Hal Holbrook Movies
American actor Hal Holbrook broke into performing as a monologist at various esoteric nightspots in San Francisco and Greenwich Village. Holbrook worked on stage in the early 1950s and appeared on the CBS TV soap opera The Brighter Day. He might have spent the rest of his career as a talented but unremarkable performer had Holbrook not decided to bank upon his lifelong fascination with humorist Mark Twain. Donning elaborate Twain makeup and costume and memorizing several hours' worth of the writer's material, Holbrook put together a one man show, Mark Twain Tonight. After touring in small towns, Holbrook brought Mark Twain to an off-Broadway theater, scoring an immediate hit which led to some 2000 subsequent appearances as Twain (one of these in a 1967 CBS one-hour special) and a top-selling record album. The fame attending Mark Twain Tonight enabled Holbrook to flourish as a starring actor in numerous non-Twain projects. Among Holbrook's films are The Group (1966), Wild in the Streets (1968), Magnum Force (1973), The Star Chamber (1987), Wall Street (1987) and The Firm (1993); in 1976 the actor portrayed the shadowy amalgam character "Deep Throat" in All the President's Men. Holbrook has also stayed busy in TV, starring on the weekly series The Senator (1970) and appearing several times as Abraham Lincoln in various network specials.A multi-Emmy winner, Hal Holbrook spent much of the late 1980s and early 1990s appearing as a regular cast member on the CBS sitcoms Designing Women (from 1986 to 1989, alongside real-life wife Dixie Carter) and Evening Shade (1990-94) in the role of Burt Reynolds' father, Evan Evans. Holbrook's big-screen activity also crescendoed during the 1990s and early 2000s; among many other assignments, he resumed his frequent typecast as a shady businessman with a deceptively paternal exterior in Sydney Pollack's blockbuster Grisham thriller The Firm (1993), provided an animated voice for the children's fantasy Cats Don't Dance (1997), and nastily evoked the prejudices of a bigoted commanding naval officer named Mr. Pappy in the military drama Men of Honor (2000). Holbrook also drew on his vast knowledge of Mark Twain as one of the participants in the epic-length documentary Ken Burns' Mark Twain (2001). The distinguished thespian received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his work in Sean Penn's critically-acclaimed drama Into the Wild (2007). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2009
- Add Inventing L.A.: The Chandlers and Their Times to QueueAdd Inventing L.A.: The Chandlers and Their Times to top of Queue
This insightful documentary looks back at the founding of the Los Angeles Times, and chronicles the various generations of the Chandler family who have served as publisher. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liev Schreiber, Hal Holbrook, (more)
- 2007
- Add Silent Wings: The American Glider Pilots of WWII to QueueAdd Silent Wings: The American Glider Pilots of WWII to top of Queue
Join narrator Hal Holbrook as he examines the crucial role that gliders played in World War II offensives in this documentary that follows the history of the glider from the race to master the sky to the beaches of Normandy and Germany's last stand. In order to emerge victorious in battle, it was crucial that pilots be able to deliver weapons and munitions deep into enemy territory. Unarmed cargo gliders provided the ideal means of accomplishing this lofty goal, and the 6,000 American volunteers who volunteered to pilot these vehicles would repeatedly risk their lives flying in the hostile territory under the most treacherous conditions. Frequently carrying out their missions in the dead of night, these brave souls would take to the skies with no motor to propel them, no landmarks to guide them, and no parachutes to ensure their safety. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hal Holbrook
- 2001
- Add Valor: Incredible Stories of Patriotism and Courage to QueueAdd Valor: Incredible Stories of Patriotism and Courage to top of Queue
America loves its heroes. This appreciation is evident in the 2001 release Valor: Incredible Stories of Patriotism and Courage. In it, various accomplished soldiers are remembered for their selflessness and courage in the face of battle. The Medal of Honor is awarded to those that distinguish themselves by their acts of bravery. These real-life tales are relived by men who fought in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
- 2001
The newest project from the master of documentaries deals with the life of author Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), one of America's most beloved writers and historical characters from the 19th century. Ken Burns worked for nearly three years and drew from 100 hours of filmed material and hundreds of photos to complete the two-part, four-hour PBS series. Part two deals with Twain's twilight years, which were mired with dwindling success, impending bankruptcy and the deaths of his youngest daughter and his wife. Burns' documentary takes a look at Twain's darkest novel The Mysterious Stranger, and delves into his riff with President Theodore Roosevelt over America's politics of imperialism. ~ All Movie Guide
- 2001
The newest project from the master of documentaries deals with the life of author Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), one of America's most beloved writers and historical characters from the 19th century. Ken Burns worked for nearly three years and drew from 100 hours of filmed material and hundreds of photos to complete the two-part, four-hour PBS series. In part one, Twain's life is profiled from his birth to age 50. Burns explores his dual personality (the rich, sometimes greedy Clemens and the down-home and humorous Twain) and looks at the effect Twain's masterpiece Huckleberry Finn had on American literature. The era in which Twain flourished is captured through photographs of Twain's New York, and footage of the grand Mississippi River. Novelist Russell Banks and playwright Arthur Miller give insightful commentary. ~ All Movie Guide
An American journalist takes on the dangerous responsibility of rescuing nearly a thousand refugees from a Nazi concentration camp in this two-part made-for-TV movie based on a true story. In the early days of America's involvement in World War II, Ruth Gruber (Natasha Richardson) is a reporter who has been giving particular attention to a recent story: President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in violation of United States policies of the day, has announced he will grant asylum in America to 982 European refugees from Nazi labor camps. But someone needs to escort the prisoners to the U.S.; Gruber, of European ancestry and Jewish faith, volunteers for the assignment over the objections of her parents (Anne Bancroft and Martin Landau). Gruber travels to Italy on behalf of Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes (Hal Holbrook), where she helps the refugees board the U.S.S. Henry Gibbins. But Gruber discovers that the American sailors manning the ship regard their passengers as little better than their Nazi jailers, and the State Department declares, upon their arrival in the United States, that all the refugees are to be housed in a camp in Oswego, NY -- even those who have families willing to sponsor them in America. Gruber realizes her work with the refugees is far from done, and she bravely battles against both bureaucracy and prejudice to win both dignity and fair treatment for the new settlers. Haven was originally broadcast on the CBS television network on February 11 and 14, 2001. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Natasha Richardson, Hal Holbrook, (more)
- 2000
- Add Trail of Hope: The Story of the Mormon Trail to QueueAdd Trail of Hope: The Story of the Mormon Trail to top of Queue
In this video, Viewers learn more about how the Mormons settled part of the American West during their 19th century journey to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. The program explains how persecuted the Mormons felt and why they felt they must try to survive all of the hardships they encountered while searching for a place to worship freely as a community of believers. Award-winning actor Hal Holbrook hosts this intriguing story about their 1,300-mile journey that is brought to life with first-person accounts gleaned from some of the pioneers' diaries. Period photographs, sketches and artwork are also used to recreate this era of history ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Robbie Benson lends his inimitable vocal stylings to this animated feature based on the book by L. Frank Baum. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robby Benson, Dixie Carter, (more)
- 1998
From the director of the acclaimed Salaam Bombay, My Own Country is based on the best-selling memoir of an Ethiopian doctor who treated HIV and AIDS patients in Johnson City in the smoky mountains of Eastern Tennessee in 1985. The film narrates the tribulations of a physician who takes home the problems of his patients. He has no time for his wife or his son, who are slowly becoming strangers to him. He resists the temptations of a blond nurse but gets drunk 'like a man' in the garage of a auto repairman friend. The film abounds in clichés, bad acting, and stereotypical characters, and its treatment of homosexuality is also questionable. It was screened at the 4th International Film Festival of Kerala, 1999. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Naveen Andrews, Glenne Headly, (more)
- 1998
This made-for-television romantic fantasy is based on author Susan Wilson's novel-length, updated version of Beauty and the Beast. The beauty is talented painter Alix Miller. Her father Alexander was scheduled to paint a family portrait for the reclusive author Lee Crompton, but he fell ill and could not. Alix decides to take his place. Much to her shock, Lee is horribly disfigured. Still, she has an obligation and so continues with the painting. As time passes, she finds herself increasingly drawn to the enigmatic Lee, who in spite of his own fears, finds himself equally interested in her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Janine Turner, Jamey Sheridan, (more)
- 1997
This video provides an extensive look at some of the greatest battleships in world history. These massive ships, which form the brute strength of the world's navies, have their own mystique and mythology. Included in the survey are the colorful stories of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse, which were the first battleships sunk by enemy aircraft, and the Missouri, which survived World War II to serve again in the Persian Gulf War. There is also a look at the sinking of the Bismark and the dramatic suicide mission of the Japanese battleship Yamato. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1997
In this two-part suspenser inspired by Ken Follett's bestselling novel, university pscyhobiologist Jenny Ferrami (Kelly McGillis), in the process of studying a possible link between genetics and criminal behavior, stumbles upon a secret cloning experiment conducted by a major company. Figuring prominently in the proceedings is likeable law student Steve Logan (Jason Gedrick), who may or may not be the identical twin of a serial rapist. . .or possibly two rapists! It turns out that there are far more human "duplicates" in the world than Jenny could ever have imagined--and as she tracks down these clones to convince the public that there is dirty work afoot, sinister forces, tied in with a powerful triumverate, conspire to silence Jenny for keeps. Originally telecast by CBS, Ken Follett's The Third Twin first aired on November 9 and 11, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kelly McGillis, Jason Gedrick, (more)
It has been 20 years since Federal agent Dane Corvin (Richard Chamberlain) left his home town of Raven Island -- and also 20 years since Dane's fiancée Helen (Karen Allen), a talented sculptor, bitterly broke off their engagement when he was forced to arrest her brother for poaching. Now Corvin has returned, hoping to somehow, some way win back Helen's love. As it turns out, however, Helen herself is harboring a secret that Dane may not be able to forgive. Some lovely location footage of the Pacific Northwest makes this adaptation of Evan Maxwell's novel seem more compelling that it truly is. All the Winters That Have Been originally aired over CBS on September 21, 1997, posting the eighth highest rating of its broadcast week. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Chamberlain, Karen Allen, (more)
- 1997
- Add Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery to QueueAdd Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery to top of Queue
This Ken Burns documentary, narrated by Hal Holbrook, chronologically traces the well-documented 1804-06 military expedition of Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) and Lt. William Clark (1770-1838) to survey newly acquired lands and seek a Northwest Passage. Ordered by Thomas Jefferson (who labeled it the Corps of Discovery), the expedition was approved by Congress in 1803, and several dozen men were trained in Illinois in the winter of 1803-04. On May 14, 1804, the explorers departed from St. Louis, heading up the Missouri River by keelboat and continuing westward over the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific. Ken Burns spent almost four years on this project, retracing the route with cameras capturing mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and forests at the same time of year as first seen by Lewis and Clark. Traditional and Native American music provides an accompaniment to the grandeur of these vast vistas, while Stephen Ambrose and other historians offer illuminating anecdotes. Paintings and maps are intercut, but unlike other Burns documentaries, few archival photos are included (since photography was not invented until decades later). Reenactments, seen at a distance, are also kept at a bare minimum. The four-hour film premiered as a PBS two-parter on November 4-5, 1997. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adam Arkins, Murphy Guyer, (more)
The cautionary phrase "It could happen to you!" was seldom more appropriate than in this two-part, four-hour TV movie, inspired by a true story and based on actual court transcripts. The story begins in Fayetteville, NC in 1985, when Army sergeant Tim Hennis (John Corbett) is accused of murdering the wife and children of an Air Force captain. A combination of overzealous prosecution from the District Attorney's office and pressure from the armed forces and the media makes a swift conviction a fait accompli, though Hennis and his family continue to protest his innocence. Refusing to give up on the case, Hennis' defense team presses its own investigation, ultimately turning up a maelstrom of hitherto unknown evidence, surprise rebuttal witnesses, and a startling eyewitness testimony. First telecast by ABC, Innocent Victims was originally shown on January 21 and 22, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hal Holbrook, Rue McClanahan, (more)
- 1995
This program offers an in-depth portrait of a controversial figure in American history, the former mayor of Chicago Richard Daley. The political machine built by Daley transformed the face of American politics, but his inability to deal equitably with racial and ethnic tension led to his undoing. From his alleged involvement in John Kennedy's presidential bid to his fateful decision to build the country's first urban housing projects, no major event in the life of this man is missed. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
A group of scientists are so passionate about the mysteries of tornadoes, hurricanes, and hailstorms that they risk their lives driving hundreds of miles a day to chase down and be in the middle of them. Witness the acute danger these meteorologists put themselves in on a daily basis as a "normal part of the job." They are a fascinating group of people, but it is the storms themselves that are the true stars of this program. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide
- 1995
A true-life story of sexual harassment in the workplace is told in this thought-provoking made-for-television movie. Gail O'Grady stars as Lt. Paula Coughlin, the Navy officer who lodged sexual harassment complaints after the infamous 1991 Las Vegas Tailhook convention. Coughlin took on the military and a scandal erupted as the story became public. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- 1993
- Add NOVA: In the Path of a Killer Volcano to QueueAdd NOVA: In the Path of a Killer Volcano to top of Queue
This video takes you into the middle of a terrifying rescue scene. Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines is about to erupt. Hundreds of thousands of people live in the middle of the volcano's path. Is there time to safely evacuate the townspeople before the volcano erupts? Nova beautifully captures the fear and astonishing footage of the world's largest volcanic eruption in 80 years. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide
