Cindy Eilbacher Movies
- 1987
- R
In this horror sequel, the members of a female rock group set off to spend the weekend in a deserted condominium. However, when Courtney's (Crystal Bernard) dreams of a drill-wielding, murderous rock singer (Atanas Illitch) prove to be more than mere nightmares, the girls must struggle to survive their weekend getaway. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Crystal Bernard, Kimberly McArthur, (more)
- 1985
This excellent docudrama is an affecting dramatization of the decline of an Alzheimer's victim and the emotional and psychological toll his fatal illness takes on his family. Bob Millard (Len Cariou) is an active outdoorsman, he is strong and healthy and vibrant with life when the symptoms of Alzheimer's first begin to appear. His wife Susanne (Shirley Jones) and his daughter Jenny (Cynthia Eilbacher) gradually begin to realize that something is wrong, and Bob's condition is soon diagnosed. Over the next eight years, the mother and daughter suffer the gradual loss of their friends (who just stop visiting), and personal tensions mount as Bob deteriorates. This is an information-packed dramatization that pulls no punches. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shirley Jones, Len Cariou, (more)
- 1985
- R
In a standard story of a band's rise to popularity broken by drugs and tragedy, the friendship of the band members is tested to the limits. Donnie (Scott McGinnis) has started a band and wants his friend Richie (Roger Wilson) to join and help them put together a winning sound. Richie overcomes his dislike of one of the group members, starts playing with them, and soon they are on the way to stardom. But their sleazy manager has been getting Donnie hooked on drugs, and when an overdose kills the young bandleader, Richie is devastated. His girlfriend Beth is there for him, but for the rest of the band, their grief takes on a violent edge as they begin to connive to avenge Donnie's death. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roger Wilson, Jill Schoelen, (more)
- 1980
In his last appearance before the cameras, David Janssen plays an alcoholic journalist desperate for a comeback. Janssen hitches his star to ruthless publisher Robert Vaughn, who is exploiting a rash of brutal murders to sell papers. The danger here is that the unknown serial killer, who preys upon beautiful young women, is rapidly becoming a media celebrity--and may be prompted to continue killing just to see his name in print. Beyond its own potential for sensationalism, City in Fear raises several provocative questions about the responsibility (and culpability) of the press. For its March 30, 1980 premiere, City in Fear was given a two hour and fifty minute timeslot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
"Sharon cries out for strength...for hope...for love...." So read the ad copy for the made-for-TV A Last Cry For Help Sharon (Linda Purl) is an outwardly happy, normal high schooler: A-student, cheerleader, popular with everyone. So why is she so determined to commit suicide? Director Hal Sitowitz' penetrating script is at its best when dealing with Sharon's inner turmoil; otherwise, Sitowitz' last-act tendency to proselytize weakens the overall impact. First aired January 19, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
This made-for-TV movie relates the true story of the infamous Donner Party, the group of unlucky pioneers who were stranded in the Rockies by a snowstorm and had to eat the bodies of the dead to survive. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The story begins as an astronomer notices that a blazing comet is headed straight for Phoenix Arizona. Unfortunately, no one believes him. They will eventually, but only after most of Phoenix has been reduced to cinders. Emmies went to the special effects (among the best ever seen on TV in those days before computer-generated special fx) and sound recording. The all-star cast includes Richard Crenna, Elizabeth Ashley, David Dukes, Joanna Miles, Lloyd Bochner, Merlin Olsen and Andrew Duggan, all of them superbly cast and none merely doing the usual celebrity walk-through. Originally telecast in a three-hour slot, Fire in the Sky debuted November 26, 1978. This film should not be confused with the 1993 alien-abduction film of the same name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Based on the best-selling novel by Howard Fast, the two-part, four-hour miniseries The Immigrants is the saga of Dan Lavetta (Stephen Macht). The son of an impoverished Italian immigrant family, Dan manages to emerge from the rubble of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake (cunningly re-created via stock footage from such films as, naturally, San Francisco and Earthquake), to become one of the port city's most powerful shipping magnates. Capping his ascent up the social scale by marrying wealthy Nob Hill debutante Jean Seldon (Sharon Gless), Dan risks losing it all when he falls hopelessly in love with Oriental lass May Ling (played by the Caucasian Aimee Eccles). The story concludes with the 1929 Wall Street crash, suggesting that the producers would have thrown in the kitchen sink had they been able to find it. The Immigrants was syndicated to local stations as part of the "Operation Prime Time" series; most markets ran the two-parter on November 20 and 21, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
This powerful made-for-television drama made a memorable impact on audiences in the late '70s and has earned a cult following as a result. The story focuses on Richie (Robby Benson), a well-meaning but emotionally confused teen who finds it all too easy to turn to drugs when he feels the world closing in on him. This brings him into conflict with his father, George (Ben Gazzara), a stern man who loves his son, but has trouble expressing his feelings. Both men make genuine attempts to meet each other halfway, but their relationship worsens as social pressures and personal failings drive Richie deeper into his drug addiction. The interaction between father and son becomes violent, resulting in a tragedy for the whole family. The Death of Richie attracted critical acclaim when it was telecast in 1977 for its sensitive but unflinching treatment of difficult family issues, as well as the impressive performances of Benson and Gazzara. In recent years, it has attracted a cult following that includes actor/director Vincent Gallo, who cast Gazzara as the father in Buffalo '66 on the strength of his work in The Death of Richie. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Newly married to Dr. Curt Willard (Tom Bower), Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) begins to doubt that she is worthy of her husband--especially when she faints dead away while helping him during surgery. Elsewhere, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) comes to regret selling land entrusted to him by Grandpa when it turns out the property is going to be used for hydraulic mining. And Rev. Fordwick's pregnant wife Rosemary (Mariclare Costello) suddenly goes into labor just as a rainstorm comes hammering down on Walton's Mountain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Leigh McCloskey stars in this ABC Afterschool Special as Jeff, a teenage boy who falls in love with Eileen (Jewel Blanch), a fiercely independent blind girl whom he has met at the local swimming pool. Somewhat put off by the girl's adamant insistence that she be treated like a normal person, Jeff begins to wonder what it would be like to be sightless. Thus, he spends an entire day blindfolded -- with surprising results. The final scene, in which Eileen asks Jeff to describe a daffodil, is just as effective today as when first telecast way back in 1976. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leigh McCloskey, Jewel Blanch, (more)
- 1975
With schoolteacher Rosemary Fordwick still on her honeymoon, Olivia Walton (Michael Learned) continues to substitute-teach in Rosemary's classroom. One of Olivia's students is a painfully shy youngster named Samuel Miller (Bob Arsic), who has been written off a "slow" because of his inability to read. As it turns out, Sam's problem is not illiterary but poor eyesight--and unfortunately, his parents can't afford to buy him a pair of glasses. Meanwhile, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) has an awkward reunion with his former girlfriend Marsha (Tammi Bula), whose new husband may have only married her for her money. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
As The Waltons begins its fourth season, Rev. Matthew Fordwick (John Ritter) and schoolteacher Rosemary Hunter (Mariclare Costello) are about to leave Walton's Mountain for their wedding and honeymoon. In their absence, John-Boy Walton (Richard Thomas) agrees to deliver the Sunday sermon, while his mother Olivia (Michael Learned) takes over Miss Hunter's classroom. The new responsibilities take quite a toll on both Waltons--especially John-Boy, who is convinced that he will never be able to come up with the right words to inspire the parishioners. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
- PG
Shanks is not so much a movie as an hallucinatory experience. World-renowned mime Marcel Marceau plays a dual role as a mute puppeteer and an eccentric inventor. The inventor dies, passing along his secrets for reviving corpses to the puppeteer. With the help of an enigmatic little girl, Marceau activates several dead bodies and goes on a robbery spree. Costarring with Marceau are fellow mime artists Tsilla Chelton and Phillipe Clay. Shanks had cult potential, but was released with a surprisingly lackluster ad campaign--all the more surprising in that the film was directed by that master huckster William Castle (whose last film this was). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
"Bad" Ronald (Scott Jacoby) has been in hiding in a secret room ever since going off the deep end and killing a teenaged girl who'd made fun of him. Ronald's mother (Kim Hunter) helps her son to remain hidden, even when the house in which he is sequestered is rented by a family. As luck would have it, three of the family members are nubile young girls--perfect targets for the lonely, and looney, Ronald. In the original John Holbrook Vance novel on which this TV-movie is based, Ronald abducts, repeatedly rapes and ultimately kills two women. The video version of Bad Ronald is heavily laundered, but no less terrifying. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Jacoby, Pippa Scott, (more)
- 1974
Rummaging through a second-hand purse which she has purchased in anticipation of going to a dance with John-Boy's friend Mike (Ted Eccles), Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) finds a valuable ring. Allowing vanity to get the better of her, Mary Ellen decides to wear the ring to the dance, even as its previous owner Mrs. Breckenride (Adrienne Marden) announces that the ring is missing. A crisis ensues when our heroine loses the ring somewhere in the school gym--necessitating a nocturnal "burglary" involving two of the Walton kids. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Grandma Walton (Ellen Corby) is pleasantly surprised when she receives a huge bequest--a whole $250!--from a casual acquaintance. Naturally, everybody in the Walton household has a special plan on how best to spend the money, and just as naturally, Grandma intends to be generous with her windfall, not only doling it out to her family but to the rest of the community. But an unexpected development puts a damper on that generosity--and now Grandma is faced with the prospect of being unable to keep her word for the first time in her life. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Orphan Hobie Shanks (Michael McGreevey), who years earlier had briefly stayed with the Waltons, returns to the Mountain brimming over with braggadocio. Everyone is impressed by Hobie's claim that he is about to be given a pitching tryout with a professional baseball team--everyone, that is, except the envious John-Boy (Richard Thomas), who thinks that Hobie is full of hot air. Surprisingly, it turns out that Hobie is telling the truth . . .but he may never get the chance to become a "pro" thanks to a freak accident. (Trivia note: guest star Michael McGreevey is the son of frequent Waltons scriptwriter John McGreevey--who, incidentally, did NOT write this episode). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
The Waltons attend the annual County Fair, where each family member hopes to win a prize. At the same time, Olivia's former beau Oscar Cockrell (Peter Donat) shows up at the fair in hopes of advancing his political career. Comparing Oscar's affluence with his own family's lack of same, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) asks himself how different his life would have been if Olivia (Michael Learned) had accepted Oscar's proposal. Meanwhile, a "special ingredient" in Olivia's cake has a curious effect on the contest judges! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
In the first half of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), John-Boy (Richard Thomas) is afforded the opportunity to qualify for a scholarship at Boatwright University--and, as icing on the cake, his former girlfriend Jenny (Sian Barbara Allen) is paying a return visit to Walton's Mountain. But joy turns to despair when John-Boy is injured in an accident, which may render him permanently blind. Meanwhile, Jason (Jon Walmsley) is beginning to have second thoughts about accepting a job from the dithery Baldwin Sisters (Mary Jackson, Helen Kleeb). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-part episode), John-Boy (Richard Thomas) refuses to reveal the seriousness of his accident, terrified that he will no longer qualify for a scholarship at Boatwright University. As John-Boy's eyesight grows weaker with each passing day, it is painfully obvious that the only way he can prevent permanent blindness is to undergo surgery. . .if it isn't already too late. Elsewhere, Olivia (Michael Learned) is outraged to discover that Jason (Jon Walsmley) has been dragooned into helping the Baldwin Sisters cook up their intoxicating "recipe"; and Ben (Eric Scott) and Grandpa (Will Geer) continue hunting for the family's Thanksgiving turkey. This episode earned an Emmy Award for scriptwriter Joanna Lee. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Olivia (Michael Learned) strongly disapproves when husband John (Ralph Waite) invites four travelling carnival performers (one of them played by legendary "little person" Billy Barty) to stay with the Walton family. The quartet of "carnies" had found themselves stranded after their manager skipped town with the carnival's profits. Ever so gradually, Olivia warms up to these curious but likeable nomads -- and when the four entertainers discover that the Waltons hadn't had enough money to attend their carnival when it first arrived on the Mountain, a very special performance is staged in the family's barn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Fresh from his success in the movie blockbuster The Godfather, singer Al Martino guest stars as a cocky pilot named Paul Stocker, who is spotted making a suspicious landing by a passing equistrienne (Cindy Eilbacher). Investigating, Officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) have reason to believe that Stocker has been transporting marijuana from Mexico, but they have no proof. The two cops spend the balance of the episode biding their time, waiting for the arrogant Stocker to make that proverbial One False Step. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
In his last professional appearance (he died on January 28, 1973), former Hogan's Heroes costar John Banner is cast as Max Ledbetter, bakery owner and self-styled psychic. Hoping to persuade the Partridges to help him pay his mortgage (we'd say "help him raise some dough", but that would be too obvious), Max gulls Danny (Danny Bonaduce) and Keith (David Cassidy) into believing that his powers of prognostication are genuine. Song: "You Don't Have to Tell Me". This is final episode of The Partridge Family's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
