Hoyt Axton Movies

What happens when you cross an African King Cobra with an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake? You get one extremely large and ill-tempered reptile, and he's on the loose in the horror opus King Cobra. Dr. Irwin Burns (Joseph Ruskin) is developing an experimental drug that will increase aggression in humans and animals, so he breeds the perfect animal to test it on -- "Seth," a cobra/rattlesnake mix that's more intelligent than the average snake, much larger (30 feet long) and a good bit more dangerous. When an explosion destroys Burns' lab, Seth slithers off to freedom, and two years later he pops up in the small town of Fillmore. When several citizens are attacked by a large snake with unusually potent venom, local doctor Brad Kagen (Scott Brandon) and Police Chief Jo Biddle (Kasey Fallo) (who happen to be romantically involved) urge the mayor (Hoyt Axton) to cancel the city's annual beer festival. The festival brings in too many tourist dollars for the mayor to consider shutting it down, so Brad and Jo have to quickly capture the mutant snake before it can kill again. Fortunately, they have the help of Nick Hashimoto (Pat Morita), a snake expert who's been bitten so many times he has venom antibodies in his blood. King Cobra features special effects by the Chiodo Brothers, who previously created creatures for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Killer Klowns From Outer Space, and boasts a cameo appearance by Erik Estrada as a flamboyantly gay beer marketing expert. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Co. authorized this documentary commemorating the 90th anniversary of the company. Shown are film clips from news footage, movies and television shows that featured the company's motorcycles, and such stars as James Caan, Peter Fonda and Larry Hagman are interviewed and talk about their fascination with, and ownership of, Harleys. ~ Brian Gusse, Rovi

Each episode of this series offers different battles of the war. Each uses re-enactments, expert commentary, and readings by actors such as Burt Reynolds, Charlton Heston, and Richard Dreyfuss to bring the events of the war to vivid life. Smithsonian's Great Battles of the Civil War, Vol. 3 concentrates on the campaigns surrounding the battles of Vicksburg, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. ~ Rob Ferrier, Rovi

This 2 volume series examines the firearms used in the Old West as narrated by Hoyt Axton. The guns of outlaws and lawmen in the period from 1862-1898 are featured in Volume 2. ~ Rovi

The American Civil War divided the nation and produced profound and lasting changes in the lives of its people. The issues and emotions of the times are reflected in this collection of songs from the era. The longing of slaves for freedom, the defiance of the South for a dying way of life, and the cry for the Union preserved of the North were expressed in music. Folk singers including Judy Collins, Waylon Jennings, Ritchie Havens, and Kathy Mattea interpret music of the period, from the Spoon River Anthology to Underground Railroad coded message songs. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi

Jason (Alan Thicke) is surprised to discover that he has inherited a mountain cabin in Colorado from his Uncle George. Upon reaching the cabin, Jason recalls that he was the only member of the family to encourage George to "follow his dreams"--and now he himself in a position to do just the same. But will Jason's reconfiguring of his future plans have an adverse effect on the future of his son Mike? Singer Hoyt Axton guest stars in this, the final episode of Growing Pains' fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

When a conniving Montana thief (Corbin Bernsen) decides to rob the local bank, he organizes a gang of four to meet at a remote cabin to initiate the crime. The ringleader is delayed, however, by a pair of ineffective cops. ~ John Bush, Rovi

This gentle comedy hearkens back to 1945, just after the war's end where a crazy small-town family awaits the return of one of their own. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

A pre-Will and Grace Megan Mullally guest stars in this episode as Molly Connors, the feisty daughter of West Virginia coal miner Eben Connors (Denver Pyle). When Eben dies in a suspicious mining accident, Molly sweeps into town to accuse the mine's owner of being responsible for her dad's death. Shortly thereafter, the owner is found murdered--and the murder weapon, a rifle, is located in Molly's car. All that is preventing Molly from being torn to pieces by the hostile local citizens is the presence of the girl's former creative-writing teacher Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), who as usual suspects that someone else has perpetrated the foul deed. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A suicidal artist tries to end his miserable life on Halloween night and fails after jumping off the roof of a ramshackle LA boarding house. After the fall, his soul has somehow become possessed by the spirit of a murderous criminal. This horror movie explains how and why. Now the poor bum finds himself haunted by terrible dreams of places he's never been and atrocities he could never think of committing. The dreams take an even darker edge when he begins reading about of a series of murders. Each victim was killed in exactly the same way he dreamed they were; he also learns that each was involved in the killing of the crook. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Inspired by guess what television series, this made-for-TV movie traces the follies and fortunes of the Ewings and the Barneses all the way back to the 1930s. The familiar Dallas characters are played by unfamiliar (albeit very able) younger players: Miss Ellie, for example, isn't Barbara Bel Geddes (nor even Donna Reed) but the unknown Molly Hagan, while Jock Ewing is the slightly more recognizable Dale Midkiff. Larry Hagman, aka J.R. Ewing, appears long enough to introduce the film. As for J.R. himself, he shows up as an ominously nasty teenager, played by Kevin Wixted. Playing to fabulous ratings, Dallas: The Early Years debuted March 23, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rare filmclips of folksinger Woody Guthrie at work and at play provide the highlights of this 74-minute documentary. Hard Travelin' places Guthrie's musical contributions within the context of their times, utilizing harrowing footage of the devastation wreaked by the Depression and the Dust Bowl. It goes without saying, perhaps, that Arlo Guthrie is called upon to assess his father, both as an artist and a man. Also appearing to perform and converse are Joan Baez, Hoyt Axton, Judy Collins and Pete Seeger. Woody Guthrie is the ideal "warm-up" for the 1976 Guthrie biopic Bound for Glory. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi