Jack B. Sowards Movies
If ever a screenwriter demonstrated an aptitude for taking pulpy, schlocky material and elevating it to the level of art, Jack B. Sowards was he. Time and again, on numerous and disparate assignments, this process became Sowards' unofficial, undeclared motif. Born in Texarkana, AR, Sowards enlisted in the Marines as a young man (in 1947) and studied drama at the University of Texas at Austin. His premier assignments were uniformly small acting roles in inconsequential war features such as Hell Squad (1958) and Tank Commandos (1959), but in the following decade, Sowards unveiled an aptitude for screenwriting and established himself as one of the hottest properties on that circuit. He evinced particularly strong finesse via his authorship of episodes of Bonanza and The Streets of San Francisco through the early '70s, then authored a series of made-for-television features, the best of which was undoubtedly Cry Panic (1974), done for producer Aaron Spelling. A now-forgotten suspenser in the Hitchcock vein (which also recalled Fritz Lang's Fury), the premise involves a seemingly ordinary man (John Forsythe) who becomes unwittingly waylaid in a corrupt Southern town and accused of murder, en route to a job interview in California.Sowards' best-known accomplishment, however, is unquestionably his authorship (screen story and screenplay) of a little movie called Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982). This sophomore (though not by any means sophomoric) entry in the venerable Trek franchise cleverly combined elements of warm human drama, biblical themes, cold-blooded gross-out horror, and sharp, subversive humor to -- again -- raise the series and the sci-fi genre to new and theretofore unseen heights. In so doing, it both pulled from a classic episode of the series and paved the way for future big-screen Star Trek installments, after the disappointing first entry nearly decimated the possibility. Sci-fi aficionados have been deeply grateful ever since.
In the last years of his life, Sowards taught film and television at UCLA. He died on July 8, 2007, at age 78, from complications of ALS and COPD. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 1988
The Enterprise is sent to the Morgana Quadrant, only to be detoured into a bizarre, mazelike "space void." While trying to figure out a means of escape, the crew comes across a derelict space vessel. Unbeknownst to them, the vessel contains an alien observer named Nagilium (Earl Boen), who happens to be conducting an experiment in behavioral study with the Enterprise crew as his own personal laboratory rats. First broadcast December 3, 1988, "Where Silence Has Lease" was written by Jack Sowards. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
- PG
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Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is fondly regarded as being the closest in spirit to the 1966-69 TV series that spawned it. Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) escapes the tedium of a desk job to join Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley) on another space mission. While boldly going where no man etc. etc., Kirk crosses the path of his old enemy Khan (Ricardo Montalban), who as any die-hard Trekker can tell you, was the chief antagonist in the 1966 Trek TV episode "Space Seed." Leading a crew of near-savage space prisoners, Khan insinuates himself into the Genesis Project, which is designed to introduce living organisms on long-dead planets. Intending to harness this program for his own despotic purposes, Khan engages in battle with the Enterprise crew. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1978
Originally made for television, this western concerns three unjustly convicted female prisoners. While being transported to prison, their guards die of water poisoning and a former contract killer helps them survive. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Police officer Brady (Peter Brown) hopes to persuade his call-girl sweetheart Carol Revson (Lee Purcell) to give up her profession and go straight. Meanwhile, Carol's former pimp, feeling that his business in jeopardy, orders the murders of both Brady and Carol. In order to save her boyfriend and solve the murder of another prostitute, Carol pretends to return to her "trade"--a courageous but deadly move. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
In this made-for-TV movie, six persons have won a cruise-ship vacation, but they find that the awards were just a trick to begin a killing game. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Leslie Nielsen is the guest star in the season-three opener of Streets of San Francisco. Nielsen is cast as Joe Landers, an alcoholic police officer whose drunken bungling has caused the death of his longtime partner. Going to desperate and dangerous lengths to cover up his negligence, Officer Landers ultimately proves to be no match for diligent homicide detectives Mike Stone (Karl Malden) and Steve Keller (Michael Douglas). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
In this made-for-TV movie, a driver is involved in a hit-and-run accident. By the time the guilt-ridden fellow returns to the accident scene, the body has mysteriously disappeared. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Forsythe
- 1973
In this action adventure, five wilderness greenhorns on a hiking trip stumble across the remains of a skyjacker. They also find a fortune in cash. This causes nothing but grief as the greedy quintet battle their way back to civilization. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Just before assuming his "Howard Cunningham" duties on Happy Days, Tom Bosley guests in this episode as two-bit thief Eddie Coughlin. The hapless Eddie makes a potentially fatal mistake when he burglarizes a business that is being used as a front by The Syndicate. Sheree Northcostars as Eddie's long-suffering spouse Donna. A good portion of this episode was location-filmed on Alcatraz Island. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Venerable character actor Paul Fix guests in this episode as Wade Tillman, a self-styled septugenarian Robin Hood. Outraged at the isurmountable medical bills facing himself and his fellow nursing-home residents, Tillman resorts to robbery and extortion to buck the system. Within its usual "cops and robbers" framework, this episode makes a strong case for the rights and dignity of senior citizens in an increasingly youth-oriented society. Featured in the cast are such familiar Hollywood "seniors" as John Qualen, Ruth McDevitt, and 89-year-old Burt Mustin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Having saved Ben Cartwright's life during a prison riot, convict Griff King (played by new Bonanza regular Tim Matheson) is released into Ben's custody. In hiring Griff as a Ponderosa ranchhand, Ben faces the challenge of convincing the former prisoner to forsake his deep and abiding grudge against the rest of the world. Others in the cast include Ronny Cox as Lucas and Charles Dierkop as Shorty. Written by Jack B. Sowards, "New Man" originally aired on October 10, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
The beautiful black stallion given by Ben Cartwright as a birthday present to his son, Joe, is stolen. Searching for the horse, Joe comes across a family of drifters, and is soon embroiled in a potentially deadly rivalry between Bill Brenner (Clu Gulager) and his son, Tommy (Vincent Van Patten). Mitzi Hoag appears as Bill's wife, Alice. Written by Jack B. Sowards, Mort Zarcoff, and Juanita Bartlett, this episode is highlighted by a climactic "race for life" between a horse and a train; by the lush location photography, filmed in the Sierra Foothills near Sonora; and by the musical score of David Rose, which would later serve as the main theme music for the subsequent Michael Landon-starring series Little House on the Prairie. Alas, by the time "Stallion" was originally broadcast on November 14, 1972, NBC had already cancelled Bonanza, which had never recovered ratings-wise from the loss of Dan Blocker or its move from Sunday to Tuesday evening. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
Circuitously commenting upon the drug culture of the 1970s, this Bonanza episode probes the dangers of the onetime "wonder drug" morphine. Future MASH regular Mike Farrell is cast as Dr. Will Agar, who is revealed to be a morphine addict after he inadvertently causes the death of a young patient during routine surgery. Also in the cast are Gary Busey as Dr. Agar's hapless victim Henry Johnson, David Huddleston as Henry's father, Melissa Murphy as Agar's wife Nancy, and Mons Kjellin (the son of director Alf Kjellen) as Agar's son Chris. Written by Stanley Roberts and Jack B. Sowards, "The Hidden Enemy" first aired on November 28, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1971
The cantankerous Calhouns-nouveau riche prospector Luke Calhoun (Dub Taylor) and his man-hungry daughter Meena (Ann Prentiss-return to Bonanza in the December 12, 1971 episode "Easy Come, Easy Go." As Meena again tries to snare a husband, Luke-reduced to poverty by a crooked land deal-accepts Ben's hospitality at the Ponderosa. Before long, Luke has transformed the ranch into an ersatz gambling casino, nearly scotching Ben's efforts to purchase an important right-of-way. "Easy Come, Easy Go" was written by Jack B. Sowards, who'd penned the two previous "Calhoun" episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1970
"Trouble" is the apt cognomen for one of the toughest towns in California. Through a fluke, Hoss Cartwright is named temporary sheriff of Trouble, determined to do his duty even though the citizens want nothing to do with law and order. Through methods both persuasive and pugnacious, Hoss ends up arresting virtually the entire town! Also in the cast are Gene Evans as Montana Perkins, G.D. Spradlin as Chip, E.J. Andre as the Judge, Jeff Morris as Matthew Brody, and Hal Holmes as Mark. First seen on October 25, 1970, "The Trouble with Trouble" was written by Jack B. Sowards, who penned many of Bonanza's funnier installments. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1970
Originally telecast September 20, 1970, "A Matter of Faith" served to introduce new Bonanza regular Mitch Vogel in the role of Jamie Hunter. The son of an itinerant rainmaker, Jamie is unofficially adopted after his dad's death by Ponderosa hand Dusty Rhodes (Lou Frizzell. Despite the skepticism and outright hostility of the townspeople, Jamie is determined to fulfill his father's promise to bring rain to drought-stricken Virginia City. "A Matter of Faith" was written by Jack B. Sowards, John Hawkins, and former Star Trek scrivener D.C. Fontana. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1970
Introduced in the earlier episode "Meena", the scraggly Calhouns make a return Bonanza appearance in the April 5, 1970 episode "The Horse Traders." Having struck it rich, unkempt miner Luke Calhoun (Dub Taylor) and his feisty daughter Meena (Ann Prentiss) now wear fancy clothes and reek of perfume. Magnanimously, Calhoun has allowed the three lamebrained outlaws who'd tried to steal his gold in the earlier episode-Jesse (Victor French), Owen (Robert Donner) and Virg (George Morgan)--to live on his property; in fact, Virg is now Meena's fiance. Ultimately, the ex-crooks wear out their welcome and are told to vacate the premises unless they find jobs. Before long, the three stupids have opened up a livery stable-just as Hoss and Joe Cartwright come to town, hoping to make some money in a hurry by selling a herd of valuable horses. "The Horse Traders" was written by Jack B. Sowards. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1970
Innocent Hoss Cartwright is thrown in jail, suspected of complicity in a bank robbery. The real bandits are a pair of Easterners named Luke (John Beck) and Calvin (Hamilton Camp), who'd been drawn to the west after reading an abundance of dime novels. Hoping to live up to the exploits of their literary counterparts, Luke and Calvin make things worse for Hoss by busting him out of jail and forcing him to join their two-man "gang." Slim Pickens plays the Sheriff, and future Little House on the Prairie regular Dabbs Greer is seen as the Judge in this comic episode written by Jack B. Sowards. "What are Pardners For?" was originally telecast on April 12, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1969
Originally telecast on November 16, 1969, "Meena" was the first of three Bonanza episodes featuring the troublesome Calhouns. When Joe Cartwright is kidnapped by bumbling crooks Jesse (Victor French), Owen (Robert Donner), and Virge (George Morgan), he is rescued by pretty Meena Calhoun (Ann Prentiss) and brought to the girl's home, an abandoned gold mine. Almost immediately, Meena's ill-tempered prospector father Luke (Dub Taylor) tries to force a marriage between his daughter and Joe. Meanwhile, the trio of would-be kidnappers refocus their energies on stealing the gold which they believe that Luke has salted away. "Meena" was written by Jack B. Sowards. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1969
John Astin and Emmaline Henry, who back in 1962 played husband and wife in the short-lived sitcom I'm Dickens-He's Fenster, were reunited in the December 21, 1969 Bonanza episode "Abner Willoughby's Return." Astin is cast as ex-miner Abner, who after 17 years at sea comes back to Virginia City to dig up the gold he buried before his departure. Thing of it is, the hiding place is now on the property owned by Widow Sprague (Emmaline Henry) and her son Charlie (Russell Schulman). When Abner tries to persuade the widow to move, he-and most of the Ponderosa men-are forced to remain on the property due to a quarantine. Written by Jack B. Sowards and Leslie McFarland, "Abner Willoughby's Return" was one of several Bonanza episodes which, for a variety of reasons, were withdrawn from the series' original syndication package; it has since been exhumed for cable-TV play. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1969
On trial for the murder of John Leggett, Candy comes before "hanging judge" Butler (Chick Chandler). The only eyewitness to the murder is Jacova (John Saxon), an Indian horse thief presently on the lam from the law. As the Cartwrights scour the countryside in search of Jacova, Candy is forced to put his life in the hand of defense attorney Theodore Scott (Woodrow Parfrey), who frankly doesn't seem to give a damn whether his client hangs or not. The script, by Jack B. Sowards and Stanley Roberts, makes a passing reference to the death of Custer-which, according the established chronology of Bonanza, was still several years in the future! "My Friend, My Enemy" first aired on January 12, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1968
Unbeknownst to Hoss Cartwright, the horse he has just purchased previously belonged to a murdered millionaire. As a result, Hoss is railroaded into jail on a murder-theft charge. Threatened with lynching by a band of townsfolk eager to get their hands on the dead man's missing money, Hoss breaks out of jail with the help of black cowboy Child Barnett (Yaphet Kotto), a man who has spent virtually his entire adult life on the run. Others in the cast are John Marley as Sheriff Millet, Harry Hickox as Mayor Bingham, Henry Beckman as Charlie, Bruce Kirby as Chad, and bandleader Frank DeVol as Brother Stoner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1959
A simple wartime drama with nothing special in its story or characters, Tank Commandos stars Robert Barron as Lieutenant Blaine, an American officer fighting in Italy. He has been charged with heading up a unit of men to destroy an underwater bridge used by German tanks. One of the men in Blaine's squad is Diano (Donato Ferretta), an Italian-American whose language skills get him the job of interpreter with the local population. He is needed because there is only one Italian who knows where this underwater bridge is located -- and he is just a little kid. In this era of double-billed features, Tank Commandos was paired with Operation Dames at the cinemas and drive-ins. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maggie Lawrence, Wally Campo, (more)
- 1958
This war drama, set in Tunisia during WW II, chronicles the exploits of five American soldiers lost in the desert and unable to radio for help because all broadcasts are being monitored by the Nazis. As they attempt to travel through the dust and heat, the men engage in skirmishes with the enemy. Sometimes they must even ward off aerial attacks. Only one man survives the ordeal. Eventually he comes across an enemy mine field. Nearby he sees a thirst-crazed German lieutenant who has a map of the mine placements. In exchange for the map, the GI gives the German water. The ungracious Nazi tries to double-cross him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wally Campo, Brandon Carroll, (more)
