Michael Ansara Movies
Though best known for his Native American characterizations, Michael Ansara is actually of Lebanese extraction. Ansara, born in Syria and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, entered Los Angeles City College in 1941, planning to become a doctor. His shyness in class prompted his professor to suggest that Ansara take a dramatics course to bolster his self-confidence. The medical profession's loss turned out to be the acting community's gain: after training at Pasadena Playhouse, Ansara blossomed as a classical actor with such groups as the Hollywood Players' Ring. The role that brought Ansara to the attention of Hollywood's higher-ups was his brief, uncredited appearance as the tormented Judas in The Robe (1953). He went on to be cast as Cochise in the 1956 TV series version of the 1950 20th Century-Fox feature Broken Arrow; while the role brought him fame and fortune, Ansara noted that "the acting range was rather limited. Cochise could do one of two things--stand with his arms folded, looking noble; or stand with his arms at his sides, looking noble." He was allowed a more flexible acting range, as well as a wider vocabulary, in his next Indian assignment, that of Harvard-educated federal marshal Sam Buckhart in the 1959 western series Law of the Plainsman. In both this assignment and Broken Arrow, the rather hirsute Ansara was required to keep his chest shaven at all times. More recently, Ansara has been active in the lucrative world of TV cartoon voiceover work. Michael Ansara was married for several years to actress Barbara Eden. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
From director Craig Clyde (The Legend of Wolf Mountain), this coming-of-age melodrama centers on an adolescent boy named Seth (T.J. Lowther) who finds himself orphaned after the death of his widowed mother. With nowhere else to go, Seth moves in with his curmudgeonly grandfather, much to the old man's chagrin. After a shaky start, the duo begin to form a bond and build a life together. Michael Ansara and director Clyde also star. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- Starring:
- T.J. Lowther, Michael Ansara, (more)
- 1999
Derek Powers' body is continuing to deteriorate. Desperate, he has Victor Fries (Mr. Freeze) revived, and creates a new body for him under the pretense of medical research. Finally cured, Fries is repentant, but Bruce Wayne doesn't trust him. Batman halfheartedly shadows Freeze, convinced that he has reformed. But how long can he stay reformed once he discovers that Powers is using him? Original air date: February 14, 1999. ~ Emru Townsend, Rovi
This feature-length spin-off of Batman: The Animated Series follows the dynamic duo as they battle their ice cold, age old enemy, Mr. Freeze. In his latest nefarious plot, Mr. Freeze has abducted Batgirl as the organ donor needed for a deadly experiment meant to reanimate his old wife, who, until her cryogenic chamber was shattered, had been frozen until a cure was found for her otherwise terminal heart disease. Unless Batman and Robin can rescue her on time, Batgirl will lose her life in a highly illegal heart transplant operation. Featured voices include Kevin Conroy as Batman and Michael Ansara as the infamously monotone Mr. Freeze. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kevin Conroy, Michael Ansara, (more)
In this light-hearted fantasy, a talented young magician stumbles across an unusual ring and ends up in Camelot before King Arthur. It turns out the ring belongs to none other than Merlin. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Toran Caudell, Patrick Renna, (more)
- 1996
Majel Barrett returns in the role of Lwaxana Troi, who arrives on DS9 in a state of advanced pregnancy. Her delight over the prospect of giving birth is dampened by the admonitions of her Tavnian husband Jeyal (Michael Ansara), who insists that he and he alone will raise their son. Meanwhile, Jake is befriended by the mysterious Onaya (Meg Foster), who takes an inordinate interest in his writing aspirations. Scripted by guest star Majel Barrett (using her married name Roddenberry) and Rene Echevarria, "The Muse" was first telecast April 29, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
Three aging Klingon Warriors arrive on Deep Space Nine to makes certain that a blood oath made 80 years earlier by Curzon Dax be fulfilled. Though startled to learn that Curzon Dax has metamorphosed into Jadzia Dax, the Klingons insist that she honor the oath. As a result, Dax is torn between honor and duty, a not uncommon dilemma on DS9. Though heavily disguised by the makeup staff, the Klingons are played by three highly recognizable character actors: John Colicos, Michael Ansara and William Campbell. First telecast March 26, 1994, "Blood Oath" was written by Peter Allan Fields. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
Londo's political ambitions nearly prove to be his downfall when he manages to alienate a visiting Techno-Mage (a humanoid wizard) named Elric (Michael Ansara). Newly promoted to a diplomatic post, Ivanova arbitrates an ancient rivalry. And Garibaldi, at last recovered from his wound, makes a fateful decision. First broadcast on November 16, 1994, "The Geometry of Shadows" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, (more)
- 1993
An introduction to the world of books is presented for young children in this series that features one principal story per episode. Host LeVar Burton offers celebrities reading the featured book, and field trips to explore related material. And Still the Turtle Watched by Sheila MacGill-Callahan is read by Michael Ansara, and concerns the eradication of natural resources in America. There are segments on conservation projects, and kid-reviewed books, which include My First Greenbook, A River Ran Wild, and Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back. ~ Alice Day, Rovi
- 1990
- NR
An Elmore Leonard novel was the basis for the old-fashioned western Border Shootout. In one of his last film appearances, Glenn Ford plays an aging, unpopular Arizona sheriff, transporting a dangerous criminal to federal prison. Ford leaves the town in the hands of part-time deputy Cody Glenn. Raised in the belief that honesty is the best policy, Glenn is ill-equipped to deal with a gang of cattle rustlers; he must also contend with the lynch fever stirred up local gadfly Jeff Kaake. Charlene Tilton and Michael Ansara are among the reliable cast members who tend to be ill served by C.T. McIntyre's haphazard direction. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1988
During the Korean War, Frank Fletcher, late husband of mystery writer Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), was forced to bail out of the "Dixie Damsel", a crippled C97 cargo plane. Now, 36 years later, the wreckage of the "Dixie Damsel" has been found--with the remains of a murdered man inside! An Air Force inquiry is established to determine if Frank Fletcher had committed murder, prompting Jessica to team up with her old friend, retired pilot Lee Goddard (Dale Robertson), to clear her husband's name and find out what really happened. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
In Assassination, a routine political thriller directed by Peter Hunt, Jay Hillion (Charles Bronson) is a secret service agent assigned to protect First Lady Lara Royce Craig (Jill Ireland). Lara hates Hillion and tries to get away from him but finds she needs him when her life is threatened by a series of assassination attempts which may have originated from the White House. This routine actioner has little to offer that is new or different, but it tells its tale at a good pace and has some nice location photography. Charles Bronson gives his usual steely performance, while Jill Ireland is more sympathetic as the First Lady who likes her independence but must learn to trust a man she detests. This film, while routine and somewhat predictable will be enjoyed by Bronson fans. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi
- Starring:
- Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, (more)
- 1986
- PG
In this spy caper, KGB agent Peter Hubbard (Michael Billington) has stolen some classified information on the U.S. government's aerospace program and is ready to pass the material on to the KGB. The trouble is that the KGB suddenly try to kill him before he can deliver. The U.S. then comes after him for the names of his contacts, and Hubbard finds himself in jeopardy on all sides. Hide-and-seek games follow, with the usual chases and action scenes. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Billington, Denise DuBarry, (more)
- 1986
It's love in the bayou when a female artist inherits a plantation, moves in and falls for a gypsy fella who catches her fancy. ~ Rovi
- 1985
- R
In a weak mix of too many ingredients -- a dash of West Side Story, a pinch of Breakin', and sprinkles of references to other teen gang films -- this saga of one gang at odds with another is more like warmed-up leftovers than an original creation. Troy, Mookie, and Joey (Leon Isaac Kennedy, John Mengati, and Nicholas Campbell) belong to a gang at war with the nasty punks of the Mechanix. Troy and Mookie are into rapping and rock music and after some failed attempts to break into recording, they take dance lessons and win a coveted talent contest that puts them ahead for a change. Meanwhile, the Mechanix are not interested in what these guys won and are preparing for their long-awaited showdown with the would-be entertainers. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Leon Isaac Kennedy, John Mengatti, (more)
- 1985
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Hunter travels to the banana republic of Curaguay to exact vengeance against the "Devil Prince" Raoul Mariano (Richard Yniguez), who after committing murder and sexually assaulting McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) was able to escape prosecution by invoking his diplomatic immunity. Hoping to talk sense to the rapist's father General Mariano (Michael Ansara), Hunter is aghast to discover that the old man is even more depraved than his son. Clearly, extreme measures must be taken, and Hunter is the man to take them--and never mind that McCall herself has begged him to drop the case and return home! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1984
This disjointed action film concerns a renegade security company which takes over the United States' computer defense system. CIA agent Barnes (Michael Durrell) and his sister must avoid World War III by defusing the plot. Mark Sobel's direction is lacklustre, and entire scenes appear to be missing, as many speeches are completely unrelated to anything in the finished film. Macdonald Carey, Martin Landau, and Michael Ansara are the requisite down-on-their-luck guest stars. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi
- 1984
The made-for-TV Fantastic World of D.C. Collins is curiously not a pilot film, despite the presence of the principal character's name in the title. D. C. Collins (played by Gary Coleman) is the son of a U.S. diplomat. His own life is deadly dull, so D.C. escapes into fantasy. At various junctures, he imagines himself to be space traveller Dwight Cloudclimber and archaeologist Alabama Smith (these character names are a tip-off to the film's level of wit). Collins gets a chance to act out his fantasies when he becomes embroiled in a real-life adventure involving stolen documents. The eclectic supporting cast includes Jason Bateman, Michael Ansara, and George Gobel! Fantastic World of D.C. Collins premiered February 10, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1984
The importance of the horse in the lives of the Plains Indians is the focus of this program in the Reading Rainbow series. The Gift of the Sacred Dog by Paul Goble tells the story of a young boy who introduces the horse to his people. In the show's field trip segment, host LeVar Burton travels to Montana to show young viewers a Native American ceremony. Reading Rainbow: Gift of the Sacred Dog also offers reviews of books on related matters, including Moonsong Lullaby by Jamake Highwater, and Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema. ~ Alice Day, Rovi
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1983
An Arab sheik and his tribe wage war on 2 American oil riggers in the Middle East in this action adventure film set in 1908. ~ Rovi
- 1983
- PG
In this period adventure, Cameron Mitchell and Peter Graves star as a pair of Americans seeking their fortune overseas at the dawn of the 20th century. When they discover valuable oil reserves in Persia, they attempt to claim them for themselves, but their plan is not received enthusiastically by the locals, and they soon find themselves battling foes on all borders. Guns and the Fury also stars Michael Ansara and Albert Salmi. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Cameron Mitchell, (more)
Low-budget horror director William Girdler's last film stars Susan Strasberg as Karen Tandy, a San Francisco woman who develops a strange growth on her neck. After an operation fails because the doctor is forced to cut his own hand, Karen seeks out an Indian shaman (Michael Ansara), who tells her that the thing on her neck is the fetus of a reincarnated witch doctor. Eventually, Karen goes to the hospital and gives "birth" to a silly-looking creature played by Cousin Itt himself, Felix Silla. It runs amok in the building until boyfriend Tony Curtis figures out that his love for Karen can boost the hospital's electrical supply to zap the pesky beast. Generally acknowledged as one of the silliest horror films ever made, The Manitou should please camp buffs more than serious fans. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tony Curtis, Michael Ansara, (more)
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, Rovi
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