Kathleen McGhee-Anderson Movies
- 1998
- PG
Inspired by a true story (the events of which led to the Sipes vs. McGhee trial, in which the United States Supreme Court declared that covenants used to segregate neighborhoods were unconstitutional), The Color of Courage concerns Mac McGhee (Roger Guenveur Smith), his wife Minnie (Lynn Whitfield), and their two sons, an African-American family who move into an all-white neighborhood in the early 1940s. Hoping to avoid trouble early on, The McGhees move in at night, but the neighbors soon become aware that a black family is living nearby. Anna Sipes (Linda Hamilton), who lives next door, is a bored housewife whose husband forbids her to work outside the home; wanting to be a good neighbor, she bakes a cake as a welcoming gift for the McGhees, and Minnie accepts it graciously. Minnie and Anna get to know each other and discover that they have a good bit in common. However, as their friendship grows, animosity against the McGhees begins to build, and Anna's husband Benjamin (Bruce Greenwood) joins with members of the neighborhood association to use legal means to force the McGhee family to move elsewhere. The Color of Courage was shown at the 1998 Chicago Film Festival before making its bow on the USA cable network in 1999. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Hamilton, Lynn Whitfield, (more)
- 1998
Monica (Roma Downey) and Tess (Della Reese) find young Lydia (Alanna Ubach), a talented artist from a wealthy family, living in squalor and addicted to crack cocaine. Despite the best efforts by Lydia's father Bill (Dan Lauria) and new stepmother Margaret (Mary-Joan Negro), the girl makes no effort to clean up her act, and in fact becomes more drug-dependent the harder her parents try. Finally, Tess, posing as a drug counselor, tersely advises Bill and Margaret to start practicing "tough love"--in other words, to be cruel in order to be kind. But when Lydia surpasses her previous misdeeds by kidnapping a newborn baby, it looks like even Tess has failed! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Youthful lawbreaker Jason DeLee (Vicelllous Reon Shannon) is "volunteered" by Monica (Roma Downey) to participate in a program sponsored by Denver Juvenile Services, wherein at-risk teenagers help out with physically disabled youngsters at the Linwood Children's Academy. Despite his initial resistance, Jason manages to form a bond with cerebral palsy victim Kelly (Marisa Velez). Unfortunately, Kelly's mom Anita (a pre-The Practice Camryn Manheim) has a deep and abiding hatred for all "gang-bangers," and she is convinced that Jason is beyond redemption. When originally telecast on April 27, 1997, this episode was introduced by General Colin Powell, who at the time was General Chairman of the President's Summit on America's Future. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A Jewish high school teacher, Phyllis Saroka (Rhea Perlman), steps in to take on the thankless job of coaching the school's inept basketball team, which is filled with ne'er-do-wells from the slums. She takes the job to get extra money to fulfill her dream of opening a restaurant on the Caribbean island of St. Croix. Phyllis has had bad luck with men, is dissatisfied with her teaching job, and is desperate to do something meaningful as she approaches middle age. Meanwhile, the players on the team are ambitious only about scoring drugs and girls and inventing their own rap songs. Butter (James Harris) is the team's only really talented player, but he wastes most of his energy chasing skirts. Busy-Bee (De'Aundre Bonds) is a small but highly energetic goofball. The mind of Spaceman (Terrence Dashon Howard) has been diminished by learning disabilities and drugs. Phyllis's greatest challenge is the brilliant, moody Shorty (Fredro Starr). Shorty teaches Phyllis the game, but he feels betrayed when he learns that she is planning to leave after one season. Perlman's husband, Danny DeVito, served as the film's producer. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rhea Perlman, Fredro Starr, (more)
- 1996
Workaholic Secret Service operative Marty Dillard (Heidi Swedberg) makes no secret of her resentment when rookie agent Monica (Roma Downey) is assigned to protect Presidential candidate Hammond (Roy Thinnes), who has been threatened with assassination. Meanwhile, Angel of Death Andrew (John Dye) joins Marty's team as a forensic specialist--but contrary to expectations, he has not been assigned to "collect" the beleagured Hammond. A climactic medical crisis involving an "insignificant" old fisherman named Ulysses (Ben Vereen) reveals the true purpose of Monica and Andrew's Heavenly mission. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Everyone in the family is thrilled by a visit from celebrated African singer Miriam Makeba--everyone, that is, except Olivia (Raven-Symone), who is nowhere to be found. Depressed over the fact that she won't see her Navy-officer father for another three months, Olivia deliberately gets lost in hopes of persuading him to stay. In the end, it is Ms. Makeba who locates Olivia and dispense a few heartfelt words of wisdom. This episode marks the final appearance of former series regular Joseph C. Phillips, in the role of Olivia's father Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Black farmer Joe Kagan (Moses Gunn) sells his Walnut Grove property and moves to Sleepy Eye, where he gets a job at the blind school. Joe's primary motivation is his love for schoolteacher Hester-Sue (Ketty Lester), but she would prefer a wealthier and more worldly husband. Only when she realizes that the man of her dreams may well prove to be a nightmare does Hester-Sue learn to fully appreciate the humbler, but more dependable, Joe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
