Keith Andes Movies
The son of a real-estate man, blonde, athletic John Charles Andes became Keith Andes when signed to a contract by David O. Selznick in the 1940s. At that time, Andes, a recent Temple University graduate, was a member of the Army Air Force, touring in the all-serviceman stage production Winged Victory. His stage reputation rested on his rich baritone singing voice, which he seldom got to utilize in his film and TV work. After several failed pilot films, Andes was given his own starring series in 1959: the syndicated This Man Dawson, in which he played an ex-military man hired to clean up a corrupt police department in a unnamed city. To bone up on his role, Andes was permitted to sit in on the LAPD three-man board which determined who would be selected as police officers--and became so adept at his "job" that he ended up rejecting a few candidates! Andes' later TV work included a 13-week stint as Glynis Johns' long-suffering husband on the 1963 sitcom Glynis. Never completely abandoning the stage, Keith Andes co-starred with Lucille Ball in the 1960 Broadway musical Wildcat, and later in the decade headlined a touring company of Man of La Mancha. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
An aspiring comic, Neville (Larenz Tate) is burdened by drug abuse and memories of childhood traumas. He and his older half brother Matthew (Martin Cummins), a boxer, are unable to escape from the painful repercussions of their past, which includes their mother serving a prison sentence for killing Neville's father. Things seem to look up for Neville when he becomes involved with a gifted singer (real-life R&B chanteuse Deborah Cox), but still he must struggle to surmount a family legacy that has resulted in so much anger and emotional ruin. Screened at the 2000 Vancouver International Film Festival, Love Come Down features renowned Canadian actress Sarah Polley in a role as an unconventional nun. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Larenz Tate, Deborah Cox, (more)
- 1982
Real-life brother and sister Jimmy and Kristy McNichol star in this made-for-television drama about a claustrophobic cult. Jimmy McNichol stars as David, oldest son of the seemingly well-adjusted Bowers. When David disappears from his family to live with the Light of Salvation cult, sister Janet (Kristy McNichol) refuses to automatically side with her parents and dismiss the group. Young Janet tries to give her brother's judgement the benefit of the doubt, looking for her own answers, as her desperate parents consult a mind de-programming expert. Taut and edgy at times, the film shows how vulnerable young people get targeted by cults and their charismatic leaders -- only to turn into mindless drones. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kristy McNichol, Anne Jackson, (more)
Norman Jewison's blackly satirical look at the American justice system has gained in stature as one of the more incisive social commentaries of its time. Al Pacino plays Arthur Kirkland, an incorruptible attorney who attempts to initiate reforms in the Maryland justice system. Kirkland is haunted by the fates of two past clients, one of whom committed suicide in jail; the other is still alive but is locked up on a trumped-up traffic violation. The ability of power and money to distort the pursuit of justice becomes all too clear as Kirkland finds out how deeply the rot has spread. He finally retaliates by representing a repulsive judge (John Forsythe) accused of rape. Pacino's and Forsythe's performances are intense and powerful. Many critics found the film biting and almost painful in its razor-sharp indictment of the justice system, while others declared the script too outrageous. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Al Pacino, Jack Warden, (more)
- 1979
In this sci-fi/espionage adventure, Joseph Hacker is the spy with something extra--a computer link to his brain that allows him to gain unlimited wisdom and use any skill for 72 hours before it fades away. He has just that amount of time to save a submarine full of Russian defectors. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1975
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In this series, a broad-winged secret agent with special powers fights crime; meanwhile, the heroic Galaxy Trio fights interstellar forces of evil. The character of Birdman would later go on to appear in the absurd, re-voiced Cartoon Network series Harvey Birdman. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keith Andes
- 1973
This 1973 episode features Brenda Vaccaro, the then girlfriend of series costar Michael Douglas (Steve Keller), as rookie SFPD officer Sherry Tate. When her roommate, likewise a cop, is murdered while tracking down an elusive rapist, Sherry volunteers to act as bait for the killer. Even after Stone (Michael Douglas) orders her off the case, Sherry persists in her efforts to nail the murderer all by herself--with shocking results. Intriguingly, this episode was directed by Lawrence Dobkin, who had played a demented serial killer in the two-hour Streets of San Francisco pilot film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Once again, the citizens of Hooterville Valley are set to worryin' when it looks like Dr. Janet Craig (June Lockhart) will leave the community. This time, it appears that Janet has been swept off her feet by wealthy marriage-minded Dr. Marlowe (Keith Andes)--and worse still, Marlowe has promised to take Dr. Craig off to Hawaii. This is one of the few episodes in which child actress Elna Hubbell receives screen credit for her portrayal of little Kathy Jo Elliott. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Bikers, Nazis, Mafiosi, and the FBI all clash in this wild and wooly exploitation picture from director Al Adamson. Mark Adams (John Gabriel) is an FBI agent who has been assigned to infiltrate an organized crime ring that has obtained a set of printing plates that will allow them to produce nearly perfect counterfeit 20-dollar bills. The plates were made in Germany during World War II, and were discovered by a radical right-wing group hoping to restore the Nazi Party to power. The American gangsters are in cahoots with a group of wealthy American neo-Nazis sympathetic to the new German cause, led by fugitive war criminal Count von Delberg (Kent Taylor); the count has in turn recruited a vicious motorcycle gang, the Bloody Devils, to do his dirty work. Also featuring Broderick Crawford, John Carradine, and Col. Harland Sanders (the latter in a shameless plug for Kentucky Fried Chicken), Hell's Bloody Devils was produced under the titles The Fakers and Operation M as a straightforward espionage thriller; when distributors balked at the finished product, Al Adamson and producer Samuel M. Sherman added the biker subplot, and gave the product a more exploitive title. Shorn of the motorcycle gang footage, the film was also released as Smashing the Crime Syndicate. Nelson Riddle co-wrote the film's theme song, and Laszlo Kovacs and Gary Graver were among the cameramen. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Gabriel, Kent Taylor, (more)
This 25-million dollar epic collaboration accurately recreates the events that led to the Japanese attack on the American naval base during World War II. With Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, the wheels are set in motion by Japan to plan the attack. After internal differences in the government, the Japanese quickly mobilize plans for the assault. Key American personnel ignored warnings of the possibility of Japanese aggression. The first part of the film divides scenes from both countries. Part two contains spectacular battle scenes of the bombing that destroyed the American naval base of operations in Hawaii. Governmental errors on both sides add to the confusion, but the Japanese ultimately carry out the deadly mission. The film did well in Japan, did not do well in the he United States, and took years to make back the production costs. It remains an insightful and well crafted World War II action drama that was the result of years of negotiations between the two countries. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Balsam, So Yamamura, (more)
- 1967
Helen gathers together the clever comments of her students and writes them up as a children's book-which, surprise of surprises, is accepted by a major publisher. Problem is, Helen (or, to use her nom de plume, "Helene Alexian Dubois") is so busy with rewrites and business conferences that she has no time for Andy, who is beginning to feel threatened by her success. Keith Andes guest-stars as Helen's handsome editor Roger Bryant, while Elaine Joyce is hilarious as Mavis, a flashy "good-time gal" whom the disgruntled Andy dates on the rebound. Written by Doug Tibbles, "Helen the Authoress" originally aired on February 27, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
With the help of her new neighbor Joan, Lucy tries to line up her handsome acquaintance Brad Collins (Keith Andes) as her date for a fancy dress ball. But there's a slight snag: it seems that there is a Mrs. Collins....Cast as Joan Brenner, veteran actress Joan Blondell makes her first Lucy Show appearance as a possible replacement for the departed Vivian Vance. Unfortunately, Blondell found it impossible to get along with Lucille Ball and quit after two episodes. (Ironically, Joan's sister Gloria Blondell appeared on several episodes of I Love Lucy with apparently no problems at all.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joan Blondell, Keith Andes, (more)
- 1965
Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) accepts a lucrative job as ranch supervisor from wealthy Lucy Benson (Marilyn Maxwell). Unfortunately, the story of McCord's alleged cowardice under fire has apparently preceded his arrival, as witness the beating Jason endures from three toughs who order him to get out of town. As it turns out, however, it is Lucy who has sparked the hostility--but how? This is the final episode of Branded's first season, and the last one filmed in black and white. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
A chain of weird events has Ramona Ambrose (Mona Freeman) convinced she is going insane. Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) is hired to find out with Roseanne is indeed crazy, or if she has been targeted for persecution by an unknown party. Inevitably, murder rears it ugly head and the sinister plot to drive Ramona bonkers is revealed--but by this time, she has been charged with killing her tormentor's co-conspirator. Amusingly, the character played by Berry Kroeger is named "Kirk Cameron"--but take our word for it, there is absolutely no resemblance! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
A mysterious hulking figure prowls a university campus at night and yanks the door off of a locked storage room to steal chemicals -- a guard spots the intruder but before he can react, the man knocks him cold and kills him, carrying the body as if it weighed nothing. The police investigation, led by Lt. Branch (James Doohan), can't figure out how the door was removed or the guard was asphyxiated -- and the materials that were stolen are fairly mystifying as well, chemicals used in experiments with consciousness-expanding ("CE") drugs. Dr. Peter Wayne (Keith Andes), the head of the drug experimentation program, and his associate (and brother-in-law) Dr. Roy Clinton (Skip Homeier), insist that there's nothing missing that was worth a burglary, much less a murder, but the lieutenant insists on checking out a possible connection between the crimes and a group of students and faculty members who were previously dismissed from the university for their CE experiments. This leads to new puzzlements -- including a man (Aki Aleong) who turns up, seemingly dead, for no apparent reason -- and the murder of a philanthropist associated with the university, apparently committed by a man that no one except Dr. Wayne remembers seeing. And of what significance is one student's claim that he saw Dr. Clinton on campus, at the science building, on the night of the burglary, which Clinton insists can't be true? Or Clinton's suggestion that CE drugs may be at work on others around them, affecting their judgement and their abilities? The story poses lots of questions, as well as momentarily waxing poetic on the potential of consciousness-expansion, and then answers them very slightly too early and quickly, in this otherwise eerie and suspenseful mystery. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keith Andes, Skip Homeier, (more)
- 1964
Keith Andes makes a return appearance as Bill King, the hyper-athletic boyfriend of widow Lucy Carmichael (Lucille Ball). Hoping once again to impress Bill with her own athletic prowess (which, truth to tell, is virtually nonexistent), Lucy claims that she excels at a variety of sports--all of which can only be played in winter, and it isn't even fall yet! Alas, Bill invites Lucy to accompany him on a skiing trip, obliging her to take lessons from banker Mooney (Gale Gordon), who unexpectedly also has a stake in keeping Mr. King from finding out that Lucy is a major klutz. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keith Andes
- 1963
The citizens of Cliffside Heights hire Perry (Raymond Burr) to press a libel suit against novelist Richard Harris (Michael Pate), the author of a Peyton Place-style "roman a clef." A financial settlement is reached, but turned down by publisher Albert McCann (David Lewis), who for some reason is afraid of Harris. Likewise fearful is Harris' ex-wife Margaret Layton (Peggy McCay), who is desperate to hide her lurid past from her children--so desperate, in fact, that she becomes the Number One Suspect when Harris is murdered. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Viv (Vivian Vance) suggests that she and Lucy (Lucille Ball) make a concerted effort to share the interests of their boy friends. As a result, Lucy accompanies her latest beau Bill King (Keith Andes) on an early-morning duck hunting excursion. Typically, she makes a mess of things, but redeems herself in a most unexpected fashion. This episode represents a reunion of sorts for Lucille Ball and Keith Andes, who had costarred in the 1961 Broadway musical "Wildcat!" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keith Andes, Donald Briggs, (more)
- 1961
Keith Andes guest stars as Franz Lister, a celebrated German musician who has been brought to the US by his wealthy sponsor, a social-climbing former saloon hostess named Mona Lansing (Gertrude Flynn). No sooner has Lister arrived than his priceless piano is "kidnapped" and held for ransom. Paladin (Richard Boone) is hired to bring the piano back in one piece--assuming that he can remain in one piece as well! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Director George Pal is noted as a special effects maestro, both in films for children that feature his "puppetoons" and in sci-fi spectacles like the War of the Worlds. So it is no surprise that this sci-fi yarn about the fabled sunken continent of Atlantis should excel in the special effects department. Otherwise, the story is a clichéd tale about Demetrios (Anthony Hall) a Greek fisherman who is tempted into going to Atlantis by Antillia (Joyce Taylor), a princess of that doomed land. Demetrios is soon trapped into slavery, a situation which leads him to hobnob with the oppressed masses and plan a strategy to get them out of there before the rumblings of imminent submersion send the whole kit and caboodle into the briny deep. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Hall, Joyce Taylor, (more)
- 1960
If you don't expect Casablanca, you'll derive some pleasure from Model for Murder. This British programmer stars American actor Keith Andes. In England to seek out his dead brother's girlfriend, Andes crosses the path of jewel robbers. Hazel Court is the lady in question, whose true involvement in the proceedings is the object of mystery and confusion. Completed in 1958, Model for Murder was released in the States two years later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This is an uneven wartime drama about the exploits of an actual American G.I., Lt. Donald Blackburn (Keith Andes), caught in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation. The Lieutenant is forced farther and farther into the brush as he first reluctantly agrees to head up a village contingent of resistance fighters and then has to leave and go into the more remote mountains, and headhunter territory. There he recruits the help of the headhunters, trains them, and leads the capture of several provinces. Before MacArthur can finally invade, the film has been highlighted by exotic jungle scenes, Filipino street scenes, gorgeous landscapes, realistic battle scenes, sensual scenes with two lovely women (Paraluman and Susan Cabot in romantic interludes with the Lieutenant), and several other upbeat touches. These pluses, however, do not eliminate the caricatures that pass for characterizations, or a tendency toward a superficial, two-dimensional approach. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keith Andes, Susan Cabot, (more)
- 1958
This biographical drama, chronicles the patriotic exploits of World War II hero Colonel Francis C. Grevemberg, who fought a tough battle against crime and corruption in his home state, Louisiana. He got his chance to serve the state when he was appointed the superintendent of state police by the new governor. Prior to his appointment, Louisiana had been notorious for it's graft, crooked leadership, and criminal underpinnings. Upon accepting his position, Grevemberg vowed to eradicate it from the state governments. It was not an easy task as he met with almost constant opposition from all sides. He and his staff did succeed and Louisiana was a cleaner state. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keith Andes, Maggie Hayes, (more)
- 1957
Another of the handful of Playhouse 90 dramas that were filmed rather than telecast "live", "Homeward Borne" is based on a novel by actress Ruth Chatterton. Upon returning from war duty, fighter pilot Bob Lyttleton (Richard Kiley) is surprised to discover that his has a new son. Actually, the boy is a European war orphan, adopted by Bob's wife Meg (Linda Darnell). Though Meg loves the boy unconditionally, Bob resents the child's presence, since it conjures up painful memories of his years in combat. Richard Eyer, a child actor best known for his roles in such theatrical features as The Desperate Hours and Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, is cast as Tommy Lyttleton. In 1958, Homeward Borne was released in syndication as part of a Screen Gems feature-film package, thereby obscuring its TV roots. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Darnell, Richard Kiley, (more)
- 1957
Like many of his best works, filmmaker Douglas Sirk's Interlude is a remake of an earlier Universal soap opera. In this case, Sirk's source material is the 1939 Irene Dunne-Charles Boyer vehicle When Tomorrow Comes. Based on a story by (of all people) James M. Cain, the story concerns the romance between aspiring musician Helen Banning (June Allyson) and famed symphony conductor Tonio Fischer (Rossano Brazzi). Alas, Tonio is married, and his bibulous, vindictive wife (Marianne Cook) isn't about to give him a divorce. Meanwhile, stiff-necked American doctor Morley Dwyer (Keith Andes) waits patiently for his sweetheart Helen to come to her senses and return to his arms. Opulently location-filmed in Austria, Interlude was remade under the same title in 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- June Allyson, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1957
The Girl Most Likely owns the distinction of being the last RKO Radio picture ever produced at the studio's Hollywood facilities; shortly afterward, RKO moved out and Desilu moved in. A musical remake of the 1941 Ginger Rogers comedy Tom, Dick and Harry, the film stars Jane Powell as Dodie, an eligible bachelorette who must choose between three suitors. Wealthy Neil (Keith Andes) offers her a life of luxury and ease; salesman Buzz (Tommy Noonan) offers stability; and roughneck mechanic Pete (Cliff Robertson) can offer nothing but love. In a series of elaborate dream sequences, Dodie imagines what life would be like with her three beaus. Though Paul Jarrico wrote the original script upon which The Girl Most Likely was based, he was refused screen credit thanks to the insidious Hollywood blacklist. When the RKO Radio distribution chain collapsed in 1958, The Girl Most Likely was distributed by Universal-International. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jane Powell, Cliff Robertson, (more)
