Robert Chenault Movies
- 1985
Stefanie Powers does double duty as twin sisters in the two-part TV movie Deceptions. Stefanie #1 is a glamorous globetrotter; Stefanie #2 is a drab New Jersey housewife. On a whim, the two siblings exchange identities, leading to a dizzying series of unexpected complications. Filmed on location in England and Italy, Deceptions is too thin to be stretched over two days (it was originally telecast May 27 and 28, 1985), but Stefanie Powers can make anything work. The film is based on a novel by Judith Michaels (the joint pen name for Judith Barnard and Michael Fain); it was adapted for television by Oscar-winning writer/director Melville Shavelson, who also shared directorial responsibilities with Robert Chenault. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
- PG
Dyan Cannon stars in this 4-hour TV drama as Jenny Baines, an American woman of the pre-WW II era. Anxious to learn the fate of her son, a pilot who was shot down over Germany, Jenny travels to Berlin. Here she is reunited with her husband Hartmut Becker, who is now a high-ranking Nazi officer. With the help of allied prisoners, Jenny is smuggled into the POW camp where her son is presumably being held. The part of Jenny's son is played by Hugh Grant, meaning that Jenny's War is probably due for a revival. The 2-part drama was originally syndicated the week of October 26, 1985, as part of the Operation Prime Time series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
The fact that he is unable to read does not bother high-school basketball star Freddie Ellis (Eric D. Wallace). He is confident in the knowledge that his friends will cover for him in the classroom -- and besides, who needs to be literate in the pros? It takes the persistence of teacher Mr. Simpson (Clarence Williams III), and a near-tragedy in his home, to make Freddie realize that "reading is fun-damental." Kareem Abdul-Jabbar makes a cameo appearance in this ABC Afterschool Special. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric D. Wallace, Clarence Williams III, (more)
- 1977
One of the most famous and celebrated entries in the 24-year saga of the ABC Afterschool Special series, My Mom's Having a Baby handles a delicate subject with intelligence and impeccable taste. Ten-year-old Petey (Shane Sinutko) is both concerned and confused about his mother's pregnancy. Inevitably, the question arises: "Where do babies come from?" Real-life pediatrician Dr. Lendon Smith answers Petey's query in a manner both honest and straightforward, neither talking down to the boy nor talking over his head. After a cluster of discreetly handled and immensely entertaining animated sequences (produced by DePatie-Freleng) showing the conception and reproduction process, the episode ends with videotaped footage of a live birth -- actually drawn from the 1974 TV special Birth and Babies, with actress Candace Farrell (who went on to be cast as Petey's mom) delivering a healthy infant. Rebroadcast several times by ABC, the Emmy-winning My Mom's Having a Baby has since become a classroom staple on VHS and DVD. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shane Sinutko, Dr. Lendon Smith, (more)
- 1975
This half-hour sequel to the famous O. Henry tale The Ransom of Red Chief finds our hero, the little boy who pretends to be a legendary American Indian named Red Chief, using his powers of deception to outwit a group of con artists. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
