Richard Gilliland Movies
Lead actor Richard Gilliland first appeared onscreen in the '70s. ~ All Movie GuideAmerican independent filmmaker Paul F. Ryan makes his feature debut with the psychological drama Home Room. The students of Valley High School try to get on with their lives in the aftermath of a traumatic school shooting in which nine students were killed. Even though the perpetrator is dead, the townspeople still want to find some answers. Detective Martin Van Zandt (Victor Garber) decides to interrogate high school student Alicia Browning (Busy Philipps), who was present during the attack. Because of her cynical attitude and dark fashion choices, she is viewed as a possible threat. Principal Robbins (James Pickens Jr.) sentences her to regular hospital visits with the pretty and popular Deanna Cartwright (Erika Christensen), who was seriously injured in the attack. Alicia and Deanna overcome their initial differences and develop a nurturing friendship with psychological help from Dr. Hollander (Holland Taylor). ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Busy Philipps, Erika Christensen, (more)
Having promised her dying mother that she would always look after her two young siblings (one of whom is mentally challenged), Audrey Walker (Jean Smart) has deliberately closed herself off from romantic relationships -- and indeed, from most of the other pleasures in life. Now in middle age, Audrey has devolved into a bitter, sharp-tongued spinster, resenting the manner in which her family has robbed her of a life of her own. Thus, Audrey is none too thrilled when, after her married sister commits suicide, she is saddled with raising the dead sibling's two children. Be assured, however, that our heroine's misery will be alleviated when her former boyfriend, Terry Lloyd (Richard Gilliland), comes back into her life to help her with her new responsibilities. Strategically scheduled to air on Mother's Day (or to be precise, on May 11, 2003), the made-for-cable Audrey's Rain was a presentation of the Hallmark Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Smart, Richard Gilliland, (more)
Director John Webb and screenwriter Aaron Pope translate the true-life story of a Florida family murdered in 1996 into a low-budget horror/crime film in their 2002 production Vampire Clan. The parents of two teenaged young women are found ritualistically murdered and the family's community is sent into an uproar with rumors of Satanic worship occurring in their midst. The authorities quickly track down the culprits behind the murders -- a group of teens that believe they are vampires -- and make the horrific discovery that one of the teens is one of the victims' daughters. As the police piece together the evidence, the daughter recalls the details revolving around her involvement with this group of so-called vampires and how the Charles Manson-like leader of the group chooses his followers. Vampire Clan received its premiere screening at the 2002 Dances With Films Festival. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Drew Fuller, Alex Breckenridge, (more)
Withdrawn, skinny seventh-grader Spencer Griffith (Joseph Mazzello), who spends recess avoiding class bully Turbo (Joey Simmrin), gets some encouragement from his teacher, Janet Holloway (Corinne Bohrer), but his life remains stuck at the starting gate. One night Spencer spots a meteor, checks it out, and discovers the android Cyborsuit (Alex Daniels, with the voice of Arthur Burghardt), a being that seeks an organic host to inhabit its interior. Spencer does just that, and once inside, he learns that he has superpowers. Obviously, Turbo will prove to be no match, but then Spencer finds he must defeat the outer-space arachnid Broodwarrior (Brian Simpson). Filmed under the working title The Warrior of Waverly Street. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Mazzello, Joey Simmrin, (more)
The story of two average women who refused to be silenced and intimidated by the company who manufactured their silicone implants is detailed in this inspirational docudrama starring Mary McDonnell and Gail O' Grady. Sybil Goldrich (McDonnell) was a wealthy California who was devastated to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and Kathleen Anneken (O'Grady) was a typical middle-class mother from Kansas who had always been unhappy with her breast size. Despite their disparate backgrounds and social statuses, both women would soon be drawn together by the tragic circumstances surrounding their decision to receive breast implants. Ignored, mistreated, and disregarded by silicone specialists Dow Corning after they received their implants and fell gravely ill, Goldrich and Anneken became united in their efforts to take their case to the FDA. While proving Down Corning was responsible for their many ailments was a near impossible task, getting their story out to the public was simply a matter of using every opportunity they had to state their case publicly. In the end it was one lawyer who possessed the incriminating evidence needed to bring Down Corning down, and ensure that their cries weren't silenced by the stifling greenback gag of big business. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gail O'Grady, Mary McDonnell, (more)
Monica (Roma Downey), Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye) are hired as coordinators for the wedding of Alison Miller (Brigid Walsh) and Kevin Abernathy (Ed Kerr). The sudden and unwelcome appearance of Alison's much-despised father Stan (Richard Gilliland) prompts her to question the whole concept of marriage, and to seriously consider calling the whole thing off. With this in mind, Monica cannot figure out what possessed Tess to invite Stan--until it is revealed that Alison's "perfect" mother Harriet (Linda Kelsey) is just as responsible for the the transgressions of the past as her prodigal father, and just as much in need of forgiveness. Sally Kellerman contributes a sparkling performance as a scatterbrained novelist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A pre-pubescent hacker gets in over his head when he accidentally discovers a conspiracy to steal classified information. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Gilliland, David Kriegel, (more)
In this crime drama, a tough San Francisco policeman is shocked to discover that his recently murdered partner was actively involved in departmental corruption. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sam Elliott, Esai Morales, (more)
Shirley Maclaine stars as a reclusive piano player in this made-for-television movie based on the play by Ernest Thompson. Maclaine plays Margaret Mary Elderdice, a loner-type who befriends her next-door neighbor and violinist Cara Varnum (Liza Minnelli) only so the two can play music together. Margaret's life takes a turn into new territory and expands beyond its small confines though, with the addition of her young, aspiring-actress housemaid (Jennifer Grey). ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
In this drama, a neighborhood community becomes tense and upset when they learn that a recently released convicted rapist is living amongst them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pamela Reed, Michael Ontkean, (more)
Kirk Douglas has the starring role in this made-for-television drama which is based on the novel The Lies Boys Tell by Lamar Herrin. Douglas stars as Ed Reece, an elderly man who decides that he wants to spend his final days back in the town where he was born. He persuades his grown son to make the journey with him for a long goodbye. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
When post-partum depression causes the reawakening of long-dormant and traumatic memories of childhood rape by her father, an angry young mother takes her tormentor to court and in so doing nearly destroys her family. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joanna Kerns, Michael Brandon, (more)
Bad Attitudes was first shown on the Fox Network. A pair of thick-skulled terrorists attempt to hijack a wealthy man's private jet. But the villains haven't taken into consideration a gang of five obnoxious preteens, all possessed of the bad attitude mentioned in the title. Bad Attitudes was not previewed for TV critics when it first surfaced in September of 1991, which all things considered may have been a wise defensive move. Was this Home Alone clone a TV pilot? Need you ask? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Gilliland, Maryedith Burrell, (more)
Nancy Landon (Vera Miles) swoops down on Cabot Cove with the announcement that her son Steve (Richard Gilliland) had been fathered by the late husband of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). With this in mind, Nancy insists that Jessica is obligated to help clear Steve fraud and murder charges related to the Landons' construction business. Though it pains her to do so, Jessica does what she can to prove Steve's innocence. Also in the cast is Martin Milner as Jessica's friend Clint Phelps, who may know more about the case than he's letting on. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this episode of the series, defense attorney Cromwell thinks that the bizarrely murdered members of an investment club were killed for money. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
To escape from the boredom of her small-town life, Sunday School teacher Candy Morrison (Barbara Hershey) engages in an affair with a fellow churchgoer. When his wife Peggy learns about the relationship, she attacks Candy with an axe; after a struggle, Candy kills Peggy, hitting her 41 times with the axe. In the resulting trial, her plea of self-defense is examined. This TV-movie is based on a true story. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
Not really a TV movie, Monster Manor was a two-hour installment of the brief 1988 revival of the old Police Story anthology series. The titular manor is an allegedly haunted mansion in the center of a large city. It is inhabited by a group of police officers who use the mansion as a "rave" site, where they can drink, smoke and party in their off-hours. Since the presence of these revelling cops is an open secret to the Underworld, a team of vice squad officers decide that Monster Manor would be an excellent "cover". Posing as another bunch of fun-loving cops, the vice operatives use the Manor as their headquarters while attempting to break up a thriving call-girl ring. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
John DeBello, the man who brought you The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes back in 1978, was responsible for the 1987 fantasy farce Happy Hour. The premise: a Coors-like beer manufacturer stumbles onto a secret ingredient that compels the guzzlers of America to consume its product exclusively. The complication: the magic formula has been stolen by a rival brewery. The original beermeisters send Rich Little out to steal back the formula, while the rival company dispatches Jamie Farr to prevent Little from completing his mission. Upon meeting one another, Rich and Jamie discover that they're old college chums and former student activists. Together, Little and Farr attempt to foil the mercenary machinations of both beer companies. Is Happy Hour as funny as John DeBello imagined it to be? Let us merely observe that the film's high point is a shot of a group of six-year-olds chugging beer, and that the closing image is of a pretty blonde who chastises the audience for not being smart enough to follow the plot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Gilliland, Jamie Farr, (more)
Hunter (Fred Dryer) investigates when journalist Ralph Ormond (Richard Gilliland), who holds evidence that will put a Mob boss away for good, is reportedly killed in a car bombing. Actually, it's a case of mistaken identity: while the city mourns an innocent bystander, the very-much-alive Ormond intends to sell his evidence and retire to a life of ease--far, far away from Los Angeles. But Hunter puts a crimp in this plan and sees to it that the guilty--ALL the guilty--will suffer! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the first episode of a two-part story, Roz (Marsha Warfield) seriously considers quitting her job when she is diagnosed with diabetes--and later disrupts the decorum of the courtroom when she o.d.'s on insulin. Come to think of it, however, the courtroom's decorum has been disrupted from the outset by a surfeit of Presidential impersonators, hired for a TV special on American history. And we haven't yet mentioned the unhinged Nesbit Sherman (Jeremy Lawrence), who is wielding a cigarette lighter and threatening to destroy an original draft of the U.S. Constitution! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The manager of a chemical plant and a city manager rise up against their respective bosses to keep a town safe in this ecologically conscientious made-for-TV disaster film. It all begins when the owners of Citichem order the plant manager to enact dangerous cost cuts that compromise the safety of the plant. He protests, but it is to no avail and a worker dies. At the same time, the city manager tries to warn the people that a deadly disaster is imminent, but he ends up gagged by the local politicians. Meanwhile, just when the community is at its most unprepared, a melt-down occurs and the town is drenched in deadly chemicals. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Nick Mancuso stars in the made-for-TV Embassy. Cast as an American ambassador stationed in Rome, Mancuso's life is thrown into turmoil by a crucial computer chip. When not trying to keep U.S. defense secrets from falling into the wrong hands, he must juggle the affections of his press-attache-girlfriend, (Mimi Rogers), and his girlfriend's chief rival (Blanche Baker). Embassy was intended as the 2-hour pilot for a weekly series; it didn't sell, but Nick Mancuso's next venture in the TV-pilot field, Stingray, proved successful. Embassy was initially telecast on April 21, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Challenge of a Lifetime is Hawaii's Ironman Triathalon. Unless you're an ironman, the outcome of this competition may not be of paramount importance to you. But it is crucial to Penny Marshall, a divorced mother seeking to prove that she's more than just an adjunct to her family. Marshall enters the 140-mile triathalon, which requires her to run, swim, and navigate a bicycle. Most of those who caught this TV movie's premiere on February 14, 1985, had tumbled to its outcome before the second commercial. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Penny Marshall
A Wedding on Walton's Mountain has no John-Boy (Richard Thomas) or Olivia (Michael Learned),but does feature five regulars from the long-running TV series: Ralph Waite as John Walton, Ellen Corby as Grandma, Mary Elizabeth McDonough as Erin, Jon Walmsley as Jason and Judy Norton-Taylor as Mary Ellen. The year is 1947, and the wedding is Erin's, about to tie the knot with lumberman Paul Northridge (Morgan Stevens). Erin's ex-boyfriend (Louis Welch) threatens to gum up the works, but with the help and support of her family the girl is successfully wed. The first of several Waltons TV movies following the demise of the series in 1981, The Wedding on Walton's Mountain turned out to be an unexpected ratings magnet. It assured the Faithful that there would be many minings of the Waltons vaults for future made-for-TV specials--the most recent of these appearing in early 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The second of three TV-movie spinoffs of the long-running series The Waltons, Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain marked the return of actress Michael Learned in the role of Olivia Walton, a part she had relinquished when her contract expired one year before the original series' cancellation in 1981. Still consigned to a tuberculosis sanitorium, Olivia has only a few scenes in the film, though she does return to Walton Mountain in time to help her daughter Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) weather a crisis. It appears as if Mary Ellen, newly wed to longtime beau Jonesy (Richard Gilliland) will be unable to have children, thanks to an auto accident; meanwhile, the rest of the Walton clan has problems of their own, including son Ben's (Eric Wilton) efforts to restore harmony between himself and his own wife Cindy (Leslie Winston). Of the original Waltons cast, only Richard Thomas, Ellen Corby and the late Will Geer were absent from the proceedings. Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain debuted May 9, 1982, on NBC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Walmsley
























