Kenneth Carter Movies
Actor Arliss Howard made his debut as a director with this emotional drama adapted from a handful of short stories by Larry Brown. Barlow (Arliss Howard) is a deeply troubled Vietnam veteran who has been chasing a career as a writer, with little success; when he isn't struggling with his typewriter, he's usually drinking, and his wild mood swings and alcoholic fits of rage have driven away his wife Marilyn (Debra Winger), who has taken their son Alan (Zach Moody) and daughter Alisha (Olivia Kersey) with her. Barlow would like to see his children, but Marilyn refuses to allow it until he catches up on his alimony and child support payments; one of Barlow's few loyal friends, Monroe (Paul LeMat), a buddy from his Army days, is able to get him work as a house painter. With steady paychecks, Barlow is finally able to clear his debts to Marilyn, but she refuses to acknowledge that he's made much progress in turning his life around, and he doesn't get much more emotional support from his ailing mother (Angie Dickinson) or his friend Velma (Rosanna Arquette). Big Bad Love marked the second screen pairing for husband-and-wife Arliss Howard and Debra Winger; it was also Winger's first screen appearance in six years. Acclaimed songwriter Tom Waits composed the film's original score. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arliss Howard, Debra Winger, (more)
- 1956
Having skyrocketed to fame with the BBC radio series Hancock's Half Hour, 32-year-old British comedian Tony Hancock was rewarded with this weekly TV variety series, packaged for Associated Redifussion by Jack Hylton Productions. Originally, Hancock had wanted to employ the talents of his radio writers Galton and Simpson, but their BBC contract precluded this, so most of the early episodes were penned by series regular Eric Sykes (later a TV headliner in his own right). By the time the 12th and final episode was aired, Galton and Simpson had signed on to the project, as had such expert supporting comics as Dick Emery, Clive Dunn, June Whitfield, and future Carry On stalwart Hattie Jacques. Debuting April 27, 1956, The Tony Hancock Show was last seen on January 25, 1957, at which point Hancock returned to the BBC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
Two longtime stalwarts of the classic British non sequitur comedy series The Goon Show headlined this sort-of spin-off. Peter Sellers and Michael Bentine were the principal instigators of Yes, It's the Cathode-Ray Tube Show, which also featured David Nettheim. In time-honored "Goon" tradition, this six-episode confection was a crazy quilt of wacky sketches, movie and TV parodies, loony recurring characters, sped-up filmed segments, and occasional animated interludes. Originally telecast from February 11 to March 18, 1957, Yes, It's the Cathode-Ray Tube Show might have run even longer had co-star Peter Sellers not had other professional fish to fry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Sellers, Michael Bentine, (more)
