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, Rovi

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, Rovi

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

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

The cast of the long-running Waltons TV series (minus Richard Thomas as John Boy, here replaced by John Wightman) are reunited for the TV movie Day for Thanks on Walton's Mountain. The year is 1946: the clan gathers to compare notes on Thanksgiving. We learn that Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) is trying to open his own business; Jason (John Walmsley) plans to close his restaurant and pursue a musical career; and matriarch Olivia Walton (originally played by Michael Learned, but never seen in this film) is lying in the hospital, with husband John (Ralph Waite) by her side. What suspense there is concerns the possibility that John Walton may not make it home in time to carve the Turkey. Originally telecast November 22, 1982, Day of Thanks etc. was the last of several Waltons feature-length films...for the time being, that is. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), new mother Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) is in a state of panic after her baby son John Curtis Willard disappears. It turns out the infant has been kidnapped by a girl named Cassie (Beth Raines), who has not been in her right mind since the death of her own infant. Elsewhere, the Walton men conspire to keep Olivia (Michael Learned) from finding out that Jason (Jon Walmsley) has landed a piano-playing job in a seedy burlesque house! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the first half of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) eagerly awaits the birth of her baby, despite the ominous warnings of a girl named Cassie (Beth Raines), whose own child was stillborn. After a very difficult labor, Mary Ellen delivers a baby boy, and all is well--until the infant disappears from his crib! Meanwhile, Jason (Jon Walmsley) must seek out another job after the Dew Drop Inn burns to the ground. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A former lawman must return to his guns when his daughter is threatened in this dark-themed western. Zach Provo (James Coburn) was a notorious outlaw who was finally put behind bars by sheriff Sam Burgade (Charlton Heston), who also killed Provo's wife in the midst of a gun battle. Provo is determined to take his revenge on Burgade, and with the help of a handful of other gunmen, he makes a daring escape from jail and kidnaps Susan (Barbara Hershey), Burgade's daughter. Eager for a final showdown with the now-retired sheriff, Provo threatens Susan with multiple rape if Burgade will not face him in a gunfight, and Burgade is forced to take his guns out of mothballs and confront Provo for the sake of his daughter. The Last Hard Men also stars Michael Thomas Parks, Thalmus Rasulala, and Christopher Mitchum. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A heavy snowstorm may prevent the Walton family from gathering on the Mountain for Christmas Eve. No one is more upset by this than Olivia (Michael Learned), who has convinced herself that this will be the last Christmas in which the whole family will be able to get together. A plethora of unexpected mishaps and eleventh-hour emergencies only serve to deepen Olivia's depression...but the story isn't quite over yet! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi