Penny Fuller Movies
Trained for her craft at Illinois' Northwestern University, North Carolina-born actress Penny Fuller made a name for herself on Broadway in the mid-to-late '60s. After appearing in Barefoot in the Park, Cabaret, and a handful of Shakespeare productions, Fuller won critical plaudits for her portrayal of the outwardly sweet but inwardly subversive Eve Harrington in Applause, the 1970 musical version of All About Eve. After this starmaking turn, Fuller found herself typed in films and TV as schemers and "steel magnolias." In addition to her many TV-movie appearances, Fuller has had regular roles on three series: The Edge of Night (early '70s) Bare Essence (1983) and Fortune Dane (1986). She won an Emmy for her performance in the 1982 TV staging of The Elephant Man. More recently, Penny Fuller has appeared as Mrs. Drysdale in the 1993 filmization of The Beverly Hillbillies and has periodically shown up as Helen Hunt's mother on the NBC sitcom Mad About You. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1969
The key prop in this episode is an antique porcelain doll, used by Communist agents DeBecker (William Smithers) and Linker (Robert Wolders) to transport stolen microfilm. Once alerted to the doll's existence, Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) conducts a search for the precious plaything which takes him all the way from Oregon to New York State. This episode is distinguished by the superlative performances of veteran actresses Josephine Hutchinson and Viveca Lindfors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
The made-for-TV Women in Chains is strictly for those who enjoy knowing what's coming next. Lois Nettelton stars as a probation officer investigating prison conditions. To better facilitate her studies, she adopts an assumed name and has herself thrown into jail as a convict. Ida Lupino (but of course) is the sadistic head of the prison. The only outside person who knows of Lois' subterfuge dies, leaving the hapless heroine at the mercy of Lupino and the vicious female cons. Typical of the "realism" inherent in Women in Chains is the casting of ebullient young actress Judy Strangis as a strung-out junkie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Though Emily does not look forward to a visit from Bob's former girlfriend, Nancy (Penny Fuller), and Nancy's husband, Chuck (Dick Schall), Bob is in a state of anticipatory glee. It seems that Nancy had thrown over Bob in favor of Chuck; now, convinced that Nancy is still carrying a torch for him, Bob wants to have the honor of rejecting her. Future Hill Street Blues co-star James B. Sikking appears as Dick. First telecast on October 21, 1972 (after being pre-empted from its scheduled October 14 playdate), "Goodnight, Nancy" was written by Susan Silver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1972
Penny Fuller guest stars as Jean Scott, an accomplished thief and con artist. Freshly escaped from prison, Jean charms several gullible males into acting as accomplices in a nationwide robbery spree. She needs the money to kidnap her son from her ex-husband and then leave the country with the boy in tow--unless, of course, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) can stop her. Appearing as Jean's son Tommy is a pre-teen idoldom Leif Garrett. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Having portrayed a career criminal who embarked upon a robbery spree for the sake of her young son in an earlier FBI episode, Penny Fuller essays a similar role herein as female crime boss Della Marot. In an abrupt about-face, Della informs her fiancee that she's going to quit the rackets in order to be a "real mom" to her young daughter. But she may not get the chance: Not only is the FBI breathing down Della's neck, but she also faces the wrath of her former Mob associates. Featured as Della's preteen daughter Cindy is Erin Moran of Happy Days fame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
A woman named Laura (Whitney Blake) accidentally kills her secret lover during a clandestine meeting in a San Francisco park. Though she wants to turn herself over to the police, Laura remains silent on the advice of an unscrupulous attorney--even when a homeless man is arrested for the crime. In his efforts to see that justice is properly served, Ironside (Raymond Burr) must reveal the victim's sordid secret life to his widow Susan (Penny Fuller), who had once been the chief's girlfriend. Though intended as the finale of Ironside's eighth and last season, this episode was shelved when the series was abruptly cancelled by NBC in January of 1975, and would not be aired until the show went into syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Conspiracy film specialist Alan J. Pakula turned journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's best-selling account of their Watergate investigation into one of the hit films of Bicentennial year 1976. While researching a story about a botched 1972 burglary of Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate apartment complex, green Washington Post reporters/rivals Woodward (Robert Redford, who also exec produced) and Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) stumble on a possible connection between the burglars and a White House staffer. With the circumspect approval of executive editor Ben Bradlee (Jason Robards), the pair digs deeper. Aided by a guilt-ridden turncoat bookkeeper (Jane Alexander) and the vital if cryptic guidance of Woodward's mystery source, Deep Throat (Hal Holbrook), Woodward and Bernstein "follow the money" all the way to the top of the Nixon administration. Despite Deep Throat's warnings that their lives are in danger, and the reluctance of older Post editors, Woodward and Bernstein are determined to get out the story of the crime and its presidential cover-up. Once Bradlee is convinced, the final teletype impassively taps out the historically explosive results. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, (more)
- 1982
Amber Waves is the tale of two radically different personalities, united by crisis. Dennis Weaver plays a midwestern wheat harvester, coarsened by his lifelong struggle with poverty and the elements. Kurt Russell plays an obnoxious Manhattan-based male model, who has coasted through life on his charm and has never gotten his hands dirty. When Russell finds himself facially disfigured and penniless, he takes a job on Weaver's farm. Though the two men dislike each other at first, they reach a common ground when Weaver suffers a serious personal dilemma. Beautifully lensed in Alberta, Canada, Amber Waves was one of the high points of the 1979-80 TV movie season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
This TV adaptation of Bernard Pomerance's play The Elephant Man differs radically from the 1980 theatrical film of the same name. Both are based upon the same true story: that of John Merrick (1863-1890), an unfortunate citizen of Victorian England who suffered from neurofibromatosis, a hideously deforming disease that all but condemned him to a lifetime of circus sideshows. Though he remained trapped in his misshapen body, Merrick was intellectually and emotionally liberated by London physician Frederick Treves, whose sensitive treatment of the "Elephant Man" unlocked the soul beneath his horrific appearance. But whereas the film was graphically realistic in its use of makeup, the TV version follows the precedent set by Pomerance's play: John Merrick's deformity is conveyed purely through the vocal and physical contortions of actor Philip Anglim, repeating his Broadway role. Also carried over from the stage version is Kevin Conway as Dr. Treves. The TV version of The Elephant Man was telecast as an ABC Theatre of the Month special on January 4, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Hardly a person is now alive who does not remember the 1978 ecological disaster at the chemical-waste deposits in Love Canal, New York. This made-for-TV film stars Marsha Mason as housewife Lois Gibbs, who suspects that her children have fallen ill due to leakage of toxic waste at the nearby deposits. The New York State Department of Health closes down the elementary school, but for Lois and nearly 700 of her neighbors, this just isn't enough. Lois begins a loud and aggressive movement to force the United States Government to relocate the residents of Love Canal, and to reimburse them for the loss of their property. Robert Gunton co-stars as Lois' husband, who faces unemployment as the result of his wife's refusal to sit down and be quiet. Written for television by Michael Zagor, Lois Gibbs & the Love Canal had its broadcast premiere on February 17, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marsha Mason, Bob Gunton, (more)
- 1982
Directed by George Schaefer, this light made-for-television drama is based upon the novel of the same name by Robert Oliphant. Starring Bette Davis as Esther Cimino, a 73-year-old widow, the film traces the events following Esther's son George's (George Hearn) decision that she is no longer capable of caring for herself in her ederly state. Despite her protests, Esther is ruled incompetent by the legal system, leading her to wage a court battle to regain not only her estate but her dignity as well. Also starring Penny Fuller and Christopher Guest, A Piano for Mrs. Cimino first aired on February 3, 1982 on CBS and was later nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Film Editing. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1983
In this made-for-TV comedy, a group of single adults attempt to find their perfect mates in the harsh world of dating. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bonnie Franklin, Robert Klein, (more)
- 1983
This once-timely made-for-TV drama was originally titled Lovesick: The Herpes Story until wiser heads prevailed. Soap-opera favorites Anthony Geary and Judith Light starred as dedicated doctor Kyle Richardson and lovelorn tourist Marsha Sarno in this saga of a genital-herpes outbreak in a posh resort community. Also on hand is Robert Vaughn as Dave Fairmont, the requisite evil land developer who will resort to any means necessary to keep news of the epidemic from spreading to the world. Intimate Agony made its ABC network debut on March 21, 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
License to Kill is a serious TV movie dealing with the subject of drunken driving. The film begins when a popular high school girl is killed in a head-on collision by inebriated-businessman Don Murray. Though he's had a drinking problem for some time, Murray has dismissed it as a byproduct of the tensions of his job. Facing a manslaughter charge, the well-heeled Murray hires an expensive defense team....while the father of the dead girl (James Farentino), with hardly a penny to his name, is doggedly determined to see that Murray pays for his misdeed to the fullest extent of the law. The conflicting personalities of the two men are counterpointed by the anguish experienced by their wives (Millie Perkins and Penny Fuller). Written by William A. Schwartz, License to Kill debuted on January 10, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Coproduced by Showtime and PBS, the 1984 TV version of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is based on Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Price winning play, previously filmed in 1958 and 1979. Jessica Lange stars as Maggie "the Cat", the frustrated, overheated wife of alcoholic former football jock Brick (Tommy Lee Jones). All of Brick's family have gathered for the 65th birthday party of Big Daddy (Rip Torn), and to celebrate the news that the family's patriarch is not suffering from cancer, as earlier reported. Hostilities explode as Maggie goes after Brick for his drinking and impotence, Brick and Big Daddy have a confrontation over Brick's supposed homosexuality, and the doctor arrives with the news that Big Daddy is dying after all--and his estate is up for grabs. Kim Hunter, David Dukes and Penny Fuller costar in this uncensored version of Williams' stage classic, which first aired on pay cable, then was telecast on PBS' American Playhouse. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jessica Lange, Tommy Lee Jones, (more)
- 1986
As Summers Die was produced as an "HBO Premiere" attraction. Set in the segregationist South of the 1950s, the film pits the wealthy but decadent members of a landed-gentry white family against a feisty old black woman, on whose property oil has been discovered. Idealistic attorney Scott Glenn bucks the family--and the inbred prejudices of the community--to protect the woman's interests. He finds himself with two unsuspected allies in the forms of young Jamie Lee Curtis and ancient Bette Davis, two "renegade" members of the very family that wants to grab the oil-rich land. As Summers Die had its cable-TV debut on May 17, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
There were two rival TV dramatizations of the sensational murder case involving "monster Mom" Frances Schreuder. Stephanie Powers was the star of the two-part 1987 TV movie At Mother's Request. Part One details the events leading to the murder of Frances' multimillionaire father Franklin Bradshaw (E.G. Marshall). Though Frances' complicity was well known at the time of Part One's first telecast on January 4, 1987 (in fact, she was already serving a life sentence in the Utah State Prison), the case is treated like a whodunit.
Part Two demonstrates how Frances' teen-age son Marc (Doug McKeon) was coerced into committing the deed by his manipulative Mom. Though lacking depth, At Mother's Request is still a powerful re-enactment of what was once considered "The Crime of the Century" (O.J. hadn't happened yet). The second half of this two-part TV-movie debuted on January 6, 1987. For the record, Lee Remick starred in a like-vintage TV adaptation of the same story, Nutcracker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Part Two demonstrates how Frances' teen-age son Marc (Doug McKeon) was coerced into committing the deed by his manipulative Mom. Though lacking depth, At Mother's Request is still a powerful re-enactment of what was once considered "The Crime of the Century" (O.J. hadn't happened yet). The second half of this two-part TV-movie debuted on January 6, 1987. For the record, Lee Remick starred in a like-vintage TV adaptation of the same story, Nutcracker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Claudette Colbert made her first screen appearance in 25 years in the 2-part TV movie The Two Mrs. Grenvilles. The story involves social-climbing actress (read: "chorus girl") Ann-Margret, who marries American-aristocrat naval ensign Stephen Collins, the son of Ms. Colbert (the two female stars, you see, are the "two Mrs. Grenvilles"). Try as she might, Ann-Margret can neither assimilate herself to her husband's lifestyle, nor overcome the animosity of her mother-in-law. Collins starts cheating on his new wife....and before long, Ann-Margret is standing trial for the fatal shooting of her husband. Marvin Hamlisch wrote the music for the sumptuously stylish The Two Mrs. Grenvilles, which was based on novelist Dominick Dunne's a clef rehashing of the 1955 murder of Long Island millionaire William Woodward Jr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Jessica (Angela Lansbury) heads Southward to visit an old friend, celebrated playwright Eugene McLendon (Barry Nelson). Inevitably, a murder occurs: the victim this time is Eugene's crooked business manager Jonathan Keeler (Elliott Reid). Deciding to stay on and help out when Eugene is suspected of the murder, Jessica is startled when the ailing playwright suddenly proposes marriage! Among the special guest suspects in this episode is Lois Nettleton, doing a hilarious turn as a Southern stage star. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The terrible crash of Delta Airlines Flight 191 provides the basis of this made-for-TV drama-in-real life. The disaster occurred at Dallas in 1985 and during that fateful night many of the ordinary passengers, crew, and rescue workers became true heroes as they worked together to save lives. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Haid, Angie Dickinson, (more)
- 1990
This 2-hour TV movie was originally presented as an installment of The ABC Saturday Mystery Movie in February of 1990. Patrick McGoohan (who also directed) plays a vice presidential candidate whose best friend murders a blackmailing racketeer. With "damage control" foremost in his mind, McGoohan arrange to make the murder look like a suicide. At this point, Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk) enters, and it's "cat and mouse" for the remaining 90 minutes. The 1990 Columbo episodes alternated on the Saturday Mystery Movie with three other series: Cristine Cromwell, B.L. Stryker and Kojak. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Falk, Patrick McGoohan, (more)
- 1990
Appearances began life as a 2-hour TV pilot film. A Midwestern family tries to carry on after the sudden death of the family's son. Everyone puts up a brave public front, but the artifice results in gradual erosion of family solidarity. Ernest Borgnine fares best as the clan's patriarch. Appearances never developed into a series, though it has been released to home video. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Though based on fact, the two-part TV movie False Arrest plays more like one of those Linda Blair "babes in prison" flicks. Donna Mills plays Joyce Lukezic, a well-off Phoenix businesswoman/homemaker accused of murder. She knows, and we know, that she didn't do it. The double homicide was the handiwork of her sleazy husband Robert Wagner, who works diligently behind the scenes to make certain his wife is convicted. And with the "guilty as charged" verdict, he leaves Joyce high and dry at the end of part one. Part two of False Arrest was telecast three days later, with Joyce fending off hostile and sexually abusive inmates, courting a nervous breakdown, and battling to have her conviction overturned. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
In this Hallmark Hall of Fame TV film set in the post-war era, Kyra Sedgwick is the title character, a New Yorker who has long kept her Jewish heritage under wraps. Born in Poland but sent to the U.S. before the Holocaust, the young career woman receives word that the older sister she presumed was dead has in fact survived the Nazi terror and is coming to America, forcing Rose to confront her own past and future. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maureen Stapleton, Kyra Sedgwick, (more)
