Christine Larson Movies
Discovered while working for Western Costume, the main purveyor of off-the-rack costumes for Hollywood films, red-headed Christine Larson not only appeared in scores of B-Westerns but also contributed lyrics to "Poor Tarnished Butterfly," which she performed in the Whip Wilson oater Crashing Thru (1949). An onscreen femme fatale, Larson reportedly became one in real life as well when she dallied with the married Ronald Reagan. She left films in 1954 and should not be confused with the later assistant director of the same name. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Legendary filmmaker Wim Wenders returns to the screen with this loosely structured murder mystery. The Million Dollar Hotel unites Wender's obsession with cool music, lost souls, and American trash culture. Set in 2001, the film opens with Tom Tom (Jeremy Davies) taking a flying leap off the roof of the Million Dollar Hotel, an ironically titled dive in the seedy section of L.A. Told in an extended flashback, Tom Tom recounts the murder investigation of a down-and-out artist and son of a media mogul, Izzy Goldkiss (Tim Roth), who also fell off the hotel. FBI special agent Skinner (none other than Mel Gibson), sporting a neck brace, looks into the death only to discover that the building is teeming with weirdos and losers. There is Vivien (Amanda Plummer), who claims to be the fiancée of the rock star; Geronimo (Jimmy Smits), a huckster trying to make a buck by selling Izzy's abstract painting; Eloise (Milla Jovovich), a burned out prostitute with a passion for intellectual literature; and Dixie (Peter Stormare), who swears up and down that he is the fifth Beatle. As the film progresses, Skinner proves to be just as much of a freak as the hotel tenets -- he was born with a third arm that was surgically removed from his back. Just as in his Until the End of the World (1991), Wenders features a fantastic soundtrack including songs from Bono, Daniel Lanois, and Brian Eno. The Million Dollar Hotel opened the 2000 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeremy Davies, Milla Jovovich, (more)
- 1998
- PG13
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This sports comedy is the third inning for the "Major League" series after Major League (1989) grossed $50 million and Major League II delivered a batting average of $30 million in 1994. After Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen), who owns the Minnesota Twins and the minor-league South Carolina Buzz, talks retiring minor-league player Gus Cantrell (Scott Bakula) into managing the bad-news Buzz, Gus takes his underdog team toward an eventual confrontation with the powerful champs, the Twins. In addition to Dorn, the other series characters making a return are Taka Tanakia (Takaaki Ishibashi) and Pedro Cerrono (Dennis Haysbert). ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Bakula, Corbin Bernsen, (more)
- 1996
- PG13
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In this story of obsessive and enduring love, David Lewis (Peter Gallagher) spends most of his time swimming, dancing, and frolicking on the beach with the spirit of his dead wife Gillian (Michelle Pfeiffer). After Gillian's drowning death, David made their summer cottage on Nantucket Island into a permanent home. He lives there with his teenage daughter Rachel (Claire Danes), who is being neglected because her father spends so much time with her dead mother's ghost. On the second anniversary of Gillian's death, over Labor Day weekend, he invites Gillian's sister Esther Wheeler (Kathy Baker) and Esther's husband Paul (Bruce Altman) for the weekend. David's in-laws bring with them a beautiful woman named Kevin Danford (Wendy Crewson), hoping that David's attentions will turn to her. But David ignores her and proceeds with his ritualistic celebration of Gillian's birthday, including a formal dinner, karaoke, and building sand castles. After Paul makes a pass at Rachel's young girlfriend, Esther and Paul re-examine their bickering marriage and find it paltry compared to David's overwhelming eternal passion. Nothing can interfere with David's love for Gillian, but he comes to realize that he must be more attentive to his daughter as well. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Gallagher, Claire Danes, (more)
Erik (Brad Renfro) is a 13-year-old boy whose single mother, Gail (Diana Scarwid), has just moved to a new home in Minnesota. Erik feels like a fish out of water with his Southern accent, and he has trouble making friends until he meets Dexter (Joseph Mazzello), a kid a year or two younger who lives next door. Erik and Dexter get along fine, but Gail tells Erik not to go near Dexter when she learns that he contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion a few years ago. Erik ignores his mother's instructions and stands up for the frail Dexter at school, while Dexter's mom Linda (Annabella Sciorra) gives Erik the warmth, affection, and home cooking that Gail is too busy to provide. However, both boys are painfully aware of Dexter's illness, and when one of them spots a headline in a supermarket tabloid that a doctor in New Orleans has discovered a cure for AIDS, they run away together, determined to find the doctor and bring Dexter back as good as new. The Cure was the theatrical feature debut for actor-turned-director Peter Horton, who cut his directorial teeth on the TV series The Wonder Years and thirtysomething. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Mazzello, Brad Renfro, (more)
The story of an intelligent, heroic collie and his young owner, previously featured in numerous films and a successful 1950s television series, was updated for the 1990s in this family feature. This time, Lassie is determined to help a cynical city boy named Matt (Thomas Guiry), who turns even more resentful when his family relocates to a small town in rural Virginia. Soon after this move, a bright collie enters the family's life and winds up with the name Lassie because of the television show, which Matt's younger sister (Brittany Boyd) watches passionately. Lassie sets out to cheer Matt up and introduce him to the wonders of nature, while also helping the family stand its ground against rich, unpleasant neighbors. There are also run-ins with vicious wild animals and a daring rescue over river rapids, but the main focus remains on the emotional relationship between Matt and the dog, a story that will seem old-fashioned and charming to some viewers while familiar and sentimental to others. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Guiry, Helen Slater, (more)
- 1994
- R
A wealthy Beverly Hills husband and wife are forced to reevaluate their lives after losing their jobs in writer-director Michael Tolkin's aloof satire. Peter Witner (Peter Weller) and Katherine Witner (Judy Davis) have become so accustomed to their high-class, shallow lifestyle that they feel helpless when circumstances leave them facing imminent bankruptcy. Lost and confused, their marriage on the verge of collapse, they seek help from a number of spiritual gurus, who offer ineffectual New Age philosophies as the solution to their problems. These remedies provide little comfort, however, and the Witners' attempt to make their own way by opening a hip clothing store also disappoints, leaving them ostracized and desperate for a direction in life. Best known for the cutting screenplay of Robert Altman's The Player (1992) and for his own earlier film The Rapture (1991), Tolkin provides sharp dialogue and a well-observed critique of the Los Angeles high life. This film continues the social criticism of those earlier efforts, as Tolkin consistently portrays American life as mindlessly materialistic, spiritually hollow, and bereft of meaningful purpose or moral direction. While some viewers may feel distanced from the unsympathetic characters and detached tone, Tolkin continues to be one of the most trenchant social satirists in contemporary American movies. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Weller, Judy Davis, (more)
- 1992
- PG13
Screenwriter Craig Bolotin takes a first stab at directing with That Night, a romantic reminiscence of teen love in 1960s Long Island based on a novel by Alice McDermott. Alice (Eliza Dushku) is a reserved, introspective 12-year-old girl who idealizes her neighbor, high-school student Sheryl (Juliette Lewis). Through Alice's point-of-view, we witness the deterioration of Sheryl's life after the death of her father. After becoming pregnant after a fling with the blunt Rick (C. Thomas Howell), Sheryl is whisked away to a home for unwed mothers. Observing Rick's torment, Alice crawls out of her shell to help him track down Sheryl and reunite the two lovers. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- C. Thomas Howell, Juliette Lewis, (more)
A CIA agent recruits a meek family man for a secret mission involving interstellar communication and copious violence in this tongue-in-cheek buddy flick from the writer/producer of The Golden Child. Insurance salesman Bob Wilson (John Ritter) is the kind of guy who stands by while suburban punks steal his kid's bike. Nick Pirandello (James Belushi) is the exact opposite -- a brash, womanizing alpha male revered within the CIA for his many successful secret missions. When a fellow agent who looks exactly like Bob gets killed just days before he's due to head up a very delicate mission, Nick recruits the reluctant Bob to help out. As Bob gets drawn deeper into a world of Russian hit men, transsexual beauties, and secret-agent hijinks, he slowly gains the self-confidence that's always escaped him. Meanwhile, he's constantly at the mercy of Nick's tongue-in-cheek humor, so he's a little skeptical when Nick reveals that the big meeting is with a group of aliens who want to share their advanced technology with humans. As it turns out, there may be something to Nick's outrageous story -- if only Bob can survive long enough to find out. The lone directorial credit for screenwriter/producer Dennis Feldman, Real Men features Barney Miller vet Barbara Barrie in a supporting role as Nick's placid, accommodating mother. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Belushi, John Ritter, (more)
- 1953
Valley of the Headhunters was number eleven in Columbia's "Jungle Jim" series. Johnny Weissmuller returns as Jim, while his leading lady on this safari is Christine Larson. Things get under way when Jim is assigned to help a government representative attain the mineral rights to a tribal valley. Meanwhile, a gang of diamond smugglers discovers that the coveted land is rich with oil. The crooks persuade the villagers to pose as headhunters, thereby scaring off Jim and the other white men. Only slightly less believable than the plotline of Valley of the Headhunters are the antics of Jungle Jim's faithful chimp Tamba, who at one point gets "drunk" on a bottle of ether (the slow-motion gags which ensue are straight out of the "Little Rascals" lexicon). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christine Larson, Robert Foulk, (more)
- 1952
In this lively adventure, an American ambassador arrives in India as it prepares to fight a civil war. He soon learns that it is his old friend who has been insighting the conflict. Unfortunately, the troublemaker is killed, but before he expires, he tells the diplomat that a trainload of explosives is set to blow up another train carrying an important Indian prince. The assassins know the diplomat knows of the plot and he becomes their next target. At the same time, he is also accused of his pal's murder. The brave ambassador then goes on to risk his own life to save that of the prince. He does, his name is cleared, and the war is stopped. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Hall, Christine Larson, (more)
- 1952
Veteran serial director Spencer Gordon Bennett keeps things moving at a hectic pace in Brave Warrior. The title character is legendary Shawnee chief Tecumseh, well-played by Jay Silverheels (better known as Tonto on TV's The Lone Ranger). Though he has every reason to distrust the White Man, Tecumseh comes to the aid of American emissary Steve Ruddell (Jon Hall) during the War of 1812. The villain is a renegade medicine man known as The Prophet, played by Michael Ansara, who later portrayed the peace-loving Cochise on the TV version of Broken Arrow. Considering that this is a typically low-budget Sam Katzman production, Brave Warrior is fairly elaborately mounted. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Hall, Christine Larson, (more)
- 1952
Voodoo Tiger was the ninth of Columbia's "Jungle Jim" "B"-pictures, with seven more on the docket before the series expired in 1955. Johnny Weissmuller returns as Jungle Jim, who this time comes to the aid of anthropologist Phyllis Bruce (Jean Byron), who has arrived in Africa to study tribal customs. Jim is sidetracked when asked to join the search for a French treasure of art that disappeared during the war. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Weissmuller, Jean Byron, (more)
The Well is a modest but generally effective plea for racial tolerance. Based loosely on a real incident, the film tells of the disappearance of a little African-American girl in a small, segregated community. Caucasian Claude Packard (Harry Morgan, the nephew of the town's richest man (Barry Kelley), is the last person seen with the little girl. Sensing a coverup when Morgan is not immediately charged, the black community is on the verge of a riot. But when it's discovered that the little girl has fallen down a well, all racial differences are forgotten as black and white neighbors work shoulder to shoulder to rescue the child. The Well tries very hard to be equitable by 1951 standards, and is heartfelt enough to overcome its occasional lapses into stereotype and condescension. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Rober, Gwendolyn Laster, (more)
Valley of Fire is a fairly gutsy title for this formula Gene Autry western. This time, Autry plays the reform-minded mayor of a wide-open western town. The villain of the piece, Tod Rawlings (Harry Lauter), decides to undermine Gene by convincing a band of disreputable miners to hijack a wagon train which is bringing mail-order brides into the community. Fortunately, the community's "good" miners thwart Rawling's plan and claim the brides for themselves (fear not: the ladies are more than willing to be claimed). One of Rawling's partners in crime is played by Russell Hayden, who only a few months earlier had been the clean-cut hero of Lippert's "Four Star Western" series. Once again, Gene Autry's feminine vis-a-vis in Valley of Fire is Gail Davis, who went on to star in TV's Annie Oakley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Autry, Pat Buttram, (more)
- 1950
Western director Philip Ford switches gears by helming the crime melodrama Trial without Jury. Robert Rockwell stars as Bill Peters, a young playwright specializing in murder mysteries. Hoping to freshen up his latest play, Bill uses a recent real-life murder as inspiration. While on a research expedition, Bill arouses the suspicions of the investigating detectives. Sure enough, the hapless playwright finds himself on the suspect list -- meaning that he'll have to solve the mystery himself to stay out of jail. Among the supporting actors weaving in and out of the proceedings is Barbara Billingsley, playing a character far removed from her familiar "June Cleaver" TV persona. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Rockwell, Barbara Fuller, (more)
- 1949
Monogram's Johnny Mack Brown western series galloped ever onward in Hidden Danger. This time, Johnny and his saddle pal Banty (Raymond Hatton) come in contact with a cattlemen's protective organization. Ostensibly an honest venture, the association is the front for an extortion racket, headed by a gent named Carson (Myron Healey). The action highlights are complemented by the comic antics of Max Terhune and his dummy Elmer. Aging star Brown relinquishes the romantic responsibilities to Marshall Reed, who spends his screen time wooing heroine Christine Larson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Mack Brown, Raymond Hatton, (more)
- 1949
Singing cowboy Jimmy Wakely stars in Monogram's Silver Trails. It all begins when Jimmy and his comical sidekick Dub "Cannonball" Taylor ride into a small California engineering community. Villain Jackson (George Meeker) is busy orchestrating a land-grab scheme, using the members of an outlaw gang as his flunkies. Jackson hopes to split the miners down the middle by sparking a feud. Jimmy does his best to keep the peace, resorting to gunplay only when all else fails. Future Monogram star Whip Wilson essays a secondary role. In fact, Silver Trails was partially designed as a "pilot" for a potential Whip Wilson series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jimmy Wakely, Christine Larson, (more)
- 1949
Western star Whip Wilson stars in the Monogram oater Crashing Thru. He periodically displays his whip-wielding skill (which far outclasses his acting ability) to bring a gang of rustlers to heel. In so doing, he rescues Christine Larson from financial ruin and physical danger. Wilson's comic sidekick Andy Clyde again proves that he's got more talent in his little pinky than most cowboy heroes have in their whole carcasses. Crashing Thru was produced by Barney A. Sarecky, later one of the leading lights of TV's Wild Bill Hickok. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1948
In this western, a Texas Ranger and his pardner gallop after a band of desperadoes. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1948
Hired to catch a killer horse named Midnight, Jimmy Wakely and sidekick Cannonball (Dub Taylor) get themselves in trouble with a couple of confidence artists, Monica (Christine Larson) and Brent (Leonard Penn). The latter accidentally kills Jimmy's employer, horse breeder Tom Chadwick (Tom Chatterton), and blames Midnight, who is about to race Monica's stallion Ace High. The dead man's daughter, Laura (Kay Morley), at first believes Midnight to be guilty, but is finally persuaded otherwise by Jimmy, who goes after the crooks and their young boss, Lannigan (John James). When not breaking wild horses or engaging in fisticuffs, Jimmy Wakely performs his own and Oliver Drake's "Rose of the Prairie," along with "Dear Okie," by Rudy Sooter and Doye O'Dell, and "Headin' for Home," by Isham Jones. Outlaw Brand also features hillbilly musicians Ray Whitley (who, not coincidentally, was also Wakely's manager), Dick Reinhart, Jack Rivers, and Louis Armstrong. The latter should, of course, not be confused with the jazz legend of the same name. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1948
Country and western warbler-turned-cowboy star Jimmy Wakely, normally a colorless and unexciting screen presence, is actually given some action sequences in this virtually musicless western. Wakeley and comical sidekick Dub Taylor stumble across a murder scheme, hatched by beautiful but deadly Christine Larson. The victim is her husband, played by Leonard Penn (who happens to be the real-life father of current screen stars Sean and Christopher Penn). What with its black-widow plot and overdependence upon shadowy art direction, Partners of the Sunset is more "film noir" than western. Joining Jimmy Wakeley in the film's sparse singing sequences is the equally bland Ray Whitley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
