James Hampton Movies
Most "baby boomers" first saw actor James Hampton in the whimsically funny role of bugler Hannibal Dobbs on the mid-1960s sitcom F Troop. Even today, memories of Dobson's earnest but hopelessly inept rendition of "Reveille" and his anguished reaction to public revelation of his character's middle name (Shirley) is enough to bring a warm smile to the lips. During the 1970s, Hampton was unofficially "adopted" by old pal Burt Reynolds, appearing in such Reynolds vehicles as The Longest Yard (1974) and Hustle (1975). James Hampton was afforded star billing for his role as the lycanthropic dad of Michael J. Fox in Teen Wolf (1985), a part he carried over into the film's TV-cartoon spin-off. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi- 1990
After Jesse (John Stamos) and Joey (David Coulier) prepare a cologne commercial, their client insists upon featuring Jesse in the leading role--wearing practically no clothes, and surrounded by similarly undraped female models. Concerned over the effect that this will have on his fiancee Becky (Lisa Loughlin), Jesse refuses to do what the client wants. This sudden attack of integrity leads to a life-altering (and rather traumatic) experience. Meanwhile, the cure may turn out to be infinitely worse than the disease when Michelle (role shared by the Olsen twins) plays nurse for Steph (Jodie Sweetin), who is confined to bed with a bad cold. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1989
Now that their musical partnership is a success, Jesse (John Stamos) and Joey (David Coulier) are having trouble juggling their professional duties with their family responsibilities. With the girls worried that no one will have time for them, Danny decides to pick up the slack and devote himself to his daughters' welfare--even though it puts a strain on his own job. The episode's best moment belongs to little Michelle Tanner (played by the Olsen twins)--who, as Jesse points out to a confused bystander, is NOT a stray cow. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1989
To find out why DJ (Candace Cameron) is failing Spanish, Danny (Bob Saget) pays a visit to his daughter's teacher, "Senorita" Linda Mosley (Lydia Cornell). What starts as a simple parent-teacher conference ends with an unexpected burst of passion as the smitten Senorita Mosley plants a kiss on Danny--an event that the whole school is soon buzzing about, to DJ's utter mortification. Meanwhile, Joey (David Coulier) and Jesse (John Stamos) groom Michelle (played by the Olsen twins) to star as a talking marshmallow in a TV commercial. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1986
Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is appointed foreman of the jury in an apparently "open and shut" murder trial. The accused claims that he killed the victim in self-defense, when said victim found the accused in bed with his wife. Half of the jury is for conviction, half for acquittal; as for Jessica, she is convinced that there is more to the case than meets the eye. Indeed, she believes that more than one murder is in play here--and as usual, she's right! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Farrah Fawcett earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of Francine Hughes in the television movie The Burning Bed. The film is structured as a series of flashbacks while Francine's character endures a murder trial after she poured gasoline on her sleeping spouse and burned him to death. Her husband Mickey (Paul Le Mat) drove her over the edge after years of physical and emotional abuse when he rapes her. Television regular Richard Masur has a prominent co-starring role. Fawcett parlayed her work in this film into a series of more serious movies, including Extremities and Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- 1984
While visiting her cousin Abby (Lynn Redgrave) at lavish Langley Manor in the deep South, Jessica is among those present when patriarch Denton Langley (Dan O'Herlihy) is accidentally killed during a fox hunt. What is puzzling about the situation is that Langley's normally docile horse was startled enough to throw the man to his death. Later on , Langley's daughter is also killed, and all evidence points to a single, and very unusual, suspect: Langley's beloved pet dog (and sole beneficiary) Teddy! Country singer Roger Miller appears as the local sheriff. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1982
World War III is an ambitious if unnecessarily protracted speculative TV movie. Set in a "future December," the film prophesies an American grain embargo levied on Russia. US President Rock Hudson is entreated by the Soviet higher-ups to drop the ban; meanwhile, a group of renegade Russian military officers begin sending expeditionary forces into Alaska. While the countdown to Doomsday begins, the film insists upon cutting back to several expendable romances in both the American and Soviet camps. Boris Sagal, the original director of World War III, was killed in a freak helicopter accident while on location. To make up for lost time, the production was moved to the soundstages of Zoetrope Studios and overseen by ultra-efficient TV director David Greene. Part Two finds novice American president Rock Hudson trying to effect an honorable peace with Soviet premiere Brian Keith. But insurgent military officers endeavoring to seize the Alaska Pipeline as a bargaining chip continue to escalate the hostilities. It develops that the fate of the world may rest in the hands of American colonel David Soul. Also appearing is Cathy Lee Crosby, endearingly miscast as an intelligence officer. A heart-stopping surprise twist brings World War III to a close. While the film has its moments of genuine suspense, one can't help but feel that World War III would have been better an hour or two shorter--or at least with a few of the subplot romances removed. Originally running four hours, World War III was telecast in two parts on January 31 and February 1, 1982.
~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1982
In this children's fantasy, a lad finds himself magically sent back to ancient Egypt where he and the young King Tut team up to stop their evil and overly ambitious elders. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1981
The two-part TV movie Through the Magic Pyramid stars Chris Barnes as a contemporary youngster who is whisked back to the days of King Tut. Neither the Egyptian ruler nor his minions are any match for the Yankee resourcefulness of Master Barnes, as he wriggles in and out of various misadventures. Among the people who cross Chris' path in Days Gone By are Hans Conried, Vic Tayback, Gino Conforti, and (as Nefertiti) Elaine Giftos. Ron Howard executive-produced and directed, while Ron's dad Rance Howard coproduced and wrote the script. Through the Magic Pyramid was originally offered in two one-hour helpings, which first aired December 6 and 13, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1981
This Disney TV movie traces the origins of the Morgan saddle horse, America's first distinct breed. The story begins during the Revolutionary War, when Colonial schoolteacher Justin Morgan (Don Murray), though nearly penniless, sets about to develop a sire for horse-racing purposes. Not one but two exciting races cap this recreation of a little-known historical event. Featured in the cast are Lana Wood, R. G. Armstrong and Gary Crosby. Based on the book by Marguerite Henry, Justin Morgan Had a Horse was originally telecast February 6 and 13, 1972, as a two-part installment of The Wonderful World of Disney. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1981
The life of country singer Tammy Wynette is chronicled in this television biopic. The story begins during her poverty-stricken childhood and ends with her on-again-off-again relationship with singer George Jones. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Annette O'Toole, Cooper Huckabee, (more)
- 1980
A group of old-time bootleggers called the Ridge Raiders regroup after forty years to prevent Boss Hogg from financially depleting a senior-citizens center in order to build a nudie bar called the "Play Pen." Level-headed Jesse Duke (Denver Pyle) advises the gun- and bomb-happy Ridge Raiders to fight Boss with the Law rather than with violence, but old habits die hard. James Hampton appears as temporary sheriff Buster Moon, the last in a long line of replacements for regular sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane (actor James Best was still "sitting out" the series, protesting working conditions). This episode was written by Si Rose and directed by Hollingworth Morse, who had previously collaborated on the 1960s sitcom McHale's Navy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1978
Johnny and June Carter Cash star in the made-for-TV Thaddeus Rose and Eddie. But they don't necessarily play the title characters: true, Cash essays the role of indigent Texas Thaddeus Rose, but his buddy Eddie is played by Bo Hopkins. June is seen as T.R.'s girlfriend Crystal, while Eddie's steady is portrayed by Diane Ladd. Now that the introductions are over, we note that the story isn't much, merely a series of disasters befalling T.R. and Eddie as they try to improve the quality of life for themselves and their lady friends. Directed by cycle-flick perennial Jack Starrett, Thaddeus Rose and Eddie debuted February 24, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, (more)
The longest (26-1/2 hours), most expensive ($25 million) and most complicated (four directors, five producers, five cinematographers, almost 100 speaking parts, several hundred extras) project made for television up to that time, Centennial was shown in two- and three-hour installments over a period of four months. An adaptation of James Michener's best-selling novel, it told the story of the settling of the American West by looking at the founding of the fictional town of Centennial, Colorado, from the settling of the area in the late 18th century to the present. Emmy-nominated for film editing and art direction, it boasts of sterling performances from Richard Chamberlain as frontiersman Alexander McKeag, Robert Conrad as the French-Canadian trapper Pasquinel, and a surprisingly powerful performance from former football star Alex Karras as compassionate but iron-willed immigrant farmer Hans Brumbaugh. ~ Brian Gusse, Rovi
Taking over the already profitable Hughes tool company from his deceased father, the teenaged Howard Hughes (Tommy Lee Jones) turns the operation into a billion-dollar business. Along the way, he dabbles in film production, romancing such Hollywood lovelies as Katharine Hepburn (Tovah Feldshuh) and Billie Dove (Lee Purcell). Fame becomes notoreity as Hughes embarks on such projects as the "bosom western" The Outlaw and the "Spruce Goose." He also defiantly stands up to the HUAC-only to become one of America's most virulent anti-Communists. In his twilight years, the fabulously wealthy but increasingly paranoid Hughes lives like a down-and-out hermit in his high-rise Las Vegas suite, communicating only with his trusted associate Noah Dietrich (Ed Flanders), and then not even with him. Adapted from the memoirs of Noah Dietrich, The Amazing Howard Hughes originally aired April 13 and 14, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Joe Camp, the writer and director of Benji, tried his hand with another breed of animal in this comedy. A U.S. Cavalry unit in Texas is having a hard time dealing with horses who aren't acclimated to the hot, dry weather, so it becomes the subject of an experiment -- instead of horses, the cavalry men will be issued camels, with hapless Howard Clemmons (James Hampton) put in charge of training the soldiers to handle their new mounts. While no one is happy with the arrangement at first, in time the soldiers become quite fond of their camels, so they're quite upset when the experiment is declared a failure and they're ordered to let the camels go free. Hawmps! also starred Western stalwarts Slim Pickens, Denver Pyle, and Jack Elam; well-known animal trainer Frank Inn has a bit part as a cook. Hawmps! was originally released at 126 minutes, though it was soon trimmed to 113 minutes; the shorter version is the only one in circulation at this time.
~ Mark Deming, Rovi
~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- James Hampton, Christopher Connelly, (more)
- 1975
In the first episode of The Rockford Files' second season, private eye Jim Rockford (James Garner) is unexpectedly reunited with his boyhood pal Aaron Ironwood (James Hampton). Outwardly a dimwitted rube, Aaron has nonetheless become a multimillionaire by promoting his own "School of Success" self-help system. Much to Jim's surprise, Aaron is willing to sign his lucrative business over to him--lock, stock and barrel. But this is no act of generosity: Mr. Ironwood is on the lam from mobsters who are willing to go to any extreme (and we all know what that means!) to control his operation. With this episode, former recurring player Joe Santos becomes a regular in the role of Jim Rockford's police contact Dennis Becker. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1975
Attack on Terror: The FBI Versus the Ku Klux Klan is a fact-based, two-part TV movie. The film is a dramatization of the murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964. The FBI, personified herein by southern operative Wayne Rogers, is brought in to investigate the trio's disappearance. Upon the discovery of the bodies on August 2, 1964, the feds follow a trail of (admittedly skimpy) evidence which leads to the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, headed by the virulent Glen Tuttle (Rip Torn). The first part of Attack on Terror was originally telecast February 20, 1975. The film was based on the book by Don Whitehead. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ned Beatty, John Beck, (more)
- 1975
The made-for-TV Force Five can be described as "The Dirty Dozen Minus Seven." All that's missing is the WW II backdrop and the murderous impulses of the protagonists. Lt. Roy Kessler (Gerald Gordon) heads a police undercover unit, consisting of former convicts with unique lawbreaking skills (one is a swindler, another a burglar, etc.) The audience is never certain whether or not the members of "Force Five" have truly reformed, adding an extra layer of tension. In this pilot for a potential TV series, Kessler's men tackle the case of a basketball star's murder. For the record, the rest of the "five" are played by Nicholas Pryor, James Hampton, Roy Jenson and Bill Lucking. Force Five first aired March 28, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1972
Penny Fuller guest stars as Jean Scott, an accomplished thief and con artist. Freshly escaped from prison, Jean charms several gullible males into acting as accomplices in a nationwide robbery spree. She needs the money to kidnap her son from her ex-husband and then leave the country with the boy in tow--unless, of course, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) can stop her. Appearing as Jean's son Tommy is a pre-teen idoldom Leif Garrett. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Newly widowed Doris Martin (Doris Day) and her two sons Toby (Tod Starke) and Billy (Philip Brown) move into the farm owned by Doris' uncle Buck Webb (Denver Pyle) as The Doris Day Show launches its first season. Featured in the early episodes are James Hampton as Buck's versatile hired hand Leroy, and Fran Ryan as Aggie the housekeeper. Three months into the series' run, Aggie would be replaced by Juanita, played by Naomi Stevens. The basic premise during season one is that Doris Martin, tired of living in such big cities as nearby San Francisco, hopes to start life anew as a farm gal. Although The Doris Day Show managed to garner respectable ratings during its freshman year (the series ranked 30th in the overall Nielsens), the star felt that the format was not suited to her talents -- hence the near-complete makeover during season two. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Doris Day, Denver Pyle, (more)
- 1965
O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker) loans the fort's only cannon to the Hekawi Indians who want to use it for a tribal festival. Unfortunately, the cannon "disappears" at the precise moment when Captain Parmenter (Ken Berry) must impress a visiting colonel (played by former B-western hero Don "Red" Barry). Now it is up to O'Rourke and Agarn (Larry Storch) to get the cannon back without ruffling the feathers of their pal and business partner, Chief Wild Eagle (Frank DeKova). Don Diamond makes his first series appearance as Crazy Cat (though he's not so named on-screen). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1965
The premiere episode of F Troop explains how Wilton Parmenter (Ken Berry), the last and least descendant of a proud military family, came to be known as "The Scourge of the West." Near the end of the Civil War, Union private Parmenter is sent out to pick up the laundry for General Grant. En route, Wilton's sneeze is mistaken for an order to mount a charge against the Confederates--and as a result, he finds himself a much decorated hero, bound for his first command at Fort Courage, somewhere in Kansas. The clueless Captain Parmenter is unaware that the Fort is actually the personal domain of the entrepreneurial Sergeant O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker) and his partner-in-crime Corporal Agarn (Larry Storch), who connive to keep Wilton in the dark about their many crooked business activities--and to convince the new commander that the hopeless misfits of F Troop are actually an expert tean of Indian fighters! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1965
Bernard Fox guest stars as Major Bentley Royce (foreign-car fanciers please note!), late of the Bengal Lancers. Arriving amidst much ceremony at Fort Courage, the "Phantom Major" sets about to instruct the men of F Troop in the fine art of camouflage. Unfortunately, the troopers can barely find themselves even when they aren't camouflaged, and it looks as though Bentley Royce's planned infiltration of the Hekawi Tribe will be a humiliating bust unless O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker) can come to the rescue. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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