Richard Bennett Movies
- 1986
- PG
This story is about a crusading scientist out to stop nuclear testing who is motivated by scientific fact, conscience and faith. Dr. Alex Carmody (Martin Sheen) is a physicist who becomes convinced that if the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. continue to test nuclear weapons, eventually one of these tests will set off an atomic chain reaction that will obliterate the world. Carmody travels to Portugal where he tries talks to one of the women who in 1911 saw a vision of the Virgin Mary that spoke to her and her two companions about the future. Carmody is certain that the Virgin Mary predicted the very chain reaction he and his co-worker Dr. Kenneth Parrish (Peter Firth) envision. Failing in his attempt to talk to the woman, Carmody then travels to Paris and elsewhere, warning Soviet and American officials that the tests they are planning should be cancelled before they become their last. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Sheen, Peter Firth, (more)
- 1978
A young girl really has her hands full when her pet calf grows up to be a rambunctious steer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Young Early McLaren (Steve Shaw) is too shy and withdrawn to make friends. He is also a championship runner, who has never lost a track meet for his school. Despite this athletic accomplishments, Early remains aloof and arrogant, refusing to let anyone get close to him. But when the boy suffers a debilitating accident, he must learn how to stop running -- stop running away from other people, and stop running away from himself. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Shaw, Justin Lord, (more)
This low-budget expansion of the popular Tom T. Hall/Jeannie C. Riley song "Harper Valley PTA" is surprisingly good, boasting lively performances by star Barbara Eden and everybody else in the cast. Eden plays Stella Johnson, a widowed single mom whose gaudy makeup, miniskirts and tight jeans are a source of scandal for the smug, self-righteous members of the local PTA. Forced to leave town with her teenaged daughter Dee (Susan Swift), Stella gets revenge with photographic evidence revealing the sexual peccadilloes and drunken misbehavior of the oh-so-righteous PTA members. The supporting cast includes such seasoned comic pros as Nanette Fabray, Louis Nye, Pat Paulsen and Audrey Christie, all performing above and beyond the call of duty. A weekly-TV version of Harper Valley PTA, also starring Barbara Eden, soon followed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Eden, Ronny Cox, (more)
- 1978
Victoria Meyerink, best remembered by baby-boomers as the cute little girl who appeared at the end of several Danny Kaye Show episodes of the 1960s, is here cast as 14-year-old Melissa Harrington. Our heroine is convinced that her dreams have come true when she wins the one-million-dollar lottery, which will ensure her an income of 1,000 dollars per week for the rest of her life. But as this ABC Afterschool Special unreels, Melissa learns all too quickly that any dream can turn into a nightmare. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victoria Meyerink, Bobby Cummings, (more)
- 1977
The protagonists of this ABC Afternoon Special are three parentless children of divergent backgrounds, all of whom share the same foster home. All their lives, Carlie (Kristy McNichol), Harvey (Johnny Doran), and Thomas J. (Sparky Marcus) have been "pinballs," bouncing around from one foster family to another. Now that they have settled into one happy home, will the situation be permanent -- or are they doomed to be "pinballs" for all time? ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kristy McNichol, Johnny Doran, (more)
- 1977
Teenaged Kate (Melissa Sue Anderson) is deeply devoted to her younger sister, 11-year-old Joss (Katy Kurtzman). When Joss is killed in an accident, the grieving, embittered Kate begins to wonder if life has any meaning. The catalyst for Kate's ultimate consolation is the horse that was rented for Joss' birthday present -- and delivered after her death. The Emmy award-winning Very Good Friends is based on Constance Greene's novel Beat the Turtle Drum (also the title of the 30-minute videotape version of this ABC Afternoon Special). ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Melissa Sue Anderson, Katy Kurtzman, (more)
- 1976
At the same time that they are feverishly studying for their recertification exams, John (Randolph Mantooth) and Roy (Kevin Tighe) are repeatedly sidetracked by the widow of a fellow fireman, who persists in calling the station house with a variety of trivial problems--and one that's not so trivial. Back on the job, the emergency team rushes to a movie set, where a mistimed stunt has resulted in a deadly fire. Also, a sports fan collapses from loss of breath while watching a crucial game on TV. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Poor John Walton (Ralph Waite) finds himself under attack from all sides in this episode. For starters, John's lumber business is threatened by a new and more efficient competitor. For another, Olivia (Michael Learned) is outraged that John has allowed their son Ben (Eric Scott) to leave home and strike out on his own. And as if this wasn't enough trouble, Ben ends up landing a job with the rival lumber firm--just as John is under pressure to deliver a huge shipment before a rapidly-approaching deadline! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Best of the Safecrackers is an ersatz movie made up of a two-part installment from the Toma TV series. Tony Musante stars as Dave Toma, a real-life Newark police detective. Toma is a master of disguise, and this time around he poses as a bank robber. He joins the gang of ace safecracker William Daniels, an untrustworthy sort who may tumble to Toma's pose at any moment. Once he's in the bank that's to be robbed, Toma becomes cut off from headquarters and is unable to tip them off to the location of the heist. Best of the Safecrackers originally aired February 1 and 8, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
With his newly-purchased camera in hand, John (Randolph Mantooth) drives his coworkers at Squad 51 crazy by constantly snapping "candid" photos. But the team recovers its sanity in time to rescue the victims of a schoolhouse arsonist, to determine if a fireman has collapsed from heart failure or food poisoning, to save a woman who has been bitten by a scorpion, and to prevent a truckful of dynamite from causing wholesale destruction. Also, Dr. Brackett (Robert Fuller) and nurse Dixie (Julie London) go out for a nice quiet lunch--only to end up delivering another diner's baby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
April poses as a stewardess to help her fellow agent Mark prevent an assassination during a plane flight. There is only one problem: Both the killer and the intended victim are heavily disguised, and April is unable to determine which is which. Some hints may be provided by listing the guest cast, which includes Murray Matheson as Albert Merek, Julie Adams as Julia Douglas, Grayson Hall as Mrs. Fowler, and David Brian as Logan Petrie. Written by Jameson Brewer, "The High and the Deadly Affair" first aired on April 4, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Slated to testify against THRUSH's top executioner, April hides out in the gloomy old English mansion recently inherited by her fellow agent Mark. According to the local inhabitants, the estate is haunted -- and indeed, Mark finds himself battling what seems to be an extremely hostile ghost. The calculatedly sinister guest cast includes Estelle Winwood as Lady Bramwich, Edward Ashley as Beaumont, Arthur Malet as Treacle the Butler, and Barry Macollum as "The Face." Written by John O'Shea and Arthur Rowe, "The Kooky Spooky Affair" originally aired on April 11, 1967, as the final episode of The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
