Kip King Movies
- 1998
During the three-month interim between the Babylon 5 cliffhanger "Movements of Fire and Shadow" and its payoff episode "The Fall of Centauri Prime," the popular TNTnetwork science-fiction series was represented by a two-hour TV "movie", Babylon 5: Thirdspace. Set during the final months of the Shadow war, the film gets under way as B5 officer Ivanova (Claudia Christian discovers a huge artifact in hyperspace. In order to bring the object back to the station for analysis, the B5 crew must accept the assistance of IPX, a corporation specializing in often dangerously experimental technology. The plot thickens when the artifact begins profoundly affecting the subconscious thoughts of the combined crews, producing dreams that threaten to become deadly at any moment. Though Babylon 5 purists complained that this film was more appropriate to the series' fourth season than the continuity of Season 5, the ratings were quite good, especially for a basic-cable telecast. Written by . Michael Straczynski, and later novelized by Peter David, Babylon 5: Thirdspace premiered on July 19, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, (more)
- 1990
This documentary looks at the careers of various stars who died from drug and alcohol abuse. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
A trio of high-school students are helped by a wealthy counselor at the request of the principal in this forgettable comedy. Johnny (Eric Douglas), Joseph (Marlon Jackson), and Susan (Susan Scott) all benefit from the help of the concerned counselor Michael Drake (Richard Horian). ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Douglas, Marlon Jackson, (more)
- 1984
Louise (Isabel Sanford) is led to believe that George (Sherman Hemsley) is preparing a surprise birthday party for her. In truth, however, George has forgotten all about Louise's birthday -- again. But once he finds out what Louise is expecting of him, George desperately scours the city in search of an appropriate birthday gift, a task complicated by "helpful" doorman Ralph (Ned Wertimer). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1978
This made-for-TV ancestor to When Harry Met Sally stars the then-married Rob Reiner and Penny Marshall in what was essentially a replay of their own courtship. Covering a timespan from 1958 to 1971, the teleplay (written by Reiner and his frequent collaborator Phil Mishkin) asks the musical question "Should would-be novelist Alan Corkus (Reiner) and aspiring actress Maddy Pearlman (Marshall) become lovers, or merely remain good friends?" The whimsical nature of the plotline was carried over into the ABC network's ad campaign for the film, which was touted as "A Like Story." More Than Friends first aired on October 20, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Penny Marshall, Rob Reiner, (more)
- 1974
- PG
Two Miami beach bums become notorious cat-burglars in this lively crime drama that is based on a true story. After successfully committing a series of burglaries of some of Miami's wealthiest, the two get bored and decide to steal the Star of India sapphire from the American Museum of Natural History, New York. One of the actual thieves, Allan Kuhn, served as the technical advisor. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Live a Little, Steal a Lot and You Can't Steal Love were both alternate titles for the fact-based crime caper Murph the Surph. In the early 1960s, a "celebrity beach bum" named Jack Murphy--aka Murph the Surph--helped mastermind the stealing of the Star of India sapphire from the American Museum of Natural History. The film concentrates on the sociopathic pre-theft activities of Murphy (played by Don Stroud) and his partner in crime Allan Kuhn (excellently impersonated by Robert Conrad). The hollowness of Murph and Kuhn's Miami Beach lifestyle is offset with their never-ending search for "kicks"--the last of which earned them both stiff prison terms. Live a Little, Steal a Lot successfully plays its material for laughs throughout, but in the end both erstwhile criminals seem more pathetic than amusing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Conrad, Don Stroud, (more)
- 1970
Trying to make Danny (Danny Bonaduce) feel better about his pre-pubescent clumsiness, the family convinces him that he's a natural born comic. This well-meaning gesture backfires when Danny, determined to break into the Big Time as a stand-up comedian, hires broken-down gag writer Ziggy Shnurr (Morey Amsterdam) to provide him with a "sure-fire" act. Jackie Coogan, who would later replace Ray Bolger in the recurring role of the Partridge kids' grandfather, is here seen as a no-nonsense nightclub owner who must break the news to Danny that he's approximately as funny as a crutch. Song: "Somebody Wants to Love You". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The fast-paced world of stock-car racing provides the backdrop for this drama that centers upon a driver who is forced to retire after a blackout causes the death of another driver. He then begins working at a "Thrill Circus" as a stunt driver. There he meets the proprietor's daughter, who also drives there, and her lover. The professional driver is bored by his new job and so begins training the girl's beau to be a professional. The training is good and the young man wins his first race. This causes the banished driver's gold-digging ex-girl friend to try to steal the hot young driver away from the daughter which creates some problems between the younger and the older drivers. They reconcile when they are paired up during a crucial 500-mile race. In the midst of the race, the older pro feels another blackout coming on. By the end of the film, he realizes that the fainting spells are a psychological reaction to a childhood trauma. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Annette Funicello, Fabian, (more)
- 1964
Taking charge of Mammoth Pictures in Hollywood, the Clampetts embark upon a tour of the studio lot (actually the backlot of General Services Studios, home base for The Beverly Hillbillies). Aware that banker Drysdale plans to convert the studio into real estate, the hillbillies naturally assume that the ersatz exterior sets are genuine homes and business offices. Thus, the family pitches camp in Mammoth's "rustic village" set, and even set up a general store on the property. Part two of a four-episode story arc, "Clampett City" first aired on September 30, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Angling for a promotion, Tim (Bill Bixby) invites his boss Mr. Burns (J. Pat O'Malley) home for dinner. The chef for the occasion is Uncle Martin (Ray Walston), who whips up a batch of his special "Martian stew." Unfortunately, the meal has a profound cooling effect on Mr. Burns--or more specifically, it transforms the man into a statue! And as if this wasn't enough of a crisis, who should suddenly show up at Tim's doorstep but Burns' obnoxious nephew Freddie Carson (Kip King). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In an idealized New York City during the early '60s, Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) is a charming socialite with a youthful zest for life who lives alone in a nearly bare apartment. She has such a flippant lifestyle that she won't even give her cat a name, because that would be too much of a commitment to a relationship. Maintaining a childlike innocence yet wearing the most perfect of designer clothes and accessories from Givenchy, she spends her time on expensive dates and at high-class parties. She escorts various wealthy men, yet fails to return their affections after they have given her gifts and money. Holly's carefree independence is changed when she meets her neighbor, aspiring writer Paul (George Peppard), who is suffering from writer's block while being kept by a wealthy woman (Patricia Neal). Just when Holly and Paul are developing their sweet romance, Doc (Buddy Ebsen) appears on the scene and complicates matters, revealing the truth about Holly's past. Breakfast at Tiffany's was nominated for several Academy awards, winning Best Score for Henry Mancini and Best Song for Johnny Mercer's classic tune "Moon River". ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, (more)
- 1959
A young college student has a stuttering problem around everyone but girls. He goes of to UCLA and is rejected by a fraternity, but meets a young blonde. The blonde has a sexy brunette roommate, and soon the brunette and the young man sleep together. Their thoughts turn to marriage, and the boy attends a speech clinic. He is halfhearted in his attempt to overcome his speech impediment and leaves the clinic. Finding out his "fiancee" is not faithful, he breaks up with her in a dramatically powerful scene. He isn't lonely too long as the blonde catches him on the rebound. He returns to the clinic in an earnest effort to improve his speech. Tom Laughlin is the writer, director and star of the film. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Laughlin, Nyra Monsour, (more)
- 1958
The "big hobby" of the title is photography, and the big hobbyist is an amateur cameraman (Kip King). This erstwhile shutterbug comes in handy during a manhunt conducted by police detectives Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander). The two cops are looking for a dangerous fugitive--and based on evidence gleaned from a detective magazine, the teenage cameraman thinks he's inadvertently snapped a picture of the man in question. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Curvaceous blonde actress Barbara Nichols is typecast as a Monroe-like movie star in this episode. Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) enter the rarefied world of Hollywood glamour when the gorgeous star begins receiving anonymous extortion letters, threatening to disfigure her unless she ponies up a huge sum of money. But has the evidence been arranged to lead the detectives down the wrong path? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
Adapted from his own TV play by Reginald Rose, Dino stars Sal Mineo (who also appeared in the TV version) in the title role. Sent to reform school for his complicity in a gang killing, Dino is released in the custody of kindly settlement worker Sheridan (Brian Keith). Despite the efforts by Sheridan and parole officer Mandel (Frank Faylen) to set the boy on the right path, sullen Dino intends to rejoin his old gang at the first opportunity. Only when he realizes that his younger brother Tony (Pat DeSimone) is in danger of becoming an irredeemable juvenile delinquent does Dino gets wise to himself. It also helps when he falls in love with Shirley (Susan Kohner), a "plain-Jane" girl he meets at Sheridan's settlement house. Rarely seen today, Dino is one of the better "j.d." films of its era. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sal Mineo, Brian Keith, (more)
- 1957
In this gentle, non-melodramatic drama, an elderly, wealthy widow will not leave her apartment even after her building is slated to be converted into a dormitory by the university that purchased it. She refuses to leave because she is convinced that her son, who disappeared 27 years before after being expelled from the college, will comeback. The university lets her stay and she becomes the house "Nana" for the students that live there. When an ex-Marine moves in, the woman is sure that he is her grandson as he has the same name as her son. She begins helping the young man with his personal and academic life. Just before his father is to arrive for a visit, the woman dies. She never knows that the boy is not her grandson. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ethel Barrymore, Cecil Kellaway, (more)
Grace Metalious' once-notorious bestseller Peyton Place is given a lavish -- and necessarily toned-down -- film treatment in this deluxe 20th Century-Fox production. Set during WWII, the film concentrates on several denizens of the outwardly respectable New England community of Peyton Place. Top-billed Lana Turner plays shopkeeper Constance McKenzie, who tries to make up for a past indiscretion -- which resulted in her illegitimate daughter Allison (Diane Varsi) -- by adopting a chaste, prudish attitude towards all things sexual. In spite of herself, Constance can't help but be attracted to handsome new teacher Michael Rossi (Lee Philips). Meanwhile, the restless Allison, who'd like to be as footloose and fancy-free as the town's "fast girl" Betty Anderson (Terry Moore), falls sincerely in love with mixed-up mama's boy Norman Page (Russ Tamblyn). And while all this is going on, "white trash" Selena Cross (Hope Lange) is raped by her stepfather, drunken school caretaker Lucas Cross (Arthur Kennedy). Other characters essential to the action are wealthy Rodney Harrington (Barry Coe), who must pay the price for his dalliance with Betty Anderson; Nellie Cross (Betty Field), Selena's long-suffering mother; and the town's Voice of Reason, Dr. Swain (Lloyd Nolan). This 166-minute soap opera (whittled down to 157 minutes before release) culminates in a spectacular murder trial which lays bare the deep, dark secrets of Peyton Place. Filmed on location in Camden, Maine, Peyton Place was a huge moneymaker (even those who felt that the film was but a heavily laundered shadow of the Metalious original were pleased with the professionalism of it all); it not only spawned a 1961 theatrical sequel, but also a long-running prime time TV serial. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lana Turner, Hope Lange, (more)
Luther Davis' racy wartime comedy Kiss Them for Me was expurgated a bit for the 1957 film version. Cary Grant, Ray Walston and Larry Blyden portray three navy war heroes who've been booked on a morale-building "vacation" in San Francisco. Eluding their ulcerated public relations officer (Werner Klemperer), the trio arranges a wild party with plenty of pretty girls. Cary Grant is paired with knockout Suzy Parker, an icy socialite who eventually thaws under his charms. Also on hand is Jayne Mansfield, playing a "good time girl" whose profession was a bit more explicit in the original play; the role was originated by Judy Holliday, who brought a wistfulness to the character that Ms. Mansfield couldn't quite manage. TV sitcom fans will get a kick out of the supporting cast of Kiss Them For Me: Ray Walston, later star of My Favorite Martian plays a libertine navy officer; Werner Klemperer, shorn of the accent he'd use as Colonel Klink in Hogan's Heroes, is hilarious as the flustered p.r. man; and Richard Deacon (Leave It to Beaver, The Dick Van Dyke Show) pops up unbilled as a dour businessman who can't understand the war-hero mystique. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cary Grant, Suzy Parker, (more)
- 1956
1956's Tea and Sympathy is a diluted filmization of Robert Anderson's Broadway play. The original production was considered quite daring in its attitudes towards homosexuality (both actual and alleged) and marital infidelity; the film softpedals these elements, as much by adding to the text as by subtracting from it. John Kerr plays a sensitive college student who prefers the arts to sports; as such, he is ridiculed as a "sissy" by his classmates and hounded mercilessly by his macho-obsessed father Edward Andrews. Only student Darryl Hickman treats Kerr with any decency, perceiving that being different is not the same as being effeminate. Deborah Kerr, the wife of testosterone-driven housemaster Leif Erickson, likewise does her best to understand rather than condemn John for his "strangeness." Desperate to prove his manhood, John is about to visit town trollop Norma Crane. Though nothing really happens, the girl cries "rape!" Both John's father and Deborah's husband adopt a thick-eared "Boys will be boys" attitude, which only exacerbates John's insecurities. Feeling pity for John and at the same time resenting her own husband's boorishness, Deborah offers her own body to the mixed-up boy. "When you speak of this in future years...and you will...be kind." With this classic closing line, the original stage production of Tea and Sympathy came to an end. Fearing censorship interference, MGM insisted upon a stupid epilogue, indicating that Deborah Kerr deeply regretted her "wrong" behavior. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Deborah Kerr, John Kerr, (more)
- 1956
Kip King, a future member of the Groundlings comedy troupe (and the father of comedian Chris Kattan), here essays a serious role as 17-year-old drug addict John Colter. Though he is willing to turn himself in and go "cold turkey", John refuses to rat on his supplier. While trying to get the boy to cooperate with the authorities, Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) become painfully aware that the real source of John's emotional turmoil is his selfish, insenstive mother Nora (Gloria Ann Simpson). And yes, the actor playing the drug supplier is Jonathan Haze, aka "Seymour Krelboin" in the original 1960 version of Little Shop of Horrors. This episode was adapted from the Dragnet radio broadcast of August 10, 1954. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
