Joe Higgins Movies
- 1982
In order to qualify for the "Miss Tri-Counties" pageant, a girl must be beautiful, a terrific driver, and possessed of fantastic mechanical abilities. Daisy Duke (Catherine Bach) fulfills all of these qualifications, but "Miss Hatchipee" Melanie DuBois (Damone Simpson), the girlfriend of Chickasaw County boss Big Jim Mathers (Joe Higgins), does not. Even so, Boss Mathers is willing to "persuade" Boss Hogg (Sorrell Booke) to the tune of $10,000 to make sure that Melanie wins and Daisy loses! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
- PG
This lighthearted, tuneful and youth-oriented comedy is set in a record store and chronicles the zany exploits of its employees. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1975
- R
A proud old Southern woman struggles to keep her popular diner afloat in this interesting character study. The little cafe is a popular community meeting place and its closing would create a great hole in the town. Though her devoted daughters assist, their help is not enough. Unfortunately, the woman refuses to ask for outside help. In desperation, the woman decides that she needs herself a "sugar daddy," and so heads for Miami. There she meets all kinds of men, ranging from a mental patient to a wealthy but married Texan. Unfortunately, she cannot raise the money she needs. Somehow, the money is raised at the last moment and her restaurant is finally saved. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lindsay Bloom, Jana Bellan, (more)
- 1974
Several changes are effected for Sigmund and the Sea Monsters as the Saturday-morning Krofft Brothers comedy series enters its second season. The opening episode, "A Genie for Sigmund", introduces zany comedian Rip Taylor as Sheldon, a bumbling genie found hiding in a seashell by the series' title character, lovable pint-sized sea monster Sigmund Ooze (Billy Barty). Also, Johnny Whitaker, cast as Sigmund's human friend Johnny Stuart, curtails his singing sequences this season, though he can still be heard warbling the series' new title song. Plus, Mary Wickes, cast as Johnny and his brother Scott's (Scott Kolden) guardian Aunt Zelda, took a leave of absence to concentrate on her stage work; her replacement is future Gunsmoke regular Fran Ryan, as feisty ex-Marine sergeant Gertrude Gouch. Additionally, the roles of Sigmund's bullying sea-monster brothers Blurp and Slurp, previously essayed by heavily costumed "Krofft Players" Bill Germaine and Fred Spencer, were this year taken over by Larry Larsen and Paul Gale. And finally, the series' production facilities were moved in toto from Samuel Goldwyn Studios to General Services Studios, due to a $2 million fire at Goldwyn which destroyed all of the show's set and most of the props and costumes. This unforeseen disaster also obliged producers Sid and Marty Krofft to cut down the number of episodes taped from 17 to 12. Season Two highlights include the appearance of onetime Brady Bunchkid Eve Plumb in "Now You See 'Em, Now You Don't"; the introduction of Sparky Marcus as Sheldon's bratty nephew genie Shelby in "Cry Uncle", the guest turn by Broadway favorite Peggy Mondo ("The Music Man") as Sheldon's magical mom Shellinor in "Mother Makes Ten", and the pop-up of another familiar Krofft character, H.R. Pufnstuf (here played by Van Snowden), in "Pufnstuf Drops In". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Whitaker, Scott Kolden, (more)
- 1973
Season One of Sid and Marty Krofft's whimsically wacky Saturday-morning series Sigmund and the Sea Monsters begins as young Johnny and Scott Stuart (Johnny Whitaker, Scott Kolden) befriend a green, pint-sized, tentacled sea monster named Sigmund Ooze (Billy Barty), who has been disowned by his monstrous family at Dead Man's Point because he is unable to scare anyone. Hiding Sigmund in their secret clubhouse, the boys go to great lengths to prevent their guardian Aunt Zelda (Mary Wickes) and Zelda's sometime boyfriend, Sheriff Chuck Bevans (Joe Higgins) from finding out about their peculiar house guest. In a handful of episodes, the boys are plagued by snoopy next door neighbor Mrs. Eddels (played by Margaret Hamilton of "Wicked Witch of the West" fame), who like Gladys Kravitz of Bewitched is forever spotting Sigmund but is unable to convince anyone of the fact. Making his first appearance in the episode "Is There a Doctor in the House?" is Dr. Cyclops, the one-eyed, seaweed-covered, absent minded "monster medico" who tended to the needs of the Sea Monster community; this role is played by Walker Edmiston, a frequent contributor to the Krofft Brothers' TV projects. And in "Monster Rock Festival", the recurring role of local DJ Buzzy Berman is introduced in the form of former child actor Sidney Miller. Both Edmiston and Miller also provide the voices for the various costumed characters, among them Sigmund's bullying brothers Blurp and Slurp, portrayed this season by costumed actors Bill Germaine and Fred Spencer. Additionally, a pair of interesting guest performers show up during the series' first 17-episode season. Pamelyn Ferdin, a busy juvenile actress of the period, is seen in "Puppy Love", while Jack Wild, formerly the star of the Kroffts' inaugural Saturday-morning series H.R. Pufnstuf, plays "himself" in "The Wild Weekend." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Whitaker, Scott Kolden, (more)
- 1970
Bob Cummings, who in the '50s starred in producer Paul Henning's classic sitcom Love That Bob, returns for a guest role in Henning's equally popular series Green Acres. Cummings is cast as writer Mort Warner, an old friend of gentleman farmer Oliver Douglas (Eddie Albert). Anxious to escape the pressures of his profession, Mort shows up at the Douglas farm for what he hopes will be a long stretch of peace and quiet. Alas, those hopes are dashed as Mort is besieged by a full cadre of Oliver's nutty neighbors! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Cummings, Joe Higgins, (more)
- 1970
While the previous Green Acres episode was titled "Eb's Double Trouble," in this episode it is Oliver Douglas (Eddie Albert) who finds that troubles always come in pairs. For one thing, Oliver is having a difficult time harvesting his apple crop. And for another, he has also promised to teach wife Lisa (Eva Gabor). One gets the feeling that, either way he turns, Oliver is going to find himself up a tree! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wheeler, Joe Higgins, (more)
- 1970
Newly appointed as president of the Hooterville school board, Oliver (Eddie Albert) must deal with a fervent campaign, spearheaded by his neighbors, to reinstate an expelled student. This isn't as easy as it seems: the "student" is Arnold the pig, who has been banished from the schoolhouse for wantonly shooting peas at his fellow scholars. Joe Higgins, the actor who gained fame in the '70s as the redneck sheriff in a series of popular car commercials ("You in a heap o' trouble, boy!"), essays a similar role in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Ferguson, Helen Kleeb, (more)
- 1969
Baseball star Clint Atkins (Gary Collins) is being plagued with hate mail, extortion notes, death threats and even a mysterious barrage of gas pellets. Curiously, Atkins insists that the police stay out of the matter, and that he will handle the problem all by himself. Naturally, Ironside (Raymond Burr) isn't about to let that happen. Featured in the cast are several authentic major league umpires, as well as guest star Gary Collins' real-life wife Mary Ann Mobley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) are among those involved in the search for the "Mulholland Mauler." This savage serial killer preys upon young women, and has been most active in a heavily wooded "lover's lane" district. The problem facing Jim and Pete is to locate the elusive killer while simultaneously mollifying a panicky public. Featured in this grim, methodical episode is veteran character actor Joe Higgins, who in the late 1960s rose to fame as a redneck Southern sheriff in a series of popular car commercials. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The Perils of Pauline appropriates the title and nothing else from the legendary 1914 Pearl White serial (and also bears no relation to the 1947 Pearl White biopic of the same name, which starred Betty Hutton). Pamela Austin plays Pauline, a young heiress who finds herself plunked into one peril after another: a typical dilemma has Pauline at the mercy of an adolescent sheik. Pat Boone plays Pauline's millionaire childhood sweetheart, who follows the girl throughout the world to declare his love but who always manages to miss her as she hops from country to country. The best performances are delivered by the supporting cast, including Terry-Thomas, Edward Everett Horton, and comic actor/cartoon voice-over expert Hamilton Camp. "Camp" in fact is the byword of Perils of Pauline, which is deliberately overacted and hoked up in the manner of the contemporary Batman TV series. Perils of Pauline was the pilot film for a projected weekly TV series that underwent several format changes (including one that would have featured Larry Storch as the top-hatted villain) before the producers gave up on the project altogether. The plucky Pauline is played by Pamela Austin, who'd risen to fame in the 1960s as the "Dodge Rebellion" girl in a series of popular car commercials. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pat Boone, Terry-Thomas, (more)
- 1967
When every other rock group in town except the Monkees is invited to audition for a major TV show, our heroes go to great lengths to crash the tryouts, including adopting a warehouse full of disguises. Little do they realize that the show's producer, Hubbell Bensen (Carl Ballantine), has heard one of their audition tapes, and is presently conducting a frenzied search for the "real" Monkees. Joe Higgins, best known for his appearances as a redneck sheriff in a series of late-1960s' car commercials, appears as a masseur. Songs: "Papa Gene's Blues", "Sweet Young Thing", "Mary, Mary", and "I'm a Believer." Dave Evans, a frequent series contributor, was responsible for the script. Also known as "The Audition," "Find the Monkees" first aired on January 23, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Based on a true story and suitable for the whole family, Namu, the Killer Whale was a film that debunked many myths about orca whales--animals that have traditionally been considered voracious, merciless killers. Set in Puget Sound on one of the San Juan islands, the tale centers on the relationship between a marine biologist and an orca who is wounded by angry fishermen and left to die in a shallow cove. The biologist helps to save the whale and while it recovers, he studies it. He soon realizes that the whale is not a single-minded killer but a sensitive and highly intelligent creature. Unfortunately, when local fishermen get wind of Namu's presence, they begin to get restless and decide that they must kill him once and for all. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Lansing, John Anderson, (more)
- 1966
Needing help to repair his spaceship, Martin (Ray Walston) activates the CCTBS time machine and summons up his old friend Leonardo Da Vinci (Michael Constantine). Unfortunately, Leonardo spends most of his 20th-century visit bemoaning the fact that all of his inventions have been credited to others. Worse, he is convinced that the Mona Lisa has been "stolen" from him--and he demands it back. In the ensuing fracas, the famous portrait is destroyed, forcing Martin to reactivate the CCTBS to once again change the course of history. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
The first season of I Dream of Jeannie kicks off with the now-famous episode (originally filmed in black and white) wherein the space capsule carrying astronaut Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman) crash-lands on a deserted island. As Tony surveys the surrounding area, he stumbles upon an ancient-looking bottle--out of which pops a gorgeous, harem-clad genie (Barbara Eden), who has been trapped inside the bottle for 2000 years (or 2500 years, who's counting). Gratefully, the beautiful "Jeannie" conjures up a navy helicopter to rescue Tony and deliver him back to his base in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Tony of course is certain that the entire incident was the result of his imagination--until he finds out that Jeannie has loyally followed him to his home, hoping to remain there permanently! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Nelson discovers the scientific team that he was supposed to meet in Scotland has been killed, apparently in an encounter with the Loch Ness monster. Using a secret underground conduit, the Seaview journeys to the renowned body of water to investigate. They find something far more nefarious than any creature, mythical or otherwise, including a threat to the Seaview itself. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) becomes a boxing promoter when local plumber Herman Crawley (Brett Pearson) turns out to have the strength of Hercules. Now, all Herman (aka "the Hooterville Hurricane") has to do is last three rounds with professional pugilist Kid Dynamite (Michael Ross) in order to collect a hundred-dollar purse. Joe Higgins, the actor appearing as Mr. Finchcliff, went on to achieve fame in the late 1960s as a redneck sheriff ("You in a heap o' trouble, boy!") in a series of popular car commercials. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This 1964 sequel to the 1963 box-office hit Flipper is unnecessarily melodramatic at times, but at least it isn't a cookie-cutter imitation of the original. Suzy the Dolphin returns to the "male" role of the superintelligent Flipper, while Luke Halpin reprises the role of Sandy Ricks. This time, Flipper rescues a British family in the Bahamas, who are being held for ransom. Brian Kelly takes over from the first film's Chuck Connors as Ranger Porter Ricks, a role he'd continue to play in the long-running (1964-67) Flipper TV series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Luke Halpin, Pamela Franklin, (more)
The surprise hit of the summer of 1963, Flipper is a thoroughly captivating outdoor adventure from the Ivan Tors factory. Sandy Ricks (Luke Halpin), the young son of Florida fisherman Porter Ricks (Chuck Connors), nurses a wounded dolphin back to health. His father would prefer that Sandy allow the dolphin to return to its natural habitat, but Sandy has other ideas. After "Flipper" rescues Sandy from a shark, however, the boy grants the dolphin his freedom. Ideally suited for audiences of all ages, Flipper was fully deserving of its success; within a year, it had spawned a theatrical sequel and a long-running TV series, which, like the film, cast Suzy the Dolphin as the "hero" Flipper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck Connors, Luke Halpin, (more)
- 1962
In the saga of Hollywood's slow, slow maturation in the depiction of Native Americans, Geronimo highlights an early '60s turning point -- his character is drawn with sympathy -- but no more than that. Chuck Connors, an obviously Caucasian actor, plays the great chief, and there is not a single Native American actor in the cast. The story centers on Geronimo's escape from oppressive conditions on his reservation, and his garnering of forces in Mexico to wage war against the U.S. Several misconceptions are still scattered throughout the tale, especially the indication at the end that Geronimo was successful in obtaining fair treatment for all Native Americans at the hands of the U.S. government. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck Connors, Kamala Devi, (more)
- 1962
Awakening with "the grandaddy of all hangovers," David Gurney (Richard Long) is not amused when his wife Wilma (Shirley Ballard) emits a scream and insists that she'd never set eyes on David before. As the day progresses, it turns out that no one recognizes David, nor is their any record of his ever having existed -- and as a result of his "ravings," he is placed in a mental institution. Is David really crazy, or is his loss of identity merely a bad dream? Well. . .best to stick around until the very, very last scene. Written by Charles Beaumont, "Person or Persons Unknown" made its Twilight Zone bow on March 23, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Long, Frank Silvera, (more)
- 1962
Paladin (Richard Boone) must once again come to the defense of a "devil incarnate"--in this case, the much-feared, much-hated gunslinger Virge Beech (Sherwood Price). The citizens of Tabelrock, who have long lived in mortal terror of Beech, are determined to get revenge by hanging the gunman on a murder charge--even though everyone in town knows that Virge shot in self-defense. In his efforts to assure Beech a fair trial, Paladin characteristically puts his own life in dire jeopardy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
