Mark Smaltz Movies
- 2003
A woman's body is fished out of the East River, and evidence at the crime scene points to a missing football player. Also intimately involved in the case is the athlete's brother, Sean Ridgeway (Craig Walker), and his parents Howard and Miriam (John Doman and Lizbeth Mackay). This episode is distinguished by two facts: It was broadcast on a Thursday night, rather than the usual Law & Order Wednesday slot, and it was the subject of a Newsday article, written by a journalist who'd been hired to appear as an extra. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Recent scandals within the rarefied world of Little League baseball provided the inspiration for this episode. The murder of a private eye leads the detectives to unearth a case of fraud involving a youthful ballplayer from South America and a phony birth certificate. A ruthless Little League coach may have been responsible for the scam -- but is he also capable of murder? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Several "wilding incidents" occur during a Hispanic Pride festival in Central Park. When a woman's body is found in the park's lake, the detectives at first believe that she was a victim of random violence. Slowly but surely, however, the suspect field narrows down to those closest to the woman -- especially her very rich and very powerful husband. Due to complaints from a number of ethnic organizations, this episode was withdrawn from the Law & Order rerun package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Once again, Law & Order relies upon the headlines for story material. On this occasion, the detectives investigate the brutal murder of a school-hockey coach. Once the most likely suspect has been apprehended, the man tries to beat the rap by claiming to be suffering from an exotic mental condition known as "sports rage." Originally slated to air on December 13, 2000, this episode was bumped forward to December 20. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
The detectives and the lawyers tackle the mystery of a female patient found beaten to death in a hospital lounge. Ingredients vital to the solution are a glib "gentleman" specializing in wooing wealthy women and the effects of Alzheimer's disease on the sufferer's family. The supporting cast of this episode features such reliable veteran players as Glynnis O'Connor and Kathryn Hays. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
One of the most infamous hate crimes of the 1990s was the source for this episode. Even jaded New York detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) are shocked by the brutal murder of a black man who was dragged behind a car to his death. Prosecuting the crime proves to be a difficult task, thanks to the reluctance of the only known eyewitness and the evasive behavior of certain NYPD cops. The outcome of the case is as startling as the crime was senselessly vicious. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
A certain high-profile "May/December" marriage is brought to mind in this episode. The murder of an elderly millionaire yields a bumper crop of suspects, including (inevitably) the servants. Once the detectives and the lawyers have sifted through the probables, they focus their attention upon the dead man's sexy young wife (Arija Bareikis) and the family's lawyer. Unfortunately, prosecution of the case is fouled up by an all-too-convenient robbery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
At first, it appears that a wealthy woman's death was the result of suicide. But as the detectives and the lawyers dig deeper, it becomes obvious that the woman was murdered. This time the suspects include the dead woman's teenaged daughter and the victim's husband -- or, in this case, husbands. Prominent among the supporting cast are such powerhouse performers as Sarah Paulson and Victor Raider-Wexler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Melissa Gilbert-Boxleitner and Mel Harris star as two female police officers fighting the police force in this made-for-TV movie about sexual harassment in the workplace. After Miranda Berkley (Harris) breaks up with her boyfriend/superior officer, she and her partner find themselves on-the-job without any support from fellow officers. They lodge a formal complaint against their superiors and are then forced to suffer the consequences from their angry male colleagues. Based on a true story, this made-for-TV movie debuted on May 11, 1993. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mel Harris, Melissa Gilbert, (more)
- 1993
A young woman is charged with the bombing of a parking garage. Further investigation reveals that the woman is the member of a cult, and that she may have been brainwashed. If so, the D.A.'s office is determined to bring up cult leader Daniel Hendricks (Sam Robards) on charges of murder and conspiracy -- but a grim plot twist awaits virtually everyone concerned. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
When two bumbling businessmen, Larry Wilson (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard Parker (Jonathan Silverman), alert their boss, Bernie Lomax (Terry Kiser), to an expensive discrepancy in the company books, he invites them to his home on the beach with the intent to have them murdered. However when they discover that their boss has been murdered prior to their arrival, they attempt to convince people that he is still alive to avoid suspicion for his death, leading to all kinds of wacky mishaps. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andrew McCarthy, Jonathan Silverman, (more)
The third pairing of comic actors Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder was much less successful than their previous team-ups, Silver Streak(1976) and Stir Crazy (1980). Wilder plays Dave, the deaf proprietor of a newsstand and employer of blind gambler Wally (Pryor). When Wally's bookie is shot and killed at the stand, Dave and Wally are arrested for the crime. Since the deaf Dave had his back turned and didn't see the crime, while the blind Wally only heard it, the clues they have to offer the police are slim: Dave's glimpse of a shapely leg and Wally's whiff of a perfume called Shalimar. It turns out the dead man was in possession of a coin that he dropped into Dave's tip box, which Wally is now carrying. The coin contains a valuable microchip sought by crime baron Sutherland (Anthony Zerbe), for whom hired killer Eve (Joan Severance) and her British partner Kirgo (Kevin Spacey) are working. Posing as lawyers, Eve and Kirgo spring Dave and Wally from jail, leading to a series of misadventures as the coin changes hands and the two sensory-challenged pals attempt to learn who has framed them and why. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Pryor, Gene Wilder, (more)
