Don Knight Movies
British actor Don Knight played leading roles in a number of Hollywood films between the late '60s and early '80s. He began acting while attending University in 1958 and later worked on television. Knight was also an ordained minister and a dialectician. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1992
This episode is set in Ireland, where Jessica (Angela Lansbury) has arrived to research a new book in the company of her college colleague, retired Irish detective Sean Culhane (George Hearn). Invited to stay at the home of wealthy developer Neal Gillen (Dakin Matthews), Jessica and Sean are among those present when Gillen suddenly dies, presumably of natural causes. It turns out, however, that Gillen's death may have been premeditated--and may also have been tied in with a local legend concerning the spirit of a "crying woman." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Magnum (Tom Selleck) is simultaneously solicited by Higgins (John Hillerman) and Robin Masters (still unseen, but voiced by Orson Welles) to help them with a pair of delicate and potentially damaging cases. Higgins is being blackmailed for helping a woman with an illegitimate son, while one of Robin's friends has been implicated in an embezzlement scheme. Unable to handle both cases at once and do justice to both, Magnum reluctantly returns to fellow private eye Luther Gillis for help. A cute inside reference to Citizen Kane is heard in honor of what turned out to be Orson Welles' final "appearance" on Magnum P.I.. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Face (Dirk Benedict) opens his mail to find the fraternity pin that he gave to Leslie Bektall (Markie Post), the woman who dropped out of his life fifteen years ago. This leads the A-Team to Ecuador, where Leslie is now a nun, working at an orphanage. Though she nervously insists that there's no trouble brewing, Leslie, the other nuns and the orphans are being held captive by gangsters led by the wounded Salvador (Ismael "East" Carlo). In their efforts to save the good people from the bad people, the Team members disguise themselves as whisky salesmen--and later as (you guessed it!) nuns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Director Wes Craven, who went on to fame as the force behind blockbuster horror films such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, departed from his favorite genre to film this unique cult classic -- a spoof on the mad scientist movies of the 1950s. Adrienne Barbeau stars as Alice Cable, a government agent sent to replace a man who has disappeared while guarding a secret experimental lab in the middle of the Louisiana bayous. Dressed in heels and a skirt, Cable professes unease at her strange new surroundings, but she is soon wooed by Dr. Alec Holland (Ray Wise). Holland is working on a concoction that combines plant and animal cells. Arcane (Louis Jourdan) is the criminal mastermind who is trying to steal the secret recipe for the potion. When Arcane and his mercenaries break into the government camp, they kill Holland's sister Linda (Nannette Brown) and the scientist is accidentally doused with his own formula and bursts into flames, then dives into the swamp. Arcane's men pursue Cable, but she is rescued by a mysterious green man. It takes several rescues for her to understand that the Swamp Thing (Dick Durock) is Dr. Holland, transformed by his own formula. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Louis Jourdan, Adrienne Barbeau, (more)
- 1979
Telecast on Sunday evening rather than the series' customary Monday-night slot, "The Little House Years" is a three-hour compilation of highlights from the series' five previous seasons. Gathered together for Thanksgiving, the Ingalls family recalls the most memorable events of their lives, with special emphasis on the growing pains endured by daughter Laura (Melissa Gilbert). Among the episodes excerpted are 1974's "The Lord is My Shepherd," featuring Ernest Borgnine as a hermit named Jonathan; the 1976 installments "Bunny" and "The Race," emphasizing the ongoing rivalry between Laura and the impossible Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim); and another 1976 entry, the two-part "Journey in the Spring," guest-starring Arthur Hill as Lansford Ingalls, father of Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon). For syndication purposes, "The Little House Years" has been re-edited as three separate hour-long episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
This made-for-TV espionage drama chronicles the adventures of Hawaiian secret agent Diamond Head, who begins impersonating a notorious gambler so he can get close to those who are planning to steal an extremely lethal chemical capable of wiping out all life. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Even though a gang of art thieves have been caught in the act, five priceless Rembrandt drawings have seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth. To solve the case, Kojak (Telly Savalas) must work in concert with world-famous criminologist Dr. Anton Valentine (David Opatoshu)--a prospect that does not appeal to either man. Originally scheduled to air on March 7, 1976, this episode was moved up one week to accommodate an overall reshuffling of Kojak's Season Three manifest. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This adventure chronicles two boys' search for a treasure buried somewhere in the Florida Keys during the mid 1800s. The children are assisted by three adults, who each have the their own agendas for finding the cache. The hunters are followed by a greedy gang of villains. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Foxworth, Joan Hackett, (more)
The Apple Dumpling Gang stars Bill Bixby as Russell Donovan, a slick frontier gambler. In Runyon-esque fashion, he is compelled to look after three precocious oprhaned kids. He can't handle the responsibilities alone, so he agrees to an in-name-only marriage to hoydenish stagecoach driver, Magnolia Dusty Clydesdale (Susan Clark). Fortuitously, they discover that a mine belonging to the kids' late father is worth millions. This brings several disreputable characters into the storyline: bumbling "nice" bandits Theodore Ogelvie and Amos (Don Knotts and Tim Conway), and deadly "bad" bandits headed by Frank Stillwell (Slim Pickens). Based on a novel by Jack M. Bickham, The Apple Dumpling Gang was successful enough to spawn a sequel-not to mention several future screen teamings for Don Knotts and Tim Conway. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Bixby, Susan Clark, (more)
- 1974
In this theatrically released episode from the TV series based on the popular feature film, Shaft, the tough New York detective must use all of his experience to solve the case and bring the crooks to justice. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1974
The Ingalls' first wheat crop is wiped out by a hailstorm, which also devastates the neighboring farms. This catastrophe forces Charles (Michael Landon) and his fellow farmers to leave town and seek out other work. While the menfolk of Walnut Grove are all laboring at a faraway quarry, it is up to the women left behind to harvest what is left of their crops -- an experience that serves to bring the Ingalls girls even closer together. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1974
The plot is set in motion by a corrupt banker who has stolen several million dollars in US bonds. Also playing key roles in the intrigue are a mob fence and a professional assassin. Truly, crimefighting makes strange bedfellows: In his efforts to capture the banker and foil the other villains, NYPD lieutenant Kojak (Telly Savalas) is forced to team up with a cat burglar (Henry Darrow). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
- PG
This film is based on the 1931 film, Trader Horn. In the earlier picture, explorers (including Trader Horn) who stumbled on a hostile tribe of Africans have their lives saved by a white girl whom the tribe members regard as a goddess. They discover that she is the daughter of some missing missionaries and take her back to Europe with them. In this film, Trader Horn (Rod Taylor) works to thwart the efforts of Germans to use slave laborers in Africa to mine platinum for the war effort (WWI). ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1973
A 2,000 pound coach vanishes from a secured steel container, and it is up to Banacek to find the bejeweled treasure. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1972
Jamie's new bird dog April, an Irish setter, is denigrated as a "bucket dog" by Tim Riley (Don Knight), an employee of the man responsible for bringing this particular breed of dogs to the United States. As such, April may well be destroyed if unable to prove its mettle. To save the dog's life, Jamie agrees to allow April to participate in a grueling three-hour field trial-an ordeal which the setter may not survive. William Sylvester of 2001: A Space Odyssey fame is seen as imperious dog breeder Horace Kingston. Originally telecast on December 19, 1972, "The Bucket Dog" was written by John Hawkins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1971
While visiting the Scottish village of Inverness, Samantha discovers that the legendary Loch Ness monster is actually a warlock named Bruce (Steve Franken), who was transformed into his present beastly state by his jealous girlfriend -- none other than Sam's lookalike cousin, Serena. In attempting to restore "Nessie" to human form, Sam must evade Baron Von Hauser (Bernie Kopell), who is determined to capture the monster and claim a three-million-dollar reward. But when all is said and done, it turns out that Sam should have left well enough alone. The third episode of a seven-part story arc, "Samantha and the Loch Ness Monster" was written by Michael Morris, and originally broadcast on September 29, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1971
Rip Torn guest-stars as Will Hewitt, a former soldier who was blinded in the last battle of the Civil War. Determined to solve the murder of his brother, Hewitt is given a helping hand by Ben Cartwright's adopted son Jamie. The teleplay by John Hawkins and Robert Pirosh is capped by a truly surprising denoument. Also in the cast are Don Knight as Clayton, Loretta Leversee as Laurie, Charles Maxwell as Keeley, and James Chandler as McKey. "Blind Hunch" first aired on November 21, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1971
Some prisoners pin their hopes for freedom on a homemade aircraft in this made-for-television thriller. Based on a true World War Two story, Doug McClure stars as Harry Cook, an Allied soldier who tries to escape a Nazi prison camp with a scientist in tow, using a glider built by their fellow inmates. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- 1971
- PG
In this western, an outlaw anxiously awaits the arrival of his betrothed, who is under the false impression that her fiancé is worth a fortune. Unfortunately, the fellow has earned nothing during his stint in the West. Desperate to keep her, he begins plotting the theft of a Mexican bandit's loot. But before he can, he will need a Gatling gun. He knows a man who has one, but the gun owner refuses to part with it unless the outlaw agrees to find him a woman. The outlaw then kidnaps a likely candidate from a stage coach. Unfortunately, he doesn't realize that the woman is a colonel's wife. Later as he is hauling his heavy gun, he runs into the colonel who is looking for his missing wife. A shoot out ensues and things look bleak for the outlaw until the colonel's wife intervenes and suggests to her husband that since he is about to retire, he ought to allow the fellow to take the chance and try to pull off the heist. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1970
The IMF heads to London with instructions to identify the head of an espionage ring, a mysterious figure known only as K. To flush out their quarry, the agents enlist the unwitting aid of the beautirful and aristocratic enemy agent Lady Cora Weston (Jane Merrow). Maneuvering Lady Cora into a romantic triangle, Phelps and Paris nearly scuttle the mission when one of the men falls genuinely in love with the woman. The magnificent John Williams also appears as the cuckolded Lord Williams. First seen on February 22, 1970, "Lover's Knot" was written by Laurence Heath. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
Filmed on location in the Philippines Robert Aldrich's Too Late the Hero is set in the last months of World War II. Lackadaisical navy lieutenant Cliff Robertson, who happens to speak fluent Japanese, is ordered to go on a suicide mission to wipe out an enemy observation post. Robertson's equally unwilling partners in this venture are British captain Denholm Elliot and pugnacious cockney private Michael Caine. All three men prove to have unsuspected reserves of courage when the going gets toughest. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Caine, Cliff Robertson, (more)
- 1970
- PG
The Hawaiians is the sequel to 1969's Hawaii; both films were adapted from the same sprawling novel by James A. Michener. Charlton Heston is top-billed as a sailor who returns to his Hawaiian homestead, only to learn that his grandfather's fortune has been bestowed upon his hated cousin Alec McCowan. As a reprisal, Heston sets up his own pineapple plantation in competition with his cousin. Heston's son John Phillip Law falls in love with the daughter (Virginia Ann Lee) of a Chinese farmer (Mako). The issue of miscegenation rears its ugly head, but by the end of this very long film Heston's family is united by marriage to the Chinese clan. The British title of The Hawaiians was Master of the Islands. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Geraldine Chaplin, (more)
- 1969
During a murder trial, Ben Cartwright is trapped in the basement of the courthouse by a mine cave-in. Also entombed with Ben are the accused murderer, the main prosecution witness, the witness' fiancee, and the court clerk. As Joe, Hoss, and Candy race against time to rescue the prisoners before the complete collapse of the courthouse, Ben unearths several startling facts about the people around him. The guest cast includes Tiffany Bolling, Scott Thomas, Don Knight, Ted Gehring and Eddie Firestone. Written by Ken Trevey, "Five Candles" has seldom aired since its network TV debut on March 2, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1968
Two former World War II pilots take to running an air-freight company in South Africa after the war. They get mixed up with Lee Harris (Harry Guardino), the dangerous black-market crime boss who flaunts his beautiful mistress Elana (Claudia Cardinale). Brynie (Rod Taylor) and Mike (Peter Deuel) are the former ace flyboys who get on the wrong side of Harris and his henchmen. The action starts at Al Poland's (William Marshall), a favorite watering hole where everyone has one ear on the live music as the other listens to the next sordid smuggling plan hatched by shadowy underworld types. Harris and his gun-wielding thugs mean to bring down the high-flying operation. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Taylor, Claudia Cardinale, (more)
- 1967
In this actioner, a group of islanders begin claiming ownership of a load of nitroglycerin that has washed up on their beach. The chemical's owner, anxious for its return, threatens to blow up the island. Unbeknownst to him, an island hero sneaks off the island and head to nearby Hong Kong where he asks an American for help. He agrees and enlists the aid of two martial artists to overcome the evil owner of the explosive. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Palance, Fernando Lamas, (more)
