Dick Valentine Movies
- 1985
Betsy Russell takes over as part-time prostitute Molly Stewart in this disappointing sequel to the surprisingly good Angel (1984). Old pals Rory Calhoun and Susan Tyrrell are along for the search for the killer of the cop who saved Molly's life in the first film, joined by street magician Johnny Glitter (Barry Pearl). More brutal and hard-edged than the original, this installment is just another violent action movie, despite some slick camerawork and a fast pace. One peculiar touch is the frequent use of Bronski Beat's savage dance hit "Why?" which, although it has appropriately exciting music, it concerns gay-bashing and has no relation whatsoever to the storyline. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi
- Starring:
- Betsy Russell, Rory Calhoun, (more)
- 1984
- R
The original "honor student by day, hooker by night" melodrama, Angel stars Donna Wilkes in the title role. During the daylight hours, the 15-year-old Angel is known as Molly, a model prep school student. Devoid of parents, Molly must find some way to keep up the cash flow, so she hits the Hollywood mean streets as a prostitute. While we thankfully don't see Angel "in action", as it were, the film makes up in violence what it lacks in raw sex. Psycho John Diehl is on the loose murdering prostitutes; detective Cliff Gorman tries to stem the murder spree, but soon the hooker ranks are sorely diminished, leaving Angel the next likely target. With the help of such friends as ex-cowboy star Rory Calhoun and transvestite Dick Shawn, Angel manages to avoid becoming a statistic. We're not giving anything away here: after all, there was a 1986 sequel, Avenging Angel. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Cliff Gorman, Susan Tyrrell, (more)
- 1975
Most TV movies about obscene phone callers concentrate on the reactions of the victims--and the subsequent dangers they're exposed to. The Secret Night Caller takes a different tack, telling its story from the point of view of the caller. What makes the film doubly disturbing is that the dirty-mouthed phoner is played by Brady Bunch star and TV icon Robert Reed. Reed portrays an IRS agent (and seemingly contented family man) who is overtaken by his compulsion to phone strangers and whisper profanities. Even worse, Reed's access to tax-office records enables him to ring up people all over the country. The drama concentrates on Reed's mounting realization that he has to stop himself before someone else does. Though seedy and manipulative at times, The Secret Night Caller is elevated by the multifaceted performance of Robert Reed. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1972
Outtakes and stock footage from the 1970 Oscar-winner Patton were utilized to flesh out the made-for-TV Fireball Forward, which was the brainchild of Patton producer Frank McCarthy. Ben Gazzara plays a fictional American general obviously patterned on "Old Blood And Guts". Gazzara suspects that there's a Nazi sympathizer in his ranks, and dedicates himself to ferreting out the traitor. One thing Fireball Forward has that Patton didn't is a romantic interest; Anne Francis plays the girl Worth Fighting For. Scripted by Edmund H. North (another Patton) alumnus, Fireball Forward, which first aired March 5, 1972, was the 2-hour pilot for an unsold television series. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ben Gazzara, Ricardo Montalban, (more)
- 1972
Sandcastles dresses up an old story with pretty seascapes and prettier actors. Bonnie Bedelia is a lonely young musician who strikes up an acquaintance with the enigmatic Jan-Michael Vincent. Even though she sees him only while walking along the beach, Bonnie falls in love with this curious young man. When she tells others of her affair, she is informed that no such young man exists...but that he did exist, before he turned criminal and was killed. The truth is out: Vincent is a ghost, returned to Earth to clear his reputation. Sandcastles was shot on videotape by veteran TV-series helmsman Ted Post. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1972
"Leona" was the name of the late wife of Syndicate chieftan Joe Epic (Robert Goulet). In order to rescue a captured undercover agent, the IMF must force a schism in the new partnership between Epic and his former gangland rival Mike Apollo (Mike Apollo). The Mission: to convince Epic that Apollo was responsible for Leona's murder --- after having a torrid affair with the unfortunate woman. Written by Howard Brown, "Leona" made its network TV debut on October 7, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
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