Richard Balin Movies
- 1997
Fay decides to sell off the possessions of her three late husbands, all of whom were named George. In consequence, the ghosts of the three Georges return to haunt Fay and give her what-for her act of "selfishness." Elsewhere, Brian (Steven Weber) and Casey (Amy Yasbeck) go out on a Valentine's Day date despite their breakup, and customer Russell Meany (Taylor Nichols) hires Sandpiper Air to stage a spectacular marriage proposal -- to a girl who can't stand the sight of him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Jerry Orbach makes a return appearance as Boston private eye Harry McGraw. Deep in Kentucky Horse Country, Harry investigates the murder of horse owner Randolph Sterling (Kevin McCarthy), who had been embroiled in a feud with his neighbor Lamar Morgan (Gregory Walcott) concerning a stud fee and two unexpected foals sired by one of Sterling's thoroughbreds. Real-life attorney Melvin M. Belli is appropriately cast as a judge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Jerry Orbach makes a return appearance as Boston P.I. Harry McGraw, who in this episode has given up sleuthing to enter the world of professional boxing. No, Harry hasn't donned the gloves himself, but he is a suspect in the murder of a crooked boxing manager. Enter Jessica (Angela Lansbury), who has inherited a percentage of the dead man's prize boxer, and who of course is convinced that her old friend Harry is innocent. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Lensed on videotape, Emergency Room was the first presentation of the syndicated Commworld Prime Time Showcase. Sarah Purcell and LeVar Burton star in this hospital melodrama. Purcell plays the doctor in charge of the E.R., dealing not only with an onrush of patients but also with hospital red tape and an on-again, off-again romance with a fellow physician (Gary Frank). The guest cast includes Penny Peyser, Paul Stewart, Julie Sommars, Gary Lockwood and Conchata Ferrell. Most markets first saw Emergency Room in mid-July 1983. The film was barter-sponsored to local stations by Procter and Gamble, as was the second and last Commworld Prime Time Showcase effort, Desperate Intruder (see separate entry). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
This for Remembrance, the autobiography of popular singer Rosemary Clooney (1928-2002), was the source for this made-for-TV biopic. Played herein by Sondra Locke, the Kentucky-born Clooney begins her career as one-half of a musical act with her sister Betty (Penelope Milford), performing at the election rallies of her politician uncle (John Karlen). Achieving radio popularity in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rosemary goes on to enjoy nationwide fame in the 1950s with such hit recordings as "Come On A' My House", "Tenderly" and "Hey There". Though her success in movies is negligible (White Christmas notwithstanding), she makes a huge impact on television, hosting several of her own weekly series. All the while, however, Rosemary's private life is in turmoil, due in great part to a tempestuous marriage to actor-director Jose Ferrer (played by, of all people, Tony Orlando). After the assassination of her great friend Robert Kennedy in 1968, Rosemary suffers a nervous breakdown, and it is many years before she is able to make a triumphant comeback on the concert trail. Rosemary Clooney herself serves as the singing voice of Sondra Locke, and also dubs in the tunes performed by the actress playing sister Betty. Had Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story aired on CBS a decade or so after its original telecast on December 18, 1982, mention might have been made of the subsequent success of Clooney's actor son Miguel Ferrer and her TV-star nephew George Clooney; there might even have been a re-enactment of Rosemary's third marriage, capriciously staged at a White Castle restaurant in Cincinnati. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Condominium is a two-part, four-hour TV adaptation of the novel by John D. McDonald. The setting is a hastily constructed Florida high-rise, assembled at the least possible cost by its greedy owners. An oncoming hurricane threatens to topple the structure and its residents into the ocean. Various degrees of greed, lust, terror and concern are displayed by stars Steve Forrest, Dan Haggerty, Ralph Bellamy, Barbara Eden, Stuart Whitman, Jack Jones and Pamela Hensley. Produced for the syndicated "Operation Prime Time" series, Condominium was first made available to local stations on November 20, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Tommy (Philip McKeon) is bedevilled by a bully at school, but Alice (Linda Lavin) refuses to let him fight back. Taking matters in hand, Mel (Vic Tayback) goes over Alice's head and teaches Tommy a few fast moves with his fists. The result: Tommy knocks the bully on his keester--and ends up getting suspended. Somehow all this leads to a bizarre denoument in which Mel poses as Alice's husband! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
A race horse goes berserk in its stable, trampling a jockey to death. Though it looks like a tragic accident, Quincy (Jack Klugman) suspects a murder has been committed--especially since he'd previously witnessed a heated argument between the victim and another jockey. In a typically unorthodox move, Quincy performs an autopsy on the "killer" horse, and in the process uncovers a crooked conspiracy involving the illegal application of amphetamines at the racetrack. Real-life jockey Chris McCarron appears in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Hoping to impress his new girlfriend, a politically active young lady named Denise (Margaret Avery), Lamont (Demond Wilson) calls up a radio talk show to air his views on community affairs. Impressed by Lamont's eloquence, a number of highly-connected people suggest that he run for the state assembly. Though Lamont is eager to become a political mover and shaker, his dad Fred (Redd Foxx) remains skeptical. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, (more)
- 1975
Howard intrudes upon Bob and Emily's sixth anniversary celebration with another big problem. In love with Bob's sister, Ellen, Howard is too nervous to propose. It is up to Bob himself to pop the question -- and never mind the implications. Also appearing are Richard Balin as Fred Goring, Don Nagel as the waiter, and Verne Rowe as the trumpet player. Written by Gordon and Lynne Farr, "Here's Looking at You, Kid" first aired on September 20, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1974
In the last of Adam-12's Yuletide episodes, Officer Jim Reed (Kent McCord) wants to deliver a Christmas tree to a retirement home. Jim's partner Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) doesn't object to this gesture of generosity--but he does raise a howl at the notion of using Adam-12 for non-police business. Elsewhere, the two cops contend with a misguided Good Samaritan and a liquor-store robbery. Comedian (and future A-list Hollywood agent) Martin Ingels appears as a thief who spends his Holiday time siphoning gasoline from other people's cars. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
