Hollis Irving Movies

1971  
 
This episode offers a few clues as to what makes Archie Bunker "tick." Worried that he will be fired from his job, Arch spends a nervous evening seated at the telephone, while a steady stream of eccentric characters -- a nosy cop (Sandy Kenyon), a noisy drunk (Jack Perkins), and a confused neighbor (Hollis Irving) -- make a bad situation worse. The best scene finds Archie hauntingly recalling his father's reaction to sudden unemployment during the Depression. Burt Mustin, who later joined the cast as Justin Quigley, is here cast as an elderly guard. Scripted by Norman Lear, Don Nicholl, and Bryan Joseph from a story by William Bickley Jr., "Archie Is Worried About His Job" originally aired on March 16, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Carroll O'ConnorJean Stapleton, (more)
1971  
 
Just because All in the Family specialized in cutting-edge humor didn't mean that the producers were above using tried-and-true sitcom plot lines now and then. In this one, Edith Bunker serves on a jury -- and, of course, is the sole holdout when everyone else enters a "guilty" verdict. As a bonus, Archie airs his somewhat skewered opinions on capital punishment. Though basically a showcase for Jean Stapleton, this episode also draws excellent performances from the rest of the regular cast, as well as guest stars Hollis Irving (as Clara Weidemeyer) and Doris Singleton (as Mrs. Stonehurst). Scripted by Susan Harris, Don Nicholl, and Bryan Joseph from a story by Harris, "Edith Has Jury Duty" first aired on March 9, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Carroll O'ConnorJean Stapleton, (more)
1965  
 
Samantha is appointed entertainment chairman for the annual hospital benefit show. Having heard of a wonderful magician named Zeno (Walter Burke), Sam tries to hire the man -- only to discover that Zeno is a washed-up loser suffering from a huge inferiority complex. Also appearing is Cliff Norton as Walter. Written by Tom Waldman and Frank Waldman, "It's Magic" first aired on January 7, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Elizabeth MontgomeryDick York, (more)
1964  
 
Darrin braces himself for his first meeting with Samantha's highly judgmental mother, Endora. Unfortunately, Endora's visit coincides with the arrival of the local Welcome Wagon committee. As expected, Endora bristles at the cattiness of the committee members, resulting in a burst of impulsive witchcraft which Sam is forced to undo. Written by Danny Arnold, "Mother, Meet What's His Name" was originally scheduled to air on October 1, 1964, but ran instead on October 8. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Elizabeth MontgomeryDick York, (more)
1963  
 
Extra! Extra! The unthinkable has happened! PERRY MASON HAS LOST A CASE! The jury brings in a guilty verdict, and Perry's client Janice Barton (Vera Miles) is convicted of murder and sentenced to the gas chamber. Though perennial also-ran Hamilton Burger (William Talman) should be elated, he is sympathetic towards the brooding Mason (Raymond Burr), who blames himself for Janice's plight. But it soon develops that Janice had virtually condemned herself by lying about her whereabouts when the murder was committed. Still convinced of his former client's innocence, Perry works feverishly behind the scenes to expose the real killer--whose identity will come as quite a shock to fans of 1960s sitcoms. This justifiably famous episode, ranked as #51 in the "100 Greatest TV Episodes of All Time" by TV Guide, was originally scheduled to air on October 3, 1963. (Curiously, it was removed from the series' syndicated package in 1966, and not seen again until it was cablecast in 1988). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1960  
 
A navy jet piloted by Captain Dale Heath (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) and carrying a junior officer (Troy Donahue), making a quick hop across country on leave, has already taken off when Heath realizes that both his radio and his navigation equipment have malfunctioned. They might be on the right course, but he can't tell if they're at the right altitude -- 500 feet too high or too low would put him in the path of a plane headed in the opposite direction -- and he can't get through to ground control to get a fix or to request clearance to a new course, or to send out a mayday call. Heath is quietly terrified at the prospect of what may happen, not just for the obvious reason but also because he's experienced this situation once before and saved himself at the cost of the other plane and its pilot. Meanwhile, flying in the opposite direction on the same course is a commercial airliner piloted by Dana Andrews and carrying a full load of passengers, each with their own worries. Much of the first 85 minutes of this thriller is devoted to the passengers and crew of the airliner struggling with their personal problems, never knowing the danger they're in, while Heath (and the audience) grow increasingly tense trying to solve his problem and prevent a tragedy. In the end, his best efforts are to no avail, and he faces the choice of saving his plane and dooming the airliner, or sacrificing himself and his passengers. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Dana AndrewsRhonda Fleming, (more)
1960  
 
Unlike the typical Bob Hope and Lucille Ball vehicles, The Facts of Life is essentially a domestic drama with comic undertones. Hope is married to Ruth Hussey, while Ball is the wife of Don DeFore. All four are old friends, who for many years have taken each other for granted. A series of unforeseen circumstances requires Hope and Ball to spend a great deal of time together without their spouses, and as a result they fall in love. Though the affair is never consummated, Hope and Ball are prepared to run off together, but in the end they decide that adultery at their age just isn't worth the trouble. Long unavailable for viewing due to legal tangles, The Facts of Life has gained legendary status as one of the few Bob Hope films of the 1960s to concentrate on character development rather than silly one-liners. Recent viewings have revealed that, though a far more mature work than one might expect from Hope or Ball, Facts of Life still relies to a great extent on the sort of TV sitcom material that the fans of the two stars had come to expect by 1960. Still, the film was considered offbeat enough to warrant an Oscar nomination for best screenplay (by longtime Hope associates Norman Panama and Melvin Frank). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Bob HopeLucille Ball, (more)

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