Bernie Kopell Movies
Universally recognized as Ship's Doctor Adam Bricker on the blockbuster prime-time sitcom The Love Boat (1977-1986) -- a part he held for the entire nine-season run of the series -- actor Bernie Kopell entered the doors of show business via a most unlikely route. Born in Brooklyn, Kopell attended Erasmus High and then New York University (with a dramatic art major). After a stint at sea aboard the naval vessel USS Iowa, Kopell signed on to drive a taxicab in Southern California -- and achieved his big break on the day that Oregon Trail (1959) film producer Dick Einfeld hitched a ride in the back of his cab. In a span of minutes, Kopell reportedly managed to convince Einfeld that he was not really a cab driver but an actor in serious need of work. The effort paid off, and Kopell snagged his first part -- a two-line part in Oregon as an aide to president James K. Polk.In the early '60s, Kopell joined the Actors' Ring Theatre in Los Angeles, where he developed a knack for characterizations and voices; this led, in turn, to character-type roles on a myriad of television programs including The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Steve Allen Show, and My Favorite Martian (which often, though not always, cast the wiry Kopell as a Hispanic). By the early '70s, Kopell had landed steady assignments on Get Smart, Bewitched, That Girl, and other series. The Love Boat, however, embodied his breakthrough. He followed it up with an emcee assignment on The Travel Channel (hosting its Railway Adventures Across Europe) and a surge in theatrical work, with portrayals in regional productions of such plays as Rumors, A History of Shadows, and Death of a Salesman. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
In the aftermath of a daring rescue mission gone bad, a guilt-ridden detective vows to rescue a diamond cutter from the clutches of a murderous thief in this pulse-pounding action thriller starring silver screen icon Chuck Norris. John Shepherd (Norris) is a cop with a complex. In the days following his failed rescue of an endangered diamond cutter being held hostage, Shepherd vows to make good on his mission and enlists the help of the elderly cutter's niece, Elizabeth, in bringing home her uncle safely. In order to fulfill his mission though, Shepherd will have to learn the secrets of the cutter's past. Upon learning that the cutter had perfected his skills during his harrowing tenure at an Auschwitz prison, Shepherd begins uncovering the clues that will be vital to the success of his dangerous mission. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck Norris, Daniel Bernhardt, (more)
- 1999
In her latest premonition, Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) sees her own sister Prue (Shannen Doherty) being fatally stabbed...for the "crime" of being the first born. It soon appears that this horrifying image will come true: just as the Halliwell sisters' great-great-great-aunt was killed by a demon warrior (Alex McArthur), so too does the selfsame warrior intend to dispose of Prue in order to steal her magic. In a desperate effort to save her sister, Phoebe inadvertently creates a "Prue clone" -- and even she can't tell the two girls apart. ~ All Movie Guide
When a typical teenager discovers her family is moving from a large city to a small town in the country, there are plenty of changes she's planning on ... but battling swarms of murderous insects isn't one of them. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1997
High schooler Shawn (Rider Strong) drops in on a college philosophy class and wins a debate with Professor Michaels (Julius Carry). His ego in high gear, Shawn begins thinking of himself as a college student--and in so doing neglects his high school duties to the point that he ends up suspended. And Dean Borak (Paul Gleason) wonders what Eric (Will Friedle) is up to when he creates his own fraternity, "Magnum Pi." Former Love Boat regulars Bernie Kopell and Ted Lange) appear as themselves in a surrealistic frat-party sequence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Zach's held hostage by his new girlfriend and her father (Bernie Kopell), a former KAOS spy hot to restart the Cold War. ~ Damian J. Holbrook, All Movie Guide
- 1992
The Banks family begins to panic when Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell) announces that he has written his "tell-all" memoirs. At the same time, Will (Will Smith) is terrified at the prospect of having his tonsils removed. The latter plotline eventually segues into a surrealistic nightmare sequence before settling into a zany hospital-room sequence straight out of the Marx Brothers. Veteran funnyman Milton Berle steals the show as Will's elderly roommate Max--and listen for a fleeting "inside" joke involving former General Hospital leading man John Beradino). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- PG
In this comedy thriller two dopey pals try to solve a puzzling riddle. If they succeed, one of them will inherit a valuable artifact, an object desired by a number of suspicious characters willing to do just about anything to obtain it. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Idle, Robert Wuhl, (more)
- 1990
Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water again, along came the "retro" TV movie The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage. Four regulars of the original Love Boat series are back on board: Gavin McLeod ($Capt Stubbing), Bernie Kopell (Doc), Ted Lange (Isaac) and Jill Whelan (Vicki). Filmed on location in the Carribean, the plotline accommodates the usual quota of guest stars, in this cast Ted Shackleford, Shanna Reed, Joe Regalbuto, Tom Bosley, Julia Duffy, Steve Bond, and wrestler "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. The story concerns a gang of eccentric jewel thieves, who set about divesting the passengers of their valuables while said passengers are out frolicking on deck and on shore. The TV Guide had it right on the money when commenting that a film of this nature "defies criticism". Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage premiered February 12, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The second feature-length revival of the Get Smart television series (1965-1970) of blessed memory, Get Smart Again reunited Don Adams as bumbling secret agent Maxwell Smart and Barbara Feldon as his wife, sultry "fellow" agent 99. Smart coerces 99 to drop her public-sector job and join him in thwarting the evil machinations of their old nemesis Siegfried (Bernie Kopell). Other alumni from the original TV series include Dick Gautier as Hymie the Robot, Robert Karvelas (Don Adams' cousin) as Larrabee, King Moody as Starker and Dave Ketchum as the ubiquitous Agent 13. A few concessions have been made to the passage of time (Smart's fabled shoe-phone now has "call waiting"), but the film scores highest on its nostalgic appeal, encapsulated by such catch-phrases as "Sorry about that", "Would you believe?" and "Missed it by that much." Get Smart, Again was first telecast February 26 (would you believe February 27?), 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, (more)
- 1986
In this youthful film, to juvenile delinquents must spend a year in a military academy. They immediately begin driving their superior officers crazy. The film is also titled Combat Academy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Culp, Keith Gordon, (more)
- 1985
Half-Nelson was a very brief TV cop series which made its bow on March 24, 1985, with a two-hour "special". Joe Pesci, sporting lots and lots of hair, stars as ex-Manhattan cop Rocky Nelson, nicknamed "Half" Nelson because he stands well under six feet. Nelson is now a Beverly Hills security guard who dreams of launching an acting career. Guest star Morgan Brittany shows up just long enough to die along with an old buddy of Nelson's. The official police verdict is suicide, but Nelson suspects foul play. Also showing up in cameo roles are Dean Martin, John Matuszak, Larry Holmes and Jerry Reuss. The Half-Nelson pilot was telecast on a Sunday; the subsequent series settled into a Friday night slot (but not for long). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
This episode of the series Greatest Heroes of the Bible recounts the Old Testament story of Joseph, who ascended from slavery to become the pharaoh's minister. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The made-for-TV Guide for the Married Woman was conceived by screenwriter Frank Tarloff as an "answer" to his frolicsome 1968 theatrical feature Guide for the Married Man. If the sequel isn't quite as much fun as the original, it may be because what was deemed "risque" in 1968 was kid's stuff in 1978. In her TV-movie debut, Cybill Shepherd plays a bored housewife who yearns for romance and excitement. With the help of a steady stream of celebrity guest stars, Shepherd is able to fantasize about extramarital hijinks to her heart's content. The supporting cast includes such luminaries as Peter Marshall, Eve Arden, John Beradino, John Byner, Bill Dana, Bonnie Franklin, George Gobel, Tom Poston, Barbara Feldon and Chuck Woolery (the guest-star list of the original Guide for the Married Man included Art Carney, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Carl Reiner, Terry-Thomas, Joey Bishop and Jayne Mansfield: guess which film had the bigger budget?) Guide for the Married Woman originally aired October 13, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The Old Testament comes alive in this dramatic retelling of Biblical history. The story of Joseph begins with the young man being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. But Joseph's wisdom soon wins him a place of honor within the Pharaoh's palace. When he meets his family again, Joseph must practice what he preaches. Sam Bottoms plays the Egyptian hero. Joseph joins an impressive lineup of Biblical superstars for this television special, among them David, Samson, and Noah. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
