Andra Martin Movies
- 1958
Philip Larkin (Terry Becker) is murdered, and his stepfather Joseph Harrison (John Hoyt) is charged with the crime. A key piece of evidence for the prosecution is a home movie showing Larkin and Harrison quarrelling; could their argument have been about sexy Lorraine Stevens (Andra Martin), whom Philip had earlier tried to seduce? Fay Wray of King Kong fame makes the first of three Perry Mason appearances as Harrison's former wife Ethel, who hires Perry (Raymond Burr) to defend her ex-husband in court. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
According to Universal-International publicity, The Lady Takes a Flyer is partially based on fact. The "lady" is Maggie Colby (Lana Turner) and the "flyer" is former Air Force colonel Mike Dandridge (Jeff Chandler). The two form a partnership when Mike decides to inaugurate an air-ferry service with Maggie as his chief pilot. Mike's wartime buddy Al Reynolds (Richard Denning) also signs on with the new service, though Al's hopes for a romance with Maggie are dashed when she marries Mike. Trouble arises when Maggie becomes pregnant and Mike insists that she give up her perilous lifestyle and become just another housewife. All conflicts are resolved during an exciting finale, wherein a fogbound Maggie is guided across the Atlantic via the radioed instructions of her loving husband. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lana Turner, Jeff Chandler, (more)
- 1958
A young woman plays with a divining rod and ends up finding much more than water in this horror movie. Instead of the desired liquid, the woman finds a 400-year-old human head, and it is still alive. The horrific creature, seeing that the woman is properly innocent, hypnotizes her into looking for the rest of his body. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Reynolds, Andra Martin, (more)
- 1958
Shipped out on a double bill with Summer Love, Universal's The Big Beat is another of those "rock & roll salads" so popular in the late 1950s. What plot there is concerns the efforts by record executive John Randall (William Reynolds) to sign up several top R&R acts. John also wants to prove his mettle to his old-fashioned exec father Joseph (Bill Goodwin), whose tastes are strictly squaresville. Aiding and abetting Randall is his faithful secretary Nikki (Andrea Martin), who of course worships the shag rug her boss walks on. Comic relief is provided by the one-time-only teaming of Rose Marie and Hans Conried. (This alone is worth the admission price!) The musical highlights in The Big Beat are provided by such luminaries as Gogi Grant, Fats Domino ("I'm Walking"), and the Diamonds. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Reynolds, Andra Martin, (more)
Lt. (jg) Ken Braden (James Garner) is a US Navy frogman and underwater demolitions expert who is assigned to a vital mission, and to a submarine captained by Commander Stevenson Edmond O'Brien. But Stevenson is a CO who may have seen too many men die -- the two immediately come into conflict over Braden's presence on the boat and his mission, a top secret foray into Japanese waters that jeopardizes the boat. The captain, in his strict adherence to regulations, makes it as difficult as possible for Braden to carry out his assignment, and Braden doesn't make matters easier between them by speaking his mind. And the crew's low morale only makes matters worse as the voyage progresses and the dangers around them mount. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Garner, Edmond O'Brien, (more)
- 1959
This is Maverick's celebrated spoof of Gunsmoke, emulating its more serious "role model" right down to the pre-credits showdown--with Bret Maverick (James Garner) at the wrong end of the six-shooter. The story is narrated by Marshal Mort Dooley (Ben Gage), who in is never-ending efforts to keep the peace in the Kansas town of Elwood--and to protect his 37 1/2-percent ownership of the Weeping Willow Saloon--vows to rid the town of all its disreputable characters. Innocently falling into this category is our man Bret, who has arrived in Elwood in search of a buried Confederate treasure. Thoughout the proceedings, Bret proves to bit a bit too clever for the dogged Dooley, but somehow the Marshal manages to emerge triumphant as a Legend In His Own Mind. Among the episode's many highlights are the performances of Walker Edmiston as the "Chester" clone and Kathleen O'Malley as the "Kitty" counterpart--who repeatedly utters her one-and-only line, "Be careful, Mort." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Based on a book by Clay Fisher, this 1959 western has a cast loaded with television stars of the era. Clint Walker of TV's Cheyenne appears as the title character, a trapper who befriends the American Indian tribes in his hunting territory in 1867. When the U.S. cavalry is attacked by Kelly's Sioux friends, Kelly is caught between his friendships and loyalty to his country. The troops are slaughtered by the Sioux. Kelly moves in to rescue Wahleeah (Andra Martin), an Apache Indian girl who is being held prisoner by the Sioux because she refuses to marry their chief. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clint Walker, Edward Byrnes, (more)
- 1960
No sooner has he arrived at Fort Casper than Beau (Roger Moore) is framed for the murder of Indian brave Swift Rider (Miguel Landa). The actual killers were Marsh (John Zaccaro) and Lawson (Richard Coogan), a pair of crooked shopkeepers who have been systematically cheating Swift Rider's tribe, and are hoping to stir up a war between the Indians and the Army to cover their tracks. Locked up in the stockade, Beau is rescued by Chief Standing Bull (Robert Warwick)--but only so he can be married to Swift Rider's sister Pale Moon (Andra Martin, a marriage slated to end as quickly as it begins with Beau's swift and ignominious demise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Bart (Jack Kelly) is framed for crimes he didn't commit by sadistic sheriff Horace Hadley (Edgar Buchanan) and his equally odious deputy Jones (played by future Oscar winner George Kennedy). The two crooked lawmen specialize in hunting down and murdering innocent men, then claiming that their victims are outlaws in order to collect the reward. In his efforts to expose Hadley and Jones' racket, Bart turns bounty hunter and solicits the aid of several familiar Warner Bros. TV-series stars--who prove to be no help whatsoever. Appearing in cameo roles are Clint Walker from Cheyenne, Will Hutchins from Sugarfoot, John Russell and Peter Brown from Lawman, and Edd "Kookie" Byrnes from 77 Sunset Strip (a title given a cute "westernization" in the context of the story). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Playboy Loring Lamont (Tony Travis) lures his father's secretary Arlene Ferris (Andra Martin) to his beach house, with seduction on his mind. The outraged Arlene smacks Lamont in the face and steals his car to escape his clutches. When Lamont turns up murdered, Arlene is accused of the crime, but attorney Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) thinks that the killing is tied in with a mysterious phone call overheard by his client--and he is willing to risk serious injury at the hands of two hired thugs to prove his point. Based on a 1959 novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner, this is one of several fourth-season episodes in which series regular William Talman (DA Hamilton Burger) does not appear; his replacement on this and other occasions is Robert Karnes as Deputy DA Chamberlin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
In this routine political drama by Vincent Sherman, a murder trial is converted into one piece in the complex interaction between three candidates for governor. Judge Hoffman (Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.) is a solid, anchoring presence in his courtroom, qualities which should stand him in good stead when election day arrives. Senator Simon (Don Ameche) has all the scruples of a hungry ferret and tries to bribe the judge to take on a position in the federal judicial system in lieu of his candidacy. The District Attorney, Dan Callahan also has an ethics-free approach to politics and is not likely to change. Complicating matters is the fact that the Senator's wife Cathy (Angie Dickinson) was once in love with Judge Hoffman. By the time these protagonists get through dealing with the race for governor and each other's scruples -- or lack of them -- circumstances have drastically changed the picture. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Angie Dickinson, (more)
