Leon Charles Movies

Slow-moving and low-key, this psychological thriller about killings in a large, dark mansion has a classic setting and characters: Meredith Stone (Patricia Pearcy) is the nurse who comes to care for the invalid Ivar Langrock (Joseph Cotten), and Gabriel (John Dukakis) is his grandson who comes to visit after spending some time in a commune. A face looking out of the window of a locked room provides a clue that there might be some additional characters involved in this drama. One by one, people at the house are clubbed to death -- and the mystery continues until the story behind that face is made known. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

When the blind school at Winoka is sold by the bank, the people of Walnut Grove decide to establish a new school at the former home of Rev. Alden. Meanwhile, pompous Mrs. Oleson (Katherine MacGregor) is doing her best to keep Joe Kagan (Moses Gunn), a black man, from joining the town's church. As so often happens, Mrs. Oleson is due for an immensely satisfying comeuppance -- and it all hinges on her eagerness to meet the blind school's celebrated new teacher, Hester-Sue Terhune. This is the first episode of a two-part story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon) refuses to withstand one more humiliation from his new employer Standish (Leon Charles) after the hateful man cheats a heavy-drinking oldster (Ray Bolger) out of a lottery prize. With his family in tow, Charles leaves Winoka to return to Walnut Grove. Going along on this homeward trek are the Olesons and the Garveys -- not to mention Charles' new foster son, Albert (Matthew Laborteaux). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Billy Dee Williams stars as legendary ragtime pianist/composer Scott Joplin in this 1977 biopic. Despite his brilliance, Joplin (1868-1917) was confined by the color of his skin to the dregs of show business in the late 19th century. While competing in a musical contest, Joplin introduces his most famous composition, "The Maple Leaf Rag", thereby commanding the attention of a white music publisher. Offered a ridiculously low price for the song, Joplin nevertheless agrees to sell his composition, figuring that he has a better chance at fame and fortune once he's published. Before long, Ragtime music has become a national craze, and Joplin is rich beyond his wildest dreams. But the composer realizes that his brand of music is not considered respectable, and yearns to write something of more lasting value--a concerto, perhaps, or even an opera. Alas, Joplin's talents begin failing him, and by age 49 he is on the brink of death, a victim of syphilis. Originally made for television by Motown Films, Scott Joplin was released theatrically by Universal Pictures. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This stage production of Shakespeare's comedy features a plan by Sir John Falstaff (Leon Charles) to live off the proceeds of two married women he has seduced. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

Kit (Doris Day), an American married to wealthy London businessman Tony Preston (Rex Harrison) becomes the terrified victim of a mysterious stalker, who she hears but can never see. She is threatened by the eerie, high-pitched voice as she walks in the thick London fog. She then begins receiving repeated threatening telephone calls. The now totally panicked Kit is nearly killed when someone pushes her in front of a bus. Unfortunately for Kit, no one but she hears the voice or the telephone calls and neither Tony, Kit's visiting aunt Bea (Myra Loy), or Scotland Yard take any of these incidents seriously. The only one who seems to believe Kit is Brian Younger (John Gavin), a construction foreman, but Kit is not convinced that she can trust him. The tension builds to a thrilling climax as Kit flees for her life on a scaffolding outside her apartment building. Midnight Lace is an exciting thriller, with many surprising plot twists and a nice sinister performance by Rex Harrison. Roddy McDowall is also fun as the son of Kit's housekeeper, who keeps hitting up his mom for money. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide

The aggressively Irish Maureen O'Hara and the staunchly American Jeff Chandler are cast as Arabian Nights types in Flame of Araby. Chandler plays Tamerlaine, a Bedouin chief who is engaged in a hunt for a legendary black stallion. Also coveting the prize steed is Tunisian princess Tanya (O'Hara), who wants to capture the horse to race in competition against her hated brothers Borka (Lon Chaney) and Hakim (Buddy Baer). After reels and reels of deadly rivalry, Tamerlaine decides to join forces with Tanya to trap the stallion--and in the process, the two fall in love. Listed as associate producer of Flame of Araby is Ross Hunter, whose later cinematic efforts would eschew desert-sands escapism in favor of lush soap operas and frothy sex comedies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide