Darryl Hickman Movies
Actor Darryl Hickman was discovered at age three by kiddie-troupe entrepreneur Ethel Meglin, to whom Hickman's insurance salesman father had sold a policy. Whenever young Hickman would ask his ambitious mother exactly why he was trodding the boards with Meglin's Kiddies, she would reply, "But, dear, it's what you've always wanted." Hickman's first movie was a minor role in If I Were King (1938), followed by a better, critically lauded role in Bing Crosby's The Star Maker (1939). After free-lancing for several seasons, Hickman signed a five-year MGM contract, which he later considered a mixed blessing in that, while his roles were good ones, he grew up much too quickly for his tastes. During the 1940s, Hickman often played the film's leading adult character as a child: young Ira Gershwin in Rhapsody in Blue (1945), young Eddie Rickenbacker in Captain Eddie (1945), and so on. Hickman's first mature role, for which he garnered a passel of excellent reviews, was as Clark Gable's son in 1949's Any Number Can Play. Weary of the Hollywood game in 1951, Hickman entered a monastery, but quit this austere existence after 18 months to enroll in Loyola University. Some of Hickman's better adult roles after his Army service included a meaty part in 1956's Tea and Sympathy and a starring part on the 1961 Civil War-based TV series The Americans. In the late 1950s, Hickman found that his fame had been eclipsed by his younger brother Dwayne, who co-starred on TV's Bob Cummings Show and played the lead in the weekly sitcom Dobie Gillis. Like Dwayne, Darryl eventually went into the production side of the business as a CBS executive, though he was still willing to take a part if the project interested him (as 1976's Network obviously did). Darryl Hickman was married to actress Pamela Lincoln, whom he met on the set of The Tingler (1959). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Aftermath: A Test of Love begins where most TV movies end. Based on fact (as recorded in Gary Kinder's book Victim), the story revolves around the family of Richard Chamberlain, an aloof obstetrician. The family falls victim to a violent, random crime, depicted in gruesome detail. Chamberlain's wife is murdered, and one of his sons is seriously wounded. Surviving this ordeal, Chamberlain must now try to hold his remaining loved ones together emotionally and attempt to reassemble his own battered psyche. The true events which inspired Aftermath: A Test of Love occurred in the 1970s in Ogden, Utah, where this TV movie was partially filmed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Twenty-one years after ending its original ABC prime-time run in 1965, the Hanna Barbera animated adventure series Jonny Quest was revived with 13 brand-new episodes as a component of the weekend syndicated package "Funtastic World of Hanna Barbera." All of the original characters were revived: globetrotting research scientist, Dr. Benton Quest; his tousled-haired son, Jonny; Jonny's bodyguard-tutor, Race Bannon; his mystical young Indian friend, Hadji; and the pet bulldog, Bandit. Of the original voice actors, only Don Messick (as Dr. Quest and Bandit) and Victor Perrin (as perennial villain Dr. Zin) were heard on the later series. In the sixth of the "new" episodes, another member of the Quest team was introduced, a "Monolith Man" named Hardrok. Slightly better animated than the original -- and with markedly wittier dialogue as well as a refreshing increase in its sci-fi-fantasy content -- the Jonny Quest (1986 series) was later incorporated in the same package as the 26 "original" Jonny Quest episodes. Under the blanket title "Classic Jonny Quest," this manifest was seen on cable's Cartoon Network from 1992 to 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Menville, Granville van Dusen, (more)
Michael J. Fox is among the young sitcom stars enlisted for this made-for-TV teen film, about a battle between the rich, popular kids and their average counterparts. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael J. Fox, Nancy McKeon, (more)
- 1982
This adaptation of William Shakespeare's drama of an aging king and the deceit and treachery that envelops his family as they fight over his estate features Mike Kellen, David Groh, Kitty Winn and Darryl Hickman. The DVD version features bonus features accessible on computers with DVD drives -- a teacher's guide to King Lear, and a text for this edition of the play. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Kellin
- 1978
Archie envisions a life free of financial worries when Edith is chosen to appear in a detergent commercial. Unfortunately for Archie -- and the sponsor -- Edith is incapable of telling lies in front of the camera. Former child star Darryl Hickman delivers a hilariously understated performance as a gay TV director. Scripted by Ben Starr and Ron Bloomberg from a story by Bloomberg, "The Commercial" first aired on January 8, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1965
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini is considered to be the strangest of the "Beach Party" movies. Frankie (Frankie Avalon) is off in the navy, serving in the South Pacific, and nervous about all of the guys that will be hitting on Dee Dee (Annette Funicello) back at the beach. He makes a deal with an eccentric white witch doctor (Buster Keaton), who conjures up a woman named Cassandra (Beverly Adam) who is irresistible to all men, and she attracts all of the guys on the beach. But complications ensue when lunatic advertising man Mickey Rooney decides to try and make Cassandra a new national sex symbol, and she gets noticed by nutsy bike gang leader Erik Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck), who vows to have her. With enough plot complications to rival A Midsummer Night's Dream, Wild Bikini is laced with satire and some surprisingly good music. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Annette Funicello, Dwayne Hickman, (more)
- 1963
This made-for-TV Disney effort stars Kevin Corcoran as Johnny, an orphan who becomes a drummer for the Union Army during the Civil War. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Drug kingpin Louie Madikoff (Harold J. Stone) ends up half a million dollars in the red when several of his dope shipments are intercepted by Elliot Ness (Robert Stack). In desperation, Louie warns Ness that if any more of his deliveries are stopped, he'll blow up a school full of children--and brings in professional "torch" Artie Krebs (Warren Oates) in case he has to carry out his threat. Meanwhile, a Romeo-and-Juliet romance between Madikoff's son Danny (Darryl Hickman) and Francey Pavanos (Collin Wilcox), the daughter of Louie's hated rival Mike Pavanos (Booth Colman), may well prove fatal for all concerned. With this episode, Robert Carricart returns to the role of Lucky Luciano. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Out of favor with the Mob, disgruntled numbers runner Al Morrissey (Jay C. Flippen) is poised to "tell all" to Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) when he is killed in a particularly nasty fashion. Now, Al's operation is in the hands of his son Phil (Darryl Hickman), who happens to be a friend of "Untouchable" Martin Flaherty (Jerry Paris). Will Phil cooperate with the Feds, or will he carry out his own brand of vengeance against his father's murderers? Christine White, best known to film buffs as the longtime friend and confidante of iconic movie star James Dean, appears unbilled as Phil's long-suffering girlfriend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the 13th episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, John (Tom Tryon) finds himself in the uncomfortable position of mediating an argument between his son Willie (Brian Corcoran) and his new bride Viola (Betty Lynn). This domestic disturbance is temporarily shelved when word arrives that Apache marauders are killing the local ranchers' cattle. Hoping to stem this wave of terror, John pays a visit to his Indian friend Natchez (Jay Silverheels), who is now chief of the Apaches. Alas, the situation is beyond Natchez' control; the person responsible for the present crisis is the renegade Geronimo (Pat Hogan). Much against the wishes of his family, John tries to bring Geronimo out into the open by challenging the Apache to mortal combat. Originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Geronimo's Revenge" and the 1961 episode "The End of the Trail" were edited together in 1964 and released theatrically overseas as a "feature film," also titled Geronimo's Revenge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the 12th episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, widower John (Tom Tryon) has finally wed the lovely Viola Howell (Betty Lynn), thus providing a mother for his children Willie (Brian Corcoran) and Addy (Patricia Gorman). En route to register his land claim, John rescues his old friend Ashley Carstairs (Darryl Hickman) from ambushers. Having returned to Tombstone to deliver the two Kentucky Thoroughbred horses that he promised John a few episodes back, Ashley proves to be much more short-tempered and quicker to use his guns than before. Fueling Ashley's anger is the fact that he himself was once in love with John's new bride Viola. "Kentucky Gunslick" first aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Part of the Walt Disney series, Tales of Texas John Slaughter, this film finds Geronimo warring with a group of settlers, while a friendly ranch owner finds himself caught between the conflicting groups. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Originally aired on TV from Walt Disney, these episodes are combined to form a feature about a Texan man who is forced to defend settlers against Indian friends after Geronimo attacks some innocents. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1959
In the ninth episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, John (Tom Tryon) and his friend, Kentucky horse breeder Ashley Carstairs (Darryl Hickman), arrive in Tombstone, AZ, with their newly purchased cattle herd. Hoping to establish a new ranch on open land, Slaughter runs afoul of ruthless cattle baron Ike Clanton (James Westerfield). John and Ashley are also briefly taken prisoner by feisty Viola Howell (Betty Lynn), who accuses them of thievery. "Range War at Tombstone" originally aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
In the eighth episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, John (Tom Tryon) and his new friend, Kentucky horse breeder Ashley Carstairs (Darryl Hickman), have managed to survive the ordeal of being stranded in the New Mexico desert. This experience has only strengthened John's resolve to capture the stallion leader of a valuable wild-horse herd -- provided that Ashley does not blunder in releasing the stallion as he did before. Meanwhile, crooked rancher Jason Hemp (John Vivyan) continues his efforts to rid the territory of Slaughter and his friend so that he can control the local horse business himself. The conclusion of a two-part story which began with the previous week's "The Robber Stallion," "Wild Horse Revenge" originally aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
In the seventh episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, the recently widowed Slaughter (Tom Tryon) arrives in New Mexico to purchase a herd of cattle and bring it back to Tombstone, where hungry silver miners will pay top dollar. Upon his arrival, he is talked into participating in a wild-horse roundup by Easterner Ashley Carstairs (Darryl Hickman), who hopes to breed Thoroughbreds for steeplechase racing in Kentucky. Ultimately, however, John and Ashley are stranded in the desert without horses or water, thanks to machinations of an outlaw and the capriciousness of an unbridled stallion. Originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "The Robber Stallion" was the first of a two-part story, culminating with the subsequent week's episode, "Wild Horse Revenge." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward made a rare joint TV appearance in this live Playhouse 90 broadcast of 1958. Newman is cast as former college football star Christian Darling, whose legendary 80-yard run in the mid-1920s won him fame, adulation, a beautiful wife named Louise (Joanne Woodward), a profitable business set up by his father-in-law, and a generously yearly stipend. All this changed with the Crash of 1929: Now broke and unemployed, Christian sits morosely at home, with only the memory of his gridiron glory keeping him company. Meanwhile, Louise has landed a good job at a fashion magazine--but as she moves up in the world, the embirtterd Christian seriously considers moving out. "The 80 Yard Run" was adapted from Irwin Shaw's short story by the author's brother David Shaw. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, (more)
- 1957
Upon his release from prison, petty crook Jackie Blake (Darryl Hickman) is "adopted" by Martha and Ralph Collins (Mildred Dunnock, Nehemiah Persoff), the kindly parents of his former cellmate. For the first time in his life, Jackie has a family and a place that he can call home, and before long he has found a good job and has embarked upon a new direction in life. But as revealed in the episode's final moments, Martha and Ralph Collins aren't quite all that they appear to be. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
Frontier peacekeeper Sheriff Galt (Sterling Hayden) faces a crisis of conscience in The Iron Sheriff. In the aftermath of a robbery-murder, Galt follows the trail of evidence directly to his own son, Benjie (Darryl Hickman). Sworn to uphold the law at all costs, Galt is grimly determined to see that Benjie will receive a fair trial without any coercion on his part. But the townsfolk have already decided that the sheriff will try to spring the boy, and a lynch-mob mentality slows festers its way through the community. As the trial proceeds, it becomes obvious that Benjie is going to hang for his alleged crime, but there's still one or two surprises in store. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sterling Hayden, Constance Ford, (more)
- 1957
In one of his rare movie starring assignments, William Talman (Hamilton Burger on TV's Perry Mason) plays a dual role in The Persuader. Talman is seen as gunslinger Matt Bonham and his twin brother, preacher Mark Bonham. When Mark is killed by outlaw leader Bick Justin (James Craig), Matt takes his brother's place in the pulpit, ramming the Fear of God down the throats of the wanton townspeople. Impressed by Bonham's courage, the townsfolk begin to follow the straight and narrow path. The disgruntled Justin makes plans to burn down the church, but then the Lord moves in His usual mysterious and wonderous way. Former child star Darryl Hickman makes a vivid impression as the dead twin's vengeful young son. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Talman, James Craig, (more)
- 1957
F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story "Winter Dreams" is brought to life in this 1957 Playhouse 90 presentation. John Cassavetes stars as Dexter Green, who has spent most of his life trying to fulfill the ambitions and hopes of his socially ambitious mother and his conservative father. Thanks to his mom's aggressiveness, Dexter has achieved financial success and prestige in his community--and, as a bonus, he is poised to marry the girl carefully selected by his parents. But things change radically when wealthy but fickle Judy Holt (Dana Wynter) slinks into Dexter's life. Actor Joseph Sweeney was a last minute-replacement for Edmund Gwenn, who was slated to play the role of Mr. Gordon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Wynter, John Cassavetes, (more)
- 1957
Among the reasons that Doris Cole (Hillary Brooke) has left her husband Peter (John McNamara) is that she once awoke to find him standing over her bed, brandishing a knife. Peter insists that he is a chronic sleepwalker and had no idea what he was doing. Even so, when Phillip Kendall (Harry Hickox), an extortionist who has threatened to block the divorce that Peter so desperately wants, is found stabbed to death, Peter is charged with murder. It is up to Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) to prove Cole's innocence--and to reveal the guilty party. This episode is based on a 1936 novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
1956's Tea and Sympathy is a diluted filmization of Robert Anderson's Broadway play. The original production was considered quite daring in its attitudes towards homosexuality (both actual and alleged) and marital infidelity; the film softpedals these elements, as much by adding to the text as by subtracting from it. John Kerr plays a sensitive college student who prefers the arts to sports; as such, he is ridiculed as a "sissy" by his classmates and hounded mercilessly by his macho-obsessed father Edward Andrews. Only student Darryl Hickman treats Kerr with any decency, perceiving that being different is not the same as being effeminate. Deborah Kerr, the wife of testosterone-driven housemaster Leif Erickson, likewise does her best to understand rather than condemn John for his "strangeness." Desperate to prove his manhood, John is about to visit town trollop Norma Crane. Though nothing really happens, the girl cries "rape!" Both John's father and Deborah's husband adopt a thick-eared "Boys will be boys" attitude, which only exacerbates John's insecurities. Feeling pity for John and at the same time resenting her own husband's boorishness, Deborah offers her own body to the mixed-up boy. "When you speak of this in future years...and you will...be kind." With this classic closing line, the original stage production of Tea and Sympathy came to an end. Fearing censorship interference, MGM insisted upon a stupid epilogue, indicating that Deborah Kerr deeply regretted her "wrong" behavior. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Deborah Kerr, John Kerr, (more)
- 1954
Marjorie Main is the whole show in the Universal programmer Ricochet Romance. Playing the outspoken new cook at a rundown dude ranch, Marjorie forces everyone around her to pitch in and bring some life back into the place. She also sets her sights on old layabout Chill Wills, scheming to rope the critter into marriage. Veteran comedy director Charles W. Lamont moves the proceedings along with style, never missing an opportunity for a low-comedy slapstick turn. The most surprising aspect of Ricochet Romance is that it is not an entry in Marjorie Main's Ma and Pa Kettle series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marjorie Main, Chill Wills, (more)
