Henry Darrow Movies
Not wishing to be typecast in Latino roles, actor Henry Thomas Delgado changed his professional name to Henry Darrow -- only to spend his first dozen or so years in show business playing Hispanics. Darrow gained nationwide attention when briefly cast as a Mexican lawyer on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital; he had previously been active in Spanish-language soap operas, and as a Hollywood voice-over artist, dubbing Hispanic films into English. While appearing in an L.A.-based stage play in early 1967, Darrow was spotted by TV producer David Dortort, who was then in the process of casting the upcoming Western series The High Chaparral. Dortort created the character of aristocrat-turned-ranchhand Manolito Montoya with Darrow specifically in mind; the actor remained in this role until High Chapparal completed its four-season run in 1971. Darrow was then seen in a handful of films (Badge 373, Maverick, etc.) and a whole slew of weekly TV programs, including The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1973-1974 season, as stage manager Alex Montenez) and Time Trax (1993). He also returned to the daily-serial grind as Rafael Castillo on Santa Barbara (1984-1992). In 1983, Henry Darrow was starred on the spoofish series Zorro and Son as Zorro Sr. (aka Don Diego de la Vega), a character he'd previously played via voice-over on the Saturday morning cartoon weekly The Tarzan/Lone Ranger/Zorro Adventure Hour (1981); and in 1989, he was seen as the title character's father on the Family Channel cable series Zorro. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1974
Long before Sally Struthers began promoting mail-order college degrees, she starred in this made-for-TV melodrama. Struthers plays Sara Moore, a young woman suffering from a rare blood disease. There's a slim possibility of her survival, but anxious surgeon Dr. Lawrence Maddox (James Franciscus) can't wait; he needs Sara as an organ donor for a crucial heart transplant, and he needs her now. Sara escapes to Hawaii, enjoying the sights and rebuilding her health -- with unkindly Doctor Maddox just one step behind her. Aloha Means Goodbye was the sort of ridiculous film fare that convinced Sally Struthers to keep her day job on All in the Family. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
- PG
A well-known level-one angel looking to reunite with his level-six soulmate strikes a special bargain with God in this heavenly comedy featuring some of the best-loved stars of the golden-era of cinema. George Burns (Frank Gorshin) is miserable in heaven. In addition to not being able to smoke his trademark cigars, level-one angel George is also forbidden from cavorting with his level-six love Gracie Allen (Amy Wieczorek). Upon bearing witness to the misery of his forlorn heavenly guest, God makes a proposal to George; save failing musician Steven "Shoomie" Schoomer (Scott Edmund Lane) from completely destroying his life and earn the status that will let him spend eternity with his beloved Gracie. When George arrives back on Earth, he finds Schoomie a commitment-phobic wedding musician with few prospects and little hope for the future. After encouraging Schoomie to make amends with former best friend Howie Gold (David Proval) and embark on a madcap mission to sell a stash of smuggled Cuban cigars, George's plan goes awry as everyone from stealthy assassin Shelleen (Gorshin playing in a dual role) to Fidel Castro himself show a curious interest in the mysterious cigars. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julie Carmen, Rodney Dangerfield, (more)
- 1980
Attica is a probing, no-nonsense TV-movie re-creation of the tragic events which followed the Attica (New York) Correctional Facility rebellion of September 9, 1971. Inmates demanding better food and living conditions used jerry-built weapons to take 38 guards as hostage. Negotiations begin immediately, only to continually break down thanks to uncompromising stubbornness on both sides. Four days into the crisis, the rebellion ends in a bloodbath, with state troopers firing on the prisoners-- killing several of the guards in the process. Based on the eyewitness reporting of the New York Times' Tom Wicker (here played by George Grizzard), who was one of the civilian negotiators during the stalemate, Attica was first telecast on March 3, 1980. (Perhaps significantly, Governor Nelson Rockefeller, whom many hold responsible for the climactic carnage at the prison, is never seen in either factual or fictional form during the film). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
An ISN camera crew pays another visit to Babylon 5, this time accompanied by the far-from-unbiased reporter Dan Randall (Jeff Griggs). At first reluctant to welcome the newscasters, Sheridan agrees to give the ISN a free hand on the condition that he be allow to refute the claims of President Clark. But will the truth be served this time around? And how can one explain the disturbing about-face of the previously loyal Garibaldi? First seen in America during the week of February 17, 1997, "The Illusion of Truth" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, (more)
- 1976
In the opening episode of Baretta's third season, undercover cop Tony Baretta (Robert Blake) searches for the thugs who killed a young Nisei girl. Complications ensue when the dead girl's father takes the traditional Japanese vow to kill everyone connected with his daughter's death. Could this mean that Baretta himself is on the grieving father's list? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Blake, Edward Grover, (more)
- 1986
Not to be confused with the 1975 TV movie Bloodsport, this 1986 production was a spin-off of the recently cancelled police drama series T.J. Hooker. William Shatner is back as the aforementioned Hooker, a cop on special assignment to Hawaii (where the film was lensed). Accompanied by longtime professional colleagues Stacey Sheridan (Heather Locklear) and Jim Corrigan (James Darren), Sgt. Hooker endeavors to protect U.S. Senator Stuart Grayle (Don Murray) and his wife, Barbara (Kim Miyori), from terrorists, only to find that the assignment isn't quite as cut and dried as it seems. Telecast May 21, 1986, on CBS, Blood Sport did not result in a wholesale weekly revival of T.J. Hooker, as the producers evidently had hoped, though reruns of the original series continued to be seen on CBS' late-night schedule until September 17, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Shatner, Heather Locklear, (more)
- 1967
Henry Darrow guest-stars as Amigo, a role originally written for Sammy Davis Jr.). Persecuted all his life merely because of his Mexican heritage, Amigo has cast his lot with a band of terrorists, led by the vicious Cap Fenner (Gregory Walcott). When Ben saves his life, Amigo's loyalties are torn between the Cartwrights and the outlaws-with Joe Cartwright finding himself a pawn in the struggle. It has been reported that Henry Darrow landed his costarring role on The High Chaparral on the strength of his performance in this episode. First shown on February 12, 1967, "Amigo" was written by John Hawkins and Jack Turley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1973
Richard Widmark is Brock, a salty NYC cop who retires to a small town in California. Brock's plans to become a peaceful orange farmer are interrupted when his Native American ranch hand (Henry Darrow) is accused of murdering the local sheriff. Before long, Brock himself has been appointed sheriff, and has trouble adapting his big-city technique to the less hectic style of his adopted community. Brock's Last Case was supposed to be the pilot for a weekly series. As it turned out, the title was prophetic. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
- R
The title of this Bob Hope vehicle Cancel My Reservation is a multiple pun, referring to elements in the story. The ever-youthful Hope plays Dan Bartlett, a late-night TV talk show host. Frazzled, he takes a much-needed vacation in Arizona. There, he stumbles upon a murder and a conspiracy by local rancher, John Ed (Ralph Bellamy) to defraud a local Native American group of part of its reservation. Dan is a suspect in the murder, and must investigate in order to clear his name. Though the story is rather light, celebrities of all sorts have either small parts or cameos in this film, and much of the film's entertainment value comes from spotting them. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
The longest (26-1/2 hours), most expensive ($25 million) and most complicated (four directors, five producers, five cinematographers, almost 100 speaking parts, several hundred extras) project made for television up to that time, Centennial was shown in two- and three-hour installments over a period of four months. An adaptation of James Michener's best-selling novel, it told the story of the settling of the American West by looking at the founding of the fictional town of Centennial, Colorado, from the settling of the area in the late 18th century to the present. Emmy-nominated for film editing and art direction, it boasts of sterling performances from Richard Chamberlain as frontiersman Alexander McKeag, Robert Conrad as the French-Canadian trapper Pasquinel, and a surprisingly powerful performance from former football star Alex Karras as compassionate but iron-willed immigrant farmer Hans Brumbaugh. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
- 1977
In this comical actioner, a whiz-kid devises a strange electronic contraption and ends up robbing the town bank. This not only creates problems for him, but puts his father the town sheriff in a very sticky situation. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
When a rapist avoids conviction several times in a row, his past victims join together to exact vigilante justice. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1988
- R
This low-budget melodrama is a misfired attempt at film noir. Blake (Cliff DeYoung) is a former Vietnam veteran and occasional hitman who hangs out with his buddies in the Little Saigon section of Los Angeles. He falls for the beautiful Evelyn (Tracy Scoggins) when she asks him for help. Evelyn is the girl-toy of a perverted art dealer and forger, but she also carried on with the vengeful teenage chauffeur Richie (Michael Shiner) -- who now threatens her with death. Evelyn uses all her feminine charms to trap Blake into being the fall guy in her nefarious and complicated scheme. Contains nudity, violence, explicit language and simulated sex. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cliff De Young, Tracy Scoggins, (more)
- 1974
The plot is set in motion by a corrupt banker who has stolen several million dollars in US bonds. Also playing key roles in the intrigue are a mob fence and a professional assassin. Truly, crimefighting makes strange bedfellows: In his efforts to capture the banker and foil the other villains, NYPD lieutenant Kojak (Telly Savalas) is forced to team up with a cat burglar (Henry Darrow). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
- R
In this thriller, a bountiful female ex- cop teams up with a bounty hunter to find the psychotic artist and drug dealer who killed her partner and kidnapped an LA mayoral candidate. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sybil Danning, Wings Hauser, (more)
There is hardly any variation on the stereotyped teens-and-sex movie in this story about four high school seniors who travel to Mexico to find a brothel and have something to brag about when they get back home. Among the four is the sensitive Woody (Tom Cruise) who is not sure he wants this trip, the nerd Wendell (John P. Navin, Jr.), the jock Spider (John Stockwell), and the big-talker Dave (Jackie Earle Haley). As the four set off on their adventure, they give a ride to Kathy (Shelley Long), a woman who is a bit ditsy, but decent, going to Mexico to get a divorce from her husband. Once south of the border the quintet meet up with a wide range of clichéd Mexican types and work out their individual experiences in the manner to which teen movies are accustomed. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Cruise, Jackie Earle Haley, (more)
- 1985
Magnum (Tom Selleck) pays a visit to the Big Island, where the cattle ranch run by teenager Kenny Harbison (Michael Sharrett) is being plundered by rustlers. Investigating, Magnum soon realizes that Kenny's claims of affluence are highly exaggerated, and that the ranch may be on its last legs. Once he has absorbed this bit of news, the detective must determine which of two supsects is stealing the cattle: The estate's head ranch hand, or a neighboring rancher who happens to be an old friend of Robin Masters. Appropriately enough, this "Hawaiian western" spotlights the talents of two former TV cowboys, Doug McClure (The Virginian) and Henry Darrow (The High Chaparral). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A gunslinging con man develops a tricky scheme to make a killing at a major poker tournament in this comic Western inspired by the popular television show. Mel Gibson assumes the role of Bret Maverick, the handsome rogue who hopes to cheat his way to success. In need of a large stake to enter a major card competition on a Louisiana steamboat, Maverick decides to take advantage of a few small-town poker players. These include the seemingly sweet Annabelle Bransford (Jodie Foster) and the intimidating Angel (Alfred Molina), neither of whom is too happy about their loss. Things become even more complicated for Maverick when the law gets involved, with Marshal Zane Cooper (James Garner, who played the role of Maverick in the original television series) giving chase. A series of stagecoach chases, complicated cons, and gun battles ensues, with Annabelle and Maverick finding time for plenty of flirtation along the way. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, (more)
- 1975
The made-for-TV Requiem for a Bride opens with San Francisco police commissioner McMillan (Rock Hudson) congratulating an old friend (Henry Darrow) on the friend's recent marriage. McMillan's words ring hollow when the bride (Susan Sullivan) is murdered. Complicating the issue is the growing suspicion that the killer had been gunning for McMillan. Susan St. James costars as "Mac"'s inquisitive spouse, Sally. Requiem for a Bride originated as the October 26, 1975 episode of TV's McMillan and Wife. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rock Hudson
- 1986
- R
Weapons expert Cooper (Robert Ginty) travels to Central America to help deliver arms to a rebel force, but his friend (Cameron Mitchell) is killed by a mercenary force. Cooper takes over command of the rebel army, determined to finish what his friend started. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1971
While starring on the TV western The High Chapparal, Henry Darrow took time off to play a villain on the Mission: Impossible episode "The Blast." Darrow is cast as revolutionary leader Gregory Tolan, whose group has committed several robberies in hopes of financing a revolution against the United States. It is up to the IMF to trick Tolan into revealing the identity of the mastermind behind the revolutionists, a man known only as Mr. Brice.First telecast on January 30, 1971, "Blast" was written by James L. Henderson and Sam Roeca. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1993
An ex-championship boxer (James Earl Jones) sees a chance at recapturing a taste of his former glory after discovering that Thunder (Courtney B. Vance), one of the amateurs he trains, has real potential. Unfortunately, Thunder has entangled himself with crooked, gang-connected manager Ralph Tate (Billy Dee Williams), and he is not to let the young fighter go without a fight. This drama was made for cable and was aired as part of Steven Spielberg's "Screenworks" project. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams, (more)
- 1976
Originally telecast as a component of The NBC Sunday Mystery Movie, the feature-length opening episode of Quincy, M.E. quickly establishes the prickly personality and crusading nature of LA County Coroner's Office medical examiner Quincy (Jack Klugman). We're also introduced to several others series regulars, including Quincy's current girlfriend Lee (Lynette Mettey), his talented young assistant Sam (Robert Ito), his overcautious supervisor Dr. Robert Astin (John S. Ragin) and his police contact Lt. Frank Monahan (Garry Walberg). In the opener, Quincy investigates the possible links between a the rape and murder of the mayor's secretary, and the mysterious death of a city controller--and in the process, unearths a wide-ranging conspiracy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
After three members of the same family are found murdered in their home, the police arrest the family's son, Glen Werner (Kelly Ward), for the killings. Glen's attorney tries to cop a plea for his client, claiming that the boy was insane at the time of the murders. Both Quincy (Jack Klugman) and DA Sal Angeletti (Joseph Sirola) are convinced that Glen is feigning insanity--but unless they act quickly, the murderer will be back on the streets in less than 90 days. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
