Lawrence Roman Movies

Based on the true story that took place in Harlem during 1971, this made-for-TV crime drama centers on assistant district attorney Robert Tanenbaum's desperate search for a trio of cop killers. Tanenbaum (James Woods) is assisted by an equally determined detective (Yaphet Lau Kotto). ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Undoubtedly having second thoughts after turning down Dirty Harry, John Wayne showed up in 1974 in his own "maverick cop" adventure, McQ. Wayne, playing McQ, a veteran detective, turns in his badge when he's officially denied the opportunity of clearing the name of his late best friend, who has been posthumously accused of drug pushing. Investigating on his own, McQ becomes romantically involved with his friend's widow (Diana Muldaur), who unbeknownst to him is up to her neck in police corruption. Considering the usual flag-waving content of John Wayne's 1970s films, it is rather startling to discover that the real villains in McQ are a coterie of crooked cops! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In what was billed as "The First East-Meets-West Western," Toshiro Mifune plays Kuroda, a samurai warrior who accompanies a Japanese diplomat to the United States. The diplomat has brought with him a golden, jewel-encrusted sword to present as a token of good will to the president, but as they travel by train through the west, they're ambushed by a pair of outlaws, Gauche (Alain Delon) and Link (Charles Bronson). Gauche and Link steal the sword, but Link leans the hard way about his partner's trustworthiness when Gauche double-crosses him and makes off with the booty. Since both Kuroda and Link have a grudge against Gauche, they warily join forces to track him down and return the sword to its rightful owner. Along the way, they have to deal with cultural conflict, Indian attacks, and encounters with beautiful women (played by Capucine and Ursula Andress). Given its cast and theme, Red Sun was predictably enough a major box-office success in Europe and Japan, but it passed through with little notice in the United States. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The most interesting aspect of The Swinger is the name of the character played by Ann-Margret: the former Ann Margaret Olsson essays the role of Kelly Olsson. A naive small-town girl, Kelly aspires to become a writer in the Big City. When her stories are rejected because they aren't exciting and provocative enough, she decides to do some hands-on research by posing as the titular "swinger." She is so successful at this subterfuge that Hefner-like publisher Anthony Franciosa makes it his mission in life to reform the "fallen" Kelly. Didn't they do this one in the 1930s as Theodora Goes Wild, with Irene Dunne and Melvyn Douglas? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Fred MacMurray is the beleagured hero of the Universal western Day of the Badman. MacMurray plays circuit judge Jim Scott, who rides into town to pass sentence on convicted killer Jake Hayes (Lee Van Cleef). Unfortunately, it doesn't look as though Hayes will stay in jail long enough for the trial: the town's sheriff (John Ericson) is an ineffectual weakling, willing to bend to the wishes of the killer's powerful father Charlie Hayes (Robert Middleton). The elder Hayes demands that his son merely be "banished" from town, and to that end he terrorizes the townsfolk into honoring his wishes. But Hayes hasn't reckoned with Judge Scott, who is not so easily bullied and cowed. The judge passes a sentence of death--and he's well equipped to mete out that punishment himself! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Budd Corliss (Robert Wagner) is an ambitious, poor boy from the wrong-side-of-the-tracks who murders his girlfriend Dorothy (Joanne Woodward) -- making the death look like a suicide -- when her pregnancy eliminates his chances of being accepted by her wealthy family. Her sister Ellen (Virginia Leith), refusing to believe that Dorothy has committed suicide, begins to investigate on her own. She meets Budd, and ignorant of his prior relationship with Dorothy begins a relationship with him. When Ellen discovers that Budd knew Dorothy, the stage is set for a final, dramatic showdown as Ellen fights to revenge her sister and save her own life. The script, adapted from the novel of the same name written by Ira Levin is excellent and tension-filled. Joanne Woodward is fine in a touching performance as the vulnerable and trusting Dorothy. A wooden performance by Robert Wagner in the pivotal central role mars the film and destroys some of its credibility, as Wagner, though handsome, lacks the charm and charisma necessary to make the character of Budd believable. Also, despite an excellent performance by Mary Astor as Budd's class-conscious, greedy mother, the film fails to achieve any sympathy for Budd or understanding of the motivations that drove him to do what he did. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

Lex Barker is The Man From Bitter Ridge in this modest Universal western. Barker plays Pinkerton man Jeff Carr, who comes to the town of Tomahawk in search of a gang of stage robbers. The consensus of opinion is that sheepman Alec Black (Stephen McNally) is responsible for the holdups, but Carr senses a frame-up. Sure enough, the real villains are in the employ of would-be frontier dictator Ranse Jackman (John Dehner). Carr knows this, the audience knows this; but how to get the goods on Jackman? Mara Cordy costars as female sheep farmer Holly Kenton, the heroine of the piece. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Audie Murphy is at his taciturn best in the Universal western Drums Along the River. Murphy is cast as Gary Brannon, a peaceful homesteader living a quiet existence with his father Sam (Walter Brennan). No-account Frank Walker (Lyle Bettger), hoping to open up the Ute Indian territory for gold-mining purposes, tries to foment a war between the Utes and the local whites. As an added filip, he steals a gold shipment and pins the blame on Brannon. Now a fugitive from justice, Brannon joins Walker's gang, much to his father's dismay. Actually, it's all part of a plan to expose Walker's perfidy and prevent Ute hostilities, but no one knows this until Brannon wants them to. Jay Silverheels, best known as Tonto on TV's Lone Ranger, co-stars as Ute warrior Taos. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Though both Edward G. Robinson and Paulette Goddard were at career low points when they filmed Vice Squad, both actors were too professional to give anything less than their very best. Robinson plays Captain Barnaby of the titular squad, who during a routine day at the station takes charge of a case involving the killing of a patrolman. Barnaby holds Jack Hartrampf (Porter Hall), a witness to the murder, in protective custody. Hartrampf had been making a clandestine meeting with a pretty young lady, and is afraid to tell the police what he knows for fear of losing his reputation and getting the girl involved in the mess. With the help of Mona (Goddard), head of the so-called escort bureau who arranged the tryst, Barnaby is able to follow the trail of clues to bank robbers Barkis (Edward Binns) and Pete (Lee van Cleef). There's many an additional complication -- including a kidnapping and a false arrest -- before Barnaby is able to call it a day. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi