Ivor Francis Movies

Having returned to Boatwright University as an instructor, John-Boy (Robert Wightman) is given the assignment of creating a new department for the study of that postwar phenomenon known as television. As a result, the Waltons become the first family in Virginia to own a TV set, courtesy of Jim-Bob's electronic expertise; trouble is, there's nothing to watch. Elsewhere, Aunt Rose (Peggy Rea) goes on a diet in hopes of preventing Stanley (William Schallert) from succumbing to the charms of her rival Zuleika (Pearl Shear). The closing dialogue in this episode is priceless! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season Seven of Quincy, M.E. begins at a crowded job fair, where guest lecturer Quincy (Jack Klugman) ends up rushing to the aid of a young woman (Sharon Acker) who has fallen down an escalator. Recovering from her injuries in the hospital, the woman awakens with no idea who she is nor what has happened to her. One thing is certain, however; her fall was no accident. As Quincy tries to help the woman recover her memory, he also endeavors to shield her from the person or persons who tried to kill her--a task that proves tragically futile, leading to a powerful finale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

One of the bigger non-cartoon moneymakers for Disney in the 1970s, The North Avenue Irregulars is predicated on the premise of the "Neighborhood Watch" system. Priest Michael Hill (Edward Herrmann), newly arrived on North Avenue, decides to buck the patriarchal notions of his superiors by delegating church responsibilities to the neighborhood women. Since the ladies include Vickie, Jane, Anne, Claire and Rose (Barbara Harris, Karen Valentine, Susan Clark, Cloris Leachman and Patsy Kelly), we're well primed for a surfeit of feistiness. Father Michael entrusts the church funds to Rose, who loses it all at the race track. In trying to retrieve the cash, he comes up against an influential bookie ring, controlled by several of the above-suspicion town officials. The wily priest responds by organizing the ladies of his congregation into the North Avenue Irregulars, a two-fisted crimefighting unit. There's slapstick aplenty within the film's 99 minutes, including the expected comic car crash. North Avenue Irregulars is based on a (drawn-from-life?) novel by the Reverend Albert Fay Hill. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this horror film, a sinister mortician has other plans for his customers besides the customary burial. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

After burying his victim in an underground box with a limited air supply, a kidnapper rushes to the location where the ransom is to dropped--only to be killed in a car crash. Racing against time, the police desperately seek out clues as to the victim's whereabouts before his oxygen runs out. Joining the hunt is medical examiner Quincy (Jack Klugman), who hopes that a discarded piece of apple will provide enough forensic evidence to save a life. This is one of a handful of second-season Quincy, M.E. episodes deemed worthy of two network rerun showings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This comical western chronicles the silly adventures of a bumbling wagonmaster and his clutzy assistant as they attempt to take seven passengers across the prairie. Among the passengers are two wealthy Bostonians, an aspiring showgirl, a teacher, and bachelor. The story is adapted from Dusty's Trail, a television sitcom. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

A newcomer to Walnut Grove, hog farmer Adam Simms (Joshua Bryant) falls head over heels in love with local schoolmarm Miss Beadle (Charlotte Stewart). At the same time, Adam's hulking son, Luke (Bob Marsic), is smitten by (of all people!) spoiled brat Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim). Sneaking off to church to get married in the dark of night, Luke and Nellie are stopped in their tracks by Nellie's outraged parents -- but things fare rather better for Adam and Miss Beadle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Kojak (Telly Savalas) investigates when a Greek sailor is murdered just as he disembarks from a freighter. The solution to the crime would seem to be a tiny bit of contraband, smuggled into the country in the dead sailor's best. But what exactly is the smuggled item, and where is it now? Better still, what's the real story on the only eyewitness to the killing? This week's guest cast includes future St. Elsewhere costar Norman Lloyd. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A lesser but still entertaining Neil Simon work, The Prisoner of Second Avenue was adapted to film in 1974. Jack Lemmon takes over the role played on Broadway by Peter Falk: Mel is a New York-based advertising man who goes through hell when he loses his job. The gods seem to conspire against him as he tries to cope with his unemployed status; he is particularly depressed over the fact that he must now subsist on the income of his wife (Anne Bancroft). There are laughs in The Prisoner of Second Avenue, but it's the laughter of desperation and despair; it might not be advisable to watch this film after a bad day at the office. Watch for Sylvester Stallone as the "human punch line" of an old urban legend about a pickpocket. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A concerned father decides to become closer to his daughter the hard way in this live-action comedy from Walt Disney Pictures. Charlie McCready (Bob Crane) is the father of Wendy (Kathleen Cody), a pretty teenager soon to enter college. Like most parents, Charlie only wants the best for his daughter, but he has little use for her circle of friends, most of whom he regards as half-witted and lazy. Determined to set a better example for his daughter (especially since most of her friends will be joining her at college), Charlie decides to become Wendy's new best friend, imposing himself upon her as often as possible and shoe-horning his way into her social circle, even if it means taking up surfing and water skiing to do it. Charlie's not-always-welcome presence doesn't change Wendy's feelings about her boyfriend Bart (Kurt Russell), but when Charlie decides to break up their romance, he gets even more trouble than he anticipated. Superdad also stars Barbara Rush as Charlie's wife Sue, and Joe Flynn as the memorably named Cyrus Hershberger. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Enrolling in a college sociology class, Keith (David Cassidy) falls in love with 23-year-old coed Dory Kimmel (Brooke Bundy). Even after discovering that Dory is married, Keith does not lessen his determination to win her over, convincing himself that she's willing to leave her husband for his sake. The "fun" really begins when Keith comes face to face with that selfsame husband! Songs: "I Heard You Singing Your Song" and "A Secret in My Heart". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Honky chronicles the public outcry that greets an interracial relationship between a white teen (John Nielson) and an affluent black woman (Brenda Sykes). Also titled Sheila. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide