Remo Pisani Movies
- 1970
Making her second Bonanza appearance, Mercedes McCambridge is cast as wealthy widow Matilda Curtis, who helps Ben Cartwright establish a free school for the children of Ponderosa's employees and tenant farmers. When the schoolmaster is murdered, troublesome student Billy Burgess (a pre-Partridge Family David Cassidy) angrily confesses to the crime. To save Billy from being hanged, Matilda insists that he be placed in her custody without the formality of a court trial. But Ben, unconvinced by Billy's confession, demands that the boy get his day in court-even if it may cost him his life. Comedian Foster Brooks, aka "The Lovable Lush", plays the stone-sober role of Judge Rogers. Originally telecast on February 15, 1970, "The Law and Billy Burgess" was written by Stanley Roberts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1968
Making her first visit to the local pool hall upon its redecoration, Lucy (Lucille Ball) enters a tournament in hopes of winning the $100 prize. Her main competition is formidable indeed: A heavily rouged and perfumed female pool hustler named Laura Winthrop. Only the audience knows that "she" is a "he"--Laura is actually a man named Ace (played by comedian Dick Shawn), who has entered the tournament because he needs the money even more than Lucy. At the time this episode originally aired, Lucille Ball's husband Gary Morton described the script as a heady combination of The Hustler and Some Like It Hot. Well, sort of... ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dick Shawn, Stanley Adams, (more)
- 1966
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) has thrown his hat in the ring for the local city-councilman election. As part of his campaign, Rob is slated for a TV debate with his opponent, the deceptively nerdy Lincoln Goodheart (Wally Cox). As the telecast progresses, Goodheart proves that he is by far the better candidate -- so much so that Rob is all but prepared to vote for Goodheart himself! The ending of this episode indicates that the producers of The Dick Van Dyke Show were contemplating story possibilities for the series' next season -- even though star Van Dyke had already decided that there would be no next season! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wally Cox, Ann Morgan Guilbert, (more)
