Richard Kiley

Set in a Nova Scotian fishing community, the made-for-TV Blue Moon focuses on a group of local citizens who are under the financial pressure of a land-grabbing tycoon. Particularly hard hit is restaurant manager Cass Medieros (Sharon Lawrence), who not only may have her property sold out from under her, but is also experiencing serious problems with her marriage. Despite these tribulations, family values emerge triumphant over so-called progress. This film represents the final screen appearance of Richard Kiley, here rather incredibly cast as the son of Kim Hunter--who was almost exactly the same age as he! Based on a novel by Luann Rice, Blue Moon debuted April 11, 1999 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This PBS documentary takes a look at the ancient art of fresco. Fresco is the classic art of painting on wet plaster. Narrators Susan Sarandon and Richard Kiley take viewers through its history and its modern-day revival. This video shows how this very old artistic style of painting is being reborn in the modern art world. The work of artist Mark Balma is also highlighted. Balma and a team of artists created a fresco at the University of St. Thomas. The video provides a first-hand look at the creative process, from ancient to modern times. ~ Beth Deki, All Movie Guide

This edition of Biography, the long running documentary series from A&E, explores the life of Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner who launched an entertainment empire with the magazine which he created in 1953 and which grew to become the world's best selling men's magazine.

The documentary chronicals how Playboy was pivotal to America's mid-twentieth century "sexual revolution," as it helped to bring sexual topics and imagery into the cultural mainstream. Playboy's fun-loving, sexually free lifestyle features a mix of "centerfolds" of naked women, celebrity interviews, short fiction, book and movie reviews, and essays. The video also explained how Hefner has lived the lifestyle his magazine espouses, partying with celebrities in his Los Angeles mansion, surrounding himself with curvaceous women, and always wearing his trademark silk pajamas and smoking jacket. In the 1970s Hefner opened Playboy Clubs, casinos, and resorts worldwide, but he eventually phased out this part of his company. Today, Playboy Enterprises encompasses global television and home video businesses, motion picture production, a host of international licensed products, CD-ROMs and other new media products, as well as a Web site. The documentary ends with an update since the mid-1980s. At that point Hefner's daughter Christie began to serve as chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises.

~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide

The fact-based story of an unconventional physician who attempted to heal patients with laughter, based on his own book and mixing equal doses of scatological humor and pathos. Robin Williams stars as Hunter Adams, a troubled young man who commits himself to a mental institution in the late 1960s. His experiences there convince Adams to become a doctor, and he enrolls in medical school, where he is appalled at the cold, clinical professionalism that alienates patients from their caregivers. Determined to provide emotional and spiritual relief as well as medicine, Adams clowns around for his patients, getting to know them personally. Although his efforts seem to work wonders and the hospital nursing staff is grateful for the levity Adams provides, his methods alienate his uptight roommate Mitch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) as well as the staff and faculty of his school. Adams perseveres, however, even starting his own low-cost rural clinic called the Gesundheit Institute, and wooing a pretty fellow student, Carin (Monica Potter). Tragedy strikes, and Adams' career is put in jeopardy, forcing him to defend his style and philosophy before a board of jurists determined to bar him from practicing medicine. Patch Adams (1998) was produced by former M*A*S*H (1972-83) star Mike Farrell, who met the real-life Adams when the offbeat doctor served as an advisor to the actor's popular TV series. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

This film is one in a series produced for PBS on America's outstanding poets. This volume features Walt Whitman, who many consider the greatest literary figure in American literature. Whitman worked as a teacher and journalist while he worked on his masterpiece of free verse, Leaves of Grass. The Civil War began, and Whitman volunteered as a nurse. The pain and suffering he saw informed the subject matter of his later prose works, including Democratic Vistas. The First Poetry Quartet reads from this literary giant's work against the beautiful and poignant setting of a Civil War battleground. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

Join the National Geographic cameras in their on-hand account of a team of Russian and American scientists racing to protect the endangered Siberian Tiger. The biggest cat on earth, there are only 300 Siberian tigers surviving in the wild today. Tigers of the Snow depicts some truly exciting and highly dangerous tiger conservation efforts: wildlife biologists risking their lives to rush into a tiger den to tag a two-month-old cub before its mother returns and even giving mouth to mouth resuscitation to an ailing sedated Tiger. This video adventure is fast moving and full of exciting, bold efforts to help save the remaining Tigers of the Snow in Siberia. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide

The tragedy of Alzheimer's Disease is at the core of this heart-tugging made-for-cable drama, starring veteran actors Richard Kiley and Eva Marie Saint. Diagnosed with Alzheimers, the brilliant doctor Gerald Klooster (Richard Kiley) would sooner die immediately than endure the agony of a progressively failing memory. Thus, he asks his loved ones to do him one final favor and assist him in committing suicide. Everyone, including Gerald's wife Ruth (Eva Marie Saint), is willing to go along with this plan--everyone that is except his youngest son, who kidnaps the old man before his last wish can be granted and brings legal action against his mom. Based on a true story, Time to Say Goodbye? first aired over the Lifetime channel on September 1, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jimmy Stewart had a certain something that drew audiences and held their attention. A true "screen hero," Stewart's sincere, slightly befuddled persona as George Bailey in the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life and Elwood P. Dowd in the ever-fresh Harvey is the marker of an era. Indeed, Stewart's Everyman in the Frank Capra directed hits Mr. Smith Goes to Washington will make the most cynical stand up and cheer. Learn about Stewart's childhood in Indiana, prolific career, his heroism in WWII, and his family life. Richard Kiley narrates this biography. ~ Leslie Birdwell, All Movie Guide

Mysteries of the Bible: Heaven and Hell investigates what the Bible says about Heaven and Hell and the afterlife. This information is then analyzed to reveal what people believe about sin, punishment, and redemption. The viewpoints of some leading historians and philosophers are included. Viewers can then begin to see how the images of Heaven and Hell have shaped western thought for hundreds of years. ~ Karla Baker, All Movie Guide

In this made-for-television domestic drama, a young adolescent girl is shocked to discover that the woman she calls "Mother" may not be related to her at all. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Joseph: Master of Dreams tells the Old Testament story of Joseph, who receives from his father Jacob a coat of many colors and the title of favorite son. The video follows the arduous journey of this prophetic young man sold into slavery by his own brothers, who are jealous and frightened of his divine gifts and foreboding dreams. Joseph ultimately uses his psychic ability to help the pharaoh interpret his own prophetic dreams and rescue Egypt from famine. Traveling from the land of the Israelites to the land of the pharaohs, this video also investigates possible evidence to support the events described in Joseph's story. The program is hosted by Richard Kiley and Jean Simmons.
~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide