Suzanne Danielle Movies
In 1936, Universal Pictures created a sensation with Flash Gordon, a 13-part adventure serial based on the popular comic strip of the day about a dare-devil do-gooder in outer space. Flash Gordon: Rocketship is a condensed version of that original serial, compressing the original twelve episodes into an efficient 97 minute feature. Flash Gordon (Buster Crabbe) heads into space with brilliant scientist Dr. Zarkoff (Frank Shannon) and his sweetheart Dale Arden (Jean Rogers) in an effort to throw the planet Mongo off course; it is expected to crash into the Earth within a matter of days. However, once Flash and his crew arrive on Mongo, they have to deal with the supremely evil Ming the Merciless (Charles B. Middleton) and his wicked minions; Ming also appears to have a "fate worse than death" in mind for Dale, while Ming's daughter Princess Aura (Priscilla Lawson) has similar designs on Flash. Sharp-eyed film buffs will notice that many of this film's sets, costumes, and musical cues were borrowed from other Universal productions of the period, most notably The Bride of Frankenstein. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Larry "Buster" Crabbe, Jean Rogers, (more)
- 1978
- PG
During the 1977 Ediburgh Film Festival, independent filmmaker Maurice Hatton made this feature story, using real-life actors, film directors, producers, etc., to enact improvisational roles in a film about filmmaking. In the story, Charlie (played by the film's real-life producer Charles Gormley) is going from person to person at the Edinburgh Film Festival in order to raise money for the production of an independent director's first "commercial" film, tentatively titled "Gulf and Western." The bluffs, lies, and outright rejections he receives are characteristic of those experienced by industry insiders, and this rather bleak, occasionally humorous feature became a favorite among filmmakers and industry cognoscenti. Among the well-known individuals who enact roles similar to their real-life activities are director John Boorman, actress Susannah York, director Wim Wenders, and agent Dennis Selinger. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Gormley, Neville Smith, (more)
- 1978
- R
The Carry On series is living on fumes in this late entry. An unofficial burlesque of the Emmanuelle series (albeit with a single modification: the spelling of the name was changed to 'Emmannuelle' to avoid legal complications), the film centers upon Emmannuelle Prevert (Suzanne Danielle) and her unsuccessful attempts to make love to her husband Emile (Kenneth Williams), a French ambassador. Emile grants Emmannuelle permission to bed down with anyone she likes and her prodigious intercourse rate turns her into a celebrity and a frequent talk show guest. Meanwhile, Theodore Valentine (Larry Dann) is hopelessly in love with her and wants to marry her. Emmannuelle, however, is obsessed with arousing her husband Emile's sexual desire at almost any cost. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzanne Danielle, Kenny Williams, (more)
- 1979
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Destiny of the Daleks," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) are the guests of the robotic Movellans on the Daleks' home planet of Skaro. Locked in an ages-old war against the Daleks, the Movellans are able to anticipate their enemy's every move -- and (unfortunately) vice-versa. Both the Daleks and the Movellans hope to revive the Daleks' creator, Davros (David Gooderson), but though the Movellans' motivations seem pure, the Doctor is highly suspicious. Written by Terry Nation, "The Destiny of the Daleks, Episode 2" originally aired on September 8, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Lalla Ward, (more)
- 1979
Lalla Ward, who had guest-starred as Princess Astra in the final 16th season adventure of Doctor Who, took over the role of Romana in the first adventure of the series' 17th season, "The Destiny of the Daleks." The Doctor and the newly regenerated Romana find themselves on Skaro, the now-desolate home planet of the Doctor's perennial enemies, the mutant Daleks. Threatened by the planet's dangerous radioactive levels, the two time-travellers are rescued by the robotic Movellas, who likewise have reason to despise their Dalek foes. Written by Terry Nation, episode one of the four-part "The Destiny of the Daleks" originally aired on September 1, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Lalla Ward, (more)
- 1979
When a Middle Eastern country is threatened by Soviet agents, Julia Hemmingway (Christina World) and her team of women agents come to the rescue. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christina World, Suzanne Danielle, (more)
A valiant prince battles an evil sorcerer to rescue his true love in this colorful fantasy, which features high adventure and plenty of special effects. The hero must overcome a number of dangers, along the way receiving help from a beautiful street urchin and a magical rose. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Lee, Milo O'Shea, (more)
- 1979
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Destiny of the Daleks," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) find themselves in the middle of a war between the Daleks and the Movellans on the planet Skaros. At first, the robotic Movellans seem to be the "good guys," but the Doctor has his doubts, especially since both warring factions hope to revive the Daleks' creator, mad scientist Davros (David Gooderson). In the course of events, the Doctor and Romana are trapped underground as the Daleks make their final assault. Written by Terry Nation, "The Destiny of the Daleks, Episode 3" originally aired on September 15, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Lalla Ward, (more)
- 1979
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Destiny of the Daleks," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) are still enmeshed in a power struggle between the Daleks and the Movellans on the planet Skaros. Though normally the sworn enemy of the Daleks, the Doctor comes to realize that the Movellans are no better than their enemies. But what to do about Davros (David Gooderson), the newly revived creator of the dreaded Daleks? Written by Terry Nation, "The Destiny of the Daleks, Episode 4" originally aired on September 22, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Lalla Ward, (more)
- 1980
Trevor Howard is virtually the whole show in Sir Henry at Rawlinson End. He plays an eccentric-to-the-point-of-insanity nobleman whose love affair with the bottle is a long standing source of family embarrassment. Still, when the family mansion is plagued by an unfriendly ghost, Howard finds himself the only one willing or able to exorcise the spirit. Sir Henry at Rawlinson End was based on a radio play by Vivien Stanshall. As such, it is more satisfying for the ear than for the eye. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Trevor Howard, Patrick Magee, (more)
Heroic earthling Flash Gordon saves the world from the nefarious Ming the Merciless in this lavish, intentionally campy adaptation of the famous sci-fi comic strip. The story is as basic as space operas get: Ming (Max von Sydow) has developed a plan to destroy the Earth, and Flash (Sam J. Jones) and his attractive companion, Dale Arden (Melody Anderson), are called upon to stop him. Along the way, Flash must battle Ming's goons and the temptations of a luscious space princess. Previously the basis for a more straight-faced 1930s adventure serial, Flash's story is mined here for exaggerated, cartoon humor by screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr., a central figure in the similarly campy '60s Batman television series. The simplistic plot mainly serves as an excuse for spectacular sets and cartoonish action sequences, all set to an appropriately over-the-top rock score by Queen. Certainly not a film to turn to for serious excitement, fine performances, or character development, Flash Gordon has nevertheless developed an appreciative cult of fans who admire the film's humorous approach and the detailed, colorful production design. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sam Jones, Melody Anderson, (more)
- 1981
- R
One of the more effective installments of the BBC Hammer House of Horror series, this moody, tightly-paced tale involves a series of gory murders in which the predominantly male victims have their hearts and other vital organs ripped out with a hook-like weapon. The most bizarre element in the killer's grisly modus operandi is the connection to a notorious murderess of yore, who is believed to have trained a giant eagle to tear out the hearts of her former lovers. The details of her grisly exploits are documented by a writer who is assisting police with their investigations. The Thrillervideo release contains the edited-for-TV version, missing much of the original's sex and violence, and features a pun-heavy wraparound by horror hostess Elvira. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1983
The British comedy team of Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball star in this funfest as a pair of policemen who man the police station in the small town of Little Botham. Crime is rare in Little Botham, and authorities plan to close the station as an economy measure. Not wanting to lose their jobs, Ball and Cannon fabricate a phony crime wave to make it look as if they're needed after all. But when they attempt to steal a valuable painting from Lloyd (Roy Kinnear), one of the richest men in town, they find that a gang of real art thieves have been at work, and now they have a serious case to crack. Boys in Blue is a remake of Ask a Policeman, a 1938 vehicle for British comedy star Will Hay. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzanne Danielle
- 1987
- PG
Appleton Porter (Donald Sutherland) is an inept international secret agent sent by the U.S. to the island of Ibiza in this uneven spy comedy. His mission is to secure the secret recipe for a truth serum to use on enemy agents. Appleton miraculously avoids being killed on several occasions as suspicions point to various hotel guests. Hotel owner Mona Smith (Lucy Gutteridge), Harry Lewis (Ned Beatty), and Mrs. Arkwright (Ruth Gordon) soon make addle-brained Appleton feel that someone, if not everyone, is up to no good. The movie was shot in 1984 and shelved for three years --- explaining the presence of Gordon, who died the following August. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donald Sutherland, Ned Beatty, (more)
