Melora Conway Movies
- 1966
A dying woman attempts to spare her husband the devastating knowledge that she is dying of leukemia in this melodramatic tearjerker. After a while though her husband begins suspecting that she is having an affair because she is constantly visiting the doctor. He confronts her about it and she is shattered. Feeling utterly unloved by her husband, she embarks upon a real affair. Then he too finds out about the many doctor visits and dumps her. The poor woman goes over the edge with grief and after writing one final entry in her diary to explain it all, she jumps off a cliff. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1964
The senatorial campaign between Jason Foster (Richard Anderson) and Randolph Cartwell (Stewart Moss) gets down and dirty when political boss Harry Margis (Patrick McVey) tries to set up Foster's sister as a pawn in a fabricated scandal, using her romance with Cardwell's stepson David (Stewart Moss) as a means to an end. When David is murdered, suspicion falls upon Jason's wife Margaret (Jan Shepard), who thinks that Jason is the killer--and as such, refuses to cooperate with Perry Mason as he tries to defend her in court. Appearing as the ingenue Susan Foster is future Hollywood producer and studio executive Lynn Loring. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Vengeance is a low-key American "B" western with a largely unknown cast. William Thourlby plays ex-Confederate officer, who seeks revenge for his brother's death. Only after much blood is shed does Thourlby discover that the man he seeks is not the genuine culprit. Wrestlers Tiger Joe Marsh and the Great John L show up in bit roles. Vengeance attained a bit of regional drive-in play before being consigned to the Late Show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Thanks to the curbstone advice of Perry Mason (Raymond Burr), Sarah Breel (Lurene Tuttle) is cleared of a shoplifting charge. Not long afterward, Sarah's niece Virginia (played by former child star Margaret O'Brien) tells Perry that she believes her aunt is involved in a jewel robbery--or at the very least, is covering for her no-good brother George. When George's partner Austin Cullins (Blair Davies) is murdered, Sarah is found near the scene of the crime with the murder weapon and a cache of jewels in her purse. Naturally, Perry agrees to handle Sarah's defense--a job that becomes doubly difficult when dear brother George turns up murdered as well. Keep at eye out for a pre-"Mr. Spock" Leonard Nimoy in a supporting role. This episode is based on a 1938 novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
While trying to land a lucrative lumber contract with the railroad, Ben Cartwright once again finds himself in competition with his old and hated rival, ruthless ranchowner Barney Fuller (Jay C. Flippen). Determined to prove that he is up to the challenge, Ben displays an uncharacteristic streak of recklessness-and in so doing, accidentally causes the death of a Ponderosa ranchhand. Others in the cast include Melora Conway as Martha, Ralph Moody as Gabe, and Raymond Guth as Watts. First broadcast on December 29, 1963, "The Prime of Life" was one of several Bonanza episodes written by former actor Warren Douglas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
When people refer to Doris Day as "the world's oldest professional virgin," they generally have the 1962 comedy That Touch of Mink in mind. It isn't that Cathy Timberlake (Day) is above a bit of hanky-panky; it's just that she wants such tangibles as a marriage license and wedding ring first. Thus, when playboy businessman Philip Shayne (Cary Grant) begins actively pursuing Cathy (they "met cute" when Philip's limo splashed mud on the hapless Cathy), she won't say "I will" until he says "I do." She is of the idealistic opinion that she can bring out the best intentions in him, even when he repeatedly tips off his worst intentions by inviting her to accompany him to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Bermuda. After not a few complications and misunderstands, Cathy finally finagles a proposal out of Philip. The film is essentially much ado about nothing, but it is so well-acted and attractively photographed that the audiences are willing to go along for the ride. The high-powered supporting cast includes Gig Young as Roger, Philip's moralistic financial advisor; Audrey Meadows as Connie, Cathy's wise-cracking roommate; Alan Hewitt as Dr. Gruber, a confused psychiatrist; John Astin as Beasley, Cathy's slimy would-be beau; Dick Sargent as a neurotic honeymooner; and an unbilled Richard Deacon as an all-around letch. Best scene: the baseball-dugout rhubarb involving New York Yankees Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Yogi Berra. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cary Grant, Doris Day, (more)
- 1961
Wealthy Walter Frazer (Torin Thatcher) has always held his daughter-in-law Sue Ellen (Diana Millay), a former nightclub singer, responsible for the failures of his son Gregson (Bryan Grant), now working as a parking attendant. Hoping to get rid of Sue Ellen, Frazer offers her a huge sum to divorce Gregson, but she angrily turns him down. Not long afterward, Gregson is murdered--whereupon Frazer does an about-face, insisting that Sue Ellen is a wonderful girl and his son was a no-good wastrel. In his efforts to defend Sue Ellen on a murder charge, Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) tries to uncover the real reason behind Frazer's highly unconvincing change of heart. Watch for future TV icons Alan Hale Jr. (Gilligan's Island) and DeForest Kelley (Star Trek) in supporting roles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Lewis Martin (Wynn Pearce) considers himself lucky to be alive; he has been kidnapped, driven way in the country, and forced to get drunk, apparently as part of an elaborate frame-up. After his ordeal, Martin contacts Perry Mason (Raymond Burr), accusing his stepfather Judson Bailey (Bruce Gordon) of arranging the abduction in order to get Martin out of the way so that Bailey could take over the family business. Perry is asked to locate a photograph showing Bailey conspiring with the mysterious kidnapper--but the lawyer ends up defending Martin when Bailey turns up dead. H.M. Wynant makes his first appearance as Deputy DA Sampson, one of several temporary replacements for absentee series regular William Talman (DA Hamilton Burger). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Jo Ann Blanchard (Patricia Hardy) seeks the help of Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) in reclaimed her ranch and her prize stallion, both of which have been claimed in a foreclosure by neighboring rancher John Brant (Trevor Bardette). Subsequently, Brant is killed, and at first it appears as though the horse kicked him to death. But murder will out, and Jo Ann is charged with the crime--whereupon Perry really begins to earn his retainer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
