Robert Clothier Movies

The arduous, lifelong journey of a farmer who has dedicated his entire existence to the land is profiled in documentary filmmaker Taggart Siegel's inspiring tale of healing, growth, and the virtue of conviction. As a child raised on the American farm in the 1950s, John Peterson longed to follow in the tradition set forth by his grandfather nearly 100 years prior and subsequently shouldered by his devoted father and loving uncle. Steeped firmly in tradition even as modern technology makes things easier than ever on farmers, Peterson experiences a crucial turning point when, at the tender age of ten, his uncle and role model suddenly and inexplicably commits suicide. As tradition slowly begins to give way to the innovations of modern technology on the farm, Peterson attempts to keep the family farm alive while later struggling with the death of his father, caring for his mother, and receiving a college education. After embracing the rapidly expanding cultural changes of the 1970s and becoming demonized by his community for his radical new appearance and approach to farm life, Peterson suffers a crippling setback when he is forced to sell off his farming equipment, much of his family's acreage, and dairy cattle in the debt-ridden 1980s. Upon traveling to Mexico in an introspective attempt to nurse his still-tender wounds, Peterson finds that his talent for writing offers a means of coming to terms with his turbulent past, and it gives him the inspiration to return to the farm to heal both himself and his land. In the years that follow, Peterson eschews modern farming techniques to give birth to Angelic Organics, a financially straining dream that is nearly sunk by the harsh realities of distribution. Subsequently approached by a collection of urban consumers from Chicago in search of healthy, chemical-free foods, Peterson agrees to create a Community Supported Agriculture farm that helps him to realize his lifelong dream of becoming a successful farmer, also restoring the tradition set forth by his grandfather and passed down through the generations. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Outraged by the actions of his new landlord John Taylor (Karl Pruner), Fraser (Paul Gross) organizes a tenants' protest--and succeeds only in getting practically everyone evicted. Refusing to give up the fight, Fraser takes his case all the way to the Chicago city council, whereupon Taylor takes violent revenge upon the remaining tenants. Fraser's climactic filibuster is reminiscent of the 1939 film classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, which may explain why this episode's alternate title is "Thank You Kindly, Mr. Capra." Katayoun Amini, real-life wife of series regular David Marciano (Ray), is here cast as Ray's ex-wife Angela. First broadcast on Canadian television, "One Good Man" made its US debut on February 9, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this slapstick chase-adventure, some unlikely heroes try to outwit each other for possession of a huge stash of cash hidden on the train they are all riding together. The comedy is a little uneven here or at least not to everyone's taste, and the pace is fast-forward frantic. Josef (Ed Lauter) and Georgiana (Pamela Stephenson) manage to break into her father's estate and swipe $5 million in cash from the safe, with plans to spirit the money across country on a train. Meanwhile, Michael (Michael O'Keefe) is a con man being chased by irate women on a roller derby team who have reason to be angry with him. He zips into a second-hand clothing store and dons the disguise of an army uniform, hoping to board a train for New York unnoticed. But when an officer gets suspicious at the station, Michael retorts that he is escorting a nearby coffin -- a coffin that actually contains the stolen $5 mil. The thieves are also nearby, but for reasons of their own, they go along with Michael's charade. Along for the ride are a neurotic woman (Beverly D'Angelo), an eccentric train conductor (David Wayne), a stowaway Vietnam defector, a blond woman of the underworld, a nymphomaniac, and briefly, a crafty con man (Louis Gosset Jr.). From that point onward, episodic vignettes are tossed here and there as the train moves ever closer to New York, and the protagonists try to outmaneuver each other for the money. Viewers may note that along for his fourth cinematic ride is Jim Carrey in a bit part. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Based on a true story, this film follows the trials and tragedies that befall Walter Reamer (Tom Skerritt) and his wife, Olive (Ellen Burstyn), as they struggle to create a home and raise a family in the brutal Canadian frontier of 1919. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi