Perry Cook Movies
After getting his start as a visual effects artist on the original Star Wars trilogy, Spielberg protege Joe Johnston found success as a director with his debut film, the blockbuster family adventure Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. For his sophomore outing, Johnston helmed this action-adventurer, set in 1930s Hollywood and in the spirit of old pulp comics and adventure serials, and co-adapted from the David Stevens graphic novel by Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo. Bill Campbell stars as Cliff Secord, an eager young pilot who finds himself in possession of a secret jet-pack that gives him the ability to fly. Cliff soon learns that screen-star Neville Sinclair (Timothy Dalton) will stop at nothing to get his hands on the rocket pack so he can give it to the Nazis. As The Rocketeer and with a little help from his mechanic friend played by Alan Arkin, it's up to Cliff to elude Sinclair, defeat the Nazis, and save his girlfriend Jenny (Jennifer Connelly). ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, (more)
- 1990
McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) comes home to find that her young Latino cleaning woman has been murdered. Curiously, the woman's body shows signs of torture--torture that obviously occurred several years earlier. Investigating, Hunter (Fred Dryer) manages to link the murder to an outwardly respectable Los Angeles businessman with secret ties to a brutal Latin American dictatorship ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
A serial killer has been preying upon women who have found success in professions previously limited to men. Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) investigate when John Skouros (Tom Villard), a self-styled psychic, claims to have forseen the first three murders. Things take a truly sinister turn when Skouros predicts that the killer's next victim will be McCall! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) suspects foul play when her new friend, a pregnant ER nurse, dies in a car crash. The official report indicates that the woman had been drinking, but McCall refuses to accept this: even though the nurse had a history of alcoholism, she would never have mixed liquor with her morning-sickness medicine. Investigating on McCall's behalf, Hunter (Fred Dryer) discovers that the real villain of the piece is one of the victim's coworkers--who is inextricably linked with that most ubiquitous of 1980s TV heavies, an evil land developer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Hunter (Fred Dryer) goes after an insane killer who, disguised as a police officer, preys upon teenage prostitutes. It isn't exactly "business as usual" for Hunter; the detective has a personal stake in the case. One of the hookers whom the killer plans to knock off is 18-year-old Debbie Small (Bryan Horrocks), who had befriended Hunter in the earlier episode "City Under Siege". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Dack Rambo) guest stars as Assistant District Attorney Jason Lettler, the latest boyfriend of police detective Dee Dee McCall (Stepfanie Kramer). At present, Lettler is determined to put a petty thief named Tommy Orlowski (George Jenesky) away on a murder charge. Hunter (Fred Dryer), however, is convinced that Orlowski is innocent--and it is this conviction that ends up driving a wedge between Hunter and his partner McCall. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
A notorious pimp is the latest victim of a vigilante killer who targets known criminals and leaves a silver bullet at the scene of each murder. Though Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) suspect that the vigilante is actually an ill-tempered undercover vice officer (Edward Wiley), the pimp's bosses have pinpointed the victim's newest lady friend (Leslie Bevis) as the guilty party. In either case, someone is not long for this world! This final episode of Hunter's fourth season was adapted from a novel by former police detective Dallas L. Barnes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
As suggested by its title, this episode is a not-so-goodnatured spoof of the popular "whoddunnit" series Murder She Wrote. Hunter (Fred Dryer) is summoned to the home of his millionaire friend Clarence Hyland (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.), who has narrowly escaped an attempt on his life. Naturally, the house is filled to the brim with suspects, notably Hyland's covetous nieces and nephews. As Hunter tries to weed out the guilty party, he must also put up with the well-intentioned meddling of celebrated mystery writer--and self-styled sleuth--Jennifer Brasher (Marge Redmond. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
It has been nearly a year since drug kingpin Bogota was killed in the episode "Love, Hate, and Sporty James", but the million dollars that Bogota had on him when he died is still missing. Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) suspect that the money was stolen by street hustler Sporty James (Garret Morris), the man who helped them mete out justice to the drug lord. Trouble is, a bunch of Colombian tough guys also think that Sporty has the dough, and they're willing to kill him to get it back. In an ironic turn of events, Sporty ends up being charged with the murder of one of the Colombians, prompting Hunter to call in a number of favors from the Underworld to find the real trigger man. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Hunter's boss Devane (Charles Hallahan) is aroused from his slumbers late one night by his ex-wife Sarah (Frances Lee McCain), who shows up at his doorstep with an incredible story about finding an abandoned car and a dead woman. Even worse, Sarah has been drinking, and is convinced that she is responsible for the woman's death. Though Devane doesn't believe his former wife's ramblings, further investigation proves that Sara was telling the truth. Unfortunately, she doesn't live long enough to tell anything else--and now Hunter (played by Fred Dryer, who also directed this episode) has to work with the slimmest of leads to solve two seemingly unrelated murders. ~ 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
- 1988
In the first episode of a two-part story, Hunter (Fred Dryer) suspects that his Vietnam war buddy Randall Fain (introduced in the previous season's episode "Jade Woman") did not commit suicide as has been reported. Despite Fain's guilt over a tragic wartime blunder which had nearly wiped out his unit, Hunt is certain that the man was murdered, and that the motive was a fortune in stolen emeralds. The key to solving the case may be in the hands of Fain's Oriental mail-order bride Rose--who since returning to prostitution has completely dropped out of sight. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
After an elderly lady is mysteriously killed upon returning from Australia, the woman's granddaughter shows up with a clue to the crime: a photograph featuring an unidentified man commisserating with Stella Graham (Shelley Smith), an old flame of police detective Hunter (Fred Dryer). Clearly, there's only one thing to do, and Hunter does it. Hopping the first plane to Sydney, the detective heads Down Under to find out if his ex-sweetheart is involved in a murder--and to determine the motive behind it all. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In the conclusion of a two-part story, McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) faces the possibility of permanent paralysis as she undergoes surgery to remove a bullet from her spine. Meanwhile, Hunter (Fred Dryer) heads to Mexico, there to settle accounts with notorious pimp Big Jack Hemmings (Robert Ridgely), whom he holds responsible for McCall's plight. When Big Jack turns up murdered, Hunter is arrested--and as the story winds down, the detective must place his life in the hands of his old enemy, gonzo defense attorney Mike Snow (Martin E. Brooks). This final episode of Hunter's third season was directed by series costar Stepfanie Kramer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In the first episode of a two-part story, McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) and an informant are gunned down during a police investigation of a prostitution ring operating out of RV's on the Los Angeles Freeway. Working on available evidence, Hunter (Fred Dryer) becomes convinced that a notorious pimp named Big Jack Hemmings ordered the hit. As McCall hovers between life and death, Hunter heads to Mexico in search of Big Jack--and it seems a certainty that only one of the two men will come back alive! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Arrested on a robbery-murder charge, Wally Grimes (J.E. Freeman) beats the rap due to lack of evidence. In the midst of his efforts to nail Grimes and send him to death row, Hunter (Fred Dryer) finds time to rekindle his romance with former girlfriend Terri (Leigh Christian), who, unbeknownst to the detective, has been targetted for assassination by a Colombian drug dealer. Ultimately, Terri is gunned down--and the vengeful Hunter is convinced that Grimes is responsible! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Season Four of Hunter begins as police detectives Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) investigate the seemingly motiveless murder of a skid-row derelict. It turns out that the "bum" was anything but, and that he had been deliberately targeted by a hit man. Despite the interferences of the Feds, Hunter is determined to get the whole truth--and to save the life of the hapless bag lady (Beah Richards) who witnessed the hit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Hunter (Fred Dryer) finds it curious that burglary victim Carol Benson (Cindy Morgan) is reluctant to assist in his investigation of the theft of her diamond necklace. What Hunter doesn't know is that the necklace was a phony, and that the adulterous Mrs. Benson has resorted to fraud in order to provide financial support to her current lover. The lady's chickens come home to roost in a disastrous manner when she tries to buy back the stolen goods from the bewildered thief. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
It's a personal matter for Hunter as he investigates the death of young heiress Allegra Bryant (Kim Morgan Greene), who was apparently pushed from a high-rise window. Hunter had once dated Allegra, whom he recalls as a vibrant, fun-loving woman without an enemy in the world. It gradually and painfully becomes clear to the detective that Allegra's "murder" may not have been a murder after all. Featured in the role of Father Michaels is British actor Tony Jay, formerly a star of the mammoth production "Nicholas Nickelby" and later a prolific cartoon voiceover artist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In a modern twist on the classic "old-dark house" genre, Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) are trapped by a raging storm in the mountain home of a murdered financier. Every member of the dead man's family had good reason to see him dead--and accordingly, every member is under suspicion. As the victim's relatives are systematically bumped off throughout the night, Hunter arrives at the conclusion that he'd better solve the mystery in a hurry lest he be the next to die! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Wealthy and powerful Roger Hennessy (Peter Haskell) insists upon calling all the shots as Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) investigate the kidnapping of Hennessy's young wife Laura (Katherine Moffat). Though Laura is returned unharmed once the ransom is paid, the case is far from closed: a witness who demanded a chunk of the ransom has turned up murdered. Going after the killer, the two detectives find that the trail of clues leads right back to Mr. and (especially) Mrs. Hennessy. Watch for a supporting appearance by a pre-Star Trek: The Next Generation Brent Spiner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Ambitious journalist Isabel Turette (Anne-Marie Johnson) has parlayed a string of skid-row murders into a spectacular, Pulitzer-worthy front-page story. As Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) investigate the killings, they can't help but notice that the journalist has refused to allow the police to tap her phone, even though she claims that the killer has been calling her personally just before each "hit." The story takes a sinister turn when a homeless person contacts the detectives--and insist that the reporter herself is the murderer! Beah Richards makes her first series appearance as garrulous bag lady "Pockets" in this final episode of Hunter's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In the first episode of a two part story, Hunter (Fred Dryer) comes home to find the body of a murdered woman sprawled over a chair in his living room. Almost immediately thereafter, the corpse disappears--and with it all evidence of the killing. Though he doesn't know it at first, Hunter has unearthed a hotbed of intrigue involving a mysterious beauty, a Russian defector, and ruthless special agents from an unidentified Federal agency. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Underworld fence Lucky Lacy (Ron Karabatsos) is robbed of $12 million in gems by a gang of young hoodlums. Hiring a huge, psychotic punker named Lincoln--played by John Matuszak, former gridiron rival of Hunter star Fred Dryer--to kill the thieves and retrieve the merchandise, Lacy launches a bloodbath that leaves many innocent victims in its wake. Inevitably, Hunter is forced to go "mano y mano" with the brutish Lincoln--and the odds are definitely not in his favor! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Hunter (Fred Dryer) recognizes a murder victim as the mistress of crooked international financier Michael Varn (Jack Colvin)--the man suspected of killing Hunter's former partner three years ago. Making it his personal mission to bring Varn to justice, Hunter winds up falling into a well-laid trap and is framed for a brutal assault. It is up to McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) to clear Hunter, put the existing clues together, and capture Varn--assuming, of course, that she can stay alive long enough to finish the job! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
