Tony Dow Movies
Tony Dow is best remembered for playing Wally Cleaver, the clean-cut and much wiser older brother of Beaver on the classic family sitcom Leave It to Beaver (1957-1963). Since the show's demise, he has appeared sporadically in a couple feature films and in a few television movies. He reprised the role of Wally in the 1980s in the made-for-TV reunion film Still the Beaver (1983) and in the series it spawned. In 1965, Dow starred in the short-lived series Never Too Young. After a final feature-film appearance as a judge in the good-natured, nostalgic spoof of the Beach Party movies Back to the Beach (1987), Dow disappeared for a few years and then re-emerged as a director of television episodes for such series as Babylon 5 (1993) and as a producer of films such as It Came From Outer Space II (1996). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 2007
- Add This Is Roller Skating and Other Odd Rarities to QueueAdd This Is Roller Skating and Other Odd Rarities to top of Queue
This Is Roller Skating and Other Odd Rarities collects a number of unusual, rarely seen shorts from the fifties and sixties. In addition to the piece mentioned in the title, this collection includes Science and Garden, and The Noisy Landscape. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Co-producers and former TV child stars Tony Dow of Leave It to Beaver and Melissa Gilbert of Little House on the Prairie are among those who take part in this video's panel discussion about the advantages and pitfalls of spending all or part of one's childhood as a television or movie star. Other panel members include The Partridge Family's Danny Bonaduce and Margaret O'Brien who appeared in many notable films, including Meet Me in St. Louis. The actors talk about protecting kids from unscrupulous family members who spend their children's earnings, the quality of education offered on TV and movie sets, and the problems child stars often have with maintaining positive relationships with peers outside the industry and their own family members. The panel members also talk about how difficult it can be to enter adulthood once fame is gone. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Dr. Franklyn tries to find out the secret behind the medical history of the Hyach. Telepaths Byron and Lyta reach a tentative understanding. And tensions mount between Downbelow and the rest of Babylon 5. In addition to the usual plot complications, this episode also includes subtle echoes of several previous adventures (imperceptible to the casual viewer, but eminently appetizing to the Babylon 5 aficionado). First telecast on March 4, 1998, "Secrets of the Soul" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Tracy Scoggins, (more)
- 1998
The already strained relationship between the Alliance and Byron's telepaths break down completely, forcing Lochley to seek the aid of Psi Cop Bester. The mysterious attacks on the Alliance ships intensify. And deep within the bowels of the Centauri palace, Londo and G'Kar stumble upon an old friend. The return appearance of first-season regular Julie Caitlin Brown was supposed to be a surprise, but was tipped off by an obscure Screen Actors Guild ruling. Originally titled "Cat and Mouse", "A Tragedy of Telepaths" was written by J. Michael Straczynksi; the episode first aired on March 25, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Tracy Scoggins, (more)
- 1997
Warrior leader Shakiri (Bart McCarthy) intensifies his aggression in the Minbari civil war. Hoping to resolve the crisis, Delenn prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice. And Psi Cop Bester (Walter Koening) tries to strike up an unusual bargain with telepath Lyta. Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip "Dilbert," makes a cameo appearance. Originally telecast during the week of May 19, 1997, "Moments of Transition" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, (more)
- 1997
President Clark is dead, and the civil war on Earth is over. Delenn triumphantly stage-manages the convergence of the Earth, the Minbari and the Narn into a new alliance. Captain Sheridan's role in the Alliance must, however, wait until the Earthgov decides his ultimate fate. Elsewhere, Ivanova grieves over the apparent death of Marcus --- and what has become of Lise? First seen in America during the week of October 20, 1997, "Rising Star" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, (more)
- 1997
Delenn returns to her home world of Minbar, hoping to convince the people to accept her relationship with Captain Sheridan. Upon arrival, she is required to undergo The Dreaming, a ritual that literally burrows into her soul. And in another development, Marcus and Franklin are sent to Mars, there to link up with the Resistance forces. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Atonement" was first telecast in the US during the week of February 24, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, (more)
- 1996
- R
Alien invaders descend upon a peaceful desert community and take over the minds and bodies of the residents. Now only a brave photographer can save them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Kerwin, Elizabeth Peña, (more)
- 1988
This video contains a pair of episodes from the '80s television show that chronicled the adult exploits of the formerly irascible '50s icon of childhood innocence, Beaver Cleaver and his family. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1988
This video contains a pair of episodes from the '80s television show that chronicled the adult exploits of the formerly irascible '50s icon of childhood innocence, Beaver Cleaver and his family. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello not only starred in the delightfully "retro" Back to the Beach, but also served as executive producers. Appropriately set 25 years after such drive-in faves as Beach Blanket Bingo, the film finds Frankie and Annette as husband and wife, living far from the surf 'n' sand in Ohio. Heading to California to visit their daughter Lori Loughlin, Frankie and Annette are appalled to learn that she has been keeping time with punker Tommy Hinkley. In time-honored fashion, our hero and heroine set about to make the beach safe for funlovers everywhere by driving out Hinkley's unsavory pals. Along the way, Frankie nearly bollixes up his marriage by dallying with Connie Stevens-one of several pop-culture icons appearing in Back to the Beach, including Don Adams, Bob Denver, Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow, Dick Dale & the Del-Tones , Stevie Ray Vaughan, and even Pee-wee Herman! Back to the Beach is fun for a while, but its six-person writing team can't figure out a logical way to wind it all up. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, (more)
- 1987
Murder She Wrote meets "Sorry Wrong Number" in this chilling episode, set on a dark and stormy night. When the storm causes the telephone wires to get crossed, several persons receive calls that they shouldn't be hearing. One such person is Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), who is stuck in her home with an ailing back. Picking up the phone, Jessica overhears two men plotting a murder--but is unable to convince anyone that she isn't just imagining things! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Perhaps it's a blessing that old Ward Cleaver didn't live to see how his son Beaver (Jerry Mathers) turned out. Now in his mid-30s, the Beav is divorced, out of work, and living in his mother's house with his two children. Beaver's brother Wally, also married, is doing rather better, but his friendship with neighborhood sharpster Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond) threatens his financial wellbeing. Only the boys' Mom June (Barbara Billingsley) has matured in the twenty years since Leave It to Beaver left the air. Still the Beaver was the pilot for one of those ubiquitous "reunion" series of the 1980s; this one sold, and ran for several seasons on the TBS Superstation as The New Leave It to Beaver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Michael J. Fox is among the young sitcom stars enlisted for this made-for-TV teen film, about a battle between the rich, popular kids and their average counterparts. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael J. Fox, Nancy McKeon, (more)
- 1983
After the mysterious death of seven-year-old Christopher Reano, Quincy (Jack Klugman) checks into reports that a foster group home called Green Springs is endangering its charges with brutal treatment and unsanitary conditions. Pediatrician Dr. Curtis (played by former Leave It to Beaver cotar Tony Dow) hopes that Quincy will help him close Green Springs down: trouble is, the youngsters will then be shipped off to a reformatory that is even worse. It is up to Quincy's psychologist wife Elaine (Anita Gillette) to come up with a radical--but compassionate--solution to the problem. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
The Ordeal of Bill Carney is a TV movie inspired by a landmark court decision. Ray Sharkey plays Carney, an Army reservist whose spine is damaged in a jeep accident. Left a quadriplegic, Carney loses custody of his two children to ex-wife Betty Buckley. Despite the concerted efforts of the Disabled Veterans of America, as well as paraplegic lawyer Richard Crenna, the courts refuse to restore custody to Carney. But with the moral support of Crenna and his girl friend, Carney keeps up the court battle, and eventually emerges victorious. The film sagaciously avoids all temptations to wallow in sentiment; Carney refuses to feel sorry for himself, and his attitude is contagious. The cast of Ordeal of Bill Carney includes three comparative newcomers on the verge of TV stardom: Ana Alicia as Carney's new lady friend, and David Faustino and Jeremy Licht as his children. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Comedy writers David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams of Airplane and The Naked Gun fame got their start at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, when they formed a theatrical group known as The Kentucky Fried Theater. The Kentucky Fried Movie is based on the KFT's gag-filled theatrical skits. Including well-known stars such as Bill Bixby, Donald Sutherland, Tony Dow, George Lazenby and Henry Gibson, the film has over 22 different segments of varying lengths. Some are seconds long. Longer segments include such highlights as: "Zinc Oxide," which spoofs school educational films; "Cleopatra Schwartz," a spoof of female blaxploitation action films, whose heroine is married to a rabbi; "Sex Record," which depicts a couple who are attempting to follow the step-by-step instructions of a how-to-do-it record; "Catholic High School Girls In Trouble," and "A Fistful of Yen," (the longest episode), which is an elaborate spoof of martial-arts films. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donald Sutherland, George Lazenby, (more)
The 1975 TV movie Death Scream is based on the shameful Kitty Genovese affair of 1964, in which a N.Y.C. woman was stabbed to death while 38 witnesses locked their windows and doors and pretended not to hear. Raul Julia stars as the detective who investigates the murder and stirs up the guilt feelings of those who refused to help. The film casts celebrity actors in the roles of the witnesses (Diahann Carroll, Cloris Leachman, Lucie Arnaz, Nancy Walker, Art Carney, et al.). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
A fast-spreading wildfire impedes the efforts of the Rampart emergency staff to save an elderly woman suffering from dehydration, a seriously injured looter, and one of their own firemen trapped under a fallen tree. Further complications ensue from an emergency birth procedure in which the mother can't be moved, and an "A.P.B." for a lost dog. Gary Crosby makes his first Emergency! guest appearance in the role of John Conway, while former Leave It to Beaver costar Tony Dow shows up on a motorcycle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
The Great American Tragedy is a melodrama about an aerospace engineer and his family who struggle to survive after he suddenly loses his job. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) try to break up a gang of auto thieves who use pretty, miniskirted girls as decoys for unwary male drivers. Elsewhere, the two cops are summoned to a teenage pot party (this is, after all, a Jack Webb) production. And in another incident, Jim and Pete rescue a mugger from an angry old lady (Hope Summers) who turns the tables on the "perp" and beats him up. Former Leave It to Beaver costar Tony Dow has a sizeable supporting role in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Moving from Saturdays to Thursdays for its sixth and final season, Leave It to Beaver acknowledges the fact that both Beaver Cleaver (Jerry Mathers) and his brother Wally (Tony Dow) are now teenagers by reorchestrating the series' familiar theme music in emulation of a rock & roll beat. Also, whereas Wally was previously the only sports hero in the family, now Beaver is old enough to win a football award, and to score a winning touchdown -- though he's still not mature enough to handle the responsibilities of athletic fame and adulation. Additionally, for the first time in the series, Beav and Wally go on a double date with two attractive sisters -- and later on, Beav and not Wally gets in trouble for scheduling two dates on the same night! Too, Wally's hormones have kicked in to the extent that he seriously considers growing a moustache to impress his steady.
Yes, six years have definitely gone by since Leave It to Beaver's first season. Episode highlights this year include "Eddie the Businessman," in which that unregenerate creep Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond) unwittingly becomes accessory to a robbery scheme, and the thematically similar "Beaver the Caddy," in which The Beav must choose between telling a lie and getting a big tip on the links; "Tell It to Ella," wherein Beaver's complaint to a newspaper advice columnist about unfair parents backfires big-time (watch for a young Tim Matheson in this episode); and "Wally and the Fraternity," in which Wally's plan to pledge to his father Ward's (Hugh Beaumont) old fraternity may be scuttled by the words of a disgruntled ex-pledge. One of the season's best offerings showcases Doris Packer in the role of Beaver's eighth-grade teacher Miss Rayburn; in "Beaver's Book Report," Beav attempts to summarize The Three Musketeers based on the 1939 film version starring the Ritz Brothers. The series' 234th and final episode is also the only "cheater" in Leave It to Beaver's history: "Family Album" is a retrospective of clips from classic earlier episodes, including the series' very first offering, 1957's "Beaver Gets 'Spelled." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Yes, six years have definitely gone by since Leave It to Beaver's first season. Episode highlights this year include "Eddie the Businessman," in which that unregenerate creep Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond) unwittingly becomes accessory to a robbery scheme, and the thematically similar "Beaver the Caddy," in which The Beav must choose between telling a lie and getting a big tip on the links; "Tell It to Ella," wherein Beaver's complaint to a newspaper advice columnist about unfair parents backfires big-time (watch for a young Tim Matheson in this episode); and "Wally and the Fraternity," in which Wally's plan to pledge to his father Ward's (Hugh Beaumont) old fraternity may be scuttled by the words of a disgruntled ex-pledge. One of the season's best offerings showcases Doris Packer in the role of Beaver's eighth-grade teacher Miss Rayburn; in "Beaver's Book Report," Beav attempts to summarize The Three Musketeers based on the 1939 film version starring the Ritz Brothers. The series' 234th and final episode is also the only "cheater" in Leave It to Beaver's history: "Family Album" is a retrospective of clips from classic earlier episodes, including the series' very first offering, 1957's "Beaver Gets 'Spelled." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Billingsley, Hugh Beaumont, (more)
- 1961
As Leave It to Beaver enters its fifth season, Beaver Cleaver (Jerry Mathers) has somehow been promoted to the sixth grade, while brother Wally (Tony Dow) is a junior in high school. Perhaps sensing that Beaver had outgrown his natural cuteness, the producers contrived to build several of the season's better episodes around Wally. Examples: In "Wally Goes Steady," the elder Cleaver kid gets a crash course in marital bliss (or the lack of it); in "Wally's Car," it cannot be denied that he gets his money's worth when he spends 25 bucks on an old beater that won't even start; and in "Wally's Weekend Job," a practical joke prods Wally into depositing two full quarts of ice cream on the heads of his friends Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond) and Lumpy Rutherford (Frank Bank). Beaver's best showings this season include "Beaver Takes a Drive," or another example of why he should never, ever accept a dare from his pal Gilbert (Stephen Talbot); "Beaver's Ice Skates," featuring former "Bowery Boy" Stanley Clements as a none too ethical department store clerk; "Beaver's English Test," yet another "crisis of conscience" for our boy Beav when he aces a test that happens to be a carbon copy as the one he used for a study guide; and "Beaver's First Date," which, for all you trivia buffs, is with one Betsy Patterson (Pam Smith). Other season highlights: Beaver overcomes his fear of roller coasters; Eddie and Lumpy come to grief when trying to scare Beav and Wally during a nocturnal camp-out; Eddie quits school for a "high-paying job," and, as usual, overestimates both the quality of the job and his own competence; and an "older woman" uses an unwitting Wally to make her boyfriend jealous. If for nothing else, this season will be remembered for the episode wherein Beaver and his buddies decide to make a few prank phone calls, and end up connecting with baseball great Don Drysdale -- a "thrill of a lifetime" that ultimately totes up a long-distance bill of a then-astronomical nine dollars! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Billingsley, Hugh Beaumont, (more)
