Robert Doyle Movies

Lewis Teague directed this sly horror-comedy from a script by John Sayles, which plays off the old urban legend about the dangers of flushing one's pet alligator down the toilet. One such unlucky reptile is "Ramon," who survives in the subterranean cesspool by feeding on the steroid-saturated carcasses of dogs dumped there by chemical company researchers and eventually bulks up to the size of a Winnebago. When assorted sewage workers start disappearing into Ramon's massive maw, hard-boiled cop David Madison (Robert Forster), who has a history of unlucky partners, reveals a strong personal interest in the case. Deemed a jinx and a nutcase by his superiors, he's kicked off the force and must go underground (literally) to destroy the beast with the help of young reptile-expert Marion (Robin Riker). The witty screenplay is filled with clever references, eccentric characters and in-jokes aplenty (a style reflective of Joe Dante's Piranha and The Howling, both of which Sayles also scripted), which combines with decent effects and a good amount of suspense (particularly in the sewer scenes) to make this an entertaining romp overall. Highlights include Henry Silva's over-the-top performance as a misplaced big-game hunter who recruits urban "native guides" in his back-alley search for the elusive Ramon. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy is a TV dramatization of the notorious Cold War incident of 1960. The story is told from the point of view of Powers (Lee Majors), an American pilot who was shot down over Russia while taking photographs on behalf of the CIA. The event occurs just before a crucial summit meeting between American President Dwight D. Eisenhower (James Flavin) and Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev (Thayer David). Eisenhower tries to cover up the incident, allowing Khrushchev to make propagandistic hay of the whole affair. Robert E. Thompson's teleplay tends to depict the Americans as jerks, and the Russians as essentially good guys; even Powers' Soviet interrogator, portrayed by Nehemiah Persoff, comes off comparatively sympathetic. Also in the cast are Noah Beery as Powers' father and Lew Ayres as Allen Dulles. Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy was originally telecast September 29, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A particularly vicious gang is using heroin to lure young women into prostitution. Investigating this sordid business, a prominent TV reporter is murdered by the criminals. The only hope Kojak (Telly Savalas) to smash the ring and avenge the unfortunate reporter is in the hands of Audrey Norris (Tina Louise), a strung-out hooker whose roommate has also been bumped off. This episode was directed by Leo Penn, the father of actors Sean Penn and Christopher Penn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The fourteenth and final season of Bonanza began on September 12, 1972 with a special two-hour episode. As originally written by series star Michael Landon (who also directed), "Forever" was supposed to have focused on the ill-starred marriage between Hoss Cartwright (Dan Blocker) and Alice Harper (Bonnie Bedelia). The tragic death of Dan Blocker forced Landon to rewrite the story as vehicle for his own character, Joe Cartwright-and the result was one of the series' most heartbreakingly poignant episodes, not so much because of what was seen on camera, but because of the emotional baggage brought to the set by surviving Bonanza regulars Landon and Lorne Greene (Ben Cartwright). In the final version of "Forever," the happiness of the union between Joe and Alice is clouded by the fact that the girl is pregnant by another man-and by the criminal activities of her ne'er-do-well brother John Harper (Andy Robinson). Exquisitely photographed on location in the High Sierras, the episode was enhanced by David Rose's haunting musical score, elements of which were later heard in Landon's subsequent starring series Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven. This episode also marked the return of Rose's original Bonanza main theme, after a two-season absence. The ending of "Forever", in which both Joe and Ben quietly weep over their respective losses, is guaranteed to move even the most jaded viewer to tears. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Roscoe Lee Browne guest-stars as Joshua, the crippled grandfather of a black youngster killed in a bank robbery. Struggling to overcome his bitterness against the white race in general, Joshua accepts the assistance of Joe Cartwright and Jamie in tracking down his grandson's killers. Featured in the cast is Richard Farnsworth as Troy. Michael Landon, who plays Joe Cartwright, also wrote and directed this compelling episode. "He Was Only Seven" made its network broadcast debut on March 5, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A gang of hoodlums ambush a messenger and a guard for a Wall Street brokerage firm, stealing $400,000 in securities. The guard is killed, but the crooks allow the messenger to go free, and for good reason: The messenger is Paul Thorpe (Robert Walker Jr.), the nephew of a powerful Mafia boss. Refusing to come forward as a witness for fear of being implicated in the crime, Paul succeeds only in causing a lot more trouble for himself and his fiancee Charlene (Patricia Harty). Watch for future Brady Bunch star Barry Williams in a minor role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After the mysterious death of a juror in the trial of a dangerous mob functionary, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr. investigates the possibility of jury-tampering in the case. Meanwhile, Ana Nieves (Pilar Seurat, the wife of another juror, is threatened with death or disfigurement at the hands of an assailant who uses acid as a "persuader." The supporting cast includes several FBI "regulars", including the formidable R.G. Armstrong. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) finds himself on the horns of an ironic dilemma. Pornographer Bert Anslem (James Gregory), against whom the FBI has been trying to build a case for months, has been kidnapped by career criminal Nick Kirby (Robert Doyle), who demands a $100,000 ransom. This places Erskine in the position of having to rescue Anslem--while simultaneously preventing the man's inevitable flight from the FBI's jurisdiction. Jill Haworth, who created the role of Sally Bowles in the original Broadway production of "Cabaret", appears as Anslem's daughter. (Note: some sources have incorrectly identified this episode as "To Free Mine Enemy"). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoping to land a hot scoop that will increase his prestigate as a reporter, Tim (Bill Bixby) uses the CCTBS time machine to solve the robbery of the famous Beaudelaire jewels. Instead, Tim is forced to help the jewel robbers--and ends up in jail for his troubles. Martin (Ray Walston) goes undercover as a convict to save Tim and expose the real crooks, who were allegedly behind bars when the heist took place. Look for a young Billy Green Bush (here billed as "William") as a bank guard. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Seaview accidentally runs into a derelict mine field and is sent to the bottom. The sub has no power and no chance of making repairs, and is too deep for any rescue effort -- except for her own deep submersible diving bell, which is in New London being repaired. While Nelson $Richard Basehart) and Crane (David Hedison) do their best to hold things together aboard, while waiting for help, Lt. Cmdr. Morton (Bob Dowdell) and CPO Curly Jones (Henry Kulky) try desperately to get the bell working and reach the sub. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide

No one could accuse this episode of The Untouchables of defaming the Italians--certainly not with the young, aggressively WASP-ish Robert Redford as the villain of the week. Redford is cast as Ivy League bootlegger Jack Parker, who who is deliberately distributing a dangerous form of methyl alcohol known as "Ginger Jake" to college campuses. Even mob boss Frank Nitti (Bruce Gordon) is queasy about selling a product that could permanently blind anyone who drinks it, but Parker wins Nitti over by explaining his reason for pushing the cheap hooch: it will whet the students' appetite for the "good stuff", for which Parker has formulated a diabolically brilliant distribution scheme. This episode boasts one of the most grimly powerful finales in all Untouchables history--and as a bonus, Star Trek fans are treated to a glimpse of an uncredited Walter Koenig as one of the students. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide