Jonathan Hole Movies
In 4 for Texas, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin star as Zack Thomas and Joe Jarrett, a pair of rival mountebanks who spend most of the film battling over who will control the gambling and wenching in 1870 Galveston. Though they'd as soon cut each other's throats than cooperate, Zack and Joe are forced to unite against a pair of common enemies: crooked banker Harvey Burden (played by Victor Buono, a favorite of director Robert Aldrich) and cold-blooded outlaw/hired-gun Matson (Charles Bronson, virtually the only person in the film who takes his role seriously). The heroes also battle over the affections of well-endowed heroines Elya Carlson (Anita Ekberg) and Maxine Richter (Ursula Andress), both of whom are sharp-witted businesswomen who match Zack and Joe scam for scam. The Three Stooges show up for a moment, in which they repeat their "point to the right" and "State of Texas" routines, and get into a fracas with feisty little old lady Jesslyn Fax. Also making guest appearances are Arthur Godfrey and Teddy Buckner and His All Stars. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, (more)
A Man Called Peter is the story of Scottish-born Presbyterian minister and world-renowned author Peter Marshall, here played by Richard Todd. In his youth, Marshall moves to Washington DC, where he becomes pastor of the Church of the Presidents. His wisdom and conviction enables Marshall to communicate with men of all faiths. In private life, the pastor is given moral support by his loyal wife Catherine Marshall (Jean Peters). At the time of his comparatively early death, Marshall has become chaplain of the US Senate. Interestingly enough, while Marshall and his family are identified by name, the peripheral political characters are given fictional monickers--and sometimes, as in the case of the President played by William Forrest, no names at all. Director Henry Koster expertly avoids filming Marshall's sermons in a static, declamatory fashion. As Catherine Marshall, Jean Peters does wonders with a comparatively limited role; her best scene is her last, when she overcomes her lifelong fear of the ocean for the sake of her son (Billy Chapin). A Man Called Peter was certainly not conceived out of any box-office considerations, but it still paid its way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Todd, Jean Peters, (more)
- 1954
In this subtle 1954 comedy with feminist overtones, Clifton Webb plays Gifford, an executive with a large automobile manufacturer who is having trouble deciding who to hire as his chief sales manager. His three candidates are equally competent, so he brings their wives with them to New York headquarters, planning to hire the one whose wife is most suited to be an executive's wife. Elizabeth (Lauren Bacall) is the wife of Sid (Fred MacMurray), a company man. Elizabeth knows that Sid is such a workaholic that she will never see him if he gets the new job, but she is loyal to her husband and impresses the hiring team with her competency. Bill Baxter (Cornel Wilde) is handicapped in the competition by his wife Katie (June Allyson), a clumsy but sweet small-town girl from the Midwest. Katie dutifully tries to impress the big boss but proves inept at handling the social responsibilities. She would prefer to stay in Kansas City anyway. Jerry (Van Heflin) is married to Carol (Arlene Dahl), a seductive gold-digger who sexually teases various executives in the hopes that her assets can help land Jerry the job. Instead, her out-of-bounds behavior gets Jerry eliminated from the list, at least until Jerry tells Gifford that he doesn't sanction his wife's behavior. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clifton Webb, June Allyson, (more)
- 1966
In the conclusion of a two-part story arc, the Stephenses are still playing host to Benjamin Franklin (Fredd Wayne), whom Aunt Clara has accidentally zapped into the 20th century. Fascinated with all the "new" technology around him, Ben decides to take a test ride on a fire engine and ends up arrested for grand theft. Despite the very real possibility that she will be exposed as a witch, Samantha serves as Ben's defense attorney in court. Written by James Henerson, "Samantha for the Defense" originally aired on December 15, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1970
When Tabitha won't eat, Esmerelda conjures up a glass of magic milk to improve her appetite. Unfortunately, the milk is downed by Samantha, who promptly goes upon an uncontrollable eating binge at a local supermarket. Can Dr. Bombay curb Sam's sudden insatiability? Bernie Kopell returns in the role of warlock Apothecary. Written by Richard Baer, "Samantha's Lost Weekend" originally aired on January 8, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1964
Accused of murder, Hoss Cartwright puts his life in the hands of celebrated lawyer Whitney Parker (James Gregory). Unforunately, Parker's glory days are behind him: more to the point, he is now the town drunk. The Cartwrights struggle to keep Parker sober long enough to save Hoss from the gallows. Also in the cast are Michel Petit as Jamie, Hal Baylor as Durfee, William Mims as Evans, and Jason Johnson as the Doctor. Written by Mort R. Lewis, "A Man to Admire" first aired on December 6, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1972
"Mom" is Connie Stevens, who stars in this made-for-TV comedy. Stevens plays a small-town waitress who is appointed the housemother for a rambunctious fraternity house on the local college campus. The frat boys assume that freewheeling Stevens will allow them to party to their hearts' content, but "Mom" takes her job quite seriously and compels the students to behave themselves. She also becomes involved in a campus feminist movement that threatens to topple the college's male power structure (headed by dean Van Johnson). Call Her Mom was the pilot for a Connie Stevens TV series that found neither a sponsor nor a network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
- NR
On a perfectly ordinary day, the management of an airline receives a note demanding a half-million dollars from someone who claims to have put a bomb aboard one of their planes. When the device, a tiny but dead electronically-triggered explosive, is found, they're told that there's another -- the FBI and the news media are all present as it is retrieved. One of those who sees the drama unfold on the news is Paul Molnar (James Mason), an electronics expert, who suddenly finds himself in the middle of a nightmare along with the rest of his family-- he and his wife (Inger Stevens) and their young daughter are kidnapped by Paul Hoplin (Rod Steiger), a former army buddy of Paul's, who duped him into designing the devices, and now wants Molnar's wife to act a courier for the money. With her husband and daughter in the hands of two of the gang (Angie Dickinson, Jack Klugman), she is made to pick up the money and make her way across New York while a clock is ticking on their lives -- and she must survive being left guarded by Steve (Neville Brand), an ex-con, murderer, and sexual predator, and the least-tightly-wrapped of all Hoplin's gang. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Mason, Rod Steiger, (more)
- 1955
Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) search for a check forger who has been using the name of old-time movie villain Parker Allington. The detectives are given a lead by one of the forger's would-be victims, a dedicated movie buff who is well aware that Parker Allington has been dead for three years. Ultimately, the search narrows down to a shabby Hollywood bit player who has given up acting in favor of bunco. This episode was adapted from the Dragnet radio broadcast of January 25, 1955. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1953
Rookie officer Russell Clark (Todd Karns) is accused of robbing and assaulting a drunken man at a prizefight arena. The alleged victim insists that Clark be prosecuted, threatening to go to the newspapers if justice isn't done immediately, With Clark on suspension and in police custody, detectives Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) search for the only eyewitness to the incident: The doctor who examined the injured man after he fell down a flight of stairs. Based on the Dragnet radio broadcast of June 1, 1950, this episode marks the first of several acting appearances by popular LA sports announcer Bill Brundige. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1955
Working in concert with FBI agent Tom Ashford (Douglas Kennedy), Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) inaugurate an intensive search for a bank robber. The most valuable clues are provided by bank guard Leon Gibson (Ben Morris), despite his being the target of several condescending remarks from his pompous boss Clifton Allen (Jonathan Hale). Nor is Mr. Allen the only unwitting impediment to the the investigation: Friday and Smith must also endure the eccentric behavior of "armchair detective" Mabel Hartford (Dorothy Adams), a neighbor of one of the suspects. One of the most accessible of the original black-and-white Dragnet episodes thanks to its current public-domain status, "The Big Number" is adapted from the Dragnet radio broadcast of October 26, 1952. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1952
Friday (Jack Webb) again teams up with Sgt. Ed Jacobs (Barney Phillips) to investigate the seemingly unmotivated murder of a pretty young secretary. It takes some doing, but the two cops manage to follow the clues to a religious fanatic who has a morbid obsession with the month of September. This episode is based on the Dragnet radio broadcast of September 27, 1951. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1954
In one of the best-remembered of the original black and white Dragnet episodes, Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) investigate a series of robberies occuring within a ten-block area. Only after the stolen goods begin turning up abandoned or in trash cans do the detectives realize that they're looking for a kleptomaniac. The trail of clues leads to Mrs. Virginia Sterling (Peggy Webber), an otherwise respectable citizen with suffering from a serious mental aberration. The original radio version of this classic episode was heard on October 11, 1951. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1952
It's a tough shift for Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Herb Ellis) as they work the Accident Detail on the eve of the July 4th weekend. Out of dozens of traffic accidents, the two detectives focus on three "standouts". The first involves a bunch of teenagers (ages 12 through 16), all of whom are seriously injured or worse after plowing into a car driven by an elderly couple--no thanks to the irresponsible father of the boy who'd been driving. The second case concerns an elderly drunk (played by Cliff Arquette of "Charley Weaver" fame) who has a habit of faking injuries so he can hitch an ambulance ride. Finally, motorcycle officer Mike O'Brien is stuck and killed while chasing a drunk driver--and it falls to Mike's old friend Friday to break the news to the dead officer's fiancee (Virginia Gregg). This episode is based on the Dragnet radio broadcast of July 3, 1952. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1953
Investigating the murder of 50-year-old Charles Stahl, Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) interview snappish motel manager Margaret Becker (Ellen Corby), who'd grown up with the victim. It turns out that Stahl was in the process of changing his will, possibly to favor a young girl with whom he'd become infatuated. A few casual words from Paul West (Jonathan Hole), the man who found Stahl's body, lead the detectives to the solution of the crime (which, truth be told, isn't much of a surprise). This episode was inspired by the Dragnet radio broadcast of June 7, 1953. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Elvis Presley hits the high seas in this musical comedy. Ted Jackson (Presley) is a former Navy frogman who divides his time between twin careers as a deep sea diver and nightclub singer. Ted discovers what he believes could be a fortune in Spanish gold aboard a sunken ship and sets out to rescue it with the help of go-go dancing yoga expert Jo Symington (Dodie Marshall). However, Gil Carey (Skip Ward) is also after the treasure and uses his girlfriend Dina Bishop (Pat Priest) to foil Ted's plans. Elvis sings six tunes in this picture, including the deathless "Yoga Is as Yoga Does" and "The Love Machine." ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Dodie Marshall, (more)
- 1968
Prevailing upon her movie-producer friend, Lisa manages to land a Hollywood role for Hooterville's favorite pig Arnold. A natural-born ham (ouch!), Arnold proves to be a natural before the cameras. This is no surprise to Lisa, who had faith in Arnold's talents all along. As for Lisa's husband Oliver, he can only observe the situation with a mounting sense of horror: will he be forced to give up the life of a gentleman farmer to be Arnold's permanent "handler"? This concluding episode of a two-part story marks the finale of Green Acres' third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oscar Beregi, Peter Leeds, (more)
- 1966
Remember the great New York City power blackout of November 9, 1965? Ever wonder what caused all the lights to go out? Well, according to this episode of Green Acres, the source of the power fizzle can be traced back to Hooterville, where, after months and months of waiting for his farm to be wired for electricity, Oliver Douglas (Eddie Albert) tries to do the job himself. The title of this episode refers to a sound effect that appears onscreen, Batman-style! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Once again, Oliver and Lisa Douglas (Eddie Albert), (Eva Gabor) are at the mercy of blind, boneheaded bureaucracy. A boundary survey reveals that only half of the Douglases' farm is located in Hooterville; the other half resides in the neighboring community of Pixley. This results in miles upon miles of red tape and newly-imposed regulations -- and worst of all, Oliver and Lisa are now "foreigners" to their longtime Hooterville neighbors. Gordon Jump (future costar of WKRP in Cincinnati), is cast as the far-from-helpful surveyor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff de Benning, Jonathan Hole, (more)
- 1970
Most sitcoms of the '70s treated the Women's Liberation Movement with derision, and Green Acres was no exception. Having been fired up by feminist rhetoric, Lisa (Eva Gabor) decides that she is fully capable of doing "men's" work, and thus she insists upon performing all the farm chores. As for hubby Oliver (Eddie Albert), he is relegated to the humiliating position of househusband (or at least, it was considered humiliating way back when). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jonathan Hole
- 1970
Leo Fuchs, one of the leading lights of America's Yiddish-theater movement, guest stars in this episode as Fedor, the Hungarian uncle of Lisa Douglas. Arriving at the Douglas farm, a nervous Uncle Fedor informs Lisa and Oliver that he is being pursued by sinister secret agents. Oliver doesn't believe a word of it, but before long everyone in Hooterville has gone spy-happy. Len Lesser, who later played the irascible Uncle Leo on Seinfeld, is here cast as the obligatory "mysterious stranger." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leo Fuchs, Len Lesser, (more)
- 1957
Crooked "sportsman" Billy Joe Kane (Lawrence Dobkin) is promoting a race in the Mojave desert, in which he is wagering that his posse will be able to track down any contestant before reaching the finish line. Accepting the challenge, Paladin (Richard Boone) enters the race--and, confirming his suspicions, he quickly finds that Kane is willing to commit murder rather than pony up the prize money. Thus it is that Paladin bends the rules a bit by utilizing a unique form of transportation: a US Army camel! This is the first of several Have Gun--Will Travel episodes written by future Star Trek maven Gene Roddenberry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Weekend artist Tony (Larry Hagman) paints a copy of a famous Rembrandt for a charity auction, putting his own signature on it. Jeannie (Barbara Eden) is so impressed by the results that she magically switches Tony's copy with the genuine Rembrandt hanging in the Louvre. Thus, when two art experts purchase the painting at the auction for an enormous sum, Tony is immediately under suspicion for being either a forger, an art thief, or both! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Abraham Sofaer makes his first series appearance as Haji, master of all genies, in this episode, which is also the first one directed by series star Larry Hagman. Tired of merely wishing that Tony (Larry Hagman) would ask her to become his wife, Jeannie (Barbara Eden) casts a "forbidden" spell on her Master, whereupon he instantly drops to his knee and proposes. This enrages the all-powerful Haji, who casts his own spell...resulting in an severely accident-prone Tony and a Jeannie completely stripped of her magical skills. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Maurice Chevalier plays Philip Dulaine, a supposedly dying millionaire, while Sandra Dee co-stars as Cynthia, the elderly man's granddaughter. To allow Dulaine to die happy, Cynthia promises to find a husband. Actually, Dulaine is only pretending to be at death's door to get Cynthia married off. Subsequent complications involve Cynthia's personal choice for a husband, Warren Palmer (Andy Williams), and Dulaine's selection, Paul Benton (Robert Goulet). Deanna Durbin fans will quickly detect that I'd Rather Be Rich is a remake of Durbin's It Started With Eve (1941), with a gender switch (in the original, Robert Cummings is the grandson, and Durbin is the instant fiancee) and with Maurice Chevalier filling the sizeable shoes of Charles Laughton as the foxy grandpa. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sandra Dee, Robert Goulet, (more)
