Penny Sugg Movies
Nicholas and Alexandra covers the rise and fall of the last of the Russian Romanovs. We first meet Czar Nicholas (Michael Jayston) and his German bride Alexandra (Janet Suzman) at their 1894 wedding. Though Nicholas is devoted to Alexandra, the Russian populace is less politely inclined to having a "foreigner" as their Czarina. Alexandra gains favor when she gives birth to the much-loved Prince Alexis (Roderick Noble). Alas, Alexis suffers from hemophilia, a disease which strikes every second generation of Alexandra's family. When all conventional medical ministrations fail, Alexandra puts the fate of her son in the hands of mystical holy man Rasputin (Tom Baker, later famous for his portrayal of Doctor Who). As Rasputin's influence and power grows, the Russian peasantry becomes more restless and disgruntled. They are now willing to listen to the speeches of such rabble-rousers as Lenin (Michael Bryant) and Trotsky (Brian Cox), who sow the seeds of revolution. Even after the murder of Rasputin, the Bolsheviks are unsatisfied: The revolution finally comes to pass in October of 1917. At first, the moderate Kerensky (John McEnery) pleads with his followers to allow the Romanovs safe passage out of Russia. But the radicals seize control, and on July 16, 1918, the royal family is summarily executed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Jayston, Janet Suzman, (more)
- 1970
Brother George (Walter Chiari) is the Italian monk who is the only one who knows the secret recipe of a popular liqueur. When he feels the local wine merchant won't give him a fair price, he moves to Australia. He meets Alfredo Brazzi (Jack Albertson) and the two agree to a partnership to make the liqueur. Alfredo is unaware George is a monk and that he sends 50% of the money back to his Italian monastery. Alfredo and his son-in-law Tim (Dave Allen) constantly try to steal the secret recipe. They recruit June (Rowena Wallace) for their underhanded cause, but she falls in love with George, also unaware of his religious calling. Finally, the Italian wine merchant travels to Sydney, willing to make a deal with Brother George. The merchant ends up paying double the price he had previously rejected in this amusing comedy. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Chiari, Jack Albertson, (more)
- 1969
- R
Frank Bigelow (Tom Tryon) is an accountant who mistakenly discovers some wrongdoing by an unscrupulous uranium development company. His drink is spiked with a slow-acting poison, which he discovers after stomach pains bring him in to the hospital. While Frank searches for the antidote, he uncovers other victims who have already died. The trail leads back to the uranium company and the shady board of directors. Frank races against borrowed time to save his own life in this routine crime drama. Carolyn Jones appears as Paula, the sympathetic girlfriend and loyal secretary. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Tryon, Carolyn Jones, (more)
- 1969
In this drama, a sailor is blackmailed into stealing a valuable panel of stained glass. The trouble begins when the sailor gets into a fight with another and jumps ship in Sydney, Australia. Upon the docks he is knocked out. When he wakes up, he finds himself in a woman's apartment. She is the secretary of a shipping company, and she informs him that the other sailor died during the fight and that he is wanted by the police. A detective calls and confirms this. The shady secretary then offers to make him a deal: if he helps her steal a silver chalice from a museum, she will hide him from the cops. He agrees, but later he learns that what she really wants is a stained glass window from the museum. When she takes off to meet with a corrupt art dealer, the sailor pursues them, enlisting the aid of an attractive insurance investigator. Together, they bring back the priceless window, and the secretary meets her demise when she is smothered in a shower of wheat in a granary. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Lansing, Vera Miles, (more)
