Linda Dangcil Movies

Critics were somewhat amused when this made-for-TV movie first aired over CBS on February 21, 1996. They could understand why someone would want to make a biopic about notorious "Hollywood madam" Heidi Fleiss (here played by Tricia Leigh Fisher)--but of what possible dramatic value was a film about Heidi's father, California consulting pediatrician Paul Fleiss? Well, that question was sufficiently answered throughout the film's 90 minutes, told largely in flashback from the point of view of Dr. Fleiss, portrayed by Michael Gross. According to Karol Ann Hoeffner's teleplay, Fleiss was a good, caring, almost saintly family man, whose misguided liberal sympathies led him to excesses of self-indulgence when it came to raising his children. So far as as the spoiled and pampered Heidi is concerned, Dr. Fleiss doesn't believe in discouraging her on any issue, including sex--and this, coupled with the neurotic attitudes of Heidi's repressed, high-strung mother Elissa (Cindy Pickett) led the girl into her life's work, using sex for profit while remaining coolly detached from her work and using her associates and customers rather than ever allowing them to use her. That Heidi is clearly the villain of the piece is made obvious not only by actress Fisher's vitriolic performance, but also by the dramatic core of the story, in which Dr. Fleiss ends up being charged with fraud when Heidi pressures him into signing a highly suspicious bank loan application. The sweeping inaccuracies in The Good Doctor: The Paul Fleiss Story evidently didn't hurt its ratings, nor did the film lack viewers when it was subsequently rerun on cable TV under the title The Making of a Hollywood Madam. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Danny Travis (Richard Harris) is a kindly Irish inventor and widower whose projects leave his family in a constant state of near poverty. He takes on the system when the city slates his apartment building for demolition. Danny uncovers a plot hatched by the scheming Governor Davis (Biff McGuire) that will line the politician's pockets under the false pretense of an urban renewal project. Danny holds a sheriff hostage as television reporter Paula Herbert (Karen Black) leads to a media frenzy that sparks public sympathy for Danny and his fellow residents. The always dependable Martin Landau plays Captain Garrity. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Back during the Korean War, Carlos Ramirez adopted a 2-year-old orphan girl named Kim, whom he has supported, sight unseen, ever since. Now it is 1970: Kim (Mike Kayama) is 19 years old, a stunning beauty-and intent upon marrying Carlos! Once again, it's Sr. Bertrille to the rescue. Written by actor Stanley Adams in collaboration with George F. Slavin, "Papa Carlos" originally aired on February 27, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Robert Lansing guest-stars as Mr. Sanders, a former (and none too distinguished) student of San Tanco's convent school. Now a successful businessman, Sanders wants to demonstrate his gratitude to the nuns by adopting the most backward and troublesome orphan in Sr. Bertrille's classroom, a lad named Joey (Eric Shea). But when the boy cleans up his act to make himself a worthy candidate for adoption, Sanders loses all interest--forcing Sr. Bertrille to take charge of the situation. Written by Roy Kammerman, "The Dumbest Kid in School" originally aired on February 6, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Sr. Bertrille stages a benefit show at Convent San Tanco, using mostly local talent (including herself). Banking on the appearance of professional magician Marko the Magnificent (Victor Buono), Sr. Bertrille is stunned when he refuses to perform. Our heroine tries to get to the bottom of Marko's reticence-and the results are truly magicial. Written by Bernard Slade, "Sister Socko in San Tanco" was first telecast on January 16, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Sr. Bertrille's curiosity is piqued when the nuns of Convent San Tanco begins receiving huge donations and valuable gifts from a mysterious benefactor. The sisters don't know that the philanthropist is Alonzo Baldaran (Nehemiah Persoff). They'd be even more surprised if they knew that the convent's shabby little handyman is Baldaran himself. Written by Michael Morris, "A Convent Full of Miracles" first aired on November 5, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

It all begins when a parishioner named Benito (David Hurst) donates a lottery ticket to Convent San Tanco. Though grateful, the nuns cannot accept such a gift, so Sr. Bertrille returns the ticket. When Benito happens to spot Sr. Bertrille flying off into the heavens, he is convinced that she's a saint, and that the ticket has been blessed-a misapprehension that may end up bankrupting not only Benito, but all his friends and relatives. Written by Lawrence Marks, "The Lottery" originally aired April 10, 1969, as the final episode of The Flying Nun's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This time out, Sr. Bertrille is outraged over a parking ticket. No, she didn't technically receive the ticket, but her inbred sense of justice and equality dictates that nuns should not be granted special privileges. Insisting upon being arrested and locked up in jail, the militant nun causes a big-time political brouhaha involving the mayor, the judge, the arresting officer and an outraged mob. Written by Roy Kammerman, "A Ticket for Bertrille" first aired on December 10, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The delightful Elinor Donahue, who by a strange coincidence was the wife of Flying Nun executive producer Harry Ackerman, makes her first series appearance in the role of Jennifer Ethrington, the obstetrician sister of our heroine Sr. Bertrille. Upon being introduced to Jennifer, casino owner Carlos instantly falls in love with her. The plot thickens when Sr. Bertrille, Jennifer and Carlos all end up deep in the jungle on an emergency medical mission. Written by Bernard Slade, "My Sister, the Sister" was originally broadcast on January 25, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

J. Pat O'Malley plays Captain Barnaby, a self-styled "ancient mariner" who boldly embarks upon a 1000-mile sea voyage. There's only one slight problem: The Captain has never been on the ocean in his life! Sr. Bertrille tags along to make certain that Barnaby's secret remains a secret-and to insure his safe return. Written by Bernard Slade, "The Sister and the Old Salt" was first networkcast on February 8, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Vocalist Abbe Lane plays Felicia and sings Burt Bacharach's "The Look of Love" in this episode of The Flying Nun. It all begins when Sr. Bertrille purchases an ancient pipe organ for Convent San Tanco. Before the episode is half over, the organ has caused a heap o' trouble for long-suffering casino proprietor Carlos Ramirez. First broadcast on November 7, 1968, "The Organ Transplant" was written by Lawrence Marks and directed by former actor Jerome Courtland. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Having struck pay dirt with his 1958 western Rio Bravo, Howard Hawks more or less remade the picture twice in the 1960s. The first of these rehashes was El Dorado, with Rio Bravo star John Wayne back for more. Wayne plays a gunfighter who rides into El Dorado to link up with his old pal, sheriff Robert Mitchum ("It's the big one with the big two!" declared the film's advertisements). Wayne has turned down a job with evil land baron Ed Asner, who'd hoped to drive a family off the land that he needed for its water. That family, headed by R.G. Armstrong, is convinced that Wayne is working with Asner; when Armstrong's son Johnny Crawford dies, Wayne is held responsible, earning him a bullet in the spine from Crawford's sister Michele Carey. A year passes: Wayne returns to El Dorado, in the company of his new saddle pal James Caan. They find that Asner is still up to his old tricks, and that Mitchum has descended into alcoholism. Several plot twists and power shifts ensue, leading to the slam-bang climax, with the partially paralyzed Wayne, the newly crippled Mitchum (on crutches), and the concussion-suffering Caan battling together to stave off Asner's minions. The final long-shot, of Wayne and Mitchum limping off together arm-in-arm, is one of the most enduring images in the entire Hawks canon. If they loved it twice they'll love it thrice: in 1969, John Wayne and Howard Hawks teamed up for a third Rio Bravo derivation, Rio Lobo--which, like the first two films, was scripted by Leigh Brackett. Incidentally, that's famed artist Olaf Weighorst (whose paintings appear in the title sequence) in a cameo as the gunsmith. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Convent San Tanco has become the home of a talking parrot with a very colorful -- and profane -- vocabulary. It is up to Sr. Bertrille to hide the dirty bird from the eyes and ears of the Reverend Mother. Step number two: Find a proper home for the feathered troublemaker. First broadcast on October 19, 1967, "Polly Wants a Cracked Head" was written by Richard DeRoy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi