Hugh Downs Movies
- 2001
The Griffins visit Toys 'R' Overpriced, where they buy Stewie (voice of Seth MacFarlane) his first tricycle. Later, when a teacher is arrested for teaching "crackpot theories" at Meg's (voice of Mila Kunis) school, a news team shows up, and Meg finds herself smitten with news anchor Tom Tucker (MacFarlane). She has a fantasy about him (a parody of the Phoebe Cates pool scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High) and decides to apply for Channel 5's Young Anchor internship program. Thanks to co-anchor Diane Simmons' insecurity about picking a pretty girl, Meg is chosen for the internship, but unluckily, her partner intern is Neil (voice of Seth Green), the nerdy A/V guy who has a massive crush on her. Stewie learns to ride his tricycle, while Peter (MacFarlane) proudly videotapes, until he's distracted by the (American) beauty of a plastic bag blowing around in the wind. Stewie has his first encounter with the concept of bullying when Charlie (voice of Josh Peck) steals his new wheels. Later, when the infamous "Mass Media Murderer," known for killing newspersons, is spotted on top of Town Hall, Tom and Diane give Meg and Neil the story. When it seems like the hapless teens are going to be murdered, Meg gives Neil a kiss, which is captured on videotape. In the nick of time, a superheroic Hugh Downs (doing his own voice) comes to the rescue, and Meg has to deal with the ugly repercussions of that kiss. Soon, Neil is handing out T-shirts at school festooned with the image of their lip-lock, and bringing his parents over for dinner at the Griffins'. This episode features the voice talents of Michael Chiklis and Abe Vigoda, along with references to Mr. Sherman and Peabody and Quantum Leap. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Bill Maher hosts two episodes of his provocative Comedy Central roundtable talk show. The episodes center on the questions: "Why do people in the public eye say stupid things?," "Should food be involved during sex?," "Isn't religion just a cult -- a business that doesn't pay taxes?," and "Does showbiz make people into jerks, or were they like that anyway?" In the first episode, Maher manages guests Julianna Margulies, Tom Arnold, Carrot Top, and Hugh Downs as they argue about schooling, drugs, and food-sex combos. The second features Maher wrangling and provoking Roseanne, Roger Clinton, Alexandra Penney, and Richard Viguerie as they examine celebrity, farm subsidies, and religion. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Depression: Beyond the Darkness offers a forthright look at this illness which affects as many as 20 million Americans. The documentary explores the physiological aspects of the malady, misconceptions surrounding depression, its affect on individuals of all ages, and how to cope with the illness. Candid interviews with mental health workers and sufferers of depression provide insight and understanding into this long-misunderstood disease. The video also examines in-depth the pros and cons of various treatment forms. Therapies addressed include antidepressant drugs, psychoanalysis, and shock treatment. Hugh Downs hosts. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide
- 1990
This ABC News production is a journalistic investigation of terrorist acts around the world. Chronicled are such acts as the murder of the Israeli athletes at the Munich games to the ongoing violence in the Middle East and a discussion of the increasing use of violent terrorism by political and religious fanatics. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1989
This is an ABC News documentary which covers the natural disasters of the last decade. Included are tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and the awe-inspiring eruption of Mt. St. Helens. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
In this mild sequel to the 1977 appearance of George Burns as God, the Heavenly Father shows up again, this time to talk to Tracy (Louanne), a young girl whose earthly father (David Birney) is in the advertising business. God's intention is to promote himself among the children first. Tracy comes up with a way to further awareness of the Supreme Being with posters and graffiti that say "Think God." She and her classmates set out on this campaign, but Tracy ends up facing a phalanx of psychiatrists for talking to an invisible God. Being who He is, God decides to finally make an appearance for the benefit of everyone. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Burns, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna cowrote as well as starred in this 1976 TV remake of the 1941 Tracy-Hepburn vehicle Woman of the Year. Except for a handful of updated details, the storyline is substantially the same in both versions: A down-to-earth male sportswriter (Bologna, in the Spencer Tracy part) marries a high-profile female international news commentator (Taylor, in the Katharine Hepburn part). In fine "golden age" tradition, the stars are complemented with an excellent supporting cast, including Richard Bakalyan as a punch-drunk bartender, Leon Belasco as a refugee Russian musician and John Fiedler as a justice of the peace. Only Anthony Holland's swishy male secretary strikes a discordant note. The remake's "reconciliation" finale wisely avoids the ponderous, sexist slapstick setpiece at the end of the original film, wherein Katharine Hepburn nearly destroys her kitchen by cooking her first breakfast. A surefire audience pleaser, Woman of the Year was curiously premiered in July of 1976, a time when most potential viewers were out of the house. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Hugh Downs, himself an avid aviator, narrates this documentary based on the exploits of a group of men bent on re-creating the barnstorming feats of aviators who flew during the two World Wars. The pilots, many of them professional, include Richard Bach (of Jonathan Livingston Seagull fame). Based on Bach's book Nothing By Chance, the documentary follows the exploits of the members of the American Flying Circus as they fly from one small Midwestern town to another, putting on their show. The opportunity to see rare and rebuilt biplanes in action is one of the treats of this documentary. The population of the small towns themselves are another, as they are shown in an affectionate and amusing light. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Bach, Jack Brown, (more)
- 1963
- NR
In this comedy, the head of a United Nations department suddenly becomes a father when he stumbles across an abandoned baby in one of the halls. He tries to find a home for the darling and suddenly finds himself surrounded by assorted exotic beauties all trying to win the baby for their country. In the end, though, the bachelor takes the babe for his own. Songs include: "So Wide the World," "Fais Do Do," and "A Global Affair." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Hope, Liselotte Pulver, (more)
- 1961
When a pregnant cow cannot give milk, a farm nears disaster and the prayers and religious conviction of a young farm girl saves the farm. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1960
The famous Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour "Road" movies are spoofed in this star-studded musical comedy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1959
This volume features a different selection of game shows from the '50s and '60s, including "People Are Funny," "Concentration," and "I've Got a Secret." This video also features some of the original commercials. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1953
In the 1950s, journalist Hugh Downs sat down with architect Frank Lloyd Wright for an interview on the NBC news program Wisdom; since then, the 30 minutes of footage have been distributed in museums and schools under the title A Conversation with Frank Lloyd Wright. The topics included in the talk include Wright's upbringing, inspirations, and his concept of "organic architecture." ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Lloyd Wright, Hugh Downs, (more)
