Pat Mitchell Movies

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Part of the CNN Millennium ten-hour documentary which explores global events of the past 1,000 years, CNN Millennium, Pt. 10: Century of the Globe -- The Twentieth Century outlines pivotal points between 1900 and the year 2000. The program describes a period of turmoil and prosperity, in which two world wars wreaked havoc, technological advancements caused pollution, and America enjoyed an abundant economy and embraced the wonder of rock & roll. The episode remembers Charles Lindbergh's historic 33-and-a-half-hour flight from New York to Paris, and Neil Armstrong's moon touch-down. Actor Ben Kingsley narrates. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

CNN Millennium, Part 1: Century of the Sword - The Eleventh Century: 1999

Part of the CNN Millennium 10-hour documentary, which explores global events of the past 1000 years, CNN Millennium, Part 1: Century of the Sword - The Eleventh Century outlines pivotal points between 1000 and 1100. The program discusses explorer Leif Ericksson's important journey to North America and tracks the Christian crusaders who violently stormed the Holy Land. Viewers learn details about the historic Battle of Hastings, in which Harold, Earl of Essex was murdered and the Normans prevailed, as well as the dramatic fall of Byzantium, El Cid's brutal conquering of Valencia, and more. Actor Ben Kingsley narrates. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

CNN Millennium, Part 2: Century of the Axe - The Twelfth Century: 1999

Part of the CNN Millennium 10-hour documentary, which explores global events of the past 1000 years, CNN Millennium, Part 2: Century of the Axe - The Twelfth Century outlines pivotal points between 1100 and 1200. The program describes a period of great innovation in architecture and education. In this century, the nautical compass found its way to the West. In Europe, amazing cathedrals were being constructed. Also in the 12th century, the idea of a university system came into being. Actor Ben Kingsley narrates. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

CNN Millennium, Part 3: Century of the Stirrup - The Thirteenth Century: 1999

Part of the CNN Millennium 10-hour documentary, which explores global events of the past 1000 years, CNN Millennium, Part 3: Century of the Stirrup - The Thirteenth Century outlines pivotal points between 1200 and 1300. The program follows Ghengis Khan and his Mongol warriors as they mapped their course west. Viewers learn how the Inquisition empowered church government, how the Magna Carta came to be passed, and which important modern inventions Roger Bacon psychically foretold. Actor Ben Kingsley narrates. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

CNN Millennium, Part 4: Century of the Scythe - The Fourteenth Century: 1999

Part of the CNN Millennium ten-hour documentary which explores global events of the past 1,000 years, CNN Millennium, Pt. 4: Century of the Scythe -- The Fourteenth Century outlines pivotal points between 1300 and 1400. The program describes a century of passionate revolt, in which French and English peasants waged the Hundred Years War, demanding better treatment. In Turkey and India, relentless warriors claimed land for their own. Also, a horrendous plague, the Black Death, took the lives of millions. Actor Ben Kingsley narrates. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

CNN Millennium, Part 5: Century of the Sail - The Fifteenth Century: 1999

Part of the CNN Millennium ten-hour documentary which explores global events of the past 1,000 years from a global perspective, CNN Millennium, Pt. 5: Century of the Sail -- The Fifteenth Century outlines pivotal points between 1500 and 1600, a century of self-improvement. In Europe, artists started a fresh movement called the Renaissance. Brilliant painter, architect, and engineer Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452. China became a maritime competitor in this century, and Christopher Columbus set off to discover new places. Actor Ben Kingsley narrates. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

CNN Millennium, Part 6: Century of the Compass - The Sixteenth Century: 1999

Part of the CNN Millennium ten-hour documentary which explores global events of the past 1,000 years, CNN Millennium, Pt. 6: Century of the Compass -- The Sixteenth Century outlines pivotal points between 1500 and 1600, a century of new beginnings. Seven empires cropped up during this period, while Spain suffered a decline. Flemish physician Andrea Vesalius revolutionized medicine by making dissections on cadavers. Also, the world began keeping time with a newly formatted and improved calendar. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

CNN Millennium, Part 7: Century of the Telescope - The Seventeenth Century: 1999

Part of the CNN Millennium ten-hour documentary which explores global events from the past 1,000 years, CNN Millennium, Pt. 7: Century of the Telescope -- The Seventeenth Century outlines pivotal points between 1600 and 1700, a period of scientific advancement, global commercialization, and New World settlement. During this century, both the telescope and the microscope were invented, and Galileo Galilei announced that the Earth and the planet Jupiter revolve around the sun. Actor Ben Kingsley narrates. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

CNN Millennium, Part 8: Century of the Furnace - The Eighteenth Century: 1999

Part of the CNN Millennium ten-hour documentary which explores global events of the past 1,000 years, CNN Millennium, Pt. 8: Century of the Furnace -- The Eighteenth Century outlines pivotal points between 1700 and 1800, a period of climactic action. In this century, the Moguls in India experienced their decline. Meanwhile, however, the British Empire was becoming a world power, and James Watt's steam engine sparked the all-important Industrial Revolution. Also, the small pox vaccine was discovered. Actor Ben Kingsley narrates. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

Celebrate the Century, Episode 1: 1900-1914: 1999

Starring:: Wynton Marsalis

Century of Women: Work and Family: 1994

Throughout the 20th century, women have met the challenges and struggles of balancing work and family. Narrated by Jane Fonda, A Century of Women: Work & Family weaves fictional and factual stories to illustrate the history of women in the workforce, as well as their roles as wives and mothers. Performances and testimonies from a stellar group of women including Meryl Streep, Gloria Steinem, Twyla Tharp, and Maya Angelou facilitate the film's innovative method of storytelling. Archival film, photographs, and interviews retrace historical events -- from the founding of the PTA to early unions -- that changed our social landscape. Diaries, letters, and personal memories honor women of the past and make it clear that the balancing of labor and family was a matter of life and death. ~ Brooke Hodess, All Movie Guide

China: The Wild East: 1995

This documentary offers a sweeping look at China's recent past and its future as the great country prepares to enter the 21st century. The filmmaker Peter Kauffman explains that the reason he made the film was due to an excited phone call from Xiozhen Jiang, his longtime friend and daughter of renowned Chinese screen actress Bai Yang. During the call she told Kauffman that China had turned into "the wildest place on Earth." Intrigued, Kaufman and his father, distinguished filmmaker Philip Kaufman, journeyed to China and made this film, which is divided into titled segments. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Driving Passion: America's Love Affair with the Car, Part 1 - Birth of the Automobile: 1995

Modern transportation has come a long way. From the introduction of Henry Ford's quirky invention to the technically sophisticated constructions of modern times, cars have had an interesting history. Richard Crenna hosts this four-part series that follows the automobile's evolution. The Birth of the Automobile takes the viewer back to 1909 with the creation of the Model T. Driving Passion captures a moment when Americans reacted with predictable fervor to such an unexpected convenience.
~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide

Driving Passion: America's Love Affair with the Car, Part 2 - America Takes to the Road in Style: 1995

Driving Passion: America's Love Affair with the Car, Part 3 - Golden Age of Detroit: 1995

Driving Passion: America's Love Affair with the Car, Part 4 - Fast Track to the Future: 1995

Driving Passion documents America's fascination with the automobile. Beginning with the introduction of the Model T, the documentary traces the history of four-wheeled transportation. Hosted by Richard Crenna, The Fast Track to the Future looks at the modern problems plaguing car owners. From the gas crisis to technological advances, the future is undetermined. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide

Me and the Kid: 1993; PG; Add Me and the Kid to Queue Add Me and the Kid to top of Queue

A wealthy young boy is kidnapped by thieves who rob his home, but the crooks are in for a surprise when the kid becomes a pest . ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

Starring:: Danny Aiello, Alex Zuckerman, (more)

Northwest Territory: 1952

Monogram's on-and-off "Northwest Mountie" series was on again with 1952's Northwest Territory. Ostensibly based on a James Oliver Curwood story, the film stars Kirby Grant as RCMP officer Rod Webb and Webb's dog Chinook as "himself." Left in charge of the grandson of a murdered prospector, Webb vows to bring in the killers. This he does, but not before encountering all sorts of perils in the Great North. The heroine is played by Gloria Saunders, an actress normally associated with such exotic roles as "The Dragon Lady" on the TV version of Terry and the Pirates. Star Kirby Grant would later achieve TV fame as the star of Sky King. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Starring:: Kirby Grant, Gloria Saunders, (more)

Perfect Strangers: 1950

The Ben Hecht-Charles MacArthur Broadway comedy Ladies and Gentlemen formed the basis of the Warner Bros. laughspinner Perfect Strangers. The title characters are Terry Scott and David Campbell, played by Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan. She's a divorcee, he's a husband and father. Terry and David are thrown together by fate -- or rather, the LA judicial system. While serving as jurors on a murder trial, the two fall in love. Ironically, the woman on trial allegedly killed her husband because he'd asked for a divorce. The seriocomic tension develops on two levels: will juror Isobel Bradford (Margolo Gillmore) be able to sway the others to vote for the death penalty, and will Terry and David continue to pursue their romance at the expense of the happiness of others? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Starring:: Ginger Rogers, Dennis Morgan, (more)

The Guy Who Came Back: 1951

The title character (Paul Douglas) is a pro football player of the early 1940s at the end of his career. Douglas is offered a coaching job, but he stubbornly turns it down in hopes of making a comeback. Day after day he sits in his den watching movies of his past gridiron triumph, much to the dismay of his wife (Joan Bennett). When she chews him out for living in the past, Douglas walks out and takes up with a younger woman (Linda Darnell). To prove that he's still in top shape, Douglas takes a job as a professional wrestler. His new girl friend, realizing that Douglas is miserable without his wife, conspires with the other woman to get Douglas back on his old team. The wartime need for warm bodies allows Douglas a few more years in football, but eventually he gets wise to himself and takes the coaching job. Ironically, Guy Who Came Back star Paul Douglas was in his youth an football pro who retired from active play to become a sports announcer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Starring:: Paul Douglas, Joan Bennett, (more)

The Well: 1951; Add The Well to Queue Add The Well to top of Queue

The Well is a modest but generally effective plea for racial tolerance. Based loosely on a real incident, the film tells of the disappearance of a little African-American girl in a small, segregated community. Caucasian Claude Packard (Harry Morgan, the nephew of the town's richest man (Barry Kelley), is the last person seen with the little girl. Sensing a coverup when Morgan is not immediately charged, the black community is on the verge of a riot. But when it's discovered that the little girl has fallen down a well, all racial differences are forgotten as black and white neighbors work shoulder to shoulder to rescue the child. The Well tries very hard to be equitable by 1951 standards, and is heartfelt enough to overcome its occasional lapses into stereotype and condescension. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Starring:: Richard Rober, Gwendolyn Laster, (more)

Up in Smoke: 1978; R; Add Up in Smoke to Queue Add Up in Smoke to top of Queue

Then professional potheads Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong teamed up for Cheech & Chong: Up In Smoke, which features the drug-addled duo on a road trip throughout California; that is to say, a road-trip they hope will culminate in finding some quality weed. Instead, a series of mishaps result in their respective deportations to Mexico. Desperate to get back to the states so they can perform in their band's gig later that night, Cheech and Chong unwittingly agree to drive a very unique car across the border -- rather than steel and various metal bits, the vehicle is constructed entirely out of marijuana. Back in the States and accompanied by two extraordinarily out-of-it female hitchhikers, the stoned group meanders about in an attempt to get their musical performance together, and narrowly escapes from local law enforcement agencies on numerous occasions despite their complete inability to realize they were being tailed to begin with. The incredibly low-budget movie surprised critics, grossed millions, spawned a series of lesser follow-up films, and cemented Cheech & Chong's cult-status among potheads across the globe. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide