Jackie Cooper Movies
American actor Jackie Cooper was in movies at the age of three; his father had abandoned the family when Jackie was two, forcing his mother to rely upon the boy's acting income to keep food on the table. Shortly after earning his first featured part in Fox Movietone Follies of 1929. Cooper was hired for producer Hal Roach's "Our Gang" two-reeler series, appearing in 15 shorts over the next two years. The "leading man" in many of these comedies, he was most effective in those scenes wherein he displayed a crush on his new teacher, the beauteous Miss Crabtree. On the strength of "Our Gang," Paramount Pictures signed Cooper for the title role in the feature film Skippy (1931), which earned the boy an Oscar nomination. A contract with MGM followed, and for the next five years Cooper was frequently co-starred with blustery character player Wallace Beery. Cooper outgrew his preteen cuteness by the late 1930s, and was forced to accept whatever work that came along, enjoying the occasional plum role in such films as The Return of Frank James (1940) and What a Life! (1941). His priorities rearranged by his wartime Naval service, Cooper returned to the states determined to stop being a mere "personality" and to truly learn to be an actor. This he did on Broadway and television, notably as the star of two popular TV sitcoms of the 1950s, The People's Choice and Hennessey. Cooper developed a taste for directing during this period (he would earn an Emmy for his directorial work on M*A*S*H in 1973), and also devoted much of his time in the 1960s to the production end of the business; in 1965 he was appointed vice-president in charge of production at Screen Gems, the TV subsidiary of Columbia Pictures. From the early 1970s onward, Cooper has juggled acting, producing and directing with equal aplomb. Modern audiences know Cooper best as the apoplectic Perry White in the Christopher Reeve Superman films. In 1981, Cooper surprised (and sometimes shocked) his fans with a warts-and-all autobiography, Please Don't Shoot My Dog. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1974
Jackie Cooper and Cleavon Little star as aerial photographers who spot a few threatening cracks in the San Andreas fault. Will anyone listen? No. Do they suffer in the subsequent quake? Yes, but not as expensively as the all-star cast in Earthquake. Still, The Day the Earth Moved doesn't aspire to be anything more than a modest made-for-TV disaster flick, and within its own limits it succeeds. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
When anchorman Ted Baxter (Ted Knight) makes one on-the-air blooper too many, an enraged Lou Grant (Ed Asner) tosses Ted out of the newsroom -- literally. As Ted recovers from his minor injuries, Lou suffers the pangs of guilt and remorse. Hoping to make amends, Lou bends over backward to grant Ted's every wish -- and Ted, of course, is not about to deny him this privilege. This episode was directed by veteran Jackie Cooper, who reportedly could not adjust to the fact that the series' writers continued making suggestions and additions throughout the rehearsal and shooting process. Despite these backstage tensions, "You Sometimes Hurt the One You Hate," which originally aired on September 28, 1974, is one of the series' most hilarious efforts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
As he often did in his 1970s TV appearances, Jackie Cooper forsakes his "good guy" image in this episode to portray a cold-blooded criminal. In this case, Cooper is cast as jewel thief Frank Mullvaney, who intends to pull off a heist at a jeweler's convention right under the nose of Lt. Kojak (Telly Savalas). Such an undertaking requires a disguise, and Mullvaney has a beauty: he's going to show up at the convention dressed as a priest. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
This comedy is comprised of three vignettes involving a school psychiatrist, a pair of police sergeants, and a beleaguered father. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1974
- PG
This speculative horror film details the tribulations endured by a specially-selected test group of 11 people who are informed that they will be the only occupants of a nuclear fallout shelter built half a mile below the Earth's surface. Chosen by project coordinator Peter Macomber (Bradford Dillman) as a fair cross-section of humanity, the group includes a politician, a businessman, an athlete and an author. As it turns out, the "survivors" are unwitting participants in one of those contrived psychological experiments featured so often on programs like The Twilight Zone. To make matters worse, someone's left a vent open, releasing thousands of ravenous vampire bats. Produced in Mexico, this tepid psycho-thriller plays out like the aforementioned TV drama, albeit padded out to 100 minutes. Said padding seems comprised of equal parts dull dialogue and interminable battles with the winged foes -- which are admittedly quite realistic and make for some genuine creep-out scenes. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1973
The 4077th is under siege from a young enemy sniper, who is convinced that General MacArthur is hiding somewhere in the camp. To avoid getting shot full of holes, Radar (Gary Burghoff) and Henry (McLean Stevenson) spend most of the episode trapped in the shower. In the end, it is Hawkeye who proves that the scalpel is mightier than the sword -- or something like that. "The Sniper" originally aired on November 17, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
As a reward for saving the life of the son of Gen. Maynard M. Mitchell (Robert F. Simon), Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and Trapper (Wayne Rogers) get three days' R & R in Tokyo, while the 4077th gets a new Officer's Club. Alas, Frank (Larry Linville) spoils the fun by sticking to the letter of the law and refusing to allow any non-officers to enjoy the club's facilities. To restore sanity and democracy to the camp, Hawkeye relies once more upon Gen. Mitchell, who isn't even aware that he's being used. Capped by a running gag in which Klinger tries to get a maternity discharge, "Officers Only" was first telecast on December 22, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
A hung-over Hawkeye (Alan Alda) joins forces with an equally groggy Trapper (Wayne Rogers) to requisition a new incubator for the 4077th. Unfortunately, not even a nearby Major with three incubators at his disposal is of any help to the heroes. Meanwhile, Henry (McLean Stevenson) basks with pride over his new outdoor barbecue, but his elation evaporates when Radar (Gary Burghoff) comes up with a solution to the incubator problem. This episode of M*A*S*H originally aired on December 1, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Fed up with practically everything -- the lack of decorum at the 4077th, the irreverence of Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and Trapper (Wayne Rogers), and especially her dead-end romance with Frank Burns (Larry Linville) -- Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan (Loretta Swit) demands a transfer out of the unit. This momentous occasion demands a farewell party, during which Margaret gets good and sloshed. An unexpected crisis not only sobers up the heroine, but changes her mind as well. The first of several episodes written by actress Mary Kay Place and future sitcom producer Linda Bloodworth, "Hot Lips and Empty Arms" originally aired on December 15, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
An outraged Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and Trapper (Wayne Rogers) try to alert the authorities that a peaceful local village was accidentally bombed by American artillery. They turn their evidence over to Major Stoner (Frank Aletter), who promptly destroys it lest the army be cast in an unfavorable light. But the truth, crushed to earth, rises again -- and ironically, it is the xenophobic Frank Burns (Larry Linville) who ends up spilling the beans. "For the Good of the Outfit" initially aired on October 6, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
The men and women of the 4077th are acting more wacky than ever, but only so they can retain their sanity in the face of the Korean War. General Clayton (Herb Voland), worried that the MASH unit's zaniness may be getting out of hand, assigns a no-nonense psychiatrist, Capt. Hildebrandt (Anthony Holland), to determine if it would be better to split up the unit, "for the good of the service." But after a week or so with the likes of Hawkeye (Alan Alda), Trapper (Wayne Rogers), et. al., Hildebrandt begins to see things in a different -- and crazier -- light. "Divided We Stand" originally aired September 15, 1973, as the opening episode of M*A*S*H's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
On the verge of insanity after three solid days in the O.R., the sleep-deprived Hawkeye (Alan Alda) is unable to stop operating even when he's ordered to. Continuing to spin out of control, Hawkeye pens a provocative letter to President Truman, then attempts to negotiate a cease-fire by providing the enemy with the officer's latrine. It is up to Trapper (Wayne Rogers) to bring Hawkeye's delirium to a safe conclusion. "Dr. Pierce and Mr. Hyde" first aired on October 13, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Writing up his weekly report, Cpl. Radar O'Reilly (Gary Burghoff) recounts a "typical" series of events at the 4077th. Highlights of the report include a beserk, scalpel-wielding POW (Derick Shimatsu); the latest scheme concocted by Klinger (Jamie Farr) to get out of the army on a Section Eight; and Hawkeye's dalliance with a married nurse (Joan Van Ark). Allan Arbus makes his first series appearance as funky army psychiatrist Dr. Freedman, here given the first name of Milton, but later identified as Sidney. "Radar's Report" originally aired on September 29, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
A South Korean family refuses to leave the 4077th's compound, insisting that it is their property and that the Army should vacate instead. Meanwhile, a young Korean unwed mother insists that poor Radar (Gary Burghoff) is the baby's daddy. If Col. Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) thought that the enemy North Koreans were a headache, they were nothing compared to these friendly locals. "The Chosen People" first aired on January 26, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
The multitalented Jackie Cooper is cast against type as Harlan Slade, the cold-blood patriarch of a criminal family. The action gets under way when Slade's clan breaks him out of Federal Prison. Their next step is a "break-in"--of a bank holding millions of dollars. Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) is hot on Slade's trail, but the canny crook manages to keep at least two steps ahead of the Feds for most of the episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
- PG
This gag-filled movie makes a stab at examining the women's liberation movement but never quite gets there. The effects of the movement are shown through a series of comic and romantic episodes between men and women. The story is loosely tied together as the research of Sheila Hammond (Jacqueline Bisset), a fashion magazine editor who is preparing an article on women's liberation. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1972
In this follow-up to the 1972 episode "Dead Dad," Hawkeye (Alan Alda) writes another letter to his father. This time around, Hawkeye recounts the 4077th's "No-Talent Night," the efforts by Radar (Gary Burghoff) to earn a correspondence-course diploma, and the exploits of a new surgeon (Alex Henteloff) who is a little too good to be true. As a bonus, this is the episode in which Hawkeye bets that he can walk into the mess tent stark naked without attracting any attention whatsoever! "Dear Dad, Again" first aired on February 4, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Astronaut Monte Markham has been dispatched to the heavens on the first US space trip to Mars. When TV coverage is abruptly cut off, the official story reads that there's been a slight malfunction, and that Markham is heading home. Only space official Jackie Cooper and a handful of associates know the truth: Markham has died a horrible death on the surface of Mars. To save the space program (not to mention American morale), a look-alike--also played by Monte Markham--is paraded before the cameras as the "returning" hero. It's doubtful, however, that the subterfuge will work on the astronaut's suspicious wife (Susan Clark). The Astronaut originally aired January 8, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Leslie Nielsen guest-stars as Colonel Buzz Maxwell, a man whose record of combat casualties is much too high for the tastes of Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and Trapper (Wayne Rogers). Hoping to coerce Maxwell into retirement, the two doctors conspire with Radar (Gary Burghoff) to convince the Colonel that he is suffering from battle fatigue. When this scheme is nearly foiled by gung-ho Frank (Larry Linville) and Hot Lips (Loretta Swit), it is up to camp commander Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) to save the day. "The Ringbanger" first aired on January 21, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
The action in this episode alternates between "business as usual" at the 4077th and a tacky USO Show headed by second-rate comic Jackie Flash (Joey Forman). Thing of it is, nothing that Jackie says or does is nearly as funny as the average goings-on within the M*A*S*H unit. One of the many plot strands involves one Captain Kaplan (Harvey J. Goldenberg), whose tour of duty is over, but who is convinced that disaster will befall him if he attempts to leave for home. "Showtime" was originally telecast on March 25, 1973, as the final episode of M*A*S*H's first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Jackie Cooper guest stars as scientist Dr. Norman Chase, who early in the proceedings is waylaid by the minions of a criminal named Caesar (Richard Jaeckel) and forced to put on an explosive belt that cannot be removed . Unless Ironside (Raymond Burr) agrees to release three of Caesar's cohorts from prison, the belt will detonate in five hours. Racing against time, the Chief seeks out a duplicate for the key to the fatal belt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
- R
Based on the novel The Love Machine, by Jacqueline Susann, this movie concerns the machinations, in the boardroom and in the bedroom, of a group of people--from the chairman of the board down--who are involved in network television. Through his own guile and the sponsorship of his mistress (Dyan Cannon), the wife of the chairman of the board, a lowly television newsman (John Phillip Law) becomes the head of the network in a very short time. He leaves behind very few friends on his climb to the top, however, and he will need some. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Phillip Law, Dyan Cannon, (more)
- 1970
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Sally Field had her first significant dramatic role in this "generation gap" TV movie. After a year's time in the world of hippies and drugs, Field returns home to the parents who'd all but booted her out. Mom and Dad (Eleanor Parker and Jackie Cooper) try their best to understand their wayward daughter, but still can't overcome their judgmental attitude. When Field's younger sister (Lane Bradbury) begins experimenting with drugs, her parents react with the same blind, close-minded rage that had driven Field away the year before. Realizing that she can never really come home, Field leaves once more, hoping that someday she and her parents can solve their problems without recriminations and screaming. Unlike other "youth" films of the 1970s, Maybe I'll Come Home in the Spring refuses to take sides: Field's hippie lifestyle is shown to be just as shallow as her parent's suburban existence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
America is no longer the home of the free in this futuristic drama. Now the country is ruled by a powerful, tyrant and his henchmen. The story centers on two brave underground rebels who work to usurp the dictator and restore democracy to the beleaguered land. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Written by Roger Woddis, this episode of The Prisoner guest stars Patrick Cargill (also seen in the previous episode "Free for All") as super sadistic New Number Two. Delighting in tormenting the villagers, Number Two drives at least one of them, Number 73 (Hilary Dwyer), to suicide. Hoping to avenge the woman's death, Number Six begins his own campaign of psychological warfare, utilizing such "weapons" as his collection of Bizet recordings! In addition to resembling an installment of the much later CBS series, Survivor, this episode also predates American Gladiators by offering an "extreme sport" known as Kosho. Originally slated as the 14th episode of The Prisoner, "Hammer into the Anvil" was seen as episode number 10 when it first aired in England on December 10, 1967. It was placed in its original chronology for American television, where it was first seen on August 31, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
