Bard Stevens Movies

The last gasp of gimmick-horror auteur William Castle (who produced and co-wrote), Bug is an entertaining throwback to the mutant-monsters-amok theme of the 1950s (themselves throwbacks of another kind) that he found so profitable. The film stars Bradford Dillman as a kinder, gentler mad scientist who discovers the presence of a bizarre strain of mutant cockroach emerging from the earth after a severe earthquake. Although larger than the average beetle, the most disturbing aspect of the critters is their innate ability to ignite fires with their bodies -- a talent dramatically revealed after a few of the bugs crawl up a vehicle's tailpipe. When Dillman discovers that the creatures possess a group intelligence, he attempts to train and breed them -- which proves to be less than a good idea. In Castle's heyday, this would have proven an ideal theme for one of his patented gimmicks (perhaps having little rubber bugs drop from the ceiling onto unsuspecting patrons at appropriate moments), but director Jeannot Szwarc (who later helmed Jaws 2 and the hankie-fest Somewhere in Time) plays the story straight, with remarkably chilling results. This is also remarkably violent for a mainstream PG film (particularly in the scene where Bad Seed Patty McCormack's hair is ignited by the six-legged arsonists) with a downbeat ending typical of many horror movies of the '70s. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

When an Indian agent is assaulted on a reservation, it's a federal crime demanding the attention of the FBI. Thus it is that Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) investigates several mining accidents near a sacred Indian burial ground--accidents that the locals have chalked up to supernatural activity. Filmed on location at California's Mono Crater Park, this episode marks one of the final pre-M*A*S*H appearances of Wayne Rogers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Determined to "change the world" in a hurry, home-grown terrorist Eric Stone (Geoffrey Deuel) has no qualms about resorting to violence. Together with fellow conspirators Gilbert Manning (Tom Falk), Karen Wandemere (Diane Ewing), and Knox and Allen Hiller (Wayne Maunder, Mark Jenkins), Stone has cut quite a swath across the country, wreaking all manner of destruction on government property. With time running out and only a handful of leads at his disposal, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) must locate the Federal building that has been booby-trapped with a time bomb by the arrogant would-be revolutionaries. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) launches a search for the "inside man" who has masterminded a series of meticulously planned robberies in New York's diamond district. Piecing the clues together, Erskine concludes that at least one of the men who pulled off the most recent heist is a trained athlete--very likely a well-known circus performer. A terrific shootout at an airport baggage terminal caps this exciting episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Louise Troy appears as "Axis Annie" Gebhart, a German radio propagandist. Hoping to relay coded messages to the Allies, Hogan and his men agree to an on-air interview conducted by Annie. Unfortunately, their words come across as fervently pro-Nazi, thus Hogan must cook up a scheme to destroy the transcriptions. Written by Laurence Marks, "Axis Annie" originally aired on February 10, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

British POW and self-proclaimed escape artist Sgt. Malcolm Flood (Mickey Manners) has already broken out of nine prison camps when he is transferred to Stalag 13. Against Hogan's orders, Flood intends to make a tenth bid for freedom. To protect his scheduled rendezvous with the OSS, Hogan must prevent Flood's escape -- or, failing that, he must recapture the elusive Britisher himself. Written by future All in the Family stalwart Bill Davenport, "The Most Escape-Proof Camp I've Ever Escaped From" first aired on March 10, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hogan bristles at the notion of taking orders from female underground agent Dr. Suzanne Lechay (Ruta Lee). Even more vexing is the fact that Dr. Lechay is bound and determined to complete Hogan's assignment to destroy a Nazi synthetic-fuel lab -- a mission Hogan had previously rejected for being too risky. This episode was written by Laurence Marks, who penned most of the series' second-season installments. "Hogan and the Lady Doctor" originally aired on January 27, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hans Conried guest stars as Major Bonacelli, a pacifistic Italian POW commandant. Assigned to study under Stalag 17's Col. Klink, Bonacelli would much sooner defect to Switzerland. Ordered to extract information from Bonacelli, Hogan tries to convince the major to work on behalf of the Allies by bribing him with LeBeau's mouth-watering pizza. Written by Arthur Julian, "The Pizza Parlor" first aired on February 11, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Von Ryan's Express is a fast-paced, well-acted World War II drama, featuring a squadron of Allied soldiers trying to escape a prison camp in Italy. While most of the prisoners at the camp are British, a determined, resourceful American Air Force colonel (Frank Sinatra) takes charge and leads the escape, which requires that the prisoners wrest control of a German train and propel it through Italy to Switzerland. The subsequent ride, featuring good special effects and outstanding stunt work, is great fun and very suspenseful. Frank Sinatra makes an effective action hero aided by veteran actor Trevor Howard as a British officer. The CinemaScope photography is outstanding and director Mark Robson directs the exciting action sequences with skill. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide