Molly Dodd Movies

Faye Dunaway portrays the Argentinian title character in this four-hour TV biopic. The story traces Evita's rise to power from humble origins; she establishes herself as a radio and film actress, then meets and marries powerful politico Juan Peron (played by James Farentino, a last minute replacement for Robert Mitchum). Peron's iron-fisted rule of Argentina allows Evita to become a political power in her own right. At first she is widely beloved as a "woman of the people", but gradually many of her followers are disillusioned by her use -- and misuse -- of her authority and her influence over Peron. After Evita dies, she is all but canonized by the Faithful, and it becomes more difficult than ever to separate fact from legend. Evita Peron was clearly produced to capitalize on the Broadway musical hit Evita, though the script takes great pains not to copy its theatrical inspiration. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jim (James Garner) hires on as bodyguard for novelist Anne Louise Clement, whose politically incorrect "perfect-wife" bestseller has incurred the wrath of several militant feminists. When Anne claims that she's been threatened with death, Jim thinks she's pulling a publicity stunt--until her agent Marty Bach (Tasha Martel) turns up murdered. In his efforts to save Anne's life, our hero is stymied by his client's tendency to stretch the truth...and what exactly is Anne's "doting" husband Bud Clement (Arthur Roberts) up to at the moment? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), the Waltons have no sooner adjusted to the news that Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) has become engaged to wealthy medical intern David Spencer (Robert Merritt Woods) than the entire community must adjust to arrival of new doctor Curt Willard (Tom Bower, in his first series appearance). Living up to his first name, Dr. Willard tends to be brusque and no-nonsense with his patients, and they definitely disapprove of his bedside manner. The only person who seem to be happy that Curt has arrived is Mary Ellen...who, despite the fact that her marriage is only a few days away, is quite attracted to the young physician! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The police are stymied by a lack of witnesses and clues as they investigate the murder of a pretty coed in San Francisco park. Hoping to arouse the conscience of The Public, Ironside (Raymond Burr) appears on an all-night TV debate show, begging people to come forward with any information that might help collar the killer. The Chief hopes that he can either panic the perpetrator into tipping his hand, or play for time until his assistant Ed Brown (Don Galloway) can ferret out the one clue that will crack the case. Featured in the cast is a young Ed Begley Jr. (who undoubtedly was bicycling to the studio even back in those pre-Global Warming days). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Though it bears more than passing resemblance to his macabre hits Hush ... Hush, Sweet Charlotte and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, this lesser-known outing from screenwriter Henry Farrell takes a more satirical turn, skewering the eccentricities of the Hollywood studio system. The story opens during the advent of talking pictures, where a school for would-be child stars is opened by voice coach Helen Hill (Shelley Winters) and dance instructor Adelle Bruckner (Debbie Reynolds). Haunted by a dark secret -- each of the women's sons was convicted of murder -- Hill and Bruckner are pursued by a cloaked interloper whose incessant snooping leads to a fatal altercation. Suspicion builds between the two until the expected climax, where it is revealed that one of the two women is even more lethal than her homicidal son. Though the film's absurdist tone is a harsh about-face from the deadly deadpan camp of Farrell's Gothic 1960s thrillers, the period flavor is a nice touch, and accomplished director Curtis Harrington frequently achieves the right balance of horror and humor. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Can it be? Hugh Beaumont, the immortal Ward Cleaver of Leave It to Beaver fame, cast in this episode as a shy bachelor named Ronnie Beckman? Well, it's true, and unless Kate (Bea Benaderet) intervenes, Ronnie will never pop the question to his sweetheart Vera Wilson (Molly Dodd). Kate's plan involves inviting Ronnie to spend a night at Shady Rest so that he can bask in the benefits of a large and loving family--but things don't quite work out as intended! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Taking a long-overdue vacation, Andy leaves Barney and Gomer in charge of the jailhouse. No sooner has Andy left than the boys have managed to lock themselves in the cell. Later on, Barney and Gomer successfully catch a crook (Allen Melvin)--who not only promptly escapes, but does so twice! Suffice to say that Andy's R-and-R is somewhat abruptly cut short. Written by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, "Andy's Vacation" first aired on March 9, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide