George Cisar Movies
Bald, moon-faced character actor George Cisar kept busy in a 22-year Hollywood career with roles in well over 100 film and television productions, starting in 1948 with an uncredited bit as a policeman in Henry Hathaway's Call Northside 777. Perhaps it was his rough-hewn yet genial features, coupled with an unaffected working-class accent and demeanor, but he was frequently put into police uniforms; and, in fact, many baby boomers may instantly recognize Cisar's face, if not his name, for his recurring role as the long-suffering Sgt. Mooney on the series Dennis the Menace, a part he portrayed in over two dozen episodes between 1960 and 1963. He worked in every genre from romantic comedies to Westerns, horror, and science fiction. In 1956 alone, Cisar was a barfly in Fred F. Sears' Teenage Crime Wave; a bartender in Sears' The Werewolf; and the somewhat disingenuous father of a vengeful teenager, who tries to sponsor and then derail a controversial rock & roll show, in Sears' Don't Knock the Rock. Cisar was obviously reliable, as director Sears and producer Sam Katzman -- who made those three movies -- were known for efficient filmmaking on a notoriously low budget.Cisar worked a lot for them at Columbia Pictures (which also produced Dennis the Menace), but he also did a lot of work at Ziv TV, on series such as Highway Patrol and Bat Masterson, in addition to regular appearance in Dragnet, where Jack Webb apparently liked keeping him busy and employed. Cisar could be funny or sinister, and some of his appearances were limited to a single line or two of dialogue, as in The Giant Claw (1957), where he provided a moment of comic relief (indeed, in that movie, his scene was one of the rare intentionally amusing moments). He also turned up in tiny roles in high-profile pictures such as Jailhouse Rock (1957) and Some Came Running (1958). Typically, Cisar would go from a co-starring part in a low-budget exploitation picture, such as Bernard Kowalski's Attack of the Giant Leeches, to a bit in, say, Don Siegel's Edge of Eternity, and then right on to an episode of The Untouchables (all 1959). Cisar retired at the start of the 1970s and passed away in 1979. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1970
When Jimmy Price (Jim Brown) wins an upset victory for sheriff, he becomes the first black man ever to hold the job (or any elective office) in anyone's memory in his rural southern county. He also sets off an ominous rumblings as the entire county seems split apart by his presence -- Mayor Parks (Fredric March) offers him the support of his office, but many whites aren't prepared to accept a black man as sheriff, while most of the whites that can accept him aren't saying so too loudly; a lot of older black residents, remembering decades of Jim Crow laws that only lately disappeared, are more confused than encouraged by Price's victory, while younger, more radical black citizens like George Harvey (Bernie Casey) have little use for Price's straight-arrow personality; they expect him to show them favoritism, and when he doesn't, they suspect him of being an nothing but a white man in black skin. Even Price's own wife (Janet MacLachlan) wonders if the cost of his being sheriff is too high. He finds himself alone, walking a tightrope between all of the forces pulling at him, and then the whole situation threatens to explode when he arrests the good-for-nothing son (Bob Random) of a wealthy man from the next county, who has killed a child while driving drunk. Soon the local klavern of the Ku Klux Klan is planning a meeting, and a lynch mob seems to be gathering across the county line to break the prisoner loose and take care of the sheriff. Price finally gets some unexpected help from his embittered predecessor, John Little (George Kennedy) -- Little would like nothing more than to sulk over losing his longtime job, but with his wife's coaxing he realizes that he can't let Price fail without the risk of destroying everything he worked for years to build. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jim Brown, George Kennedy, (more)
- 1969
This episode takes place almost entirely in the cabin of a night plane travelling from Hawaii to San Francisco. Among the passengers are Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr), his assistants, and a federal witness whom they are escorting to testify against a racketeer. Unfortunately, also on board is a professional hit man, determined to bump off the witness before the plane lands--and worse,there may be more than one killer on the plane. Featured in the cast is Michael Sevareid,the son of celebrated TV journalist Eric Sevareid. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Beautiful British traitor Lady Valerie Stanford (Karen Steele) has designed an anti-aircraft weapon for the Nazis. Hogan is ordered to sabotage the weapon, and to do this he must trick Klink into revealing Lady Valerie's whereabouts. But is the lady really the turncoat that she seems to be? Also appearing are frequent Hogan's Heroes supporting players Paul Lambert (as General Riker) and Laurie Main (as Woodhouse). Written by Ben Gershman, "The Big Dish" made its first network appearance on March 8, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1968
A pair of crooks conspire to rob the ticket booth at the Los Angeles Coliseum during a Rams game. Before they can perform the heist, the two must find precisely the right henchmen to join them. Each potential gang member must undergo a rigorous test of skill. Thanks to care and precise planning, the caper comes off smoothly and afterward the gang leader (Jim Brown) hides the money in the apartment of his ex-wife (Diahann Carroll). She only agrees to keep the money on the provision that he reform so they can get back together. Unfortunately, the wife's lust-crazed landlord (James Whitmore) busts into her house the next day and tries to rape her. During the struggle he kills her and then takes the loot. Later a crooked cop (Gene Hackman) investigates. Meanwhile, when the gang members learn that the loot is missing, they suspect a double-cross and engage in a huge battle. The cop finds the money and at first keeps it for himself. The head crook eventually figures out that the cop has it and so goes to him to make a little deal. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jim Brown, Diahann Carroll, (more)
- 1967
After putting in several years as a pump jockey and mechanic, Goober buys Wally's service station, with Andy and Emmett as his financial backers. Unfortunately, Goober's new responsibilities prove to be too much for him; he worries so much about making executive decisions that he ends up making no decisions whatsoever. It is up to young Opie, of all people, to help Goober get his head on straight. Written by Michael Morris and Seaman Jacobs, "Goober the Executive" was filmed as the second episode of The Andy Griffith Show's eighth season, but was withheld from view until December 25, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The Mayberry Civic Improvement Society ponies up its entire budget--$1200-to build a statue to the town's most celebrated benefactor, Andy's great-grandfather Seth Taylor. Only after the statue is completed does a historian come forward to reveal that the "benevolent" Seth was actually the biggest swindler in the state! Leave it to the citizens of Mayberry to find the silver lining in this little raincloud. First broadcast on February 20, 1967, "The Statue" was written by Fred S. Fox. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Dodson
The venerable John Carradine gets his first chance to play the fanged count in 20 years (the last time was House of Dracula), albeit in one of the weirdest scenarios ever committed to film. Arriving in the Wild West via stagecoach, Drac installs himself in the home of a pretty rancher (Melinda Plowman) by convincing her (through hypnosis) that he is her long-lost uncle. Unfortunately for the Count, one of her hired hands is none other than legendary outlaw Billy the Kid (Chuck Courtney), who has been trying to put his wicked ways behind him. Billy takes a shine to his boss but starts to have his suspicions about her creepy "uncle." Eventually, the reformed desperado straps on his six-guns again to do battle with the Count, ably assisted by the local sawbones who must be an acquaintance of Dr. Van Helsing, since he obviously knows such helpful arcane knowledge such as (gasp) "The Vampire Test!" A camp anti-classic from William "One-Shot" Beaudine, who shot it back-to-back with yet another Wild-West-Horror mutation, Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck Courtney, John Carradine, (more)
- 1966
Andy nominates Howard Sprague for membership in the Regal Order of Good Fellowship. Thanks to the intervention of Howard's domineering mother (Mabel Albertson), Goober is persuaded to blackball the hapless Mr. Sprague. This episode was written by Jim Parker and Arnold Margolin, later two of the leading lights of the comedy anthology Love, American Style. "The Lodge" originally aired on September 19, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Unsuccessful football coach Burt Payne (Bill Williams) wants to sell his share of the Wildcats pro football team to a cartel of investors, but his wealthy wife Ellen (Mona Freeman) vetoes the deal. Even so, Ellen arranges a meeting with one of the investors--just before Burt is killed in a mysterious explosion. Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) is on hand when Burt's remains are delivered to Los Angeles by train. . .and also happens to be in the vicinity when another murder occurs and the wrong person is accused. Several real-life members of the Los Angeles Rams appear as themselves in this episode, which ends with a frenetic chase sequence filmed on location at LA Memorial Colisseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Years ago, Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) had his heart broken by Mary Alice Perkins, who left him waiting at the altar and married another man. Now, Mary Alice is a widow, and Uncle Joe decides to begin corresponding with her again. Are there wedding bells in the offing, or is Joe setting himself up for another fall? Lurene Tuttle, previously seen on Petticoat Junction as sterm schoolmarm Adelaide "Genghis" Keane, is here cast as Widow Perkins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Stephanie Carew (Sandra Warner) hires Perry (Raymond Burr) to sue first-time novelist Deborah Dearborn (Zeme North) for libel, claiming that her own life was the basis for Deborah's lurid best-seller. Not long afterward, Stephanie is found drowned in her fresh-water swimming pool--and lest the police write her death off as accidental, the coroner points out that the victim has salt water in her lungs. Putting two and two together, the authorities arrest Deborah for the murder, whereupon Perry switches sides to defend the girl. Yes, that's a young, pre-Love Story Ryan O'Neal as John Carew, Deborah's boyfriend and the victim's stepson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Viva Las Vegas, one of Elvis Presley's most popular vehicles, adheres as rigidly to formula as a Kabuki dance. Elvis plays a race-car driver competing in the Las Vegas Grand Prix opposite his principal rival, Cesare Danova. To finance his entry, Elvis takes a job as a casino waiter. Naturally, he is occasionally prevailed upon to sing, making one wonder why he didn't choose this talent as a means of making some quick cash. As always, Elvis chases all the wrong girls, only to ignore the "right" one, portrayed by Ann-Margret in her considerable youthful prime (We're supposed to believe that A-M is the daughter of irascible William Demarest. So much for the reliability of gene pools). With a pre-fat Presley, an indescribably gorgeous Ann-Margret, and no fewer than 12 songs on the soundtrack, how could Viva Las Vegas help but reap a fortune at the box office? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret, (more)
- 1964
This drama tells the true story of one of Broadway's most successful madams in the 1920s. It is loosely based on the autobiography of Polly Adler. The story begins when young Polly is seduced and raped at her job by the sweatshop foreman. When her uncle, with whom she lived, learns of the act, he blames her and tosses her out. She then moves into an apartment owned by a racketeer. It is he who encourages her into her "helping" profession when he gives her money for bringing her pals to a gangster party. Soon she is beginning to build up her own clientele. As her business prospers, she begins to choose nicer locations. Her tiny cathouse becomes a haven for sleazy politicos, mobsters, and businessmen. The madame herself has a passionate romance with a young songwriter and she helps his career. He does not know of her vocation and she eventually breaks up with him to keep his reputation intact. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shelley Winters, Robert Taylor, (more)
- 1964
Now that the swanky Beverly Hills dress shop "House of Renée" has been converted into the "House of Granny" (complete with potbellied stove), Jed and Jethro hope to make a thriving business of the establishment. Intending to one-up the competition, they begin opening up the shop at the crack of dawn. Alas, the Beverly Hills police assume that the shabbily garbed Clampett menfolk are burglars. The conclusion of a two-part story arc, "The House of Granny" first aired on April 29, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Beaver (Jerry Mathers) wins a 14-carat locket at a carnival. At first, he plans to give the prize to his mother, June (Barbara Billingsley). But at the prodding of his friend Gilbert (Stephen Talbot), Beaver ends up presenting the locket to pretty Donna Yeager (Christine Jordan). Not unexpectedly, the ramifications of Beaver's generosity are daunting indeed -- especially when Donna's parents find out. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Talbot, Christine Jordan, (more)
- 1963
Applying for a driver's license, Martin (Ray Walston) is unable to provide copies of his fingerprints--mainly because he hasn't any. Thinking quickly, he "borrows" the print of the man standing next to him in line. Unfortunately, that man turns out to be notorious jewel thief Brian Henley (Howard Morton)...and when Tim (Bill Bixby) writes an in-depth article about Henley's latest heist, both he and Martin face some serious prison time! Madge Blake, later seen as Aunt Harriet on Batman, is here cast as a giddy, bejeweled dowager. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Martin (Ray Walston) decides to combine business with pleasure by agreeing to go on a picnic with Tim (Bill Bixby) and their pretty neighbor Jennifer Richmond (Kathy Kersh)--not to mention the girl's pesky kid brother Stevie (played by a pre-"Eddie Munster" Butch Patrick). Figuring that Tim will be kept busy with Jennifer, Martin will have plenty of time to hunt for "glink", an element necessary to reactivate his spaceship. But when Stevie manages to get stuck on the top of Thunder Mountain, Martin is saddled with the responsibility of helping Tim (who is deathly afraid of heights) become a hero by rescuing the boy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Kate (Bea Benadaret) is confused when Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) begins buying up old bug-spray cans. It turns out that Joe is off on another of his get-rich-quick schemes, in this case the manufacture and sale of his own brand of cologne, "Lord and Lady Violet." Joe boasts that this business enterprise will be something new in "the field of smell"--and unfortunately, he's right. Hank Patterson makes his first series appearance as hog farmer Fred Ziffel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
During the first season of Petticoat Junction, Bobbie Jo Bradley was portrayed (by Pat Woodell) as a naïve bookworm, with no interest in men--or virtually anything else. Worried that Bobbie Jo will never find a husband, her mom Kate (Bea Benadaret) takes it upon herself to force the girl out of her cocoon and transform her into a real fashion plate. Jack Bannon, the son of star Bea Benadaret, makes his first series appearance in this episode, as Roger Budd. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
All previous lawmen hired to escort the outlaw Wilder brothers (James Griffith, Harry Dean Stanton) to their hanging in Dakota territory have been murdered by the brothers' friends. Now Paladin (Richard Boone) has been engaged to take on the daunting task of seeing that the Wilders are brought to justice. En route to the Dakotas, Paladin and his prisoners cross the paths of several strangers--but which one has been chosen as Paladin's assassin? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
In this drama, high-school sweethearts elope while still in school, and later have a second ceremony to please their parents. When reality sets in, the new husband abandons his dream of becoming a doctor to become a mechanic. They then move into the father of the bride's home where he lays down strict rules. When the groom gets involved with auto thieves, trouble ensues until both sets of in-laws team up to send him to college where he belongs. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1962
The time has come for Beaver (Jerry Mathers) to fall for the old "record-club advertisement" routine. Think of it! For a few pennies less than a dollar, Beaver will get a free rock-&-roll record and the chance for lengthy club membership. Before long, vinyl LPs are piling up in the Cleaver house at an astonishing rate. A neat deal? That's what Beaver thinks...until a bill shows up for a staggering 17 dollars and 60 cents! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Talbot, George Cisar, (more)
- 1961
Edgar Buchanan guest-stars as Henry Wheeler, an itinerant handyman whom Aunt Bee hires as a gardener. It isn't long before Bee thinks she has fallen in love with the affable Wheeler. Andy sees through Henry's kindly façade, resulting in an episode denoument similar to that of the earlier Andy Griffith Show installment "Opie's Hobo Friend." First shown on December 4, 1961, "Aunt Bee's Brief Encounter" was written by Ben Gershman and Leo Solomon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This hysterical drive-in favorite pits a community of swamp-dwelling yokels against the silliest-looking monsters since the shag-rug aliens of The Creeping Terror. Despite the strange sucker-marks found on a dead trapper's blood-drained body, and a man's story of seeing his unfaithful wife and her lover dragged into the swamp by the creatures, the police refuse to acknowledge that something freaky is going on. Only after more trappers disappear does the local game warden decide to take action, which he does with a vengeance. When the leech lair is discovered in a cave beneath the swamp, explosives are employed to blow them to little rubber bits. It's hard to be too critical of this early film from prolific TV-director Bernard L. Kowalski (Night of the Blood Beast), since executive producer Roger Corman allocated a budget for this production that would hardly cover the catering bill on a major studio film -- even in 1960! Look carefully to spot the scuba tanks beneath the leech costumes. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1959
A low-budget, tawdry police yarn with the world of prostitution and gangsters thrown in, Vice Raid features Mamie Van Doren as Carol Hudson, a Motor City hooker. The bosses of the prostitution racket have Hudson go to New York City to entrap a police officer and get him thrown off the force. She does as she is told and then the gangsters make a mistake -- they abuse her younger sister. Angered to the core, Hudson decides to team up with the cop she helped frame and put the mobsters behind bars. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mamie van Doren, Richard Coogan, (more)
