Jack de Leon Movies

J.R.R. Tolkien's classic book about the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins and his unexpected adventures came to life in this animated, televised adaptation by Rankin-Bass Productions. Enthusiasts of Tolkien's lengthy and more demanding Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as adult readers of The Hobbit, may be disappointed by this somewhat simplified adaptation of the book, though children and first-time readers of Tolkien will appreciate its whimsical introduction to the fictional world of Middle Earth.

As the story goes, "In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit...." Bilbo Baggins would much rather relax in his comfy hobbit-hole or take long walks in the Shire than have adventures. After all, "adventures make one late for dinner." Unfortunately, Gandalf the Wizard shows up one day with other plans for Bilbo. Gandalf introduces Bilbo to a rag-tag band of dwarves whose leader, Thorin Oakensheild, asks Bilbo for help in recovering his family's treasure from the fire-breathing dragon Smaug. Bilbo meekly accepts the offer, and soon finds himself on a long journey through Mirkwood forest, to Smaug's dark lair in the Lonely Mountain. Along the way, the unlikely band is captured and nearly eaten by trolls, shackled and prodded by goblins, tied-up in webs and hung from trees by giant spiders, and finally imprisoned by the swarthy, distrustful woodland elves of Mirkwood. With keen hobbit-wits and a magic ring he finds in the goblin caves, Bilbo manages to free the band on several occasions and helps them recover their lost inheritance.

Understandably, much detail was omitted from Tolkien's novel to fit this made-for-TV adaptation -- most notably the story of the group's encounter with Beorn the shape shifter, and the somewhat complex issue of the Arkenstone, a legendary gem which Bilbo steals from Smaug's treasure-trove unbeknownst to the dwarves. Rankin-Bass Productions made another foray into Middle Earth several years later with The Return of the King, picking up where animator Ralph Bakshi left his unfinished adaptation of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. ~ Anthony Reed, Rovi

Chuck Barris guest-stars in this zany episode, wherein Fred (Redd Foxx) and his cronies are booked to appear on The Gong Show. Unfortunately for Fred, his wise-guy brother-in-law Rodney (Allan Drake) is slated to appear on the same show -- and fully intends to win the grand prize. A last-minute plot wrinkle results in a hilarious song-and-dance performed con brio by Fred, Lamont (Demond Wilson), and Bubba (Don Bexley). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In Night Train, also known as Train Ride to Hollywood Harry Williams, head singer for Bloodstone, a modern rock group, is hit on the head and imagines he's back in the Hollywood of the 1930s. On a coast-bound train, Williams rubs shoulders with reasonable facsimiles of such long-gone greats as Gable, Bogart and Laurel and Hardy. Among the impressionists roped into this patchwork epic are Guy Marks and Bill Oberlin, whose costumes are at least as funny as their lines. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

How did Lamont (Demond Wilson) and Rollo (Nathaniel Taylor) almost end up starring in a porno film? Aunt Esther (LaWanda Page) wants to know the whole sordid story -- especially since she had to use her own money to bail our heroes out of the slammer. This was the final episode of Sanford and Son's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this mystery, a novelist whose latest book details the 'perfect murder,' finds himself accused of murdering the husband of the woman he loves--for real. He is accused by his own father. Later it is discovered that the real killer is the woman's mother. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

This film version of the Jack DeLeon-Jack Celestin play Silent Witness stars Lionel Atwill in his original stage role of Sir Austin Howard. When his son Anthony (Bramwell Fletcher) strangles his mistress Nora Selmer (Greta Niesen) in a fit of jealous rage, Sir Austin gallantly takes the blame, secure in the belief that he will not only be able to clear himself in court, but keep his son's name out of the case. Alas, Sir Austin's strategy blows up in his face when it is revealed that the murder victim held onto life long enough to serve as the "silent witness" to her own demise. All of this is offered in flashback form, to excellent effect. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi