Richard Gilliland Movies
Lead actor Richard Gilliland first appeared onscreen in the '70s. ~ All Movie Guide- 1974
Someone in the SFPD must go undercover with a group of Vietnam war resisters to ferret out a murderer. Given a choice between middle-aged Mike Stone (Karl Malden) and youthful, shaggy-haired Steve Keller (Michael Douglas), the authorities opt for Keller. Posing as an anti-war activist, Keller tries to find out who killed a rather notorious Marine deserter...and why. Featured in the cast are two actors who'd essayed villainous Streets of San Francisco roles in the past, Don Stroud and Michael Burns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The last gasp of gimmick-horror auteur William Castle (who produced and co-wrote), Bug is an entertaining throwback to the mutant-monsters-amok theme of the 1950s (themselves throwbacks of another kind) that he found so profitable. The film stars Bradford Dillman as a kinder, gentler mad scientist who discovers the presence of a bizarre strain of mutant cockroach emerging from the earth after a severe earthquake. Although larger than the average beetle, the most disturbing aspect of the critters is their innate ability to ignite fires with their bodies -- a talent dramatically revealed after a few of the bugs crawl up a vehicle's tailpipe. When Dillman discovers that the creatures possess a group intelligence, he attempts to train and breed them -- which proves to be less than a good idea. In Castle's heyday, this would have proven an ideal theme for one of his patented gimmicks (perhaps having little rubber bugs drop from the ceiling onto unsuspecting patrons at appropriate moments), but director Jeannot Szwarc (who later helmed Jaws 2 and the hankie-fest Somewhere in Time) plays the story straight, with remarkably chilling results. This is also remarkably violent for a mainstream PG film (particularly in the scene where Bad Seed Patty McCormack's hair is ignited by the six-legged arsonists) with a downbeat ending typical of many horror movies of the '70s. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bradford Dillman, Joanna Miles, (more)
- 1976
Although it remained a rotating component of The NBC Sunday Mystery Movie (along with Columbo, McCloud, Quincy, M.E., and Lanigan's Rabbi), McMillan and Wife underwent quite a few remarkable changes for its sixth and final season on the air. To begin with, the series' title has been shortened to McMillan, reflecting the departure of star Susan Saint James. It is explained that the actress' character, Sally McMillan, has been killed in a plane accident, leaving her husband, San Francisco police commissioner Stewart "Mac" McMillan, a widower. Evidently this tragedy had occurred quite some time before the beginning of season six, given that Mac is showing no signs of grief and has even begun seeing other women. Also missing is Nancy Walker as Mac's housekeeper Mildred; her replacement is Martha Raye, playing Mildred's sister Agatha. And while John Schuck is still on hand as Mac's police assistant Charles Enright, Charles has been promoted from sergeant to lieutenant, his customary duties taken over by Sgt. Steve Dimaggio, a new character played by Richard Gilliland. Likewise new to the series are Gloria Stroock as Mac's secretary Maggie, and Bill Quinn in the recurring role of Chief Paulsen. The first of the season's six 90-minute episodes is "All Bets Off," in which Mac tries to track down some diamonds stolen from his current girlfriend in Las Vegas. In "Dark Sunrise," Mac, presumed killed in an explosion, uses his "death" to cover his tracks while investigating the matter. "Phillip's Game" pits Mac against an egotistical hit man who brazenly announces his crimes before committing them. In "Coffee, Tea, or Cyanide?," Mac investigates as several passengers die mysteriously during a cross-country flight. "Affair of the Heart" finds Mac crossing swords with an attractive deputy DA (Stefanie Powers). And in the series' final episode, "Have You Heard About Vanessa?" Mac reconstructs the events leading up to the suicide of a model (Joanna Cameron) who seemed to have everything. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rock Hudson, John Schuck, (more)
In this offbeat comedy, Jeff Bridges plays Craig Blake, a rich kid who works with a group of hard-living Southern real-estate men led by Jabo (Joe Spinell), who are buying up a business district in Birmingham, Alabama in order to clear the space and put in a new project. Craig is supposed to work out a deal to buy the Olympic Spa, a gym popular with local weight-lifters, but after spending some time at the club, Craig finds himself fascinated with the people there, especially Joe Santo (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a world-class body builder from Austria who sometimes works out in a superhero costume and likes to play bluegrass fiddle to relax. Craig also makes the acquaintance of Mary Tate Farnsworth (Sally Field), a feisty gal who hangs out with Joe. Mary Tate finds Craig attractive, but she isn't sure he's being all that sincere, and she wonders why a wealthy real estate man is hanging out with a bunch of low-rent gym rats. Stay Hungry was a critical comeback for director Bob Rafelson and kick-started the careers of both Sally Field and Arnold Schwarzenegger in their first major film roles (unless you count Arnold's misbegotten appearance as "Arnold Strong" in Hercules In New York). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Bridges, Sally Field, (more)
- 1977
Life in the Pink is the syndication title of the pilot film for the TV series Operation Petticoat. Based on the 1959 movie of the same name, the series detailed the adventures of a jerry-built submarine in World War II. In the pilot, the sub's crew rescues five Army nurses from a remote Pacific isle. The ladies return the favor by virtually taking over the sub, eventually painting it pink. While this TV movie does not follow the film version scene for scene, it resurrects some of the earlier picture's best gags, including the torpedoing of a jeep. John Astin both directed this film and starred as the sub commander. Way down the cast list as a nurse was Jamie Lee Curtis, daughter of Tony Curtis, who costarred with Cary Grant in the original Operation Petticoat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
J. Lee Thompson directs Charles Bronson in this strange western variation on Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Bronson plays a man named James Otis, who is disturbed by dreams of a giant white buffalo. He returns to the west under his new name --Wild Bill Hickok. Amongst his travels, he meets Chief Crazy Horse (Will Sampson), who is roaming the plains in an obsessive search for the giant white buffalo that killed his young daughter. Chief Crazy Horse wants to slay the beast in revenge for his daughter's death, and Wild Bill Hickok teams up with him to hunt down the giant white buffalo. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Bronson, Jack Warden, (more)
The third filming of Louisa May Alcott's novel is this made-for-TV effort, which follows the hardships faced by the March family during the Civil War. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Meredith Baxter-Birney, Susan Dey, (more)
- 1980
In this disaster movie, eight people stranded on a bridge find their lives jeopardized after a collision has caused the unstable structure to collapse. One of the eight is a bank robber on the lam. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) receives word that her husband Curt, reported killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, is actually alive and living in Florida. Rushing to her husband's side, Mary Ellen is shocked when Curt claims not to recognize her--and even more so when, after admitting that he is indeed her husband, he urges her to divorce him, explaining that the war has left him only "half a man." How will this disturbing turn of events affect Mary Ellen's relationship with Jonesy (Richard Gilliland), the new man in her life? And back on Walton's Mountain, Erin quits her job in a huff when the Jonesy is promoted over her just because he's a man. Scott Hylands appears in this episode as Curt Willard, replacing former series regular Tom Bower for the first (and last) time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
When his car breaks down on Walton's Mountain, young Arlington Wescott Jones III (Richard Gillilland) in his first series appearance) accepts the hospitality of the Walton family. Before long, "Jonesy" has fallen deeply in love with the widowed Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor), and the feeling appears to be mutual--until a stranger named Betty (Pamela McMyler) visits the Walton house in the middle of the night with some startling news. Elsewhere, Jason (Jon Walmsley) sets about to repair and revitalize the Dew Drop Inn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
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
- 1982
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
With the Jerry Zucker-Jim Abrahams-David Zucker team absent, this sequel to the cash-cow 1980 spoof Airplane once again finds garrulous man-with-a-past Ted Striker (Robert Hays) compelled to take over the controls of crippled aircraft, all the while trying to patch up his relationship with stewardess Elaine (Julie Hagerty). This time, the first passenger space shuttle is launched into orbit -- and takes off for the moon - but the on-board computer malfunctions and sends the craft hurtling toward the sun, threatening the lives of everyone on board. Lloyd Bridges and Peter Graves return from the first Airplane, while William Shatner, Chad Everett, Sonny Bono, Raymond Burr and Chuck Conners join the cast, as they too lampoon their established images. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, (more)
- 1982
Featuring a reunion of most of the cast of the long-running family series, The Waltons, this touching drama centers on the attempt of the now grown and scattered brood of Olivia and John Walton to regroup for an old fashioned family holiday. Unfortunately, John-Boy is not among them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1985
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
- 1985
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
- 1986
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
- 1987
- R
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)
- 1987
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
- 1987
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
- 1988
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
- 1990
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
- 1991
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)
- 1991
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
