Doney Oatman Movies
- 1978
Rocky (Noah Beery Jr.) is not the only person in the trailer park who is annoyed by his new neighbors Nodzak (Luke Andreas) and Conigliaro (Greg Antonacci), who not only throw wild and noisy parties every night, but threaten to beat up anyone who complains. Jim (James Garner) takes it upon himself to confront the two troublemakers, only to end up being charged with murder. With his new attorney (Sorrell Booke) too busy to devote his full time to Jim's plight, the detective places his fate in the hands of the estimable John Cooper (Bob Hopkins in his first series appearance), a disbarred lawyer-turned-legal researcher. Unexpected complications ensue, involving the sister of a notorious mobster. . .not to mention another murder which is still in the planning stages. This episode and its sixth-season followup "Just a Coupla Guys" were written by David Chase, who later parlayed his fascination with the Mob into the groundbreaking cable-TV series The Sopranos. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Delta County USA was the feature-length pilot film for a proposed prime-time serial. The titular county is an old, hidebound Southern community, harboring ever so many dark secrets. The dramatic tension of the film is manifested in the lack of understanding between the older citizens and the young set. Jim Antonio heads the cast as "Jack the Bear," who's smarter than the av-er-age...you know. Delta County USA was initially telecast May 20, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Hoping to woo and win a girl named Sally Ann Harper (played by Happy Days' Erin Moran), Ben (Eric Scott) recommends her to Jason (Jon Walmsley) as a band singer, and even suggests that she introduce Jason's latest song "Will You Be Mine" (actually written by Walmsley). The scheme backfires disastrously (and predictably!) when Sally falls in love with Jason instead. As the romantic rivalry between the two brothers intensifies, Grandpa (Will Geer) and John (Ralph Waite) likewise have trouble seeing eye-to-eye during a billiard competition. This episode was directed by series regular Richard Thomas (John-Boy). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
This third-season opener for the ABC Afterschool Special series is based on Betsy Byars' Newbery award-winning book, The Summer of the Swans. Like most 14-year old girls, Sarah Godfrey (Heather Totten) is wrapped up with the usual problems of puberty: she's moody, self-conscious, has trouble making friends, and is averse to thinking about anyone's problems other than her own. But a sudden crisis involving her mentally challenged younger brother (Reed Diamond) shakes Sarah out of her self-involvement and helps her make great strides in emotional maturity. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Heather Totten, Priscilla Morrill, (more)
