Clyde Kusatsu Movies

Harry Hamlin stars in this made-for-cable thriller as a private eye who returns to his boyhood home only to find himself on the trail of a serial killer. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide

French detective Claude Fornier (Paul Verdier), whose exploits have inspired several of Robin Masters' novels, is murdered just after presenting Magnum (Tom Selleck) with the "PI of the Year" award. Though anxious to solve Fornier's murder, Magnum finds that he'll have to wait in line as every other detective attending the awards ceremony (many of whom closely resemble popular TV gumshoes!) insists upon taking a crack at the case. Elisha Cook Jr., usually cast as shady businessman Ice Pick, reprises his characterization of weasely "gunsel" Wilmer from The Maltese Falcon in a dream sequence; and appearing as chief of security at the ceremony is prolific TV producer Stephen J. Cannell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Rick (Larry Manetti) sets sail on a chartered fishing excursion with several suspicious-looking customers. Hours later, Rick's boat drifts back to the dock with no one on board. The authorities are certain that Rick and his passengers have been lost at sea, but Magnum suspects otherwise. Assisting our hero in his subsequent investigation is Det. Gordon Katsumoto (Clyde Kusatsu), a John Wayne devotee who insists upon speaking and behaving just like "The Duke" (the fact that the detective's Wayne imitation is pretty awful only adds to the enjoyment of this episode!). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Magnum (Tom Selleck), T.C. (Roger E. Mosley), Rick (Larry Manetti) and Higgins (John Hillerman) have managed to sneak into Cambodia to rescue a former war buddy from the clutches of ruthless Vietnamese torturer Major Thieu (Seth Sakai). Alas, things don't go as planned, and soon several of the "good guys" have themselves been captured. Eluding Thieu's minions, T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) assumes the task of saving his comrades--providing he can avoid betrayal at the hands of duplicitous soldier-of-fortune Tyler McKinney (Robert Forster). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Tom Hanks and John Candy were reunited for the first time since Splash in this period comedy about Peace Corps worker during the optimistic period of the Kennedy presidency. Lawrence Bourne III (Tom Hanks) is an upper-class heel who has to flee the country to escape his gambling debts and so sneaks aboard an airplane filled with Peace Corps volunteers en route to Thailand. On the plane he is befriended by well-meaning Peace Corps worker Tom Tuttle (John Candy). Once in Thailand, the workers become involved with building a bridge, and Lawrence becomes involved with the local Communists, an opium lord, and the CIA. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

The Challenge is a classy effort directed by John Frankenheimer. Scott Glenn stars as an American boxer who finds himself in the middle of a Japanese blood feud. Toshiro Mifune and Atsuo Nakamura plays the last surviving brothers of an ancient samurai family, embroiled in a battle of the possession of the family swords. Once involved in this contretemps, Glenn must also contend with the minions of the Yakuza, a Japanese Mafia-style organization. Sword of the Ninja was co-written by John Sayles, better known as the writer/director of such films as Brother From Another Planet and Eight Men Out. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Director Robert Aldrich's last film, All the Marbles stars Peter Falk as a "win-at-all-costs" type manager of a ladies tag-team wrestling combo. These girls are good and Falk wants them great. And he doesn't really care what they've got to do to get there. (This film's "R" rating is not for Raunchy, but it could be for "Revealing.") Following sort of a Rocky theme, this film finds our ladies tag team climbing its way to the top of the women's wrestling world where they face off against the world's best. ~ All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour "TV Movie"), Magnum (Tom Selleck) is convinced that he has seen Michelle (Marta DuBois), the woman whom he married in Vietnam during the war--and who had been reported killed in an explosion. His efforts to find out if Michelle is indeed still alive are stonewalled by the US Government, whose representatives--including his frequent associate Mac (Jeff MacKay)--are clearly hiding something. In the midst of this intrigue, Magnum is called back to active duty (with a promotion) and hauled before a military hearing to testify about his old unit in 'Nam...but what is REALLY going on here? Lance LeGault makes his first appearance as Magnum's perennial nemesis Col. Buck Greene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the opening two-part episode of Magnum, P.I. (originally telecast as a single two-hour "TV movie"), Hawaii-based private detective and former Naval Intelligence officer Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) is already comfortably installed as head of security at the lavish estate of wealthy mystery writer Robin Masters, and well into his genially adversarial relationship with Jonathan Higgins (John Hillerman), the never-seen Masters' snobbish manservant. Despite his cushy surroundings, Magnum isn't averse to accepting "outside" assignments--nor is he immune to trouble being thrust upon him unexpectedly. That's what happens on this occasion, when Magnum's old Vietnam buddy Dan Cook (Allen Williams) turns up dead, with ten bags of cocaine in his stomach. Refusing to believe the offical report that Cook was involved in a drug-smuggling ring, Magnum conducts his own investigation, despite being warned off on several occasions by the authorities--and sure enough, he uncovers a frameup and a widespread conspiracy! Featured in the guest cast is ex-Playboy playmater Lillian Muller, here billed as "Yuliis Ruval." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Soviets and Americans combine forces to save the world from a meteor in this science fiction disaster adventure. Bradley (Sean Connery) is an American scientist who teams up with Dubov (Brian Keith), and his translator-assistant Tatiana (Natalie Wood) later falls in love with Bradley. Hong Kong and New York are hit hard by tidal waves as the scientists race against time to prevent global disaster. Although a fine cast is assembled, nobody stands out, and the real star of the film is the special effects. This 18-million-dollar feature faced real economic disaster at the box office, although four engineers received an Oscar nomination for "Best Sound" for this forgettable film. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Go Tell the Spartans is set in Vietnam during that period in which American troops were euphemistically termed "advisors". Reluctantly dispensing much of that advice is veteran American major Asa Barker (Burt Lancaster). Though he knows what works and what doesn't on the battlefield, Barker is obliged to carry out the go-nowhere policies of the American military brass. His current objective is a woebegone, barely crucial outpost, which he must defend with a handful of green soldiers and end-of-tether Vietnamese militiamen. True to his predictions, the outpost is overwhelmed by the Vietcong, who have something to fight about and are ruthless in their tactics. Before the relief troops can arrive, virtually everyone is senselessly killed, including Barker. The only survivor is Corporal Stephen Courcey (Craig Wasson), a willing draftee whose initial idealism dies along with his comrades. Wendell Mayes adapted Go Tell the Spartans from the novel Incident at Muc Wa by Daniel Ford. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Mike and Gloria are all packed and ready to head to their new home in Santa Barbara, CA. Just before their departure, the couple decides to reaffirm their marriage vows -- and request that Archie and Edith do the same. The concluding scene between Archie and Mike may well be the most touching moment in the series' history -- all the more so for what it tells about Archie. Written by Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf, "The Stivics Go West" originally aired on March 19, 1978, as the final episode of All in the Family's eighth season; indeed, it was intended as the final episode, period, but at the last moment Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton agreed to stay on for at least one more year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Shortly after being involved in a hit-and-run outside of Danny's bar, stewardess Robbie Parker is found murdered. Quincy (Jack Klugman) becomes involved in the situation for two reasons: Danny (Val Bisoglio) may be facing charges for serving Robin too many drinks, and the dead woman was a friend of Quincy's current amour Janet Martin (Renne Jarrett). Conducting an investigation, Quincy figures out that Robbi has had extensive plastic surgery as part of an effort to completely change her identity--and that her past was strange and sordid indeed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide