David Dukes Movies
American actor David Dukes has distinguished himself in all branches of the performing arts, but it is television that has gained him the widest and most appreciative audience. After an indifferent film bow in 1975's The Wild Party, Dukes portrayed the crippled war-vet son of a wealthy Bostonian household in Beacon Hill, a CBS prime-time series intended as America's "answer" to Upstairs Downstairs. Though the critics were brutal to Beacon Hill, they generally qualified their vitriol with words of praise for Dukes. Thereafter, the actor avoided regular series work, preferring the miniseries or two-hour theatrical special. Dukes appeared in such multipart TV efforts as The Winds of War (1983), George Washington (1984) and James Michener's Space (1985). One-shot television specials starring Dukes include Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1985), in which he played Brother Man, and the PBS production of Eugene O'Neill's Strange Interlude (1988). The most publicity attending a David Dukes appearance was for his guest shot on a 1978 episode of All in the Family, in which he played the would-be rapist of Edith Bunker! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1979
Originally titled The Voyage of the Mayflower, this made-for-TV historical drama was, not surprisingly, first telecast as a CBS Thanksgiving special. In the tradition of the 1952 theatrical feature Plymouth Adventure, the film meticulously recounted the journey in 1620 A.D. of 103 Pilgrim "separatists" from their religiously restrictive English homeland to the shores of the New World. The dramatic crux of the film was manifested in the conflict between mercenary, untrustworthy Mayflower captain Christopher Jones (Anthony Hopkins) and idealistic but tough Pilgrim leader William Brewster (Richard Crenna). Also incorporated in the narrative are the intertwining relationships between Miles and Rose Standish (David Dukes, Trish Van Devere), John Alden (Michael Beck), and Priscilla Mullens (Jenny Agutter). Mayflower: The Pilgrim's Adventure was originally shown on November 21, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The story begins as an astronomer notices that a blazing comet is headed straight for Phoenix Arizona. Unfortunately, no one believes him. They will eventually, but only after most of Phoenix has been reduced to cinders. Emmies went to the special effects (among the best ever seen on TV in those days before computer-generated special fx) and sound recording. The all-star cast includes Richard Crenna, Elizabeth Ashley, David Dukes, Joanna Miles, Lloyd Bochner, Merlin Olsen and Andrew Duggan, all of them superbly cast and none merely doing the usual celebrity walk-through. Originally telecast in a three-hour slot, Fire in the Sky debuted November 26, 1978. This film should not be confused with the 1993 alien-abduction film of the same name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
The formal title for this TV mini-series was Harold Robbins' 79 Park Avenue, just in case you might mistake it for William Makepeace Thackeray's 79 Park Avenue. Originally presented in three parts, this adaptation of the Robbins best-seller stars Lesley Ann Warren as Marja Fludjicki, a Depression-era tenement girl who is accused of murdering her drunken stepfather. Part One details how Marja's "crime" was justifiable; she'd been raped by the bounder. Parts Two and Three would trace Marja's progress from teenaged prostitute to elegant, high-priced Park Avenue Madam--and mob mistress. Forced by circumstance into a life of prostitution, Marja marries Las Vegas high-roller Ross Savitch (Marc Singer). Ross is bumped off by the Syndicate, leaving Marja in the lurch. Marja rebounds from tragedy to become a federal witness against the Mob. 79 Park Avenue was first telecast on October 16, 17, and 18, 1977. Though all the names are changed, it isn't hard to discern the Bugsy Siegel story in this video equivalent to eating a whole box of chocolates in one sitting. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
One of the most controversial and compelling episodes of All in the Family, "Edith's 50th Birthday" begins as the rest of the family prepares a surprise party for Edith at Mike and Gloria's house. Left alone in her own house, Edith is attacked and held at knifepoint by a rapist (David Dukes). Though the intruder leaves before inflicting any physical damage, the experience so unnerves Edith that she refuses to go to the police and testify against her attacker; in fact, it appears as if she will be too frightened ever to leave her house again. Offsetting the grimness of the central situation is a surfeit of broad comedy, including Archie and Mike's slapstick efforts to search the Bunker house just in case the rapist is still lurking about. Written by Bob Weiskopf and Bob Schiller, "Edith's 50th Birthday" originally aired as a 60-minute episode on October 16, 1977; it has since been re-edited as two 30-minute episodes for syndication purposes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1976
In this opening episode of The Jeffersons' third season, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) steams up when Cunningham, his chief rival in the dry-cleaning business, reaps huge profits from a Bicentennial sale. Ad man Cal Roberts (David Dukes) suggests that George run his own "patriotic" promotion by claiming to be the descendant of Thomas Jefferson -- and, taking things one step farther, George dresses himself up as the nation's third president. Though not yet indicated in the opening credits, Marla Gibbs had become a series regular in the role of Florence, the Jeffersons' sassy maid. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
Director James Ivory has disowned this Hollywood drama, inspired by the Fatty Arbuckle/Virginia Rappe case and based on a satirical poem by Joseph Moncure March, which was heavily cut by American International Pictures from two hours to 90 minutes. The story concerns Jolly Grimm (James Coco), whose career as a famous silent film comic is coming to an end with the advent of talking pictures. He plans a last hurrah by making one more silent film and invites a collection of Hollywood big shots to his mansion in hopes of convincing one of them to distribute the picture. His mistress, Queenie (Raquel Welch), encourages him, but it quickly becomes apparent the film is a bomb. As Jolly Grimm keeps drinking, his mood becomes less jolly and more grim, particularly when movie star Dale (Perry King) starts getting quite familiar with Queenie. Meanwhile, young starlet Nadine (Annette Ferra), after finding her sister in bed with a guest, seeks out Jolly for solace. When Jolly tries to comfort her by kissing her full on the mouth, a drunken party guest, thinking Jolly is trying to seduce the girl, begins to beat Jolly senseless. Dale halts the fracas, but when Jolly doesn't thank Dale properly for saving him from a shellacking, Dale retreats with Queenie to the boudoir. Jolly, already keyed up to a dangerous level, awaits their emergence from the bedroom with a gun in his hand. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Coco, Raquel Welch, (more)
- 1970
- R
This film is based on the James Simon Kunen book about student unrest on the Columbia University campus. Simon (Bruce Davison) joins the campus protest movement to socialize with the various hippie girls. When a violent police assault breaks up the protest, Simon's thoughts quickly turn from female infatuation to more important social causes. He becomes active in protests against the Vietnam War, police brutality, student's rights and the draft. He is branded a Communist and becomes part of the great worldwide social revolution of his times. Music from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Thunderclap Newman, Richard Strauss and John Lennon accurately reflect the turbulent times in which the film was released. Bud Cort, James Coco, and Kim Darby star in this uneven political drama. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Davison, Kim Darby, (more)
