Wesley Lau Movies

This is the made-for-TV version of the romantic drama that chronicles the exploits of a group of glamorous women caught up in the entertainment industry. This version contains material author Jacqueline Susann omitted from her original novel. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This classy and creative low-budget thriller depicts an all-out war of attrition between a group of neglected, disgruntled senior citizens and the heartless city officials who evicted them from their Cincinnati low-rent apartment building, which has been tagged for destruction. Their campaign goes far beyond writing strong letters to their alderman -- they begin by savagely murdering the social worker who orders their removal (Linda Marsh, in a budget Nurse Ratched mode), then take a violent stand against any contractors who attempt to stray onto their turf. Tightly directed from a clever script, portraying its geriatric killers with wit and empathy but never shying away from shocking scenes of violence. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Call to Danger was a title that had already been applied to two unsold pilot films before this TV movie made its first appearance in February of 1973. Like the previous 1968 Call to Danger, the 1973 film stars Peter Graves as a federal agent who enlists "ordinary" people to solve crimes. Headquartered in Washington DC (where most of this film was shot), Graves selects his erstwhile agents by means of a computer. The case at hand is the retrieval of an underworld informer who has been kidnapped. Peter Graves appeared in Call to Danger even while his series Mission: Impossible was in production; there was talk that Mission: Impossible would soon be cancelled, and Graves wanted a pilot film to fall back on. Come September of 1973, there was neither hide nor hair of Mission: Impossible, Call to Danger or Peter Graves on any network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Syndicate loan sharks Ollie Shanks (Paul Koslo) and Rudy Blake (Lou Antonio) must be intercepted before they can transfer $10 million from Hawaii to California. Assigned to put Shanks and Blake out of business, IMF agent Willy ends up being captured himself. As the villains inject Willy with near-fatal doses of truth serum, his fellow agents race against time to complete his mission before their cover is blown. Scripted by Jackson Gillis and Laurence Heath from a story by Gillis, "Double Dead" originally aired on February 12, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The made-for-television No Place to Run stars Herschel Bernardi as a seriously ill 73-year-old grandparent. Despite his many ailments, Bernardi is roused into action when he is denied custody of his orphaned grandson (Scott Jacoby). Grandpa and grandson decide to skip town together, with the authorities hot on their heels. Ironically, production of No Place to Run had to shut down briefly when star Herschel Bernardi fell ill for real. During this period, original director John Badham had to leave for another commitment; the film was completed by Delbert Mann, who receives sole directorial credit. Advertised as a "touching film drama" (well, it was!), No Place to Run debuted on September 19, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In order to deactive a satellite armed with thermonculear bombs, the IMF must penetrate a heavily guarded island and destroy the missile's control center. Part of the plan requires Barney to arrive on the island alone via submarine. Alas, something goes wrong, placing Barney--and, by extention, the entire world--in direst jeopardy. Scripted by actor Wesley Lau from a story by Lau and Judy Burns, "The Filed" first aired on January 23, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

European business tycoon Carl Vandaam (Alf Kjellin) hopes to recoup his lost fortune by building a hydrogen bomb and selling it to the highest bidder. The IMF's mission is to stop Vandaam in his tracks, a strategy that requires Rollin to pose as one of the potential buyers. The more dangerous aspect of the mission is to remove the plutonium from the completed bomb without blowing up everyone and everything in sight. "Doomsday" was written by Laurence Heath; the episode made its network broadcast debut on February 16, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this adventure, seven young west Texans ride out to volunteer for the Confederate army during the mid-point of the Civil War. The Concho County Comanches, as they call themselves, find that it is truly a long way to Shiloh, Tennessee where a major battle is about to occur. En route they encounter a variety of perilous adventures. As the story progresses, each of the Comanches suffers a different fate. Their leader endures the great battle, is wounded and awakens to find his arm cut off. He then learns that the only other survivor ran off in the middle of battle and is being hunted. The leader finds his mortally wounded friend huddled up in a barn. Later the amputee tells General Bragg the story of the Concho Comanches, and the compassionate General orders that the leader ride home to Texas. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Growing increasingly fond of lovely Claire Amory (Nancy Gates), Ben Cartwright must deal with Claire's invalid brother Carl (Wesley Lau). Cruel and manipulative, Carl exploits his infimirities to force Claire to marry Ben whether she wants to or not. A real-life accident forced Lorne Greene to wear an eyepatch throughout this episode. Written by Mort Thaw and Lee Pickett, "His Brother's Keeper" first aired March 6, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Perry Mason may have slipped out of the "Top Thirty" TV series during its seventh season on the air, but CBS decided to renew it for an eighth year all the same, acknowledging the fact that the series still had a loyal cotillion of fans and strong sponsor support. That Raymond Burr was growing tired of his Perry Mason role was evidently only in his conspicous absence in two episodes this season, in which he is replaced by Mike Connors and Barry Sullivan, respectively cast as "guest attorneys" Joe Kelly and Ken Krammer. Otherwise, Burr's performance is as sharp as ever, and the same can be said for costars Barbara Hale, William Hopper and William Talman. Likewise registering well is series newcomer Wesley Lau, cast as Lt. Anderson, successor to Mason's perennial adversary Lt. Tragg (actor Ray Collins had retired in late 1963; he died one year later). Guest stars this season include June Lockhart, between her Lassie and Lost in Space assignments; former Miss Americas Mary Ann Mobley and Lee Meriwether; future movie-studio executive Lynn Loring; and celebrity offspring Gary Crosby. Also, Bill Williams, the husband of series regular Barbara Hale, makes his third guest appearance in "The Case of the Murderous Mermaid". Although Perry Mason's improved slightly this season, the network opted to move the show to the Sunday-night suicide slot opposite Bonanza for its ninth (and is turned out, its final) year on the air. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

One of Charles Beaumont's most charming Twilight Zone scripts, this episode stars the ubiqitious J. Pat O'Malley as Old Ben, the only ray of sunshine in the life of crippled eight-year-old Jenny (Susan Gordon). Out of earshot of Jenny's harridan guardian Mrs. Gann (Nancy Kulp), Old Ben confesses that he is a fugitive from a distant planet, an assertion that seems to be verified when he miraculously heals Jenny's leg. The arrival of two mysterious strangers leads to an even more startling revelation -- albeit one with happy results. Keep an eye on that photograph in the final scene. "The Fugitive" first aired March 9, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Druggist Herbert Simms (Linden Chiles) hopes to change careers and become a TV writer. To this end, he submits his first script to unscrupulous producer Charlie Cory (John Lasell)--who proceeds to steal Simms' story idea and pass it off as his own. The outraged Simms consults his family's attorney, Perry Mason (Raymond Burr), who tells him that nothing can be done because no contract had been signed. Not long afterward, Cory is bludgeoned to death--and Simms is spotted fleeing the murder scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Playboy Douglas Hepner has been murdered, and the principal suspect is Eleanor Corbin (Mary Murphy), who claims to be suffering from amnesia. As she tries to put the pieces of her memory back together, Eleanor arrives at the conclusion that Hepner was her fiance, and that they were working together on behalf of the US Treasury Department to break up a smuggling ring. This of course does not prevent Eleanor from being charged with murder, and it is up to Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) to determine if any portion of her incredible story can be believed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide