Larry Gelman Movies
- 1997
While vacationing at the beach, Monica (Roma Downey) and Rafael (Alexis Cruz) are swept up in a search for a boy named Scooter Fisher, who has left an ominous and rather desperate message in a bottle. Complicating matters is the fact that no one seems to have ever heard of Scooter Fisher, and that several others in the vicinity are in more immediate need of the angels' help. The plot takes an unexpected twist when, after Rafael reveals himself as an angel, a media circus ensues and prominent TV anchorman Benjamin Parker (William Devane) shows up to cover the "angel invasion" of Pacific Falls! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
A casualty of the Civil War must pass his final exams -- which involves haunting houses and scaring people -- in order to graduate from Spiritual Specter University, a finishing school for poltergeists. Based on the young adult novel by Marilyn Redmond. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In the conclusion of Night Court's two-part Season Eight opener, court bailiff Dan (Richard Moll) is in hot water with prosecutor Dan (John Larroquette) after allowing Dan's promiscuous sister Donna (Susan Diol) to seduce him. Also, Judge Harry T. Stone (Harry Anderson) may not get his belated high-school diploma if he doesn't agree to certain "favors" demanded by his overbearing history tutor (Fran Ryan). And finally, public defender Christine (Markie Post) has a hard time getting down to work after returning from maternity leave. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Alex Karras stars as junior football league coach "Moose" Novak in this cautionary tale about living life vicariously through the accomplishments of others. The father (Joseph Mascolo) of 12-year-old football player Benny Singleton (Brandon Cruz) has dreams of his son becoming a star quarterback in the pros. But Benny is merely going through the motions on the field; he would much rather pursue a career as a photographer. It is up to Moose to resolve the conflict between Benny and his dad in a way that will ultimately satisfy them both. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alex Karras, Brandon Cruz, (more)
- 1987
Dan (John Larroquette) and Harry (Harry Anderson) both angle for the attentions of Christine's gorgeous friend Heather (Sela Ward). After carefully weighing the options, Heather decides to spend the weekend with Dan, sending Harry spiraling into a depression. But worse is still to come: It seems that Harry's idol Mel Torme prefers Dan's company as well! Jay Robinson,the unforgettable Caligula in The Robe, appears as Roland Jeffries. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
John Ritter stars in this made-for-television comedy as a lonely philanderer who falls in love with a one-night-stand (Connie Sellecca) who is about to marry another man. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Public defender Billie (Ellen Foley) is head over heels in love with her latest beau David Towers (Geoffrey Scott). But Billie's ardor may prove detrimental to her career when David is hauled into court on a pickpocketing charge. And what would a "very special" Valentine's Day episode be without a human Singing Heart (Larry Gelman)? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This ghostly made-for-television romance tells the story of a struggling widower who finds that life becomes easier once his beloved comes back from the grave to assist him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ed Asner, Mariette Hartley, (more)
- 1981
In flashback, we are treated to glimpses of the Milwaukee-to-California trip taken by Laverne (Penny Marshall), Shirley (Cindy Williams), Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander) at the outset of Season Six. Actually, we set several different flashbacks telling highly different stories, endeavoring to establish who was to blame for trashing a hotel room occupied en route by the four merry wanderers. It is up to Carmine (Eddie Mekka)--who was still in Milwaukee when the "trashing" occurred--to determine who is telling the truth, and who isn't. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Quincy (Jack Klugman) and Sam (Robert Ito) are abducted by the minions of mob boss Vince DiNardi (John Vernon), who makes an offer that our hero can't refuse. DiNaldi has been poisoned, and the doctors have given him only 24 hours to live. With Sam's life being used as a bargaining chip, Quincy is ordered to find out who has administered the fatal dose to DiNaldi, so that the doomed Mafioso can exact a final vengeance. This is the last episode of Quincy, M.E.'s third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Shelley Winters) guest stars as Evelyn McNeil, widowed sister-in-law of Chief of Detectives Frank McNeil (Dan Frazer). An aficionado of the gambling houses, Evelyn finds herself in over her head with some particularly nasty mobsters. Banking on his lifelone friendship with Kojak (Telly Savalas), McNeil asks the detective to shield Evelyn from harm--but it may already be too late. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
In this "B" grade film noir wannabe, the U.S. government releases David Fox (Richard Lynch) from prison on the condition that he help them trap a tax-shelter specialist working for the mob. Armed with $1,000,000 in hot money, Fox is chased all over Miami and back as he vacillates between fulfilling his obligation and finding the man who killed his brother. On the way, he unintentionally picks up Karen (Priscilla Barnes) via the unlikely method of stealing her landscaping truck, and she soon joins him as the adventure continues to the final showdown, back in Miami. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Lynch, Priscilla Barnes, (more)
Raid on Entebbe constitutes one of two all-star made-for-TV reenactments of the Entebbe rescue of July 4, 1976. On June 27, 1976, a jet carrying an international mix of passengers is hijacked by pro-Palestinian revolutionaries. The plane lands in Entebbe, Uganda, where President-for-life Idi Amin (Yaphet Kotto) struts about feigning concern, though his sympathy toward the hijackers is obvious. Many of the passengers are released, but 103 Israelis are kept in custody, and it becomes apparent that the revolutionaries plan to use these unfortunates as a bargaining chip for the release of imprisoned terrorists throughout the world. With virtually no other option, the Israeli government gives the go-ahead for Operation Thunderbolt, a commando raid on the Entebbe airport. The cast includes Charles Bronson as General Shomron, Jack Warden as Mordecai Gur, Sylvia Sidney as ill-fated passenger Dora Bloch, and, as Prime Minister Rabin, Peter Finch, whose performance (his last) won him an Emmy nomination. Raid on Entebbe first aired on January 9, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Finch, Charles Bronson, (more)
- 1976
This week, Bob is besieged from all sides. Not only is Carol threatening to give notice to two of her four bosses, but Howard has given Bob a bad-taste gift -- and he expects to be praised for his largesse. Completing the canvas is the unscheduled appearance of a human fly. Shirley O'Hara appears as Debbie Flett. Written by Gary David Goldberg of Family Ties fame, "Et Tu, Carol?" originally aired on October 30, 1976, as the final episode in The Bob Newhart Show's familiar 9:30 p.m. Saturday time slot; thereafter, the series would be shown one hour earlier. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1975
Jerry Fogel is cast as Paul Billingham (aka Ralph Alfalfa the Happy Farmer of Chicago radio fame). Though a huge success on the airwaves, Billingham harbors a dark secret: He stutters. Now that he has been offered a TV job, Billingham is terrified that the bizarre physical subterfuges he uses to speak coherently into the microphone will be exposed -- so naturally, he goes to Bob for advice. Written by Andrew Smith, "Easy for You to Say" originally aired on February 11, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1975
In her first TV-series appearance, stage and screen star Ruth Gordon is cast as spiritualist Eudora Temple, who has had visions of women being strangled. Sure enough, a killing spree follows Eudora's grim prognostications, whereupon Lt. Kojak (Telly Savalas) contacts the woman to ask what else she's seen. But is Eudora truly a fortune-teller, or does she have "inside information" about the murders? Series star Telly Savalas directed this final episode of Kojak's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Emily feels that Bob's weight workshop could use a motivational speaker. Pressed into service is Bob's secretary, Carol, who tells her story of how she lost one hundred pounds after graduating "magna cum lard" from high school. Unfortunately, Carol's words result more in perspiration than inspiration. Also appearing are Cliff Osmondas Leonard de Paolo and Marcia Lewis as Louise Gross. First telecast on October 11, 1975, "The Heavyweights" was written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1974
When Carol's latest romance begins to adversely affect her job performance, Jerry takes it in stride, chalking it up to a professional hazard. When Carol's problems begin seeping into his own private life, it's too much to bear. Per the episode's title, Jerry has to fire Carol. Richard Schaal appears as Don, while other cast members include Dick Wilson (aka "Mr. Whipple") and Gene Blakely. Originally telecast on February 16, 1974, "By the Way...You're Fired!" was written by Barbara Gallegher and Sybil Adelman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1974
Jerry tries to create a co-op with all the other doctors in the professional building. Under Jerry's master plan, the various medicos will treat each other for free. When the scheme inevitably explodes in Jerry's face, Bob finds himself saddled with an all-doctor therapy group -- for free, of course. Octogenerian actress Merie Earle makes one of her frequent appearances as Bob's doddering patient, Mrs. Loomis. Written by Coleman Mitchell and Geoffrey Neigher, "The Great Timpau Medical Arts Co-op Experiment" first aired on September 28, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1974
Bob and his colleagues gear up for their annual doctor's tennis tournament. Naturally, Emily assumes that she will be teamed with Bob. What she hadn't counted on was Bob's overriding desire to win -- a desire that, so far as he is concerned, may be unfulfilled with Emily around. Others in the cast are Paula Shaw as Tammy Ziegler and Howard Platt as Dr. Newman. Written by Jerry Mayer, "Serve for Daylight" originally aired on December 14, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1973
Bob becomes a celebrity of sorts when his therapy snaps the Chicago Cubs' star pitcher out of a slump. Bob soon learns the drawbacks of fame when another Cubs player, a second-string catcher named Moose Washburn (Vern Rowe), comes to him for advice. It turns out that Moose's problems go far beyond the boundaries of Wrigley Field. Written by Bill Idelson, "You Can't Win 'Em All!" made its first network appearance on February 24, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
When Carol goes on vacation, Emily offers to fill in as receptionist. Everybody on the "professional" floor is in favor of the idea, except Bob, who worries that Emily's presence will foment marital discord. Once she reports to work, Bob's predictions come true -- along with several unexpected complications. Featured in the cast are Teri Garr as Miss Brennan, Rhoda Gemignani as Joan Rossi, and Nora Marlowe as Mrs. Manning. Written by Jerry Mayer, "Emily in for Carol" first aired on October 13, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1973
Bob and Emily are looking forward to their first Christmas Eve "alone together." Unfortunately, they'll have to continue looking; Bob has been trapped in his office by a power failure, capping a long and daunting list of frustrations. Gene Blakely appears as Dr. Ralph Tetzi. Appropriately making its network premiere on December 22, 1973, "I'm Dreaming of a Slight Christmas" was written by comedians Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1972
Bob's feelings are hurt when he is not invited to speak before Emily's third-grade students on Vocation Day. Though she feels Bob's pain, Emily can't bring herself to admit that she thinks Bob will not be able to "thrill" the kids with his speech. Her fears come to full fruition when Bob is called in to speak at the very last minute. King Moody, best known as "Ronald McDonald" in a series of fast-food commercials, is here cast as a fireman. Written by Carl Gottlieb and George Yanook, "Tracy Grammar School, I'll Lick You Yet" first aired on September 23, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
