Jan Arvan Movies

Dick Van Patten and Ruth Buzzi guest star as Carter and Amy Merkl, who are extremely grateful after the Squad 51 paramedics save their lives. Before long, however, the Merkls' persistent expressions of gratitude become downright annoying and obnoxious--especially when the couple insists upon hanging around the station house, day and night. Other emergency cases include a CPR attempt gone bad, a child struck in the eye by a BB gun (no, his name isn't Ralphie), a boat fire, and a potentially fatal false alarm. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Rampart emergency team try to save a suicidal youngster from leaping off an apartment ledge. Elsewhere, the paramedics rescue a man who has been trapped in a doughnut machine. And in what would normally be a less stressful moment, John (Randolph Mantooth) suffers from a terrible bout of stage fright when he appears on a live TV show. Jo Anne Worley makes a return visit as Maude Grayson, the "scream therapy" lady (at least, she does in the uncut network version of this episode). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When John (Randolph Mantooth) predicted that this Wednesday would be a "weird" one for Rampart Hospital, he wasn't kidding. The case log includes a feisty 80-year-old woman (Jeanette Nolan) who sprains her ankle while dancing at her own birthday party, a panicky hooker who hauls her cardiac-victim "John" into the hospital, a near-fatal case of hiccups, a teenager (played by a young, uncredited William Katt) who tries to put himself into a deep-freeze, and a parachutist who ends up in a high tree. And have we mentioned the snakes on the golf course? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

No one in the police department seems to care too much when call girl Wanda Bolen (Tisha Sterling) turns up murdered. All this changes when Chief Ironside meets and befriends the girl's elderly, grief-stricken father (Titos Vandis). Making it his personal crusade to bring Wanda's killer to justice, the Chief must forge a temporary truce with the pimps and hookers who may be able to provide him with the necessary leads. This episode features an orginal song by Marty and David Paich, "Money Girl", sung by Carol Carmichael). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Impressionable Cissy (Kathy Garver) is smitten by Karl Krug (Mark DeVries), a young bon vivant who happens to be the scion of an old and very wealthy Viennese family. When Karl proposes, Cissy accepts--but Bill refuses to give his consent. Will Cissy defy her Uncle and elope, or will she figure out (as the audience already has!) that there is a big, big difference between real love and youthful infatuation? Annette Cabot,the daughter of series regular Sebastian Cabot, appears in a small role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Billie Jo (Meredith MacRae) lands her first singing gig in the Flamingo Room of the Springdale Hotel. Since Billie got the job of the strength of her talents as a country singer, her family expects more of the same when she makes her debut. Imagine their surprise when Billie emerges on stage as a slinky French chanteuse! Along the way, Meredith MacRae manages to perform the standard "Make Someone Happy".This episode was originally telecast six days after the death of series regular Smiley Burnette. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Once again, city-bred farmer Oliver Douglas (Eddie Albert) decides to stand firm on his principles -- only to fall flat on his face. Upon receiving a tax notice that makes absolutely no sense to him, Oliver vows not to pay the bill until someone explains just what he's paying for. Unfortunately, the only person who might have a logical explanation is Oliver's assemblyman -- who, per the episode's title, is nowhere to be found. Watch for It's a Wonderful Life supporting actress Mary Treen as a laconic telephone operator. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Some extra footage was added to segments of two episodes from the television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964-68) to create this feature film-length espionage adventure that was released theatrically in some countries to cash in on the James Bond craze. Ordered by their secret organization U.N.C.L.E. to stop the sinister group THRUSH from obtaining a top-secret nuclear weapon, spies Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) travel to Switzerland. Once there, Solo is lured into a trap by a comely enemy agent, Serena (Senta Berger). Kidnapped by THRUSH, Solo is replaced with an exact double who infiltrates U.N.C.L.E. Kuryakin eventually becomes suspicious due to his friend's odd behavior and takes steps to learn the truth, while Solo attempts to escape from captivity and stop THRUSH's plot to get its hands on the weapon. The episodes represented in the film are "The Double Affair," which first aired November 17, 1964, and "The Four Steps Affair," which originally aired February 22, 1965. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton -- then Hollywood's most bankable couple -- appeared onscreen together for the third time in this romantic drama shot on beautiful locations along the Big Sur region of the California coastline. Laura Edwards (Elizabeth Taylor) is a free-thinking artist and Bohemian who is raising a her teenage son, Danny (Morgan Mason), conceived out of wedlock, on her own. Laura has issues with conventional teaching methods, and prefers to educate Danny about both intellectual and ethical matters on her own. However, Danny has become something of a problem, and child welfare authorities demand that Danny either be sent to school or become a ward of the state. Rather than send Danny to public school, Laura arranges for him to attend a private academy run by Dr. Edward Hewitt (Richard Burton), an Episcopalian minister. Edward is at first shocked by Laura's embrace of free love and rejection of conventional moral codes, but as he gets to know her better, he finds himself increasingly attracted to her, despite the fact he has a wife, Claire (Eva Marie Saint), and two children. Before long, Edward's desire overpowers his scruples and he begins an affair with Laura. Wracked with guilt over his infidelity, Edward confesses his indiscretion to Claire, which proves to have severe and unexpected consequences. While saddled with poor reviews upon its initial release, The Sandpiper did win an Academy Award for Johnny Mandel's theme song, "The Shadow of Your Smile." ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Martin (Ray Walston) has been on Earth so long that he can't decide whether to stay or return to Mars when he gets the chance. To help make up his mind, Martin divides himself into three distinct personalities: One "Martin" is all for staying, one is all for leaving, and the third, the "real" Martin, is the mediator. Unfortunately, the voting process goes on longer than expected, saddling Tim (Bill Bixby) with the responsibility of hiding the two "extra" Martians from snoopy Mrs. Brown (Pamela Britton). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this goofy comedy, an architect discovers that a recently purchased antique bottle is the home of a jovial but vexing genie who is more than willing to destroy anyone who would oppose or annoy his new master. This creates problems for the architect as he is more interested in impressing his in-laws-to-be than having his wishes granted. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

When the king of a small nation is assassinated, the Seaview gets the mission of conducting the young Crown Prince home. The mission, and the need to protect the boy, is made all the more difficult by his unhappiness, and Nelson and Crane's inability to communicate with him. When the sub picks up a mysterious old man (Carroll O'Connor) at sea, he provides the boy with the companionship he needs, as well as some unexpected guidance. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide