James Eckhouse Movies
Probably best known as Jim Walsh, the father of Brandon and Brenda on Beverly Hills 90210, actor James Eckhouse hadn't yet set his sites on acting when he graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1976. He didn't start appearing onscreen until the early '80s, when he began scoring minor roles in films like Will There Really Be a Morning? and Trading Places. Then, in 1990, Eckhouse was cast in Beverly Hills 90210 when it was a brand new series. It turned out to be a major hit, and Eckhouse stayed with the show for the next eight years. Afterward, he maintained a thriving acting career, making appearances on a wide variety of popular TV shows such as Without a Trace, Dharma & Greg, and CSI. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
As time starts spinning faster and a series of natural disasters send the world plunging into chaos, the disillusioned, self-absorbed suburbanites nestled comfortably in the hills of Northern California find their lives unraveling at an alarming rate. Global cataclysms are on the rise, and the air quality around the world is at an all-time low, and as the pressure begins to build up in the mind of suburban single mother Saura Wu, a sinister charmer appears and disrupts her efforts to rebuild her family. Meanwhile, across town, a troubled girl named Pam seeks comfort in the arms of affable young hipster Scott. But while Scott is more than willing to be a good friend to Pam, he's just now coming to terms with his identity as a gay man - a reality his fundamentalist parents refuse to accept. Now, as a series of disastrous supernormal continue to unfold, Saura's son Timothy realizes that he has been gifted with paranormal powers, which he quickly learns how to develop and hone. By drawing on his unique powers, Timothy is somehow able to alter everyone's reality - but what good can this do in a world overcome by misery and catastrophe? First time feature filmmaker Jennifer Phang crafts an apocalyptic fable that takes a philosophical look at the end of the world, and shows how sometimes hope can still manage to cut through fatalism with extraordinary results. . ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sanoe Lake, Julia Nickson, (more)
- 2002
Attractive widow Molly Bowser (Gail O'Grady) finds herself unable to get a job because of the jealous wives of her potential male employers. Determined to get money in a hurry by any means possible, Molly arranges for her sexy daughter Lily (Jennifer Morrison) to "accidentally" meet wealthy young Claude Stevens (Will Wallace). Unfortunately for Molly, her best-laid plans may all be for naught: Claude's dad has threatened to cut the boy off without a cent if he marries Lily. Filmed in 2002 under the title The Sure Hand of God, this modest comedy-drama didn't receive American play until it was telecast by cable's Lifetime channel on February 18, 2004, under the title Sinners Need Company. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gail O'Grady, James Eckhouse, (more)
- 2001
Early evidence indicates that the man found killed at a pottery store died while attempting to rob the establishment. But Catherine (Marg Helgenberger) soon discovers a link between this death and an unsolved kidnapping 16 years before. And, in another development, Sara (Jorja Fox) is convinced that a woman has died of spontaneous combustion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Geneticist Sarah Conover (Annabella Sciorra) hopes to make medical history by being the first to clone a human being. When Monica (Roma Downey) tries to warn her of the ethical and spiritual ramifications of this undertaking, Sarah insists that her idol, Albert Einstein (Harold Gould), would have heartily approved--and indeed, she plans to use Einstein's DNA for her first experiment. A lengthy flashback to the moment that Monica's fellow angel Tess (Della Reese) touched base with the dying Einstein considerably alters the outcome of the story. Valerie Bertinelli makes her first series appearance as novice angel Gloria. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Karen is still dating Lloyd, the sensible man she met at Eli's basketball game. Unfortunately, she feels no attraction to him and finds herself inexplicably drawn to a much younger man at the office named Leo. She fights her attraction to Leo, reminding herself that Lloyd is a much more sensible choice. Meanwhile, Eli is reevaluating his relationship with long-term girlfriend Jennifer when he finds himself attracted to Cassidy, a member of the girls' volleyball team and the exact opposite type of girl than Jennifer. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Tensions rise as Lily's parents visit for Thanksgiving and can't accept the fact that Lily and Jake are divorcing. Lily's mother invites Jake to Thanksgiving dinner without Lily's consent. Later, Lily's parents are upset when she flees the house to meet Rick. Lily's parents pressure her to give her marriage to Jake another chance. Lily's father tells her that he was once in love with another woman but still kept his marriage together and that he expects Lily to do the same. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide
- 1999
It is almost like old times when the entire Sammler family spends the weekend traveling together to Eli's basketball game. Tensions rise as Eli injures his ankle and Karen and Rick find themselves in close quarters together. The family trip gives Jesse hope that her parents might get back together and be a family again. Meanwhile, Karen decides it is time to get out there and start dating men whether she likes it or not. Her first suitor, Lloyd, is a little too nice. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Teenage spring-break hijinx highlight this made-for-TV comedy. Joyce DeWitt stars as Linda Hayden, a teacher assigned to take an all-male class on a trip to L.A. After a series of typical road trip shenanigans, the gang winds up at a hotel owned by her former boyfriend George (James Eckhouse). ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Eckhouse, Joyce DeWitt, (more)
The ensemble drama about young adults growing up in Beverly Hills is a blend of romantic drama and subject matter that crosses all cultural boundaries. The storyline has followed the Walsh family as they moved from a middle-class Midwestern neighborhood to wealthy and glamorous Beverly Hills, maturing from high school to college students, facing new challenges as they continue to grow and discover more about themselves and their personal ambitions. As their worlds evolve, old friendships will be tested as new relationships develop, but no matter how complicated their worlds become, they will always share in their strengths and experiences.
- Starring:
- Jason Priestley, Luke Perry, (more)
The friends of Beverly Hills, 90210 are just getting warmed up! Join Brandon (Jason Priestley), Dylan (Luke Perry), Kelly (Jennie Garth), Donna (Tori Spelling), David (Brian Austin Green), Steve (Ian Ziering), Val (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen), and Clare (Kathleen Robertson) as they discover new love, battle addictions, and test the waters outside the college campus in all 31 sizzling episode of 1995-6's Season 6. Witness Kelly's terrifying descent into drugs; Dylan's unlikely marriage proposal; and a porno that is filmed at Brandon's house! As their lives twist, turn, and bend in different directions, it's the bonds of friendship that will never break.
- Starring:
- Jason Priestley, Luke Perry, (more)
- 1993
This made-for-television drama is based on the true story of a mother's attempts to get her daughter out of the deadly world of prostitution. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Franz, Linda Gray, (more)
The ensemble drama about young adults growing up in Beverly Hills is a blend of romantic drama and subject matter that crosses all cultural boundaries. The storyline has followed the Walsh family as they moved from a middle-class Midwestern neighborhood to wealthy and glamorous Beverly Hills, maturing from high school to college students, facing new challenges as they continue to grow and discover more about themselves and their personal ambitions. As their worlds evolve, old friendships will be tested as new relationships develop, but no matter how complicated their worlds become, they will always share in their strengths and experiences.
- Starring:
- Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, (more)
One of the definitive shows of the 1990s, Aaron Spelling's Beverly Hills, 90210 joined the elite TV club in 1992, spinning off the slightly more grown up ensemble soap Melrose Place. The series focus remains on the lives of the teenage Walsh twins -- Brenda (Shannen Doherty) and Brandon (Jason Priestly) -- who move with their parents from rural Minnesota to drama-rich Beverly Hills. Season 3 marks senior year for Brenda, Brandon, and their high school friends: Kelly (Jennie Garth), Donna (Tori Spelling), Steve (Ian Ziering), Andrea (Gabrielle Carteris), David (Brian Austin Green), and bad boy heartthrob Dylan (Luke Perry). Naturally, they all get closer together as they make the high-stakes decisions for their post-graduation lives. Every juicy moment from 1992-93's Season 3 is highlighted on this 8-disc set, including the prom, overseas travels, addictions, summer jobs, secret liaisons, and of course, graduation.
- Starring:
- Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, (more)
The animated Christmas story Jingle Bells concerns a poor family headed by a father who sacrifices something the rest of the family wanted to keep in order to buy everyone a present. Luckily, Santa saves the day. This film features the voices of Don Knotts, Shelley Long, and Jason Alexander. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
The prime television destination for many younger viewers during the early '90s, Beverly Hills 90210 delivered scandal, controversy, and sexy story lines on a weekly basis. The series centered on the lives of the teenage Walsh twins, Brenda (Shannen Doherty) and Brandon (Jason Priestly), who move with their parents from rural Minnesota to drama-rich Beverly Hills at the beginning of Season 1. Learning to assimilate to the California lifestyle isn't easy; it takes the help of their high school friends Kelly (Jennie Garth), Donna (Tori Spelling), Steve (Ian Ziering), Andrea (Gabrielle Carteris), and David (Brian Austin Green), as well as bad boy (and teen heartthrob) Dylan (Luke Perry) to get Brenda and Brandon to come out their shells. Season 2 (1991-92) of the Aaron Spelling/Darren Star-created drama features a pregnancy scare for Brenda; Dylan's rehab stint; the truth about Steve's birth mother; an accidental shooting; and the introduction of the fascinating but troubled Emily Valentine (Christine Elise). Also new to the scene is Jake Hanson (Grant Show), who eventually went on to anchor the 90210 spin-off Melrose Place, which launched in the autumn of 1992. Bonus features in this eight-disc include: "Our Favorite Valentine," Elise's look back at Emily; "Meet the Walshes," during which actors Carol Potter and James Eckhouse discuss their roles as the "perfect" Beverly Hills parents Cindy and Jim Walsh; and "Everything You Need to Know About Beverly Hills 90210 Season 2," featuring pop-culture experts and comedians Michael Colton and John Aboud.
- 1990
In the Best Interest of the Child was not based on a true story. That's the official line adopted by producer Robert A. Papazian, even though the plot of this made-for-TV movie would seem to be inspired by the exploits of the real-life Dr. Elizabeth Morgan. True or no, there's plenty of conviction in this story of a young woman (Meg Tilly) who risks imprisonment for the sake of her daughter. Having learned that her ex-husband is molesting the child, Ms. Tilly "kidnaps" the girl and heads off to parts unknown. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Meg Tilly, Ed Begley, Jr., (more)
One of the definitive, landmark shows of the 1990s, "90210" quickly became an important fixture on the FOX and in the popular discourse of adolescents and young adults. The first season's main characters, Dylan, Kelly, Donna, Steve, David, Andrea and twins Brandon and Brenda all attended West Beverly Hills High School. Brandon and Brenda Walsh and their parents, transplants from Minneapolis, were the stable nuclear family with strong values; their home was a safe haven for the whole gang and the center of much of the drama. The show dealt with a steady stream of love triangles and other romantic entanglements and occasionally touched on more serious issues as well.
- Starring:
- Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, (more)
Afraid to spend the Christmas holiday alone, an aging widower decides to hire himself a spouse to spend the vacation with him in his lovely mountain retreat and finds true romance in this heartwarming made-for-cable television drama that is based on a story by Helen Norris. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
More than anything else, 13-year old New Jerseyite Josh (David Moscow) wants to be "big". That's the wish he makes at an odd-looking amusement pier fortunetelling machine. The next morning, Josh wakes up-only to discover that he's grown to manhood overnight! (At this point, the part is taken over by Tom Hanks). Still a 13-year-old mentally and emotionally, Josh decides to hide out in New York City until he can figure out what to do next. He lucks into a job with a major toy company run by kid-at-heart McMillan (Robert Loggia). By cannily bringing a child's eye view to McMillan's business, Josh rises to the top-and in process, he falls in love with fellow employee Susan (Elizabeth Perkins). But he's still a kid, and he'd like to go back to his own world and own body. Written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg, Big proved a crucial success for budding director Penny Marshall, who'd work harmoniously with Hanks again on the radically different A League of Their Own. The cinematography was by Barry Sonenfeld, who went on to become a director himself with The Addams Family. That Big was heavily reliant upon the input of Tom Hanks and Penny Marshall was proven by the failed attempt to turn the property into a Broadway musical. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, (more)
- 1986
The 3-part TV miniseries Roanoak traces the history of North Carolina's "Lost Colony". The story begins in 1584, when British settlers land upon Carolina's shores. There they are confronted by Native Americans who at first regard the visitors as evil spirits. This mistrust is briefly reciprocated before the settlers and Indians learn to depend upon one another. One of the Englishmen, artist John White (Victor Garber), endeavors to teach the English language to two of the tribesmen, Manteo (Tino Juarez) and Wanchese (Joseph Runningfox), who are then selected to return to England with White, there to acquaint the locals with Indian customs and traditions. Part Two takes place during the first winter at Roanoak, as a diminishing food supplies rekindles hostilities between the whites and the Indians. And in Part Three, Sir Walter Raleigh gives White permission to return to the Roanoak colony-which has mysteriously vanished from the face of the earth. A collaborative effort of the PBS network and South Carolina Educational Television, Roanoak first aired May 26, June 2 and June 10, 1986, on the American Playhouse anthology series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
