Robert M. Young Movies
New York-born Robert M. Young began his directorial career in association with Michael Roemer in 1960 with a documentary on sit-ins for the NBC White Paper series. This was followed by a documentary on Angola. In 1962, their controversial documentary on poverty in Palermo, Sicily, The Inferno, was rejected by the NBC network, but was later re-edited and shown at film festivals. Their next film together, Nothing but a Man (1965), became an acclaimed drama dealing with race relations in the United States as few feature films were willing to attempt, telling the tale of a black man (Ivan Dixon) with dreams beyond the station that society is willing to permit, and the price that he pays for them. Young didn't make his next movie, Alambrista!, as a director until a dozen years later, but he has always worked in serious films, often at the expense of popular acceptance. His adaptation of the stage prison drama Short Eyes (1978) proved critically successful, and One Trick Pony (1980) -- perhaps Young's most obvious attempt at a "commercial" film -- attracted a lot of attention as a vehicle for Paul Simon as an actor, although it ultimately failed due to Simon's limitations in that role. The violent, feminist-oriented drama Extremities (1986) helped establish Farrah Fawcett as a serious actress, but received considerable criticism, mostly owing to its theatrical origins, which didn't allow the work to translate well to the screen. Dominick and Eugene (1988) is his most successful film, a serious drama about the love between a young physician (Ray Liotta) and his childlike twin (Tom Hulce). ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi
- 1977
Robert M. Young, who has made a cottage industry of "small" atmospheric films, made his directorial debut in 1977's Alambrista!. Domingo Ambriz plays a young Mexican man who crosses illegally into the U.S. The birth of an additional child convinces him that they need more than he can earn on his small farm. Each employment opportunity ultimately evolves into a heartbreak thanks to the exploitative practices of Ambriz's American employers. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Domingo Ambriz, Trinidad Silva, (more)
- 1991
Made for British television, Alive and Kicking is the bleak but compelling story of two druggies. Smudgen (Lenny Henry) is not only a user but a dealer; his wife Marie (Annabelle Apsion) is in what seems to be a perpetually strung-out state. When Marie has a baby, the authorities take the child away from her because neither she nor Smudgeon show any signs of straightening out. Enter social worker Liam Kane, played by the formidable Robbie Coltrane. Kane's violent, abrasive "cold turkey" technique has a positive effect on the couple, though one wonders if it is truly going to last. In contrast to Smudgeon and Marie, Jane Horrocks appears as Gail, an addict who is perfectly satisfied with her life...or what's left of it. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Edward J. Olmos made his directorial bow with the powerhouse crime saga American Me. Olmos stars as street-gang leader Santana, who during his 18 years in Folsom Prison rules over all the drug-and-murder activities behind bars. Upon his release, Santana goes back to his old neighborhood, intending to lead a peaceful, crime-free life. But his old gang buddies force him back into his old habits. The omniprescene of the "Mexican Mafia" in the southwest is sufficient to make this film a daunting, demoralizing experience. Upon its release, American Me received a lot of press play due to the fact that Olmos shot his Folsom sequences on location, using actual prisoners as extras and bit players. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Edward James Olmos, William Forsythe, (more)
- 1996
- R
- Add Caught to Queue
Love, lust, loyalty, and betrayal are the themes of this tense adult drama. Joe (Edward James Olmos) and Betty (Maria Conchita Alonso) are a married couple living in Jersey City; Joe runs a fish market, and Betty wishes that Joe showed as much interest in her as he does in his business, since she feels the spark has died in their relationship. They have a grown son, Danny (Steven Schub), who has moved to Los Angeles in hopes of making it big as a standup comic. One day, a guy named Nick (Arie Verveen), who is trying to avoid the police, happens into Joe's store. Joe senses that he's not a hardened criminal, just a kid with a long history of bad luck, so he takes pity on him and gives him a square meal. He genuinely likes Nick and offers him a job in his store; the pay isn't much, but, since Danny's room is empty, he can throw in free room and board. Nick gratefully accepts, and Joe soon discovers that he's found someone special, as Nick shows a natural talent for the fish business. Betty also thinks that Nick is someone special; while Betty loves Joe, and Nick is grateful to him, an attraction between the two leads to a passionate affair. As Nick and Betty both find themselves betraying Joe despite their affection for him, Danny returns from California, hoping to take his room back, and immediately sensing that something is wrong. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Edward James Olmos, Maria Conchita Alonso, (more)
- 1981
Another episode of the short-lived but wonderfully creepy "Hammer House of Horror" TV series, this supernatural thriller is spiced with some darkly comic touches. The title refers to a nickname given to a weird-looking little African fetish doll, from which emanates a curse that claims the lives of a small circle of friends -- specifically, all of those pictured in a single group photograph -- who took part in its theft under the misguided belief that it would bring them luck. The deaths are cleverly staged, and mostly involve some particularly nasty stab wounds (though Charlie doesn't actually spring to hideous life like his fetish compatriot in Trilogy of Terror). This and other installments of Hammer's well-made BBC series were introduced to the U.S. through pay-TV, then appeared on the now-defunct Thrillervideo label, hosted (and endlessly heckled) by slinky horror-hostess Elvira. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi
- 1992
This film documents the 30-year struggle of a Sicilian woman named Angela as she struggles to raise her children amongst violence and poverty. This film is the continuation of an earlier project featuring the same woman. It picks up where the former left off, showing the consequences of poverty and years of neglect on a single family. Throughout it all however, Angela's indomitable spirit offers a ray of hope. ~ Rob Ferrier, Rovi
In this visually striking tale of adventure, Ruth (Maria Bello) is an American widow who during the 1930s travels to China in hopes of making her late husband's dream a reality by bringing Chinese pandas to the United States. Ruth is awed by the striking beauty of China and discovers several of the rare pandas as well as a number of other unusual animals; however, Ruth learns that the Chinese government is lax in their protection of wildlife, and that hunters are making short work of the pandas. China: The Panda Adventure was shot and originally released in the high-definition IMAX film process. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Maria Bello, Xander Berkeley, (more)
This feature-length documentary goes into the making of the U.S. television game show Let's Make A Deal. Business meetings with advertisers, network executives, and production people clarify the "intent" of the show and the ways in which the staging of the show is influenced by that intent. The film was made with the full cooperation of co-owner and host Monty Hall and ABC television, and it serves as an excellent introduction to the economics of U.S. daytime television programming. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- 1979
The first "new" ABC network TV movie of the 1979-80 season, this one was advertised under the slightly more lurid title Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker. Filmed in quasidocumentary fashion, the story chronicles the melancholy tale of rebellious, 17-year-old Trish Thurston (Katy Kurtzman), who, in defiance of her parents' wishes, hangs out with a group of teenagers who enjoyed thumbing rides for kicks. Trish's fascination with the wild, unpredictable side of life leads to a disastrous rendezvous with a crazed killer. Diary of a Hitchhiker originally aired on September 21, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Dominick Luciano (Thomas Hulce) is the moderately retarded twin brother of highly intelligent young intern Eugene (Ray Liotta). Anxious to become a successful doctor, Eugene finds he must devote most of his time to caring for Dominick. For his part, Dominick has been contributing to the family unit as a trash collector; in fact, it is his earnings that keeps food on the table. All Dominick wants out of life is a house by the lake where he and his brother can be together for all time. But the ambitious Eugene can't always bring himself to share that vision. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tom Hulce, Ray Liotta, (more)
This fast-paced Disney endeavor stars Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann as two adolescents with acute psychic powers. The kids are actually space aliens, but suffer from amnesia and are unaware of their origins. Pursued by greedy business-mogul Ray Milland, who wants to harness their special powers for his benefit, Kim and Ike are rescued by likeable camper Eddie Albert. He and the kids escape to the mountain of the title when Albert's RV suddenly acquires the power of flight. In 1978, the film spawned the sequel Return from Witch Mountain. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Eddie Albert, Ray Milland, (more)
Attacked by a masked assailant, Marjorie (Farrah Fawcett) lives in mortal fear that the unidentified man will strike again -- especially since he knows her address. Sure enough, Joe the attacker (James Russo) breaks into Marjorie's home and subjects her to a night of terror and sexual humiliation. But Marjorie manages to turns the tables on her attacker, knocking him unconscious and rendering him helpless. The remainder of the story charts Marjorie's battle with herself: should she turn Joe over to the authorities, who may very well set him free, or should she mete out her own punishment? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Farrah Fawcett, James Russo, (more)
- 1986
Harry's Kingdom and Harry's Machine are alternate titles for the 1985 low-budgeter Hollywood Harry. Actor Robert Forster made his directorial debut in this languid private eye flick, reserving the "hard boiled dick" lead for himself. Forster is hired to find a missing girl; his only lead is the fact that the girl was featured in an X-rated movie. Hollywood Harry's niece, whom he takes to work with him to keep her out of trouble, is portrayed by Forster's real-life daughter Katherine. The film uses so many cliches of the detective genre that at times it's hard to tell whether we're supposed to take things seriously or not. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2003
Featuring a mixture of live-action and animation, this quirky comedy comes from director Robert M. Young (Caught). Robert Knott and Xander Berkeley star as Dobbitt and Hanrahan, two working stiffs who have left their families and homes behind for jobs in a strange factory that produces ambiguous products. Against an animated backdrop, the two bunkmates are forced to work under a conniving supervisor who is intentionally manipulating the men. Also featuring Berkeley's real-life spouse, Sarah Clarke, Human Error (formerly titled Below the Belt) screened as part of the Frontier program at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- Starring:
- Xander Berkeley, Tom Bower, (more)
- 1976
Looming bankruptcy makes an English family stop their excessive spending in this comedy. ~ Rovi
- 1976
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour "special"), Lt. Kojak (Telly Savalas) tackles a case of matricide that has remained unsolved from two years. Unfortunately, he meets stiff opposition in the form of Edna Morrison (Geraldine Page), a powerful politician who is determined that the whole truth about the murder will never see the light of day. Featured in the supporting cast as a deputy district attorney is a pre-Murphy Brown Charles Kimbrough. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1976
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), Kojak (Telly Savalas) steps up his efforts to help Karen Foster (Marybeth Hurt), whom he believes has been falsely charged with murdering her mother. At the same time, powerful politician Edna Morrison (Geraldine Page) continues pulling strings and calling in favors to prevent Kojak from uncovering the whole truth about the murder. Ultimately, Kojak is framed for another crime to shut him up. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1973
After a routine heist, two-bit car thief Artie Fowler (Mark Alaimo) is killed in cold blood. Kojak suspects that there's something bigger than a standard robbery going on--especially after Artie's girlfriend Maria (Lara Parker) lets slip that an upcoming "caper" will make fools of the authorities. It turns out that a $500,000 heist is in the works, masterminded by mob leader Hugh Jellicoe (Paul Lambert) and an unknown party whose theatrical bravado astonishes even the professional crooks. Future Dallas costar Ken Kercheval appears in a significant role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1974
Light-years removed from his comic escapades on Three's Company, John Ritter delivers a topnotch dramatic performance as Kenny Soames, a delivery boy who moonlights as a burglar. Accidentally killing one of his victims, Kenny plots a big-time heist in order to earn enough money to finance his getaway from New York. Meanwhile, Lt. Kojak (Telly Savalas) follows the trail of clues which lead inexorably to the too-clever-by-half Mr. Soames. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1974
This TV-movie spin on "Lenningen vs. the Ants" not only features predatory locusts, but grasshoppers as well. The insect invasion threatens the harvest of a small rural community. Ben Johnson plays the father of one of the imperiled farm families. Ron Howard plays Johnson's son, who is considered something of a coward and therefore must prove himself as the locusts close in. Locusts premiered the same October week in 1974 that The Last Picture Show, which featured Ben Johnson in his Oscar-winning performance as Sam the Lion, made its network TV bow. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1969
A rare radioactive isotope known as Trivanium is the prize in this tense Mission:Impossible episode. With only 48 hours at their disposal, the IMF must recover the isotope before it can be applied to the manufacture of nuclear weaponry. Paris poses as Stefan, the amnesiac former partner of Johan (Steve Ihnat), the thief who stole the Trivanium--and who thought he'd murdered Stefan in the process.. Also in the cast is Julie Gregg as IMF agent Monique. First telecast on December 21, 1969, "The Amnesiac" was written by Scripted by Robert Malcolm Young and Ken Pettus, from a story by Young. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
A landmark independent film, Nothing but a Man is the first dramatic story featuring a largely black cast created for an integrated audience (the work of black filmmakers such as Oscar Micheaux was intended for audiences who patronized black-only theaters). White filmmakers Michael Roemer and Robert M. Young traveled through the South in 1962 in search of ideas for a fiction feature set during the growing turbulence of the civil rights era. Their story, based in Alabama but shot in southern New Jersey, is only tangentially related to the movement toward equality. Duff, an itinerant black railroad laborer (Ivan Dixon), romances and marries Josie, a small-town preacher's daughter (Abbey Lincoln). Duff insists on being treated with respect, but his stance is personal rather than political. After he settles down in the town with Josie, he comes up against white bosses who want to make sure he knows his place and black men such as Josie's father who don't want to rock the boat for fear of losing what little advantage they have. Duff's relationship with his own father (Julius Harris), a broken-down drunk living in Birmingham, teaches him valuable lessons about dignity and self-worth. The film was lauded at both the New York and Venice festivals but received limited release in theaters specializing in foreign and independent film. However, word of mouth in the black community (where Nothing but a Man was for years a staple on the 16 mm rental market, in the days before VCRs) and continued attention by film historians have ensured the status of Nothing but a Man as a pioneering and enduring work. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ivan Dixon, Abbey Lincoln, (more)
- 1980
- R
The struggle of a has-been singer to work his way back up the charts is the focus of this drama by Robert M. Young with screenplay and music by Paul Simon. Simon plays Jonah, a once-popular singer who now opens for punk rock bands. In the ten years since he had a hit song, Jonah's wife has divorced him, but he still sees his young son as often as he can. With his record company on his back to come up with something that sells, Jonah begins to compromise his own talent when he listens to the advice of a trendy producer. Whether or not he can straighten out his personal life and steer his own ship may depend on his ability to trust his own judgment and adjust to the changing times. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Paul Simon, Blair Brown, (more)
- 1979
- PG
The rich kids of the title are 12-year-old Trini Alvarado and her intellectual pal Jeremy Levy. Alvarado is down in the dumps because her parents are going through a divorce. She finds a kindred spirit in Levy, whose folks split up long ago. He points out the advantages and privileges of being a child of divorce-and is so persuasive that he almost convinces himself as well as Alvarado. An early project of director Robert M. Young, Rich Kids was produced through the auspices of Robert Altman. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Trini Alvarado, Jeremy Levy, (more)
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