David Hasselhoff Movies
Actor David Hasselhoff first built up a fan following on the daytime TV soaper The Young and the Restless, where from 1975 through 1982 he played Bill "Snapper" Foster. He graduated to Prime Time as crimefighter Michael Knight on the fantasy actioner Knight Rider; this one lasted from 1982 to 1986. With his American career in temporary doldrums after Knight Rider's cancellation, Hasselhoff took advantage of his fluency in the German language to establish a phenomenal successful singing career in Europe. It is likely that nothing has brought him as much professional satisfaction as his Berlin Wall concert, an event that drew 500,000 spectators. In 1989, Hasselhoff signed on for another TV series, the initially unremarkable adventure weekly Baywatch. Few people need to be reminded of David Hasselhoff's success in this last endeavor: as of this writing, Baywatch is the single most popular television series in the world, beaming out to an estimated audience of one billion viewers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1976
- R
The cheerleading team at Aloha High are popular with their fellow students (except for a couple of stuck-up rich girls), but they're a major cause of the school's lecherous reputation for underage sex and drug abuse. The fun-loving gals spike the lunchroom spaghetti sauce with a concoction of pot, pills, and powders, hold wild orgies in the boys' locker room, and never bother to attend their classes. The school board considers a merger with Aloha's biggest rivals, the vocational school Lincoln High, but the cheerleaders refuse to mix with the low-class juvenile delinquents that go there. A new principal, ex-Marine Hall Walker (Norman Thomas Marshall), might whip the school into shape, but it'll mean forcing the cheerleaders out of the squad and back into the classroom. Though the girls prove their importance to Aloha spirit at the crucial moment of a big basketball game, it turns out that more sinister forces are at work when the school is blown up and the principal is kidnapped. It's up to the cheerleaders to save the day and unravel a conspiracy to steal Aloha High's land for a shopping mall. Carl Ballantine, David Hasselhoff, and genre vet Rainbeaux Smith appear in this energetic sex comedy. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeril Woods, Cheryl Smith, (more)
- 1978
- PG
Italian schlock-master Luigi Cozzi (billed as Lewis Coates here) directed this low-budget Star Wars rip-off in 1978, right when the sci-fi craze was hitting audiences on a world-wide scale. The story begins familiarly enough, with a huge spaceship tracking through an extremely colorful space scene while under attack by some kind of unknown and deadly force resembling a lava lamp. Being no match for the '60s acid-flashback rays, they manage to jettison a few escape pods just before being blown to kingdom come. Fast forward now to the other end of the galaxy, where we find the best smugglers in town -- gorgeous Stella Star (Caroline Munro) and space-pimp Akton (Marjoe Gortner) -- outrunning a band of cops on their tail. Eventually, they're caught, taken into custody, and sentenced to intense Labor Camps, where Stella is forced to wear a skimpy Barbarella-like outfit by the extreme, merciless guards. A break-out ensues, and in the intense laser shoot-out, Stella manages to escape, only to be captured again by the semi-green-skinned Thor (Robert Tessier) and his annoying southern-drawled robot, Elle (voiced by genre veteran Hamilton Camp). Brought in front of the Emperor of the Galaxy (Christopher Plummer) and reunited with Akton, the sexy duo find themselves suddenly in charge of finding Prince Simon (David Hasselhoff). Thus begins the heroes' amazing adventure through space and time as they search for Hasselhoff and end up fighting Amazons, Cavemen, and the Evil Count Zarth Arn (Joe Spinell) along the way. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marjoe Gortner, Caroline Munro, (more)
- 1979
Pleasure Cove taps the Grand Hotel format already being worked to death in 1979 by Love Boat and Fantasy Island. Top-billed Tom Jones plays a crook in disguise who becomes involved in love and larceny at the hideaway resort of Pleasure Cove. There's an all-TV star cast, but the largest roles go to James Murtaugh and Constance Forslund as the resort managers, and Ernest Harada as the funny "gopher" desk clerk. This trio would have been the continuing characters has this TV pilot film been picked up as a weekly series. But Pleasure Cove received precisely two network showings in 1979 before going to busted-pilot purgatory. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Opening with a two-hour "TV movie" pilot (which has since been edited into two separate hour-long episodes), season one of Knight Rider affords viewers their first glimpses of former cop-turned-independent crime fighter Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff), his ill-tempered boss, Devon Miles (Edward Mulhare), and Knight's remarkable custom-made vehicle, "K.I.T.T." (Knight Industries Two Thousand), a black Trans Am armed with a near-indestructible chassis, state-of-the-art weaponry and surveillance equipment, the ability to fly through the air, and a somewhat haughty computerized "artificial intelligence," complete with a personality and the ability to speak (in the voice of actor William Daniels). Owing his life to the inventor of K.I.T.T., Michael has dedicated that life to protecting the innocent and tracking down evildoers whenever and wherever he can. During the series' first season, Knight and K.I.T.T. are occasionally aided and abetted by attractive auto mechanic Bonnie Barstow (Patricia McPherson). The opening episode explains how undercover cop Michael Long, shot in the face and left for dead, is saved and "recreated" by Wilton Knight (Richard Basehart), billionaire inventor of K.I.T.T.'s technology. Once Long has re-emerged as Michael Knight, our hero agrees to take orders from Devon Miles (Edward Mulhare), successor to the late Wilton Knight as head of Knight Industries Foundation for Law and Order. Subsequent episodes find Michael and his faithful vehicle foiling a gang of motorcycle punks, exposing a murderous saboteur at an auto daredevil show, protecting a political candidate from assassins, helping an amnesiac girl recall the identity of a hired killer, rescuing a nosy female reporter from crooked race-car promoters, solving a series of murders in a MENSA-type club for geniuses, and matching wits with a private eye who prefers the "old reliable" methods to Michael's computer-dominated procedures. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hasselhoff, Edward Mulhare, (more)
Season two of Knight Rider finds professional do-gooder Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) still behind the wheel of his high-tech, computerized, weapon-festooned Trans Am, K.I.T.T., which, just as in season one, "speaks" in the imperious voice of actor William Daniels. And also just as in season one, Michael and K.I.T.T. are dispatched on their various missions by Devon Miles (Edward Mulhare), the head of Knight Industries Foundation for Law and Order. New to the series this season is Rebecca Holden as April Curtis, replacing the previous season's Bonnie Barstow as K.I.T.T.'s attractive mechanic and Michael's occasional assistant. The season opener is the two-part "Goliath," in which the ex-wife (Barbara Rush) of Michael Knight's late benefactor, Wilton Knight, and Wilton's biological son (who looks just like Michael, and is played by Hasselhoff!), go to great and sometimes deadly lengths to gain control of K.I.T.T. In later episodes, Michael goes undercover as a convict to prevent a madman from blowing up an entire city; K.I.T.T. uses his (its?) deductive skills to find a Robin Hood-like cat burglar; a computer hacker turns K.I.T.T. into a dangerous weapon, bent on destroying Michael; an amnesiac Michael reverts to his previous identity as cop Michael Long, with no memory of K.I.T.T. or Knight Industries; Michael and K.I.T.T. race against time to locate the fugitive tissue donor who holds the life of a little girl in his hands; and in another two-parter, "Mouth of the Snake," our hero joins forces with a wealthy widow and a secret agent to retrieve a stolen rocket launcher before it is -- gasp -- too late! ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hasselhoff, Edward Mulhare, (more)
In the third season of Knight Rider, Devon Miles (Edward Mulhare), head of the Knight Industries Foundation for Law and Order, continues dispatching his best agent, Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) -- who before being snatched from the jaws of death by the late billionaire Wilton Knight had been undercover cop Michael Long -- on a variety of do-gooding errands, protecting the helpless and vanquishing a daunting array of villains. And as in seasons past, Michael is assisted in his missions by K.I.T.T., a computerized Trans Am car equipped with the latest in weaponry and surveillance paraphernalia -- not to mention an artificial intelligence, as manifested in its rather condescending voice (provided by William Daniels). Also on hand, albeit briefly, is K.I.T.T.'s sexy mechanic, April Curtis (Rebecca Holden); and, returning as a regular after missing most of season two, April's "fellow" mechanic Bonnie Barstow (Patricia McPherson). Season three opens with the two-part "Knight of the Drones," pitting Michael and K.I.T.T. against a deadly army of bank-robbing robots. Later on, K.I.T.T. must face down its arch enemy, the evil, laser-equipped vehicle K.A.R.R. In other episodes, Bonnie is persecuted by someone who wants to frighten her out of her new apartment after she witnesses a murder; Michael apparently goes to the enemy camp after Devon fires him for drug possession; K.I.T.T. nearly becomes kaput, courtesy of a toxic-waste dump; Michael is forced to drive K.I.T.T. through a mine field in order to stop a murder; and K.I.T.T. becomes a circus attraction as a means of exposing a homicidal crook. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hasselhoff, Edward Mulhare, (more)
- 1984
Joan Collins and David Hasselhoff star in this made-for-TV comedy caper, in which a con artist who has just gotten out of jail. Curt Taylor (Hasselhoff) finds himself back in business when he becomes an assistant to glamorous film star Cartier Rand (Collins). Curt's primary interest in working with Cartier is the opportunity to get his hands on her world famous and highly-valuable collection of jewelry. In time, however, Curt finds himself attracted to Cartier, which will take a bit of explaining, since he informed Cartier's jealous fiancée that he was gay in order to win the job. The Cartier Affair also stars Telly Savalas, Charlies Napier, and Ed Lauter. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1985
The story of Jack The Ripper may be the cause of a small town's crime spree in this strange made-for-television thriller. David Hasselhoff stars as Don Gregory, a cop in an Arizona town whose claim to fame is being the home of the newly transplanted pieces of the original London Bridge. When the bridge is fully assembled and a murder spree begins, Gregory suspects that the bridge's historical link to Jack The Ripper and the Thames River, may have something to do with the killings. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
The fourth and final season of Knight Rider stars David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a former cop who after being saved from death by a billionaire do-gooder becomes an undercover agent for the Knight Foundation for Law and Order. Michael continues to take his marching orders from the foundation's head man, Devon Ross (Edward Mulhare), even though there is little love lost between the two men. And of course, Michael's greatest ally in his fight against evil is the super-powered, weapon-laden Trans Am car K.I.T.T., who in addition to being rigged with state-of-the-art computer technology also possesses a brain and a voice (provided by William Daniels). Rounding out the cast is Patricia McPherson as K.I.T.T.'s curvaceous mechanic Bonnie Bristow; and a character new to the series, streetwise male mechanic Reginald Cornelius III, aka RC3 (Peter Parros). RC3 is introduced in season four's two-part opener, "Knight of the Juggernaut," in which Mike and K.I.T.T. rescue their new team member from the clutches of his old street gang. In other episodes, Bonnie is among those kidnapped by a disgruntled former government agent-turned-airplane hijacker -- and once she has escaped this dilemma, she poses as a jet setter in order to prevent the U.S. from succumbing to germ warfare. Additional adventures find Michael quitting the foundation after one close call too many; K.I.T.T. turning killer when he is reprogrammed by a mad genius; Michael and K.I.T.T. combining forces to trap a homicidal magician (played by real-life illusionist Lance Burton); our heroes trying to help a down-and-out boxer, in an episode featuring such luminaries as Ken Norton, Jerry Quarry, and Don King; and, in the last episode of the series, Michael, K.I.T.T., et al. endeavoring to get to the bottom of a supposed curse that has claimed the lives of several archeologists. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hasselhoff, Edward Mulhare, (more)
In this horror film, a group of people travel to an old hotel in a remote part of New England, where they incur the wrath of an evil witch (Hildegarde Knef). As the hotel guests begin to die off in gruesome ways, a young photographer and his girlfriend struggle to find a way to defeat the witch. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hasselhoff, Linda Blair, (more)
- 1988
Raymond Burr, as ever, stars in this TV-movie continuation of the Perry Mason saga. Once more pulled out of semi-retirement, Perry takes on the case of a wealthy man (David Hasselhoff) accused of murdering his heiress wife. Of course, this has nothing to do with the Klaus von Bulow affair. As was customary in these latter-day Mason episodes, the bulk of the detective work is in the hands of Paul Drake Jr., played by William Katt--the real-life son of Mason's "Della Street," Barbara Hale. Lady in the Lake was one of two Perry Mason two-hour specials produced by Fred Silverman and Dean Hargrove in 1988; the other was subtitled The Case of the Avenging Ace. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
- R
When Will Colton (David Hasselhoff) journeys back to his home town, he is shocked to discover that a gang of motorcycle thugs have killed his family and taken over. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The terrible crash of Delta Airlines Flight 191 provides the basis of this made-for-TV drama-in-real life. The disaster occurred at Dallas in 1985 and during that fateful night many of the ordinary passengers, crew, and rescue workers became true heroes as they worked together to save lives. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Haid, Angie Dickinson, (more)
- 1989
This made-for-TV film served as the pilot for the internationally popular adventure series Baywatch. David Hasselhoff stars as Lt. Mitch Buchanan, the man in charge of the LA County lifeguard squad at Malibu beach. Future series regulars spotlighted herein are Shawn Weatherly as Jill Riley, Parker Stevenson as Craig Pomeroy and Erika Eleniak as Shauni McLain. Not that it should matter to the film's "babewatchers," but there is a plot-a "Fatal Attraction"-style thriller involving a woman scorned. And, as bonus, there's a thriller explosion-at-sea vignette. Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier was first telecast April 23, 1989, some six months before the premiere of the series proper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
David Hasselhoff plays one of three bounty hunters in search of a much-wanted criminal. The reward is astronomical, so it's understandable that the cops want Hasselhoff and company to make themselves scarce. No matter what the law throws in their path, however, the three heroes will not be deterred. Bail Out costars Linda Blair and John Vernon. Though filmed in 1988, Bail Out wasn't released until 1990, upon Hasselhoff's success on television's Baywatch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hasselhoff, Linda Blair, (more)
- 1991
Michael returns to the Knight coroporation to help them build a new KITT for the 21st century. Gunrunners and evil cops provide the first crime the new Kitt foils. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hasselhoff, Susan Norman, (more)
- 1994
- PG13
David Hasselhoff, Thomas Gottschalk and Cheech Marin play modern-day descendants of the original Three Musketeers. Though it's now the 20th century and derring-do is generally considered passe, these retro musketeers still subscribe to the old "all for one, one for all." They go to the rescue of a young boy who has been kidnapped by gangsters. Alison Doody, Harrison Ford's vis-a-vis in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, costars as a distaff Musketeer, while another Jones alumnus, John Rhys-Davies, huffs and puffs in a supporting role. Ring of the Musketeers has just enough violence and peril to justify its PG-13 rating. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This made-for-television movie is an action-thriller set in the mountains. David Hasselhoff stars as a diamond smuggler who crashes his plane into the snowy mountains to escape capture. His reckless move sets off an avalanche that traps him, along with a father (Michael Gross) and his kids, under the snow. The movie follows the family as they battle to survive both Mother Nature and the criminal-minded Hasselhoff. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
In this comedy, a man trying to turn away from a life of crime starts performing a little larceny in the interest of helping others. Tom Turner (Greg Kinnear) is a small-time con man who makes the mistake of trying to cheat a pair of undercover cops one night. Fortunately for Tom, his case is heard by a lenient judge who orders him to get a straight job and stay out of trouble; if he can stay employed for a year, his conviction will be wiped from the record. Tom is hired at the Post Office and assigned to the Dead Letter Office, where he and his co-workers Rebecca (Laurie Metcalf), Herman (Tim Conway), and Vladek (Hector Elizondo) try to figure out what to do with the sacks of mail addressed to Santa Claus, Elvis Presley, and God. Against orders, Tom opens one of the letters to God and is moved by the sad story of the woman who sent it. He decides to reply and accidentally mails her his pay check; but when he sees how happy the answer made the recipient, Tom and his co-workers start opening more letters and trying to answer a few prayers that would be within their reach -- which leads Tom back to the courthouse again. Director Garry Marshall has a small role as Preston Sweeney. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Greg Kinnear, Laurie Metcalf, (more)
