Rand Brooks Movies

It goes without saying that the 1973 TV-movie version of Double Indemnity doesn't come within shouting distance of the classic 1944 theatrical-movie version. Still, the basic story is a solid one, and the actors are eager to please. Richard Crenna plays the old Fred MacMurray role of Walter Neff, the slightly larcenous insurance salesman inveigled into an elaborate murder/fraud scheme by sexy Phyllis Dietrichson (Samantha Eggar, replacing the 1944 version's Barbara Stanwyck). The scheme almost goes off without a hitch, but Walter's boss Barton Keyes (Lee J. Cobb; originally Edward G. Robinson) has this "stinking" hunch-and besides, you can't trust Phyllis as far as you can throw her. Originally telecast October 13, 1973, Double Indemnity is based on the Raymond Chandler-Billy Wilder script for the 1944 film, which in turn was adapted from James M. Cain's Three of a Kind. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Today's shift finds mobile officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) chasing after a man suspected of kidnapping a child. The two cops also deal with an escaped prisoner, and with a vicious gang of armored-car hijackers. Featured in the supporting cast is venerable character actor Burt Mustin (84 years old when this episode was filmed) and former Western sidekick Rand Brooks, who in 1970 was the owner of an ambulance service which provided a number of vehicles for Jack Webb's various police shows. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Arthur O'Connell guest stars as William Lawrence, a new arrival at the Shady Rest Hotel. Clearly a man of wealth, Lawrence claims to be a rocket scientist. But ever-suspicious Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) is convinced that Lawrence is actually a wanted bank robber--and, characteristically, he makes an utter fool of himself to prove his theory! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Saunders (Vic Morrow) levels some serious charges against Pvt. Stevens (Don Gordon), a soldier whom he first met on D-Day. Never mind that Stevens has been twice-decorated with the Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross: Saunders has accused the private of causing the deaths of two other soldiers by his refusal to follow orders. A series of stark flashbacks reveals the whole story. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Board of Education warns that Munsters that little Eddie's grades must improve immediately or he'll be expelled. To this end, Eddie (Butch Patrick) builds a robot for an upcoming science fair. Alas, the robot is accidentally sabotaged just before its unveiling--compelling Herman (Fred Gwynne) to come to the rescue in his inimitable flat-headed, flat-footed fashion! Dick Simmons, the former star of the popular 1950s adventure series Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, appears as Mr. Balding. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

When a passenger seems to develop small pox, she and five fellow travellers are kicked off a stagecoach and stranded in the desert. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In another of scriptwriter Marion Hargrove's "westernizations" of classic literary material, this episode is based on 18th century British playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan's drawing-room comedy "The Rivals". In the original 1775 play, two young men, Jack Absolute and Ensign Beverly, exchange identities so that the wealthier Jack can win the heart of heroine Lydia Languish, who would otherwise reject him because of his wealth. In the Maverick version, Bret Maverick (James Garner is the "Beverly" counterpart, trading places with British playboy Jack Vandergelt (played by future Maverick costar Roger Moore), who pines for the beautiful Lydia Linley (Pat Crowley). The supporting cast includes Neil Hamilton (Batman's "Commissioner Gordon") as Jack's irascible father, who shows up at precisely the wrong time; Barbara Jo Allen (aka "Vera Vague" of radio fame) as language-mangling Mrs. Mallaver, the Maverick equivalent of the original play's imperishable Mrs. Malaprop; and Dan Tobin as Mrs. Mallaver's would-be suitor Lucius Benson ("Lucius O'Trigger" in the Sheridan play). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Spencer Tracy stars in John Ford's sentimental adaptation of Edwin O'Connor's novel about the final campaign of a big city mayor, loosely based upon the life of Boston politician James Curley. Tracy is Frank Skeffington, the political boss of an Eastern city dominated by Irish-Americans. Skeffington tries to assist the people of the city and avoids cutting political deals with the power elite. But despite his concern for the people, Skeffington has no friends, just flunkies. The Mayor is greatly admired by his idealistic nephew Adam Caulfield (Jeffrey Hunter), who writes for an opposition newspaper run by Amos Force (John Carradine). When Skeffington needs money for a loan, he asks the powerful banker Norman Cass (Basil Rathbone), but Cass steadfastly refuses. In retaliation, Skeffington appoints Cass's retarded son as an interim fire commissioner. To prevent his son from disgracing the family, Cass agrees to the bank loan. But Cass uses his deep pockets to finance the opposition's candidate for mayor. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. makes the first of several guest appearances as Dandy Jim Buckley, a gentleman gambler best described as "Bret Maverick without scruples." After they're both tossed off a riverboat, Jim and Bret (James Garner) head to Deadwood in hopes of getting even with bare-knuckle boxer Battling Krueger (Pat Comiskey), the man responsible for their ignominious plight. Our heroes end up wagering heavily on a boxing match between Krueger and brawny backwoodsman Noah Perkins (Mike Lane)--but when Noah fails to show up for the bout, the hapless Bret ends up in the ring. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Waco depicted in this film is a wide-open Texas frontier town, in desperate need of a strong authority figure to clean out the criminal element. The man needed is the man found: Matt Boone, played by Wild Bill Elliot. Though himself a fugitive from justice (he killed a man in self-defense), Boone takes his responsibilities as sheriff very seriously. Flying in the face of standard "good badman" movie cliches, Boone is often as brutal and ruthless as the desperadoes he comes up against. Waco was one more feather in the cap of cowboy star Bill Elliot, who appeared in some of the toughest -- and best -- medium-budget westerns of the 1950s. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi