Royal Dano Movies
Cadaverous, hollow-eyed Royal Dano made his theatrical entree as a minor player in the Broadway musical hit Finian's Rainbow. In films from 1950, he received his first important part, the Tattered Soldier, in John Huston's 1951 adaptation of Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage. Thereafter, he was often seen as a Western villain, though seldom of the cliched get-outta-town variety; in Nicholas Ray's Johnny Guitar (1954), for example, he fleshed out an ordinary bad-guy type by playing the character as a compulsive reader with a tubercular cough. He likewise did a lot with a little when cast as Mildred Natwick's deep-brooding offspring in Hitchcock's The Trouble With Harry. Some of Dano's non-baddie characters include Peter in The King of Kings (1961) and Mayor Cermak in Capone (1975); in addition, he played Abraham Lincoln in a multipart installment of the mid-'50s TV anthology Omnibus written by James Agee. Toward the end of his life, Royal Dano had no qualms about accepting questionable projects like 1990's Spaced Invaders, but here as elsewhere, he was always given a chance to shine; one of Dano's best and most bizarre latter-day roles was in Teachers (1982), as the home-room supervisor who dies of a heart attack in his first scene -- and remains in his chair, unnoticed and unmolested, until the fadeout. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Skin Game was historically significant as the 2000th film produced by Warner Bros. studios. The film is a comedy western starring James Garner and Louis Gossett Jr. as a pair of clever Antebellum con men. Garner regularly "sells" the black Gossett into slavery for an exalted price, then "liberates" Gossett so that they can move on to the next sucker. Unfortunately, they outsmart themselves, and before long Gossett seems doomed to a lifetime of forced servitude. They are rescued by pretty pickpocket Susan Clark, who has a few surprises in store for them. Skin Game was supposed to be spun off into a TV series, but the project never got any farther than the 1974 pilot film Sidekicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Savage Run was originally telecast as Run Simon Run (after bearing the working title The Tradition of Simon Zuniga). Burt Reynolds stars in this made-for-TV movie as a Papago Indian, who returns to his people after serving a long sentence for a crime he didn't commit. To clear himself of the murder of his own brother, Reynolds begins a long and bloody search for the actual killer. Inger Stevens made her final film appearance in this 74-minute Aaron Spelling production. Run Simon Run was first shown December 1, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
The Season Six opener of The F.B.I finds federal agents Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) and Colby (William Reynolds) canvassing an era ranging from Pennsylvania to Oregon in search of two elusive bank robbers. Perry Victor (Martin Sheen) is the suave schemer of the pair, while Shep Buford (Tim McIntire) is the bucolic triggerman. Their ultimate goal is to steal the payroll for an Oregon tunnel project--but neither man had figured on the duplicity of Shep's girlfriend Cindy (Joan Van Ark). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
- R
Fast paced and violent, this Mexico-set western chronicles the bloody struggle over a stolen gold cross. The murderous Harris gang started the trouble by stealing the icon from a Tecate church in a terrifying raid that left many townsfolk dead or brutalized. The head Federale assigned to bring the gang in realizes he is dealing with monsters and that to catch them he must fight fire with fire by enlisting the aid of the most notorious crook in prison with the promise of a pardon if the outlaw and his men are successful. When the two ruthless gangs finally clash, amidst considerable furor and treachery, unparalleled bloodshed and chaos ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1969
- PG
Famed anonymous director Alan Smithee (in this case a hybrid of Richard Totten and Don Siegel), directed this turgid western drama concerning Marshal Frank Patch (Richard Widmark), who, even though he has kept the peace in Cottonwood Springs for over twenty years, is now considered a local joke by the town liberals who want some new blood in the Marshall's Office. They get it when Patch shoots the drunken Luke Mills (James Lydon) in self-defense. Now the forces of progress really want Patch out. So much so that the local newspaper editor, Andrew Oxley (Kent Smith) demands his resignation. Patch not only refuses to quit but disgraces Oxley so badly in front of his son Will (Mercer Harris) that Oxley kills himself. Will is now out for blood, but Patch remains stoic, even when his old friend Lou (John Saxon) comes to town to advise him to quit. Patch refuses Lou's suggestion but decides to marry Claire (Lena Horne), the owner of the local saloon and whore house. But an uninvited guest attends the wedding ceremony --Will. And both Will and his gun are loaded. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Widmark, Lena Horne, (more)
This routine western finds Union Colonel John Henry Thomas (John Wayne) and company attacking Confederate soldiers lead by Colonel James Langdon (Rock Hudson). After a crushing defeat, Langdon torches his plantation rather than have it fall into enemy hands. A group of Southerners accept the invitation of Emperor Maximilian to join them, and Langdon heads off with a wagon train of settlers to a new land. Thomas with his adopted Indian son Blue Boy (Roman Gabriel) bring a herd of 3,000 horses across the Rio Grand for sale. The two factions meet at a Fourth of July party and relive the war through a drunken brawl. When Mexican General Rojas (Tony Aguilar) holds the Southerners hostage, Thomas orders the herd to stampede into the General's camp as ransom payment for their former enemies. Merlin Olsen plays the blacksmith Little George. Both Gabriel and Olsen were pro-football all-stars for the Los Angeles Rams. Olsen continued his acting and sports announcing after his gridiron days were over. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Rock Hudson, (more)
- 1969
The fans of television shows The Virginian and Laredo will delight to the combined casts of the two popular series for Backtrack. Ramrod (James Drury) and Trampas (Doug McClure) are shown meeting for the first time as they go to work on the Shilo Ranch. Reese (Neville Brand) Chad (Peter Brown) and Riley (William Smith) are the Texas Rangers who meet Trampas when he travels to Mexico. Ramrod sends Trampas South of the border to pick up a prized bull. Trampas and the Rangers come across a railroad train where the only survivor of a brutal robbery is a baby. Captain Estrada (Fernando Lamas) and his spitfire mistress Madame Dolores (Ida Lupino) are the villains who give the good guys a bad time. Royal Dano, William Smith and Rhonda Fleming also appear. Chad tries to talk the evil Estrada into letting Trampas and the captured Rangers out of jail, promising further help for the scheming Mexican in this action-packed routine western saga. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neville Brand, Doug McClure, (more)
- 1968
James Lake (Raymond St. Jacques) is an escaped black convict imprisoned for a murder he didn't commit. Leslie Whitlock (Kevin McCarthy) offers James money to kill his wife, Ellen (Dana Wynter). He declines and tries to look up his old flame Lily (Barbara McNair), but discovers his own brother is now married to the sultry nightclub singer. James returns to Leslie, and the trio travel towards a mountain retreat. James and Ellen escape and try to find the murderer who had framed James years before. He experiences prejudices from police and civilian alike before the trail leads to the dead girl's stepfather. Due to the constant sexual and racial overtones this film is considered an exploitation feature. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Wynter, Raymond St. Jacques, (more)
- 1968
Warfield (Glenn Ford) is the dispassionate ex-gunslinger who joins forces with peaceful neighbor Forbes (Arthur Kennedy) to help him track down the Apache Indians who have kidnapped Warfield's wife and children two months prior. In searching for the abductees, the hardened gunslinger eventually keeps a level head while the even-tempered Forbes turns into a cold-blooded killing machine. Warfield and Forbes eventually complete their personality changes that lead to the inevitable western showdown. Initially a television movie made for ABC, the company decided to release the film only in theaters. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glenn Ford, Arthur Kennedy, (more)
- 1967
In this western, a town sheriff contends with his reputation as the "fastest gun in the West." When a young gunslinger calls him out for a showdown, the sheriff is struck by the fellows resemblance to himself when he was young. He therefore, attempts to talk him out of his foolish career choice, but the young man refuses to listen. The saloon hostess attempts to talk the sheriff out of the duel, but the old fellow does not listen. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glenn Ford, Angie Dickinson, (more)
- 1967
This prescient episode costars Tom Skerritt, soon to appear as "Duke Forest" in the movie version of M*A*S*H, with Wayne Rogers, the future "Trapper John" in the M*A*S*H TV series. Skerritt is cast as John Rim, a fugitive from justice who is hiding in a Gulf Coast community where he is regarded as a local hero for rescuing a busload of children. When Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) shows up in search of Rim, is confronted by a wall of silence and hostility from the locals, who can't believe (or choose not to believe) that John Rim is a criminal. Meanwhile, John shows his true colors by attempting to seduce the wife (Katherine Justice) of his own brother Frank (Rogers). This is the first episode in which star Efrem Zimbalist Jr. dropped character at the conclusion to issue his monthly "Wanted by the FBI" bulletin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Ben Cartwright prevents crooked Ponderosa foreman Ed Philips (Jeremy Slate) from swindling rancher Matt Jeffers (Royal Dano). In retaliation, Philips uses Joe Cartwright and Jeffers' son Harry (James Gammon) as pawns in an elaborate revenge scheme. As a result, Harry lies dead, and Joe is accused of his murder. Joan Marshall, who as "Jean Arless" appeared in William Castle's Psycho knockoff Paranoia, is here cast as Millie Perkins. Written by Steve McNeil, "A Man Without Land" originally aired on April 9, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1967
Long before he scored with the epic Ragtime, novelist E.L. Doctorow wrote a minor novel upon which this stark 1967 film is based. It was adapted for the screen by veteran western director Burt Kennedy. In a forlorn town called Hard Times in the Old West, a cowardly mayor, Will Blue (Henry Fonda), does little to protect the citizens from the rampages of a ruthless criminal known as The Man from Bodie (Aldo Ray). The cold-blooded killer gets away with murder -- and then he burns down the town as he leaves. The citizens rebuild, and a newcomer named Zar (Keenan Wynn) injects some life into the desolate place by opening a saloon that attracts a bevy of interesting women, including Molly Riordan (Janice Rule) and Adah (Janice Paige). However, things again look bleak when The Man from Bodie returns to town. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Fonda, Janice Rule, (more)
- 1966
Gunpoint stars Audie Murphy as a Colorado sheriff -- and never mind that the film was shot in Utah. Sheriff Lucas (Murphy) sets out to bring bad guy Drago (Morgan Woodward) to justice. If the sheriff doesn't succeed, that will be fine and dandy with deputy Hold (Denver Pyle), who's out to get Murphy's job. Edgar Buchanan took a break from Petticoat Junction to play the sort of comic relief he'd been doing in westerns for years. Gunpoint's well-photographed but economical highlights include a wild horse stampede and a shootout with disgruntled Apaches. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audie Murphy, Joan Staley, (more)
- 1966
While his family takes refuge in a huge cave, Will (Bill Mumy) comes across the ruins of a long-dead civilization--and also finds a young girl (Kym Karath) in a state of suspended animation. Awakening her with a kiss, Will discovers that the girl is actually a princess, and that according to the rules of her race he must now marry her. This is daunting enough, but there's more to come: Will is now also expected to lead the survivors of the Princess' civilization (also awakened from suspended animation) on a military campaign to conquer the universe! Watch for part of the "Seaview" set from the concurrently produced Irwin Allen series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Also: this episode reunites child actresses Angela Cartwright and Kym Karath, who had previously played two of the Von Trapp kids in The Sound of Music. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Wandering cowpoke Kiowa Jones (Robert Horton) is deputized by a mortally wounded marshal (Gary Merrill) for a deadly mission. Jones is to transport two killers (Sal Mineo, Nehemiah Persoff) to a faraway fort. One of the criminals has offered a $2000 reward to anyone who will help him escape. Since Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones was the pilot for a TV series, we can say with some confidence that Mr. Jones completes his mission. This made-for-TV movie--the first such for MGM--was first networkcast on Christmas day, 1966; later on, MGM released the film theatrically in Europe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Former My Three Sons regular Tim Considine guest-stars as Billy Penn, son of a family of humble pig farmers. Hoping to escape his humdrum life and his stern father Hank (Royal Dano), Billy impulsively joins a gang of rustlers. When Billy is caught stealing from the Cartwrights, Hoss decides to straighten the boy out-and to patch up the relationship between Billy and Hank. Written by Wally Geor, "The Reluctant Rebel" first aired on November 21, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1964
Eluding the local authorities, Richard Kimble (David Janssen)--aka "Peter Broderick"--hops a freight car containing three other passengers: A hobo named Preacher (Royal Dano), a woman named Carol (Diana Hyland), and a little baby. Carol claims to be the infant's mother, and further insists that she is searching for her husband. But it soon turns out that the woman has been mentally unbalanced since becoming a widow--and that she has kidnapped the baby. Kimble's efforts to help Carol and return the baby to its parents are complicated by the child's precarious health...to say nothing of the treacherous Preacher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
City dweller Keith Hollands (Arthur Kennedy) rents a dilapidated beach house, much to the dismay of his wife, Elsa (Phyllis Thaxter), who is both disgusted and frightened by the place. Rather than attempt to mollify his wife, Keith helps matters not at all by ardently pursuing a local beach bunny named Rachel (Tisha Sterling). When she finally puts her foot down and refuses to allow Keith to purchase the beach house outright, Elsa signs her own death warrant. But if Keith figured he'd get away with murder, he hadn't reckoned on a little "souvenir" left in the house by the previous owner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arthur Kennedy, Phyllis Thaxter, (more)
Savage Sam is the sequel to the successful Disney film Old Yeller. This time, the boys take off after a band of Apache kidnappers who have snatched the children of lazy neighbor Bud Searcy (Jeff York). With their true-blue bloodhound Sam, the kids take off with Brian Keith to take back the missing children. The viewer may be confused with the lightheartedness that accompanies the gravity of such an abduction and then is abandoned in favor of a more serious flavor later in the film. Norman Tokar directed this uneven feature that fared far less better at the box office than is predecessor. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Keith, Tommy Kirk, (more)
Tony Randall has the showcase of a lifetime in the marvelous George Pal production The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao. We first see Randall as Dr. Lao, an enigmatic Chinese medicine-show impresario. The doctor brings his travelling show into the frontier town of Abalone, which is chafing under the oppression of land-hungry Clint Stark (Arthur O'Connell). Newspaper editor Ed Cunningham (John Ericson) is conducting a campaign of words against Stark, but he is no match for the land baron's money, power, and hulking henchmen. Nonetheless, Cunningham continues his crusade, all the while attempting to romance icy young widow Angela Benedict (Barbara Eden). All of this is observed with bemusement by Dr. Lao, who has already established himself as a man of many talents by alternating between pidgin-English and eloquent articulation, depending on the circumstances. Each of the townspeople--including the three already mentioned--learn a great many truths about themselves when they attend Dr. Lao's unusual circus. In the course of straightening out everyone's problems, Lao metamorphoses into (1) Merlin the Magician, (2) Pan, (3) Medusa, (4) The Abominable Snowman, (5) Apollonius of Tyana and (6) a Talking Serpent. The combined talents of Randall, puppeteer Pal and make-up wizard William J. Tuttle (who won two Special Oscars) resulted in this captivatingly unique entertainment experience. Curiously, Tony Randall is not fond of Seven Faces of Dr.Lao, and refuses to be interviewed on the subject. Perhaps he was unhappy that much of the philosophy dispensed in the original Charles G. Finney novel The Circus of Dr. Lao was weeded out of Charles Beaumont's script....or perhaps he just didn't like having his head shaved for the part. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Randall, Barbara Eden, (more)
Having made a bundle on their 130-episode package of Mr. Magoo TV cartoons, the folks at UPA studios decided to star Magoo in a 60-minute musical version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. First telecast over the NBC network on December 18, 1962, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol deftly uses the device of depicting Magoo as a famous Broadway star, returning to the stage to essay the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge. This "framing" device has, unfortunately, been eliminated from currently available TV and video versions of this hour-long animated special. Still, Magoo has plenty of time to shine as Scrooge, a role ideally suited for the character's crotchety demeanor and comic nearsightedness. The five original songs by Jules Styne and Bob Merrill are wonderful-far more so than the disposable score of the 1970 live-action Christmas Carol musical adaptation Scrooge. The principal voices are provided by Jim Backus as Magoo, Jack Cassidy as Bob Cratchit, Royal Dano as Marley's Ghost, and Joan Gardner, Morey Amsterdam and Paul Frees. Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol served as the pilot for the 1964 animated anthology series The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, wherein Magoo essayed such literary roles as Friar Tuck, Gunga Din, and all seven of Snow White's dwarves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
With the terrritory in the grip of a devastating drought, the local farmers, led by Jason Gant (Royal Dano) hope to use the water supply near the Ponderosa. Unfortunately, the neighboring ranchers take objection to this, organizing a vigilante group to drive off the farmers. Feeling personally responsible for Gant's plight, Hoss Cartwright intervenes in the deadly water-rights battle. Future Star Trek regular Majel Barrett is cast as Mrs. Ganther, while Pam Smith appears as Lindy. Written by Borden Chase, "Gift of Water" was originally telecast on February 11, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1961
Paladin (Richard Boone) is one of four people trapped in a remote cabin during a blinding snowstorm. The other three are an orphan girl named Cassandra (Jean Engstrom), an aging and wounded lawman named McKendrick (Allyn Joslyn), and McKendrick's prisoner, a wily gang leader named Curley Ashburne (Royal Dano). Convinced that he can manipulate his way to freedom, Ashburne begins to psychologically "play" the other three people, one against the other. Naturally, Paladin won't swallow the bait--but what about the other two? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
