Nate Esformes Movies
- 1989
This time, the spotlight is on a friend of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury--namely, Bill Boyle (Ken Howard), a former football star turned detective. When Bill agrees to temporarily take care of a pal's valuable poodle, he ends up permanently saddled with the pooch when the owner is murdered, clutching three empty IV bags in his cold, dead fingers. It soon becomes clear that the murderers have now targeted both Bill and the poodle, plunging man and dog alike into a hotbed of international intrigue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In this sequel to the previous season's "Rape and Revenge", Carlos Mariano (George DeLoy), brother of the murderous Curuguayan envoy who sexually assaulted McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) and beat the rap by invoking "diplomatic immunity", arrives in LA. Mariano's mission is to get even with Hunter (Fred Dryer) for tracking down and killing his brother--and once again, he is shielded from prosecution and arrest thanks to the diplomatic-immunity card. Ultimately, Mariano outsmarts himself when he orders two thugs who don't have any immunity to kidnap and torture Hunter, thereby allowing McCall and Devane (Charles Hallahan) to cut through the bureaucratic red tape in order to rescue our hero--whose time is quickly running out! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Hunter travels to the banana republic of Curaguay to exact vengeance against the "Devil Prince" Raoul Mariano (Richard Yniguez), who after committing murder and sexually assaulting McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) was able to escape prosecution by invoking his diplomatic immunity. Hoping to talk sense to the rapist's father General Mariano (Michael Ansara), Hunter is aghast to discover that the old man is even more depraved than his son. Clearly, extreme measures must be taken, and Hunter is the man to take them--and never mind that McCall herself has begged him to drop the case and return home! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
In the first episode of a two-part story, McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) investigates a murder at the Curaguyan embassy in Los Angeles. While on the job, she is wooed by handsome envoy Raoul Marianos (Richard Yniguez)--who turns out not only to be the murderer but also a serial rapist, with McCall as his next victim. Worse still, Hunter (Fred Dryer) can do nothing to avenge his partner: Marianos is shielded from prosecution by diplomatic immunity! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
The wacky comedy-melodrama Gone are the Dayes was assembled in 1984 as an "original production" for the Disney cable channel. While dining out at a Japanese restaurant, the Day family witnesses a gangland slaying. Federal agent Mitchell (Harvey Korman) persuades the Daye parents (Susan Anspach, Robert Hogan) to serve as witnesses in the upcoming trial of the gang boss who ordered the hit. Mitchell then puts everyone in protective custody, a decision he comes to regret when he's forced to baby-sit the Dayes' unruly teenaged kids. It's all typical Disney nonsense, right down to the obligatory slapstick chase. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Blood Feud was a two-part TV drama, originally presented as an "Operation Prime Time" special. Robert Blake is disturbingly convincing as labor leader Jimmy Hoffa, engaged in a decade-long war of words with attorney (and later attorney general) Robert F. Kennedy. Cotter Smith makes his TV debut as Kennedy, a role he'd repeat on future occasions. Thoroughly compelling when sticking to the facts, the drama falls apart whenever indulging in flight of fanciful speculation (Sample: two of Hoffa's lieutenants watch the live telecast of Lee Harvey Oswald's murder, then celebrate the fact that Oswald will never be able to reveal their complicity in the JFK assassination!) Blood Feud was syndicated to local TV stations beginning April 24, 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Blake, Cotter Smith, (more)
- 1981
Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story is a surfacy TV-movie rehash of the same real-life events which inspired the 1980 theatrical feature Star 80. Jamie Lee Curtis stars as Dorothy Stratten, here depicted as an ingenuous, highly vulnerable Canadian girl who aspires to show business stardom. Decked out with a generous toupee, Bruce Weitz co-stars as Paul Snyder, the "fringie" who married Dorothy and managed her career. The girl is discovered by Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner, who features Dorothy in a nude foldout spread. As Dorothy's fame grows, Snyder becomes more obsessive and difficult to control. Dorothy tries to make a clean break from Snyder, which culminates in tragedy. Death of a Centerfold initially aired on November 1, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
In an episode obviously inspired by the Howard Hughes saga, reclusive billionaire Stanley Appleton Troy is found murdered in his high-rise executive suite, despite being protected by a state-of-the-art security system. There's only one obvious suspect, Ben Mular (Ramon Bieri) and Lt. Monahan (Garry Walberg) wastes no time making an arrest. But as usual, Quincy (Jack Klugman) questions the official police verdict--and he sets about to prove that the hapless Mular was framed by Troy's avaricious business associates. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Two men from widely opposite spectrums in life are trapped in the same dilemma. Highly respected police detective Dave Lambert (Barry Primus) and seedy informer Art DeVoe (Mills Watson) have both witnessed a cop killing--and the murderer has sent his minions forth to get rid of them both. Featured prominently in the supporting cast is Robert Walden, on the cusp of his stardom as gonzo reporter Rossi on Lou Grant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
The scene is a roller-games rink, where skating star Karen Jason has been killed in an "accident." To find out the truth behind Karen's death, the Angels go undercover as roller girls. Along the way, they discover that Karen was murdered as part of a scheme to defraud an insurance firm -- but the villains aren't about to let our heroines skate away scot-free. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Kate Jackson, (more)
- 1975
Investigating a case of arson, Lt. Kojak (Telly Savalas) finds that he has another unsolved murder on his docket. The perpetrator is the owner of a plastics firm, who has torched his business for the insurance--and in true "two birds with one stone" fashion, has simultaneously endeavored to cover up the murder of his partner. The supporting cast features a young, pre-CHiPs Erik Estrada. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Robert Clouse, director of Enter the Dragon, returned with this blaxploitation actioner starring Jim Kelly as an instructor at a martial-arts school in the Watts section of Los Angeles. Teaming with former Bond girl Gloria Hendry, Kelly saves the school and Hendry's dad (Scatman Crothers) from the Mob. Eric Laneuville, Malik Carter, and Love Boat bartender Ted Lange are also onhand. Kelly was one of the subgenre's most popular heroes at the time, starring in films like Black Terminator and Black Eliminator by the score. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jim Kelly, Gloria Hendry, (more)
- 1973
Three armed criminals invade a bank, take everyone inside hostage, and nervously await the arrival of a payroll truck. Among the hostages is Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr), who hopes to take advantage of the robbers' internal squabbling in order to play one against the other--but the thieves may be a bit too smart to fall for that trick. Reportedly based on a true story, this episode features a young actress named Kathleen Gackle, better known in later years as Kathleen Lloyd. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
"Leona" was the name of the late wife of Syndicate chieftan Joe Epic (Robert Goulet). In order to rescue a captured undercover agent, the IMF must force a schism in the new partnership between Epic and his former gangland rival Mike Apollo (Mike Apollo). The Mission: to convince Epic that Apollo was responsible for Leona's murder --- after having a torrid affair with the unfortunate woman. Written by Howard Brown, "Leona" made its network TV debut on October 7, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1972
Sharon Gless makes one of her first TV appearances as Sheila Thomas, an undercover police deputy investigating a series of thefts at Ramparts. Assisting Sheila in her inquiries is paramedic John Gage (Randolph Mantooth, who is quite smitten by the lady. Elsewhere, an old man (Paul Fix) suffering from dementia is trapped in a burning house; a grandfather (J. Pat O'Malley) is injured while showing his grandson how to operate a model rocket; and a boat thief is trapped on a drilling-platform mechanism. Finally, the station mascot "Boots" reappears just as mysteriously as he'd disappeared a few episodes back--and the dog apparently has a new agenda. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
In still another virtuoso Mission:Impossible guest appearance, Anthony Zerbe is cast as heroin supplier Reese Dolan. It is up to the IMF to locate Dolan's source of raw opium, and to put him out of business permanently. Step Number One: The IMF agents must convert a tiny speck of land off the Georgia coastline into the African island where Dolan plans to set up shop. First broadcast on December 18, 1971, "The Connection" was scripted by Edward J. Lasko andKen Pettus, from a story by Lasko. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1971
Ironside's associates Ed (Don Galloway) and Eve (Barbara Anderson) are dispatched to Mexico, there to interrogate onetime murder suspect Lonnie Burnett (Scott Glenn) as a part of an investigation of a strikingly similar killing. In the course of events, the two detectives are persuaded that Burnett is innocent. As a result, when Burnett escapes police custody, the hostile local authorities accuse Ed and Eve of acting as the man's accomplices! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
In this thriller a police detective must find a renegade assassin who is not only wanted by the cops, he is also wanted by his bosses at Murder, Inc. Conspiracy abounds as the hitman controls other assassin's who keep the police preoccupied by their attempts on the life of a multimillionaire. The film climaxes with an exciting car crash. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Sr. Bertrille becomes innocently embroiled in a labor-vs.-management dispute which threatens to shatter her friendship with casino owner Carlos Ramirez. It all begins when she strikes up a friendly conversation with one of Carlos' striking employees. A nosy photojournalist picks up on the story-and before long, Sr. Bertrille finds herself marching on the picket line. Written by Milt Rosen, "Guess Who's Coming to Picket?" made its first American TV appearance on October 22, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Leonard Nimoy joins the Mission:Impossible cast as The Great Paris, master of disguise and jack of all trades, in the series' fourth-season opener, "The Code." The IMF heads to the Latin American democracy of San Cristobal, presently in danger of invasion by dictator Vincente Bravo (Harold Gould). While Phelps and Barney attempt to decipher a vital code message, Paris, posing as a famous guerilla leader, hijacks an airplane. Alexandra Hay also appears as Lynn, an IMF agent who has been planted on the "endangered" plane. Written by Ken Pettus, "The Code" first aired on September 28, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1968
Miami-based gambling kingpin Frank Layton (Warren Stevens) has agreed to finance the return of a deposed Latin American dictator General Neyron (Albert Paulsen). In exchange, Layton will receive all gambling rights in Neyron's home country. The IMF agents hope to derail this bargain, and destroy Layton and Neyron, by preying upon the paranoia of both men. First aired on December 15, 1968, "The Bargain" was written by Robert E. Thompson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1968
Like the first-season Mission: Impossible episode "The Ransom," the second-season installment "The Condemned" is an unusual departure from the series' format. Racing against the clock, Jim Phelps hopes to save the life of his close friend Kevin Hagen, who has been convicted of murder and sentenced to die in a Spanish prison. Unbeknownst to anyone, the "murder victim" is actually alive and well and living under an assumed name. Other plot wrinkles include the disappearance of a diamond tiara and the curious behavior of Webster's ex-sweetheart Luisa Rojas (Mariana Hill). First telecast January 28 1968, "The Execution" was written by Laurence Heath. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1967
While sailing through the air one fine morning, Sr. Bertrille discovers she has company: A pelican has fallen in love with her and refuses to leave her side. This is dilemma enough, but things get worse when visiting priest Father Sweeney (Harold Gould), a man who brooks no nonsense or dereliction of protocol from anyone, spots the persistent pelican. Written by Dorothy Cooper Foote, "With Love From Irving" made its original network debut on November 9, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This red-baiting action film stars Chuck Norris as Matt Hunter, a retired CIA agent who lives in the Florida Everglades. A communist invasion of Miami brings Hunter out of retirement to fight the encroaching hordes led by everyone's favorite low-budget bad guy, Richard Lynch. The film is extremely jingoistic, presenting the evil communists staging an invasion on Christmas, demolishing a church, and attempting to blow up a school bus full of children. From the same school of thinking which produced Rambo and Red Dawn, this film at least features some convincing gore by makeup wizard Tom Savini (Friday the 13th), working on his third gig for director Joseph Zito. Zito and Savini returned with Red Scorpion. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck Norris, Richard Lynch, (more)
When pimp Ramrod (Wings Hauser) is wanted by the police for murder, an undercover detective, Tom Walsh (Gary Swanson), enlists the aid of prostitute Princess (Season Hubley), a loving mother struggling to support her kid, to help capture the fiend. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Season Hubley, Gary Swanson, (more)
