Herb Edelman Movies
If character actor Herb Edelman was one of the more successful stage and screen purveyors of "Everyman" roles, it was probably because he'd held down an astonishing array of meat-and-potato jobs before settling into acting. Edelman studied to be a veterinarian at Cornell University, but left during the first year. He took a tentative stab at journalism before toiling as an Armed Forces radio operator and announcer. While stationed in the Far East, Edelman entertained the notion of becoming a "Jewish Buddhist." He returned to his hometown to attend Brooklyn College, dropped out to become a hotel manager, was briefly the "straight" half of a comedy team, worked in advertising, drove a hack, and dropped back into college. Finally turning to acting full time in summer stock, Edelman began picking up small roles in New York productions, including the scene-stealing exhausted delivery man inNeil Simon's Barefoot in the Park (1965), a role he recreated for the 1967 film version. Forming strong bonds with both Simon and with Barefoot star Robert Redford, Edelman would later appear in Simon's The Odd Couple and California Suite, and in the Redford/Barbara Streisand vehicle The Way We Were (1973). In 1968, Edelman co-starred with Bob Denver in the two-season TV sitcom The Good Guys. Nine years later, he starred as one-half of the title role in the weekly TV comedy/fantasy Big John, Little John (Robbie Rist was the "Little" one). Other TV series featuring Herb Edelman on a regular or recurring basis included Ladies Man, 9 to 5, Strike Force and Murder She Wrote. Fans of the sitcom The Golden Girls may remember Edelman for playing Stanley, Bea Arthur's irksome ex-husband. Edelman died of emphysema at the Motion Picture Hospital in Los Angeles on July 21, 1996; he was 62. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1995
To escape his persistent--and dishonest--corporate sponsors, a Nobel Prize-winning microbiologist fakes his own death. It's a clever ruse, but not a particularly healthy one: soon afterward, the missing scientist turns up murdered for real. Typically, the wrong man is accused of the crime, obliging Jessica (Angela Lansbury) to take over investigation of the case herself...while her old friend Lt. Artie Gelber (Herb Edelman) fusses and fumes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
A metal sculpture created by artist Kim Mitchell (Loretta Swit) proves quite versatile when it used as a murder weapon. The victim is Philip Jovi (Edward Hibbert), an art gallery owner with whom Kim did not see eye-to-eye. Fortunately for Kim, her friend Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is on hand to help her beat a murder rap...maybe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
George Segal plays the well-nicknamed Daffy Dave Navarro, who has recently been acquitted on charges of murdering his first wife. Now Daffy Dave is determined to sue for a generous share of royalties from a book written by Jessica (Angela Lansbury) and purportedly based on his case. But this time, Dave may have overplayed his hand--and another murder is the result. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
The 200th episode of Murder, She Wrote finds Jessica (Angela Lansbury) supporting an effort to preserve a New York brownstone where Ernest Hemingway once wrote a novel. At the center of the conflict is a feud between Jessica's editor and a powerful land developer. Murder enters the scene when the brother of the man who opposes destroying the building is killed. And it is a bad kill. And nobody is dreaming about the lions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Unscrupulous media mogul Harrison M. Kane (Alan Thicke) is murdered. The main suspect is writer Dean Richards (Scott Valentine), a freelance contributor to one of Kane's rivals--and in whose sauna bath Kane's body was found. But as Jessica investigates the case, it becomes apparent that there's an elusive "phantom killer" at large. Perhaps it is significant that at least one of the episode's main characters goes under two different names (Only perhaps?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Jessica (Angela Lansbury) cannot help but take interest in the plight of her reclusive neighbor Alice Morgan (Cynthia Nixon), who has suffered from extreme agoraphobia ever since she witnessed her mother's murder. More recently, Alice has been experiencing disturbing visions of her own demise at the hands of a mysterious assailant. More disturbing still, that assailant has apparently come to life--or at least, Alice claims to have seen him in the flesh! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
A made for TV, two-part series, this is the story of a Southern attorney who suddenly finds himself embroiled in politics, a particularly controversial murder trial and a public battle with a vindictive journalist -- all at the same time. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Corbin Bernsen, Mel Harris, (more)
- 1992
Arriving at Kennedy International Airport, a confused Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is kidnapped by the minions of respected philanthropist Maxwell Hagen (Ken Howard). After being released, Jessica complains to the authorities, who refuse to believe her story, or at least act as if they don't believe her. It turns out that Jessica was mistaken for another woman, a government "mole" who was fleeing for her life--and when that woman turns up murdered, Jessica is determined to bring the culprit to justice. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In the first of the series' "novel" episodes, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) invites the viewers to listen in as she narrates her latest mystery story, involving a group of very intelligent graduate students. One of the protagonists is aspiring composer Michael Prentiss (Paul Clemens), who is outraged when his new composition is plagiarized by his unscrupulous professor. When the prof is murdered, Michael is accused of the crime, and it is up to his best buddy, law student Chad Singer (Paul Clemens), to prove Michael's innocence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Jessica (Angela Lansbury) attends a cosmetics convention, where her nephew Grady (Michael Horton) has landed a job with supremely bitchy perfume manufacturer Lila Lee Amberson (Jayne Meadows). Also present is Liz Gordon (Ann Dusenberry), who had been one of Jessica's most promising writing students before she abruptly dropped from sight. When Liz turns up murdered, Jessica takes a personal interest in tracking down the culprit--and also learning the terrible secret that Liz was so obviously covering up at the time of her death. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Picking Up the Pieces is a TV movie firmly locked in mid-1980s sensibilities: beware your husband, ladies, he's pond scum. Margot Kidder, a high school guidance counselor and mother of two, is the wife of wealthy surgeon and all-around heel David Ackroyd. After 17 years of emotional abuse, Kidder agrees with Ackroyd that divorce is the answer. She returns home from work to find the house stripped and her valuables gone; they've been seized by her husband, who is perfectly within his legal rights because their state has no community property laws. As Kidder battles her ex in court, she struggles to regain her own self-esteem. James Farentino costars in Picking Up the Pieces as the compassionate widower with whom Kidder finds happiness. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Margot Kidder, David Ackroyd, (more)
- 1984
The two-hour debut episode of Murder, She Wrote finds former substitute teacher Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) reluctantly thrust into the limelight when her first mystery novel, "The Corpse Danced at Midnight," becomes a best-seller. Invited to a costume ball held by her publisher, Jessica comes face to face with a genuine murder when guest Dexter Baxendale (Dennis Patrick), wearing a Sherlock Holmes costume, turns up dead. Suspicion immediately falls upon Jessica's nephew Grady (Michael Horton), forcing our heroine to turn sleuth herself. Throughout the story, the widowed Jessica must also wrestle with her growing attraction to handsome Preston Giles (Arthur Hill). Watch for future Murder, She Wrote semi-regular Herb Edelman in a role other than Lt. Artie Gelber, and also for a young Andy Garcia in a bit part as a tough guy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
In this made-for-TV movie, two actors who pose as detectives on a television series lose their jobs, only to take up work as real crime fighters. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1983
- PG
Jerry Lewis reprises his previous movie persona, this time as Warren Nefron, a man unable to successfully kill himself, while Herb Edelman is Dr. Jonas Pletchick, the psychiatrist out to cure him of his failure, in this undistinguished slapstick comedy. Many of Lewis' past routines crop up again through the device of flashbacks, as he sits in the doctor's office and remembers vignettes from his past. As usual, the French love his humor and flocked to see this film when it was first released. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Lewis, Herb Edelman, (more)
- 1981
In this grim made-for-television thriller, a routine embezzlement trial turns deadly when some of the jurors literally lose their heads. This prompts the police to send out its special strike force to solve the case before more people die. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1981
- PG
In this drama, a homeless shoeshine boy who lives in a locker at the train station finds himself quite popular after he reveals a talent for picking winners at the racetrack. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Coleman, Michael Lembeck, (more)
- 1980
Jill Robinson's Bed-Time-Story, inspired by actual events, was the source for the made-for-TV A Cry for Love. Divorcee Susan Blakely, with no alimony and two kids to support, begins turning to amphetamines. While at her lowest ebb, she meets Powers Boothe, an alcoholic and three-time loser in marriage--who, incredibly, turns out to be the ideal man for her! Joseph Bologna and Renee Taylor were the guiding hands behind the Cry For Love teleplay. The film debuted on October 20, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. Bob Newhart is a marathon runner in this sprightly made-for-TV movie. A mild, middle-aged suburbanite with the requisite loving wife (Anita Gillette), Newhart is smitten by gorgeous female jogger Leigh Taylor-Young. "Accidentally" arranging to meet the object of his affections during subsequent jogging jaunts, Newhart ends up joining Leigh in entering the grueling New York Marathon. Though the film makes light of vicarious adultery, screenwriter Ron Friedman remains scrupulously within the bounds of good taste, as does Jackie Cooper's gentle direction. Marathon was first broadcast January 30, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
- PG
The toothsome singing duo, Donny and Marie Osmond, head for Hawaii in this comedy. The trouble begins when Marie acquires a lovely necklace without realizing that it is coveted by a group of thieves. An enigmatic woman is also after the necklace. Mayhem, music, and sibling rivalry ensue. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, (more)
- 1978
Shelley Winters) guest stars as Evelyn McNeil, widowed sister-in-law of Chief of Detectives Frank McNeil (Dan Frazer). An aficionado of the gambling houses, Evelyn finds herself in over her head with some particularly nasty mobsters. Banking on his lifelone friendship with Kojak (Telly Savalas), McNeil asks the detective to shield Evelyn from harm--but it may already be too late. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
This heart-warming made-for-television drama chronicles a widowed father's struggle to keep his family intact. He has three sons, and one of them is mentally retarded. The boy has a gift for sports and his father enrolls him in the Special Olympics. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Playwright Neil Simon turned to the hotel setting he used so successfully in his stage-play (later a movie) Plaza Suite to explore four more human dramas in his play California Suite, which was adapted into this quite successful movie. In the first episode, the divorced couple of Bill and Hannah Warren (Alan Alda and Jane Fonda) have rented a suite in a posh Beverly Hills hotel in order to have a discussion about who will get the custody of their child. In the next episode, Sidney Cochran and Diana Barrie (Michael Caine and Maggie Smith) are a hilarious pair of Hollywood stars who have rented the suite to await their appearance at the Academy Awards: it is a "date of convenience" which enables the sexually adventurous duo to conduct their other, more unconventional alliances out of the public eye. Drs. Willis Panama and Chauncy Gump (Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor) have brought their families to Beverly Hills for a vacation which takes on nightmarish tone. Finally, Marvin Michaels (Walter Matthau) tries frantically and unsuccessfully to explain the situation to his wife (Elaine May) when she catches him in flagrante delicto with a hooker. Actress Maggie Smith won an Academy Award as "Best Supporting Actress" for her role in this film, in which she plays the actress waiting to win . . . an Academy Award. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Alda, Michael Caine, (more)
A WW I German spy attempts to drive an artillery-adorned automobile into the States in this comedy. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Maria Schell guest stars as a East European nun who arrives in New York accompanied by a countryman named Toza (Herb Edelman). In truth, the "nun" is a Yugoslavian princess named Viva Dushan, and Toza is her faithful general factotum. The two emigres are determined to recover a fortune in jewels stolen from the Princess during WW2, and they are convinced that the gems are in the possession of big-time mobster Vitto Colletti (Harry Goz). Inevitably, Kojak (Telly Savalas) must see to it that justice is done through the proper channels--and that the Princess survives the intrigue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
