Michael Fox Movies
Michael Fox played character parts--usually villains--in scores of television shows and in more than 100 films, mostly during the '50s and '60s. Fans of the CBS daily serial The Bold and the Beautiful will remember him for having played Saul Feinberg from 1987-1986. Born and raised in Yonkers, New York and first made his name on Broadway starring opposite Lillian Gish in The Story of Mary Stuart. Fox made his film debut in films such as Voodoo Tiger and Backhawks (both 1952). Later in his career, Fox founded the Theater East actors organization. Fox passed away at the Motion Picture Home, Woodland Hills, California. The 75-year-old was suffering from pneumonia at the time. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1966
In this thriller, a reporter begins helping the police by playing the bait in a trap designed to capture a dangerous psychopath. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1965
While on a fishing vacation, Perry (Raymond Burr) rescues novelist Diana Carter (Bonnie Jones) from a watery grave. He must then save Diana from a charge of being an accomplice in a $50,000 jewel theft. And THEN, it's up to Perry to clear the girl on a charge of murdering Addison Powell. A forged note, hidden somewhere in a sunken yacht, is the vital piece of evidence on this occasion. "The Case of the Impetuous Imp" is based on Erle Stanley Gardner's novel The Case of the Negilgent Nymph, previously filmed under that title for Perry Mason's first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Billie is a screen version of Ronald Alexander's perennial stage favorite Time Out For Ginger. Patty Duke plays a tomboyish high schooler who excels in athletics but who continues to strike out socially. Jim Backus and Jane Greer perform yeoman service as Duke's parents, who wonder how long it's going to be before their daughter stops trying to be their son. Backus is particularly concerned because he's running for mayor on a platform of "male supremacy" (this is 1965, remember?). From time to time, Duke expresses her frustration in song: her big number finds her holding her gym shoes in one hand, a bottle of perfume in the other. Warren Berlinger also stars as Duke's long-suffering boyfriend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patty Duke, Jim Backus, (more)
- 1964
John McGiver stars as ex-Navy man Roswell G. Flemington, who insists upon running his business, and his home, in strict maritime fashion. This includes an abundance of loud noises -- whistles, bells, cannon shots, and military music -- because Flemington, like nature, abhors a vaccuum. His obsession with noise costs Flemington his wife (Penny Singleton) and his sanity, though not necessarily in that order. Written Rod Serling, "Sounds and Silences" was networkcast only once, on April 3, 1964; because of a legal squabble with another writer, the episode was removed from the Twilight Zone syndicated package, remaining unseen until 1984, when it was included in a two-hour Twilight Zone anniversary package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John McGiver, Penny Singleton, (more)
- 1964
After a dangerous tiger turns on its trainer and escapes from the circus, a small town in Texas finds itself in an uproar over its capture. As it is hunted by numerous parties, a young girl begins protesting and starts a nationwide movement to plead for the tiger's safety. As the situation gains more attention, the local attitude is torn by politics and outside pressure. At the time of its release, this feature (taken from a book by Ian Niall) was quite different for Disney as it portrayed realistic small-town politics rather than an ideal community. The titular tiger, on the other hand, seemed to have an uncanny knack of choosing baddies to prey upon while leaving all well-meaning folks alone. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Keith, Vera Miles, (more)
- 1964
A familiar old sitcom ploy is given a new twist in this episode. After being accidentally struck on the head with a wrench, Uncle Martin (Ray Walston) suffers from total amnesia. This of course means that, among other things, he refuses to believe that he's a 450-year-old visitor from Mars! Tim (Bill Bixby) races against time to restore Martin's memory so that he can link up with a rocket expert who may be able to help him return to his home planet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
- G
- Add The Misadventures of Merlin Jones to QueueAdd The Misadventures of Merlin Jones to top of Queue
In this Disney family film, brainy college student Merlin Jones (Tommy Kirk) invents a mind-reading machine, but the consequences of its use prove to be a lot of trouble. With help from his girlfriend (Annette Funicello), he must set to right all that has gone wrong. The movie spawned the sequel Monkey's Uncle two years later. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tommy Kirk, Annette Funicello, (more)
- 1964
Two years after the success of The Interns (1962) came this follow-up tale of medical interns during their first year working in a hospital. Ranging from comedy to melodrama, three main stories are woven around the principal characters. Functioning as the group's advisor, Dr. Alec Considine spends much of his time chasing women--one of which (an early role from Barbara Eden) may or may not wrangle a ring from him. Then there is a struggling married couple (played by Stefanie Powers and Dean Jones) who must face the possibility of never having children. Thirdly, Dr. Tony Parelli (George Segal in his film debut), coming from a gritty past, falls in love with social worker Nancy (Inger Stevens). Unfortunately Nancy has recently been sexually brutallized by three violent men and does not respond favorably to Dr. Parelli's attentions. Also starring are Telly Savalas and Kay Stevens, who, with Powers and Callan, appeared in the original and more successful Interns. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Callan, Dean Jones, (more)
- 1963
Returning to work after a four-week absence, Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) makes up for lost time by agreeing to represent cantankerous orange grower Amos Keller (Arthur Hunnicutt). To get even with Amos for messing up his plans to bulldoze the local orange groves, land developer Gerald Thornton is suing the old coot, claiming to have been bitten by Amos' dog Hard Tack. Things turns deadly serious, however, when Thornton is murdered and Amos' granddaughter Sandra (Natalie Trundy) is charged with the crime. Watch for future spaghetti-western icon Lee Van Cleef in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
This is the second of four consecutive episodes in which Perry Mason appears only briefly, while a "guest" lawyer handles the case at hand (Raymond Burr was at the time recovering from minor surgery). Michael Rennie stars as erudite law professor Edward Lindley, one of Perry's best friends and severest critics. Though he has never handled a murder case--and indeed, regards most defense attorneys with the utmost disdain--Lindley agrees to help one of his students, Janice Norland (Patricia Manning), who claims to have killed blackmailing dance instructor Raul Perez (Carlos Romero). But when Lindley accompanies Janice to the scene of the crime, the body has disappeared! Ultimately, however, Janice is charged with Perez' murder, with circumstantial evidence provided by a candid camera which the dead man used for his extortion racket. Making things even dicier is the possibility that Janice's own mother Maureen (played by Patrice Wymore, former wife of movie superstar Errol Flynn), is the guilty party!. Excluded from the original Perry Mason syndicated rerun package in 1966, this episode remained unseen until it was telecast on cable TV in the mid-1990s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
The "teaser" opening of this episode shows Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) losing an appeal before Judge Daniel Redmond (Robert Middleton). Later on, however, Redmond is banking on Perry to win in court--in fact, the judge's life depends on it. It seems that Redmond is running for lieutenant governor, but may be discredited in the eyes of the voters thanks to the dissolute Martin Weston (Vaughn Taylor), who claims that the Judge was involved in a nasty fraud scheme twenty years earlier. When Weston is killed, the police are convinced that Redmond is the guilty party--and it is up to Perry to un-convince them! This is the final episode of Perry Mason's sixth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Extra! Extra! The unthinkable has happened! PERRY MASON HAS LOST A CASE! The jury brings in a guilty verdict, and Perry's client Janice Barton (Vera Miles) is convicted of murder and sentenced to the gas chamber. Though perennial also-ran Hamilton Burger (William Talman) should be elated, he is sympathetic towards the brooding Mason (Raymond Burr), who blames himself for Janice's plight. But it soon develops that Janice had virtually condemned herself by lying about her whereabouts when the murder was committed. Still convinced of his former client's innocence, Perry works feverishly behind the scenes to expose the real killer--whose identity will come as quite a shock to fans of 1960s sitcoms. This justifiably famous episode, ranked as #51 in the "100 Greatest TV Episodes of All Time" by TV Guide, was originally scheduled to air on October 3, 1963. (Curiously, it was removed from the series' syndicated package in 1966, and not seen again until it was cablecast in 1988). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Althhough she is on her deathbed, wealthy Be Be Brent (Anne Barton) is sufficiently hale and hearty to enrage her relatives by leaving the bulk of her estate--one million dollars--to her nurse Hetty Randall (Anne Seymour). The family members hire Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) to contest the will, but instead he ends up with another murder case on his hands. This time, the victim is Justin Grover, and the accused is a girl named Madeline (Sherry Jackson)...whose last name is also Randall. Former "beefcake" leading man Jon Hall, who hadn't appeared on TV since 1958, came out of retirement to play a major role in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Mob boss Big Jahnchek (Peter Whitney) escapes Federal custody and makes a beeline for his brother Gregory (R. G. Armstrong), who has managed to bury his connection to Big Steve by changing his name to John Gregory and establishing a successful fleet of tuna boats. Motivating Big Steve's getaway is the fact that the $100,000 trust fund of Helen Gregory (Susan Seaforth), whom each brother has at one time or another claimed as his own daughter, is being mismanaged by crooked Franz Moray (Steven Geray). When Moray is murdered, Gregory is charged with the crime, and a disturbing Jahnchek family secret is in danger of being exposed. It is up to Perry Mason to clear Gregory in court and to provide a happy ending for those who truly deserve one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Druggist Herbert Simms (Linden Chiles) hopes to change careers and become a TV writer. To this end, he submits his first script to unscrupulous producer Charlie Cory (John Lasell)--who proceeds to steal Simms' story idea and pass it off as his own. The outraged Simms consults his family's attorney, Perry Mason (Raymond Burr), who tells him that nothing can be done because no contract had been signed. Not long afterward, Cory is bludgeoned to death--and Simms is spotted fleeing the murder scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Moving from Saturday to Thursday evening for its sixth season on CBS, Perry Mason kicks off the new year with another baffling murder case. This time the victim is Joseph Kraft (Maurice Manson) a crooked book dealer who traffics in forgeries of rare first editions. Not long after firing his clerk Ellen Carter (Phyllis Love) for misplacing a copy of Tristam Shandy), Kraft is found dead in a locked room, apparently the victim of a gas leak. Ultimately, the police decide that Kraft was murdered, and that Ellen is the most likely suspect. Enter Perry Mason (Raymond Burr), who intends to prove Ellen's innocence while setting a trap for the real killer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Using a technique that involves the kind of ensemble acting seen in later long-running, large-cast television programs, director David Swift has tried to tie together the stories of five young interns in this routine drama. One of the interns is a woman who is at odds with the chief surgeon (Telly Savalas), another is involved in an ill-advised abortion simply because he has fallen in love with the patient, a glamorous model (also in real life, played by Suzy Parker). Other stories involve romances that turn out well or ill, depending on the case. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Callan, Cliff Robertson, (more)
- 1962
No sooner have they been released from prison than the four Stryker brothers pick up where they left off, assuming control of a string of night clubs and all illegal traffic within. In dire need of extra money to keep their operation afloat, the brothers plan to rob a mail shipment--and to this end, they coax a professional arsonist named Jaeger (Nehemiah Persoff in a less villainous role than usual) out of retirement. Only when the Strykers renege on their promise to pay Jaeger the 20 grand they promised him does the scheme unravel, allowing Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) to mete out justice. Frank Sutton, aka Gomer Pyle USMC's Sergeant Carter, makes the first of four Untouchables appearances, here cast as the youngest and most timorous of the Stryker brothers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
After his legitimate business goes bust, former drug king Phil Melnick (Lou Polan) returns to his old opium-dealing racket. This time, however, Melnick has taken a partner: 19-year-old Johnny Lubin (James MacArthur), who hopes to be a millionaire before his 20th birthday--and who is willing to kill anyone who impedes his progress. Even the Mob finds the baby-faced Johnny too hard too handle. . .but Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) is not so easily daunted. Appearing as a debutante who becomes Johnny's unwitting drug courier is actress Carol Eastman, who under the nom de plume of Adrien Joyce would write the screenplay for the 1971 film Five Easy Pieces. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Hired to inventory the Bowden estate, Ralph Duncan (Vaughn Taylor), a none-too-bright civil servant, decides to impress his wife Helen by bringing home $153,000 in old greenbacks that he has found on the Bowden property. Of course, Duncan intends to return the money the next morning; unfortunately, the cash is stolen by his no-good cousin Charley (Robert Casper). Not only is poor Duncan accused of theft, but he's also charged with the murder of one Lloyd Farrell (Liam Sullivan)--and it is at this point that Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) enters the story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
First telecast March 3, 1961, this is a deft reworking of the first-season Twilight Zone episode "Mr. Bevis." Making his second appearance on the series, Burgess Meredith stars as Luther Dingle, a mild-mannered salesman whom a pair of Martians select for a most unusual experiment. The aliens endow Dingle with the strength of 300 men, a gift which he eventually abuses and loses. The ending of this one is a beaut. Don Rickles costars as an obnoxious horse player, displaying the same comic invective with which he infested his nightlclub act. Written by Rod Serling, "Mr. Dingle, the Strong" would be remade, after a fashion, as the third-season Twilight Zone entry "Cavender Is Coming." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Burgess Meredith, Don Rickles, (more)
- 1961
Inventor Walter Randall (Jerome Thor) is saddled with a nasty wife named Laura (June Vincent), who is insanely jealous of her husband's romance with Phyllis Hudson (Marianne Stewart). Setting a time bomb to destroy Walter's newest invention, an underwater sounding device, Phyllis decides to literally kill two birds with one stone by knocking out Phyllis and leaving her to die in the explosion. Fortunately, Phyllis escapes in the nick of time; unfortunately, she is subsequently charged with Laura's murder. Attorney Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) relies upon an elaborate (and expensive) courtroom demonstration to save Phyllis from the gas chamber. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Carter Gilman (Walter Kinsella) abruptly vanishes from his home while he is having breakfast with his daughter Muriell (Kaye Elhardt). Investigating Gilman's disappearance, Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) finds evidence of a struggle in the man's workshop. He also finds a great deal of money--and before long a greater deal of money, specifically two million dollars, will enter into the proceedings, along with such diverse elements as blackmail and false identities. Ultimately, Perry must defend Gilman on a charge of murder. This episode is based on a 1960 novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
While visiting the apartment house where she grew up, schoolteacher Helen Foley (Janice Rule) makes the acquaintance of a strange little girl named Markie (Terry Burnham). It gradually develops that Markie holds a clue as to the identity of the person who murdered Helen's mother many years earlier. Without saying any more, we can note that the supporting cast includes Sheppard Strudwick and Michael Fox; also appearing is a cute child actress named Suzanne Cupito, who enjoyed a substantial adult career under the name Morgan Brittany. Scripted by Rod Serling and graced with a subtly sinister musical score by Jerry Goldsmith, "Nightmare as a Child" was the April 29, 1960, installment of Twilight Zone. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Janice Rule, Shepperd Strudwick, (more)
- 1960
Gambling-casino owner George Anclitis (Henry Lascoe) has two big problems on his hands: His second-in-command Slim Marcus (H.M. Wynant) has been caught cheating in a high-stakes card game, and Slim's girlfriend Vivian (Jeanne Moody) has been murdered. Hoping to kill several birds with a single stone, Anclitis uses a hot gun and a few ounces of marijuana to frame Betty Roberts (Joan O'Brien), a cigarette girl who "knows too much", for Vivian's murder. Lucky for Betty that she'd previously engaged the services of Perry Mason (Perry Mason) because she'd figured that Anclitis and Marcus were up to something fishy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
