David Garth Movies

Superman (Christopher Reeve) tries to save the world from nuclear destruction at the hands of Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) in this action film featuring the man of steel. In a speech to the United Nations, Superman declares he will rid the world of all nuclear weapons. Arch-villain Luthor emerges from prison obsessed with killing Superman and creates an adversary known as Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow). The two engage in a fight to the finish in various landmarks on Earth before taking their battle into outer space. When Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) invites both Superman and Clark Kent to a double-date dinner, Superman's powers are tested so that both men can be present. Jackie Cooper plays the gruff veteran newspaper editor Perry White, with Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen. Sam Wanamaker plays tabloid tycoon David Warfield, the millionaire who buys the Daily Planet. Mariel Hemmingway is Warfield's daughter Lacy, Clark Kent's date at Lois' luxury apartment. This is the least interesting of the four Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Season eight of Doctor Who began on January 2, 1971, with episode one of the four-part "Terror of the Autons." In a follow-up to the previous season's "Spearhead From Space," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) investigates the disappearance of the last Nestene Intelligence energy sphere. He does not yet know that he will soon be crossing swords with a longtime nemesis, a renegade Time Lord known as The Master. This adventure introduced two new regulars: Katy Manning as Jo Grant and Richard Franklin as Mike Yates. Written by Robert Holmes, "Terror of the Autons" was for many years available only in a black-and-white version; the original color version was restored in the late '90s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Highlanders," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and Ben (Michael Craze) are still stranded in Scotland in the days following the battle of Culloden. Another battle -- this one between a group of Scottish prisoners and their British captors -- breaks out on board the slave ship Annabelle. Frazer Hines joins the cast as adventurous young Scots piper Jamie McCrimmon. Written by Elwyn Jones and Gerry Davis, "The Highlanders, Episode 4" originally aired on January 4, 1967; this episode is currently unavailable for reappraisal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The TARDIS arrives in 18th century Scotland -- just in time for the Battle of Culloden. This turn of events obliges the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) to choose up sides: Will he align himself with the Scots, or cast his lot with the English troops? Meanwhile, Ben (Michael Craze) faces the possibility of a lifetime in slavery. Written by Elwyn Jones and Gerry Davis, the four-part adventure "The Highlanders" commenced on December 17, 1966; none of the four episodes are currently available. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Highlanders," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and Ben (Michael Craze) are still marooned in Scotland, in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. The Doctor endeavors to rescue a group of defeated Scotsmen who are about to be sold as slaves. Meanwhile, Ben struggles to escape a life of forced servitude himself, a task which requires him to match wits with the formidable Solicitor Grey (David Garth). Written by Elwyn Jones and Gerry Davis, "The Highlanders, Episode 2" originally aired on December 24, 1966; this episode is currently unavailable for reappraisal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In its television version, The Strange World of Planet X was a seven-part serial (or, as we might call it today, a mini-series) shown on Britain's ITV network as part of its Saturday Serial anthology series. The script was authored by actress-turned-writer Rene Ray, based on her own book of the same name, and the program was co-directed by Arthur Lane and Quentin Lawrence. The story involved a group of scientists performing visionary and dangerous experiments involving time travel and its consequences. The program had a distinguished cast headed by theater and screen veteran Helen Cherry (aka Mrs. Trevor Howard) and William Lucas (X The Unknown), and presented a fairly cerebral concept in an engrossing, even exciting way that held audience attention for nearly two months on the tiny fledgling network, this at a time when there were only a relatively small number of television sets in England. That success led to a subsequent film adaptation, made two years later, which utilized a very different plot by another screenwriter, Paul Ryder -- he also drew his story from elements of Ray's original novel, but went for more accessible visual chills in the denouement, involving giant mutated insects. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide

In this British drama set in the 18th-century, a 14-year-old boy works in a carnival medicine booth. He believes the man he works for is his father, but he finds himself mistaken when his abducted by an avaricious uncle who informs him that he has inherited an important title. The uncle himself desires the title and plans to kill the lad who fortunately escapes. For vengeance the uncle starts a fire and immolates the boy's mentor. The carnies, lead by the strongman, attempt to exact their own revenge against the evil uncle. The whole mess goes to court where the boy's true lineage is revealed. He receives his rightful title. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide