Paul W. Cooper Movies

A struggling human interest columnist finds a simple scrap of paper with a profound message may be the key to saving her column from cancellation in this inspirational, made for television drama starring Genie Francis and Ted McGinley. Peyton MacGruder (Francis) is the "Heart Healer" columnist for the local Middleborough Times newspaper. It's Christmas time, and just as the crew of Flight 848 reports a minor electrical problem, Peyton is summoned to her editor's office for a serious discussion about the future of the "Heart Healer" column. According to the results of a recent reader's survey, the "Heart Healer" column was voted the least interesting item that the paper had to offer, and as a result Peyton is about to get the axe. Just as Peyton's editor warns the writer to improve her standing with readers of hit the pavement, word breaks in the newsroom that Flight 848 has crashed, killing everyone aboard. King Danville, Peyton's friend and colleague at the paper, has lost a dear friend in the crash. Pondering whether or not the passengers realized they were going to die while drowning his sorrows at the local sports bar, King wonders aloud whether they had time to say goodbye to their loved ones, half-jokingly suggesting that Peyton work the concept into her failing column. The following day, Peyton is jogging along the beach when she spies smarmy television reporter Truman Harris interrupting a memorial service for the victims, all the while struggling to find an angle that doesn't seem exploitative. That angle arrives in the form of a note that Peyton finds during another walk along the coast. Sealed inside a small plastic bag half filled with cookie crumbs is a note to "T" from "Dad." Peyton is deeply moved by the heartfelt note, and vows to use the "Heart Healer" column as a means for getting the note to its intended recipient. In order to do so, however, Peyton will be forced to contend with her television counterpart Harris, a tactless reporter whose penchant for sensationalizing a story is only matched by his willingness to resort to underhanded tactics in order to take sole credit for all of Peyton's hard work. And while tracking down "T" proves no easy task, Peyton quickly discovers that her latest story truly resonates with readers upon being informed by her publisher that her "Heart Healers" column has gained a loyal following across the country. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

An avowed enemy of wildlife in general and wolves in particular, Claire McNichol (Anne Archer) heavily arms herself before venturing into the woods of Northern California. Injured in a fall, Claire finds herself face to face with another wounded creature -- a huge, snarling timber wolf. Ultimately, Claire and the beast must spiritually bond in order to assure their mutual survival. Made for television, Night of the Wolf costars Robert Urich in his final role as ranch foreman Purly Owens. The film debuted over the Animal Planet cable network on April 15, 2002, one day before Urich's death. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Up-and-coming actress Nita Cochran (Alice Krige), who happens to be the niece of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), lands a plum role on a popular TV soap opera. Nita has been cast as a serial murderer--a fact that proves most unfortunate when an actual murder occurs at the TV studio. The victim was Nita's boss, who may or may not have been planning to abruptly write her off the show. . .but it soon develops that Nita was only one of several people with a strong motive. This episode represents the final TV appearance of Lloyd Nolan, whose well-known difficulty in memorizing lines is cleverly woven into the final scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Angela Lansbury is reunited with her onetime The Picture of Dorian Gray costar Hurd Hatfield in this episode, in which Jessica Fletcher (Lansbury) attends a special performance by a Soviet ballet troupe. Just as two of the dancers decide to defect, the KGB official assigned to the troupe is killed. When one of the defecting dancers also turns up murdered and a terrified ballerina is accused of the crime, Jessica reluctantly joins forces with a gruff government official to solve the crimes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The dangers facing teenaged hitchhikers are forcefully brought home in this uncompromising ABC Afterschool Special. Though she has been warned never to hitch a ride, Andrea Cranston (Michele Greene) feels that she has no choice when she and her boyfriend are stranded in the middle of nowhere. Besides, the man offering the ride seems like such a nice, harmless fellow. But he is nothing of the kind, as Andrea learns to her horror when she is raped and abandoned. Unable to discuss her ordeal for several days, Andrea is further traumatized when she finally breaks down and tells her parents: her furious father threatens to kill her assailant, while her mother wants to keep the whole incident quiet. Meanwhile, the serial rapist who attacked Andrea is poised to strike again...and again....The winner of five Emmy awards, this film is based on Gloria D. Miklowitz' novel Did You Hear What Happened to Andrea? (which is also the drama's alternate VHS title). ~ All Movie Guide

Per the title of this ABC Afterschool Special, teenaged Amy (Karlene Crockett) has two loves in her life: her boyfriend (Lance Guest) and her music. A brilliant violinist, Amy has staked all her dreams on winning a major music scholarship. A crisis looms, however, when Amy realizes that she will be competing against her youthful sweetheart -- who is just as determined to win. Between Two Loves is based on Sandra Peden Miller's novel Two Loves for Jenny, which is also the alternate VHS title of this film. ~ All Movie Guide

This is one of a handful of ABC Afterschool Special presentations produced to heighten awareness of Ala-Teen, an organization for the teenaged children of alcoholics. Although 16-year-old Cindy (Amanda Wyss) is all too aware that her mom is a problem drinker, the girl refuses to admit the fact and is violently opposed to joining Ala-Teen. But after her inebriated mom's shameful public behavior on prom night, Cindy realizes that something must be done -- and fast. Produced by Martin Tahse, himself the son of an alcoholic father, the Emmy Award-winning She Drinks a Little has been released to VHS in a 30-minute version titled First Step. ~ All Movie Guide

Just before the Christmas vacation, Walnut Grove is threatened by a driving snowstorm. Schoolteacher Miss Beadle (Charlotte Stewart) decides to let her students go home earlier than usual so that they can avoid the impending blizzard; only the Oleson children remain behind to help their teacher clean the schoolroom. Alas, the storm is more violent than anyone could have expected -- and when the homebound children are lost and the Oleson youngsters come down with frostbite, the outraged citizens hold poor Miss Beadle responsible. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) are outraged when their little sister, Carrie (played by twin actresses Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush), lets loose a collection of bugs that the girls have been gathering for a classroom project. But their anger gives way to terror when, while chasing a pretty butterfly, Carrie falls into an abandoned mine shaft. Worse still: The only person truly capable of rescuing the girl is Mr. Laudy (John Ireland), a former miner who has degenerated into a drunken derelict. Though some sources indicate that this episode was telecast on January 10, 1977, the official TV listings of the period indicate that it was actually shown earlier, on October 17, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide