Shirl Hendryx Movies
- 2001
Based on Shirl Hendryx' stage play The Last of Jane Austen, the made-for-TV Ladies and the Champ stars Olympia Dukakis and Marion Ross as elderly retirees Sara Stevens and Margaret Smith. Seeking out a way to remain active and useful, the venerable heroines take a street punk named Darold Boyarsky (David DeLuise) under their wing, then train him to be a prizefighter. This is the sort of lighthearted film fare that in an earlier time would have starred Elizabeth Patterson and Jane Darwell as the old ladies, and indeed the script, by Jeff Berry, has the endearing ambience of a 1940s leftover. In many ways, the funniest aspect of the film is the wardrobe, with co-star Dukakis donning a different and more outrageous-looking hat in each successive scene. Ladies and the Champ originally aired as an entry in ABC's Wonderful World of Disney anthology on April 22, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Don't look for Alex Trebeck or listen for the familiar "thinking music" in the made-for-TV Final Jeopardy. This chiller-diller stars Richard Thomas and Mary Crosby as a small-town couple who find themselves stranded in an unfamiliar--and most unfriendly--big city. Weaving in and out of the proceedings (sometimes literally so) are a bunch of bad dudes with names like Slash, DOA and Ice. And they don't say "Your money or your life" in the form of a question. Final Jeopardy debuted December 8, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Thomas, Mary Crosby, (more)
In the case of this dramatized story about a Native American who thrilled the world when he won the 10,000 meter run in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the subject is far nobler than the script, the dialogue, and the acting. Billy Mills (Robby Benson), a member of the Sioux tribe from South Dakota, ran track at the University of Kansas under a hard-nosed coach and competed successfully for a spot in the Tokyo Olympics. His extraordinary feat of beating out a field of world-famous, championship runners stands in stark contrast to the clichéd characters that are portrayed here as an important part of his personal world. Issues of discrimination and alienation are sidestepped as well, leaving a watered-down version of a life that must have been a considerable challenge when the running shoes were off. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robby Benson, Pat Hingle, (more)
- 1979
- PG
Despite the promise of his early career, the life of former world-class runner Michael Andropolis has been a crashing failure. The icing on his life's bitter cake was his divorce from the woman he still loves. Wanting to win back both his wife and his self-respect, Andropolis decides to start running again in hopes of making it to the Olympic marathon team. This sports-melodrama chronicles the 34-year old's heroic struggle. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Douglas, Susan Anspach, (more)
- 1975
A group of rape victims form an organization in hopes of bringing their attackers to justice. At present, the group is fighting legal red tape and procedure to convict the man who raped Nancy Price (Deirdre Lenihan), a close friend of Mike Stone's (Karl Malden) daughter Jeannie (Darleen Carr). Frustrated in her efforts, the outraged head of the organization (Vera Miles) is poised to rely upon truly desperate measures. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Murray Hamilton guest-stars as deranged nuclear scientist Dr. Jerome Cooper, who threatens to destroy an unspecified American city with a hydrogen bomb unless the President capitulates to his demands. Normally, the IMF would have no trouble defusing such a bomb; the problem here is to find out where the bomb has been planted--and the agents have only 15 hours to do so. Barbara Anderson again subs for series regular Lynda Day George as the resident female IMF agent. Scripted by Harold Livingston from a story by Livingston and Sheyrl Hendrix, "Ulitmatum" was originally broadcast on November 18, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1971
Shedding his "good guy" TV image, Carl Betz guests in this episode as veteran jewel fence Martin Ashton. Having long sheltered his daughter Lynne (Anne Archer) from his criminal activities, Ashton is outraged when the girl announces plans to marry his accomplice Mike Keller (Michael Burns). As FBI Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) closes in on the crooks, Ashton prepares to resort to desperate measures to "rescue" his daughter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Forced to deny backup to another squad under heavy fire, Saunders (Vic Morrow) is subsequently confronted by the squad's sole survivor, Pvt. Pete Marsini (Tom Simcox). Despite his hatred for Saunders, Marsini agrees to lead him back to the bridge where his squad was wiped out in order to finish a vital reconnaissance mission. Things take an ironic turn when Saunders is trapped under a heavy iron pipe--placing his life in the hands of the resentful (and potentially vengeful) Marsini. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Kirby (Jack Hogan) begins to question his priorities when he risks life and limb to make certain that a deadbeat soldier pays off a poker debt of several hundred dollars. The situation worsens when it becomes obvious that Kirby's debtor is willing to let his "buddies" die so that he can stay alive. Featured in the cast is future M*A*S*H star Mike Farrell, presciently cast as an Army doctor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Jason Evers guest stars as wounded GI Jim Cully, an ill-tempered Virginia hillbilly who trusts absolutely no one. While Kirby (Jack Hogan) visits Cully in the hospital, we flash back to the tumultuous events leading up to the present moment. Essential to the action (and its outcome) is Pvt. Littlejohn (Dick Peabody), the only member of King Company willing to befriend the taciturn Cully--an act which may prove fatal to him. Watch for cult-film favorite Dick Miller in a small role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In this episode, we learn that Sgt. Saunders (Vic Morrow) has a kid brother back home. We also learn that, much against the sergeant's wishes, his brother has joined the Army. Almost simultaneously, youthful private Jim Hummel (Randy Boone) is assigned to King Company. Profoundly affected by the fact that Hummel bears a striking resemblance to his brother, Saunders uncharacteristically lets his heart rule his head ,and goes out of his way to protect the rookie private from harm. This results in a great deal of resentment from the other men--and from Hummel himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
John Cassavetes guest stars as Pvt. Kalb, newest member of King Company. Saunders (Vic Morrow) is none too happy with the arrival of Kalb, who has a reputation for goldbricking and cowardice--and who may or may not have been responsible for the decimation of the two previous squads to which he'd been assigned. Nor do things bode well for Saunders and his men when, on the eve of a dangerous mission, Kalb sustains a convenient leg wound. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Acting as squad leader in Saunders' absence, Caje (Pierre Jalbert) is faced with an unexpected problem from within his own ranks. For some reason, Private Thomas (Dee Pollock) lives in mortal terror of Private Jackson (Mike Kellin), a cynical wisecracker from another squad. What is the power that Jackson holds over Thomas--and what will this mean to Caje, who is now himself the target of Jackson's vitriol? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Out of ammo and trapped behind enemy lines, Saunders (Vic Morrow) manages to find a temporary hiding place. Also in hiding is Pvt. Carey (played by pop singer Tommy Sands), a terrified young rookie who has never killed anyone in combat--and hasn't even got the guts to defend himself against the relentless German sergeant (Ron Soble) who is keeping the two American pinned down with machine-gun fire. It is up to Saunders to outmaneuver the well-armed German...and to make a man out of Carey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
The title character is Bijou (Michel Petit), an enterprising French orphan boy who hopes to use his knowledge of the local terrain to be "adopted" by the Army. Thing of it is, Bijou doesn't seem to care if he is taken in by the American army or the German army. As a result, Saunders (Vic Morrow) and his squad can't shake the premonition that the lovable, bright-eyed youngster will betray them to the Nazis at the drop of a hat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Ben Cartwright plays host to Judge Whitaker (Otto Kruger), better known to one and all as "Hanging Harry." Among those sentenced to death by Whitaker was the father of Bob Jolley (Keir Dullea), who, believing his dad was innocent, now relentlessly dogs Whitaker's trail, trying to goad the Judge into a showdown. As the story progresses, Adam Cartwright comes to believe that Bob is right, and that "Hanging Harry" has a lot to answer for. Written by E.M. Parson and Shirl Hendryx, "Elegy for a Hangman" was originally telecast on January 20, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
