John Archer Movies
Brought to Hollywood on the strength of a talent contest, Ralph Bowman didn't change his name to John Archer until after appearing in a handful of films produced between 1938 and 1940. While he was generally tucked amongst the supporting players in such big-budgeters as Guadalcanal Diary (1943) and White Heat (1949), Archer could count on star billing and plenty of screen time in such "B"s as King of the Zombies (1941) and Bowery at Midnight (1942). In the mid-1940s, Archer starred on the weekly radio melodrama The Shadow. At one time married to actress Marjorie Lord, John Archer is the father of 1990s leading lady Anne Archer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1976
Susan Clark, the queen of the made-for-TV biopic (in 1976, at least), stars as legendary aviator Amelia Earhart. The story begins in 1921, with Amelia's first biplane flight. In 1928, she becomes the first woman ever to fly the Atlantic, albeit not at the controls. She gains international fame with a daring cross-country flight. The film refuses to speculate on the cause of Ms. Earhart's disappearance during a round-the-world trip in 1937, though the clues that do exist are presented in full. Co-starring with Susan Clark are John Forsythe as Amelia's publisher husband (and "exploiter") George Putnam, and Stephen Macht as her purported lover, stunt pilot Paul Mantz. Nearly two decades after Amelia Earhart was first telecast on October 25, 1976, Diane Keaton portrayed Earhart in a made-for-cable biography. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
James L. Brooks' Thursday's Game is a witty made-for-television comedy about two businessmen (Bob Newhart and Gene Wilder) who meet every Thursday night to play poker and discuss their professional and personal problems. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
In this comedy, a bungling bookkeeper's assistant works in the Dalton city hall and finds himself framed for embezzling by his corrupt superiors. A sweet young woman helps him clear his name. He is also assisted by Leo the computer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Ironside (Raymond Burr) and his team are assigned to escort Soviet spy Hruska (Diana Hyland) to Mexico to exchange for an American scientist (John Archer) held by the Russians. En route, Ironside and Hruska a kidnapped by a gang of Mexican activists. As Ed (Don Galloway) struggles to stall the Russian officials, Ironside endeavors to formulate a plan of escape--all the while becoming increasingly fond of his beautiful prisoner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
When Mark (Don Mitchell) is shot by an unknown assailant, it is first assumed that the bullet was intended for Ironside (Raymond Burr). When a second shooting proves that Mark was the intended target all along, Ironside tries to figure out who could possibly hate his assistant enough to kill him. The plot thickens when the hired thug who pulled the trigger turns up dead. Now Ironside must hide the fact that Mark himself survived the attack in order to flush out the brains behind the assassination attempt. Richard Benedict, who directed this episode, appears in the role of "Sock". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Grand Jury witness Charles Ball (James Patterson) is prepared to charge seven men with fraud-not out of any sense of civic duty, but because he has been paid off by Vandeman (Mark Richman a co-conspirator of the seven defendants, and the worst of the lot. With his life in jeopardy, Ball hides out at the Ponderosa, which rests not at all well with Candy. Meanwhile, the seven accused men align themselves with Vandeman to arrange a fatal "accident" for Ball. Others in the cast include Linda March as Harriet Ball, John Milford as Rodgers, and John Archer as Ludlow. Written by Preston Wood, "A World Full of Cannibals" first aired on December 22, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1968
Noah Beery Jr. guest-stars as Johnny Mule, on trial for the murder of David Lowdon. Typically, Hoss Cartwright casts the vote which deadlocks the jury, convinced that there is reasonable doubt regarding Johnny's guilt. But when Johnny breaks out of jail rather than face a retrial, Hoss must come to grips with the possibility that his instincts were wrong. Also in the cast are such powerhouse performers as Coleen Gray, Lee Patterson, Jack Ging and John Archer. Originally titled "The Trial of Johnny Mule", this episode was written by Joel Murcott, and first aired on February 25, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Fifteen years after Ben Cartwright's testimony sent a man named Preston to the gallows, Preston's son Colter arrives in Virginia City. A self-styled troubador, Colter sings a bitter ballad denouncing Ben and proclaiming his own father's innocence, forcing the authorities to re-open the case. Colter even goes so far as to shoot himself so that Ben will be arrested for attempted murder. Also appearing are Ann Doran as Lisa Stanley, Roger Davis as Harold Stanley, and John Archer as Dave Sinclair. The teleplay, by series costar Michael Landon and Rik Vollaerts, manages to include a reference to long-department Cartwright brother Adam. "Ballad of the Ponderosa" was first shown on November 13, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1965
Acting magistrate Ben Cartwright is dismayed when Sundown (Tom Tully), an old reprobate whom he'd helped parole, is suspected of robbing the Virginia City bank. Magnanimously, Sundown offers to tell Ben where the stolen money is in exchange for his freedom. Ben refuses this offer, whereupon the whole town turns against him. Also in the cast are Anthony Call (Billy), Elizabeth Perry (Ruth) and Walter Sande (Hamilton). Written by John and Ward Hawkins, "The Dilemma" first aired September 19, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1965
The "Candy Queen" is Claire Armstrong (Nancy Gates), who has become quite wealthy after inheriting the famous candy-manufacturing formula that has been in her family for generations. But it is not so sweet when Claire's secretary is poisoned by a box of her boss' candy. And things really go sour after Claire's brother Mark (John Napier) steals the formula to pay off his gambling deaths--not to mention when the "Candy Queen" is framed for the murder of blackmailer Harry Arnold (John Archer). Perry Mason probably has a feeling of deja-vu when he agrees to handle this case: "The Case of the Candy Queen" is a remake of the earlier Perry Mason episode "The Case of the Silent Partner" (both episodes are based on the same 1940 novel by series creator Erle Stanley Gardner). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
With true William Castle-style flamboyance the advertisements for I Saw What You Did intrigued non-etymologically inclined audiences by warning them that this suspenseful thriller was about uxoricide. He then had some of the theaters where the film was shown equipped with seat belts so frightened audience members wouldn't flee the theater in a panic. It was a spooky film, but wasn't all that scary. The tale begins upon a dark and foggy night as two teenage girls, bored with their baby-sitting job, decide to have a little fun and make some prank phonecalls. Every time some hapless person answers, they whisper conspiritorally "I saw what you did. I know who you are." Unfortunately, they happen to call a man who has just murdered his wife --- in the shower no less! He takes the call seriously and so sets off into the night to find the girls and silence them forever. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joan Crawford, John Ireland, (more)
- 1964
This western presents a more sympathetic view of Native Americans than is usually found in the genre as it tells the tale of the army commander of an Arizona outpost who despises all Indians until he falls in love with a beautiful missionary girl. He must change his ways because one of her parents is an Apache. Unfortunately, his attempts to reform are nearly foiled by greedy gold-seekers trying to start a war with the local Apaches. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audie Murphy, Michael Dante, (more)
- 1963
While sitting in a barber's chair, Carlos Rodriguez (Alex Montoya) is killed by impatient customer Duke Miller (Perry Lopez. The only person who could possibly identify Duke as the murderer is Joe Cartwright-who, unfortunately, was unconscious during the tragedy. Feeling responsible for Rodriguez' death, Joe personally escorts Carlos' son Paco (Raphel Lopez) to his grandparents in Mexico. Upon his arrival in the town of Juarez, Joe enters another barbershop-where Duke Miller is waiting for a final showdown. First shown on February 3, 1963, "The Last Haircut" was written by Charles Lang. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1962
Hoping to catch a band of cattle rustlers, the Cartwrights lay a trap for the bandits, while Adam Cartwright scouts the area for possible thieves. Coming upon the injured Matthew Grant (John Archer), Adam assumes that Grant is one of the rustlers. Knowing that his father Ben intends to shoot first and ask questions later, Adam tries to get Grant to confess his crimes and turn himself over to the authorities. Bethel Leslie and Donald Losby appear respectively as Grant's wife Ann and son Jody. First shown on February 18, 1962, "The Jackknife" was written by Frank Chase. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
One of Elvis Presley's most successful post-Army vehicles, Blue Hawaii casts Elvis as scion to a Hawaiian pineapple fortune. His snooty mother Angela Lansbury wants Presley to take over the management of the family business, but he'd rather make his own way in the world. He lands a job at a tourist agency, and incidentally finds time to dally with such lovelies as Joan Blackman and Nancy Walters. Steve Brodie, as ever, is on hand to inveigle Elvis into an outsized brawl. Among the songs featured in the film are the title number (originally written in 1937 for Bing Crosby) and "Can't Help Falling in Love." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, (more)
- 1961
Season Four of Maverick concludes with the series' only two-part episode. In Part One, Bart (Jack Kelly) purchases a wagonload of merchandise sight unseen from silver-tongued peddler Luther Cannonbaugh (John Dehner). Bart's plan to sell the merchandise at a nearby Army post hits a snag when he peeks into the wagon and finds a large supply of illegal liquor--as well as a bound and gagged Indian girl named Tawney (Sharon Hugueny). In his efforts to keep himself out of prison and avoid an all-out Indian war, Bart ends up captured by Tawney's tribe. Also held captive is the redoubtable Mr. Cannonbaugh, who thinks he has devised a foolproof scheme to save himself and Bart from being killed...and he's just the fool to prove it. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Bart (Jack Kelly) and crooked peddler Cannonbaugh (John Dehner) have been captured by the same hostile tribe from whom Cannonbaugh had kidnapped the Indian girl Tawney (Sharon Hugueny). In order to secure his release, the peddler convinces the Indian chief to accept a "magic" necklace, which will render him impervious to gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, the chief now feels emboldened to attack a nearby Army fort--and unless Bart and Tawny act quickly, every man, woman and child in the fort will be massacred before the day is done. A young Chad Everett plays a minor role in this final episode of Maverick's fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Originally titled "Nobody Here but Us Martians," this darkly comic Twilight Zone episode was a rewrite of (and vast improvement upon) an unfilmed Rod Serling script from 1958, "The Night of the Big Rain." Having spotted what they think is a UFO, two highway patrolmen converge upon a roadside diner, where an interesting cross-section of humanity has gathered. The patrolmen plant the suggestion that one of the patrons is actually a "spy" from another planet, a suggestion scoffed at by such likely suspects as taciturn Mr. Ross (John Hoyt) and scraggly vagabond Avery (Jack Elam). The check-checkmate ending is one of the series' most memorable, thanks to the skillful underplaying of Barney Phillips as the diner's sarcastic counterman. "Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?" first aired May 26, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Hoyt, Barney Phillips, (more)
- 1960
As upset as she is over the impending divorce of her parents, Ann Farwell (Elen Willard) is even more upset that her rancher father Burt (John Archer) is keeping company with sexy young Rita Conover (Shirley Ballard). When Rita is murdered, Ann thinks that her mom Jill (Linda Leighton) is the killer, and vice versa. The two ladies spend so much time covering for each other that Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) hardly has time to defend the accused murderer, ranch hand Joe Dixon (Frank Maxwell). This is one of several episodes directed by Laslo Benedek, whose movie credits include the definitive motorcycle-gang epic The Wild One. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Beauty contest winner Marjorie Cluny (Lisabeth Hush) is really steamed when she finds out that her big prize, a Hollywood movie contract, is a hoax. After angrily confronting contest sponsor Frank Patton (Douglas Evans), Marjorie abruptly disappears--not surprising, since Patton has been murdered. Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) is puzzled when two different men hire him to locate the elusive Ms. Cluny. This episode is based on a 1934 novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner), which was previously adapted as a theatrical feature starring Warren William as Mason. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Fairly fast-paced, with only a lull here and there, this standard thriller by director Irving Lerner was one of his most successful films. It stars (Vince Edwards) as Vince, an escaped convict who grabs a metal vial from the prison's hospital before he makes his break. He thinks it is his ticket to the easy life because it contains heroin. Instead, the vial contains radioactive cobalt that could first sicken and then kill anyone who comes in close contact with it. The police are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. If they publicly announce a vial of deadly cobalt is on the loose, in the hands of an escaped convict, they might touch off a stampede. On the other hand, if they keep it a secret, who knows how many people will die. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vince Edwards, John Archer, (more)
- 1958
Although Army major Frank Lessing (John Archer) left behind a suicide note before his death, Sgt. Joseph Dexter (Paul Picerni) is charged with Lessing's murder. Exercising his legal prerogative, Dexter demands a civilan lawyer to defend him at his Court-Martial--and that's where Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) comes in. But by the time Perry has arrived at the Army base to confer with his client, Dexter has been murdered as well! The outcome of this case hinges upon a payroll robbery committed years earlier in the Philippines. Making certain that this episode remained "by the book" throughout was technical advisor Lt. Allison A. Conrad, who receives special screen credit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
Affair in Reno is an uneven Republic adventure from the later phases of the studio's history. Doris Singleton, usually cast as the heroine's next door neighbor or best friend (she's Caroline Appleby in the "Harpo Marx" episode on I Love Lucy), is here seen as a smart-lipped private eye. She comes to Reno on a case, and falls in love with publicity agent John Lund. But nothing dissuades her from her mission to get the goods on suspected crook John Archer. Affair in Reno doesn't have much in the way of production values, but compensates for this with an emphasis on comedy, especially whenever Doris Singleton has to pose as someone she's not. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Lund, Doris Singleton, (more)
- 1957
Dean Martin's first solo film after his split with Jerry Lewis was very nearly his last. Dino plays Ray Hunter, a Conrad Hiltonesque playboy hotelier at large in Rome. Taking charge of his latest acquisition -- a huge hotel with the titular 10,000 bedrooms -- Hunter finds himself being pursued by the daughters of wealthy Vittori Martelli (Walter Slezak). For a while, it looks as though the youngest daughter Nina (Anna Maria Alberghetti) has the inside track, but big-hearted Ray, realizing that Nina would be happier with a boy her own age, settles for older sister Maria (Eva Bartok). The poor box-office take for this old-fashioned musical comedy seemed at the time to foretell the end of Dean Martin's film career, but he was rescued by his well-received appearance in The Young Lions. The funniest aspect of Ten Thousand Bedrooms was its promotional trailer, narrated by Teddi Thurman, then famous as the sultry weather girl on the weekend radio series Monitor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Martin, Anna Maria Alberghetti, (more)
- 1957
Hot on the heels of his successful sci-fier Kronos, Kurt Neumann directed the lesser genre entry She Devil. Jack Kelly stars as a doctor who invents a miracle cure for several horrible diseases. Suffering from tuberculosis, Mari Blanchard agrees to test out Kelly's wonder serum. Almost instantly, Mari's health and strength are restored. Unfortunately, there is one teeny-tiny side effect: Mari's benign personality transforms into that of a scheming predator with a pronounced homicidal streak. As Kelly and his superior Albert Dekker stand by helplessly, Mari murders the wife (Fay Baker) of wealthy John Archer, then draws up plans to knock him off and claim his millions. Even back in 1957, no one took this one seriously. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Albert Dekker, Jack Kelly, (more)
