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- 1966
Based on the popular novel by Joseph Krumgold, And Now Miguel is an easygoing yarn about a small boy with a big dream. Miguel (Pat Cardi), a shepherd's son, hopes some day to himself shepherd the flocks of sheep that has been managed by his family for so many years. Filmed mostly out-of-doors, the film benefits from the natural scenic beauty of New Mexico. The plot itself tends to be pokey, especially whenever the camera lingers on shots of sheep grazing, sheep moving from pasture to pasture, and sheep being shorn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Ansara, Guy Stockwell, (more)
- 1955
- Add Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy to Queue Add Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy to top of Queue
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy is the last of the team's vehicles for Universal-International. Stranded in Egypt, Bud and Lou hire themselves out as travelling companions to archeologist Kurt Katch. Before long, Katch is murdered by a group of cultists, and a medallion, embossed with a map which leads to a sacred burial site, is accidentally swallowed by Costello. The boys become the unwilling pawns of the cultists, led by Richard Deacon, and a greedy adventuress, played by Marie Windsor. The last scene finds Costello being menaced by three mummies, two of them bogus. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, (more)
- 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
- 1944
Exiled from his own country during WW2, French filmmaker Leonide Moguy worked briefly in Hollywood, where he directed the patriotic thriller Action in Arabia. George Sanders stars as Gordon, an American newspaperman at large in Damascus. When a colleague is murdered, Sanders wants to find out why. He is helped along by glamourous secret agent Yvonne (Virginia Bruce), who is on the trail of a group of Nazi saboteurs. It turns out that the murder is tied in with a plan to destroy the Suez Canal in the name of Der Fuehrer. Though economically produced, Action in Arabia benefits from several rather spectacular-looking scenes of desert combat-most of these lifted from a never-finished 1933 filmed biography of Lawrence of Arabia. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- George Sanders, Virginia Bruce, (more)
- 1956
Retired insurance salesmen Mr. Fox (Robert H. Harris) and Mr. Shaw (John Qualen) are of the theory that the hotter the temperature, the more likely people are to commit murder. Upon making the acquaintance of the nagging Mrs. Shrike (Jo Van Fleet), Mr. Fox and Mr. Shaw are convinced that she is doomed to die at the hands of her henpecked husband (Mike Ross), and thus attempt to save her from this fate. The results are a bit surprising, not to mention slightly surreal. "Shopping for Death" is the first of several Alfred Hitchcock Presents episodes based on the works of Ray Bradbury; in this case, the source material is Bradbury's short story "Touched by Fire." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1956
Thelma Ritter, previously seen as the delightfully ghoulish nurse in Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 theatrical feature Rear Window, is here cast as babysitter Lottie Slocum. When her most recent client, Mrs. Nash, is murdered, Lottie is interviewed by the cops, but she has no vital information. She does, however, claim to know that Mrs. Nash was cheating on her husband (Theodore Newton), but this she tells to everyone except the cops. As it turns out, Lottie doesn't know anything except that she is infatuated with Mr. Nash...and it is this infatuation which proves to be her undoing. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1956
Planning to murder his wife for her insurance money, antiques dealer Laurence Appleby (Robert H. Harris) prepares for the crime by reading a book about accidental deaths. After killing his spouse and making it appear accidental, Appleby marries a wealthy widow named Martha Sturgis (Meg Mundy). When wife number two proves to be as contentious as wife number one, Appleby decides that a second murder is in order -- little realizing that Martha is also a voracious reader. ~ 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)
- 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)
- 1951
Bannerline was Don Weis' first solo directorial credit for MGM. Keefe Brasselle stars as cub reporter Mike Perrivale, who devises a heart-tugging promotional stunt. Upon learning that crusty old history teacher Hugo Trimble (Lionel Barrymore) is dying, Mike writes up a glowing tribute, ascribing all sorts of fabricated accomplishments to the venerable Trimble. The stunt backfires when crime boss Frankie Scarbino (J. Carroll Naish), angered that some of the civic reforms credited to Trimble may put the kibosh on his own operation, threatens to make trouble for Mike. As it turns out, it is the impulsiveness of Scarbino's hired thugs which sets the wheels of reform in motion--simply by beating Mike to a pulp. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Keefe Brasselle, Sally Forrest, (more)
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)
- 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
- 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
- 1954
The muscular physique of Rock Hudson is given plenty of screen exposure in the British-India actioner Bengal Brigade. Adapted from a novel by Hall Hunter, the film casts Hudson as Captain Jeffrey Claybourne of Her Majesty's Service, who is severely disciplined after defying orders. Feeling unworthy of his fiancee Vivian Morrow Arlene Dahl, the daughter of his superior officer, Claybourne breaks off the engagement until he can restore his reputation. When the duplicitous Rajah Karam Arnold Moss launches an all-out attack against the British forces in India, Claybourne finds his opportunity for redemption--as do several other "outcasts". Costarring in Bengal Brigade as an alluring native girl is Ursula Theiss, later the wife of actor Robert Taylor. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Rock Hudson, Arlene Dahl, (more)
- 1966
Kathleen Nolan guest stars as Gerry O'Toole, who shows up at the Stephenses' doorstep claiming to be Darrin's relative from Ireland. But Samantha knows better; Gerry is really an Irish wood nymph, determined to plague Darrin because of the sins of his ancestor, who killed Gerry's master, Rufus the Red (Michael Ansara). To set things right, Sam goes back in time to prevent the deadly deed. Written by Ed Jurist, "A Most Unusual Wood Nymph" originally aired on October 13, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 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
- 1965
Cowboy Johnny Dolan (Pat Conway) helps Jason McCord fend off three hoodlums in a barroom brawl. However, it turns out that Johnny did not rescue Jason out of the goodness of his heart: He is bounty hunter, and he intends to collect the $5000 bounty that has been placed on McCord's head. The villain of the piece is played by Michael Ansara, formerly the star of the 1959 TV western Law of the Plainsman--a spinoff from another western series, The Rifleman, which of course starred Branded's Chuck Connors. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1952
Veteran serial director Spencer Gordon Bennett keeps things moving at a hectic pace in Brave Warrior. The title character is legendary Shawnee chief Tecumseh, well-played by Jay Silverheels (better known as Tonto on TV's The Lone Ranger). Though he has every reason to distrust the White Man, Tecumseh comes to the aid of American emissary Steve Ruddell (Jon Hall) during the War of 1812. The villain is a renegade medicine man known as The Prophet, played by Michael Ansara, who later portrayed the peace-loving Cochise on the TV version of Broken Arrow. Considering that this is a typically low-budget Sam Katzman production, Brave Warrior is fairly elaborately mounted. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jon Hall, Christine Larson, (more)
- 1973
Call to Danger was a title that had already been applied to two unsold pilot films before this TV movie made its first appearance in February of 1973. Like the previous 1968 Call to Danger, the 1973 film stars Peter Graves as a federal agent who enlists "ordinary" people to solve crimes. Headquartered in Washington DC (where most of this film was shot), Graves selects his erstwhile agents by means of a computer. The case at hand is the retrieval of an underworld informer who has been kidnapped. Peter Graves appeared in Call to Danger even while his series Mission: Impossible was in production; there was talk that Mission: Impossible would soon be cancelled, and Graves wanted a pilot film to fall back on. Come September of 1973, there was neither hide nor hair of Mission: Impossible, Call to Danger or Peter Graves on any network. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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
- 1968
Vic Powers (Lloyd Bridges) leads a specialized rescue unit known as the Flying Fish. When an American economics professor is kidnapped by a malevolent Latin American dictator, the call goes out to recover the victim. The unit is equally adept in or out of the water. Ricardo (Nico Minardos) is the resident beachcomber recruited to provide the team with valuable information vital to recovering the missing professor. The specialized unit travels by air, land and sea to meet their objective and races against time to avoid an international incident that could tip the balance of power in favor of the dictator. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lloyd Bridges, Nico Minardos, (more)
An interesting low-budget entry in the post-Jaws animals-run-amok genre (which also owes more than a little to Hitchcock's The Birds), this noisy, violent thriller features the prophetic premise of a widening gap in the ozone layer (thanks to human indulgences in hairspray and other aerosol products) which unleashes brain-frying radiation and causes assorted woodland creatures to go for the throats of unsuspecting Sierra backpackers. As if that weren't horrific enough, the poor kids are also placed in the position of defending themselves against a rampaging Leslie Nielsen -- whose hammy performance will probably have fans of the Naked Gun series and their ilk waiting for a punch line that never arrives. Perennial B-movie couple Christopher George and Lynda Day George round out the cast. Day of the Animals is also known as Something Is out There. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi
- Starring:
- Christopher George, Leslie Nielsen, (more)
- 1972
- R
This gory gothic horror film marks the final appearance of actress Agnes Moorhead (though one year later, she did provide a voice in the animated film Charlotte's Web) who plays the terminally ill, wheelchair bound Southern matriarch Delilah. She is an unpleasant woman surrounded by desperately avaricious, insane relatives who realize that she has hidden $600,000 somewhere on her property. The greedy family will stop at nothing to get that loot, even if it means chopping each other up with axes. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1955
Lana Turner stars as Diane in this opulent costume drama. Set in 16th century France, the film finds the gorgeous Diane de Pottiers rising to a position of absolute power through her manipulation of the men in her life. Those men include King Francis I (Pedro Armendariz), Prince Henri (Roger Moore) and Diane's husband, the Count de Breze (Torin Thatcher). Diane's principal foe is the scheming Catherine de Medici (Marisa Pavan), who for the first time in her life has met her match in Our Heroine. Christopher Isherwood's screenplay is literate to a fault, though the film could have used a few more action highlights. The tepid box-office receipts of Diane hastened the end of Lana Turner's long association with MGM. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lana Turner, Pedro Armendáriz, (more)
- 1952
When undercover secret agent Tyrone Power is thwarted in his efforts to obtain a vital document with details of the Russian invasion of Yugoslavia by the death of the courier at the hands of two Russian agents, played by Mario Siletti and Charles Buchinski (aka Charles Bronson), it becomes his duty to go after the murderers and retrieve the papers. With more loops and turnabouts than a snake, the plot has surprises with agents, double agents, mistaken information and is, all in all, a surprisingly exciting spy vehicle. Michael Ansara and Lee Marvin also make brief appearances in this early cold war story. A script with a lot of holes in it is pulled off by the fine performances and tight direction given in this film. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tyrone Power, Patricia Neal, (more)
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