Robert Culp Movies
Robert Culp attended several West Coast colleges while training for a dramatic career. At 21, Culp made his Broadway debut in He Who Gets Slapped. Within six years, he was starring in his own TV Western, Trackdown. During the two-year run of this program, Culp began writing scripts, a habit he'd carry over to other series, notably The Rifleman and Gunsmoke. He made his first film in 1963, thereafter appearing sporadically on the big screen, most memorably as one of the four leads in the satirical Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1968). In 1965, Culp and comedian Bill Cosby were co-starred on the popular TV series I Spy. During the second of I Spy's three seasons, Culp made his directorial debut; he went on to helm episodes for several other TV programs, as well as the 1972 theatrical feature Hickey and Boggs, in which he was reunited with Cosby. He then essayed the semicomic role of CIA chief Bill Maxwell on the weekly TVer The Greatest American Hero (1980-1982), and played such film character roles as the President in The Pelican Brief (1993). Culp co-starred with Cosby for a 1994 I Spy TV-movie reunion. Married four times, Robert Culp's third wife was Eurasian actress France Nuyen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
American secret agents Kelly Robinson (Robert Culp) and Alexander Scott (Bill Cosby) tackle an exhausting variety of international counterespionage missions while respectively posing as a champion tennis player and his athletic trainer as I Spy embarks upon its first season. Unlike other spy shows of the period, which were filmed exclusively on Hollywood backlots, I Spy relies extensively upon location shooting in a variety of far-flung lands. This season, Kelly and Scotty's permutations take them to Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Mexico (and, occasionally, the Desilu studios in L.A. for close-ups and exposition scenes). Although the series was originally conceived as a starring vehicle for Robert Culp, from the outset Culp's co-star Bill Cosby is given equal footing, and even dominates the proceedings in several episodes -- a rarity for an African-American performer in the mid-'60s. It can be argued that Cosby's presence on the series permitted producer Sheldon Leonard to provide a number of major black actors with bravura guest-star turns that might have been denied them on other programs. In the very first episode, "So Long, Patrick Henry," Ivan Dixon is seen as an embittered athlete who has defected to the "enemy," with Cicely Tyson as Dixon's sweetheart, an African princess. Later on, comedian Godfrey Cambridge plays it straight as a cold-blooded crime kingpin (described by Cambridge as a "Black Goldfinger") in "Court of the Lion." And best of all, Eartha Kitt delivers an Emmy-winning performances as an expatriate nightclub singer hopelessly addicted to drugs in "The Loser." Other noteworthy first-season guest-star turns are provided by Martin Landau as the title character in the ironically yclept episode "Danny Was a Million Laughs"; Carroll O'Connor as a wickedly pragmatic Russian brainwashing expert in "It's All Done With Mirrors"; and France Nuyen (soon to be the wife of series star Robert Culp) in "The Tiger." Although the overall tone of I Spy is somber and serious, with the two protagonists plunged in a hellish world of betrayal and backstabbing in which friends and enemies are virtually interchangeable, most of the episodes are leavened by the hilarious verbal byplay between Culp and Cosby. Reportedly, much of this banter was improvised on the set, and it went over so well with viewers that the actors were encouraged to ad-lib to their heart's content in subsequent seasons -- so much so that in some cases, one yearned for "dramatic relief" from all the comedy! In addition to the aforementioned award bestowed upon guest star Eartha Kitt, I Spy's inaugural season also yielded an Emmy statuette for leading man Bill Cosby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Culp, Bill Cosby, (more)
Although the episode plotlines in the third season of I Spy are as adult and cynical as ever, the venerable espionage series has for the most part become a laugh-fest, thanks to the whimsical verbal improvisations of stars Robert Culp and Bill Cosby. Many is the time during season three that all action stops dead in its tracks to allow the two protagonist to exchange silly puns and sly inside jokes -- to the extent that many of the series' fans began yearning for "tragic relief" from all the comedy! This year, American secret agents Kelly Robinson (Culp) and Alexander Scott (Cosby) spend most of their time on missions in the United States, though the series still boasts a generous supply of location footage filmed in such exotic stopovers as Greece and Mexico. Among the season's guest stars are Dorothy Lamour in "The Honorable Assassins," Gene Hackman in "Happy Birthday...Everybody," and France Nuyen (then married to star Robert Culp) in "An American Empress." And, though I Spy received its cancellation notice halfway through the season, the series remained on the air long enough to earn co-star Bill Cosby his third Emmy award in a row. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Culp, Bill Cosby, (more)
Season two of I Spy finds globetrotting secret agents Kelly Robinson (Robert Culp) and Alexander Scott (Bill Cosby) plying their trade in such locales as Italy, Spain, and Las Vegas -- all the while posing as a high-priced tennis bum and his athletic trainer. As in season one, the series relies heavily on genuine location footage, with the stars playing out most of their scenes in the actual countries where the episodes are set (of course, an occasional pickup shot or close-up filmed within the walls of Desilu Studios in Hollywood still creeps in now and then!). While the series remained the most "adult" and realistic of the many spy shows of the period, and the characters of Kelly and Scotty spend as much time agonizing over the morality of their work as they do carrying out their assignments, the comedy content that had been sprinkled throughout season one of I Spy is even more pronounced in season two. Robert Culp may be the nominal star, but it is Bill Cosby who sets the comic pace and provides most of the series' delightful verbal improvisations -- with the pliable Culp sounding like a Cosby clone in several scenes! Which is not to say that Bill Cosby is the sole creative force behind the program; indeed, some of the best second-season episodes were scripted by Robert Culp. This season offers the series' only two-part episode, "To Florence, With Love," and also features the only "dual" performance by star Robert Culp, cast in his tradition "Kelly" role and as the Asian title character in "The War Lord." There are also a number of impressive guest-star turns: Boris Karloff plays a doddering scientist who imagines himself to be Don Quixote in "Mainly on the Plains"; Don Rickles delivers a shattering performance as a mean-spirited USO comedian who sparks an international crisis in "Night Train to Madrid"; and Wally Cox is delightful as a meek clerk whose fondness for foreign girls nearly proves fatal to Kelly and Scotty in "Casanova From Canarsie." The season ends with the poignant "Cops and Robbers," in which a not-so-sentimental journey to Scotty's old neighborhood imperils the live of his mother (played by the magnificent Beah Richards). Bill Cosby's performances in this and previous episodes are proof positive that his second Emmy award, bestowed upon him during the 1966-1967 awards ceremony, was richly deserved. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Culp, Bill Cosby, (more)
- 1957
This surprisingly warm-and-fuzzy episode is narrated by child actress Evelyn Rudie, here cast as minister's daughter Hildegarde Fell. Against the wishes of her father (Hugh Marlowe), Hildegarde insists upon trying to make friends with crabby old John Anderson (Cedric Hardwicke), an elderly recluse whom everyone in town assumes to be a former judge, famous for his harsh and merciless sentences. Only after Anderson's death does the wide-eyed Hildegarde reveal the unvarnished truth about the "greatly beloved" man. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Robert Culp guest-stars as former gunfighter Ed Payson. When he tries to buy supplies from general store owner Will Cass (Dabbs Greer), he is coldly refused service; it seems that, before hanging up his guns, Ed killed Will's son. Befriending Ed, Adam Cartwright tries to mollify Cass, but things only go from bad to worse. Others in the cast include Ray Daley (Billy Buckley), Abbagail Shelton (Sally), Robert Christopher (Cahill), and Richard Rosmini (Jamie). Originally shown on October 29, 1961, "Broken Ballad" was written by John T. Kelley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1962
This Disney family film was originally made as a two-parter for the World of Disney TV show. It is the funny and touching story of two brothers who find a rambunctious but wounded seal and try to hide it from their parents in their beach house while it heals. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Playwright Norman Krasna adapted his hit Broadway sex farce for the screen under the direction of Peter Tewksbury. Adam Tyler (Cliff Robertson) is an airline pilot who rents a pricey Manhattan apartment and has the weekend off. His prim sister Eileen (Jane Fonda), shows up to visit, complaining that her fiancée Russ (Robert Culp), is pressuring her to have premarital sex, threatening to break up their engagement if she doesn't comply. Adam tells his sister that she is right to resist, that men want to marry women who are virgins, then he leaves with plans to meet his lover, Mona Harris (Jo Morrow), in another city. Left alone, Eileen finds women's lingerie in her brother's closet and realizes that he has a double standard. She leaves, upset. While on a bus, she meets a man named Mike (Rod Taylor). They spend the day sightseeing, fall in love, and return to the apartment after a rainstorm drenches their clothes. Russ and Adam later arrive at the apartment at different intervals. Russ mistakenly believes that Eileen has cheated on him, so he storms out, leaving Eileen with her new love and Adam with plans to marry Jo. Jim Backus has a minor role as a flight dispatcher. Musician Peter Nero, who scored the film, appears in a cameo. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Taylor, Jane Fonda, (more)
- 1963
Popular movie star Lara Layne (Patricia Barry) is on the verge of wedding handsome Harry Lawrence (Robert Culp) when she is paid a visit by ex-convict George Cassidy (Stubby Kaye) -- who was himself married to Lara back when she was calling herself "Peaches." Lara is stunned by George's arrival, especially since he was reported to have died behind bars, but here he is, demanding a huge payoff to keep quiet. A struggles ensues, and Lara kills George, whereupon Harry valiantly volunteers to help her dispose of the body somewhere in Mexico, where the couple had planned to take a secret honeymoon. (Well, anyway, it was supposed to be a secret.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Culp, Stubby Kaye, (more)
- 1963
This WW II adventure chronicles the real-life courage of President John F. Kennedy when he was a Navy lieutenant in charge of the illustrious PT 109. Among the adventures they had was the courageous rescue of Marines stranded upon the isle of Choiseul. As they flee, their little boat is split in half by a Japanese destroyer. The survivors then make a long, dangerous swim to an island. One of them is too badly injured to do it, so Kennedy helps him. Later, the future leader braves many dangers to get to another island to radio for help. This video also contains a newsreel chronicling the President's assassination and a cartoon short featuring Foghorn Leghorn. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cliff Robertson, Ty Hardin, (more)
- 1963
In this western, an ex-officer for the confederate Army becomes a Texas cattle rancher. He and his fellow ranchers are dismayed when they learn that the coming railroad intends on bypassing their ranches. The rancher then leaves his land to begin fighting the railroad. Meanwhile the railroad executives have hired Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Calamity Jane to defend their decision against the rancher and his guerrilla gang. When the marauders are finally surrounded by the Army and it looks as if they will die, the three western legends suddenly ride in to save them. They then all band together to convince the railroad that the Texas ranchers desperately need their services. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1963
A pair of seemingly inert black crystalline rocks are actually intelligent extraterrestrial viruses planning the invasion and destruction of the Earth. Dr. Paul Cameron (Robert Culp) can hear their thoughts as they discuss their plans, a result of a metal plate in his head from a war injury that conducts their telepathic waves into his brain. He and his wife, Laurie (Salome Jens), believe that he is hallucinating. The aliens, however, target him for death, and will stop at nothing to kill him. Cameron, caught between feelings of paranoia and the fear that he is going insane, goes away for a rest with his wife, never realizing that they are now being stalked by their friend, Dr. Temple (Barry Atwater), his body and mind taken over by the aliens. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1963
The inhabitants of the planet Zanti establish contact with Earth, and prevail upon its inhabitants to accept custody of their criminals, whom they are incapable of executing. The Zantis demand total seclusion for the prison ship, which the humans grant out of fear that they will use their superior weaponry to destroy them. General Hart (Robert F. Simon) is put in charge of securing the Zanti ship a peaceful, unmolested landing in a desolate section of the California desert; he has also granted permission for one civilian observer, a historian (Michael Tolan), to witness this first contact with an alien race. The security of the Zanti ship is violated, however, when a wanted criminal (Bruce Dern) and his girlfriend (Olive Deering) break into the sealed area. This leads to the death of the man and an attack on the woman, and a breakout by the alien criminals. The insect-shaped occupants of the hive-like spaceship attack the military outpost monitoring their landing, leading to an all-out bloodbath between the aliens and the human defenders. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Accused of cowardice in battle by Sgt. John Metcalf (guest star Robert Culp), Pvt. Kirby (Jack Hogan) faces both a court martial and a firing squad. Though Kirby insists that he retreated during a battle on Hill 256 in the face of heavy machine-gun fire, Metcalf claims that no such guns existed. With only 48 hours at their disposal, Saunders (Vic Morrow) and Caje (Pierre Jalbert) make a treacherous return visit to Hill 256, in search of the evidence that will free their comrade. Though series costar Rick Jason does not appear in this episode, future regular Conlan Carter, aka "Doc", shows up as an MP. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Engineer Alan Maxwell (Cliff Robertson) is using his commercial radio station's antenna to probe into deep space in experiments of his own, in the course of which he makes contact with a being (William O. Douglas, Jr.) from the great nebula in the constellation Andromeda. Through an accident, the alien is transported to Earth, where its radioactive emanations prove lethal to all who come in contact with it. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1963
The third volume in a collection culled from the 1963-1965 science fiction anthology television series details the work of a group of scientists who attempt to better global relations by creating a fake space monster in order to frighten the people of Earth into aligning to battle a common enemy. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Don Siegal directed this made-for-TV remake of the western drama Ride The Pink Horse, in which Robert Culp stars as Harry Pace, who has set out to avenge the violent death of a good friend. Pace's search leads him to New Orleans during the Mardi Gras celebration, where he meets a beautiful woman, Lois Seeger (Vera Miles). Pace's infatuation with Seeger leads him into a dangerous conflict with her husband, Arnie Seeger (Edmund O'Brien), a ruthless political power broker. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1964
While a corrupt people rule the planet, a man travels back in time to 200 years past to defeat the enemy. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1964
Ivan Tors, the man who made dolphins and grizzlies lovable with Flipper and Gentle Ben respectively, tries to make the magic happen for a different species in Rhino! Robert Culp and Harry Guardino play hunters without bullets, armed only with tranquilizer guns to defend themselves from African wildlife. Culp and Guardino's mission is to locate the rare white Rhino, then herd them out of harm's way to save them from extinction. Complications ensue when zoologist Culp is tricked by the avaricious Guardino, who really wants the rhinos for their horns and pelts. Filmed on location in South Africa. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Harry Guardino, Robert Culp, (more)
- 1964
In Volume 37 of a collection culled from the 1963-1965 science fiction anthology television series, the final survivor of Earth travels back in time to learn why he alone outlived the rest of humankind. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
