Shelly Lipkin Movies
Developed by Tina Sinatra and approved by Frank himself, Sinatra is a made-for-television mini-series following the life and times of Frank Sinatra, one of the most popular and acclaimed singers of the 20th century. Opening with his childhood in Hoboken, New Jersey, the film follows Sinatra's (Philip Casnoff) rise to the top in the '40s, through the dark days of the early '50s and his triumphant re-emergence in the mid-'50s, to his status as pop culture icon in the '60s, '70s and '80s. In between, the film hits all of the main events, including his three marriages, his connections with the Mafia and his notorious friendship with the Rat Pack. Even with the presence of Tina Sinatra as executive producer, Sinatra doesn't gloss over the more unsavory portions of Frank's life, which makes it all the more impressive. With the exception of a couple of early songs, all the music in the movie is taken from the original Sinatra recordings. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
Set during the Watts riots of the mid-'60s, the made-for-cable Heat Wave follows the story of Los Angeles Times reporter Robert Richardson (Blair Underwood), who was the only journalist on staff able to cover the story, since White reporters were unable to gain access to the area and the rioters. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Blair Underwood, Cicely Tyson, (more)
- 1989
Stefanie Powers goes the wronged-wife route with Love and Betrayal. She is happily married to David Birney, and is also the blissful mother of two. Out of nowhere, her husband sues for divorce. He's found someone younger, and he's got all the legal pull to deny Ms. Powers such niceties as custody of the children and financial support. Hiss and boo if you wish. Made for TV, Love and Betrayal was buried in the ratings during its first telecast in April of 1989, by an unusually strong barrage of network competition--including a new adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Hunter (Fred Dryer) has finally caught up with Rose Fain (Claire Nono), the widow of his wartime buddy Randall Fain. Though Fain has reportedly committed suicide, Hunter is convinced that he was murdered by another member of their top-secret Vietnam marine unit--and the reason for the killing has something to do with a fortune in emeralds which Fain was supposed to have stolen. Hunter hopes that Rose will turn over the necessary information to catch the killer and clear Fain's name...provided she lives long enough to do so. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A year after appearing in the box-office sleeper Shanghai Surprise, pop superstar Madonna starred in the screwball comedy Who's That Girl? She plays Nikki Finn, who is being released from prison after serving a four-year sentence for a murder she didn't commit. Meanwhile, wealthy lawyer Loudon (Griffin Dunne) is about to get married that afternoon to the snobby Wendy (Haviland Morris), the daughter of Simon Worthington (John McMartin). Worthington does not approve of the wedding and he wants Nikki out of town as soon as possible, so he sends Loudon to collect Nikki and take her to the bus station. Instead, the flamboyant Nikki seeks her revenge while trying to find out what happened to her friend Johnny, which causes Loudon a lot of trouble. Naturally, wild action ensues -- some of it involving an escaped Cougar belonging to Loudon's boss, the millionaire animal collector Montgomery Bell (John Mills) -- and Loudon having to choose between the prim Wendy and the unpredictable Nikki. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Madonna, Griffin Dunne, (more)
- 1983
Quincy (Jack Klugman) notices many discrepancies in the "official" evidence when his friend Ted Locke (Rudy Solari) is charged with setting his own business on fire to collect the insurance, killing an employee in the process. Unfortunately, Locke has been hauled before a Federal Grand Jury, and is at the mercy of relentless U.S. Attorney Philip St. Johns, who is determined to strike a blow against the Mob by using Locke as a pawn. Wielding his prosecutorial power like a club, St. Johns makes certain that Locke can neither defend himself, nor be defended by consul, against the charges levelled against him--and not surprisingly, Quincy is hopping mad. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
In the first episode of a two-part story, Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) climb aboard the legendary Moosejaw Express in anticipation of a thrilling train ride from Wisconsin to Canada . It's thrilling, all right, but not in the way the girls had expected. No sooner has the journey began than a murder victim (Roger C. Carmel) stumbles into L&S's compartment and dies--but not before mumbling the fateful words "Beware the bald man"! This star-studded episode was originally scheduled to air on February 11, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) are still trying to solve a murder while hurtling towards Canada on the Moosejaw Express. The girls have been warned to "beware the bald man"--who has apparently already caught up with them and poisoned their food. Meanwhile, stowaways Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander) hope against hope to rescue the girls in the nick of time, but unfortunately they're a little tied up at the moment! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
