Michael Conrad Movies

A 1962 novel by Edward Abbey was the source for this 1981 TV movie. Buddy Ebsen plays a stubborn oldster who refuses to leave his mountain property when it is targeted for a government missile base. Not even a promised $100,000 compensation will induce Ebsen to leave. Young land developer Ron Howard is sent to vacate Ebsen, but soon Howard joins the older man in defying the military. Soon it boils down to a battle of wills between Ebsen and the equally bullheaded army officer Michael Conrad. Fire on the Mountain may have your typical "all-TV" cast, but it's a good one. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The opening two-part episode of The Waltons' seventh season (originally telecast in a single two-hour timeslot) is dedicated to the memory of Will Geer, who had died in the summer of 1978. Also conspicuous by her absence is semi-regular Nora Marlowe, who had also passed away, as neighbor Flossie Brimmer. The loss of both Grandpa and Mrs. Brimmer is duly acknowledged as the Walton family leaves 1940 behind and enters 1941, a year that will yield many dramatic changes in their lives. For starters, John Walton (Ralph Waite) is faced with a choice between remaining with his struggling lumber business on Waltons' Mountain or accepting a more lucrative job out of town; and John's daughters Erin (Mary Elizabeth McDonough) and Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) follow the lead of their brother John-Boy , moving out of the family home and into their own apartment. Peggy Rea, who would later join the series' cast as the Waltons' cousin Rose Burton, is here seen as the girls' landlady Mrs. Boren. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Two worldly "land speculators" calling themselves Dankworth (Dennis Rucker) and Hobbs (John Bennett Perry) arrive in Walnut Grove. There is something decidedly strange about these two newcomers, especially since Hobbs is apparently suffering from a recent wound. By the time "Dankworth" and "Hobbs" are revealed to be the notorious outlaws Jesse and Frank James, the community is in the thrall of a tense hostage situation. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Harry and Walter Go to New York was born of the theory that, the more stars and money that you throw into a film, the better the film will be. The theory has seldom been proven true, and it certainly wasn't in this case. Harry (James Caan) and Walter (Elliot Gould) are a third-rate vaudeville team, playing tank towns in turn-of-the-century USA. Thrown into the hoosegow on a petty-theft charge, our heroes make the acquaintance of big-time crook Adam Worth (Michael Caine). Once they're sprung, Harry and Walter follow Worth to New York, with the intention of pulling off a huge bank robbery. Lissa Chestnut (Diane Keaton), a bird-brained suffragette, is also mixed up in the proceedings though she never seems certain of who or what her character is from one scene to the next. The film's one tangible asset is its meticulous re-creation of 1890s New York, courtesy of art director Harry Horner. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The station house is plagued by a series of false alarms which seriously compromise the team's ability to handle genuine emergencies. Among the culprits is an old coot who pretends to be suffering from back pains so he can get a free ambulance ride. In other developments, an angry viewer suffers the consequences when he kicks his TV screen; a young person OD's on drugs; and a heart attack victim may never make it to the hospital thanks to a traffic accident. Among the guest stars in this episode are Hollywood veteran Keenan Wynn and future Hill Street Blues costar Michael Conrad. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The mysterious Bermuda Triangle is the setting for the 1975 TV movie Satan's Triangle. Kim Novak is washed up (not figuratively but literally) off the coast of Florida. She claims to be the sole survivor of a small fishing boat, whose passengers have inexplicably vanished from the face of the Earth. Further investigation only results in more disappearances, until practically no one is left but the cameraman and the key grip. The best element of Satan's Triangle is the almost casual method with which the various cast members evaporate from view. Outside of this, the film says nothing that hasn't been said better elsewhere. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Fashion model Margaux Adams (Doria Cook) places a frantic phone call to lawyer Beth Davenport (Gretchen Corbett)--and shortly thereafter turns up dead. At Beth's personal request, Jim (James Garner) agrees to investigate Margaux' murder, beginning with a visit to fashion designer Bob Coleman (Robert Webber). When Coleman is knocked off as well, Jim finds himself up against some decidedly unfashionable mobsters who have their dirty fingers in some industrial espionage. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Ex-football star Paul Crewe (Burt Reynolds) ends up in a prison run by sadistic sports-nut Warden Hazen (Eddie Albert). Strong-armed into forming an inmate football team, Crewe manages to instill an esprit de corps previously lacking in the prisoners' lives. Besides, they now have the chance to beat the guards' football team, headed by the hissable Capt. Knauer (Ed Lauter). Hazen orders Crewe to throw the match; otherwise, Crewe will never get the pardon he's been promised. The football game that follows consumes nearly a third of the picture. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this film, also released under the title I Want Her Dead, Katie Lewis (Twiggy) and her husband Ben (Michael Witney) discover that they are the targets of a mysterious killer who leaves the letter W at the scene of their near-fatal "accidents." While trying to avoid death, the couple must struggle to discover where the source of these attacks stems from. This movie was Twiggy's first film appearance. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi

Both Bob and Emily are primed to take a much-needed vacation in Mexico. Alas, just before leaving town, Bob is given a friendly slap on the back by his musclebound patient, Mr.Trevesco (Michael Conrad), and as a result his back is completely thrown out. More bad news awaits Bob at home, where Emily is in bed with a bad case of the flu -- and depressed about her dashed vacation plans. Written by Susan Silver, "Backlash" was first telecast on September 29, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this horror sequel from the director of Count Yorga, Vampire, a member of an American voodoo cult revives the fanged Prince Manuwalde (William Marshall), only to become his slave. Manuwalde then puts the bite on various victims, but finds himself fixating on pretty Lisa (Pam Grier), a voodoo princess whom he believes can finally put his soul to rest. Lynne Moody, Nicholas Worth, and Bernie Hamilton are among the familiar cast, but the various occult trappings seem somewhat out of place in the modern Los Angeles setting and the production values are pretty shabby. Blaxploitation and camp fans should still find it mildly amusing, however, and Shakespearean actor Marshall is a lot of fun as the obsessive vampire. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi