Albert Ruben Movies

Seven years after the cancellation of the CBS TV series Kojak, the network attempted to revive the property with this adaptation of John Loftus' novel The Bellarus Secret. Telly Savalas returns to the role of lollipop-sucking New York police detective Lt. Theo Kojak, with George Savalas, Vince Conti, and Mark B. Russell likewise reprising their Kojak characters of Stavros, Rizzo, and Saperstein (conspicuous by his absence was Kevin Dobson as Bobby Crocker, who had by this time signed on as a regular on Knot's Landing). This time around, Kojak tried to solve the murders of three elderly Russians, who may or may not have been Nazi war criminals. The answer to the mystery lay in "The Belarus File," a top-secret document in the possession of the State Department. At first stymied by the government's lack of cooperation, Kojak receives unexpected assistance from compassionate bureaucrat Dana Sutton (Suzanne Pleshette). Originally telecast February 16, 1985, Kojak: The Belarus File (aka The Return of Kojak) did not immediately spark a wholesale Kojak revival, though the property did return to TV on an irregular basis as a component of the ABC "Mystery Movie" in 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer is a TV movie inspired by the same real-life 1982 murder that formed the basis of the Judith Rossner novel (and 1977 movie adaptation) Looking for Mr. Goodbar. George Segal plays the diligent detective who tries to rout out the murderer of a "swinging" schoolteacher, played by Diane Keaton in the 1977 film. The print ads for Trackdown imply that Segal's costar Shelley Hack takes over the Keaton role. In fact, Ms. Hack is merely around to portray Segal's totally extraneous love interest. George Segal's lukewarm performance is matched by the noncommittal direction of sitcom veteran Bill Persky. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In his last appearance before the cameras, David Janssen plays an alcoholic journalist desperate for a comeback. Janssen hitches his star to ruthless publisher Robert Vaughn, who is exploiting a rash of brutal murders to sell papers. The danger here is that the unknown serial killer, who preys upon beautiful young women, is rapidly becoming a media celebrity--and may be prompted to continue killing just to see his name in print. Beyond its own potential for sensationalism, City in Fear raises several provocative questions about the responsibility (and culpability) of the press. For its March 30, 1980 premiere, City in Fear was given a two hour and fifty minute timeslot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season Three of Kojak begins with the first episode of a two-part story (originally seen as a single two-hour offering), in which NYPD lieutenant Theo Kojak (Telly Savalas) is out to get the goods on a mob-controlled loan racket. The hoods specialize in killing those who can't pay up, meaning that the witness list is sparse indeed. Kojak's one hope in busting the racket lies with an imprisoned fence, who just may be angry enough to turn on the loan shark who framed him. By contemporary standards, this episode boasts an all-star guest cast: Eli Wallach, Jerry Orbach, F. Murray Abraham and Charles Kimbrough are among the New York-based actors appearing in key supporting roles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When his clothing company is burglarized, former mobster Burt Dresslor (Charles Cioffi) balks at cooperating with the police. But after a night watchman is murdered, Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) take special interest in the situation whether Dresslor likes it or not. Complicating matters is the discovery that Dresslor's business has been electronically bugged--and the two detectives can't be certain if the Feds or Dresslor's ruthless chief competitor is responsible. This episode, which features a pre-stardom appearance by Tom Selleck, was directed by series costar Michael Douglas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Given the title Foster and Laurie and the added fact that the protagonists are two cops, one might deduce that this TV movie was the pilot for a potential series. Not this time: The two leading characters are killed almost before the opening credits fade! In flashback, the film traces the law-enforcement careers of African American Gregory Foster (Dorian Harewood) and Italian American Rocco Laurie (Perry King). Friends as well as partners, Foster and Laurie endeavor to improve community relations in their crime-ridden Lower East Side precinct--which results in their being murdered by three militant extremists, who hope to intimidate the rest of the force (at the time the film was made, this motivation for the crime was still pure speculation). The killings have the opposite effect, as the rest of department rallies against its enemies, inspired by the memory of their fallen comrades. Foster and Laurie was based on the book by Al Silverman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Someone in the SFPD must go undercover with a group of Vietnam war resisters to ferret out a murderer. Given a choice between middle-aged Mike Stone (Karl Malden) and youthful, shaggy-haired Steve Keller (Michael Douglas), the authorities opt for Keller. Posing as an anti-war activist, Keller tries to find out who killed a rather notorious Marine deserter...and why. Featured in the cast are two actors who'd essayed villainous Streets of San Francisco roles in the past, Don Stroud and Michael Burns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A robbery gang comes to the attention of homicide detectives Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) when the crooks murder a fellow gang member. Going undercover, Keller tries to determine if there is a link between the criminals' activities and a sultry nightclub singer. Lola Falana makes a rare dramatic appearance as the songbird in question, who happens to have been the murdered man's sweetheart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this adventure, an anthropologist takes his son to Africa to chronicle the rituals performed by the Masai during a solar eclipse. When they first arrive, both father and son are terribly self-absorbed and aloof, but after spending time with the friendly tribe and making friends with the chief and his son, the two begin to mellow out and become caring human beings. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Originally made for television, the story concerns an unemployed journalist (Charles Durning) who mediates a deal between jewel thieves and an insurance company. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

The modern-day Native American occupation and protest at Wounded Knee is the subject of this drama from Tom Giles. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide

Paladin (Richard Boone) finds himself in the middle of a long-standing feud between two Native American brothers. Jim Redrock (Charles Bronson) is the ineffectual sheriff of a small town, while brother Abe Redrock (Michael Keep) is a wild, untamed outlaw. When Jim offers a $200 reward for the capture of Abe, Abe counters with an offer of $500 for the capture of Jim. Forsaking any hopes of monetary gain, Paladin dedicates himself to reuniting the two warring siblings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide