Irwin Charone Movies

Jeff Griffin (Peter Falk) is dying of cancer. Sarah Phoenix (Jill Clayburgh) is suffering from terminal leukemia. Ignored or reviled by their respective families, Griffin and Phoenix turn to each other for emotional support. Deciding to live their last months to the fullest, they indulge in outrageous, childish public behavior and vent their anger at their conditions full-force, knowing full well that they won't have to answer for their silliness or rage. They also fall in love with each other. The only proviso to their relationship is that Griffin must promise not to visit Phoenix in her final days, and vice versa. Written by John Hill, Griffin and Phoenix: A Love Story was first telecast on February 27, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Kurt Russell returns as Dexter Riley, the dedicated student of Medfield College who just can't stay out of trouble, in this follow-up to The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes and Now You See Him, Now You Don't. In this story, Dexter is trying to devise a formula for a chemistry project that will increase human strength . By accident, he discovers that, when he mixes his concoction with another student's recipe for vitamin-fortified cereal, it gives people super-human strength, but only for a few minutes. Ignoring these drawbacks, Dean Higgins (Joe Flynn) makes a deal to sell the miracle cereal to a leading breakfast-food concern, unaware that it's Dexter's secret ingredient that makes the cereal work. Meanwhile, when word gets out about the new strength-boosting cereal, several competing companies decide that they need to wipe the new product off the market. Cesar Romero returns from the first film as A.J. Arno, with Phil Silvers, Eve Arden, and Richard Bakalyan highlighting the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Goldie Hawn won an Oscar for her performance as a Greenwich Village free spirit in Cactus Flower. Middle-aged dentist Winston (Walter Matthau) is enjoying an affair with Toni (Goldie Hawn) but doesn't want to be hemmed in by marriage. He prevails upon his non-glamorous assistant Stephanie (Ingrid Bergman) to pose as his wife so as to keep from campaigning for a ring. Then, to justify his "infidelity," Winston talks his pal (Jack Weston) into pretending to be Stephanie's illicit lover. Flattered by all the attention, Stephanie begins to "doll up." Confronted by a newly gorgeous Stephanie, Winston realizes that his Dream Girl has been right there in his office all along. As for Toni, she ends up in the arms of a writer (Rick Lenz), who has loved her since Reel One. Cactus Flower was adapted by Billy Wilder's frequent collaborator I.A.L. Diamond from the play by Abe Burrows -- which in turn was adapted from a French farce. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Unable to sleep unless her television set is on, Lucy (Lucille Ball) borrows Mr. Mooney's TV while hers is on the blink. Predictably, she breaks the set, forcing her to moonlight as a carhop at a drive-in restaurant in order to purchase a replacement. While on the job, Lucy champions the cause of a young cyclist (played by Philip Vandervort, soon to be the husband of Ball's daughter Lucie Arnaz) who has been wrongly accused of stealing and stripping cars. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While working overtime in the home of boss Mooney (Gale Gordon), Lucy (Lucille Ball) falls down and incurs a leg injury. At the insistence of her pal Mary Jane Lewis (Mary Jane Croft), Lucy hires Mary Jane's lawyer cousin, Willy Wiley (Jack Carter). Smelling out a huge financial turnover, Willy talks Lucy into taking Mooney to court--and then taking both Mooney and the bank for every penny that they've got! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Encouraged to do something nice for Darrin, Endora gives him the prototype for a new car. Enchanted by this futuristic vehicle, Darrin's client, Sheldrake (Irwin Charone), wants to use the car as a promotional tool. There's only one problem: Endora had "borrowed" the prototype from an experimental laboratory, and now both Darrin and Sheldrake face arrest for grand theft. Future Partridge Family co-star Dave Madden appears as Joe. Written by Ed Jurist, "Super Car" first aired on January 19, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Samantha expresses the wish that Darrin would forget about business and relax once in a while, Endora decides to help out by placing a bowl of magic popcorn in the Stephenses' house. The popcorn has the curious power to induce laziness in anyone who eats it. On cue, Darrin ingests the popcorn just before he is to embark upon an extremely important ad account. Watch for character comedian Paul Dooley as a TV repairman. Written by David V. Robison and John L. Greene, "Oedipus Hex" first aired on November 24, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Herman (Fred Gwynne) may be up for a better-paying position at the mortuary, but only if he can get a special hearse-driving license. Accordingly, Herman takes a driving test, with disastrous results. Hoping to re-qualify for the exam, Herman accompanies Grandpa (Al Lewis) to a small town where there will be fewer cars (and fewer pedestrians!) for him to plow into as he practices. Prominent in the proceedings is an old-timer named Charlie Wiggens, played by veteran character comedian Charlie Ruggles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A neighborhood kid named Horace (Dennis Rush) latches onto Uncle Martin (Ray Walston) in peace after seeing antennae sprouting from Martin's head. Thinking that the receiving device is just a toy, Dennis creates his own pair--thus creating a nationwide fad, with the help of toy manufacturer Mr. Barnaby (Hal Smith) As a result, the media descends upon Horace's neighborhood, thereby threatening to expose Martin's true identity. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Stingy Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) refuses to provide funds for the Danville Volunteer Fire Department, arguing that fire captain Lucy (Lucille Ball) and her all-girl battalion are the epitome of ineptitude. Down but not out, Lucy cooks up a scheme to prove that the Fire Department is not only efficient, but necessary. The plan calls for Lucy to start a phony fire in the bank so that she and her brigade can rush to the rescue...and any further elaboration on the plot is surely unnecessary! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide