Bobby Hart Movies
Directed by Nick Cassavetes, this adaptation of author Nicholas Sparks' bestselling novel revolves around Noah Calhoun's (James Garner) regular visits to a female patron (Gena Rowlands) of an area nursing home. Rather than bore her with the inanities of everyday life, Calhoun reads from an old, faded notebook containing the sweeping account of a young couple (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams) whose love affair was tragically put to a halt after their separation in the midst of World War II. Seven years later, the couple was reunited, and, despite having taken radically different paths, they found themselves unable to resist the call of a second chance. The Notebook also features Joan Allen, Sam Shepard, and Kevin Connolly. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, (more)
This adaptation of the comic novel by T. Coraghessan Boyle is the story of real-life Corn Flakes inventor Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (Anthony Hopkins), an eccentric health nut in the early 20th century. Convinced of the benefits of holistic health practices (mostly involving irrigation of the bowels and colon), Kellogg opens a spa in Battle Creek, Michigan that immediately attracts the well-to-do of his time, including Will (Matthew Broderick) and Eleanor Lightbody (Bridget Fonda). A young couple with sexual and marital problems, the Lightbodys aren't helped much by the forced separation of sexes at Kellogg's sanitarium, and the situation is further exacerbated by Will's obliging nurse (Traci Lind) and Eleanor's encounters with a group of German sex therapists. Also at the spa are Charles Ossining (John Cusack), an ambitious con man who sees a fortune in Kellogg's cereal, and the unwashed, cretinous George Kellogg (Dana Carvey), one of the doctor's several dozen adopted children. A spoof as obsessed as its protagonist with its scatological subject matter, The Road to Wellville was an unusual effort for director-composer Alan Parker, known better for darker dramatic material and musicals. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Hopkins, Bridget Fonda, (more)
Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall), a once-famous country western singer, wakes up broke, alone and hung over in a tiny Texas motel run by widowed Rosa Lee (Tess Harper). Having nowhere else to go, Sledge takes a job at the motel, and through the kindness and faith of Rosa he changes his self-destructive ways. He marries Rosa (after he's baptized at her urging) and becomes a father/pal to her son (Allan Hubbard). Given an opportunity to make a comeback, Sledge considers leaving his new family behind, but after a reunion with his own unhappy daughter (Ellen Barkin), he vows never again to ruin anyone else's life. A simple story simply told, Tender Mercies is a warm, persuasive tale of redemption, with Robert Duvall giving one of his finest performances. Also appearing is Betty Buckley as Duvall's ex-wife, a Dolly Parton-type country star, and Wilford Brimley as Duvall's former manager. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Duvall, Tess Harper, (more)
- 1974
- R
Mark L. Lester directed this exploitation feature that treats sex, violence, and sensationalism with love and affection. The story concerns a bloody turf battle between Smith (John Martino), a mob hit man, and independent gun moll Anna (Lieux Dressler) over Anna's prostitution and theft operation, originating out of a highway truck stop. Helping Anna to fight for her right to promote thievery and debauchery is her well-endowed daughter Rose (Claudia Jennings). As the plot and plenty of flesh is revealed, Rose is coaxed to Smith's side of the field with the incitement of some long green, while the body count on both sides continues to rise. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claudia Jennings, Lieux Dressier, (more)
- 1973
The fourth Saturday-morning children's series created by Sid and Marty Krofft, of H.R. Pufnstuf fame, the weekly, half-hour Sigmund and the Sea Monsters was, according to series producer Si Rose, inspired when Sid Krofft came across some "sea life among the kelp" on a San Diego beach. Reversing the formula popularized on H.R. Pufnstuf and Lidsville, in which a "normal" human boy from the real world was transported to a colorful fantasyland full of exotically costumed, puppet-like creatures, Sigmund was all about a strange and fantastic creature who found himself stranded in the actual world, where he befriended a pair of typical human youngsters. A heavily disguised Billy Barty was cast as diminutive Sigmund Ooze, a green, scaly, multi-tentacled sea monster. Exiled from his equally monstrous family -- Big Daddy, Sweet Mama, and his bullying big brothers, Slurp and Blurp -- because he was unwilling and unable to frighten human beings, Sigmund was booted out of his family's slimy beachfront domicile at Dead Man's Point.
Living nearby at 1730 Ocean Place in Cypress Beach, CA, were preteen brothers Johnny and Scott Stuart (Johnny Whitaker, Scott Kolden) and their caustic but lovable guardian-housekeeper Aunt Zelda Marshall (Mary Wickes). Befriending the lonely Sigmund, Johnny and Scott invited him to stay in their converted-toolshed "secret" clubhouse, making certain that Sigmund was kept out of sight from Aunt Zelda, her erstwhile boyfriend Sheriff Chuck Bevans (Joe Higgins), and perennially nosy neighbor Mrs. Eddels (Margaret Hamilton). During the series' second season, Aunt Zelda took temporarily leave from the Stuart home, to be replaced by a new housekeeper, crusty ex-Marine sergeant Gertrude Gouch (Fran Ryan). Also during this season, comedian Rip Taylor joined the cast as Sheldon, a zany and somewhat inept genie whom Sigmund had liberated from a seashell. A bit later, Sparky Marcus began making appearances as Sheldon's bratty magical nephew, Shelby.
Most of the storylines on Sigmund and the Sea Monsters were developed in parallel fashion -- that is, if the Stuart boys were having trouble in public school, Sigmund was in hot water at "Ghoul School"; and when the human kids joined the Boy Scouts, Sigmund's siblings Blurp and Slurp signed up with the "Monster Scouts." In many of the first-season installments, Johnny Whitaker, formerly a regular on the sitcom Family Affair, was permitted to sing, with original tunes provided by Bobby Hart and Danny Janssen. The 29 episodes of Sigmund and the Sea Monsters were originally networkcast by NBC from September 8, 1973, through October 18, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Living nearby at 1730 Ocean Place in Cypress Beach, CA, were preteen brothers Johnny and Scott Stuart (Johnny Whitaker, Scott Kolden) and their caustic but lovable guardian-housekeeper Aunt Zelda Marshall (Mary Wickes). Befriending the lonely Sigmund, Johnny and Scott invited him to stay in their converted-toolshed "secret" clubhouse, making certain that Sigmund was kept out of sight from Aunt Zelda, her erstwhile boyfriend Sheriff Chuck Bevans (Joe Higgins), and perennially nosy neighbor Mrs. Eddels (Margaret Hamilton). During the series' second season, Aunt Zelda took temporarily leave from the Stuart home, to be replaced by a new housekeeper, crusty ex-Marine sergeant Gertrude Gouch (Fran Ryan). Also during this season, comedian Rip Taylor joined the cast as Sheldon, a zany and somewhat inept genie whom Sigmund had liberated from a seashell. A bit later, Sparky Marcus began making appearances as Sheldon's bratty magical nephew, Shelby.
Most of the storylines on Sigmund and the Sea Monsters were developed in parallel fashion -- that is, if the Stuart boys were having trouble in public school, Sigmund was in hot water at "Ghoul School"; and when the human kids joined the Boy Scouts, Sigmund's siblings Blurp and Slurp signed up with the "Monster Scouts." In many of the first-season installments, Johnny Whitaker, formerly a regular on the sitcom Family Affair, was permitted to sing, with original tunes provided by Bobby Hart and Danny Janssen. The 29 episodes of Sigmund and the Sea Monsters were originally networkcast by NBC from September 8, 1973, through October 18, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Season One of Sid and Marty Krofft's whimsically wacky Saturday-morning series Sigmund and the Sea Monsters begins as young Johnny and Scott Stuart (Johnny Whitaker, Scott Kolden) befriend a green, pint-sized, tentacled sea monster named Sigmund Ooze (Billy Barty), who has been disowned by his monstrous family at Dead Man's Point because he is unable to scare anyone. Hiding Sigmund in their secret clubhouse, the boys go to great lengths to prevent their guardian Aunt Zelda (Mary Wickes) and Zelda's sometime boyfriend, Sheriff Chuck Bevans (Joe Higgins) from finding out about their peculiar house guest. In a handful of episodes, the boys are plagued by snoopy next door neighbor Mrs. Eddels (played by Margaret Hamilton of "Wicked Witch of the West" fame), who like Gladys Kravitz of Bewitched is forever spotting Sigmund but is unable to convince anyone of the fact. Making his first appearance in the episode "Is There a Doctor in the House?" is Dr. Cyclops, the one-eyed, seaweed-covered, absent minded "monster medico" who tended to the needs of the Sea Monster community; this role is played by Walker Edmiston, a frequent contributor to the Krofft Brothers' TV projects. And in "Monster Rock Festival", the recurring role of local DJ Buzzy Berman is introduced in the form of former child actor Sidney Miller. Both Edmiston and Miller also provide the voices for the various costumed characters, among them Sigmund's bullying brothers Blurp and Slurp, portrayed this season by costumed actors Bill Germaine and Fred Spencer. Additionally, a pair of interesting guest performers show up during the series' first 17-episode season. Pamelyn Ferdin, a busy juvenile actress of the period, is seen in "Puppy Love", while Jack Wild, formerly the star of the Kroffts' inaugural Saturday-morning series H.R. Pufnstuf, plays "himself" in "The Wild Weekend." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Whitaker, Scott Kolden, (more)
- 1972
- R
Claudia Jennings stars as Karen Walker, a woman who sets her sights for roller derby success. Released a few months after Raquel Welch's Kansas City Bomber, Unholy Rollers gives the Welch film a run for its money, despite its exploitation budget, by adding nudity and lesbianism. After being sexually harassed by her loutish boss at the factory, Karen walks out of her job and tries out for the roller derby. She quickly wins a spot on the team and rises to the top, intent on ignoring the violence and grandstanding and concentrating on winning games. Although her teammates dislike her, Karen becomes a hit with the roller derby fans. But soon, her desire for victory becomes an obsession and she ends up losing not only her cool but also most of her clothes. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claudia Jennings, Louis Quinn, (more)
- 1970
Singer/songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, who composed many of The Monkees' best tunes, appear in this episode of The Flying Nun. While appearing in San Juan, the two performers are involved in a minor traffic accident caused by Sr. Bertrille, who willingly takes all the blame for the incident. The boys' lawyer insists upon suing Convent San Tanco, resulting in a outpouring of public outrage which nearly wrecks the singers' careers--to say nothing of Carlos' casino. Boyce and Hart perform their own compositions "I Thank You" and "Crazy Arms". Written by March 20, 1970, "When Generations Gap" first aired on March 20, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
The singing/songwriting duo of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, whose other Screen Gems TV credits included episodes of The Monkees and The Flying Nun, appear as themselves in this episode of Bewitched. When Boyce and Hart's agent, Chick Cashman (Art Metrano), turns down Serena's invitation to appear before the Witches' annual Cosmos Cotillion, Serena retaliates by casting a spell which robs the performers of their popularity. Elizabeth Montgomery plays the dual role of Samantha and Serena, and in the latter guise performs the Boyce-Hart composition "I'm Gonna Blow You a Kiss in the Wind," while the duo themselves perform "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight?" Written by Richard Baer, "Serena Stops the Show" originally aired on February 19, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1969
For some reason, the made-for-TV Three's a Crowd was rerun to death in the early 1970s. Perhaps it's because local TV station managers couldn't get ahold of the 1940 theatrical features My Favorite Wife or Too Many Husbands, the plotlines of which are strikingly similar to Three's a Crowd. Larry Hagman plays a pilot who disappears and is presumed dead by his wife. Seven years later, however, Hagman pops up in another city, married to someone else. Jessica Parker and E. J. Peaker costar as the pilot's two brides. The film's title tune was written by Bobby Hart and Tommy Boyce, the same team responsible for several of the Monkees' 1960s hits. Three's a Crowd debuted December 2, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
- G
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Mother Simplicia (Rosalind Russell) is the head nun at an all-girl school. Aided by the young Sister George (Stella Stevens), the two try to convert the wayward girls to prim and proper ladies with a solid religious foundation. Rosabelle (Susan St. James) and Marvel Ann (Barbara Hunter), are the leaders of the teenage girls who often rebel against authority.Arthur Godfrey plays the Bishop, and Milton Berle provides a hilarious cameo as a film director whose big cowboy chase scene is ruined by the arrival of the girl's school bus. Farriday (Robert Taylor) is the helpful neighbor, and Van Johnson is the priest who heads the school for boys in this mildly amusing comedy. Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart sing their self-penned title track. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosalind Russell, Stella Stevens, (more)
- 1967
Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, the songwriting team who penned many of The Monkees' hit tunes, appear in this episode as two members of a shaggy-haired rock quartet. Actually, the quartet begins as four normal guys with no musical skills whatever--but that was before Jeannie (Barbara Eden) cast a spell to help Tony (Larry Hagman) locate a group of entertainers at the behest of Mrs. Bellows (Emmaline Henry). And yes, that young, prosperous-looking guy in one scene is indeed celebrated rock promoter-producer Phil Spector. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
