Sandy Kenyon Movies
Sandy Kenyon's name won't be familiar to too many people, but his face will be instantly recognizable to filmgoers and television viewers for the hundreds of roles that he has played -- cops and criminals, cowboys and government officials, and just about everything else that television or movies have had to offer since the late 1950s. Born in New York City on August 5, 1922, Kenyon served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II as a pilot, organizing shows in his spare time. He attended drama school on the G.I. Bill and formed the Town and Country Players with five friends in Hartford, CT, in 1946, performing eight seasons of summer stock work. His New York theater credits included Katherine Ann Porter's Pale Horse, Pale Rider, Sean O'Casey's Purple Dust, Ibsen's Peer Gynt, and Clifford Odets' Rocket to the Moon. Kenyon's screen career began in 1957 on television series such as Studio One, Kraft Playhouse, The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, and Have Gun, Will Travel. His movie debut took place in Al Capone (1959), in the role of Bones Corelli -- Kenyon's later screen credits have included roles in Nevada Smith (1966), Easy Come, Easy Go (1967), Something for a Lonely Man (1968), Rancho Deluxe (1975), and MacArthur (1977). He also got his first starring television role in 1958, working with Forrest Tucker in the adventure series Crunch and Des, based on the writings of Philip Wylie. In 1964, Kenyon made his Broadway debut as Pygmalion in Conversation at Midnight, which closed after only four performances. He is most familiar to audiences for his television work, which has included guest supporting roles on series ranging from All in the Family (as Dave the Cop in "Archie Is Worried About His Job") to Knots Landing; he was good at playing tough but fair-minded lunkheads, sleazy movie directors (Bracken's World), and single-minded public servants (Mod Squad). He has also done voice-over work in cartoons. The actor Sandy Kenyon is not to be confused with the entertainment correspondent of the same name. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide- 1997
A modern, light-hearted version of William Shakespeare's Macbeth (superstitiously known to theater types as "the Scottish play"), this romantic comedy was adapted, produced, and directed by Mackinlay Polhemus, who cast several family members in key roles. Josiah Polhemus plays Mack, a poet who returns to his hometown of Inverness, Scotland, where he encounters his three eccentric maiden aunts, who inform him presciently that he will marry Beth (played by the film's producer, Ann Boehlke). Mack's been secretly in love with Beth for many years, but she is engaged to marry his brother in one week. Mack knows that his brother is only marrying Beth in order to worm his way into the good graces of her wealthy father, a lawyer with a thriving firm. Unable to break up the relationship without destroying his family, Mack returns to his current residence in Inverness, California, resigned to the inevitable confrontation and confession. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- 1989
According to this film by no-budget auteur (and conspiracy buff) Larry Buchanan, singers Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and the Doors' Jim Morrison didn't die of drug overdoses; in fact, Morrison didn't die at all! The government sent an assassin (who got the job because he didn't like his son listening to rock 'n' roll records) to kill them because they were trying to influence young people to protest against the Vietnam war. Hendrix and Joplin were killed by the assassin, but Morrison faked his death and hid out in a monastery in Spain. Oh well, stranger things have happened . . . ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gregory Allen Chatman, Riba Meryl, (more)
- 1984
In this standard, slightly maudlin drama developed by Mick Jagger and director Gene Taft, Charles (Nick Mancuso) is a rock 'n roll star forced to take on his 13-year-old son Job (Byron Thames) when the boy's mother dies, and a clash of cultures, generations, and backgrounds results. Job was the result of a one-night stand and had never really known his father. That fact coupled with his training in the military academy he attends leaves him unprepared for the world of touring rock musicians. He and his father have a lot to work out together -- and they do so quite predictably, in-between music sets and concerts. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nick Mancuso, Byron Thames, (more)
- 1982
When several people are killed in a hotel blaze, the authorities pin the blame on a known pyromaniac. But after a careful forensic examination, Quincy (Jack Klugman) is convinced that the wrong man is behind bars. To help prove this theory, Quincy persuades his old pal, insurance investigator Jake Carter (Gerald O'Loughlin, to come out of retirement. The opening fire sequence in this episode was excerpted from 1978's Inferno, a two-hour TV movie spinoff of the popular Jack Webb series Emergency! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Garfield (voiced by Lorenzo Music) wakes up to a beautiful morning, looking forward to a day of mischief and food. After terrorizing their neighbor's dog (and then the neighbor himself), Garfield and Odie find themselves on the run from the city pound -- and Odie gets captured. At first, Garfield thinks he's glad to be rid of the dim-witted pooch, but soon finds that he misses his slobbering canine pal. When even food fails to cheer him up for long, he decides that it's up to him to rescue Odie. Very quickly, he finds himself behind bars along with Odie, being introduced to colorful characters like Fast Eddy and Fluffy (both voiced by Hank Garrett), who soon bring him up to speed on life on the inside -- and tell him that Odie is the next dog in line to be put to sleep. This prime-time TV special was the comic-strip cat's first animated appearance, featuring songs by Lou Rawls and Desiree Goyette. ~ Emru Townsend, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorenzo Music, Sandy Kenyon, (more)
- 1982
- PG
The mythological Scottish creature goes on the offensive in this tale of horror. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
After producer Irwin Allen highlighted the dangers of fire in the Towering Inferno and the dangers of water in the Poseidon Adventure, he is back to fire again but this time it is within the earth, at least for awhile. This fairly routine disaster film is set on a resort island with a volcano that is beginning to rumble. Stars include a long list of names: Paul Newman is Hank, the savvy oil driller who gets people to safety even against their will, Jacqueline Bisset is the woman he is interested in, William Holden, Eddie Albert, Barbara Carrera, Veronica Hamel and several others play individuals trapped on the island. Hank convinces some people to follow him to the highest part of the island as the volcano gets set to blow its top. They encounter several dangerous situations after the dormant volcano wakes up but nothing quite like the non-stop, action filled, death-defying scenes from the explosion of volcano movies that hit the screens in 1997: Dante's Peak, Volcano, Eruption, Volcano: Fire in the Mountain, and a few more from around the world. They formed a virtual 1997 "ring of fire." ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Newman, Jacqueline Bisset, (more)
- 1978
Archie discovers that the cash register in his bar contains several counterfeit ten-dollar bills. Alas, he makes this discovery after Edith has been arrested for trying to spend one of those phony bills. Even more embarrassing is the fact that Edith was using the "funny money" to buy him some new underwear. This episode was written by All in the Family fixtures Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf. "Bogus Bills" first aired on December 3, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1978
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), John (Ralph Waite) reacts with anger when he discovers that Erin has taken a second job, caring for the children of a single man. Meanwhile, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) has returned home in hopes of reopening the Guthrie mine and revitalizing the local economy. But fate takes a hand in matters when John-Boy is trapped in a cave-in along with Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) and Ben (Eric Scott). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Richard Thomas briefly returns to the role of John-Boy Walton in this first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour installment). Upon hearing of the dire financial conditions in Jefferson County, John-Boy comes home with plans of reopening the old Guthrie coal mine. Elsewhere, John Walton (Ralph Waite) weighs the possibility of giving up the family business and going to work at a defense plant; and Erin ($Mary Elizabeth McDonough) hesitates to inform her family that she has taken a second job under "questionable" circumstances. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Star Gregory Peck went into MacArthur disliking the title character that he was slated to play, but emerged from the experience with a deeper understanding and respect for this complex historical figure. The film is framed in flashback, with an octogenarian General
Douglas MacArthur (Peck) making his final address before his alma mater of West Point. We flash back to the fall of Corregidor in 1942, with MacArthur promising "I shall return" to the beleaguered (and eventually imprisoned) American and Filipino troops. The story follows MacArthur's subsequent victories in the South Pacific, occasionally pausing to show us the General's omnipresent sense of "showmanship" (e.g. his wading ashore on the beaches of the Philippines for the benefit of the newsreel cameras). The greater part of the film involves MacArthur's attempts to restore dignity to the defeated postwar Japan, and to keep the Russian Communists from overtaking the orient as they had Eastern Europe. MacArthur is eventually fired from his post by President Truman after the general defies orders during the Korean conflict. MacArthur was intended as Universal's "answer" to 20th Century-Fox's enormously successful Patton (1970), but box-office returns were disappointing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Douglas MacArthur (Peck) making his final address before his alma mater of West Point. We flash back to the fall of Corregidor in 1942, with MacArthur promising "I shall return" to the beleaguered (and eventually imprisoned) American and Filipino troops. The story follows MacArthur's subsequent victories in the South Pacific, occasionally pausing to show us the General's omnipresent sense of "showmanship" (e.g. his wading ashore on the beaches of the Philippines for the benefit of the newsreel cameras). The greater part of the film involves MacArthur's attempts to restore dignity to the defeated postwar Japan, and to keep the Russian Communists from overtaking the orient as they had Eastern Europe. MacArthur is eventually fired from his post by President Truman after the general defies orders during the Korean conflict. MacArthur was intended as Universal's "answer" to 20th Century-Fox's enormously successful Patton (1970), but box-office returns were disappointing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gregory Peck, Ed Flanders, (more)
- 1976
As the result of a bet made during a poker game, Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and B.J. (Mike Farrell) are able to cut phony orders "promoting" Corporal Radar O'Reilly (Gary Burghoff) to the rank of second lieutenant. Unaware that it's all a joke, Radar nervously does his best to take his new rank seriously. But if Radar proves to be uncomfortable as an officer, his discomfiture pales in comparison to the envy displayed by Major Frank Burns (Larry Linville). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Though there's no love lost between Jim Rockford (James Garner) and fellow ex-convict "Joey Blue Eyes" DiMinna (Michael Ansara), Beth (Gretchen Corbett) persuades Jim to come to Joey's aid when the man is victimized by a crooked corporation. DiMinna owns a small restaurant which the corporation dearly covets, and the powers-that-be are not above extortion and physical violence--mostly directed at Joey's daughter Paulette (Suzanne Charney)--to get what they want. Figuring that it takes a crook to catch a crook, Jim stage-manages an elaborate swindle to foil the villains...with peril-prone Paulette at the center of things again. Appearing as loan shark Bert Striker is James Luisi, who later joined the Rockford Files cast in the role of antagonistic police detective Doug Chapman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Archie basks in the adulation of his friends and family when, while moonlighting as a cabdriver, he uses mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to save the life of an attractive passenger named Beverly LaSalle. But when the grateful passenger shows up at the Bunker doorstep, Archie is appalled to discover that "she" is a "he" -- a professional female impersonator. Lori Shannon makes his first series appearance as the cross-dressing Beverly. Written by Lou Derman, Bill Davenport, and Larry Rhine, "Archie the Hero" originally aired on September 29, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
In Frank Perry's curious, off-center comedy Western, Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston play Jack McKee and Cecil Carlson, a couple of cattle rustlers whose special target is taciturn rancher John Brown (Clifton James). Both men are outcasts by choice; McKee can't stand being around his stuck-up ex-wife (played by Doria Cook), while Carlson, an Indian, finds his fellow tribesmen too tradition-bound for his tastes. Together, they plan to lift themselves out of the penny-ante class with one big crime caper. Brown gets wind of their scheme, and sends private eye Henry Beige (Slim Pickens) after them. The cast is top-heavy with delectable females, ranging from Brown's bored wife, Cora (Elizabeth Ashley), to Beige's crafty daughter, Laura (Charlene Dallas), to "camp followers" Betty Fargo (Patti D'Arbanville) and Mary Fargo (Maggie Wellman). Thomas McGuane authored the script; Jimmy Buffett provides the songs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Bridges, Sam Waterston, (more)
- 1974
Of the two rape-oriented TV movies of the 1973-74 season, A Case of Rape, first telecast February 20, 1974, is far and away the finer film (the other was the compelling but contrived Cry Rape). Elizabeth Montgomery stars as a housewife who is sexually assaulted not once but twice by a so-called family friend (Cliff Potts). The rape is only the beginning of a long cycle of humiliation and self-doubt: the investigating police are dismissive of Montgomery's charges, the female defense attorney (Rosemary Murphy) tries to put the victim on trial, and Montgomery's reputation and marriage (to Ronny Cox) are irrevocably damaged. Though things don't go well for her in the courtroom, Montgomery emerges from the experience a stronger and more self-reliant person, unwilling to allow herself to be destroyed by outside influences. Don't miss the final confrontation between raper and rapist after the trial--an underplayed but bone-chilling vignette. Had not Cicely Tyson sewn up the Emmy with The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Elizabeth Montgomery would certainly have copped the prize with A Case of Rape. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Flying in the face of his police training, Officer Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) takes an intensely personal interest in the search for a missing six-year-old girl. Catching up with a suspected child molester, Pete reacts violently when the prisoner makes a snide remark. Now Malloy is facing charges of using excessive force--and a depraved criminal may go free as a result. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this Counterculture vs. Establishment romance, Frank Harmon (William Holden) is a middle-aged businessman, recently divorced and a bit bitter about the state of his life and the world in general. One morning, he discovers a pretty, hippie-esque girl who calls herself Breezy (Kay Lenz) asleep on his front porch. Frank asks her to leave and she politely follows suit; she forgets her guitar, however, and returns the next day to retrieve it. Breezy also asks Frank if he would be so kind as to let her take a bath; he agrees, and even lets her sleep at his house that night. A few days later, Breezy turns up at again at Frank's doorstep, with a cop in tow -- after being arrested for vagrancy, she told the police that she lived here with her uncle Frank. Frank plays along and, against his better judgment, agrees to let her stay with him. After spending some time together, Frank and Breezy begin opening up to each other, discussing their feelings on a variety of issues. A friendship grows between them that, in time, becomes a love affair, but Frank's friends find fault in his new romance, and he breaks it off -- a decision he comes to regret. This was the first film Clint Eastwood directed in which he did not star, something he would not do again until Bird in 1988. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Holden, Kay Lenz, (more)
- 1973
When one of the key witnesses in a mob trial is murdered, Stone intensifies his protection of sole remaining witness Roy Chaffee (Sandy Kenyon). Stone and Keller install Chaffee in a nondescript house across the street from the apartment of shy, spinsterish English teacher Mary Rae Dortmunder (Shirley Knight). At the same time, Mary Rae is being ardently courted by a kind, soft-spoken gentleman (Steve Forrest)--actually a contract killer who hopes to use the woman's living room as a stakeout, the better to murder the hapless Chaffee! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Mark Twain's classic tale is brought to the screen for the fourth time, this time with a tuneful score by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, who also wrote the screen adaptation. Johnny Whitaker stars as Tom Sawyer, with Jeff East in his first film role as Huck Finn. Jodie Foster is also on hand, playing the role of Becky Thatcher. This enjoyable family fare was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Art Direction, Best Song Score and Best Costume Design. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Whitaker, Celeste Holm, (more)
- 1971
In New Mexico, the Partridges take a runaway teenager named Maggie (Laurie Prange) under their wings. Trouble is, they aren't aware she's a runaway (at least not at first) because of her extremely inventive lies. Once the truth is known, Shirley (Shirley Jones) tries to a arrange a reunion between the girl and her family--only to have her run away again. Clearly, the time has come to reveal the root cause of the girl's troubles, and this requires a great deal of soul-searching on the part of Maggie's father (Sandy Kenyon) and grandfather (Ian Wolfe). Song: "Point Me in the Direction of Albuquerque". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Klink's fellow officer Captain Hugo Hauptmann (Sandy Kenyon) is exposed as a traitor. Put on trial, Hauptmann finds that his life is in the hands of Klink, who has been chosen as counsel for the defense on the theory that he will bungle the job. It is up to Hogan to save both Hauptmann and Klink in order to steal a map of German submarine installations. First telecast on February 7, 1971, "Klink for the Defense" was written by Bill Davenport. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 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
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1970
Ironside (Raymond Burr) tries to help his friend Loi Tala (Patrick Adiarte), a Samoan-born boxer who wants to retire from the ring, marry his sweetheart and return to his homeland. Alas, Samoan tradition demands that he uphold the honor of his family by continuing his boxing career, even though he hates it. Inevitably, things take a disastrous turn when Loi Tala seriously injures one of his sparring partners. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
San Francisco is rocked by a brace of explosions; one of these knocks out a major power station, while another plunges Police headquarters into total darkness. Despite the citywide electrical blackout and the utter lack of police backup, Ironside (Raymond Burr) must figure out who is responsible for the sabotage--and why. This episode marks the TV acting debut of former LA Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
