Richard Herd Movies
Richard Herd was a busy character actor for 20 years, mostly playing tough cops, ruthless corporate executives, and murderous villains in everything from topical dramas to science fiction thrillers before he became a comedy star in the 1990s, thanks to the series Seinfeld. A stage actor of long experience, he has received awards for his theatrical work, most notably The Couch With Six Insides, which he co-produced and which garnered an Obie. Herd began appearing on television in the early '60s, in commercials, for Newport cigarettes and other products, which frequently had a comic side to them, but it was in harder and heavier roles in movies and television that he was best known in the 1970s and 1980s: Captain Sheridan in the police show T.J. Hooker; villains in Scarecrow and Mrs. King and numerous other hour-long dramas; tough executives and military officers on M*A*S*H and other series; and as the alien leader John in the NBC miniseries V. His portrayal of ruthless power company executive Evan McCormack in the feature film The China Syndrome left Herd typed as a heavy for years, which didn't prevent him from giving memorable performances in series such as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and feature films like Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. In the 1990s, however, his flair for comedy also came to the fore with his portrayal of Mr. Wilhelm, George Costanza's high-pressure boss at the New York Yankees, which earned him an award from the Screen Actors Guild. He has also appeared in series such as E.R. and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and has a growing legion of fans in the field of science fiction from his work on Star Trek: Voyager. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
Bay Area digital-effects wizard David Lee Fisher offers an enticing visual remix of the 1920 German expressionist classic with this innovative updating that places contemporary performers against scanned backdrops of the original and offers a detailed new script to create an exciting new vision. As the annual fair descends upon the sleepy burg of Holstenwall, Germany, Francis and his best friend Alan are unwittingly enticed into attending an exhibition by malevolent hypnotist Dr. Caligari that will have a sinister, life-changing effect on the pair. When the dreadful doctor awakens psychic sleepwalker Cesare (Hellboy's Doug Jones) from his profound slumber to predict Alan's future, the resulting prophecy is endlessly more terrifying than the frightened friends could have ever imagined. In the days that follow, the citizens of Holstenwell fall prey to a grisly series of unsolved murders that prompts Francis to launch a thorough investigation. With the killer fast closing in on Francis' unsuspecting fiancée Jane, the brave husband-to-be must uncover the secret of Dr. Caligari's strange powers before his one and only love suffers a particularly grim fate. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judson Pearce Morgan, Daamen Krall, (more)
- 2004
Friends, lovers no more: Ryan (Ben McKenzie) and Marissa (Mischa Barton) intend to resist all temptation and keep their relationship on a strictly platonic basis. Meanwhile, Ryan's former girlfriend Theresa (Navi Rawat) isn't being completely above-board as to why she has shown up in Newport. Elsewhere, Jimmy (Tate Donovan) is suspicious about the relationship between Julie (Melinda Clarke) and Luke (Chris Carmack); Caleb (Alan Dale) causes more trouble for his son-in-law, Sandy (Peter Gallagher); and the relationship between Seth (Adam Brody) and Summer (Rachel Bilson) reaches an impasse thanks to false pride. ~ All Movie Guide
- 2001
The Voyager crew tests out Operation Watson, a method of transmitting live messages to Starfleet on Earth. The crew's family members back home are gratified to communicate with their loved ones after so many years. But joy degenerates into confusion and resentment when the Doctor's (Robert Picardo) ongoing holographic novel begins insinuating itself into the transmissions. Dwight Schultz makes a return appearance as Reginald Barclay. "Author, Author" first aired on April 18, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roxann Dawson
- 2000
Renewed hope for a quick return to Earth arrives at the Voyager in the form of a "special delivery" from the Alpha Quadrant. A hologram of liaison officer Reginald Barclay (Dwight Schultz) is brought on board for the avowed purpose of leading the crew back home through a geodesic fold. Meanwhile, the real Barclay finds out that his hologram has been sabotaged and the Voyager is headed for disaster! "Inside Man" was originally telecast on November 8, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roxann Dawson
- 1999
Dwight Schultz reprises his Next Generation role of hypersensitive officer Reg Barclay. Now stationed at Starfleet's San Francisco Yards, Barclay becomes obsessed with contacting the long-lost Voyager. Enlisting the aid of the reluctant Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), Barclay succeeds in getting them both in hot water with their superiors, but that doesn't stop him from hatching a bold and dangerous plan to carry out his self-appointed mission. The final first-run Voyager episode of the millennium, Pathfinder originally aired December 1, 1999; it was written by David Zabel and Kenneth Biller, from a story by Zabel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roxann Dawson
- 1998
In the concluding half of Seinfeld's controversial series finale, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander), Kramer (Michael Richards), and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) find themselves stranded in Latham, MA -- and even worse, they are facing arrest for violating the town's new Good Samaritan law (it seems there was this mugging...). Hoping to beat the rap -- and make it to California in time for Jerry to sell his proposed sitcom "about nothing" -- the gang engages the services of flamboyant lawyer Jackie Chiles (Phil Morris). Alas, the prosecution has managed to round up a daunting array of witnesses to bolster their case against the foursome, including Sidra (Teri Hatcher) of "they're real and they're spectacular" fame, the Soup Nazi (Larry Thomas), Marla the Virgin (Jane Leeves), and the Bubble Boy (Jon Hayman) -- while the sour-faced judge (Stanley Anderson) with the familiar-sounding name fumes, and a vengeful Newman (Wayne Knight) chuckles from the sidelines. As for the now-legendary final scene...haven't we had this conversation before? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Unable to slay a bad case of the flu, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is admitted to the hospital. While sleeping, she has a dream about a tall dark creature with a young boy. The next day she discovers the same boy is a patient in the children's ward. He says the creature is Death and has killed many children. A more obvious culprit is the unorthodox Dr. Backer, but Buffy finds him dead. Meanwhile, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) suspects that Jenny's (Robia La Morte) death might be causing Buffy to fabricate a creature to fight, but he soon uncovers the creature's identity as Der Kindestod, or "child death." Buffy reinfects herself with her fever to battle the monster because he can only be seen by those in the feverish state. It is also revealed that Buffy first encountered Der Kindestod as an eight-year-old when her cousin died in a hospital. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) thinks it's a good thing that he is number one on his girlfriend's speed dial -- but it isn't. Apprehensive about the approaching millennium, Kramer (Michael Richards) decides to hold his New Year's Eve party two years early. George (Jason Alexander) connives to get fired by the Yankees so he can accept what he thinks is a better job with the Mets. And Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) discovers that changing clothing stores after receiving bad service doesn't solve much of anything. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
When George (Jason Alexander) finds the perfect place for a nap -- under a desk at the Yankee Stadium offices -- he persuades Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) to phone in a bomb threat to get Steinbrenner out of the office. The result? Steinbrenner hires George to handle the "terrorist's" demands for "Fitted Hat Day." Meanwhile Kramer (Michael Richards) starts swimming in the East River, with decidedly aromatic results; and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) misunderstands when her new boyfriend sends her a mattress. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) has another fateful run-in -- several fateful run-ins, as it turns out -- with Mike Moffit (Lee Arenberg), the man who once called him a phony. Kramer (Michael Richards) gets into a fight which may prove beneficial for Jerry. Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) doesn't know what she's in for when her co-worker Peggy (Megan Cole) insists upon calling her "Susie." And George (Jason Alexander) runs away from his current girlfriend rather than give her the opportunity to break up with him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Actress Heather Locklear publicly stated that she hoped her bravura performance in the made-for-TV drama Shattered Mind would be a "career turner." Having endured an unhappy childhood from which she still carries unsavory secrets, young wife and mother Suzy (Locklear) goes completely around the bend after the death of her father. With her husband and two daughters looking on in helpless horror, the schizophrenic Suzy suddenly develops several alternate personalities--including a prostitute named Ginger, a frightened little girl named Bonnie, a haughty well-educated woman named Victoria, and even an abusive male teenager named D.J.! Though not exactly of Sybil caliber, Shattered Mind did manage to gain critical plaudits for star Locklear when it was first aired by NBC on May 27, 1996. Since that time, the film has been rerun on cable under the title The Terror Inside. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) receives several royalty checks for an appearance on Japanese TV -- each coming to the munificent sum of 12 cents. This sets Kramer (Michael Richards) to thinking that maybe some Japanese TV executive might be interested in Jerry's concept of "a show about nothing" -- which may or may not explain why Kramer has a hot tub installed in his apartment. Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) hopes to hit it off with her new boyfriend, Brett (James Patrick Stuart), who loves designer furniture and the song "Desperado" -- in that order. And George (Jason Alexander) hires some carpet cleaners -- actually troubleshooters for a religious cult -- to work on the offices at Yankee Stadium. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) is impressed by the fact that his current girlfriend has a mentor -- but less than impressed when he discovers that the mentor is none other than his comedy bête noire Kenny Bania (Steve Hytner). Unable to fire an employee, Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) lives to regret her moment of weakness. Kramer (Michael Richards) organizes the first Jewish Singles Night at Newman's Knights of Columbus Hall, relying upon George's father, Frank (Jerry Stiller), for cooking advice. And George (Jason Alexander) pretends to be blind to get free books on tape. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In the conclusion of "The Bottle Deposit," Kramer (Michael Richards) is halfway to Michigan when he spots the car stolen from Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) -- and in so doing messes up his "double deposit" scheme. Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) has a vested interest in the stolen car, since it carries the valuable J.F.K. golf clubs that she's purchased on behalf of Peterman (John O'Hurley). And when Steinbrenner can't figure out just how George (Jason Alexander) has done such a great job on a current project, George ends up in a mental institution. Listen as the "farmer's daughter" blows a line! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In the first half of "The Bottle Deposit," it's Elaine versus the "Oh Henry Heiress" in a bidding war for a set of golf clubs originally owned by J.F.K. and highly coveted by Peterman (John O'Hurley). Kramer (Michael Richards) and Newman (Wayne Knight) travel to Michigan to get a double refund on a cache of soda bottles and cans. Jerry's (Jerry Seinfeld) car is stolen by his own mechanic. And George (Jason Alexander) jumps upon a major project without getting all the details. Originally telecast as a 60-minute episode, "The Bottle Deposit" has been edited into two half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
"How Far Would You Go to Save Your Sister's Life?" This was the question posed by the original ad copy for the made-for-TV drama A Case for Life--and the answer would seem to be "to the highest courts of the land", or at least that's how far Los Angeles lawyer Liz Hammett (Mel Harris) is prepared to go. A staunch pro-choice advocate, Liz discovers that her sister Kelly Porter (Valerie Bertinelli) is pregnant--a potential fatal situation, inasmuch as Kelly suffers from a rare medical condition requiring a delicate surgical procedure that will put both herself and her unborn child in jeopardy should she allow the baby to go to term. As dedicated to the pro-life movement as Liz is to the "other side", Kelly is determined to have her baby, and hang the consequences. It soon develops that Kelly is one against many, when even her doctor, her husband and her otherwise pro-life parents recommend an abortion. But Kelly sticks to her guns--and so does Liz, who initiates a lawsuit to force Kelly to abort immediately. Ultimately, the battle between the siblings becomes a national cause celebre, with virtually everyone in the country taking sides. A Cause for Life made its ABC network debut on February 18, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
In wake of the ongoing crisis involving his ailing mother, the customarily brusque and arrogant Benton (Eriq La Salle) astonishes everyone with his courtesy, consideration, and compassion. Meanwhile, Ross (George Clooney) is ordered to see a psychiatrist after punching a patient, and also agrees to coach the Little League team in which Diane's (Lisa Zane) son is a player. And Greene (Anthony Edwards) angers Swift (Michael Ironside) by heading to Milwaukee in hopes of reconciling with Jenn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Anxious for revenge against the corporation that has refused to promote her, an ambitious secretary beguiles a naive stockbroker into helping her enact a deadly plan. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mel Harris, Sheila Kelley, (more)
- 1993
While attending a celebrity-studded party held by the editor of a Beverly Hills gossip magazine, Jessica (Angea Lansbury) begins formulating the plot of her next mystery novel. The principal ingredients include a trendy florist with a roster of A-list clients who is secretly helping an unscrupulous writer dig up dirt for a series of scandalous articles. The florist soon turns up dead, and virtually every member of the Beverly Hills "in crowd" falls under suspicion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Just in time for the February ratings "sweeps," Next Generation offered this two part episode. The story gets under way as Worf is told that his presumed-dead father is alive in a Romulan prison camp. Almost simultaneously, Data experiences his first-ever dream, which provides him with a clue pertaining to his origins. Worf and Data both embark upon separate quests in search of their "roots, " with several startling suprises in store. Written by Brannon Braga, part one of "Birthright" was first telecast February 27, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
In the first part of this episode, Worf and Data both embarked on strange journeys in search of their respective fathers. In part two, Data has already returned to the Enterprise, having discovered the source of the bizarre dreams which spurred his quest. Meanwhile, Worf is captured and interred in a Romulan prison camp, where Romulans and Klingons live together peacefully, a situation which he cannot tolerate. First telecast March 6, 1993, part two of "Birthright" was written by Rene Echevarria. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
A U.S. general confronts the struggle of her lifetime when she decides to run for president in this drama. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1991
The superb, utterly convincing special effects in the two-part TV movie The Big One: The Great Los Angeles Earthquake cannot be faulted. Less convincing are the scenes in which the fictional TV reporters, demoralized and in tears, can't bring themselves to describe the extent of the destruction. Part One, telecast November 11, 1990, finds seismologist Joanna Kerns trying in vain to convince authorities that the entire LA basin will be shake-and-bake within a few days. This portion of the drama ends with "The Big One" wreaking havoc throughout Lala-land. Part Two, broadcast November 12, concerns itself with the aftermath, the rescues, the tragedies, and above all the effect the natural disaster has on Kerns and her friends and family. Also appearing in The Big One is Ed Begley Jr. as the one political official willing to listen to Kerns' warnings, and Richard Masur as one of those "I can't bear it!" TV journalists. The video version titled The Great Los Angeles Earthquake runs 106 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
