Robert Heverly Movies
- 1977
Though not readily apparent, Flight to Holocaust is the feature-length pilot film for a potential TV series. Crashing into the side of a high-rise building, an airplane is precariously wedged in the structure's 20th floor. Dispatched to rescue the survivors are a team of acrobatic troubleshooters, played by female circus performer Fawne Harriman and combat veterans Chris Mitchum, Patrick Wayne, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Paul Williams. As can be gathered by a perusal of the cast list, the film's gimmick was the presence of three second-generation Hollywood stars. After the initial telecast of Flight to Holocaust on March 27, 1977, NBC invited viewers to mail in their opinions of the film. Evidently the verdict was unanimous, since no weekly series resulted. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Cliff Gorman, the star of such Broadway hits as "Boys in the Band" and "Lenny", guests in this episode as San Quentin guard Earl Mack. Out of sympathy for four model prisoners, Sgt. Mack generously affords them a "time-out" period in the city of San Francisco. The cons return the favor by escaping, whereupon Mack vows to bring them back all by himself--whether Stone (Karl Malden) and Robbins (Richard Hatch) want him to or not. Largely location-filmed on the USF campus, this episode brings the five-season run of Streets of San Francisco to a close. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Manhattan South detective lieutenant Theo Kojak (Telly Savalas) wastes no time getting the series bearing his name under way in this premiere episode. After a failed armored-car robbery, the three desperate thieves--Jerry Talaba (Harvey Keitel), Jack Murzie (James J. Sloyan) and Mike Amazeen (Jude Farese)--grab six hostages and barricade themselves in a sporting goods store, amply stocked with surplus weaponry. Kojak has only two hours to formulate a plan to defuse the situation before the outlaws begin killing their captives, one by one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) poses as a caterer for a Syndicate wedding. In this capacity, Erskine hopes to gather information about a bloody internal power play instigated by Mob functionary Ed Haynes (Alex Cord). But the wedding may never come off--certainly not if Haynes is able to pull off his plan to murder the father of the bride, Boss Faber (Frank DeKova), just before the exchange of vows! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Fugitive criminal Dree Foster (Robert Drivas) leads the FBI on a not-so-merry chase beginning in Philadelphia and ending in an as-yet-unkown location in Arizona. Along the way, Foster commits a variety of crimes, charming three impressionable teenage runaways (one of them a pre-Star Wars Mark Hammil) into acting as his accomplices. Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) has no idea what crime Foster is planning--but he does know that the fugitive is heavily armed with guns and grenades! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
It looks like it's going to be a "Dark Christmas" for the family of Richard Ghormley (John Lupton), former employee of smuggler William Shrack (Eugene Peterson). Though innocent of any wrongdoing himself, Ghormley knows too much about Shrack's operation for his own good. Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) races against time to prevent Ghormley from being killed by professional hitman Stuart Tilden (Don Gordon)--who has already shot down several people who've have the misfortune to get in his way. Appearing as Tilden's erstwhile girlfriend is Sondra Locke, future leading lady (both onscreen and off) of Clint Eastwood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Even while on the lam from the Feds, brash bank robber Larry Kulhane (Gerald O'Loughlin) masterminds another major heist. This time, Kulhane's prospective victim is elderly Ardyth Nolan (Jessica Tandy), who has recently come into possession of $200,000. Planning his caper with meticulous care, Kulhane has installed one of his accomplices as Ms. Nolan's butler, and another as the bofriend of the woman's impressionable granddaughter. The final stage of the plan is to murder the feisty but frail old lady--unless Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) can get to Ms. Nolan first. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Shedding his "good guy" TV image, Carl Betz guests in this episode as veteran jewel fence Martin Ashton. Having long sheltered his daughter Lynne (Anne Archer) from his criminal activities, Ashton is outraged when the girl announces plans to marry his accomplice Mike Keller (Michael Burns). As FBI Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) closes in on the crooks, Ashton prepares to resort to desperate measures to "rescue" his daughter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
The Feds are hot on the trail of Arthur Blaisdell (Frank Hotchkiss) and Timothy Gage (Solomon Sturges), a pair of gunruners who break into a National Guard armory and steal several M1 rifles. The criminals' next move is to sell the weapons to a gang of extremists--but for what ultimate purpose? Featured prominently in the supporting cast is a decidedly pre-Annie Hall Diane Keaton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Generally cast as a villain in such series as the F.B.I., Richard Kiley is herein seen as the victim. Kidnapped by three homicidal extortionists, pediatrician Herbert Barth (Kiley) manages to break free and escapes into the wilderness. The rest of the episode is a variation on the old "Most Dangerous Game" theme, as Barth is hunted down like an animal by expert marksman James Vaughn (Jerry Ayres). This episode was filmed on location in the forests of Utah and Washington State. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) has managed to capture one of the three men involved in a daring $1,800,000 amusement park robbery. Though Erskine knows where to find the other two criminals, Curtis Breer (Bradford Dillman), the criminal genius who masterminded the heist, remains out of reach. But it looks like Breer's luck is running out: this time around, he has double-crossed one partner too many. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
John McIntire is cast as Michael "Doc" Lacy, a lifelong criminal whose career stretches back to the Dillinger era. Having never truly succeeded in his chosen profession, Lacy escapes from prison in hopes of pulling off one last "dream" robbery. Inasmuch as the old man's target is a huge military payroll, the FBI takes a more than passing interest in his movements. Appearing as Lacy's wife Helen is John McIntire's real-life spouse Jeanette Nolan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
In the first episode of a two-part story, criminal genius Curtis Breer (Bradford Dillman) masterminds a $1,800,000 amusement park robbery with three confederates. Though it looks like the perfect crime, the conspirators have failed to bring into consideration such intagibles as greed, betrayal, and revenge. Featured in the cast is Deanna Martin, the daughter of entertainer Dean Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Rancher Drake Farron (Earl Holliman) has always considered his younger brother James (Bryan Montgomery) to be a thorn in his side. With this in mind, it is only natural that Drake should hire two-bit thug Lee Chard (Henry Silva) to murder his brother. When this scheme goes awry, Chard opts for a quick turnover by kidnapping James and demanding a huge ransom from the boy's father (Jim Davis)--thus bringing FBI Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) into the family intrigue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) and Colby (William Reynolds) go undercover as dockworkers during a bitter fisherman's strike. It is obvious that the Mob is stirring up all the trouble, the better to take over the fisherman's union. A key player in the intrigue is ruthless labor leader Big Julio, played by veteran movie heavy Joseph Wiseman (Dr. No). Much of this episode was filmed on location at Inyo Habor near Fort Bragg, California. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Brooker Bradshaw returns as African American FBI agent Harry Dane. Going undercover, Dane hopes to bring a halt to the activities of Daniel Dodds (Hari Rhodes), a black loan shark hired by the mob to shake down his own people. Caught in the crossfire is Dodds' old friend Terry Maynard (Ivan Dixon), a successful entrepreneur in danger of losing everything he has built up. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
With the Feds in hot pursuit, narcotics peddler Arthur Majors (played by a cast-against-type William Shatner) needs a safe place to hide. Relocating in a small town, Majors worms his way into the confidence of lonely widow Mary Binyon (Bettye Ackerman) and her rebellious daughter Shelly (Astrid Warner). Unfortunately, a drug distributor whom Majors has betrayed has vowed to kill him--meaning that both Mary and Shelly will end up in the crossfire unless Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) can catch up with the fugitive in time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) is puzzled when Mary Cochella (Zohra Lampert), a woman of very modest means, is kidnapped. It turns out that Mary's abductors are using their victim to secure the cooperation of her husband Fred (Paul Picerni), a cashier at a big sports arena which has been targetted for robbery. Anne Francis appears as one of the kidnapper's wives, who suffers a sudden--and potentially fatal--attack of conscience. Also, watch for future Happy Days costar Erin Moran as the little girl who witnesses the kidnapping. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
The FBI suspects a trucking firm of being the front for a sophisticated hijacking ring. To get to the truth, Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) goes undercover as a truck driver, while Colby (William Reynolds), posing as an ex-con, lands a job with the firm as dispatcher. Inevitably, Colby's cover is blown--but this may prove less dangerous to him than to the head hijacker (Edward Binns), who has been set up for murder by one of his own "pals". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
With the "inside" help of misguided maid Maria Montoya (Pilar Seurat), a gang of thieves steals a 33-carat diamond from wealthy Everlyn Harcourt (June Vincent). The FBI enters the scene after one of the crooks is killed during the heist and the rest scatter to the four winds. Athough the gang's fence is captured, master thief Victor Amazeen (Jack Klugman) manages to elude a trap set by Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.)--but if Amazeen thinks his problems are over, he is sorely mistaken. Featured among the villains is future Hill St. Blues star Daniel J. Travanti, here billed as Dan Travanty. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
The Season Six opener of The F.B.I finds federal agents Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) and Colby (William Reynolds) canvassing an era ranging from Pennsylvania to Oregon in search of two elusive bank robbers. Perry Victor (Martin Sheen) is the suave schemer of the pair, while Shep Buford (Tim McIntire) is the bucolic triggerman. Their ultimate goal is to steal the payroll for an Oregon tunnel project--but neither man had figured on the duplicity of Shep's girlfriend Cindy (Joan Van Ark). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Gambling house operator Scott Rogers (Fred Beir) may have reason to regret his eagerness to buy his way into the Cosa Nostra. After his new Mob cohorts bump off an awkward witness to his criminal activities, Roberts finds himself at the center of an FBI investigation headed by Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.). As a result, the Mob has written off Rogers as "expendable"--placing Erskine in the position of having to keep the man alive long enough to testify in court. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
The titular "architect" in this episode is Arthur McBride (Monte Markham), so named for his brilliant execution of complex crimes. Escaping from a federal prison with two cohorts named Borden (Billy Dee Williams) and Deal (Dabbs Greer), the brash McBride laughs at the fact that he's "graducated" to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list. In fact, McBride intends to make fools of the Feds by pulling off a racetrack robbery right under their noses! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
In a desperate effort to escape from his Mafia bosses, Walter Hazlett (Tim O'Connor) hijacks a plane and demands to be flown to Cuba. Hoping to save the life of a wounded man on board the plane, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) tries to persuade Hazlett to give himself up. Meanwhile, Hazlett's daughter Ginny (Charlotte Stewart), who can't bring herself to believe that her father is a criminal, is targetted by Mob kidnappers who plan to use her to bring her father out in the open. Dabney Coleman is seen as the plane's beleagured pilot, while future M*A*S*H regular Larry Linville also plays a key role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Hoping to squeeze money out of his father Gar Shelton (Carl Betz), embittered teenager Terry Shelton (Jeff Bridges fakes his own kidnapping. Inevitably, Terry's scheme backfires when one of his accomplices decides to play for keeps. Meanwhile, Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) has troubles of his own with the elder Shelton, who stubbornly insists upon handling the ransom drop without the help of the FBI--thereby ending up in the kidnappers' clutches as well. First networkcast on October 5, 1969, this episode originally ended as star Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) explained the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, and also the described the inner workings of the National Crime Information Center. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
