Joseph Hamilton Movies
- 1963
After 15 miserable years of matrimony, mousy Gerald Swinney (a superbly cast Bob Newhart) asks his wife, Edith (Jane Withers), for a divorce. She refuses, at which point Gerald stammers, "Well, uh, Edith, I guess I'll, uh, have to get rid of you." No, Gerald doesn't intend to murder Edith -- merely to make her think he is going to murder her. Before long, Edith is going crazy with anxiety...and that is only step one of Gerald's master plan. (Trivia note: the famous Leave It to Beaver house on the Universal studio lot is very much in evidence in this episode -- four years before it was converted into the equally famous Marcus Welby, M.D. house.) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Jane Withers, (more)
- 1961
Owing his life to Sheriff Coleman (Walter Sande), Bart (Jack Kelly) repays the debt by agreeing to help prevent a murder. It seems that saloon owner Tom Blauvelt (Robert Rockwell) has sworn to kill the man who has fallen in love with Blauvelt's wife Greta (Coleen Gray). Taking a job as the saloon's blackjack dealer, Bart is determined to keep Blauvelt from making good his threat--little realizing that, in this case, it is the female who is the deadlier of the species. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1961
In Andy's absence, deputy Barney takes over as acting sheriff. By the time Andy returns, by-the-book Barney has jailed practically everyone in Mayberry-including Aunt Bee. Humiliated when Andy releases the outraged prisoners, Barney tenders his resignation. It is up to Andy to restore Barney's self-esteem-a task for which he receives unexpected assistance. Written by David Adler, "Andy Saves Barney's Morale" first aired on February 20, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1961
Deputy Barney arrests a stranger for carelessly tossing a candy wrapper into the street. The stranger turns out to be Eddie Brooks (Barney Philips), a fugitive bank robber-and Barney is given credit for Brooks' capture. When Brooks, who has threatened to "get" Barney, later breaks out of jail, Andy manages to cook up a scheme that will not only entrap the outlaw, but make Barney a hero all over again. Written by Ben Gershman and Leo Solomon, "Barney Gets His Man" originally aired on May 8, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1961
Riding into a dusty Arkansas town, Paladin is greeted with the spectacle of a man chained in the street. The hapless prisoner turns out to be Dr. Simeon Loving (Donald Randolph), accused of murder by self-appointed "hanging judge" Elroy Greenleaf (Harold J. Stone). At the risk of his own neck, Paladin offers to act as Dr. Loving's defense counsel to save the man from the gallows--even though the wily Judge Greenleaf has pretty much stacked the deck against the prisoner. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1961
In need of a new sheriff, the nearby town of Greendale offers the job to deputy Barney, on the basis of a newspaper story praising the efficiency of the two-man Mayberry police department. Realizing that Barney would be in way over his head, Andy contrives to make himself scarce so that Barney can experience first-hand the awesome and daunting responsibilities of High Sheriff. The guest cast includes Ralph Dumke as Greendale's Mayor Purdy and Dabbs Greer as Councilman Dobbs. Written by Ben Gershman and Leo Solomon, "Sheriff Andy" was originally telecast on December 25, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1961
The Colonial Dames of America breeze into Mayberry, searching for the descendant of a celebrated hero of the Revolutionary War. Everyone in town is convinced that he or she is the person who will receive the coveted plaques from the C.D.A. Imagine everyone's shock and dismay when the descendant turns out to be town tosspot Otis Campbell. Written by Ben Gershman and Leo Solomon, "Plaque for Mayberry" originally aired on April 3, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1960
While vacationing with his wealthy and much-older wife Gladys (Vivienne Segal), Ray Marschand (Robert Horton) meets and falls in love with Nyla Foster (Anne Francis), the young daughter of trailer-camp owner Floyd Foster (John F. Hamilton). Deciding that he'd be better off trading his wife for a younger model, Ray begins plotting Gladys' demise. The episode climaxes as Ray and Gladys embark on a fateful fishing excursion, with the requisite surprising results. This final episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents' fifth season was originally telecast two days before the series switched networks and time slots for the inauguration of season six. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1960
One of John Cheever's best known (and most often dramatized) short stories is basis for this tense episode. While riding home from his office on the 5:48 commuter train, married suburbanite James Blake (Zachary Scott) is confronted by Iris Dent (Phyllis Thaxter), his former secretary -- and former mistress. Pulling a gun on Blake, Iris intends to exact vengeance for being spurned and humiliated by him. Although the situation heats up as the train ride continues, Iris' revenge turns out to be a dish best served cold -- and dirty. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1960
Two-fisted Irish salesman Ike Brennan (Robert Gist) comes to Paladin (Richard Boone) to help save the life of Brennan's wife, currently held hostage by Indians. Paladin agrees to help Brennan deliver a wagonload of trade goods--food, blankets, etc.--to use as ransom. What the gunslinger doesn't know is that the shipment also includes a Gaitlin gun (an early form of machine gun), which the Indians plan to use in a fullscale war against the Cavalry. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1960
The death of accused bank robber Arnold Mathias (Ron Nichols) during a prison break has revived interest in the robbery which allegedly netted Mathias 500,000 dollars -- but which has never been officially solved. Shortly after Mathias' death, a man identifying himself as novelist Henry Taylor (Robert Bray) pays a visit to bank president William Spengler (Bob Sweeney), hoping to get the full story of the robbery. In the course of events, Spengler makes a startling revelation -- but nowhere near as startling as the one made by "Henry Taylor" in the final scene. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1955
Tight Spot is based on Leonard Kantor's novel Dead Pigeon, which in turn was obviously inspired by Virginia Hill's appearance before the Kefauver Committee. Ginger Rogers plays hard-boiled model Sherry Conley, who is serving a prison term for a crime she didn't commit. Sherry is offered her freedom -- and immunity -- by U.S. attorney Lloyd Hallett (Edward G. Robinson) if she'll agree to appear as a material witness in the trial of mobster Benjamin Costain (Lorne Greene). Unfortunately, Costain has a long reach, and is able to coerce Vince Striker (Brian Keith), the detective assigned to guard Sherry, to allow Costain's hired guns to invade the hotel room where Sherry is being hidden. The star witness is surly and uncooperative, but she finally decides to testify when her escort, policewoman Willoughby (Katherine Anderson), is murdered by Costain's goons. But Striker is still around and about, still determined to do Costain's bidding. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ginger Rogers, Edward G. Robinson, (more)
