Roy Applegate Movies
- 1976
Dale Messick's inexplicably popular Brenda Starr has to be one of the lamest comic strips ever perpetrated on an unsuspecting public; thus, any filmed version of the strip had nowhere to go but up. Jill St. John stars in this feature-length TV pilot film as plucky girl reporter Brenda Starr. While searching for a Howard Hughesish recluse, Brenda ends up in the wilds of Brazil at the mercy of voodoo-practicing natives. Happily, both St. John and special guest villain Victor Buono recognize the material for what it is, and make no effort to take things seriously. Brenda Starr debuted on May 8, 1976; no series of any kind followed. Other cinemadaptations of Brenda Starr include a 1945 Columbia serial starring Joan Woodbury, and a much-delayed (though not long-awaited) theatrical feature of the 1990s starring Brooke Shields. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Previously seen on Streets of San Francisco as a Latino cop determined to purge his old barrio neighborhood of drug pushers, A Martinez appears in this episode in the radically different role of a hapless illegal alien named Rudy Costa. During a raid by immigration officials, a security guard is murdered, and Costa is fingered as the killer. As they pursue the fugitive Costa, Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) uncover evidence that their quarry may have been framed. Much of this episode was filmed on location in Napa Valley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Attack on Terror: The FBI Versus the Ku Klux Klan is a fact-based, two-part TV movie. The film is a dramatization of the murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964. The FBI, personified herein by southern operative Wayne Rogers, is brought in to investigate the trio's disappearance. Upon the discovery of the bodies on August 2, 1964, the feds follow a trail of (admittedly skimpy) evidence which leads to the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, headed by the virulent Glen Tuttle (Rip Torn). The first part of Attack on Terror was originally telecast February 20, 1975. The film was based on the book by Don Whitehead. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ned Beatty, John Beck, (more)
- 1974
In this made-for-TV movie, a driver is involved in a hit-and-run accident. By the time the guilt-ridden fellow returns to the accident scene, the body has mysteriously disappeared. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Forsythe
- 1973
- PG
In this star-studded Canadian feature, young Johnny (Ron Howard) returns to his home to find out more about his early childhood, and who his father is. He runs headlong into the rivalry between his mother (Cloris Leachman) and her sister (Patricia Neal). What he cannot know is that his inquiries will stir up a hornet's nest among the other villagers. Apparently more than one person in his hometown has something to hide. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) must prevent grieving father Robert Hobbs (Ed Nelson) from taking the law in his own hands. Hobbs' son was murdered by Artis Pierce (Kaz Garas), who unfortunately was released on a technicality. Now nothing can stop Hobbs from exacting his own brand of vengeance--and making himself a murderer in the process. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Vic Morrow heads the guest cast as Vic Tolliman, leader of a gang of thieves. Hijacking a gold shipment, Tollman and his henchmen are unaware that the gold has been mixed with deadly uranium. Per the episode's title, Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) have only twenty-four hours to track down the thieves before the entire Bay Area has been fatally contaminated. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
The FBI beats the bushes for John Morgan (Billy Green Bush), a notorious bank robber. Morgan's success in the past has hinged on the fact that he is a "lone wolf", neither trusting nor relying upon anyone. But when Morgan falls in love with beautiful barmaid Laura Ann Millpark (Lane Bradbury), it is only a matter of time before he makes that proverbial One Wrong Move. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
- PG
A small-town California sheriff attempts to uncover facts behind the killing of a pregnant woman by her Doberman pinscher. James Garner stars in this mystery with performances by June Allyson and Ann Rutherford among others. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Garner, Katharine Ross, (more)
In this crime drama, a hard-nosed cop is assigned to find a psychotic rapist in order to stop a mad bomber with delusions of grandeur who has been razing Los Angeles buildings to punish the evil sinners that live therein. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Fuzz treads the line between raucous comedy and gut-churning melodrama. Based on an "87th Precinct" novel by Ed McBain (aka Evan Hunter), the film stars Burt Reynolds and Jack Weston as, respectively, detectives Steve Carella and Meyer Meyer. Their current assignment is to bring in Deaf Man (Yul Brynner), a mad bomber who has been targeting politicians. A subplot concerning a couple of punks who get their kicks by setting fire to sleeping winos is dramatically justified by the main storyline, but it was this element that caused a lot of trouble for the producers of Fuzz when a pair of real-life teenagers decided to imitate the film. On a lighter note, Raquel Welch co-stars as Detective Eileen McHenry, who is obliged to go undercover -- and under covers -- with fellow officer Bert Kling (Tom Skerritt). And as a bonus, viewers are treated to Burt Reynolds' first "drag" scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Burt Reynolds, Jack Weston, (more)
Pioneering filmmaker D.W. Griffith directed W.C. Fields in his first starring role in this silent comedy. When Mary Foster runs away from home to marry her sweetheart, a circus performer, she does so against the wishes of her socially prominent parents (Erville Alderson and Effie Shannon), who make no secret of their anger and disappointment. Mary begins travelling with her husband, and she makes friends with Prof. Eustace McGargle (W.C. Fields), a crusty but good-hearted cardsharp working with the carnival. When both Mary and her husband die, their daughter Sally is left in McGargle's care. Sally grows to adulthood (now played by Carol Dempster) and becomes a dancer with the circus; while McGargle has grown quite fond of the child, he wonders if she might not be better off with her grandparents, who can better provide for her and give her a stable home, though he's kept their identity a secret from her. While performing in the town of Green Meadows, Sally catches the eye of the wealthy and charming Payton Lennox (Alfred Lunt), but Sally must overcome the prejudices of Payton's parents, who do not consider a showgirl to be fit company for their son. However, a sympathetic local woman hires Sally to dance at an upcoming society recital -- not knowing that Sally is, in fact, her granddaughter. Sally of the Sawdust was based on a play that Fields had starred in on Broadway; he also starred in a sound remake entitled Poppy. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carol Dempster, W.C. Fields, (more)
- 1924
The talented and beautiful Marion Davies is practically lost under the opulence of this expensive, overdone historical romance. Her producer (and lover), newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, was attempting to recreate the success of one of Davies' prior epic vehicles, When Knighthood Was in Flower. Once again he based the picture on a novel by Charles Major and brought in set designer Joseph Urban to work his magic. But this Major story wasn't as good as Knighthood and Urban did his work too well; the sets are both gorgeous and overwhelming. Ultimately, the production cost too much for Hearst to make a profit, even though the film performed well at the box office. The backdrop is fifteenth century France, and Charles, Duke of Burgundy (Lyn Harding) has promised his daughter, Princess Mary (Davies), that she can marry the man she loves, Prince Maximilian of Styria (Ralph Graves). But when the Swiss threaten war, the duke is compelled to take back his word and he arranges for Mary to wed the half-witted dauphin (Johnny Dooley) of France's King Louis XI (Holbrook Blinn). Mary, however, runs away and disguises herself as Yolanda, a commoner. At a silk fair she meets and falls in love with a strange knight, only to discover that it's Maximilian in disguise. Although she is found and turned over to be married to the dauphin, Maximilian rescues her. When the Duke of Burgundy is killed, Mary shows up with Maximilian by her side to rule over her people. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marion Davies, Lyn Harding, (more)
- 1920
Barbara -- or Bab -- Marvin (Corinne Griffith) is engaged to lawyer David Darrow (Webster Campbell). Darrow thinks that he would be a good politician, but Bab's father, Senator Marvin (George Fawcett) disagrees. Bab agrees with her pop, so she promotes the town's most notorious derelict as a candidate. He winds up winning the election, and Darrow figures that he should stick to law. That decided, the Senator gives his consent to the couple's marriage. This picture was based on a story by Forrest Crissey, which appeared in Harper's magazine. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1917
This Northwoods drama stars Ruth Sinclair and Irving Cummings. Ruth (Sinclair) is an orphan who lives with her foster-father, Jim Vance, a crude mountaineer (Arthur Morrison). One night he tries to attack her and she stabs him. Fleeing the cabin in the belief that she has killed Vance, she is found by handsome French-Canadian Jules LeClerc (Cummings), and the two fall in love. Ruth and LeClerc marry and head for the DuBois settlement, where he goes into partnership with Mackenzie, who runs the general store (Roy Applegate). Late one night, Ruth catches a man rifling the cash drawer, who turns out to be Vance. He escapes, and the next morning when Mackenzie discovers the money is missing, he thinks that LeClerc is the culprit. LeClerc overhears Vance talking at the local saloon and comes to believe that he was Ruth's lover. He gives chase and they head into the woods. A fierce battle between the two men ensues, and Vance is drowned in the river. Ruth explains everything to her husband and they are happily united. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1915
The splendidly named Muriel Ostriche plays the title character in Daughter of the Sea. Identified only as "The Girl", Ostriche is a humble denizen of a poor fishing village. When the Girl saves wealthy dowager Catherine Calhoun, she is rewarded with lavish living quarters and an expensive education. Calhoun draws the line, however, at Ostriche's romance with her son Clifford Grey. The heroine is forced to prove her courage again before Calhoun considers her a worthy daughter-in-law. Daughter of the Sea was based on a story by future MGM scenarist Frances Marion (The Champ). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1915
In Vim's Plump and Runt series, Oliver Hardy and Billy Ruge were rivals almost as often as they were pals, making them a markedly different sort of team from Hardy's later partnership with brilliant comic mastermind Stan Laurel. Here Plump (Hardy) and Runt (Ruge) want the same girl, Elsie (Elsie McLeod). Either out of materialism or indecision, Elsie tells them she will choose the man who gets the better job. Runt lands employment as a bank's office boy. Plump, after a few failures, finally rescues the bank president's daughter and is hired as superintendent. The first thing he does is fire Runt. After finding out about Plump's new position, Elsie changes a dance invitation from Runt's name to that of Plump's. But Runt has gotten a job at a tailor's shop and when Plump brings his suit in to be pressed, he steals it and wears it to the dance himself. Left no other alternative, Plump shows up wearing a barrel. Elsie listens sympathetically to his tale of woe and he wins her heart. This one-reel comedy should in no way, shape or form be confused with the 1915 feature, which was based on a Rupert Hughes novel. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1914
There had been several film adaptations of Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin before 1914, but this effort from the World Film Corporation was the first feature-length version. The film retains all of the familiar characters, situations and setpieces of the original novel (the persecution of Uncle Tom by the wicked Simon Legree, the death of Little Eva, the comic relief of slave child Topsy et. al.), as well as the legendary "Eliza crossing the ice scene" -- which figured not at all in the Stowe book but was added years later for the first stage production of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Irving Cummings, later a producer-director of note, headed the "adult" cast in the blackface role of freed slave George Harris. The important role of Little Eva was essayed by Mary Eline, better known as the "Thanhouser Kid" (a nod to her home studio of Thanhouser. Though somewhat stiffly produced, Uncle Tom's Cabin holds up reasonably well when shown today. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
