Jack Collins Movies

A science project goes awry and the world is threatened by giant cockroaches in this horror outing. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Robert Louis Stevenson's novel is satirized in this comedy about a scientist (Mark Blankfield) who is hopelessly addicted to his latest invention, a strange white powder. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Jim (James Garner) has cooked up an elaborate sting operation to save the printing plant owned by the father of fellow private eye Richie Brockelman (Dennis Dugan) from the clutches of crooked sports promoter Coombs (Robert Webber). The scam is wide-ranging indeed, involving a travelling King Tut exhibition and a popular auto-racing track. While simultaneously endeavoring to pull off the con and preventing his "pal" Angel (Stuart Margolin from gumming up the works, Jim also finds himself falling in love with enigmatic co-conspirator Odette (Trisha Noble). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the first half of a two-part story, greenhorn detective Richie Brockelman (Dennis Dugan) asks Jim (James Garner) to help get back the printing plant that has been swindled from Richie's father (Harold Gould) by sleazy sports promoter Harold Jack Coombs (Robert Webber). This undertaking requires an elaborate "sting" operation--so elaborate that Jim must hold auditions to pick the right con artists for the right job. This episode is essentially a promo for guest star Dennis Dugan's own series, Richie Brockelman: Private Eye. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The toothsome singing duo, Donny and Marie Osmond, head for Hawaii in this comedy. The trouble begins when Marie acquires a lovely necklace without realizing that it is coveted by a group of thieves. An enigmatic woman is also after the necklace. Mayhem, music, and sibling rivalry ensue. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Based on a story by Hollywood old-timers Seton I. Miller and S. S. Field, Pete's Dragon divides its time between its flesh-and-blood characters and an animated green dragon. Pete (Sean Marshall), a lonely orphan boy in turn-of-the-century Maine, runs away from his abusive foster family. He stumbles upon a lovable dragon named Elliot, and the two become inseparable companions. Elliot is visible only to Pete, leading the townsfolk to assume that the boy is a trifle tetched. Pete finally finds happiness with his "new" family, lighthouse-keeper Lampie (Mickey Rooney) and his daughter Nora (Helen Reddy, who sings and sings). British comic actor Jim Dale co-stars as the wacky dentist Dr. Terminus. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Having already exhausted the dramatic possibilities of fire with The Towering Inferno, producer Irwin Allen turns to water in the made-for-TV Flood! The film is set in a small community, conveniently (for the purposes of the plot) located near a huge earthen dam. As the flood waters rise and the dam threatens to collapse, we are made privy to the individual reactions of such all-star victims-to-be as Robert Culp, Martin Milner, Richard Basehart, Cameron Mitchell, Barbara Hershey, Teresa Wright and Carol Lynley. As in Inferno, helicopter pilots come to the rescue. Most of the film was shot in Eugene, Oregon. Flood! first aired on November 24, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A skyscraper and an all-star cast go up in flames in Irwin Allen's classic disaster movie. To celebrate the construction of the Glass Tower, the world's tallest building, architect Doug Roberts (Paul Newman) and builder James Duncan (William Holden) hold a gala bash on the highest floors. Trouble is, Duncan's son-in-law and electrical subcontractor Roger Simmons (Richard Chamberlain) installed faulty wiring throughout the 138-story behemoth to save money. While the guests -- including Doug's lady friend (Faye Dunaway), a rich widow (Jennifer Jones), a con man (Fred Astaire), and a politico (Robert Vaughn) -- enjoy the party, and a security guard (O.J. Simpson) wonders why his equipment is on the fritz, a burnt-out circuit breaker ignites some garbage on the 85th floor, swiftly turning the high-rise into, well, a towering inferno. With the guests trapped on the 135th floor, it's up to Roberts and Fire Chief O'Hallorhan (Steve McQueen) to find a way to stop the blaze. Though not the first all-star '70s disaster movie (1970's Airport and 1972's The Poseidon Adventure preceded it), The Towering Inferno was the most popular and the most spectacular. In a move that would become more common in late-'90s blockbuster Hollywood, The Towering Inferno's mammoth production was mounted by two studios; screenwriter Stirling Silliphant combined the two novels owned by the studios into one saga. 1970s "shake 'n bake" maestro Allen, with co-director John Guillermin (Allen did the action sequences), tapped into deep fears about the fragility of modern life in the face of extreme natural phenomena, as well as into the envies and insecurities of middle-aged professional men. The Towering Inferno packed theaters and earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture; it won for Cinematography, Editing, and Song. While its heroic, no-nonsense men provided some traditional comfort, The Towering Inferno still might provoke second thoughts about going into a skyscraper. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

Four years after setting box offices ablaze in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and director George Roy Hill re-teamed with similar success for The Sting. Redford plays Depression-era confidence trickster Johnny Hooker, whose friend and mentor Luther Coleman (Robert Earl Jones) is murdered by racketeer/gambler Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Hoping to avenge Luther's death, Johnny begins planning a "sting" -- an elaborate scam -- to destroy Lonnegan. He enlists the aid of "the greatest con artist of them all," Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman), who pulls himself out of a drunken stupor and rises to the occasion. Hooker and Gondorff gather together an impressive array of con men, all of whom despise Lonnegan and wish to settle accounts on behalf of Luther. The twists and surprises that follow are too complex to relate in detail -- suffice to say that you can't cheat an honest man, and that you shouldn't accept everything at face value. The Sting became one of the biggest hits of the early '70s; grossing 68.5 million dollars during its first run, the film also picked up seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Adapted Score for Marvin Hamlisch's unforgettable setting of Scott Joplin's ragtime music. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

On a dare from his "pal" Punky (Gary Dubin), Danny (Danny Bonaduce) shoplifts a toy at a department store. Unable to escape his own conscience, Danny confesses his crime, and all is forgiven--until Punky intervenes once more, leading store manager Phelps (Henry Jones) to conclude that Danny has shoplifted again. Increasing Danny's already oppressive guilt feelings is the fact that the Partridge Family is slated to receive a Good Citizenship Award! Song: "I Don't Care (Where You've Been Before)". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This crime thriller with occult overtones puts a spine-tingling twist on the Jungian psychological notion of "the shadow." In the '30s, Holland and Niles Perry are 10-year-old twins growing up on an idyllic farm in the Connecticut countryside. Niles is a wholesome, outgoing lad, loved by the whole family. Holland's brooding mischief causes untold trouble. Eventually, the Perry family experiences a series of tragic accidents which may not be accidents. Unraveling the circumstances of these tragedies is a fascinating and subtle business. This film was adapted by Tom Tryon from his novel The Other and includes a film debut by the famous acting teacher Uta Hagen, as the twins' grandmother. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Originally made for television, this story focuses on a woman selected for jury duty. During a murder trial, she discovers that the accused is the wrong man; she also finds that the real killer is after her. ~ John Bush, Rovi

In the second episode of a two-part story, Esmerelda again accidentally causes George Washington (Will Geer) to materialize in the Stephens living room -- and this time George has brought along his wife, Martha (Jane Connell). As Mrs. Washington drinks in the wonders of Samantha's modern kitchen, George insists upon defending himself in court from the public disturbance and assault charges he'd accrued in the previous week's episode. To top it off, Larry and Darrin lose an account thanks to Washington's inability to tell a lie. Written by Michael Morris, "Father of Our Country" first aired on February 26, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi