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
- 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
- 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)
- 1949
Shirley Temple's final starring film, A Kiss for Corliss is a sequel to the actress' 1945 hit Kiss and Tell. The 21-year-old Temple again stars as impulsive teenager Corliss Archer, who on this occasion harbors a crush on notorious playboy Kenneth Marquis (David Niven), who has already been to the altar many times and to the boudoir many more. So moonstruck is she by Marquis (who barely acknowledges her existence) that Corliss begins writing down her imaginary romantic trysts with him in her diary. Naturally, the book falls into the hands of Corliss' parents (Tom Tully and Gloria Holden), who believe every word...especially when Marquis, evidently hoping to teach Corliss a lesson, "verifies" that the diary speaks the truth. Our heroine tries to extricate herself from this embarrassing situation by relying on one of moviedom's oldest clichés; no mean trick, inasmuch as this film is virtually a cliché smorgasbord, albeit an enjoyable one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shirley Temple, David Niven, (more)
- 1944
In this melodrama, a doctor returns to his home town to set out his shingle. He was born on the poor side of town and so has had a life-long anger towards the town's wealthiest family. When the daughter of this family comes in for treatment, he finds himself faced with a dilemma. A bout with meningitis has left her deaf. He has a new drug that can cure deafness. Will he use it, or will he let his anger prevent him from helping her? ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Loretta Young, Alan Ladd, (more)
- 1949
In this light drama, Clark Gable once again played his stock-in-trade role of a rogue with a heart of gold. Charlie King (Gable) runs a casino, but, in a business that thrives among the unscrupulous, Charlie takes pride in running an honest game and treating his customers with fairness and respect. However, Charlie's wife Lon (Alexis Smith) doesn't care if he runs a fair game -- she regards gambling as a dirty and corrupt business, and no matter how honest Charlie may be, he's still involved in a wicked activity. Charlie's son Paul (Darryl Hickman) is also against him; when Paul gets in trouble and Charlie bails him out of jail, he refuses to leave with him, instead going home with mother. Charlie invites Paul to see what his casino is like, and Lon agrees that Paul should know just what his father does. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clark Gable, Alexis Smith, (more)
- 1943
Jean-Pierre Aumont (billed simply as Pierre Aumont) makes his American film debut in Assignment in Brittany. Set during WW2, the film casts Aumont as Free French captain Metard, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Bertrand Conlay, a prisoner of the Allies whom is suspected of being a fifth columnist. Posing as Conlay, Metard gains the confidence of the Nazi occupiers of Brittany. He plays his part to the hilt, even unto romancing Conlay's patriotic girlfriend Anne Pinot (Susan Peters). This being a standard-issue "underground" melodrama, the film ends with a life-and-death contretemps with the Nazis, excitingly staged by director Jack Conway. Assignment in Brittany is based on the best-selling novel by Helen Macinnes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Pierre Aumont, Susan Peters, (more)
- 1948
Pine-Thomas Productions' "Big Town" film series, based on the radio program of the same name, came to an end with Big Town Scandal. Returning for their fourth go-round are Philip Reed as Steve Wilson, crusading editor of the Illustrated Daily Press, and Hillary Brooke as Lorelei Kilbourne, Wilson's super-efficient Girl Friday. When a group of unruly teenagers are paroled in Wilson's custody, he tries to reform them by setting up a Youth Center. Unfortunately a group of crooked gamblers begin hiding their ill-gotten gains at the Center, thanks to the assistance of fast-lipped punk Tommy Malone (Stanley Clements). Only after one of his young friends is killed does Tommy wise up and help Wilson expose the crooks. Among the juvenile performers in Big Town Scandal are Carl Switzer and Tommy Bond, formerly "Alfalfa" and "Butch" in the Our Gang comedies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phillip Reed, Hillary Brooke, (more)
- 1947
A kind-hearted Native American adopts a homeless, orphaned Chinese boy who has only a horse to his name. This touching melodrama chronicles the years they spend together. The boy's new parents mate his horse with their mare and the resulting filly proves to be fast. They nearly lose the filly, but manage to get her out of the clutches of a dishonest horse manager. They then breed her. On the day she foals, they find oil upon the land and they name the colt "Black Gold." Together father and adopted son raise the horse with the hope of entering it in the Kentucky Derby. Unfortunately, by this time, the father is an old man and just before he dies, he makes the boy promise to run the horse in the Big Race. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Quinn, Katherine de Mille, (more)
- 1946
Boys' Ranch was conceived as a showcase for MGM's newest juvenile star, Jackie "Butch" Jenkins. James Craig is billed second as baseball player Dan Walker, who sets up a Texas ranch for disadvantaged city kids. Jenkins plays Butch, the cutest and most precocious of the boys, while Skip Homeier is Skippy, an unregenerate juvenile delinquent who thinks that Walker's ranch is for "suckers". Eventually, Homeier is won over, but only after a series of intense dramatic complications. MGM had done variations of this story several times before, in such films as Boys Town and Lord Jeff, but audiences never seemed to tire of the formula. Boys Ranch was filmed on location at a real-life boys' ranch near Amarillo, Texas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Butch Jenkins, James Craig, (more)
- 1945
Famed WW1 aviator Eddie Rickenbacker once more entered the public's consciousness during WW2 when, while serving as an Air Force officer, he and several other pilots crashed into the Pacific. While the world anxiously awaited news of his fate, Rickenbacker and a handful of survivors floated for 19 days in a tiny rubber raft. Captain Eddie recreates this incident, using it as a framework for a series of flashbacks in which Rickenbacker (Fred MacMurray) reminisces on the high points of his life. He is seen experimenting with aviation in his backyard, working in an auto factory to finance his earliest flights, and wooing and winning the lovely Adelaide (Lynn Bari). When America enters WW1, Rickenbacker immediately signs up, eventually shooting down more enemy planes than any other American aviator. Back in "the present", Rickenbacker and his comrades (including Lloyd Nolan and Richard Conte as Lt. Whittaker and Private Bartek) struggle to stay alive while awaiting rescue. Darryl Hickman plays Rickenbacker as a boy, while Charles Bickford portrays his father William. The huge supporting cast includes amusing unbilled contributions by Grady Sutton ("The schottische is my fav-or-ite dance!") and George Chandler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fred MacMurray, Lynn Bari, (more)
- 1949
This modern-day "Faust" variation benefits from a superb cast. Thomas Mitchell plays Joseph Foster, an honest judge who wants to become governor. Blocked by corrupt political forces, Foster would practically have to make a deal with the Devil to reach his goal. Enter Nick Beal (Ray Milland), a diabolically handsome gent with a slick line of patter and a smooth, infallible method of getting things done. Failing to recognize his benefactor's true identity (after all, Nick has no horns or cloven hooves) Foster agrees to the deal when Nick assures him that the end result is for the good of the people. To bind the bargain, Nick sends out one of his most trusted associates, Donna Allen (Audrey Totter), to keep Foster in line. When Foster finally realizes that he's sold his soul, there seems to be no way out..but that's when the forces of Good, represented by Foster's wife Martha (Geraldine Wall) and his clergyman friend Thomas Gaylord (George Macready), switch into high gear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ray Milland, Audrey Totter, (more)
- 1951
Though made in 1951, Criminal Lawyer has the feel of a 1930s film, right down to the casting of Pat O'Brien in the lead. The star plays attorney James Regan, whose unethical methods have earned him the disdain of the American Bar Association. Eventually, Regan is even disgusted with himself, and accordingly crawls into a liquor bottle. Redeemed by the love of girl-Friday Maggie Powell (Jane Wyatt), Regan tackles a difficult make-or-break case which comprises the film's tense denouement. Critics in 1951 were impressed by the subtle performance by brutish Mike Mazurki as Regan's bodyguard; few of them were aware that the college-educated Mazurki was a sensitive, highly intelligent performer who was not at all like the thugs and pluguglies he played on screen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pat O'Brien, Jane Wyatt, (more)
- 1947
In this melodrama, a young juvenile delinquent convinces other teens to join his gang. The gang raids a warehouse and there he ends up killing the school's most beloved teacher. The boy is tried. In court the D.A.'s adopted daughter stands up for the boy. Years before, when they were both orphans, he had done the same for her. The D.A. is unmoved an tries to prosecute to the full extent of the law. The defense, says the real blame should be upon the boy's parents. The boy is given a life sentence. Unbeknownst to the self-righteous D.A., the boy is his long-lost son. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billy Halop, Ann E. Todd, (more)
- 1953
An offbeat blend of World War II drama and "Arabian Nights" escapism, Destination Gobi is all the more odd in that it is allegedly based on fact. Richard Widmark heads a group of US Navy men, sent to Mongolia for weather observation. Widmark must lead his men across the treacherous Gobi desert to the freedom of the seacoast. Rescued from the Japanese by a Mongolian chief (Murvyn Vye), the men are compelled to repay their rescuer by securing enough saddles for his sixty horses. A flummoxed Pentagon okays the requisition, and the chieftain leads Widmark's band to Okinawa. Destination Gobi makes good use of the Arizona desert, which "stands in" for Gobi. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Widmark, Don Taylor, (more)
- 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
- 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 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
- 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
- 1940
In this B movie actioner, a plucky female cub reporter is determined to get her boss a front page scoop and so finagles a way to spend a few days with two drivers in the title squad. While with them she finds herself reporting a huge fire at a chemical plant. She gets herself in real danger when she begins looking into a disaster-plagued tunnel construction site and finds that a racketeer is in cahoots with a crooked contractor. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Henry, Louise Campbell, (more)
- 1948
"Boys Town" goes to turn-of-the-century St. Louis in this moving drama that chronicles the love of a determined priest struggling to turn around the lives of a street-wise gang of newsboys living at his homeless shelter. The good father has little money and must use his wits and ability to convince others to help out to supply the little shelter. Much of the story centers on his relationship with a troubled lad who accidentally kills someone. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pat O'Brien, Griff Barnett, (more)
- 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
- 1940
Former child star Jackie Cooper headlines this sentimental behind-the-scenes comedy drama. He plays an ex-child star who now jerks sodas for a living in Hollywood. He gets back into the movie business when he overhears a conversation between producers discussing their newest prodigy. Cooper butts in and suggests the producers remake Skippy (a real-life 1931 film that made young Cooper a star). The bigwigs like the idea and then hire Cooper to become the boy's acting coach. Once back on the backlot, Cooper finds both trouble and romance while helping the young boy adjust to life as a movie star. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Cooper, Susanna Foster, (more)
