Joseph Perry Movies

He just happened to be home when the outgoing mayor was calling around to make judicial appointments. . .and that's how Harry T. Stone (Harry Anderson) became New York City's youngest--and wackiest--judge. In this debut episode of Night Court, Harry settles down to work in a nocturnal appellate court frequented by such eccentrics as hard-drinking, womanizing ADA Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), bald, taciturn bailiff "Bull" Shannon (Richard Moll), chain-smoking, sarcastic matron Selma (Selma Diamond), and wide-eyed, bubbly court clerk Lana (Karen Austin). Harry makes his mark the first night on the job when he flips a coin to decide whether or not a woman (Peggy McCay) who tried to shoot her husband should be released or go to the slammer--then incites a riot when he orders the woman, her husband, and their lawyer to go out to dinner together! Featured in this inaugural episode are Rita Taggart in the recurring role of impulsive hooker Carla B. and Gail Strickland as legal-aid lawyer Sheila Gardiner, a character that would be replaced in the very next episode (and for the rest of Season One) by Paula Kelly as Liz Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Quincy (Jack Klugman) finds evidence of food poisoning while performing an autopsy on a construction worker who died in a fall just outside the town of Rosewood. Investigating further, Quincy determines that the victim was laid low by contaminated tomatoes, the byproduct of lethal pesticides which a local company has buried in steel drums--which are now apparently leaking. Once the crusading medical examiner sets his sights on forcing the company to assume responsibility for what threatens to be a wide-ranging health disaster, it is obvious that this episode was inspired by the Love Canal/Three Mile Island debacle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Alice (Linda Lavin) begins dating Jim Thornton (Gary Collins), principal of the high school attended by her son Tommy (Philip McKeon). Instead of approving the match, Tommy is dead set against his mom seeing "Old Thorny"--and not necessarily for the obvious reasons. Originally scheduled to air on October 15, 1978, this episode affords us the first full view of the trailer inhabited by Alice's co-worker Flo (Polly Holliday)--and the first sighting of Flo's much-talked-about boyfriend Bubba (Lou Frizzell). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hero worship takes a sinister turn when emotionally disturbed cab driver Lawson (James Sutorius becomes obsessed with his idol, a controversial nighttime radio talk host. Convinced that the radio personality is speaking directly to him, Lawson vows to become the man's faithful lieutenant, eliminating the "enemies" of society in a violent fashion. Kojak (Telly Savalas) must somehow catch up with the demented cabbie before he strikes again. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ironside (Raymond Burr) is skeptical when Isabel Fredericks (Katherine Cannon), the daughter of Judge John Fredericks (Joseph Campanella), insists that her father's life is in danger. What the Chief doesn't know (at least at first) is that the Judge's new wife Eleanor (Ina Balin) once had ties with the Underworld. Hoping to start life anew as Mrs. John Fredericks, Eleanor finds that she cannot purge her criminal past, which threatens to destroy both herself and her husband. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As a favor to pretty young sociologist Lindsay Walker (Sian Barbara Allen), Kojak (Telly Savalas) embarks on a search for her boyfriend, paroled convict Lou Giordino (played by a pre-Starsky and Hutch Paul Michael Glaser). But Lou has no intention of being located by Kojak or any other law-enforcement official. He has jumped parole in order to locate his ex-wife--and also settle accounts with his former cohorts, who had let him take the fall for a crime while they escaped scot-free. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

On a dare from his "pal" Punky (Gary Dubin), Danny (Danny Bonaduce) shoplifts a toy at a department store. Unable to escape his own conscience, Danny confesses his crime, and all is forgiven--until Punky intervenes once more, leading store manager Phelps (Henry Jones) to conclude that Danny has shoplifted again. Increasing Danny's already oppressive guilt feelings is the fact that the Partridge Family is slated to receive a Good Citizenship Award! Song: "I Don't Care (Where You've Been Before)". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Henry Jones guest stars as Dr. Alexander Knott, an elderly country physician who helps Roy (Kevin Tighe) and John (Randolph Mantooth) during an emergency--and who goes to great lengths to hide his own physical frailties. Back at the station house, John becomes starstuck during a photo shoot in which he is surrounded by beautiful models. And in another show business-related incident, a pair of Hollywood stuntmen (played by real-life stunt performers Fred Gabourie and George Sawaya) are trapped on a studio-built waterfall. The same week that this episode originally aired on NBC, the cast of Emergency! appeared in a "crossover" episode on Adam-12, "ost and Found". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the middle of a bone-chilling cold snap, Hawkeye (Alan Alda) becomes everyone's best friend when he receives a pair of long johns in the mail. What follows is a zany round robin, in which the precious underwear passes from hand to hand -- or rather, from leg to leg. The circuitous trail inevitably leads back to Hawkeye, but getting there is all the fun. Scripted by series star Alan Alda, "The Long-John Flap" originally aired on February 17, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Outtakes and stock footage from the 1970 Oscar-winner Patton were utilized to flesh out the made-for-TV Fireball Forward, which was the brainchild of Patton producer Frank McCarthy. Ben Gazzara plays a fictional American general obviously patterned on "Old Blood And Guts". Gazzara suspects that there's a Nazi sympathizer in his ranks, and dedicates himself to ferreting out the traitor. One thing Fireball Forward has that Patton didn't is a romantic interest; Anne Francis plays the girl Worth Fighting For. Scripted by Edmund H. North (another Patton) alumnus, Fireball Forward, which first aired March 5, 1972, was the 2-hour pilot for an unsold television series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Keith makes a major step in his life when he buys his first car--a 1952 Hudson. At the same time, he is forced to learn the fine art of money management when he must spend, spend, SPEND to keep the ancient auto in the repair shop. As a result, our hero tries and fails to hold down a variety of jobs, from plumber's assistant to vegetable-slicer salesman--all the while attempting to hide his poverty-stricken status from his latest girlfriend Carol (played by a young Annette O'Toole). Song: "You Are Always On My Mind." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Filmed largely on-location in Salem, MA this lively episode of Bewitched was written by Richard Michaels. Misinterpreting her orders from the Witches Council, Esmerelda zaps Samantha back to 17th century Salem -- where she is promptly put on trial for witchcraft. Likewise hurtled back to the past, Darrin tries to save Sam from the stake, even though she has no idea who he is (nor, for that matter, whom she is). Frequent series supporting players Ronald Long, James Westerfield, and Maudie Prickett are cast respectively as the Magistrate, innkeeper Mr. Farley, and Mrs. Farley. The final episode of an eight-part story arc, "Samantha's Old Salem Trip" originally aired on November 12, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this uneven comedy, Abner (Don Knotts) is the editor of a bird-watching magazine who is the victim of a hostile corporate takeover by Osborn Tremaine (Edmond O'Brien). When Abner returns from a bird-watching excursion to Brazil, he finds his publication has been purchased for the fourth-class mailing permit. Osborn turns the publication into a girlie magazine and puts his wife Elanor (Maureen Arthur) on the front cover. Still listed as an editor, Abner becomes The Love God as the public perceives him as a Hugh Hefner-like character, epitomizing the life of a swinging bachelor playboy. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide