Jenny McCracken Movies
- 2006
American writer/director Todd Davis adapted his disturbing 15-minute drama In the Tradition of My Family from a short story of the same name by Phil LaMarche. The film examines the emotional gradations in a tumultuous father-son relationship within a family that bears the brunt of a dysfunctional history. As the father, Benjamin (Jim Loutzenhiser), recognizes the tendency by which violence has been handed down intergenerationally, he consciously resists passing the disease along to his son, Billy (portrayed by Paul Kmiec as a young man and Jason Ferriter as an adult). Rachel Harker and Mick Hoegen co-star. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Kmiec, Jim Loutzenheiser, (more)
- 1996
The Prince and the Pauper, Mark Twain's novel about adventure and intrigue in the court of Henry VIII, has been adapted countless times for films and television. In 1996, a six-part miniseries version was seen in the United Kingdom. As ever, the story was predicated upon the astonishing resemblance between Prince Edward, heir to the British throne, and Tom Canty, the low-born son of a scoundrelly thief (both parts were played on this occasion by Philip Sarson). Of the many subplots, the one taking up most of the screen time dealt with the combined efforts of Edward and Tom to restore the property and reputation of discredited nobleman Miles Herndon (James Purefoy). The story ended with the hapless Tom, posing as the Prince, very nearly being crowned king in Edward's absence. The Prince and the Pauper was adapted for television by Julian Fellowes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Philip Sarson, James Purefoy, (more)
- 1986
The "Giants" in this British children's sitcom were the members of the Glipton Grasshoppers, a junior-league co-ed football team comprised of misfits and losers. Coming to the rescue was new coach Jossy Blair (Jim Barclay), former star player with the Newcastle United. The series banked heavily on the kiddie viewers' inbred love of British football and their innate sympathy for the underdog. Telecast in ten half-hour segments, Jossy's Giants debuted April 23, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jim Barclay, Jenny McCracken, (more)
- 1973
In the conclusion of the four-part story "Carnival of Monsters," the miniaturized Doctor and Jo attempt to escape from the traveling carnival sideshow display in which they have been imprisoned. Their getaway is impeded by such nuisances as a political revolution, a swarm of carnivorous worms, a pair of crooked carnival entrepreneurs, and a team of obstreperous customs officials. Written by Robert Holmes, "Carnival of Monsters, Episode 4" first aired on February 17, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1973
The four-part adventure "Carnival of Monsters" begins on a positive note, as the Doctor (Jon Pertwee), finally released from his earthly exile, takes Jo (Katy Manning) for a trip in his newly repaired TARDIS. Unfortunately, the time-traveling machine still has a few bugs in it, and instead of landing on the blue planet Meteblis 3 as the Doctor had intended, the TARDIS materializes on the "S.S. Bernice," a 1930s-vintage ocean liner. But are the Doctor and Jo really adrift on the Indian Ocean, or is everything around them merely an illusion? Written by Robert Holmes, "Carnival of Monsters, Episode 1" first aired on January 27, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1973
In the third episode of the four-part story "Carnival of Monsters," the miniaturized Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) are still imprisoned in the Miniscope, an intergalactic carnival sideshow device. Hoping for a quick getaway, the Doctor matches wits with Vorg (Leslie Dwyer), a crooked carnival entrepreneur from the planet Lurman. Meanwhile, a revolution breaks out on the planet where the Miniscope has been put on display by Vorg and his equally disreputable assistant, Shirna (Cheryl Hall). Written by Robert Holmes, "Carnival of Monsters, Episode 3" first aired on February 10, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1973
In the second episode of the four-part story "Carnival of Monsters," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) have apparently materialized on an ocean liner in the year 1935. But the time-travelers soon discover that the ship is actually a tiny scale model and that they have been miniaturized and trapped inside a carnival sideshow device called the Miniscope. Written by Robert Holmes, "Carnival of Monsters, Episode 2" first aired on February 3, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
