George Hearn Movies

Jerry Herman is a singer and songwriter who rose to fame on the strength of several hit Broadway shows, launched at a time when the rise of rock and roll was leading many to doubt the future of the American musical theater. Born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey to parents with a love of musical theater, Jerry Herman staged his first show while he was in college in 1955, and shortly after graduation he wrote music and lyrics for an off-Broadway show that ran two years. But it was 1964's blockbuster hit Hello Dolly that made Herman a big name on Broadway, and his next show, Mame, was nearly as successful. While many of Herman's subsequent shows were critical successes, they failed to enjoy the same level of success, and the film versions of both Hello Dolly and Mame failed to capture the magic of the stage versions. But Herman enjoyed a surprise comeback with 1983's La Cage Aux Folles, and today he's regarded as one of the last great figures of Broadway's golden age. Filmmaker Amber Edwards pays homage to Herman and his songs with Words and Music by Jerry Herman, a documentary which features performances of some of Herman's best known songs along with stories of his career in music. Among the interview subjects and performers are Carol Channing, Angela Lansbury, Leslie Uggams, Michael Feinstein, Charles Nelson Reilly, Fred Ebb, Marge Champion and many others. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This episode of Homicide: Life on the Street is the conclusion of a two-part story introduced on its "sister" series Law & Order. Newly appointed to a district court bench, ADA Danvers (Zeljko Ivanek) brings the Baltimore homicide unit into the investigation of the death of governmental official Janine McBride, who, despite being found murdered in New York City, was actually killed in Baltimore. Al Giardello (Yaphet Kotto) is mad that his son Mike (Giancarlo Esposito) turned over confidential information about the McBride case to his FBI bosses, who, in turn, handed it over to Independent Counsel William Dell (George Hearn) -- resulting in immunity for the accused murderer. As it turns out, the ruthless Dell (who bears a startling resemblance to Kenneth Starr) is using both the Baltimore cops and Law & Order regulars Rey Curtis (Benjamin Bratt), Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach), and Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) as unwitting stepping stones for his own political ambitions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The then-current efforts to impeach President Bill Clinton were clearly the inspiration of this episode, the first in a two-part story. A Baltimore official is murdered in New York's Battery Park, compelling the NYPD's Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) to work side by side with Baltimore homicide cops John Munch (Richard Belzer) and Rene Sheppard (Michael Michele). It turns out that the victim was killed on Munch and Sheppard's home turf before being dumped in Briscoe and Curtis' backyard. The ensuing investigation involves a high-level Washington cover-up, a lesbian romance, and an FBI-protected witness, culminating in a clash between ADA Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) and duplicitous Independent Counsel William Dell (George Hearn, who, coincidentally, bears a strong physical resemblance to the redoubtable Kenneth Starr). This two-parter was Law & Order's third and final crossover with the NBC crime drama Homicide: Life on the Street; the conclusion originally aired as an installment of Homicide February 19, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A policeman plays Good Samaritan to a visitor from Ireland, only to discover that he has a potentially deadly secret. Belfast-born Frankie McGuire (Brad Pitt) saw his father gunned down by enemy soldiers at the age of eight, and when he grew up he joined the Irish Republican Army, determined that one day his father's death would be avenged. An especially ruthless "volunteer," Frankie is responsible for the death of 13 British soldiers and 11 policemen. After a particularly bloody battle, Frankie sails to the United States in a ragged tugboat he has restored; with a huge bundle of cash, Frankie intends to buy a stock of Stinger missiles from an underground arms dealer in America, Billy Burke (Treat Williams). Upon arrival in New York, Frankie is met by a judge who is sympathetic to the IRA's cause and who arranges a place for him to stay. Using the name Rory Devaney, Frankie moves into the home of Tom O'Meara (Harrison Ford), a scrupulously honest cop. Tom is already in the midst of a personal crisis; his friend and partner Edwin Diaz (Ruben Blades) recently shot a man that he knew was unarmed in the line of duty, and while Edwin wants Tom to help him cover up the matter, Tom's conscience will not allow it. When Tom begins to realize that "Rory" is not simply a man running from the violence of his homeland, he's torn between his sympathy for Frankie's tragic childhood and his desire to see justice served and prevent needless death in Ireland. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Ashley Johnson stars as everyone's favorite plucky orphan in this made-for-TV sequel to the 1982 musical hit Annie. This time, Annie and her new family travel to England, where they run afoul of evil-doers. George Hern co-stars as "Daddy" Warbucks, Joan Collins plays the dastardly Lady Edwina Hogbottom, and Monty Pyton regular Carol Cleveland appears as Mrs. Hannigan. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

George Sluizer's 1992 English-language remake of his 1988 Dutch thriller The Vanishing follows the same plot-line as the original film, yet with one important difference. The film details a young man's (Kiefer Sutherland) search for his girlfriend (Sandra Bullock), who disappeared at a gas station after the couple had a fight. Where the original film didn't reveal what happened to the girlfriend until late into the movie, the 1992 version opens with her kidnapper (Jeff Bridges) plotting his abduction. Over the course of the film, Sutherland's search for Bullock is intercut with footage of Bridges that illustrates his mental illness and his repeated attempts to abduct women. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide

The mystery of Cliff's (John Ratzenberger) missing (and possibly murdered) mother is finally solved. After making the assumption that Kelly's (Jackie Swanson) wealthy father Mr. Gaines (Richard Doyle) is enamored with her, Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) is in for a shock when she learns Gaines' true motives for inviting her to his home. Originally a one-hour episode, "Rebecca Gaines, Rebecca Loses" has since been re-edited as two half-hour programs for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This episode is set in Ireland, where Jessica (Angela Lansbury) has arrived to research a new book in the company of her college colleague, retired Irish detective Sean Culhane (George Hearn). Invited to stay at the home of wealthy developer Neal Gillen (Dakin Matthews), Jessica and Sean are among those present when Gillen suddenly dies, presumably of natural causes. It turns out, however, that Gillen's death may have been premeditated--and may also have been tied in with a local legend concerning the spirit of a "crying woman." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When her Mother breaks her hip and needs full-time care, a married woman is forced to a new understanding of the process of aging and the human spirit. Her Mother becomes resentful and fearful in this powerful affirmation of the dignity of the elderly and the power of a family. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide

While on a first contact mission with the Malconian race, Riker is seriously injured. When he awakens in a hospital, he insists that he is someone else, specifically, Rivas Jakara of the Marta Community. The Malconian authorities place him in custody, accusing him of being the leader of an impending alien invasion. The subsequent plot twists and turns may prove baffling even for hard-core Next Generation fans. Scripted by Dennis Russell Bailey, David Bischoff, Joe Menonsky, Ronald D. Moore and Michael Piller from a story by Marc Scott Zicree, "First Contact" was first presented to the American viewing public on February 23, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This film is a somewhat contrived pairing of two divorcees who are giving it a second go. They're up against considerable odds, however, because the children of each are not too pleased with their new "parent." Jeff Bridges stars as the husband and Alice Krige plays his second wife. ~ All Movie Guide

Directed by George Schaefer, this light made-for-television drama is based upon the novel of the same name by Robert Oliphant. Starring Bette Davis as Esther Cimino, a 73-year-old widow, the film traces the events following Esther's son George's (George Hearn) decision that she is no longer capable of caring for herself in her ederly state. Despite her protests, Esther is ruled incompetent by the legal system, leading her to wage a court battle to regain not only her estate but her dignity as well. Also starring Penny Fuller and Christopher Guest, A Piano for Mrs. Cimino first aired on February 3, 1982 on CBS and was later nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Film Editing. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide