Donald Woods Movies
Handsome Hollywood "second lead" Donald Woods came from the stage to films in 1934. He played a few unremarkable roles before rising to prominence as Charles Darnay in the 1935 version of A Tale of Two Cities. He spent the 1940s and 1950s heading the cast of B-productions and serials and essaying supporting roles in top-of-the-bill features. On television, Woods played the title role in the 1952 syndicated series Craig Kennedy, Criminologist, hosted the 1955 anthology The Damon Runyon Theatre, and played a dignified recurring role on the 1965 sitcom Tammy; he also acted as "goodwill ambassador" for the latter program, making personal appearances and taping local promos. Throughout his career, Donald Woods supplemented his acting income as a real estate broker -- which indeed would have been an excellent film role for the businesslike Woods. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1971
This episode marks the first series appearance of Elizabeth Baur as rookie policewoman Fran Belding. Anxious to prove that her murdered police-captain father is innocent of corruption charges, Fran tags along with Ironside and his team as they conduct their investigation of the killing. Though the overeager rookie proves to be more hindrance than help, Ironside is impressed by her diligence and dedication. Meanwhile, two-bit gambler Charlie (played by singer Bobby Darin in one of his last TV appearances) weaves in and out of the plotline, "helpfully" providing information that might clear Fran's dad--all the while pursuing a sinister hidden agenda. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In fine Hollywood tradition, John Wayne had to play a "one-eyed fat man" before the Motion Picture Academy considered him worthy of an Oscar. In True Grit, Wayne plays grumpy, pot-bellied U.S. marshal "Rooster" Cogburn, hired by 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) to find Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey), who killed her father. The headstrong Mattie could have had her pick of lawmen, but selects the aging Cogburn because she believes he has "true grit" (she talks this way all through the picture, so be prepared). Also heading into Indian territory in search of Chaney is Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), who wants to collect the reward placed on the fugitive's head for his earlier crimes. Complicating matters are Chaney's scurrilous cronies Ned Pepper (Robert Duvall), Quincy (Jeremy Slate), and Moon (Dennis Hopper), who have no qualms about killing a troublesome teenaged girl like Mattie. While the plot of True Grit, adapted (and streamlined) by Marguerite Roberts from the novel by Charles Portis, maintains audience interest throughout, the glue that truly holds this Western together is John Wayne, delivering one of his finest performances (though some believe he was better in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon). Wayne's casual charisma is infinitely more effective than the mannered method acting of Kim Darby and the floundering non-acting of poor Glen Campbell. And who could not love the climatic face-off between Duvall and company and John Wayne, whose "Fill your hand, you son of a bitch!" is not only a classic bit of dialogue, but the apotheosis of the Wayne mystique. In 1975, Wayne repeated his True Grit characterization opposite Katharine Hepburn in Rooster Cogburn, but the film failed to match its predecessor and the overall effect was blunted. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Glen Campbell, (more)
- 1968
This musical chronicles the rise to fame of C&W singer Grady Dodd (Hank Williams Jr.). The tale begins as the talented young man defies the uncle who raised him and tries to break into the music business. As a result of the conflict, the boy learns that his mother, whom he doesn't remember, was a singer who died after she ran away with another musician. Songs include: The Humming Bird, It's All Over But the Crying, Rock in My Shoe (Hank Williams, Jr.), A Man Is On His Own (John Scoggins, Williams, Jr.), Money Can't Buy Happiness, Old Before My Time (Steve Karliski), Next Time I Say Goodbye, I'm Leaving (Larry Kusik, Eddie Snyder), and A Time to Sing (Scoggins). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hank Williams, Jr., Shelley Fabares, (more)
- 1967
In this drama, sweet and honest Tammy is hired as a secretary by a powerful industrialist with a handsome young son. Meanwhile a society dame is angered that the millionaire hired Tammy because she wanted her own girl to have a shot at the son. To ruin the new secretary's chances, the dame and her conniving daughter try to smear Tammy's reputation at every turn. They even try to sic the IRS on her for evasion of back taxes; the government agency retaliates by trying to take away Tammy's house to repay the debt. Fortunately, the hapless girl's grandpa and uncle show an old deed that proves that they do indeed own the house. Not only that, according to the deed, the little family also owns the property of the wealthy socialite and her family. Tammy disagrees with her family's plan and fears that her backwoods relatives will ruin her life. She is saved by her boss who secretly pays the taxes and then holds a riotous party in which her family acts like fools. Fortunately, everyone forgets about it and she and the son live happily. This is the last of four pictures about Tammy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Debbie Watson, Frank McGrath, (more)
- 1967
In this sequel to the previous season's "The Big Shadow of the Land", Jack Kruschen returns as Giorgio Rossi, the bombastic patriach of a family of Italian winegrowers. Hoping to improve the Rossis' financial situation, Ben Cartwright grants Giorgio eighty acres of Ponderosa property, which the effusive immigrant immediately converts into a lush vineyard. A crisis develops when Ben's nasty neighbor Gurney (Donald Woods shuts off Rossi's water supply. Also making return appearances are Penny Santon and Brioni Farrell) as Giorgio's wife Maria and daughter Regina. Written by William F. Leicester as the pilot episode for a projected TV series, "The Deed and the Dilemma" first aired March 26, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
In this sci-fi spy thriller, a secret agent for Espionage, Inc., is assigned to stop the Dragon, a Chinese communist organization, from detonating a nuclear bomb in Los Angeles. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Mervyn LeRoy, one of the best-known directors of Hollywood's Golden Age, wrapped up his career behind the camera with this suspense drama. Kay Stanton (Jean Seberg) is the wife of well-known psychiatrist Neil Stanton (Arthur Hill). Neil's international reputation often keeps him on the road lecturing at medical conferences, leaving Kay alone at home. Bored and craving attention, Kay becomes involved with a handsome Naval officer named Mark Dominic (Sean Garrison), but the affair is often rocky, and one day, in the midst of an argument, Kay accidentally shoots Mark. Convinced that Mark is dead, Kay panics and calls her friend Daphne (Honor Blackman). With Daphne's help, Kay drags Mark's body to a car, and they drive to a deep ravine, where they toss the body in. Shortly afterward, Kay calls the police to report that a dead body is in the ravine, without giving her name. But they learn that the body was not found; as it turns out, Mark was only wounded in the shooting, and he now waits in a hospital ward, recovering from his wounds and suffering from amnesia. Moment to Moment was made at a time when leading lady Jean Seberg was getting most of her work in European films; she wasn't to make a picture for a U.S. studio for another three years. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Seberg, Honor Blackman, (more)
Elvis Presley plays a double role in Kissin' Cousins. When the U.S. government wants land owned by the hillbilly clan headed by Pappy Tatum (Arthur O'Connell), they send Air Force Lieutenant Josh Morgan (Presley), a cousin of the Tatum's, to try and secure the land for a proposed missile base. Josh comes face-to-face with Jody Tatum, his blonde-haired look-alike. Glenda Farrell plays Ma Tatum, and distaff interest for Elvis is provided by Cynthia Pepper, Yvonne Craig, a busty Beverly Powers, and Hortense Petra. Watch for Maureen Reagan as one of the Kittyhawks, a group of desperate, man-hungry females out to get some love. This film was the first of the low-budget movies that would unfortunately plague the rest of Elvis' movie career. The song selection also reflects a decline in the quality of both recording and acting parts offered to Presley. Once he fulfilled his contractual obligations for the forgettable features, Elvis ended his film career and devoted his efforts exclusively to live shows and recording. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, (more)
- 1961
Johnny Cabot (Johnny Cash) is a bloodthirsty New Jersey gangster who is forced to hide out in a small California suburb after killing a cop during a job gone wrong. He's given a chance to get back in the game by Fred Dorella (Vic Tayback), a crook with a novel plan for a foolproof bank heist. Dorella has been studying the daily habits of the Harper Federal Trust vice president Ken Wilson (Donald Woods). He learns that Wilson and his wife Nancy (Cay Forester) are on a strict schedule every morning and Dorella plans to use their dull routine against them. After Wilson goes to work, Johnny tricks his way into the house with Nancy by pretending to be a door-to-door guitar salesman, and then holds her hostage. At the same time, Dorella visits Wilson at the bank and demands 70,000 dollars in cash. If he doesn't get the loot and contact Johnny by phone at a specified time, Nancy will be killed. What Dorella hasn't counted on is that the Wilson home is not a happy one, and Ken is planning on running away with his mistress that very evening. Meanwhile, the leering, sadistic Johnny taunts Nancy about being "the perfect wife." He does all he can to humiliate her, forcing her to put on makeup and a flimsy negligee, slapping her around and singing menacing songs. When the Wilsons' son Bobby (Ron Howard) comes home from school for lunch, a terrifying showdown with the police leads to tragedy. Guitar legend Merle Travis has a small role as a cowardly bowling alley owner in this crime drama, which was re-released in 1966 under the title Door-to-Door Maniac. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Cash, Donald Woods, (more)
Gimmick-loving producer William Castle strikes again with this fun haunted-house thriller which invited audiences to find the hidden ghosts roaming about a haunted house through a special process called "Illusion-O" by which patrons could employ a special pair of red-and-blue-colored glasses to detect ghosts on the screen during the film's color-tinted sequences. The story is set in the mansion of the deceased occult scientist Dr. Zorba, whose nephew Cyrus and his family occupy the creepy estate and discover that they are not the only tenants. It seems the Doctor has been harboring 12 elusive specters on the premises, the appearance of which can only be detected through his final invention: a special pair of ghost-viewing goggles. To further complicate matters, it is learned that Zorba has stashed a small fortune somewhere in the house, and someone -- or something -- is determined to stop Cyrus and family from finding it. This film's original release featured an introduction from Castle, describing the "Illusion-O" process and demonstrating the proper use of the tinted glasses; he also appears in an epilogue stating that the glasses can be used to detect ghosts outside the theater! ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Herbert, Jo Morrow, (more)
- 1959
In this tearjerker, a morally disparate father and son attempt to reconcile their differences. The father is a major construction magnate who has dreamed of his son taking over the lucrative family business. The father's heart is devastated when the son decides to become a missionary after graduating with an engineering degree and a great rift is formed between them, one that does not heal until a terrible tragedy ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
A longtime "dream" project of production designer-turned-director Eugene Lourie, The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms sees the titular beast unleashed on the world via nuclear testing. Making its way from the Arctic Circle, the monster-a carnivorous "rhedosaurus"-begins advancing towards New York. It stomps its way around Wall Street, pausing to have a policeman for lunch. By the time it has reached Coney Island, the rhedosaurus is more of a danger than ever because of the deadly bacteria it carries within its system. It's up to researcher Paul Christian and sharpshooter Lee Van Cleef to try to liquidate the beast with a grenade chock full of radioactive isotopes. Beast From 20,000 Fathoms represented effects artist Ray Harryhausen's first solo effort, after assisting Willis O'Brien on Mighty Joe Young (1949). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Christian, Paula Raymond, (more)
In his heart-felt cinematic debut, Edward D. Wood, Jr. himself stars under the pseudonym Daniel Davis as a young man with a dilemma: should he tell his lovely young fiancee (played by real-life girlfriend Dolores Fuller) about his burning desire to cross-dress? She has begun to notice articles of clothing missing from her closet; the suspense builds...what should he do? Bela Lugosi plays the omniscient narrator; note his conviction as he "pulls the strings." Amidst this unintentionally hilarious mish-mash of melodrama, social commentary and inexplicable stock footage, there is something for every taste: countless cross dressers, hallucinatory dream sequences, sex-change surgeries, spirited cat fights, borderline-pornographic simulated sex scenes, poetic monologues, a haunted house, and a stampede of wild buffalo. Released under various titles across the country -- I Lived Two Lives, I Changed My Sex -- this fiasco bombed across the board but managed to gain Wood enough notoriety in the "B"-movie world to launch a career that is today the stuff of legend. Hailed by most critics as the worst film of all time, Wood nearly matched his first effort with such atrocities as Bride of the Monster, Night of the Ghouls, the infamous Plan 9 from Outer Space, and, perhaps the world's first topless horror film, Orgy of the Dead. Although few may count Wood among the best American cinema has to offer, Glen or Glenda certainly places him among its most memorable. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bela Lugosi, Daniel Davis [Edward D. Wood, Jr.], (more)
- 1953
William "One Take" Beaudine sat in the director's chair for the independently produced Born to the Saddle. Chuck Courtney plays a young horse trainer who goes to work for the truculent Donald Woods. Courtney believes that Woods was responsible for the death of the boy's father, and hopes to exact revenge if his suspicions are confirmed. Instead, the older and younger man become close friends thanks to their mutual love of horses. Featured in the cast is actress Karen Morley, in one of her few screen appearances after being officially blacklisted for her allegedly leftist political beliefs. Adele Buffington adapted the screenplay of Born to the Saddle from a short story by Gordon Young. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1950
Bing Crosby stars as Paul Merrick, an irresponsible songwriter in Mr. Music. Merrick's improvidence and prodigality has made him persona non grata in show business, so his secretary Katherine Holbrook (Nancy Olson) takes it upon herself to rehabilitate her boss. Meanwhile, producer Alex Conway (Charles Coburn) desperately needs a hit show to survive. Conway takes a chance on Merrick, who then enlists several of Katherine's college-student friends to put on a musical revue. All the group needs now is some money--$300,000, to be exact. Mr. Music is enlivened by several guest-star appearances, including Marge & Gower Champion, Dorothy Kirsten, Peggy Lee, the Merry Macs, and Groucho Marx who performs an amusing vaudeville turn with Crosby. Director Richard Haydn shows up in a pivotal cameo role, billed as "Claude Curdle." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Nancy Olson, (more)
Johnny One-Eye was adapted from one of Damon Runyon's lesser-known stories. Pat O'Brien and Wayne Morris star as Martin Martin and Dane Cory respectively, former partners in crime who have long since split up. When a new district attorney puts the heat on, Cory, anxious to save his own hide, accuses Martin of an unsolved murder. Holed up in abandoned house, Martin is befriended by a little girl (Gayle Reed) and her dog. It so happens that the girl is the daughter of the crusading DA, and thereby hangs the rest of this tale. Produced by Benedict Bogeaus, Johnny One-Eye co-stars Bogeaus' wife Dolores Moran as a moll named Lily White. The film represented the last directorial assignment of Robert Florey, who retired shortly afterward. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pat O'Brien, Wayne Morris, (more)
- 1950
The Lost Volcano is the 3rd entry in Monogram's "Bomba the Jungle Boy" series. Johnny Sheffield, formerly "Boy" in the Tarzan pictures, stars as Bomba. In this outing, Our Hero sets out to rescue David (Tommy Ivo), the kidnapped son of husband-and-wife zoologists Paula and Ruth Gordon (Donald Woods and Marjorie Lord). David has been kidnapped by scurrilous jungle guides Barton (John Ridgely) and Daniel (Robert Lewis), who hope that the kid will lead them to a valuable treasure. Bomba is forced to race against time when a reactivated volcano threatens to swallow up David and his captors. Elena Verdugo, years removed from her Marcus Welby MD stint, co-stars as an alluring native girl. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Sheffield, Donald Woods, (more)
- 1949
Martha Vickers was given a rare leading-role opportunity in Daughter of the West. Vickers plays Lolita Moreno, a part-Native American girl who falls in love with college-educated Navajo Navo (Philip Reed). The film's Indian characters are depicted in a dignified, respectful manner: not so the white villains, headed by crooked Indian agent Ralph Connors (Donald Wood). When Connors and his flunkies try to cheat the Navajos out of their land, Navo gets wise to their scheme and nips it in the bud. The film's highlight is an authentically staged Indian harvest sequence, lensed in Cinecolor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martha Vickers, Phillip Reed, (more)
- 1949
- NR
The Dore Schary regime at MGM brought a much-needed dose of stark realism to the venerable studio. Van Johnson sheds his boy-next-door image to play L.A. plainclothes lieutenant Mike Conovan. Determined to bring a cop killer to justice, Conovan will let no man stand in his way -- not even his level-headed superiors. The detective's single-purposed pursuit causes a rift in his marriage to wife Gloria (Arlene Dahl). The film comes very close to the Dragnet school of unadorned, unglamorized police procedure: it adheres to standard MGM formula only in the final reconciliation scene. Officially a Harry Rapf production, Scene of the Crime was completed by another producer when Rapf died during filming. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Van Johnson, Arlene Dahl, (more)
- 1949
A pleasant comedy with serious undertones, Free for All stars Robert Cummings as erstwhile inventor Christopher Parker. Hoping to secure a patent on his latest invention--a formula that turns water into gasoline--Parker is flummoxed by yards and yards of governmental and bureaucratic red tape. He also faces formidable opposition in the form of avaricious oil-company executive Blair (Ray Collins). Thankfully, Peterson can occasionally seek comfort in the arms of Alva (Ann Blyth), fortuitously the daughter of sympathetic patent-office employe Mr. Abbott (Percy Kilbride). Within a few years, the heat generated by the House UnAmerican Activities Committee would preclude the on-screen depiction of a villainous oil executive (this particular stereotype would, however, stage a comeback during the energy crises of the 1970s). Outside of its satirical jibes, Free for All scores its biggest laughs when concentrating on the various eccentrics (Percy Helton, Harry Antrim et. al.) dwelling in Mr Abbott's gadget-laden boarding house. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Cummings, Ann Blyth, (more)
- 1949
Quickie king Sam Katzman was responsible for the 64-minute swashbuckler Barbary Pirate. Set mostly in the bay of Tripoli in the early 19th century, the film stars Donald Woods as American army officer Tom Blake. Hoping to trap the titular pirates, Blake gains the confidence of Yussef, the ruler of Tripoli (Stefan Schnabel). After much swordplay and miles of stock footage, the good guys emerge triumphant. One of actor Donald Woods' fringe benefits in agreeing to star in Barbary Pirate was the presence of two lovely leading ladies. Trudy Marshall (the mother of actress Deborah Raffin) is the traditional damsel in distress, while Lenore Aubert is the dusky native girl who doesn't survive to the last reel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donald Woods, Trudy Marshall, (more)
- 1948
In this above-average western, a villainous land grabber attempts to force horse ranchers to sell their ranches so he can become king of the horse market. One stubborn rancher refuses to relent and his killed. His two surviving sisters then continue the fight. They are soon assisted by a passing drifter who ends up falling for one of them. In the end a gunfight between the good and bad guys ensues. Also included in the story are scenes from an exciting fight between two wild stallions. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Arlen, Patricia Morison, (more)
