Radames Pera Movies

Set at an indeterminate point in the future, this drama with an overt anti-communist message begins as an ostensible war movie: Russian and Cuban forces have invaded the U.S. and are viciously eliminating the inhabitants of a small town, when a group of teens escapes and plans a counterattack. Jed (Patrick Swayze), Robert (C. Thomas Howell), and six of their friends watch in amazement as soldiers parachute into their town and start shooting. The teens grab a pickup truck, stock up on supplies at the local store, and head for the hills. Meanwhile, the men in the town -- after a minimal resistance -- are rounded up and held at a drive-in theater converted into a concentration camp. The sadistic Soviet military then make them watch acclaimed Russian director Sergei Eisenstein's 1938 classic Alexander Nevsky, as their punishing rehabilitation begins. Meanwhile, after minimal resistance from the adults, a Cuban, Bella (Ron O'Neal), is put in charge and is not certain how he can really defeat the teen army. The Soviets and Cubans have so far defeated the American Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force, but these teens are really something else. After a successful ambush, the teen guerrillas gear up for future forays, when they are suddenly betrayed by one of their number and by doubts about the morality of what they are doing. Red Dawn is noteworthy for being the first movie released with the PG-13 rating, created by the MPAA after public outcry over violent content in the PG-rated Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Gremlins. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

John Jr. (Radames Pera), the adopted son of Mr. Edwards (Victor French), astonishes 13-year-old Mary Ingalls (Melissa Sue Anderson) by proposing marriage. Naturally, John expects Mary to wait for him until she comes of age -- but then he is offered a colleague scholarship that will keep him away from Walnut Grove for four long years. Will the lovestruck Laura force John to forsake his education and remain in town until she is old enough to wed? This episode was originally scheduled to air on October 4, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Having endured any number of setbacks, Charles (Michael Landon) can stand no more when a tornado wipes out his crops. Thoroughly discouraged, Charles decides to sell the farm and return to Wisconsin -- but he doesn't tell his family about this decision. On a happier note, Charles' daughter Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) and Mr. Edwards' (Victor French) adopted son, John Jr. (Radames Pera), share their first kiss. This was the final episode of Little House on the Prairie's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Charles (Michael Landon) continues seeking out good homes for the orphaned Sanderson children. Mr. Edwards (Victor French) would like to adopt all three kids, but there's one hitch: He's a bachelor. Undaunted, Edwards solves the problem by proposing to the Widow Snider (Bonnie Bartlett), thereby setting the stage for the episode's heartwarming denouement. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Season three of Kung Fu occasionally relieves the loneliness of Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine), the ex-Shaolin priest who, escaping from his native China after the justifiable killing of a nobleman, has found his way to the American West of the 1860s in search of his long-lost American brother -- and in search of lasting peace and inner tranquility. This season, Caine is occasionally joined in his perambulations by his American cousin Margit (Season Hubley), who of course needs protection every so often, thus prodding the pacifistic Caine into vanquishing various villains with his awesome martial-arts skills (and also of course, the big fight scenes are virtually always filmed in slow motion). Also requiring Caine's help and support during Kung Fu's third and final season are a whole new crop of guest stars, including Stefanie Powers, Sondra Locke, William Shatner, Lew Ayres, Patricia Neal, Eddie Albert, José Feliciano, Leslie Nielsen, David Carradine's father, John Carradine, and the star's then-girlfriend Barbara Hershey, who at the time was billing herself as Barbara Seagull. ~ Rovi

Season one of Kung Fu finds Chinese-American drifter Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine) solemnly making his way across the Old West, escaping a murder charge (albeit justified murder) hanging over him from his native China. Having once studied for a Shaolin priesthood, Caine is a man of peace and philosophy, keeping his cool no matter how much he is goaded by various western bad guys. But if someone else's life is in danger, or if a weaker person is being persecuted, Caine draws upon his extensive martial-arts skills to vanquish the villains and save the day. During the series' first year on the air, the directors tend to indulge (entertainingly so) in the "trendy" cinematic tricks of the day (1972), with an excess of hand-held camerawork in the fight scenes, slow- and stop-motion sequences, and multi-image scenes reminiscent of such films as The Boston Strangler and The Thomas Crown Affair. Among the guest stars coming in contact with the series' taciturn hero are Barry Sullivan, Robert Urich, Pat Hingle, Geraldine Brooks, Albert Salmi, Sheree North, Will Geer, a ten-year-old Jodie Foster (as a murder witness), and star David Carradine's real-life father, John Carradine, and brother, Robert Carradine. ~ Rovi

A family of Jewish refugees settles in a small cottage on Walton's Mountain. Terrified that the Nazi persecution that had forced them from their homeland has followed them to America, Professor David Mann (Noah Keen) warns his family not tell anyone that they are Jewish. Crestfallen that he will not be permitted to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah, Paul Mann (Radames Peras) loses all respect for his father--and it is up to the Waltons to convince the Manns that their dark days are past, and to reunite the Professor and his son. Featured as Eva Mann is Ellen Geer, the daughter of series regular Will Geer (Grandpa Walton). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Anthony Quinn plays Matsoukas, a Greek/American ne'er do well, living in Chicago with his long-suffering wife Caliope (Irene Papas). When Matsoukas discovers that his son (Radames Pera) is dying, he decides that the boy needs to get out of the Windy City and recuperate in the more agreeable climate of Greece. All he needs is the money for the plane fare. One by one, Matsoukas' sources of income dry up until he is forced to fix a dice game in order to raise the cash. It is his wife who finally puts up the money by stealing from her own mother. Matsoukas makes the trip but realizes it would be better if he remain in Greece so as not to further humiliate the loyal Caliope. Inger Stevens co-stars as Quinn's mistress, while Sam Levene plays an old pal whose offer to put up the needed money evaporates when he suddenly drops dead. A Dream of Kings was adapted by Harry Mark Petrakis from his own novel. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi