William Bruckner Movies
- 1967
After the seemingly random murder of a civil servant, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) follows the trail of clues to a Communist-funded news service based in Mexico City. What follows is a maelstrom of intrigue involving a possible defector, an eccentric collector of antiques, and a "mole" planted in the American Embassy in Vienna. The acting honors in this episode are won hands-down by the magnificent Viveca Lindfors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
The title character in this Bonanza episode is a middle-aged Frenchman (John Dehner) who claims to be legendary pirate-patriot Jean Lafitte. Making a nuisance of himself in Virginia City with his grandiose claims, "Lafitte" is thrown into jail, only to be bailed out by Hoss Cartwright, who is convinced that the stranger is telling the truth about his identity. Things get sticky for both Hoss and the Frenchman when Amos Whittaker (Harry Swoger) is killed with "Lafitte's" knife. Also in the cast are Sheldon Allman as Betts and Jean Willes as Molly. Written by William Bruckner, "The Gentleman from New Orleans" first aired February 2, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
The men of the Ponderosa cannot understand why bounty hunter Dev Farnum (Dennis Hopper) is so unfriendly and secretive. Could it have anything to do with the fact that Dev is the outcast son of a celebrated preacher? Or perhaps it is because the Cartwrights' house guest is Holly Burnside (Susan Seaforth), the wife of Jamey Boy Briggs (Ron Starr)-the man whom Farnum has been hired to bring in, dead or alive. Written by William Bruckner, "The Dark Past" first aired May 3, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1962
In yet another high-stakes poker game, Bart (Jack Kelly) wins part ownership of Diamond Jim Malone's gambling casino. Unfortunately, our hero also "wins" a certain Lucky Matt Elkins (Dan Haggerty), who has been blackmailing Diamond Jim (Robert J. Wilke) and doesn't intend to let up now that the casino is under new management. Film-noir stalwart Marie Windsor heads the supporting cast of this episode, which in some sources is listed as having originally aired on March 4, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Beau (Roger Moore) wins part ownership in the Blue Bell Saloon, a heavily-in-debt enterprise managed by Charlotte Simmons (Mala Powers). Despairing over the prospect of having a losing proposition on their hands, Beau and Charlotte have their spirits lifted somewhat when they make the acquaintance of The Dutchman (Jacques Aubuchon), a prospector who has just struck it rich. Apparently eager to share his wealth, the Dutchman agrees to lead Beau and the lady to his hidden gold, located somewhere on Superstition Mountain. Need we add that Beau's "luck" is about to turn bad again in a real hurry? Highlighting this episode is a jaunty title ballad, written by Jerry Capeheart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
In this rollicking takeoff of the TV western series Bonanza, Jim Backus guest stars as wealthy rancher Joe Wheelwright, the owner of the vast Subrosa spread. Figuring that it is time his sons Moose (Jake Sheffield), Henry (Larry Chance) and Small Paul (Evan McCord) were married, Wheelwright hires Bart Maverick (Jack Kelly) to escort three prospective brides from San Francisco. As it turns out, however, the ladies have their own ideas about matrimony--and there are other more serious obstacles in Bart's path. Featured as one of three future "Mrs. Wheelwrights" is Kasey Rogers, better known as Mrs. Larry Tate on the TV sitcom Bewitched. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Bart (Jack Kelly) and crooked peddler Cannonbaugh (John Dehner) have been captured by the same hostile tribe from whom Cannonbaugh had kidnapped the Indian girl Tawney (Sharon Hugueny). In order to secure his release, the peddler convinces the Indian chief to accept a "magic" necklace, which will render him impervious to gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, the chief now feels emboldened to attack a nearby Army fort--and unless Bart and Tawny act quickly, every man, woman and child in the fort will be massacred before the day is done. A young Chad Everett plays a minor role in this final episode of Maverick's fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Season Four of Maverick concludes with the series' only two-part episode. In Part One, Bart (Jack Kelly) purchases a wagonload of merchandise sight unseen from silver-tongued peddler Luther Cannonbaugh (John Dehner). Bart's plan to sell the merchandise at a nearby Army post hits a snag when he peeks into the wagon and finds a large supply of illegal liquor--as well as a bound and gagged Indian girl named Tawney (Sharon Hugueny). In his efforts to keep himself out of prison and avoid an all-out Indian war, Bart ends up captured by Tawney's tribe. Also held captive is the redoubtable Mr. Cannonbaugh, who thinks he has devised a foolproof scheme to save himself and Bart from being killed...and he's just the fool to prove it. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1942
A remake of the 1927 horror melodrama The Wizard (which, alas, no longer exists), 20th Century-Fox's Dr. Renault's Secrets packs a real wallop in its brisk 58-minute running time. The scene is a remote French village, where the murder of drunken tourist Austin (Jack Norton) coincides with the arrival of young doctor Larry Forbes (John Sheppard, aka Sheppard Strudwick). It develops that Sheppard is the house guest of the outwardly benign Dr. Renault (George Zucco), who lives with his pretty niece Madeline (Lynne Roberts) and his bizarre manservant Noel (J. Carroll Naish), who possesses more than a few apelike tendencies. Several more murders occur, and the clues point in a number of directions. Upon learning Dr. Renault's secret -- which is something straight out of H. G. Well's The Island of Dr. Moreau -- the audience is able to discern the killer's identity. Alas, it may be too late for heroine Madeline, at present being kidnapped by a local hooligan (Mike Mazurki) and thus apparently at the mercy of the rampaging murderer. Dr. Renault's Secret was frequently shipped out on a double bill with Fox's other 1942 horror piece, The Undying Monster. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- J. Carrol Naish, John Shepperd, (more)
- 1942
Sundown Jim was the second of two 20th Century-Fox westerns starring football champ John Kimbrough. The story takes place in mountain country, providing a wintry backdrop for the standard western plot devices. Kimbrough is cast as US marshal Sundown Jim Majors, whose main purpose in life is to bring a deadly frontier feud to a peaceful end. This requires him to clean out the local criminal element, which he does with grim-visaged determination. Clocking in at a mere 53 minutes, Sundown Jim is as professionally assembled as its predecessor, Lone Star Ranger, but Fox's effort to make a film star out of John Kimbrough was foredoomed by his utter lack of acting ability. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Kimbrough, Virginia Gilmore, (more)
- 1941
Previously filmed three times, the evergreen Zane Grey yarn Riders of the Purple Sage was given a fourth go-round by 20th Century-Fox in 1941. George Montgomery stars as Jim Lassiter, who learns early on that his niece Fay (Patty Patterson) has been cheated out of her inheritance by crooked Judge Dyer (Robert Barrat). What Lassiter doesn't know-at least at first-is that Dyer is the head of a vigilante group, ostensibly organized to protect the local settlers but actually intent upon driving everyone out of the territory. Several acts of skullduggery and one kidnapping later, Lassiter is finally able to thwart the villains and settle down in a hidden valley with his sweetheart Jane Witherspoon (Mary Howard). Breezing along at 58 minutes, Riders of the Purple Sage by necessity eliminates several of Zane Grey's underlying themes (the villain is no longer a Mormon, for example), but works quite well as straightforward entertainment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Montgomery, Mary Howard, (more)
