Robert Donner Movies

Three kids have an unexpected adventure as they try to protect some rare birds in this comedy drama based on a book for young adults by Carl Hiaasen. Roy Eberhardt (Logan Lerman) is a 14-year-old boy whose family has moved so often he's literally lost count of the number of times he's changed schools in the last ten years. Roy ought to be used to being the new kid at school by now, but making the switch from the big sky of Montana to the Gulf Coast of Florida proves to be a major challenge. While Roy quickly becomes the target of school bully Dana Matherson (Eric Phillips), he's befriended by Beatrice Leep (Brie Larson), a spunky girl with enough nerve to stand up to Dana, and her brother Mullet Fingers (Cody Linley). Beatrice and Mullet share their big secret with Roy -- they have a hidden hideaway where they look after a flock of wild owls. The owls in question are on the endangered species list, but that's of little concern to Chuck Muckle (Clark Gregg), a top executive from the Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House chain, who is planning to build a new restaurant in the hollow where the owls nest. Roy, Beatrice, and Mullet are determined to find a way to save the owls, but Muckle and his right-hand man, Curly Brannitt (Tim Blake Nelson), are less interested in saving the birds than in turning a profit. The kids have a plan, however, and they uncover some evidence of interest to David Delinko (Luke Wilson), a well-meaning but slow-witted policeman investigating some dirty doings tied in to the pancake house. Hoot features a handful of new recordings from popular Florida musician Jimmy Buffett, who also helped produce the film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Jerry Orbach makes a return appearance as Boston private eye Harry McGraw. Deep in Kentucky Horse Country, Harry investigates the murder of horse owner Randolph Sterling (Kevin McCarthy), who had been embroiled in a feud with his neighbor Lamar Morgan (Gregory Walcott) concerning a stud fee and two unexpected foals sired by one of Sterling's thoroughbreds. Real-life attorney Melvin M. Belli is appropriately cast as a judge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This family-oriented film is comprised of scenes from some of the courageous collie's best television adventures. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

All of Cabot Cove turns out for the funeral of Henry Vernon, the town's chief financial advisor. The ceremony is halted by the arrival of a woman claiming that Henry was murdered. Investigating, the local authorities open the coffin--only to find out that the occupant isn't Henry! Before the story is over, no fewer than two corpses have mysteriously vanished, then mysteriously reappeared, while Jessica (Angela Lansbury) conducts a thorough probe of the "late" Mr. Vernon's questionable business practices. Real-life husband and wife Robert Sterling and Anne Jeffreys, who'd once headlined the delightful fantasy sitcom Topper, appear as Ben and Agnes Shipley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While travelling through rural Green County, B.A. (Mr. T) and Murdock (Dwight Schultz) are taken hostage by bank roobers Logan (Steve Sandor) and Jones (Jeff Doucette)--and then are arrested as the robbers' accomplices! Sentenced to a prison chain gang (without a trial!), our two heroes face danger from several sources, especially when the two robbers escape. Meanwhile, Hannibal (George Peppard) and Face (Dirk Benedict) attempt to rescue their comrades without being captured themselves by the relentless Col. Decker (Lance LeGault). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Featuring a reunion of most of the cast of the long-running family series, The Waltons, this touching drama centers on the attempt of the now grown and scattered brood of Olivia and John Walton to regroup for an old fashioned family holiday. Unfortunately, John-Boy is not among them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this thriller, an ex-cop, convicted for killing his wife's lover, breaks out of prison six days before he is to be freed. He does this so he can see his son who is seriously ill. Along the way, the fugitive meets many interesting characters. He is pursued by a cruel, but determined lawman. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The recently widowed Grandma Walton (Ellen Corby) is unexpectedly reunited with Marcus Dane (Arthur Space), who had been her sweetheart some 50 years before. Although Grandma is still loyal to Grandpa's memory, Marcus is quite a charmer, and it looks as if she might capitulate -- much to the dismay of granddaughter Elizabeth (Kami Cotler). Elswehere, Yancy Tucker (Robert Donner) makes a patriotic effort to convert moonshine liquor into automobile fuel...with plenty of the expected collateral damage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Ben (Eric Scott) announces plans to start up a fancy motel, Corabeth (Ronnie Claire Edwards) offers him financial assistance -- with the understanding, of course, that she'll be given a generous share of the profits. Conversely, John (Ralph Waite) opposes Ben's plans, causing a serious rift between father and son. Meanwhile, Yancy Tucker (Robert Donner) "graduates" from a correspondence-school barber college; unfortunately, there aren't too many people around who are willing to have their hair trimmed by a musclebound moonshiner! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

With America's entry into WW2 still several months away, Mary Ellen's husband Curt (Tom Bower) is drafted in to the US Army Medical Corps, while Erin's erstwhile soldier boyfriend G.W. (David Doremus) returns on furlough. At the same time, Jason's rambunctious pal Yancy (Robert Donner) decides to enlist, pausing only long enough to wed his girlfriend Sissy (Cissy Wellman). The episode ends on a tragic note as one of the Mountain's three soldiers returns home in a coffin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The sixth season of The Waltons) gets under way minus two longtime series regulars: Richard Thomas as John-Boy and Ellen Corby as Grandma Walton (though both actors would return during the season as guest stars). It is 1939, and as war clouds gather in Europe, a battle of a more spiritual nature is brewing on Walton's Mountain with the arrival of new minister Hank Buchanan (Peter Fox). Though many parishioners, notably Olivia Walton (Michael Learned), are turned off by Buchanan's unorthodox approach to his calling, John Walton (Ralph Waite) warms up to him immediately--if only because the Reverend is not the traditional "hell-fire and brimstome" type. Even more impressed by Buchanan is Olivia and John's daughter Erin (Mary Elizabeth McDonough), whose fascination with the newcomer soon develops into a crush! Meanwhile, Grandpa Walton (Will Geer) and grandson Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) try to kill the chicken hawk that has been systematically raiding the local coops. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

One of four dramatic miniseries carried by NBC under the blanket title Best Sellers, Captains and the Kings was adapted from a novel by Taylor Caldwell. Covering a time span from 1857 to 1912, this was the saga of the Irish-immigrant Armagh clan, with emphasis on the rags-to-riches career of Joseph Armagh (Richard Jordan). Achieving fame and prominence (if not full-fledged social acceptance) through a Byzantine series of investments in the oil industry, the elder Armagh was obsessed with the notion of having one of his sons become the first Irish-Catholic President of the United States (does this story sound vaguely familiar?). Along the way, Joseph and his offspring indulged in innumerable romantic liaisons, extramarital and otherwise. Featured in the all-star cast is Patty Duke Astin, who won an Emmy award for her portrayal of Bernadette Hennessey Armagh. Captains and the Kings was broadcast from September 30 to November 18, 1976 in seven installments, two of which ran 120 minutes, and the other six lasting 60 minutes -- a total of nine hours' air time in all. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Walton family is startled (to say the least!) when Mary Ellen (Judy-Norton) announces her engagement to wealthy medical intern David Spencer (Robert Merritt Woods). Even more startling is Mary Ellen's insistence that the wedding take place immediately so that David can join his father's practice in Richmond. But something very strange happens betwixt and between the announcement and the wedding ceremony. This is the first half of a two-part story (orginally telecast as a single two-hour episode). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide