Walter Alzmann Movies
- 1980
Arriving on Walton's Mountain to deliver a posthumous medal of valor to the family of Curtis Willard, Mexican-American paratrooper Eddie Ramirez (Enrique Castillo) almost immediately encounters hostility from the local bigots. Despite the all-pervading racial tension, Curtis' widow Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) finds herself falling in love with Eddie. Elsewhere on the romantic scene, Ike Godsey's wife Corabeth (Ronnie Claire Edwards) seems to be succumbing to "that old feeling" when her former beau Roger Westerby (Jordan Charney) pays a visit. Watch for a young Corbin Bernsen in a minor role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) is having more trouble than usual with his schoolwork, and his driving has gotten progressively worse. But he isn't worried about such mundane matters, not when he is on the verge of enlisting in the Army Air Corps. Alas, it turns out that the source of Jim-Bob's problems is poor eyesight -- and of course, this means that becoming a military pilot is out of the question. Meanwhile, Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) continues to adjust to widowhood, even as one of her late husband's best friends, Chuck Turner (Kevin Geer), decides to start courting her...with unexpected results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
In the first episode of a two-part story, Red Cross volunteers Olivia (Michael Learned) and Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) attempt to find out why young bride Darcy Thatcher (Antoinette Stella) refuses to write to her soldier husband. It turns out that Darcy has been raped, and is reluctant to tell either her husband or the authorities, feeling that somehow she is responsible for the attack. As Mary Ellen ministers to the troubled Darcy, Olivia makes it her mission in life to bring the rapist to justice -- before the assailant falls victim to a revenge killing. Elsewhere, the Waltons receive some encouraging news about John-Boy; and Corabeth Godsey (Ronnie Claire Edwards) has very definite ideas about what to do with a financial windfall. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Erin (Mary McDonough) wants to marry Ashley Longworth Jr. (Jonathan Frakes), but there is a major roadblock to their future happiness: unlike the deeply religious Waltons, Ashley is an atheist. His explanation that the War has soured him on the concept of God meets with shock and disappointment from Erin's family -- with the exception of her father John (Ralph Waite), who understands Ashley's spiritual crisis even if he doesn't condone it. Meanwhile, Elizabeth (Kami Cotler) is getting sick and tired of her "tag-along" cousin Serena (Martha Nix). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
With their 25th wedding anniversary approaching, Olivia (Michael Learned) and John (Ralph Waite) do their best to keep secret the presents they have bought one another. Likewise opting for secrecy are the Walton kids, who are planning a surprise party; unfortuntely, Jim-Bob's idea of a "surprise" causes nothing but trouble. Meanwhile, Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) and Curt (Tom Bower) are encountering great difficulty carrying on a long-distance marriage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The Waltons' African-American neighbor Verdie Foster (Lynn Hamilton) is pleased and proud when her college-educated daughter Esther (Lynne Moody) returns to the Mountain. But Esther is frustrated by her lack of success in the working world -- the result of general prejudice against her gender and specific prejudice against her race. Esther's anger is matched (and then some!) by Verdie when storekeeper Ike Godsey (Joe Conley) posts an honor roll listing the names of the men from Walton's Mountain who are serving in the military...a list separated into "white" and "colored" columns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Jean Marsh of Upstairs, Downstairs fame guest stars as Hilary Von Kleist, a cousin of the Baldwin sisters. The wife of a German national, Hilary it reluctant to discuss the Nazi domination of her new homeland. Despite this, John-Boy is determined to get the woman's "inside story" for his newspaper. When Hilary sees Jason (Jon Walmsley) in his National Guard uniform, she nearly goes into shock. Now John-Boy's curiosity is truly aroused: What exactly is Hilary's story...and what can she be hiding? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Jason (Jon Walmsley) finds a kindred spirit in Fern Lockwood (Linda Marsh), a timid recluse who shares his love of music--and curiously knows a great deal about the Walton family. As he gradually coaxes Fern out of her shell, Jason discovers that he shares something else with the woman: both he and Fern have recently endured the sudden loss of someone near and dear. Meanwhile, Ben (Eric Scott) takes a "big city" job in Norfolk, leaving John (Ralph Waite) shorthanded when the lumber yard lands a hefty government contract. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Sheriff Ep Bridges (John Crawford) is challenged in the upcoming election by Glen Oldfield (John Fink), a flashy, flamboyant candidate who has a way with the ladies. Oldfield also knows how to manipulate the media, and pretty soon he is granting "special favors" to the Waltons in hopes of getting an endorsement from John-Boy's newspaper. And in a separate (but ultimately related) development, Grandpa Walton (Will Geer) protests the capture of a wild mustang for advertising purposes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Luther Adler guest stars as Leo Vorka, an aging European dictator who intends to purge his country of all young artists and intellectuals. The IMF hopes to topple Vorka from power and install his friendlier deputy Bartzin (Ben Astar) in his place. The mission: To drive Vorka insane and convince his deputies that the old man must be deposed immediately. The success of the scheme hinges upon a cleverly arranged series of "ghostly" visions, courtesy of a rigged closed-circuit TV. Antoinette Bower, who'd played the damsel in distress in the second-season Mission: Impossible story "The Slave", is here cast as IMF agent--and erstwhile phantom--Nora Bennett. Originally broadcast on February 8, 1970, "Phantoms" was written by Laurence Heath. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1969
The second multipart adventure of Mission: Impossible's third season, "The Bunker" was written by Paul Playdon. The IMF is assigned to rescue rocket scientist Erich Rojak (Milton Selzer), who is being forced to cooperate with the enemy. Not only must the agents release Rojak from an impenetrable bunker, but they must also free his wife Anna (Lee Meriwether, who is being held hostage in a maximum-security prison. Part One of "The Bunker" originally aired March 2, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1969
In the second half of the two-part Mission: Impossible adventure "The Bunker", the IMF team continue their efforts to rescue rocket scientist Erich Rojak (Milton Selzer) and his wife Anna (Lee Meriwether from the Enemy. Complicating matter is the fact that Rojak is being held in bunker some 300 feet beneath the ground, and the presence of Alexander Ventlos (Ray Baxter) a master of disuguise, who is determined to assassinate Rojak. One lengthy sequence finds Cinammon Carter impersonate Anna Rojak--a somewhat ironic plot device, in that actress Barbara Bain (Cinammon) would later be replaced on the series by Lee Meriwether. Written by Paul Playdon, Part Two of "The Bunker" was first broadcast on March 9, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1968
Beautiful but dangerous enemy agent Felicia Vabar (Kate Woodville) engineers the theft of valuable NATO missile-defense plans. Fortunately, only half of the plans are in Vabar's possession: It is up to the IMF to protect the other half--and, of course, to recover the already stolen documents. Journeying far behind the Iron Curtain, Rollin puts his life on the line when he apparently arranges a deal with Vabar and her henchmen. Written by Barney Slater, "The Spy" was first telecast on January 7, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1966
Before joining the regular Hogan's Heroes cast as Major Hochstetter, Howard Caine appeared in a handful of similarly villainous roles. In this episode, Caine is cast as Col. Feldkamp, who wants to convert Stalag 13 into Gestapo headquarters. Meanwhile, pompous General Von Kattenhorn (Jacques Aubuchon) intends to turn the camp into a rest home for German officers. Hogan cooks up a scheme to play the two officers against each other, the better to discredit -- and eliminate -- both men. Janine Gray appears as underground activist Greta. First telecast on October 14, 1966, "The Battle of Stalag 13" was written by Richard M. Powell, who indulges in his usual predilection for killing off supporting characters in a humorous fashion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1966
Season two of the hallucinogenic hayseed comedy Green Acres begins as the citizens of Hooterville face the loss of their entire corn crop to the dreaded bing bug. At least, that's what's supposed to be the central plotline of this episode. In truth, a lot more time is devoted to a WWII flashback, explaining how former fighter pilot Oliver Douglas (Eddie Albert) first met his sexy Hungarian wife Lisa (Eva Gabor). (No, it isn't what you think: she had to rescue him from the Nazis!) Eventually, the two plot strands merge as Oliver, newly inducted to the Hooterville Veteran's Organization, again takes to the air to bomb the bings out of existence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
