Joe E. Tata Movies
Actor Joe E. Tata is probably best known as Nat, the congenial owner of the Peach Pit on TV's Beverly Hills 90210, but the veteran performer's career actually began 25 years earlier. In the mid-'60s, Tata began appearing on popular television shows like Hogan's Heroes and Mission: Impossible, which led to recurring roles on series like The F.B.I. and Lost in Space. He continued to make appearances on television shows and in movies until he was cast in the famous role of Nat on 90210 in 1990. His easygoing manner in the role struck a chord with viewers, and he stayed with the show for the next ten years. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi
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)
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)
Lenny (Tom Sizemore) is the kind of man who simply cannot get through the day without messing up, or suffering some amazing piece of bad luck. As a consequence, he has lost every one of the jobs his uncle has set him up with. That's how he loses his job as a gas station attendant: he leaves the place to ferry Eloise, a particularly good-looking girl, to a job interview. She looks like a good thing for him though, and they move in together, despite a lack of funds. Soon, he even loses his job at a porno flick, when that gets raided by the police. Oddly, he is almost insanely jealous of Eloise's former boyfriends. After the pair of them become homeless, he cooks up a scheme to recoup some money that proves he is completely clueless, once and for all. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tom Sizemore, Pam Gidley, (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)
- 1991
Embarking upon another robbery investigation, Novak (Lauren Lane) is joined by her reporter friend Amy Rivers (Kelly Curtis). To enhance the excitement of the job at hand, Amy resorts to sniffing cocaine. Not surprisingly, Amy's ever-increasing dependency on the drug not only jeopardizes her life, but Novak's as well--and Hunter (Fred Dryer) may not be able to come to the rescue this time. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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.
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)
- 1987
When a visitor to Robin's Nest slips and falls, he sues Robin Masters for damages, whereupon Magnum (Tom Selleck) is dispatched to find out if the man is faking his injuries. At the same time, Magnum is hired to "baby-sit" the wide-eyed young fiancee (Rita Parker) of a boorish businessman. Dubiously assisting Magnum during his investigation, the girl finds herself in great danger after the man suing Masters is killed in a hit-and-run "accident". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1985
Crooked promoter Sonny Monroe (Alex Rocco) is fixing boxing matches and using the prize money for his illegal drug-trafficking racket. When amateur boxer Billy Marquette (Daniel Faraldo) is ordered by Monroe to take a dive, Billy's family seeks out the A-Team for help. In a twinkling, B.A. (Mr. T.) has gone undercover as boxer "Volcano Johnson", with Hannibal (George Peppard) as his manager and Murdock (Dwight Schultz). Featured in the cast are veteran ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Sr. and ill-fated starlet Lana Clarkson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1980
For those of you who didn't get your T&A fill from the 1979 TV movie The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, we submit for your approval The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Part Two. The first film dealt with the selection and training of the famed pulchritudinous cheerleading lineup. The sequel finds the girls prepping for the Super Bowl and a hectic USO tour. Returning from the first film are Laraine Stephens as reporter Suzanne Mitchell, and several anonymous real-life members of the troupe. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Part 2 first jiggled its way into the hearts of televiewers on January 13, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
This made-for-TV thriller is yet another tale of swarming killer bees. A sub-par sequel to The Savage Bees, this time around, a scientist and his cohorts set out to protect some innocent school kids from the attacking insects. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi
- 1978
An autopsy performed by Quincy (Jack Klugman) determines that Mrs. Martha Steele (Karen Philipp) died of a cerebral hemmorhage, supposedly caused by an encounter with a burglar. But Quincy is certain that the brain damage occurred long before the burglary--and he suspects that Mrs. Steele was the victim of an abusive husband (played by Robert Colbert). Unfortunately, his investigation is dead-ended by the refusal of the Steeles' friends to discuss the matter or cooperate with the authorities. Incidentally, this is the episode in which we finally find out Quincy's first name (or at least, his first initial). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1978
In the opening episode of The Rockford Files' fifth season, Jim Rockford (James Garner) wants to know why his dad Rocky (Noah Beery Jr.), temporarily employed as a delivery driver, was forced off the road and his cargo--consisting of breakfast sausages--was hijacked. The main culprit would seem to be the sausage company's front man, country-western singer Charlie Strayhorn (Taylor Lachman). But Charlie turns out to be a mere pawn in a widespread smuggling scheme masterminded by the real villain of the piece. The title song for this episode was written (but not performed) by Willie Nelson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1978
Jim (James Garner) goes undercover at a tabloid rag, "The National Investigator", to find out if its reports have burglarized the private files of "Doctor to the Stars" Richard Hagens (Dallas Mitchell). When Hagens is murdered, the "Investigator" goes after Jim with both barrels, all but accusing him of the crime. But the solution of the case may rest with a mob boss (Gianni Russo) who has a compelling reason to keep his visits to Hagen a secret. Aiding Jim in his investigation--in a manner of speaking, that is--is gonzo attorney John Cooper (Bo Hopkins). And though Jim isn't really eaten by a newspaper as the episode's title claims, he stands a good chance of being roasted alive. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1977
Based on the 1976 autobiography My Luke and I by Eleanor Gehrig and Joseph Durso, Love Affair: The Eleanor & Lou Gehrig Story provides a slightly different slant on the events previously dramatized on film as Pride of the Yankees (1942). The story is told in flashback from the point of view of the wife of baseball's "Iron Man". Sitting in a deserted Yankee stadium, Eleanor (Blythe Danner) relates her tale to her biographer Joseph Durso (Robert Burr). She recalls how she met the painfully shy ballplayer Lou Gehrig (Edward Herrmann) on a blind date in 1933. She remembers her battle of wills with Lou's domineering and possessive mother (played with a nearly impenetrable foreign accent by Patricia Neal), and her 1934 elopement with her "Luke." Other memories include the New York Yankees' goodwill trip to Japan, where relationships became strained between teammates Gehrig and Babe Ruth (Ramon Bieri). Also recalled is the fact that Lou played 2130 consecutive games (a record was only recently broken by Cal Ripken Jr.). Eleanor's story ends inevitably with Lou's slow death from amyotropic lateral sclerosis. In summing up, Eleanor insists that despite the tragic final years, she wouldn't have traded her short time as Mrs. Lou Gehrig for anything. Edward Herrmann took pride in the fact that his portrayal of Lou Gehrig won the unqualified praise of the real Eleanor (though Herrmann learned to bat southpaw for the role, he is seen actually playing baseball only once) Originally scheduled for broadcast on October 9, 1977, the made-for-TV Love Affair was bumped by a World Series playoff game; it was rescheduled for January 15, 1978--smack dab opposite the Super Bowl. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1977
The story of "red light bandit" Caryl Chessman, previously dramatized in the 1955 film Cell 2455, Death Row (based on Chessman's own book), was adapted for television as Kill Me If You Can. In a radical departure from his usual duties as MASH's Hawkeye Pierce, Alan Alda plays Chessman, who in 1948 was found guilty of robbery, kidnapping and sexual assault. Under the laws of the era, Chessman was sentenced to die in the gas chamber. But by studying the law and publishing four books on his plight, the brilliant (albeit still repugnant) Chessman managed to forestall his execution for 12 years. Though no effort is made in the film to make the sociopathic Chessman any better than he was, John Gay's script comes out squarely in opposition of capital punishment. Kill Me If You Can first aired on September 25, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Alan Alda, Talia Shire, (more)
- 1977
While in the middle of delicate negotations to ransom the fabled Borland Diamond from a gang of thieves, Jim is pestered by the Wronko family, an annoying pack of tourists from Peru, Indiana who have parked their RV next to Jim's trailer. The Wronkos end up in the thick of things when one of the thieves stashes the diamond in Jim's barbecue grill. Unaware of the danger they're bringing upon themselves, the tourists steal the grill and high-tail it to California--with both hero and villain hot on their trail! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1976
Doing his best to control his jealousy, Jim (James Garner) agrees to do a job for Beth's last boyfriend Dave Delaroux (John Saxon). Jim's assignment is to check up on a suspicious financial transaction, tied in with the disappearance of some potentially incrimimnating checks. As the story progresses, it appears that Delaroux himself may be a criminal--but thanks to some clever canoodling, it is Jim who is set up to take the fall, with Beth (Gretchen Corbett) helpless to intervene. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1976
While Beth (Gretchen Corbett) is stuck in jail on a contempt-of-court charge, Jim agrees to do some leg work on behalf of Beth's client Arnold Bailey (Joseph Campanella), who has been accused of income-tax evasion. Unfortunately for both Jim and Beth, Bailey is connected with the Mob. . .and has been systematically stealing funds from the "organization". Tied in with all this chicanery is corrupt union official Fred Metcalf (Richard Venture), whose murder may well be a prologue for Jim's own demise. In a neat bit of casting, the head mobster in this episode is played by Frank Campanella, the brother of guest star Joseph Campanella. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1976
Officer Dan Segal (Robert Drivas) makes it his mission in life to avenge the death of his gambler brother (Harry Davis), who was murdered by a professional hit man. In order to expose the "brains" behind the murder, Segal goes undercover, posing as a bookie and infiltrating an unusually nasty gambling ring. Featured in the cast is the late Claudia Jennings, the well-proportioned leading lady of many an R-rated action flick of the 1970s. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1975
In this thriller a federal officer acts upon his suspicion that the recent death of his predecessor was part of a conspiracy to kill a presidential candidate. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
The 1975 TV movie Death Scream is based on the shameful Kitty Genovese affair of 1964, in which a N.Y.C. woman was stabbed to death while 38 witnesses locked their windows and doors and pretended not to hear. Raul Julia stars as the detective who investigates the murder and stirs up the guilt feelings of those who refused to help. The film casts celebrity actors in the roles of the witnesses (Diahann Carroll, Cloris Leachman, Lucie Arnaz, Nancy Walker, Art Carney, et al.). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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