Tol Avery Movies
- 1973
A roman a clef depicting the Wylie-Hoffert murders, this is the first of the made for TV movies introducing the Kojak character and was essentially the pilot for the long-running crime series. When a black ghetto youth is accused of two bizarre murders, Kojak takes it upon himself to find the real murderer. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1973
This sports drama is based on the true story of professional basketball players Maurice Stokes and Jack Twyman. When Stokes (Bernie Casey), who is black, is rendered comatose and paraplegic by a head injury, his white teammate Twyman (Bo Svenson) exerts himself mightily to raise money for Stokes' physical therapy and medical treatment in the hopes that he will one day walk again. Before the injury, Twyman was just a friendly teammate. Afterwards, he became more or less a member of Stokes' family. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1973
If Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) thought that they'd pulled light duty when they were assigned to a relatively peaceful part of town, they were sorely mistaken. In the course of a single evening, the two cops are confronted with a plethora of motel robberies, a gang of car strippers, a deadly shootout--and an obnoxiously persistent used car salesman. Featured in the supporting cast is musical performer Keefe Brasselle, best known for his tumultuous mini-career as a producer at CBS (which yielded an infamously bitter "roman a clef" which author Brasselle clevely titled The CanniBalS). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
The IMF has only 72 hours to intercept a huge shipment of cocaine, which is being delivered to supplier Carl Reid (Stephen McNally) by smuggler Fernando Lorca (Gregory Sierra). In order to undermine the main villains, agents Phelps and Willy prey upon the gullibility of Reid's second-in-command, Joe Conrad (William Shatner, in the second of his Mission: Impossible guest appearances). The gimmick: a "miraculous" new computerized machine which purportedly manufactures synthetic cocaine. Barbara Anderson again appears as IMF operative Mimi Davis, subbing for series regular Lynda Day George. Scripted by Harold Livingston from a story by Livingston and Norman Katkov, "Cocaine" was first broadcast on October 21, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1970
- PG
Paul Newman served as co-producer of this allegorical drama and stars as Rheinhardt, a opportunistic drifter who ends up in New Orleans and hits up his old friend Farley (Laurence Harvey), a con man-turned-phony preacher, for a job. Farley is able to get Rheinhardt hired on as an announcer at a local radio station, WUSA, but the station is a right-wing propaganda mill that devotes its air time to venomous tirades against political and social progress. Rheinhardt is happy to be making decent money, and he makes the friendly acquaintance of a local working girl, Geraldine (Joanne Woodward), so he refuses to look his gift horse in the mouth. However, when he finds out that WUSA is actually involved in shadowy political actions, he is at a loss for what to do, especially after a naïve and troubled social worker (Anthony Perkins) is tricked into starting a race riot. Robert Stone wrote the screenplay, adapted from his novel A Hall of Mirrors. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, (more)
- 1970
John Colicos makes another guest-star appearance on Mission:Impossible, this time as Manuel Ferrar, the would-be dictator of small Caribbean island republic. To prevent Ferrar from assassinating the republic's rightful ruler, the IMF stages an elaborate and often bizarre ruse. The spotlight is on Barney, who almost single-handedly creates a simulated airline flight--and a deadly mid-air crisis. First telecast on October 17, 1970, "The Flight" was scripted by Harry Livingston, from a story by Leigh Vance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1970
Innocent Hoss Cartwright is thrown in jail, suspected of complicity in a bank robbery. The real bandits are a pair of Easterners named Luke (John Beck) and Calvin (Hamilton Camp), who'd been drawn to the west after reading an abundance of dime novels. Hoping to live up to the exploits of their literary counterparts, Luke and Calvin make things worse for Hoss by busting him out of jail and forcing him to join their two-man "gang." Slim Pickens plays the Sheriff, and future Little House on the Prairie regular Dabbs Greer is seen as the Judge in this comic episode written by Jack B. Sowards. "What are Pardners For?" was originally telecast on April 12, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1969
- R
Anthony Quinn plays Matsoukas, a Greek/American ne'er do well, living in Chicago with his long-suffering wife Caliope (Irene Papas). When Matsoukas discovers that his son (Radames Pera) is dying, he decides that the boy needs to get out of the Windy City and recuperate in the more agreeable climate of Greece. All he needs is the money for the plane fare. One by one, Matsoukas' sources of income dry up until he is forced to fix a dice game in order to raise the cash. It is his wife who finally puts up the money by stealing from her own mother. Matsoukas makes the trip but realizes it would be better if he remain in Greece so as not to further humiliate the loyal Caliope. Inger Stevens co-stars as Quinn's mistress, while Sam Levene plays an old pal whose offer to put up the needed money evaporates when he suddenly drops dead. A Dream of Kings was adapted by Harry Mark Petrakis from his own novel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Quinn, Irene Papas, (more)
- 1969
Escaping from federal prison, David Starret makes a beeline to Albany, New York, where he kidnaps his son Cliff (Michael Kearney) from the boy's foster parents. Upon discovering that Cliff is suffering from leukemia, Starret dedicates himself to acquiring the necessary medical attention for his son--even if he has to commit murder to do it. Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) tracks Starret all the way to Texas for a tension-packed showdown. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Arrested on a trumped-up charge, Don (Mark Goddard) and Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) are sentenced to hard labor on a brutal intergalactic prison colony. A fellow convict named Creech (future Hill Street Blues costar Michael Conrad) approaches the pair with a desperate escape plan involving a booby-trapped cake. Smith likes the plan, Don hates it, and the Robot dons a chef's hat to do the baking! Several of the costumes and much of the facial makeup in this episode was "borrowed" from the recently completed Planet of the Apes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
It was supposed to look like a suicide, but the death of a government contractor on a ski-lift near Denver was actually the handiwork of enemy spy Glen Parmenter (Barry Morse). In order to ensnare Parmenter, Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) poses as drug-addicted government employee, willing to be "corrupted" into handing over top-secret information to the Other Side. Managing to infiltrate Parmenter's mountain-cabin headquarters, Erskine finds out that the female of the species--namely Elaine Ross (Victor Shaw)--can be just as deadly as the male in the espionage business. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Candy makes good his long-standing promise to quit the Ponderosa to join his longtime sweetheart Lila Holden (Elizabeth MacRae) in the town of River Bend. His dreams of starting life anew are shattered when he is arrested on a trumped-up charge and held without bail. Hoping to help Candy out, the Cartwrights enter into a dangerous confrontation with murderous, graft-grabbing Sheriff Booker (Robert Wilke and his equally disreputable deputy Horn (Steve Brodie). Written by David Lang, "Trouble Town" originally aired on March 17, 1968, then was afforded a special "encore presentation" by NBC in the Spring of 1972. At present, two differently edited syndicated versions exist of this title. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1967
Hoss Cartwright is among the jurors who votes to hang Frank Scott (Claude Akins) for murder. Only after the sentence is carried out does Hoss discover he may have erred, and that the genuine killer was probably Frank's lookalike Mel Burns (also Claude Akins). Unfortunately, none of the other jurors are willing to admit their mistake; especially recalcitrant is Hoss' friend Andy Buchanan (Carl Reindel), whose inability to own up to his fatal error results in even more tragedy. Others in the cast include Nita Talbot as Gladys, Shannon Farnon as Eleanor, John Hubbard as Eads, and Tol Avery as the Judge. Written by Jack Miller, "Justice Deferred" first aired on December 17, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1967
A pre-superstardom Jack Nicholson appears as Marvin Jenkins, who has been charged with burglary and put on trial. Eleven of the twelve jurors vote for conviction; the sole holdout is Aunt Bee, who is nagged by that old demon known as "reasonable doubt." Also in the cast are Rhys Williams as the judge, Henry Beckman as the prosecutor, and Tol Avery as the jury foreman. First telecast on October 23, 1967, "Aunt Bee, the Juror" was written by Kent Wilson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Erstwhile standup comedian Howard Sprague scores a big hit on the TV variety show "Colonel Tim's Talent Time." Unfortunately, the citizens of Mayberry do not take kindly to being the butt of Howard's jokes. For a while, Howard is persona non grata amongst the Mayberryites-but human nature proves to be a very curious and changeable thing. Dick Haynes guest-stars as Colonel Tim. Written by Michael Morris and Seaman Jacobs, "Howard the Comedian" first aired on March 20, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The posh St. Gregory Hotel in New Orleans is the setting for this drama based on a popular novel by Arthur Hailey. Trent (Melvyn Douglas) is the long-time owner who realizes that the hotel is in dire financial straits. Trent calls on faithful manager Peter McDermott (Rod Taylor) to try and bring about the necessary reversal of fortune so that they can stay in business. After the Duke (Michael Rennie) and Duchess (Merle Oberon) of Lanbourne check in, the Duke is involved in a vehicular homicide after he has too much to drink. His car is traced back to the St. Gregory by hotel detective Dupere (Richard Conte), who blackmails the Duke. Although not on the same level of Grand Hotel, the film contains first-rate performances from a fine cast portraying a variety of eccentric guests. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Taylor, Catherine Spaak, (more)
Follow Me, Boys!, Disney's paean to the Boys Scouts of America, leaves no cliché unturned: we're even offered the old reliable "kid hanging over cliff by rope" bit. Corny, sentimental and obvious though it may be, the film is a delight to watch, especially whenever Fred MacMurray dominates the screen. MacMurray plays Lem Siddons, a 1930s musician who decides to settle down in a small Midwestern town. Here he meets pretty bank teller Vida Downey (Vera Miles), who bemoans the fact that the local boys have no organized activities with which to occupy their time. Volunteering to be a scoutmaster, Lem begins a local scout troop. There are some tense moments when banker Ralph Hastings (Elliot Reid) demands that Lem's scouts vacate their headquarters, but Reid's feisty millionaire Aunt Hetty (Lillian Gish) comes to the rescue. The film's throughline is the regeneration of local "tough kid" Whitey (Kurt Russell), who, after joining the Boy Scouts, straightens out and matures into a solid citizen. The film's lachrymose climax is kept "honest" by the sincere underplaying of Fred MacMurray. Though lambasted by reviewers, Follow Me, Boys! struck a responsive chord with filmgoers, to the tune of a $5.5 million box-office take. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fred MacMurray, Vera Miles, (more)
- 1966
Per the episode's title, Phil Silvers appears as Oliver Kasten, the gung-ho efficiency expert hired to get the bank in top shape. Within a few minutes, Kasten has demoted the "inefficient" Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) and promoted Lucy (Lucille Ball) to the position of administrative assistant. Determined to prove her worth, Lucy organizes an assembly-line demonstration at the Grantland Toy Factory--whereupon, in the words of William Shakespeare, "Confusion hath made his masterpiece"! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phil Silvers, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1966
Agarn (Larry Storch) has greatness thrust upon him when it turns out that he holds the deciding vote in a hotly contested mayoral campaign in his home town of Pasaic, New Jersey. Before long, both of the candidates--Derby Dan McGurney (Tol Avery) and George C. Bragen (Lew Parker)--have descended upon Fort Courage to curry favor with Agarn and win his absentee ballot. The fact that McGurney has a pretty daughter may persuade the Corporal to break the electoral deadlock--and then again, maybe not. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Mayberry's customary calm is disrupted when Walker's Department Store is plagued with a wave of thefts. To catch the shoplifter red-handed, Barney poses as a store mannequin, with hilariously chaotic results. Andy and Barney eventually trap the crook, but in doing so they risk public ostracization (tune in, and see why). This episode was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. "The Shoplifters" made its network broadcast premiere on March 2, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Written by Alex Sharp, the comic episode "Ponderosa Matador" finds the Cartwright boys vying for the attention of the lovely Dolores (Marianna Hill), the daughter of Ben's house guest Señor Tenino (Nestor Paiva). Discovering that Dolores is an aficionado of the bull ring, the boys decide to impress her with a staged bullfight. As a result, Viriginia City is nearly reduced to rubble by a rampaging toro! Originally scheduled to air on November 24, 1963, "Ponderosa Matador" was pre-empted due to the ongoing TV coverage of the Kennedy assassination; the episode was finally shown on January 12, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1963
Middle-aged sculptor John Kenyon (John Larkin) falls hopelessly in love with his young model Theba (Marianna Hill), demonstrating his ardor by making a "goddess" statue of her. Unfortunately, Theba's Medusa-like mother Cleo (Faith Domergue) would rather than she marry someone her own age--and more specifically, someone with more money. Inevitably, Cleo is murdered, and Kenyon is spotted apparently disposing of the body. Among those scrutinized by Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) in his efforts to save Kenyon from the gas chamber is one George Spangler, played by future Oscar winner George Kennedy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Eleven of the twelve jurors in the murder trial of Jamie Wrenn (Jack Betts) have voted for a guilty verdict. The sole holdout is Hoss Cartwright, who harbors the old familiar "reasonable doubts." When it appears as though Hoss has received a bribe, his brother Adam takes a hand in the matter. Also appearing are James Bell as Olson, Don Haggerty as Murdock, Arthur Space as Judge Crane and Tol Avery as Breese. Written by Robert Vincent Wright, "The Jury" made its first network appearance on December 30, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1962
This 100th episode of Bonanza begins as Susan Blanchard (Pat Breslin) is injured in a wagon crash. Though there is nothing physically wrong with her, Susan is psychosomatically incapable of leaving her bed. Enter faith healer Garth (Ed Nelson), who promises to make Susan walk again if she will agree to marry him. Caught in the middle is Hoss Cartwright, who knows that Garth is a fraud but is unable to say so lest Susan suffer permanent emotional damage. Known variously as "The Miracle Worker" and "The Miracle Maker", this episode originally aired on May 20, 1962, as the final entry of Bonanza's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1961
Riding out of a small town, Bart (Jack Kelly) is surprised to find that his saddle bag is bulging. And no wonder: the bag is stuffed with money stolen from the town's bank. Accused of being a thief, Bart is determined to prove that the real culprit is banker Cyrus Murdock (Tol Avery)--but first he'll have to figure out how to avoid getting captured and/or killed by the bank robbers and the posse members who are hot on his trail. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
