John Kneubuhl Movies

Cliff Robertson essays a dual role in the made-for-TV Sunshine Patriot. He portrays a top secret agent as well as an American businessmen; both Robertsons are currently behind the Iron Curtain, both on "business." In order to evade a team of assassins and to smuggle valuable microfilm to the Good Guys, Robertson the spy switches passports and identities with Robertson the businessman. There are two points of particular interest in the moderately entertaining Sunshine Patriot. Donald Sutherland makes his American TV-movie debut in one of the many minor roles he essayed in his pre-MASH days. And, when Robertson goes to the opera in one sequence, we are treated to an extensive excerpt from the 1943 Universal Technicolor epic Phantom of the Opera. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As "Bob Stoddard", Kimble (David Janssen) works as a bartender at the same restaurant where Susan Cartwright (Lois Nettelton) is a waitress. Recognizing Kimble from a police description, Susan's nephew Gary (Pat Cardi) and his pals decide to capture the fugitive and claim the reward, using a mail-order rifle for this purpose. Things become even stickier when a social worker arrives to determine if Susan is a fit guardina for the orphaned Gary--and likewise recognizes Kimble for who he really is. Featured in the cast are 16-year-old Kurt Russell and his actor father Bing Russell). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Posing as "Frank Carter", Kimble (David Janssen) is hired as chauffeur for pampered 17-year-old violin prodigy Geoffrey Martin (Rex Thompson). Bored with his musical career, Geoffrey would like to escape his omnipresent teacher-guardian Max Pfeiffer (Donald Pleasance), but is contractually bound to Max until he reaches his 21st birthday. Using the same dexterity with which he handles his violin, Geoffrey persuades Kimble that Max is cruel and abusive--an exagerration that may backfire disastrously. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A scary old haunted house provides the setting of this spooky thriller that centers on a psycho-magician who cut off his wife's head during a performance. Twenty years pass and he finally dies. His daughter is to inherit his estate, but before she can claim it, she must spend seven nights in his mansion. A reporter decides to stay with her. It's a good thing too because her father isn't dead at all. He is hiding in the house waiting for a chance to lop off her pretty little head. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

For reasons best known to local TV programmers, the modest shocker The Screaming Skull was telecast on what seemed to be a daily basis in the 1960s. The hero-villain is Eric (played by John Hudson, who later billed himself as William Hudson), the husband of neurotic millionairess Jenni Peggy Webber. By strategically placing miniature skulls all over the house, Eric hopes to drive Jenni into madness so that he can take control of her fortune. The police suspect that Mickey the gardener Alex Nicol, who also directed the film) is the man behind the campaign of terror, but the truth finally surfaces in the last reel, wherein Eric gets what's coming to him-and more besides. Perhaps it's worth noting that the 10-minute abdridgement of Screaming Skull, made available to the 8-mm home movie market in the 1970s, is just as entertaining as the full-length feature. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide