Dorian Harewood Movies
African American leading man Dorian Harewood attended the University of Cincinnati before establishing his theatrical reputation, first in the cast of the Broadway rock musical Two Gentlemen of Verona, then in the road company of Jesus Christ, Superstar. He won a Theatre Guild Award for his work in the 1974 production Don't Call Back. In films since 1976's Sparkle, Harewood is best known for his powerful supporting roles, most notably the unfortunate "grunt" Eightball in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (1987). His television resumé includes the part of Alex Haley's father in the 1979 miniseries Roots: The Next Generation and the title roles in the made-for-TV movies The Jessie Owens Story (1984) and Guilty of Innocence: The Lenell Geter Story (1987); he has also played recurring roles on such series as Glitter, The Trials of Rosie O'Neill, and Viper. Harewood has always attributed much of his success to actress Bette Davis, who while lecturing at the U. of Cincinnati encouraged the young actor to aggressively pursue his dreams of stardom. Dorian Harewood is the husband of actress Ann McCurry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2009
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This History special looks back at the crime wave of 1933-34, when some of America's most notorious criminals -- Bonnie & Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd, John Dillinger, and Ma Barker -- first made names for themselves. Fusing dramatic re-enactments with archival photographs and newsreels, the program takes viewers on a journey through the bloodiest moments of the Great Depression. ~ Carly Wray, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dorian Harewood
- 2005
Lea Thompson is both star and director of this made-for-cable movie, another entry in the Hallmark Channel's series about a suburban housewife who leads a double life as a government agent. Not long after he is fired from the staff of a billionaire cereal-company mogul, former Central Security Agency operative Jim Monroe (Dorian Harewood) is found floating in a lake, the apparent victim of an accidental drowning. Suspecting foul play, CSA head Frank Darnell (Joe Penny) prevails upon his former colleague Cathy Davis (Lea Thompson) to investigate. Assuming her CSA identity as "Jane Doe", Cathy quickly deduces that Monroe was killed 48 hours before his alleged drowning. There's only one problem with this theory: Monroe was seen on a nationally telecast interview at the exact time of his death! In her efforts to crack the case, Cathy must once again delicately balance her high-risk espionage activities with her "normal" marriage to the long-suffering Jack Davis (William R. Moses). Jane Doe: The Harder They Fall was first seen on March 4, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Clay Classics: God's Trombones contains three Biblically related animated short films. Included in this collection is Will Vinton's The Creation, The Prodigal Son featuring a vocal performance by Dorian Harewood, and Go Down Death. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
A remake of the 1992 British film of the same name, the made-for-cable Framed begins as New York cop Mike Santini (Rob Lowe) is vacationing with his family in the Bahamas. By chance, Santini spots another "tourist": Eddie Meyers (Sam Neill), a high-profile fugitive mobster and a key player in a major money-laundering scheme. Once Santini collars Meyers, he is surprised at the mobster's friendly acquiescence; in fact, Meyers requests that Santini, and Santini alone, interrogate him once they are safely ensconced in a secluded New York compound. What follows is nothing less than a prolonged seduction, with Meyers using every resource at his disposal -- money, women, lavish gifts, luxurious mansions -- to corrupt the heretofore incorruptible Santini. The American version of Framed first aired April 13, 2003, on the TNT network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This sentimental made-for-TV drama was based on the bestselling novel by Donna VanLiere, which in turn was inspired by the popular song of the same name. Rob Lowe stars as Robert Layton, a workaholic attorney who sorely neglects his family, even during the Christmas season. Clearly, Layton is overdue for a "humanizing" treatment, which comes in the form of a little boy named Nathan Andrews (Max Morrow). Learning that his mother, Maggie (Kimberly Williams), is dying from congenital heart failure, and unable to financially rely upon his underemployed father, Jack (Hugh Thompson), Nathan goes about collecting tin cans and other throwaways so that he can afford an expensive pair of red shoes for his ailing mom. Nathan's plight not only touches Layton, but also has a heartwarming trickle-down effect on the lawyer's estranged family. The Christmas Shoes debuted December 1, 2002, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rob Lowe, Kimberly Williams, (more)
It's The Shining at sea in the made-for-cable paranormal thriller The Triangle. The story opens in the Caribbean, where Stu (Luke Perry), a shady lawyer, has chartered a boat captained by Louis Morgan (Dorian Harewood) for a fishing excursion. Accompanying Stu are his "trophy" girlfriend Julia (Polly Shannon), his best friend Tommy (Dan Cortese), and Capt. Morgan's attractive First Mate (Olivia D'Abo). Swept into the Bermuda Triangle by inclement weather, the five seafarers are greeted with the daunting vision of a huge, deserted ocean liner: the Queen of Scots, which disappeared in 1939. Climbing on board the liner to investigate, Stu and his comrades find themselves at the mercy of an unfriendly spirit: the ghost of a legendary movie star who had gone on a murderous rampage on the night that the Queen of Scots vanished without a trace. Lensed on location in Barbados and Toronto, The Triangle premiered August 12, 2001, on WTBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Luke Perry, Olivia D'Abo, (more)
Jimi Hendrix was perhaps the single most groundbreaking guitarist in the history of rock & roll; utilizing feedback, distortion, and effects pedals as integral parts of his sound and not simply as punctuation, Hendrix created a radically new aesthetic for the electric guitar, which combined with his superlative songwriting abilities and remarkable gift to bring out the most in other musicians helped to make him one of the most important figures in '60s rock, until his death in the fall of 1970s as a result of a drug overdose. This made-for-TV biography (originally shown on the Showtime premium cable network) stars Wood Harris as the legendary guitarist, and examines his life and career, both on and off the stage. Hendrix also stars Vivica A. Fox and Dorian Harewood; the filmmakers were unfortunately unable to obtain permission to use Hendrix's own songs in the film, so his onscreen performances are of covers Jimi recorded during his career. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wood Harris, Dorian Harewood, (more)
- 2000
The fine line between reporters objectively covering a political campaign and attempting to sway its outcome is explored in this made-for-cable drama based on the novel by noted television journalist Jim Lehrer. Newspaper columnist Mike Howley (James Garner) is asked to moderate a nationally televised debate between two presidential candidates. In collusion with fellow newspeople and debate panelists Barbara Manning (Audra McDonald), Henry Ramirez (Marco Sanchez), and Joan Naylor (Donna Murphy), Howley formulates a plan to boost the campaign of the Democratic candidate, whom they favor. They ask the Republican nominee a number of pointed questions about unsubstantiated charges that he has a propensity for violence, eventually prompting the candidate to leave the stage in a huff after throwing a microphone. Several weeks later, the Democrat carries the election. While the debate served the goals of the reporters, and boosted their public image, some observers have serious questions about what went on, and investigative reporter Tom Chapman (Peter Gallagher) is determined to bring the public the truth. A number of noted journalists and political figures served as consultants for The Last Debate and appear in cameo roles. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Garner, Peter Gallagher, (more)
- 1999
The off-court lives of a team of professional basketball players, as well as their friends and family, are the focus of The Hoop Life, a made-for-cable movie that serves as pilot and introduction for a series produced for the Showtime premium cable network. The New England Knights lose the final game of the seven-game championship series after Marvin Buxton (Mykelti Williamson) misses a shot that would have put them ahead, and the players have to figure out what to do in the off-season. Buxton becomes obsessed with the missed shot and eventually goes ballistic at a youth basketball camp he hosts. Greg Marr (Rick Peters), one of Marvin's team mates, finds his infidelity is catching up with him when his wife kicks him out of their house. Coach Leonard Fero (Dan Lauria) is constantly doing battle with General Manager Eliot Pierce (Dorian Harewood) and owner Emily Yeager (Linda Thorson). And Curtis Thorpe (Cirroc Lofton), a high school hoops star who has decided to turn pro rather than attend college, has his eye on a contract with the Knights. However, after the death of his parents, Curtis's Uncle Kenny (Ray Anthony Thomas) takes over "management" of Curtis and puts a stake through his career by signing a contract for him to play pro ball in Greece. The Hoop Life also features a cameo by former NBA star Bill Walton as himself. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mykelti Williamson, Dorian Harewood, (more)
- 1998
The husband-and-wife team of Laura Landau and Les Landau made this drama about Vietnam vets in LA. Vietnam vet and house painter Archibald Wright (Dorian Harewood) can't commit to his waitress girlfriend Diana (Vanessa Bell Calloway). Hired by Elaine (Patti D'Arbanville) to work on a Beverly Hills mansion, Archibald stumbles into a family situation: Elaine left J.P. (Michael McKean) while he was fighting in Vietnam; their daughter Tory (Amie Carey) is a classical guitarist who's just been accepted at a top music school. J.P. is now living an alcoholic existence in downtown LA, and Elaine forbids Tory from seeing her father. Archibald has a handle on J.P.'s post-Vietnam problems, and after J.P. lands in a V.A. hospital after some heavy drinking, Archibald steps in with an attempt to help both father and daughter. Shown at the 1998 Hollywood Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dorian Harewood, Michael McKean, (more)
- 1998
A marriage explodes when a loving wife, who heretofore thought she had the perfect life, finds her husband in bed with another man. After the initial shock, the two struggle to find peace, acceptance and to rebuild their shattered lives. This drama was made especially for the Lifetime cable network. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Smart, John Terry, (more)
- 1997
The parents of a healthy baby boy, Brian and Donna McDermott (Scott Reeves, Martha Byrne) are stunned and grief-stricken when the child vanishes. Making matters worse, the authorities are convinced that Brian and Donna are themselves responsible for their baby's disappearance. Perhaps those same authorities would be better served if they bothered to check out those somewhat shady employees at the local maternity hospital, notably duplicitous receptionist Joan Hollins (Cathy Lee Crosby) -- who in turn is very close with the attorney (Linda Gray) who represents an adoption services that provides newborn white infants to infertile couples...no questions asked. When the Cradle Falls originally aired March 4, 1997, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Reeves, Martha Byrne, (more)
- 1997
The Quest team journeys to Cameroon, there to help harvest a medically beneficial sap from trees that are being threatened with extinction by an insensitive logging company. Before long, the plundering loggers are being menaced by an invisible but undeniably ferocious monster. Dr. Quest cannot help but feel that there is more to the pro-eco beast than meets the eye. Boasting an impressive cast of African-American voice actors, "Dark Sentinel" originally aired on February 10, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Quinton Flynn, John deLancie, (more)
- 1997
A jury argues a case in a stuffy room on a hot summer's day. Eleven say "guilty!" But one holdout (Jack Lemmon) is convinced of the defendant's innocence and stubbornly argues "reasonable doubt." This tense courtroom drama is a remake of Sidney Lumet's 1957 favorite and was produced for the Showtime cable network. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Lemmon, Courtney Vance, (more)
- 1996
One of the most atypical weekly series to emerge from the Aaron Spelling TV factory, 7th Heaven, created by Spelling and Brenda Hampton, has eschewed the sex-and-sin shenanigans of such series as Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place in favor of honest, three-dimensional family values, with generous doses of warmth, heart, humor, and pathos. There can be no doubt that this fundamentally wholesome program has struck a universal chord. The series has not only been lavishly praised by critics, honored by such organizations as the Parents Television Council, the Academy of Religious Broadcasting, and the Anti-Defamation League, and given innumerable industry awards, but it is also one of the most successful offerings of the WB network; indeed, it was the first WB series to run more than seven seasons, and during four of those seasons, it was the network's highest-rated show. Set in the suburban L.A. community of Glen Oak, the series revolves around the Camden family, headed by Eric Camden (Stephen Collins), pastor of the town's Community Church, and Eric's homemaker wife, Annie (Catherine Hicks). In the tradition of The Waltons, loyal 7th Heaven viewers have enjoyed the rare privilege of watching the Camden children grow up before their very eyes. When the series debuted on August 26, 1996, handsome and personable Matt Camden (Barry Watson) was 17 years old; basketball-playing Mary Camden (Jessica Biel) was 13 going on 14; intellectual, inquisitive Lucy Camden (Beverley Mitchell) was 12; happy-go-lucky Simon Camden (David Gallagher) was ten; and precocious Ruthie Camden (Mackenzie Rosman) was five. By the time the series entered its eighth season, the three oldest Camden kids were married and pursuing careers, while the two youngest were seasoned veterans of the school dating scene. (Two more Camden youngsters, twin boys Sam and David, were born halfway through the 1998-1999 season). All of the Camdens, parents included, have had more than their share of setbacks and tragedies (some of them absolutely devastating) as the series has rolled forward, but somehow all of the members of the clan, from patriarch Eric on down, have been able to recover, rally, and persevere with the help and support of their family and friends -- not to mention their inner faith. And unlike so many other TV series which traffic in personal interrelationships, the characters in 7th Heaven are very much a part of the "real" world. During its lengthy WB run, the series has exposed its principals to a wide variety of contemporary issues: teen suicide, racial prejudice, substance abuse, drunken driving, homelessness, negative peer pressure, teen pregnancy, Alzheimer's disease, the Holocaust, the war in Iraq, and the crisis in the Sudan. Eminently suitable for viewers of all ages, but never a mere sop to the "kiddie" trade nor a placebo for the clean-up-TV brigades, 7th Heaven has been and will likely always remain the jewel in the WB crown. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Collins, Catherine Hicks, (more)
- 1996
In Tanzania, Quest team members Jonny, Jessie, and Hadji receive a summons from "beyond" to protect a pachyderm named Ndovu as it makes its final journey to the elephant's graveyard. En route, our heroes run afoul of poachers who intend to rob the sacred burial site of its rich ivory deposits. Parent alert: There are several deaths in this episode, though the actual violence is held to a minimum. "Ndovu's Last Journey" was first telecast on August 30, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- J.D. Roth, George Segal, (more)
A young boy overcomes his obsessive fears by discovering a love for books in this animated fantasy adventure. In a live action wraparound, Macaulay Culkin stars as Richard Tyler, an easily bullied, nervous wreck of a kid who's an expert on safety statistics. His mother and father (Mel Harris and Ed Begley, Jr.) don't know how to inspire their son to embrace life boldly. Barely able to leave the house, Richard ventures out one day, but he gets lost in a storm and ends up at a mysterious library. Inside, he slips, knocks himself unconscious and finds himself in a cartoon realm where books come to life. Guided by Adventure (Patrick Stewart), Fantasy (Whoopi Goldberg) and Horror (Frank Welker), Tyler experiences the adventures of classic novels such as Moby Dick and Treasure Island, and he even meets some famed fictional characters, such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Leonard Nimoy). Through his experiences in the pages of the legendary books, Richard confronts his phobias and learns to face life more courageously. The Pagemaster was directed by Joe Johnston, a former special effects supervisor and production designer who later directed Jumanji (1995) and October Sky (1999). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Macaulay Culkin, Christopher Lloyd, (more)
- 1992
Based on Robert Anderson's novel, the made-for-television Getting Up and Going Home is a drama about a divorced attorney (Tom Skerritt) who copes with a mid-life crisis by having affairs with no less than three women: his ex-wife, a single mother, and a married suburbanite. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1989
There were those in 1989 who bellyached that Disney Television's Polly was a far from faithful adaptation of Eleanor Porter's classic novel Pollyanna. What they meant was that Polly did not resemble the 1960 Hayley Mills movie version of Pollyanna, which itself played fast and loose with the source material. In Polly, The Cosby Show's Keshia Knight Pulliam portrays the "Glad Girl" who brings along a satchelful of happiness and optimism when she visits her wealthy aunt one summer. Tranposing Porter's all-white story to a middle-class black community in the Alabama of the 1950s (Celeste Holm is the only white costar) isn't nearly as self-conscious or gimmicky as it seems on paper. Nor is any damage done to the original by adding musical numbers, especially when taking into consideration that the film was directed by renowned choreographer Debbie Allen (the sister of Phylicia Rashad, who plays Polly's aunt--and who in 1989 was costarring with Keshia Knight Pulliam on a weekly basis on The Cosby Show). Polly scored a boffo ratings hit, prompting Disney TV to assemble a 1990 sequel, Polly: Comin' Home! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Whoopi Goldberg stars in this TV movie as a single mother who begins paying the bills by hustling pool at a local billiards hall. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
A young mother and her daughter end up on the streets in this grim made-for-television movie. Mare Winningham stars as Theresa Johnson, a young mother whose life falls apart when she finds herself suddenly single, unemployed and homeless. With nowhere to turn, Theresa and her daughter Hillary (Grace Johnston) drift through the social system, wandering from shelter to shelter with little hope for the future. Gripping in its portrayal of the cycle of poverty, the film offers no simple solutions -- much like real life. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
