Sal Ponti Movies
Actor Sal Ponti appeared in a few films of the '60s. His biggest role was that of Demetrios, a Greek sailor in Atlantis, the Lost Continent (1961). For that role, Ponti was billed as Anthony Hall. Ponti started out on the Philadelphia stage and came to Hollywood in the 1950s after working on television in New York. Following his major role in Atlantis, Ponti was relegated to smaller roles and guest-starring stints on television. In addition to acting, Ponti was also a songwriter and created tunes for such singers as Frankie Avalon and Fabian. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Goodbye Norma Jean purports to be a biography of the early years of Norma Jean Baker (Misty Rowe), who would later attain fame in Hollywood as the blonde sex goddess Marilyn Monroe. The film begins in 1941 as Norma Jean is brutally raped by a highway patrolman who stopped her for speeding. After winning a local beauty pageant, Norma Jean continues to experience a succession of low-life sexual encounters that pave the way to Hollywood stardom. The ironic take of the film is that Norma Jean's series of degrading sexual experiences caused her to dislike sex throughout her life while, ironically, attesting to her sensual allure in Hollywood films. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Misty Rowe, Terrence Locke, (more)
- 1972
- R
John Considine does a cut-rate Vincent Price impersonation as the flamboyant Dr. Death, a thousand-year-old magician who has mastered he art of transferring souls from one body to another and thereby manages to perpetuate himself by jumping from one body to the next (which actually makes him more of a "Seeker of Bodies"). Apparently the Doc is a kindred spirit to the Alien, since his blood is a highly-corrosive acid that can strip flesh from bone, thus ensuring his personal safety. This is "Z"-grade fare that plays somewhat like a Herschell Gordon Lewis film, but without enough silliness to keep things amusing. The only point of interest keeping this film in circulation (mainly via late-night-cable) is the presence of sad-looking former Stooge Moe Howard in his last role as a perverted old man. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Two formidable TV icons converge in this episode, as Bob Denver of Gilligan's Island appears as Harold, a feckless apprentice genie whom Jeannie (Barbara Eden) is ordered to train. Alas, Harold turns out not only to be clumsy and careless, but stupid as well (a triple play!) Even worse, Harold's arrival coincides with President Johnson's visit to the home of Jeannie's master Tony (Larry Hagman)! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
General Stone (Byron Morrow), the father of Tony's fiancée Melissa (Karen Sharpe), invites him to join him overseas as his military attaché. Melissa of course is delighted by this turn of events, hoping to move the wedding date closer. The fly in the ointment is Jeannie, who of course harbors a deep, dark jealousy for Melissa--and who is determined to prove to Tony that "there's no place like home"--particularly a home with a genie bottle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In love with Harry Wade (Walter Matthau), the impressionable Helen (Betty Field) is willing to do anything to protect her man from harm. Thus, when Harry tells her that his lumber business is in deep financial trouble, she dutifully embezzles 8,000 dollars from her realtor employer to help Harry square his debts -- after all, he's promised to give the money back within 48 hours. What Helen doesn't know is that Harry is a crook...and like most crooks, he has some powerful enemies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Condemned for a murder he didn't commit, embittered death-row inmate Prof. Herbert Morrison (Brian Keith) has not only given up all hopes of a reprieve, but has informed his lawyer not to even bother getting him released. As his last hours tick away, Morrison is more annoyed than usual by the obnoxious ebullience of prison guard Pops Lafferty (James Westerfield). Figuring that he can only be put to death once, Morrison vows that his last act on Earth will be to shut Pops' mouth permanently! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
