jason (Chuck Connors) is asked to be sheriff in the small town where he has recently killed a gunslinger. It soon develops that Jason doesn't have much in the way of job security. In the past year alone, the town has had three other sheriffs--all of whom have been shot to death. Veteran western player Ben Johnson, some six years away from his Oscar-winning performance in The Last Picture Show, appears as Bill Latigo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
This western is the movie-length pilot for the long-running television series Bonanza. The story follows the Cartwright clan as they help keep the nearly bankrupt Pony Express from going under. They also work to keep the angry Paiute Indians at bay. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) heads to Los Angeles to deliver a gold shipment worth $50,000. At the same time, Mexican teenager Juan Molinera (Jose DeVega) dreams of reviving the memory of notorious bandido Joaquin Murietta. To do this, Juan intends to steal the gold in Jason's possession--a task in which blood must inevitably be spilled. Heading the guest cast as Juan's grandmother is celebrated Mexican actress Dolores Del Rio, still dazzlingly beautiful at the age of 60. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In the first episode of a two-part story, Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) is again summoned to Washington by President Grant (William Bryant). This time, Jason is asked to infiltrate a group of insurrectionists who may or may not be plotting to assassinate the President and overthrow the government. John Carradine repeats his role as Jason's grandfather, General Josh McCord, in this story co-written by series star Chuck Connors--whose wife Kamala Devi also makes a guest appearance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In the second episode of a two-part story, Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) has infiltrated a group of insurrectionists who plan to assassinate President Grant. When Jason's cover is blown, the assassins boldly make a public attempt on both his life and Grant's--leaving an incriminating dagger behind. Now fully aware of who is behind the plot, Jason formulates a counterplot of his own, which reaches full fruition at a Washington DC costume party. Future Mission: Impossible leading man Peter Graves plays a pivotal role in this story, which was co-written by Branded star Chuck Connors--whose wife Kamala Devi also makes a guest appearance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The wife of vicious outlaw Jess Miller (Michael Witney), long-suffering Allie (Janet De Gore takes refuge at the Ponderosa, where she grew up. Jess wants to forcibly take Allie back-but he wants nothing to do with their son Tommy (Teddy Quinn, a deaf mute. Frank Puglia appears as the kindly Padre. Another Bonanza object lesson in tolerance and understanding, "Tommy" was written by Mort Thaw, Mary T. Taylor and Thomas Thompson, and first aired on December 18, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
In Part Two of "The Pursued", Mormon rancher Heber Clawson (Eric Fleming) is burned out of his home and shot to death by a bigoted mob, spurred on by a demented self-ordained minister. It is up to the Cartwrights to provide safe passage for Heber's two wives Susannah (Dina Merrill) and Elizabeth Ann (Lois Nettelton)-and to secure emergency medical attention for the seriously injured, and very pregnant, Elizabeth Ann. The story takes a positive turn when a new minister tries to undo the damage wrought upon the Mormon women. Written by Thomas Thompson and Marc Michaels, Part Two of "The Pursued" originally aired on October 9, 1966. Both Parts One and Two were removed from the Bonanza syndicated package when the series aired on the Family Channel cable network, reportedly because the story's religious message did not jibe with the beliefs of network chairman Pat Robertson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Written by Thomas Thompson and Marc Michaels, "The Pursued" was the second of Bonanza's two-part stories. In Beehive, Nevada, the Cartwrights arranged to buy horses from Mormon rancher Heber Clawson (Eric Fleming). Soon they become involved in Clawson's stubborn determination to remain in Beehive with his two wives Susannah (Dina Merrill) and Elizabeth Ann (Lois Nettleton), despite religious persecution from the townsfolk in general and a fanatical self-ordained minister (Booth Colman) in particular. Things go from bad to worse when ruthless town boss Grant Carbo (Vincent Beck) falls in love with Elizabeth Ann. Part One of "The Pursued" originally aired on October 2, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
At the request of gallant Colonel Fairchild (Charles Ruggles) and his lovely daughter Patty Lou (Julie Parrish), Ben Cartwright agrees to arrange a championship horse race. What Ben doesn't know is that the Colonel has fixed the outcome of the race to rid himself of nasty creditor Jack Geller (Skip Homeier). When Ben finds this out he enlists the aid of his son Joe to fix Geller's wagon without harming the Fairchilds. Written by William R. Cox, "Horse of a Different Hue" first aired September 18, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 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
Gilbert Roland guest-stars as poor but proud horse rangher Jim Acton. Hoping to get back on his financial feet, Acton is devastated when his prize mare is legally awared to Sam Whipple (Ken Lynch). Not long afterward, Acton kills Sam in self defense, but an overeager deputy named Pete (Pat Conway) is determined to prove Sam a murderer, and to bring him to justice dead or alive-preferably dead. As always, the Cartwrights intervene. Written by Thomas Thompson, this episode served to reunite two veterans of the Republic Pictures B-western mill: Director William Witney, and supporting actor Roy Barcroft. "The Lonely Runner" was first broadcast on October 10, 1965. ~ 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)
