Frank Gerrish Movies

A forest ranger stumbles into a den of eccentrics when he takes a job in a small town in this Mormon-themed comedy. Tartan Jones (Dan Merkley) is a 29-year-old man trained as a forest ranger who lives in Provo, UT, but is eager to get away, mainly so his friends and relatives will stop trying to fix him up with a "nice" girl, especially his mother (Jan Broberg Felt). Jones takes a job in a small town in the Southwest called Longfellow, though the locals prefer to call it Longwinded. Longfellow is home to 524 people -- 262 Mormons and 262 Baptists, a matter that has inspired no small amount of lively debate and less than friendly rivalry among the townsfolk over the years. Jones' membership in the Church of Latter Day Saints becomes a matter of contention when it's learned he's the "tiebreaker" who finally gives the Mormons a numerical advantage over the Baptists. Jones attempts to broker peace between both sides by staging an "all faith barbecue" for the entire community, but getting everyone involved to eat a burger together turns out to be a lot more difficult than expected. Making matters all the more complicated for Jones is Charity Hall (Heather Beers), an attractive woman who has arrived in town following a bad breakup with her boyfriend; she seems to like Jones but would prefer to stay out of Longfellow's religious debate altogether, perhaps wisely. Baptists at Our Barbecue was based on the comic novel of the same name by Mormon author Robert Farrell Smith. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A pre-Ugly Betty America Ferrera appears in this episode as Charlee, a 17-year-old girl suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. In danger of flunking out of high school because of her neurotic inability to finish an important assignment, Charlee can expect no help from her father Rolando (John Turturro), who is illiterate--and perversely proud of the fact. Posing as substitute special-ed teacher, Monica (Roma Downey) quickly figures out that Charlee is not her only assignment...but not before Rolando's inability to read or write nearly causes him to lose custody of his daughter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this dramatic murder mystery from the director of God's Army, Richard Dutcher -- who is also this film's writer, producer, and star -- plays Wes Clayton, a young deputy sheriff who resides in a quiet Mormon community called Brigham. The town is turned upside down when a woman from California is found murdered near her car. Wes, with the aid of his young deputy (Matthew A. Brown), the town's retired sheriff (Wilford Brimley), and an idealistic secretary (Carrie Morgan), is sent to investigate the bizarre occurrence. A federal agent (Tayva Patch) also becomes involved, and Wes slowly finds himself becoming the spiritual leader of this typically sleepy small town. He must unveil some of its underlying secrets to solve the murder, while also trying to keep the peace of the Mormon community surrounding him. This feature, like God's Army, was independently produced by Dutcher with the aid of Mormon supporters. ~ Jason Clark, All Movie Guide

A poor man learns that obtaining wealth through evil means can command a terrible price in this made-for-TV horror story. Jeff Obold (Aiden Gillen) is a struggling auto mechanic whose personal life is a good bit more rewarding than his career; he has a lovely wife, Marla (Nina Siemaszko), and a seven-year-old daughter Casey (Skye McCole Bartusiak) whom he dotes on, even though he has a hard time providing for them. One day, while looking for parts for a vintage muscle car, Jeff makes the acquaintance of Bruno Rubin (F. Murray Abraham), a mysterious but charming stranger. Jeff and Bruno learn they share an interest in classic cars, and Bruno invites Jeff and Marla to visit him at his estate. The couple soon discovers that Bruno is very wealthy, and soon Bruno shares with Jeff the source of his wealth and power -- a strange demonic creature called a "darkling." The darkling can bestow untold material fortune on anyone willing to be its companion, but Jeff finds doing the darkling's wishes has a price when his association with the demon costs him his beloved Marla -- and Casey's life may be next. The Darkling was produced for the USA cable network. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this action drama, Rutger Hauer plays Gene Reardon, a detective working in a small town who is put on the case when a major kidnapping erupts. The FBI is brought in, and Reardon finds himself working under a top federal agent, Wallis Longsworth (Paulina Porizkova) -- who used to be his wife. Evidence begins to suggest that Reardon may be involved in the crime himself, which he adamantly denies. When the kidnapping turns into a murder, Longsworth teams up with Reardon to help him prove his innocence and track down the real culprit. Partners in Crime also stars Andrew Dolin and Frank Gerrish; Jennifer Warren directed. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Erin Chambers, Eric "Ty'' Hodges II, and Jake Sakson star in this spooky story (produced for the Disney Channel cable network) about a young girl who thinks she's found a real, live Boogeyman. In order to track down and subdue the scary guy, she needs help, and she finds it from an unlikely source: her little brother's imaginary friend. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Four pals take on their world of high finance in a new and unusual way in this comedy-drama. Woody (Craig Sheffer), Robert (Daniel Baldwin), Michael (Michael Winslow), and Thad (Todd Field) are four close friends in their early thirties who have always felt a strong sense of competition. However, their desire to one-up one another is taken to a new extreme when they agree to an unusual contest -- they'll all move to a city where they don't know a soul, with each carrying only 100 dollars in cash and the suit on their back, and see who can rack up the greatest net worth in only 30 days. The four friends learn a great deal about each other and themselves, as they gain a new perspective on both business and life. Net Worth marked the directorial debut for Kenny Griswold. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Does true love mix with Sweet and Sour Chicken? That's the question posed by this romantic comedy that follows three couples whose dates have led them to the same Chinese restaurant. Goofy high school nice-guy Heath (Matt Barker) has taken Doug (Rachel Kimsey), a blonde-haired, blue-eyed cheerleader, out for dinner before heading to the prom. However, Doug is only going with Heath to make her former boyfriend jealous, though Heath doesn't realize it. Doug's mother Carolyn (Terra Allen) is dining at the same restaurant with her steady boyfriend Dean (Douglas Caputo); Dean is planning on proposing to Carolyn, but she values her independence and it's hard to say how she'll react. And Heath's older sister Beth (Brandy Snow) is on a dinner date with Trent (Christopher Marley), a smooth disc jockey who keeps making passes at her while she just keeps throwing them back. Fortune Cookie was enthusiastically received in its screening at the 1999 Hollywood Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this made-for-television movie, the pressure of having an alcoholic mother and a needy pregnant best friend proves too much for a caring young teen. As a result she begins losing her grip on everything. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

When Brian finds a decade-old letter marked with a rare postage stamp, he is inspired to solve the mystery of his father's death. Brian's best friend helps solve the puzzling case. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

John Ritter brilliantly breaks loose from his lovable "Jack Tripper" characterization in the role of the seriously disturbed Paul Hegstrom. An abusive husband and father, not to mention a serial philanderer, Paul draws his "courage" from a whisky bottle. On one fateful evening, his violent impulses completely overwhelm him and he nearly beats his wife Judy (Harley Jane Kozak) to death. Just when it seems that Paul is utterly beyond redemption, he is put into an experimental "life skills" therapy program. Despite all evidence to the contrary, what is "unforgivable" at the beginning of the film can actually be forgiven by film's end, and the climax is astonishingly inspirational--and wholly credible, since it is based on a true story. Unforgivable made its first CBS network appearance on April 30, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Embarrassed because he perceives his father as dull, a creative boy invents himself a new, more exciting one and finds the popularity he craves. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide