Robert Ridgely Movies
American actor Robert Ridgely's first television job was the part of Kimbro in the 1962 wartime drama The Gallant Men. He later played a Ted Baxter-ish anchor man on Domestic Life (1984), and was earlier featured as an unctuous talent-show emcee in Jonathan Demme's Melvin and Howard (1979). Ridgely showed up in a brace of Mel Brooks films during the early '90s, including Life Stinks (1991) and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), and was featured in Michael Keaton's Multiplicity and Tom Hanks' That Thing You Do! Although he was always busy in front of the cameras, the actor was best-known as one of show business' most prolific and versatile voice-over artists. Ridgely's extensive TV-cartoon resumé included the title roles in Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All (1979), Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1980), and Thundarr the Barbarian (1982) Ridgely made his final film appearances in Boogie Nights and Fire Down Below (both 1997). He died of cancer in 1997 at the age of 65. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1973
Bob panics when he discovers that he's gained eight pounds since his last birthday. Having seen the light, Bob immediately goes on a crash diet. When this ploy inevitably fails, Jerry arranges for Bob to attend a reducing class run by a sixtysomething health freak named Olga (Lilyan Chauvin). Featured in the cast are Bruce Kirby as Dr. Klein, Samantha Harper as Nurse Burke, and voice-over specialist Bob Ridgely and future Barney Miller regular Ron Glass as the elevator repairmen. Written by Bill Idelson and Harvey Miller, "Fit, Fat and Forty-One" first aired on November 24, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1972
Fugitive Confederate officer Cody Ransom (Jon Cypher) is finally willing to surrender to the Union forces-but only if the Cartwright men act as intermediaries. Unfortunately, by-the-book Northern officer Major Donahue (Hurd Hatfield) insists upon handling the capture all by himself-and he is prepared to resort to violence to get his way. Suzanne Pleshette appears as Rose, a war-weary Southerner desperately trying to put her life back together, while 10-year-old Jodie Foster is seen as Bluebird. Originally shown on March 19, 1972, "A Place to Hide" was written by William D. Gordon and Ward Hawkins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1971
Rip Torn guest-stars as Will Hewitt, a former soldier who was blinded in the last battle of the Civil War. Determined to solve the murder of his brother, Hewitt is given a helping hand by Ben Cartwright's adopted son Jamie. The teleplay by John Hawkins and Robert Pirosh is capped by a truly surprising denoument. Also in the cast are Don Knight as Clayton, Loretta Leversee as Laurie, Charles Maxwell as Keeley, and James Chandler as McKey. "Blind Hunch" first aired on November 21, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1971
- PG
This film is notable for singer Marvin Gaye's debut acting performance. In Chrome and Hot Leather, Green Beret sergeant Mitch's (Tony Young) girlfriend has been mortally injured, and just before her death divulges that a motorcycle gang called "The Devils" were responsible. Mitch and his sergeant buddies (including Marvin Gaye as Jim) take military leave and prepare themselves to track down the evildoers by adopting, as best as they can, the appearance of a motorcycle gang: bikes, clothes and all. This results in some humorous moments. They use their army skills in the quest for justice, and The Devils come in for some serious trouble. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Oscar winner Strother Martin is cast as Joad Bruder, the father of jailed stagecoach robber Randy Bruder (Anthony Colti). Aware that Joad is holding the Ponderosa money that was stolen by Randy, Joe and Hoss hatch another of their hare-brained schemes to retrieve the loot. Heading to Pineville, the Cartwright boy pose as two members of Randy's gang-a ruse that threatens to burn and crash when the wife of one of the gang members shows up unexpectedly. Originally shown on December 13, 1970, "The Impostors" was written by Robert Vincent Wright. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1968
Based on the novel Death on the Turnpike by William P. McGivern, Robert Altman's Nightmare in Chicago was expanded for theatrical release after it originally aired on NBC in 1964 on an episode of Kraft Suspense Theater. Filmed on-location in Chicago, this suspense thriller follows the story of a serial killer known as "Georgie Porgie." The Chicago turnpike is threatened over a three-day period as the police try to catch him by blocking the whole area. Starring Charles McGraw, Ted Knight, and Robert Ridgely. Original musical score by John Williams. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Poor Ben Cartwright is unable to get any peace and quiet on the Ponderosa, thanks to his uncommonly noisy offspring and their friends. In desperate need of a few hours' sleep, he checks into the Virginia City hotel. Not unexpectedly, comic chaos ensues, much of it caused by a bickering husband and wife (Abigail Shelton, Robert Ridgely) and a man-chasing widow (Jean Willes. Scriptwriters Frank Cleaver and Jeffrey Fleece were responsible for this non-stop laugh riot. "A Good Night's Rest" originally aired on April 11, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
A full year before the debut of Warner Bros.' TV series The FBI, a pilot of sorts was filmed under the title FBI Code 98. Jack Kelly heads the cast of this Dragnet-style docudrama, wherein the action is underlined by William Woodson's stentorian off-camera narration. The main plot concerns a disgruntled mad bomber, who uses his heightened knowledge of electronics to stay one step ahead of detection. The all-Warner-contractee cast includes Maverick's Kelly, Ray Danton, Andrew Duggan, Philip Carey, William Reynolds (later a regular on The FBI), Peggy McCay and Merry Anders. Originally intended as a TV special, FBI Code 98 was released theatrically instead. The film was produced by Stanley Niss, the author of the book on which the screenplay was based. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Kelly, Ray Danton, (more)
- 1962
Before settling into the semi-regular role of Adam Cartwright's fiancée Laura Dayton during the 1963-64 season, Kathie Browne appeared as two different characters in two earlier Bonanza episodes. In "The Tall Stranger," Browne was cast as Margie Owens, the daughter of the town banker (Russell Owens). Though Hoss is in love with Margie, he loses out to charming, globetrotting Mark Connors (Sean McClory). Desirous of traveling to faraway lands, Margie agrees to marry Connors -- who ultimately deserts her, leaving her alone, destitute, and very pregnant. Written by Ward Hawkins, "The Tall Stranger" first aired January 7, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1961
Claude Akins guest-stars as the titular Sam Hill, a blacksmith of extraordinary strength. Pressured to give up the land on which his mother is buried, Sam discovers that he has been sold out by his own father, an irresponsible drunkard-and that the new owner of the property is a self-styled dictator with a private army. Ford Rainey, Edgar Buchanan and ubiquitous voiceover specialist Robert Ridgely also appear in this episode, one of several directed by Robert Altman. Written by series producer David Dortort, "Sam Hill" originally aired June 3, 1961, as the final episode of Bonanza's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1961
Jack Kelly plays a dual role in this episode, as frontier gambler Bart Maverick and his exact lookalike, vicious outlaw Red Claxton. Mistaken for Claxton, who has been systematically stealing army payrolls, Bart is arrested and thrown in the stockade. Sentenced to hang, our hero must somehow break out of jail to prove his innocence. Appearing as ingenue Caprice Rambeau is a young Dawn Wells, three years before her starmaking turn as Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Ben Cartwright's former sweetheart Lydia (Maggie Hayes), now the wealthy and widowed Lady Lydia Chadwick, returns to Virginia City. Upon her arrival, she makes a beeline to the Ponderosa, hoping to rekindle her romance with Ben. When he resists her charms, Lady Lydia vows to ruin him financially so he'll be forced to accept her love and support (shades of Dürrenmat's The Visit!) Others in the cast include John Alderson as Montague and Dan Sheridan as Kelly. Written by William Cox and William Powell (not the film star of the same name), "The Countess" first aired November 19, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
