Gary Crosby Movies
The oldest son of singer Bing Crosby, American actor Gary Crosby was named for Bing's good friend Gary Cooper. Crosby, along with his three brothers, began his show-biz career as a child on his father's radio program. In 1942 he appeared in the movie musical Star Spangled Rhythm, where he was kissed by Betty Grable. For the next few years he was only seen in film sporadically. In 1962, with the encouragement of his wife, Gary began pursuing a performing career in earnest, first as part of a nightclub act with his brothers, then as a solo singer. In 1963 Crosby was signed for a two-year continuing role on the TV sitcom The Bill Dana Show. After its 1965 cancellation his career went on hold until director Hollingsworth Morse persuaded TV actor/producer Jack Webb to take a chance with Gary and give him a few supporting roles on the 1960s version of Dragnet.Webb liked Crosby and retained him in the role of Officer Ed Wells on Adam-12, which debuted in 1968. With three years of Adam-12 under his belt, Crosby took on the role of Officer Ed Rice on the short-lived cop show Chase (1974). While his father was still alive, Crosby was usually guarded in his comments about his relationship with his father, but after his father died in 1977, Gary found himself an object of much media scrutiny and in 1983, six years after his father's death, he published a scathing account of his troubled upbringing in Going My Own Way. The book not only generated public controversy, it also created turmoil amongst his brothers and his step family. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Another of writer/director Ken Russell's D.H. Lawrence adaptations, Lady Chatterley (an amalgam of three Lawrence novels) was first shown as a British TV miniseries on BBC1 from June 6 to 27, 1993. In recounting the familiar details of young, bored Lady Chatterley (Joely Richardson), her elderly, infirm husband (James Wilby), and her hot-blooded stable-groom lover, Manners (Sean Bean), Russell took the opportunity to both celebrate and savage the British upper classes of the 1920s. One brief sequence of full frontal nudity caused a minor scandal in Britain, though by Ken Russell standards the scene was a model of taste and decorum. After its initial TV run, Lady Chatterley was edited down from 220 to 110 minutes and released theatrically in the United States. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joely Richardson, Sean Bean, (more)
This time the villains want to rule the world by controlling the weather. Paul Williams plays the obligatory crusading broadcast journalist who uncovers the conspiracy. Despite the seeming cut-and-dried nature of the story, Chill Factor is honeycombed with plot twists and surprises. Without giving away the identity of the good and bad guys, we note that the supporting cast includes Patrick Macnee, Andrew Prine, Carrie Snodgrass, and two Hollywood progeny, Patrick Wayne and Gary Crosby. Chill Factor compensates for its rock-bottom budget with a surfeit of thrills. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Williams
- 1987
- R
Sergeant J.J. Striker (Charles Napier) is a hard-drinking cop who tracks down a serial killer that can seemingly repel bullets in this routine crime drama made in 1985. Sommers (Robert Zdar) kills prostitutes and paints Chinese symbols on his victims. Rene (Michelle Reese) is the hooker who teems up with Striker in an attempt to nab the killer. Gary Crosby plays an unpopular cop caught with a transvestite prostitute, with a bevy of beauties led by Tally Chanel and Ola Ray who play the ill-fated victims. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Napier, Michelle Reese, (more)
- 1986
Along with her friends Amos (Tom Bosley) and Seth (William Windom), Jessica (Angela Lansbury) decides to sample the cooking at Cabot Cove's newest tourist attraction, the Joshua Peabody Inn. Casting a pall over the evening is a batch of spoiled strawberry preserves, causing several patrons to become seriously ill. When one of these patrons subsequently dies, Jessica begins to suspect that the "accidental" poisoning was deliberately contrived. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Married...With Children's Ed O'Neill guest stars as parole officer Dan Colson, an old pal of Detective Sgt. Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer). Unfortunately, the pressures of having to deal with the scum of the earth (to say nothing of enduring the murder of a close friend) have pushed Colson off the deep end, and now he is practicing his own bloody brand of vigilante justice. Grimly, Hunter sets about to stop Colson from murdering a framed parolee. Watch for a young Frances McDormand in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
A lunatic sniper has been targetting blonde women in the Griffith Park area. Since the assassin is obviously using highly sophisticated weaponry, it is only natural that departmental troubleshooter Hunter (Fred Dryer) be assigned to the case--and only logical that his partner McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) act as bait for the killer. The situation takes an unexpected twist when the Number One Suspect commits suicide, leaving McCall at the mercy of...who? This final episode of Hunter's first season was directed by series regular James Whitmore Jr.. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
The "brass" hopes to keep Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) out of mischief by ordering the two detectives to investigate a series of muggings. Instead, Rick and Dee Dee characteristically go off on their own tangent as they try to establish the connection between two seemingly random murders. The catalyst for all the intrigue turns out to be a demented ex-convict who has sworn a terrible vengeance on the members of the jury which sent him up. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Police Commissioner Larry Crenshaw (William Windom) is the primary suspect when his wife Connie (Rosemary Thomas) is murdered. This places Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) in a ticklish situation: they are ordered to investigate the one man who most desires to see them thrown off the force--and they must save his hide if he turns out to be innocent. Before the inevitable slam-bang finale, the viewer is treated to an abundance of unexpected plot twists, most of them involving a disreputable private eye (Ray Girardin) and a deceptively charming tennis player (Sam Jones). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) takes a sudden leave of absence to prevent her former partner, embittered renegade cop Gus Trancus (David Ackroyd), from fulfilling a contract as a professional hit man. Owing her life to Trancus, McCall hopes that she can stop him before he completely ruins his life--but she may be fighting a losing battle. Meanwhile, Hunter (Fred Dryer) is not only saddled with wimpy Sgt. Terwilliger (James Whitmore Jr.) as temporary partner, but he's also having a great deal of trouble getting the higher-ups off his back long enough to locate Dee Dee and keep her from harm. Arthur Rosenberg makes his first series appearance as Captain Lester Cain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Hunter (Fred Dryer) has finally nabbed the sociopathic bandit he's been chasing after for weeks. So imagine the detective's dismay and disgust when he is forced to provide police protection for his prisoner, who has offered to turn states' evidence against a mob kingpin in exchange for immunity. And if that wasn't enough of a cross to bear, Hunter must also nail the elusive "Mister Big" before he can get a chance to bump off the slimy witness. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
A music store proprietor helps a group of teenagers develop a rock band in this musical. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1981
This Disney TV movie traces the origins of the Morgan saddle horse, America's first distinct breed. The story begins during the Revolutionary War, when Colonial schoolteacher Justin Morgan (Don Murray), though nearly penniless, sets about to develop a sire for horse-racing purposes. Not one but two exciting races cap this recreation of a little-known historical event. Featured in the cast are Lana Wood, R. G. Armstrong and Gary Crosby. Based on the book by Marguerite Henry, Justin Morgan Had a Horse was originally telecast February 6 and 13, 1972, as a two-part installment of The Wonderful World of Disney. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Jim (James Garner) has cooked up an elaborate sting operation to save the printing plant owned by the father of fellow private eye Richie Brockelman (Dennis Dugan) from the clutches of crooked sports promoter Coombs (Robert Webber). The scam is wide-ranging indeed, involving a travelling King Tut exhibition and a popular auto-racing track. While simultaneously endeavoring to pull off the con and preventing his "pal" Angel (Stuart Margolin from gumming up the works, Jim also finds himself falling in love with enigmatic co-conspirator Odette (Trisha Noble). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
In the first half of a two-part story, greenhorn detective Richie Brockelman (Dennis Dugan) asks Jim (James Garner) to help get back the printing plant that has been swindled from Richie's father (Harold Gould) by sleazy sports promoter Harold Jack Coombs (Robert Webber). This undertaking requires an elaborate "sting" operation--so elaborate that Jim must hold auditions to pick the right con artists for the right job. This episode is essentially a promo for guest star Dennis Dugan's own series, Richie Brockelman: Private Eye. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
In this comedy, four couples go on a dating game show and end up winning a fabulous Hawaiian vacation. Unfortunately, they are accompanied by a stern chaperone. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Attending a group therapy session, Jim (James Garner) and Angel (Stuart Margolin) make the acquaintance of former mental patient Mary Jo Flynn (Joanne Nail). Insisting that her life is in danger because she has met a government spy who was being held against his will in a psychiatric hospital, Mary Jo has trouble convincing Jim of her plight--until he, too, finds himself up to his neck in peril. It all has something to do with a Chilean military coup, and a crisis of loyalty within a mob family...and this being The Rockford Files, the estimable Angel (Stuart Margolin) is mixed up in the intrigue! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
This final episode of Emergency!'s fourth season was intended as the pilot for a spinoff series titled 905-WILD. The members of Squad 51 lend a helping hand to the LA Animal Bureau Control Team, whose emergency phone number 905-WILD is an abbreviation for "Wild Animal Loose, Threatening". David Huddleston heads the supporting cast as crusty head veterinarian Doc Coolidge, with Mark Harmon and Albert Popwell as Bureau officers Taylor and Gordon, Rose Ann Zecker as the team's dispatcher Patty Burns, and frequent Emergency guest star Gary Crosby as the Bureau's chief, Walt Marsh. And what about the Emergency! regulars? Well, Dr. Brackett (Robert Fuller) operates on a dying goat, relying on phoned instructions from Doc Coolidge; and paramedic John Gage (Randolph Mantooth) comes face to face with a bengal tiger. A huge canyon fire which threatens thousands of domesticated animals climaxes this "special" episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
In stark contrast with Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner), fellow officer Ed Wells (Gary Crosby) has no time for "teamwork" with his partner Officer Brady (Hank Brandt); indeed, Ed prides himself on the fact that he and Brandt choose to work independently. This attitude proves disastrous when Wells runs up against a well-armed homeowner who mistakes the officer for a burglar. Perhaps coincidentally, this episode represents a rally of "second-generation" Hollywood talent: in addition to semiregular Gary Crosby, who of course was the son of Bing Crosby, the supporting cast features Deanna Martin, the daughter of Dean Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Jo Ann Pflug guest stars as Dana Hall, a new female police officer who is determined to prove her worth in a virtually all-male department. Frustrated that her current assignments do not allow her to demonstrate her intelligence or innate skills, Dana demands that she be given some challenging work. Thus it is that a reluctant Officer Jim Reed (Kent McCord) is temporarily teamed with Dana, who soon proves to be as troublesome as she is ambitious. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr) is kidnapped by mobster Bruno Roman (Barry Sullivan), but not for the usual reasons of ransom or revenge. Roman orders Ironside to conduct an investigation that will prove that the son of his chief rival (John Vernon) was the murderer of Roman's niece. This puts Ironside between the proverbial rock and hard place: If he doesn't prove that the boy was guilty, his life may be forfeit: If he does prove the boy's guilt, a bloody gangland war will tear San Francisco apart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
The seventh and final season of Adam-12 spends a bit more time on the private lives of LAPD officers Malloy (Martin Milner) and Reed (Kent McCord) than in previous years. Reed was seen commiserating with his wife Jean, played by Kristin Harmon (replacing season two's Mikki Jamison). As for the unmarried Malloy, he devoted much of his down time to talking about his new girlfriend Judy, who was seen from time to time in the person of actress Aneta Corsaut, better known as Helen Crump on The Andy Griffith Show. The season opens with one of the series' rare two-part episodes, "Camp," and closes with another two-parter, "Something Worth Dying For." In between, the viewer is treated to one of Adam-12's best-ever episodes, "X-Force," in which Malloy loses his cool with a child abuser and smacks his handcuffed prisoner against a wall -- leading to an excessive-force charge, with Reed reluctantly corroborating the evidence. Although Adam-12's ratings suffered mightily as a result of being scheduled opposite Happy Days and Good Times, the series still enjoyed a loyal following during its final season -- and, as a bonus, it had entered the Valhalla of media history as prime time's last-ever half-hour dramatic network series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Milner, Kent McCord, (more)
- 1974
In the conclusion of a two-part story, youthful lawbreaker Greg Whitney (Lee H. Montgomery) is sent to a summer camp for troubled youths, where Officer Pete Malloy (Martin Milner)is one of the counselors. Although Pete does everything he can to help Greg, the boy seems incapable of getting along with anyone--and unless someone can get past his wall of hostility, Greg is doomed to a miserable adulthood. Back at the Rampart Division, Pete's partner Jim Reed (Kent McCord) investigates reports of a rampaging snake and an alleged sexual molestation. Olympic pole vaulter Bob Seagren appears as himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
In this mystery, an unidentified man is accidently run-over and killed by a bus. The mystery around him grows when it is discovered that he carried a briefcase filled with $200,000 in small bills. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Partners in Crime was the second attempt by Richard Levinson and William Link to create a TV series featuring a female ex-judge and male ex-con: the first was 1971's The Judge and Jake Wyler. This time, Lee Grant is the former jurist turned sleuth, while Lou Antonio is the onetime prisoner turned legman. In this 90-minute pilot film, Judge Grant searches for a stolen $750,000. Partners in Crime was telecast on March 24, 1973, back-to-back with the pilot for the Jack Webb TV series Chase. Chase flew, while Partners never got off the ground. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
In the conclusion of a two-part story, new police commissioner Edna Dixon (Juanita Moore) insists upon accompanying mobile officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) during a night shift. It's something of an ordeal by fire for all three persons, inasmuch as Jim and Peter are virtually the only cops left standing during a flu epidemic. Although there are plenty of action scenes involving a neighborhood riot and a teenage car thief, the highlight of the evening is a battle royale between bar owner Jean Wagner (Rose Marie) and elderly drunk Fred Tiller (Burt Mustin)--who happens to be naked. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
