John Larch Movies
Open-faced, bulb-nosed character actor John Larch entered films in 1954, appearing mostly in westerns and outdoor adventures. During the "crime exposé" film cycle, Larch alternated between playing honest cops and dirty-palmed politicos. An old crony of actor/director Clint Eastwood, Larch appeared in such Eastwood efforts as Dirty Harry (1971) and Play Misty For Me (1972). His TV work has included weekly roles on two briefies of the 1960s, Arrest and Trial (1963) and Convoy (1965). Twilight Zone fans will instantly recognize John Larch as the walking-on-eggs father of malevolent telekinetic youngster Anthony Fremont (Billy Mumy) in the 1961 Zone chiller "It's a Good Life." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1981
The Dukes find out that their personable new neighbors, Adam and Esther Venable (John Larch, Cynthia Leake) are actually in the Federal Witness Protection Program. Complicating matters are a band of vicious bounty hunters who are pursuing the Venables in hopes of tracking down $2,000,000 in stolen ransom money. Somehow or other, all this is tied in Boss Hogg's (Sorrell Booke) uranium-hunting expedition. This week's victim of Boss' "celebrity speed trap" is Hoyt Axton, who performs "Out-of-State Cars". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Widowed farmer Jonathan Garvey (Merlin Oleson) and his son Andy (Patrick Laborteaux) move to the town of Sleepy Eye so that Jonathan can start a freight business. Unfortunately, he is repeatedly robbed of his meager belongings by a gang of local toughs. Deciding to end this crime wave on his own, Jonathan becomes the local deputy sheriff -- and his first arrest results in a brutal beating for Andy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1979
Quincy (Jack Klugman) is a member of the medical/legal team investigating the crash of an airliner which occurred some 40 miles away from LAX. All 121 passengers and crew members were killed, and Quincy and his staff must perform autopsies on all of them. During this grim assignment, Quincy discovers that one of the victims was travelling under an assumed name--and that this may somehow be linked to the doctor's discovery that the plane was carrying a highly combustible freight. The challenge now is to find out why the dead man was posing as someone else, while simultaneously convincing the airline to cease transporting dangerous fuels. George Gaynes, onetime Broadway musical headliner and future stalwart of the popular Police Academy films, appears as a chemical-company executive. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The story begins as an astronomer notices that a blazing comet is headed straight for Phoenix Arizona. Unfortunately, no one believes him. They will eventually, but only after most of Phoenix has been reduced to cinders. Emmies went to the special effects (among the best ever seen on TV in those days before computer-generated special fx) and sound recording. The all-star cast includes Richard Crenna, Elizabeth Ashley, David Dukes, Joanna Miles, Lloyd Bochner, Merlin Olsen and Andrew Duggan, all of them superbly cast and none merely doing the usual celebrity walk-through. Originally telecast in a three-hour slot, Fire in the Sky debuted November 26, 1978. This film should not be confused with the 1993 alien-abduction film of the same name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Kamden (John Larch), the former head of an elite WWII French underground unit comes to the Townsend agency for protection. It seems that several of Kamden's comrades in arms have been assassinated by a man called Jericho (Ricardo Montalban). Sabrina (Kate Jackson) poses as Kamden's current girlfriend to prevent another murder and to flush Jericho out of his hiding place. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Kate Jackson, (more)
- 1976
Both Future Cop and Cops and Robin were feature-length pilots for TV series. Both starred Ernest Borgnine, Michael Shannon and John Amos. Both were tongue-in-cheek science-fiction efforts about a hard-nosed cop (Borgnine) who is teamed with an android (Shannon). And both died aborning before a series could get under way. For the record, Future Cop premiered May 1, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Collision Course was adapted from Merle Miller's Plain Speaking, a biography of former President Harry Truman. E.G. Marshall plays Truman, while Henry Fonda costars as General Douglas MacArthur This made-for-TV movie recounts the events leading up to the 1951 firing of General MacArthur during the Korean conflict. In the pivotal scene, an apoplectic Truman verbally lambastes the arrogant MacArthur for failing to show proper respect to his commander in chief. Heavily slanted in favor of Truman's point of view, Collision Course was pilloried by conservative critics, who felt that MacArthur was depicted as a vainglorious zealot rather than a misguided patriot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Fonda, E.G. Marshall, (more)
- 1975
Tony Musante has the unenviable task of portraying the least appealing paraplegic hero in TV-movie history in Desperate Miles. Musante plays Joe Larkin, a disabled Vietnam vet who wants to prove to the world that neither he nor his incapacitated brethren are helpless. To do this, he takes to the highway in his wheelchair, bound and determined to complete a 130-mile journey. His progress is threatened by a mean-tempered truck driver (John Chandler), who tailgates Larkin's chair, honks his horn, and screams things like "You think you're someone special?" Unfortunately, Larkin is such a strident and obnoxious character that the audience may be inclined to sympathize with the driver. This is not a hindsight observation: many critics turned thumbs down on the well-intentioned Desperate Miles when it was first broadcast on March 5, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Ellery Queen (also known as Too Many Suspects) was the 78-minute pilot film for a TV series based on the fictional intellectual author/sleuth created by cousins Frederick Dannay and Manfred Lee. Jim Hutton plays Ellery (the tenth actor to do so on screen!), while David Wayne is his police inspector father. The plot, set in 1947 Manhattan, involves the murder of a fashion model. Fifteen minutes before the fade-out, Ellery turns to the audience, presents the clues, and asks us to solve the murder--a cute if unnecessary trick, since Ellery's got the case all worked out and the killer is no surprise to anyone who's watched TV murder mysteries in the last 25 years (the actor in question has said "I did it!" so often that it's a wonder he can walk the streets without being apprehended). Ellery Queen was a pet project of the TV writing team of Richard Levinson and William Link (of Columbo) fame. After the subsequent Queen TV series expired after a single season, Levinson and Link revived the notion of a murder-solving novelist and changed the gender of the protagonist--and the result was Murder She Wrote. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Ironside (Raymond Burr) and Ed (Don Galloway) travel to a farming community, in hopes of helping Porter Yarborough (William Katt), recently paroled son of crusty rancher Clint Yarborough (John Larch). In addition to clearing Porter of a cattle-rustling charge, Ironside also endeavors to mend the rift between the rough-hewn Clint and his artistically inclined son. Featured in the cast is guest star William Katt's real-life father Bill Williams, the husband of Raymond Burr's longtime Perry Mason costar Barbara Hale. Though filmed for Ironside's eighth season, this episode remained unshown when the series was abruptly cancelled by NBC in January of 1975, and would not be aired until the show went into syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
San Francisco is held in thrall by a professional arsonist who burns down businesses for insurance purposes. Detectives Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) enter the story when one of the arsonist's assignments results in the deaths of two firefighters. A number of Streets of San Francisco "repeat offenders" make guest appearances in this episode, including Barry Sullivan and Kaz Garas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
My Three Sons star Fred MacMurray once more finds himself the paterfamilias of an extended family. MacMurray plays Ned Chadwick, a newspaper publisher on a tiny California offshore island. Ned and his wife (Kathleen Maguire) have three daughters and one son, who in turn have provided the elder Chadwicks with numerous grandchildren. The "racial balance" so common to TV-movies of the 1970s is maintained by the Chinese/American fiance (Frank Michael-Liu) of the youngest Chadwick daughter. By the time we're introduced to everyone, the film is half over. Chadwick Family was the pilot film for a potential Fred MacMurray TV series; the networks passed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
"Bad" Ronald (Scott Jacoby) has been in hiding in a secret room ever since going off the deep end and killing a teenaged girl who'd made fun of him. Ronald's mother (Kim Hunter) helps her son to remain hidden, even when the house in which he is sequestered is rented by a family. As luck would have it, three of the family members are nubile young girls--perfect targets for the lonely, and looney, Ronald. In the original John Holbrook Vance novel on which this TV-movie is based, Ronald abducts, repeatedly rapes and ultimately kills two women. The video version of Bad Ronald is heavily laundered, but no less terrifying. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Jacoby, Pippa Scott, (more)
- 1972
A valued member of a powerful crime ring, John Prentiss (Michael Callan) decides to go into business for himself when he falls in love with Ellen Conway (Katherine Justice). Prentiss' former associates aren't keen on this, so they take out a contract on his life. It is up to Inspector Erskine to keep Prentiss alive long enough to be placed behind bars--and what about Ellen? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
After two and a half seasons in its familiar Saturday-evening network berth, Mission:Impossible moved to Fridays on December 22, 1972, with the episode titled "The Puppet." Roddy McDowall guest stars as Leo Ostro, the acting Syndicate boss during the convalescence of his injured brother Paul. To prove his own mettle, the egotistical Leo plans a $100,000,000 crime--but refuses to divulge any further details. It is up to the IMF to learn the nature and location of the crime and to put both Ostros out of business. Directed by veteran Hollywood hand Lewis Allen, "The Puppet" was written by Leigh Vance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1971
The made-for-TV Women in Chains is strictly for those who enjoy knowing what's coming next. Lois Nettelton stars as a probation officer investigating prison conditions. To better facilitate her studies, she adopts an assumed name and has herself thrown into jail as a convict. Ida Lupino (but of course) is the sadistic head of the prison. The only outside person who knows of Lois' subterfuge dies, leaving the hapless heroine at the mercy of Lupino and the vicious female cons. Typical of the "realism" inherent in Women in Chains is the casting of ebullient young actress Judy Strangis as a strung-out junkie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
The City was the pilot film for the brief Anthony Quinn TV series Man and the City. Quinn joined such movie luminaries as Jimmy Stewart and Shirley MacLaine in migrating to the small screen for the 1971-72 season--unsuccessfully, as it turned out. He portrays Thomas Jefferson Alcala, the progressive mayor of an unspecified Southwestern city (the film was shot in Albuquerque). Future MASH regular Mike Farrell is also on hand as Mayor Alcala's conservative aide. The City finds Hizzoner tackling urban problems, a theme carried over to the Man and the City series itself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
When a gangster takes control of the city, a U.S. Treasury agent works to stop the illegal activities. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1970
Season Four of Mission: Impossible came to a thrilling conclusion with the series' March 29, 1970 episode "The Martyr." This time, the IMF must discredit the repressive regime of Communist leader Anton Rojek (John Larch). To solidify his base of power, Rojek intends to destroy a youthful cult built around the hero worship of a martyred resistance leader. Paris poses as the long-lost son of the deceased hero, while fellow IMF agents Barney and Roxy (Lynn Kellogg pretend to be teenaged students (convincing everyone except the viewer). Soap-opera doyenne Anna Lee makes a guest appearance as Maria Malik, widow of the hero in question. "The Martyr" was written by Ken Pettus. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1968
Cahiers du Cinema favorite Phil Karlson may have directed the "Matt Helm" extravaganza The Wrecking Crew, but the only "auteur" around these parts is star Dean Martin, coasting through yet another sexy spy romp. This time, secret agent Helm must prevent a billion-dollar gold hijacking, masterminded by the unspeakable Count Massimo Contini (Nigel Green). Aiding and abetting our hero is all-thumbs Scandinavian spy Freya Carlson (a brilliant comic turn by the late Sharon Tate). Sidebar: future action-star Chuck Norris plays a minor role, while Bruce Lee served as the film's martial-arts advisor. The last of the Matt Helm films, The Wrecking Crew was sort of based on a novel by Donald Hamilton; like the other films in the series, the title bears precisely no relation to the plot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Martin, Elke Sommer, (more)
- 1967
A serial killer is on the loose in San Francisco, and five victims--all women--have already been claimed. Ironside (Raymond Burr) suspects that the most recent killing was not committed by the same maniac who bumped off the previous four victims, but by a different person who was using the murder spree to cover his tracks. The episode's climax finds youthful policewoman Eve Whitfield (Barbara Anderson) donning old-age makeup to flush out the villain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Travelling to California under the alias "Jim Parker", Kimble (David Janssen) is trapped by a sheriff named Corby (John Larch), who unexpectedly strikes a bargain with the fugitive. It seems that Corby's estranged son Larry (Beau Bridges), in desperate need of money for himself and his pregnant girlfriend Ellen (Melinda Plowman), has been wounded while attempting a holdup. If Kimble agrees to tend to Larry's injuries and assist in covering up his crime, the Sheriff promises to set him free. It's a tempting offer--providing that the duplicitous Corby can be trusted. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Season Two of The F.B.I gets under way as Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) receives an anonymous tip that teenager Paul Wallace (David Macklin) has been kidnapped and returned unharmed once the ransom was paid. But when Erskine interviews Wallace's father (John Larch), the man steadfastly denies that any kidnapping took place. It turns out that the abductors, Casey (Scott Marlowe) and Junior (Robert Blake), have threatened horrific consequences to the Wallace family if they talk to the authorities. Unfortunately, Mr. Wallace's silence may prove fatal for the kidnappers' latest victim(Dennis Joel Olivieri)--a diabetic in desperate need of insulin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
When a philandering husband is found murdered, the man's paramour Lucey Russell (Lois Nettleton) is supsected of the crime. But Lucey has a perfect alibi: at the time of the murder, she was with a fellow named Joe Walker--which happens to be the current alias of fugitive Richard Kimble (David Janssen). Now Kimble must risk being arrested himself when he testifies as a coroner's inquest...while the victim's widow Amy (Patricia Smith) and corrupt deputy George Duncan (John Larch) cook up a scheme to frame the reluctant witness on a charge of accessory to murder. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In a rather confusing and slow-paced manner, this wartime drama about a real-life dilemma is meant to highlight the dedication of Colonel Alois Podhajsky (Robert Taylor), the instructor at a prestigious Vienna equestrian school. The colonel is in charge of the safety and health of the royal Lipizzaner horses and he has a serious problem. He has not been able to secure German permission to leave for a safe haven with the horses and, at the same time, he has to get them together with the Lipizzaner mares in order to continue the species. The trouble is that the mares are in the hands of the enemy. And so the colonel sets out to get the horses through a German checkpoint, and convince General Patton (John Larch) to help him with his mission. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Taylor, Lilli Palmer, (more)
