Lorne Greene Movies
White-haired, patriarchal Canadian actor Lorne Greene attended Queen's University in pursuit of a chemical engineering degree. Amateur college theatricals whetted his appetite for the stage, and upon graduation he decided upon a performing career. He started out on radio, eventually emerging as Canada's top newscaster, designated "the voice of the CBC" (For a while, Greene managed a mail-order announcer's school; one of the "pupils" was Leslie Nielsen). Moving to New York in 1950, Greene became a stage, film and TV actor, co-starring on Broadway with Katherine Cornell in Prescott Proposals and in films with the likes of Paul Newman, Ginger Rogers and Joan Crawford, generally in villainous roles. In 1959, Greene was cast as Ben Cartwright, owner of the Ponderosa ranch and father of three headstrong sons, in TV's Bonanza. He would hold down this job until 1972; during the series' run, Greene unexpectedly became a top-ten recording artist with his hit single "Ringo." Upon the cancellation of Bonanza, Greene vowed he'd retire, but within one year he was playing a private detective on the brief TV weekly Griff. Five years later, he starred on the network sci-fier Battlestar Gallactica. Active as chairman of the National Wildlife Foundation, Greene put forth the organization's doctrine in his popular syndicated TV series Lorne Greene's Last of the Wild. His final weekly television appearance was on the 1980 adventure series Code Red. In 1987, Lorne Greene was all set to recreate Ben Cartwright for the 2-hour TV movie Bonanza: The Next Generation, but he died before shooting started and was replaced by John Ireland. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1982
This video is part of a series, hosted by television star Lorne Greene, that explores the different natural environments of Earth, and observes the animals that live there. In this episode, Greene takes the viewer to Japan to see the snow monkey, whose wily ways offer it some protection in a harsh environment. The snow monkey's greatest enemy may be members of its own kind. Outstanding wildlife photography provides a firsthand look at the efforts of the snow monkey to survive. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1982
This video is part of a series, hosted by television star Lorne Greene, that explores some of the wildest places on the Earth, and the animals who inhabit them. This program features "God's Dog": the coyote. Greene goes to Montana and Wyoming to observe the changes in habitat and habits of the elusive coyote. Outstanding wildlife photography captures the wily predator on film. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1982
This video is part of a series, hosted by television star Lorne Greene, that explores some of the wildest places on the Earth, and the animals who inhabit them. In this program, Greene takes the viewer to see the amazing sight of the monarch butterfly migration from the United States to Mexico. The viewer learns that inside each beautiful body lies an arsenal of poison to protect it on its journey. Wildlife photography shows the beauty of this spectacular event. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1980
This TV movie consists of two episodes of Galactica 1980 edited together. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Singing her way through life as life sings back at her, little orphaned Heidi (voice by Margery Gray) is bounced around from her aunt's house, to her grouchy grandfather's place, to a wealthy family in the big city, and never do the vocals subside nor does her spirit droop to anything lower than high "C," probably a fitting classification for this animated film from the Hanna-Barbera studio. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Sammy Davis, Jr., (more)
- 1980
This exploitation flick chronicles the rise and fall of a country-rock superstar who bears a striking resemblance to the fallen King of Rock and Roll--despite the film's disclaimer that the flashy, pill-poppin performer decked out in his bejeweled polyester jump suits does not represent Elvis. The singer's girlfriend is coincidentally played by Ginger Alden, the last girlfriend of the real Elvis. Songs for the film are done by Roy Orbison. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Earl Owensby, William T. Hicks, (more)
- 1980
This drama chronicles the real-life story of Native America's first declared saint, Elizabeth Bayley Seton. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Galactica Discovers Earth originated as the three-part opener for the TV series Galactica 1980, which in turn was an outgrowth of 1979's Battlestar Galactica. When the earlier sci-fi series was cancelled by ABC, a letter-writing campaign encouraged the network to revive the property, albeit on a less-expensive scale. Set some three decades after the first series, Galactica 1980 stars Kent McCord as Captain Troy, skipper of the titular battlestar. En route to planet Earth, Troy is unable to fend off an attack from the hated Cylons; therefore, he tries to keep his Earthward journey a secret, so that the Cylons will not mount an invasion of the planet. In the opening adventure, Commander Adama (Lorne Greene) wants to offer the advanced technology of Galactica to the scientists of earth, but the villainous Xavier (Richard Lynch) intends to hand over this technology to a group of Nazis. Troy, Lt. Dillon (Barry Van Dyke), and Earth reporter Jaime Hamilton (Robyn Douglas) try to stop Xavier before he can accomplish his nefarious mission. Galactica Discovers Earth first aired on January 27, February 3 and February 10, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
In the conclusion of "Greetings from Earth", six Terrans from the 13th Colony (formerly known as Earth) are released from suspended animation when their drifting space station is discovered. Upon awakening, the six become obsessed with the notion that the Galactica is part of the hated Eastern Alliance, which brought about the destruction of Earth several centuries before. Adama (Lorne Greene) begins to wonder if the newly revived travellers are whom they claim to be when they demand to be taken to the planet Paradeen--lest they all perish. Originally telecast as a two-hour "special", "Greetings from Earth" has since been reedited as two one-hour episodes for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, (more)
- 1979
Experiment in Terra is a 60-minute episode of the TV sci-fi series Battlestar Gallactica. Joining regulars Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict is guest villain John Calicos as the outer space "quisling" Baltar. In plotting his escape from Battlestar Galactica, Baltar also plans to free the imprisoned rebels of the planet Terra. You might get some fun guessing what planet Terra is really supposed to be and spotting how many plot elements are "borrowed" from Star Wars. Experiment in Terra was first shown March 11, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, (more)
- 1979
In the conclusion of a two-part story, the Colonials have fallen under the spell of godlike alien Iblis (Patrick MacNee), who offers them safe passage to the 13th Colony in exchange for their total and unquestioning obedience. Once Iblis successfully brings the treacherous Baltar (John Colicos) to justice, the Colonials have no reason to question their sincerity. But Cmdr. Adama (Lorne Greene) is not so easily swayed--especially after witnessing Iblis' terrified reaction to the three shimmering balls of light which seem to be dogging his trail. A climactic confrontation with the Forces of Darkness caps this thrilling adventure. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, (more)
- 1979
In Part One of "Greetings from Earth", the Galactica encounters an "ancient" space shuttle that has seemingly originated on the elusive 13th Colony--namely, the Earth. On board the shuttle, six people are in a state of suspended animation. Once awakened, the six strangers hold out hope to the Colonists that their long and frustrating search for the 13th Colony is at last at an end. Veteran song-and-dance men Ray Bolger and Bobby Van head the guest cast. Originally telecast as a two-hour "special", "Greetings from Earth" has since been reedited as two one-hour episodes for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, (more)
- 1979
In the first episode of a two-part story, Patrick MacNee guest stars as Count Iblis, a shipwrecked alien rescued by a Galactica recon mission. Claiming to be the last descendant of a long-gone alien culture, Iblis promises to grant three wishes to the Colonials -- including safe passage to the 13th Colony. All he asks in return from them is total, and unquestioning, obedience. Not surprisingly, Cmdr. Adama (Lorne Greene) is suspicious of Iblis' true motives -- but he is unable to sway the Colonials, who are more thn willing to agree to the godlike alien's terms. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, (more)
- 1979
Believing that they have finally arrived at the 13th Colony (formerly known as Earth), the Galactica crew becomes a bit careless--thereby leaving themselves open for attack by a Cylon Base Star. Tired of running from their enemy, Apollo (Richard Hatch) and Starbuck (Dirk Benedict) boldly lead a final--and very possibly suicidal--counterratack against the Cylons. Though this was the last episode of Battlestar Galactica, the saga continued in the spinoff series Galactica 1980. "The Hand of God" was later combined with the Battlestar Galactica episode "The Lost Warrior" and reissued as the two-hour "TV movie" The Phantom in Space. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, (more)
- 1979
Starbuck (Dirk Benedict) is startled when his former lover Aurora (Ana Alicia), whom he assumed to be dead, turns up very much alive on the Celestra, the Galactica support vessel helmed by Commander Kronus (Paul Fix). Urged on by Aurora, who claims that Kronus is a cruel dictator, Starbuck joins Apollo (Richard Hatch) in fomenting a mutiny against the Commander. But is Kronus truly as villainous as Aurora claims? "Take the Celestra" was later combined with the Battlestar Galactica episode "The Long Patrol" and reissued as the two-hour "TV movie" Space Casanova. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, (more)
Jeff East stars as writer Jack London in this fictional adventure account that takes place during the Alaskan gold rush. London and his partner Robin (Merritt Sloper) clash with the villain Soapy Smith (Rod Steiger), a former priest turned bad who is equally mean to dogs and humans. That's Lorne Greene behind the black moustache as constable Sam Steele, with Angie Dickenson as saloon-girl Belinda McNair. The feature fails to live up to the Northwoods adventure dramas made popular by author London. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff East, Rod Steiger, (more)
- 1979
The 8-hour TV miniseries Blind Ambition was originally telecast May 20 through 23, 1979. This 105-minute feature-film version, prepared in 1982, seems a bit rushed at times, but overall does a credible and coherent job of storytelling. Based on John Dean's book Blind Ambition, with elements of Maureen Dean's Mo woven in by screenwriter Stanley R. Greenberg, this is the saga of the Watergate affair, as experienced by Dean (Martin Sheen) and hia wife Maureen (Theresa Russell). As the Nixon administration goes down in flames, the Deans' marriage is sorely tested-as is Dean's success-at-any-price credo. Rip Torn plays Nixon like something out of a Greek Tragedy; some viewers accepted his interpretation, others found it jarringly inaccurate. Others in the cast of "usual suspects" include Michael Callan as Charles Colson, Lonny Chapman as L. Patrick Gray, William Daniels as G. Gordon Liddy, Fred Grandy as Donald Segretti, Christopher Guest as Jeb Magruder, Lawrence Pressman as H. R. Haldeman, William Windom as Richard Kleindienst, James Greene as E. Howard Hunt, Logan Ramsey as J. Edgar Hoover, and Al Checco as judge John Sirica. Also known as The John Dean Story, Blind Ambition earned two Emmy nominations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Sheen, Theresa Russell, (more)
- 1979
Several episodes of the TV series were edited together to create this Battlestar Galactica full-length feature. The ship is stranded in space without fuel, and an impending attack by the Cylon robots must be stopped. Two commanders, Commander Adama (Lorne Green) and Commander Cain (Lloyd Bridges), have differing views on how to defeat their enemies. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Fred Astaire guest stars as Chameleon, an intergalactic con artist on the run from the Boralean's Nomen henchmen. Hoping to find refuge on Galactica, Chameleon poses as Captain Dmitri--the long-lost father of Lt. Starbuck (Dirk Benedict). But others on board are doubtful of "Dmitri's" claims. . .and the Nomen are rapidly approaching. "The Man With Nine Lives" was later combined with the Battlestar Galactica episode "Baltar's Escape" and reissued as the two-hour "TV movie" Space Prison. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, (more)
- 1979
Starbuck (Dirk Benedict) is charged with the murder of rival Viper pilot Ortega (Frank Ashmore). With the full weight of evidence against him, Starbuck finds few that are willing to believe his protestations of innocence. One of those few, however, is his best friend Apollo (Richard Hatch), who doggedly sets about to prove that the authorities have arrested the wrong man--and in the process, Apollo uncovers an unusually vicious blackmail scheme. "Murder on the Rising Star" was later combined with the Battlestar Galactica episode "The Young Lords" and reissued as the two-hour "TV movie" Murder in Space. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, (more)
This feature-length movie is a re-edited version of the first few episodes of the TV series. The story line concerns a spaceship full of survivors of a doomed planet who are headed to the Earth. Led by Commander Adama (Lorne Greene), they encounter villainous robots, threatening their journey to find Earth. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch, (more)
- 1979
The treacherous Baltar (John Colicos) joins forces with several captured villains from earlier episodes -- the three Borellian Nomens, the Eastern Alliance Enforcers -- to plot an escape from the Colonials' prison. Holding Adama (Lorne Greene) and the Council of Twelve hostage, Baltar demands that he and his new cronies be immediately released. To rescue their comrades, Apollo (Richard Hatch) and Starbuck (Dirk Benedict) disguise themselves as Cylon robots. "Baltar's Escape" was later combined with the Battlestar Galactica episode "The Man With Nine Lives" and reissued as the two-hour "TV movie" Space Prison. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, (more)
