Danny Dayton Movies
In this first episode of a two-part story, the pressures of the saloon business lead Archie to begin taking unprescribed pep pills. Inevitably, he develops a dangerous addiction to amphetamines. The script was written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine in collaboration with medical consultant William C. Rader, M.D. The guest cast includes A. Martinez as Manuel and Arny Freeman as Watkins. Part one of "Archie's Bitter Pill" first aired on November 6, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
A pair of shapsters persuade Fred (Redd Foxx) to invest in a shady sales promotion. The plan is to hold a fund-raising sweepstakes raffle -- without a winning ticket. The scheme backfires when a winner unexpectedly shows up, leaving Fred holding the bag. It is up to Bubba (Don Bexley) and an unwitting Aunt Esther (LaWanda Page) to bail our hero out. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, (more)
Reversing the usual procedure, it is Mike and Gloria who are angry at Archie. The reason? Against their wishes, Archie entered their son, Joey, in a beautiful-baby contest. Criticized in some quarters as a banal episode, "The Baby Contest" at least served as a non-controversial safety valve in the overall saga of All in the Family. Written by series stalwarts Larry Rhine and Mel Tolkin, the episode originally aired on December 11, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Archie's ordeal as a surgical patient is alleviated somewhat when he finds out that he has been rehired by his former employer -- and with a raise and promotion in the bargain. Alas, Archie's elevated financial situation is brought back to earth by his staggering hospital bill. Liz Torres makes her second appearance as soon-to-be series regular Teresa Betancourt, while future Archie Bunker's Place supporting player Danny Dayton is introduced in the role of Hank Pivnik. Written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine, part two of "Archie's Operation" first aired on October 27, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
Brendan (Jerry Lewis) is an eccentric multimillionaire who is rejected for military service in this misfired comedy. Eager to help the Allies, he gathers a quartet of offbeat irregulars and sails to Italy to join the conflict. Brendan captures a Nazi general and masquerades as the enemy. When Allies arrive, he is mistaken for the real general. Jan Murray, Dack Rambo, John Wood and Steve Franklin help the inept but patriotic Brendan. Also appearing are Kaye Ballard, Neil Hamilton, and George Takei, all allumni of successful television programs from the late 1960s. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Lewis, John Wood, (more)
This 1955 film began life as two Runyon short stories, the most prominent of which was "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown." This material was fleshed out into a 2-act libretto by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling, then set to music by Frank Loesser and directed by George S. Kaufman. Opening late in 1950, Guys and Dolls was one of Broadway's hottest tickets for several seasons. The plot involves a certain Broadway citizen by the name of Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra), who maintains the "Oldest Established Permanent Floating Crap Game in New York." Seeking a location for his latest high-stakes game, Nathan has an opportunity to rent out the Biltmore Garage, but he needs $1000 to do so. He decides to extract the money from high-rolling Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando), known for his willingness to bet on anything. Nathan wagers that Sky will not be able to talk the virginal Salvation Army lass Sarah Brown (Jean Simmons) into going on a date with him. While Sky goes to work on Sarah, Nathan endeavors to fend off his girlfriend Miss Adelaide (Vivian Blaine, repeating her Broadway role), who has developed a psychosomatic cold because of her frustrating 14-year engagement to the slippery Mr. Detroit. Thanks to some fast finagling, Sky is able to take Sarah on that date, flying to Havana for this purpose. By the time they've returned to New York, Sky and Sarah are in love, but their ardor cools off abruptly when Nathan, unable to secure the Biltmore garage, attempts to use Sarah's mission as the site of his crap game. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, (more)
Edmond O'Brien stars as an idealistic state's attorney assigned to crack down on a crime syndicate. This proves more dangerous than first suspected, since the syndicate has a number of city officials in its pocket--including the father of one of the investigating committee's chairpersons. William Holden is the crusading newspaperman who attempts to help O'Brien, but even his efforts are compromised by deeply entrenched political corruption. The climax is staged at a crowded boxing arena, where Holden is struck down by an assassin's bullet intended for O'Brien. Inspired by the real-life Senate investigations of 1951, The Turning Point is neither a remake of a 1917 Paramount silent of the same name, nor was the 1977 ballet-oriented Turning Point a remake of the 1952 film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Holden, Edmond O'Brien, (more)
Barry Sullivan plays an eager young lawyer who is willing to sacrifice any and all scruples on the upward climb. He is put on retainer by a gangster, and soon is ankle-deep in an insurance racket. When he wants to pull out, Sullivan is framed for a gangland murder. No Questions Asked was in line with the harsher, less frothy fare produced by MGM during the Dore Schary regime. The screenplay was by former radio gagman Sidney Sheldon, who would later carve a literary niche for himself in the best-seller market of the 1970s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barry Sullivan, Arlene Dahl, (more)
Though At War With the Army was the third film appearance of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, it was the team's first starring vehicle. A pattern is set herein for all the Martin-Lewis flicks to follow: Martin plays a self-assured romeo, forever bursting into song, while Lewis is a hopeless screw-up unable to perform the simplest task without wreaking havoc (in this one, he can't even operate a Coke machine properly). Mike Kellin repeats his Broadway role as M&L's tough topkick while Polly Bergen makes a very brief appearance. Because it has lapsed into public domain, At War with the Army is one of the most available of the Martin and Lewis films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, (more)














