Erin Murphy Movies

Play an entertaining game of spot the celebrity while laughing along at the campiest superhero adventure since Adam West punched out The Joker. A completely original comic-book-style crime fighter who's not afraid to give his enemies a shocking surprise, Surge of Power is hot on the trail of a maniacal super-villain who will stop at nothing to achieve absolute power. Of course, with a little help from veterans like Lou Ferrigno and Nichelle Nichols, fledgling superhero Surge may have his work cut out for him. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

A failed actor discovers how little it takes to be a V.I.P. in a small town -- and what can happen when you abuse that small amount of fame -- in this independent drama. Philip Van Horn (Trevor St. John) left his tiny hometown of Cuba, Missouri, to move to Hollywood, with big dreams of making it as an actor. Thirteen years later, Philip has nothing but a handful of walk-ons and bit parts to show for his ambitions, and he returns to Cuba to visit his mother Rose (Karen Black) feeling like a failure. However, most of the locals treat him as if he's a big shot -- after all, he's been in movies with Jeff Bridges and Molly Ringwald, so he must be some sort of star, right? Philip knows better, but he doesn't let on, since he hopes his new reputation in town will attract the attention of Dorothy (Mary Stuart Masterson), his unrequited crush from high school who still lives in Cuba. However, the last 13 years have been much crueler to Dorothy than Philip; she's now a depressed, alcoholic hairdresser involved with Ezra (Jon Favreau), a racist thug who thinks that blacks are to blame for his inability to get out of town. Dorothy and Philip soon fall into a romance, which does not please Ezra, who already has a number of local drug dealers after him. Karen Black and writer/director George Hickenlooper both won awards for their work on this film at the 1998 Hermosa Beach Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Bumbling Esmerelda is pressed into service to babysit young Ralph (Ricky Powell), the son of Darrin's new client, Mr. Norton (Richard X. Slattery). In the course of the evening, Esmerelda takes it upon herself to tell Ralph that she's a witch, performing several disastrous acts of witchcraft to prove her point. It is up to Samantha to run damage control by claiming that Esmerelda is really a professional magician. Written by Philip Sharp and Henry Sharp, "Samantha's Magic Sitter" first aired on January 5, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Will Geer guest stars as George Washington, who has been accidentally zapped into the 20th century by bumbling Esmerelda. Impressed at the progress made by the country which he fathered, Washington decides to exercise his right of free speech in a local park. As a result, he is arrested for creating a public disturbance and threatening a policeman, forcing Samantha to do some quick witchery. Thad Geer, son of Will Geer, appears as a hippie. The first episode of a two-part story, "George Washington Zapped Here" was written by Michael Morris and originally aired on February 19, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Doting grandmother Endora transforms little Tabitha into a seven-year-old genius. Long-suffering Samantha and Darrin convince Tabitha's teacher, Mrs. Peabody (Maudie Prickett), and principal, Mr. Roland (Charles Lane), not to give the girl preferential treatment, but how will Sam handle the fact that Mrs. Peabody has seen Tabitha perform witchcraft in front of the classroom? Apparently, there is only one solution: Tell the whole truth, and reveal to the world that Sam, Tabitha, and Endora are all genuine witches! Written by Michael Morris, "School Daze, School Daze" originally aired on March 4, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Samantha suffers guilt feelings when she uses witchcraft to do her housework, and her guilt is compounded when Darrin refuses to get mad. As a result, Sam comes down with a bad case of the hiccups, causing expensive gifts to magically appear in the Stephens household. A blessing in disguise? Not quite: All of the "gifts" have been zapped from a local department store, and before long, a team of detectives comes a-knocking at the Stephenses' door. Dr. Bombay finally reveals that Sam's current dilemma is merely a matter of semantics -- or more specifically, bad spelling. Written by John L. Greene, "Samantha's Psychic Pslip" first aired on April 1, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Darrin blows his stack at Endora for magically creating unaffordable luxuries for her grandchildren. Later on, Darrin finds an envelope full of money in a taxi. Assuming that the money was Endora's handiwork, Darrin launches into an argument with Samantha, which ends with Sam "zapping" the cash out of existence. Only one trouble: The money really belonged to a bookie named Rudolph Kosko (Arch Johnson), who has a habit of breaking the bones of those who renege on their debts. Allen Jenkins, who appeared in the previous week's episode as a crooked hunter, is here cast as the cab driver. Written by Milt Rosen, "Money Happy Returns" first aired on March 18, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Endora's latest spell transforms Darrin into an indecisive clod. Once this bit has been squeezed dry, Endora endeavors to prove that Darrin is quite literally pig-headed. The results: Neighbor Gladys Kravitz is all shook up and another ad campaign is placed in jeopardy until Samantha can bring the situation under control. Herbert Edelman guest stars as a Colonel Sanders-ish fast food tycoon. Written by Ed Jurist, "This Little Piggy" was originally slated to air on February 18, 1971, but was seen instead on February 25. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the fourth episode of a seven-part story arc, Samantha and Darrin are vacationing in Italy when Sam discovers that Esmerelda was the one who caused the tower of Pisa to lean way back in the 15th century. In endeavoring to make up for her past blunders, Esmerelda succeeds only in ruining the Pisa tourist trade. Everything is resolved by yet another "blast into the past," courtesy of Sam. Originally seen on October 6, 1971, "Samantha's Not So Leaning Tower of Pisa" was written by Ed Jurist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It looks like the jig is up when Darrin's mother, Phyllis (Mabel Albertson), catches her grandson, Adam, in an act of magic. Using reverse psychology, Samantha manages to make it appear as if Phyllis is herself a sorceress. The problems that stem from this misapprehension culminate in a zany mock séance, and a major "change of life" for Phyllis' husband, Frank (Robert Simon). Written by Ed Jurist, "Samantha and the Antique Doll" originally aired on April 22, 1971, as the final episode of Bewitched's seventh season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, Imogene Coca guest stars as Mary the Good Fairy, who visits the Stephens household on the occasion of Tabitha's first lost tooth. Suffering from a bad head cold, Mary accidentally gets drunk on a bottle of medicinal brandy. As a result, Samantha is required to take flight to finish Mary's appointed rounds, and, alas, Gladys Kravitz sees all. Written by Ed Jurist, "Mary, the Good Fairy" first aired on January 21, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While watching a TV kiddie show, Tabitha makes the show's Punch and Judy puppets come to life. Duly impressed by Tabitha's "ventriloquist" skills, the show's sponsor -- who happens to be Darrin's new client -- offers the girl a regular speaking role on the show. Problem is, Tabitha doesn't really want to be a performer, especially when she finds out that she may be depriving work to a deserving child actress. Featured in the supporting cast are Robert Q. Lewis as the show's director, and former movie leading lady (and ex-wife of Audie Murphy) Wanda Hendrix as the sponsor's wife. First telecast on November 3, 1971, "TV or Not TV" was written by Bernie Kahn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bewitched enters its eighth and final season with the usual dramatis personae present and accounted for: Elizabeth Montgomery as sexy, spunky witch Samantha Stephens; Dick Sargent as "Sam"'s long-suffering mortal husband, ad executive Darrin Stephens; Agnes Moorehead as Sam's imperious witch mother, Endora; Erin Murphy as Darrin and Sam's enchanted daughter, Tabitha; and, appearing as the Stevens' son, Adam, twin child actors David and Greg Lawrence. Also making recurring appearances are Alice Ghostley as klutzy witch Esmerelda, the Stevens' housekeeper; David White as Darrin's dyspeptic boss, Larry Tate; Maurice Evans as Sam's erudite warlock dad, Maurice; Paul Lynde as her prankish warlock uncle Arthur; Bernard Fox as resourceful warlock general practitioner Dr. Bombay; and Sandra Gould as the Stephens' snoopy neighbor Gladys Kravitz. Highlights during the series' terminal season include the two-part opener, in which Sam is transported back to 16th century London, only to become the fiancée of that old head-chopper Henry VIII; a journey to Scotland, in which the Stephens learn the surprising secret of the Loch Ness monster; Endora's capricious spell which brings a statue of Venus to life; and the final episode, in which poor Darrin is placed under a spell compelling him to speak the absolute, unvarnished truth -- at the worst possible time! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide