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 Albertson, All Movie Guide- 1975
Hired by an insurance company to locate Nancy Wade (Jesse Welles), Jim (James Garner) finds the woman living in poverty in Las Vegas. Despite her reduced circumstances, Nancy is hesitant to bank the $10,000 cashiers' check she received upon the death of her mother. In his efforts to find out why, Jim runs afoul of a pair of mobsters who have enmeshed poor Nancy in a money-laundering scheme. Boulder Dam provides the backdrop for the climax of this, the final episode of The Rockford Files' first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Jim (James Garner) has finally figured out that his dad Rocky (Noah Beery Jr.) has been targeted for elimination by the same hijacking ring that bumped off Rocky's friend Johnny LoSalvo. To flush out the villains, Jim goes undercover as a truck company road boss to get the goods on the bad guys. Need we add that the episode's highlight is a frantic truck chase? Featured in the cast as a police officer is Bucklind Beery, real-life son of series regular Noah Beery Jr.. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Jim continues probing into the kidnapping and murder of computer programmer Alec Morris, despite pressure brought to bear by Morris' bosses at Fiscal Dynamics. Based on evidence provided by other employees, it appears that the company's higherups ordered the killing--but Jim still doesn't know why. Ultimately, Jim's dad Rocky (Noah Beery Sr.) puts his own life on the line to help solve the mystery (while simultaneouly trying to figure out why his garbage disposal has suddenly gone on the blink!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
In the first episode of a two-part story, Alec Morris (John Carter), a terrified computer programmer for Fiscal Dynamics Incorporated, comes to Jim Rockford (James Garner) for help, only to be promptly kindapped. Following up this puzzling incident on behalf of Morris' wife Helen (Priscilla Pointer), Jim finds out that there's a major coverup in the works--and that he is up against some very powerful people who will stop at nothing to prevent him from learning the whole truth. Al Stevenson makes his first series appearance in the recurring role of L.J., an old pal of Jim's dad Rocky (Noah Beery Jr.). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
John Marley essays another of his patented "mob boss" characterizations in this episode as a bigwig named Tully. Unfortunately, Tully is saddled with a hotheaded son who insists upon attempting to kill a federal witness. To take the heat off themselves, the mob insists that Tully's kid turn himself in to the FBI--but the kid is disinclined to follow orders. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Neither his parents nor the emergency staff of Rampart Hospital can figure out why a young boy is apparently choking to death. In other cases, a youngster dives off a roof, and a blind grandfather is trapped in a house fire with his infant grandson. And in the episode's obligatory humorous subplot, John (Randolph Mantooth) vows to be 100 percent honest for the rest of his life after a slight prevarication results in a brush with death (so to speak). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) poses as a caterer for a Syndicate wedding. In this capacity, Erskine hopes to gather information about a bloody internal power play instigated by Mob functionary Ed Haynes (Alex Cord). But the wedding may never come off--certainly not if Haynes is able to pull off his plan to murder the father of the bride, Boss Faber (Frank DeKova), just before the exchange of vows! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Thanks to the loopholes in the legal system, Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) are frustrated in their efforts to bring a hardened drug dealer and a teenage car thief to justice. Inevitably, a tragedy results from these judicial inquities. Featured in the cast as one of Jim and Pete's fellow officers is Joe Kapp, former pro quarterback with the Minnesota Vikings and the Boston Patriots. This is the final episode of Adam-12's fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Arrogant rookie cop George Barrett (John Elerick) has trouble following orders during his probation period--and Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord), Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Ed Wells (Gary Crosby) bear the brunt of his insubordination. Messing up a variety of cases and forever jumping to the wrong conclusions on the job, Barrett proves to be danger to himself and his coworkers. Things come to a head when Barrett panics during a confrontation with a bombing suspect. This episode is highlighted by a slyly misleading opening sequence (Don't worry, our heroes aren't really dead). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
- PG
The stars of the witty TV series I Spy were reunited for this downbeat crime thriller, which takes a much darker and more violent look at the lives of two detectives for hire. Al Hickey (Bill Cosby) and Frank Boggs (Robert Culp) are a pair of private eyes who are approached by an attorney to find his girlfriend, who has gone missing. Their investigation leads them to a large sum of money from a Pittsburgh bank robbery. It seems that the woman in question has married the leader of a leftist radical group, which is now trying to find a buyer for the tainted money. An attempt to recover both the money and the girl goes awry when Hickey and Boggs infiltrate a meeting with the radicals; the girl slips away and takes the burgled cash with her. Adding to the disaster, the meeting tips off the identity of the detectives to mobsters dealing with the radicals, and the gangsters execute Hickey's wife in an effort to keep him away from their activities. Hickey and Boggs also features Rosalind Cash, Michael Moriarity, Vincent Gardenia, Isabel Sanford, and James Woods. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Cosby, Robert Culp, (more)
- 1972
In addition to tackling the usual traffic and drug violations--not to mention a thief posing as a cab driver-- Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) find themselves in the middle of a bizarre hostage situation. A frustated actor has taken a stewardess captive in hopes of forcing a producer to give him an audition. Ironically, the actor is played by Frank Sinatra Jr.), who had himself been the victim of an audacious pair of kidnappers back in 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
The IMF is assigned to learn the identity of a corrupt political higher-up, known only by his code name C6. To that end, Casey poses as a Syndicate delivery girl. The catch: The briefcase Casey is to deliver has been wired with a live bomb, set to explode the moment the briefcase is opened. A pre-Rookies Georg Stanford Brown heads the guest-star list as Luke Jenkins. First broadcast on January 29, 1972, "Bag Woman" was written by Ed Adamson and Norman Katkov. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1972
- R
Claudia Jennings stars as Karen Walker, a woman who sets her sights for roller derby success. Released a few months after Raquel Welch's Kansas City Bomber, Unholy Rollers gives the Welch film a run for its money, despite its exploitation budget, by adding nudity and lesbianism. After being sexually harassed by her loutish boss at the factory, Karen walks out of her job and tries out for the roller derby. She quickly wins a spot on the team and rises to the top, intent on ignoring the violence and grandstanding and concentrating on winning games. Although her teammates dislike her, Karen becomes a hit with the roller derby fans. But soon, her desire for victory becomes an obsession and she ends up losing not only her cool but also most of her clothes. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claudia Jennings, Louis Quinn, (more)
- 1971
David Janssen stars in this Jack Webb production as James O'Hara, a small-town sheriff recruited by the US Treasury's Bureau of Customs. O'Hara's first assignment: To break up a gang of smugglers trafficking in hashish. First telecast April 2, 1971 on CBS, this film served as the pilot for the weekly TV series O'Hara, United States Treasury. For the purposes of the series, O'Hara expanded his field of operations to the IRS, the Secret Service, and the ATM--at least until his program was cancelled in 1972 after a single season on the air. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Janssen, Lana Wood, (more)
- 1971
Seeking the location of a New York repair shop for his broken antique watch, Oliver (Eddie Albert) gets in touch with his former secretary Carol Rush (Elaine Joyce), who is now working for a realtor. One thing leads to another, and by the end of the story Oliver and Carol have combined forces to save her boss from being bilked out of 10,000 dollars. This 170th and final episode of Green Acres was intended as the pilot for a spinoff series starring Elaine Joyce, Emmaline Henry, and Richard Deacon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elaine Joyce, Emmaline Henry, (more)
- 1971
Warren Oates guest stars as Richie Billings, a professional thief who ends up the only survivor of a bloody armored car robbery. As he escapes to Canada with $50,000 in stolen money, Billings undergoes a radical personality change--and it may not be for the better. It is up to the FBI's Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist to prevent the "new" Billings from wreaking any more havoc. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
John McIntire is cast as Michael "Doc" Lacy, a lifelong criminal whose career stretches back to the Dillinger era. Having never truly succeeded in his chosen profession, Lacy escapes from prison in hopes of pulling off one last "dream" robbery. Inasmuch as the old man's target is a huge military payroll, the FBI takes a more than passing interest in his movements. Appearing as Lacy's wife Helen is John McIntire's real-life spouse Jeanette Nolan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Conspiracy to Kill was one of two pilot films for the Jack Webb-produced TV series The D.A. Robert Conrad stars as LA deputy district attorney Paul Ryan. This time around, Ryan reopens a case that he's already won. New evidence indicates that a supposedly victimized drugstore owner (William Conrad) was the brains behind a robbery and murder that occurred at his own establishment. The D.A. series proper ran from September 17, 1971, through January 7, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
General Zek (Titos Vandis) conspires with munitions manufacturer Ismir Najiid (Sandor Szabo) to kill Middle Eastern potentate King Said (Joe E. Tata) with a truckload of nitroglycerin. The conspirators then plan to place the blame for the assassination on a neighboring country, thereby sparking a war that will enable Zek to assume command of both nations. To preserve the balance of power, the IMF must steal the highly volatile nitro, save the King, and discredit Zek. Mark Lenard, best known as Spock's father on Star Trek, makes his second Mission: Impossible appearance as Aristo Skora. Originally telecast on March 23, 1969, "Nitro" was written by Laurence Heath. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1967
Future Hill Street Blues star Daniel J. Travanti (billed as "Dan Travanty") guests in this episode as Ilan, shaggy-haired leader of a band of space cyclists. Hoping to rise above their "misfit" status, Ilan and his fellow cycle bums agree to blow up a planet in order to keep it colliding with their own. Alas, the planet slated for destruction is currently occupied by the Robinsons--and the cyclists have no intention of letting them escape! The plot takes a bizarre twist when, thanks to a gaseous substance, Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) is suddenly transformed into a green-haired muscleman--whose awesome strength keeps failing him at the most inopportune moments! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
None the worse for having been "killed" in the previous episode, John Robinson (Guy Williams) slays a space monster that was threatening his family. As a result, John himself becomes the quarry in a bizarre big-game hunt conducted by gigantic humanoid sportsman Megazor (Vincent Beck). In fine "Most Dangerous Game" tradition, John spends the rest of the episode desperately trying to elude the relentless Megazor, with only a single weapon to defend himself! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The planet is invaded by the mechanical denizens of INDUSTRO, who turn out to be tiny duplicates of the Robinsons' robot. Appointing the Robot as their leader in a mission to take over the universe, the diminutive invaders are dismayed to discover that the Robot is too kind and gentle for such an undertaking. Thus, they exchange the Robot's personality with that of the treacherous Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris)--and vice versa. This is the episode that opens with Smith being given the "Gulliver" treatment by the mini-robots (who are actually a group of Lost in Space tie-in toys created by Remco!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
An unexpected "launch window" has provided the Robinsons with a golden opportunity to get off the planet. Unfortunately, time is of the essence--and right now time is running out thanks to a computer, residing in a tomblike cave, that has taken over Dr. Smith's (Jonathan Harris) mind and body, transforming him into an alien from a long-dead civilization. Will the Robinsons be forced to leave Smith behind in order to save themselves? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Lost in Space meets The Munsters as former "Grandpa Munster" Al Lewis guest stars as Zalto, a somewhat seedy space sorcerer. In hopes of flying Zalto's spaceship back to earth, Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) offers his services as the sorceror's apprentice. Unfortunately, the combined bungling of Zalto and Smith ends up seriously imperiling the Robinson family. This episode is highlighted by a wheezy vaudeville routine between Jonathan Harris and Al Lewis, reportedly improvised on the set when the script came up a bit short. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Hans Conried guest stars as Major Bonacelli, a pacifistic Italian POW commandant. Assigned to study under Stalag 17's Col. Klink, Bonacelli would much sooner defect to Switzerland. Ordered to extract information from Bonacelli, Hogan tries to convince the major to work on behalf of the Allies by bribing him with LeBeau's mouth-watering pizza. Written by Arthur Julian, "The Pizza Parlor" first aired on February 11, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
