Marilyn Lightstone Movies
The fourth entry in the Iron Eagle series follows the return of General Charles "Chappy" Sinclair (Louis Gosset Jr., who deserves better) as he trains a Dirty Dozen-style team of juvenile delinquents to improve their quality of life by flying planes and combatting evil. This time the Air Force itself is the enemy, as the intrepid teens uncover a conspiracy involving biological weaponry. When Chappy contacts his old friend, General Kettle (Al Waxman), he learns the General is in on the action. Along the way, the group manages to combat some ill-prepared drug dealers as well. This installment is better than the second or third, but that's not the highest of praise; Iron Eagle IV is a dumb-dumb fantasy for fourteen-year-old boys who don't yet have their learner's permits, much less their pilot's licenses. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Louis Gossett, Jr., Jason Cadieux, (more)
The seventh and final season of Road to Avonlea (aka Tales From Avonlea) brings shocking news to Felicity King (Gema Zamprogna): her erstwhile fiancé Gus Pike (Michael Mahonen) has been reported killed in a shipwreck in the Caribbean. As she wrestles with her grief, Felicity turns to "good works," establishing the Avonlea Foundling Home. In other developments, Felicity's brother Felix (Zachary Bennett) is on the outs with his girlfriend, Izzy Pettibone (Heather Brown). And Jasper Dale (R.H. Thompson), the husband of Felix's aunt Olivia (Mag Ruffman), returns from a brief teaching assignment in England, only to discover that the size of his family has increased in his absence. Olivia has taken in a single mother named Lottie Cooper (Katherine Ashby), who works in the cannery owned by the Dales, and Lottie's young daughter; this situation will get a bit sticky when the cannery burns down and the now-unemployed Lottie takes a powder, leaving her kid with Jasper and Olivia. In the episode "Woman of Importance," Dianne Wiest guest stars as Izzy Pettibone's aunt Lillian, allegedly a woman of vast wealth who turns out to have quite a surprise for her family. And in "King of the Great White Way," Eugene Levy and Sheila McCarthy are cast as a Broadway songwriting team who raise a ruckus in Avonlea when they decide to transform Felicity and Felix's nonplussed farmer father, Alec (Cedric Smith), into a singing sensation. Meanwhile, Alec's sister Hetty King (Jackie Burroughs) announces plans to marry her new business partner, Simon Tremayne (Ian D. Clark) -- only to decide at the last minute that she and Simon are better friends than lovers. The series comes to an end as the presumed-dead Gus returns to Avonlea, now blinded and with a major surprise that bids fair to resolve many of the series' long-standing problems. This occasion also provides an opportunity for Sara Stanley (Sarah Polley) to make her own return appearance to Avonlea, thereby bringing full circle a TV series that began when a much-younger Sara first set foot in the tightly knit Prince Edward Island community. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Burroughs, Mag Ruffman, (more)
Season six of Road to Avonlea (aka Tales From Avonlea) begins not in the titular Prince Edward Island village but instead in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where Felicity King (Gema Zamprogna) has defied the standard gender expectations of early 20th century Canada by enrolling in medical school. While walking to class one day, Felicity is unexpectedly reunited with her hometown boyfriend, Gus Pike (Michael Mahonen) -- who in turn is accosted by a derelict woman who turns out to be his long-lost mother. This sobering discovery obliges Gus to leave Canada and head to the Caribbean with his mom -- but not before popping the question to Felicity for the umpteenth time. Back in Avonlea, Sara Stanley (Sarah Polley), fresh out of finishing school, pays a return visit, only to announce that she intends to leave again immediately to study in Paris -- which fact does not sit well with her aunt Hetty (Jackie Burroughs) nor her old nanny, Louisa (Frances Hyland). In other developments, Felicity King's brother Felix (Zachary Bennett) has fallen in love with Izzy (Heather Brown), daughter of widowed schoolteacher Clive Pettibone (David Fox) -- who in turn has proposed to school superintendent Muriel Stacey (Marilyn Lightstone), much to Izzy's dismay; and orphaned siblings Davey (Kyle Labine) and Dora Keith (Lindsay Murrell) are taken in by Hetty after their guardian, Rachel Lynde (Patricia Hamilton) -- with whom Hetty has never gotten along -- suffers a series of debilitating strokes.
This season marks the introduction of Molly Atkinson in the role of Felicity and Felix's kid sister, Cecily King, a role hitherto played by child actress Harmony Cramp. Having been diagnosed with tuberculosis during the previous season, Cecily is now living in a New York sanitarium, anxiously awaiting the day that she is cured and will be allowed to return to her family. And speaking of new cast members, watch for Faye Dunaway and Maureen Stapleton, both making their one and only Road to Avonlea appearances in a story involving the simultaneous arrival in town of a glamorous European countess and a disheveled old lady who claims to be the mother of the local hotel owner -- and as it turns out, these two ladies have a lot more in common than one might think. As the season draws to a close, Felicity returns to Avonlea to serve her apprenticeship under Dr. Snow, an experience that proves so unnerving that she drops out of medical school. And Cecily has recovered sufficiently to return to her family -- only to dash off again with a disgruntled Felicity in hopes of catching up with Gus Pike, who at last report was still somewhere in the Caribbean. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This season marks the introduction of Molly Atkinson in the role of Felicity and Felix's kid sister, Cecily King, a role hitherto played by child actress Harmony Cramp. Having been diagnosed with tuberculosis during the previous season, Cecily is now living in a New York sanitarium, anxiously awaiting the day that she is cured and will be allowed to return to her family. And speaking of new cast members, watch for Faye Dunaway and Maureen Stapleton, both making their one and only Road to Avonlea appearances in a story involving the simultaneous arrival in town of a glamorous European countess and a disheveled old lady who claims to be the mother of the local hotel owner -- and as it turns out, these two ladies have a lot more in common than one might think. As the season draws to a close, Felicity returns to Avonlea to serve her apprenticeship under Dr. Snow, an experience that proves so unnerving that she drops out of medical school. And Cecily has recovered sufficiently to return to her family -- only to dash off again with a disgruntled Felicity in hopes of catching up with Gus Pike, who at last report was still somewhere in the Caribbean. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sarah Polley, Jackie Burroughs, (more)
Felix King (Zachary Bennett) finds himself torn between holding on to his job at Avonlea's White Plains Hotel and upholding family tradition by becoming a farmer like his dad, Alec (Cedric Smith), in "Fathers and Sons," the fifth-season opener of the popular Canadian drama series Road to Avonlea. Soon thereafter, the 50th birthday celebration of Alec's sister Hetty King (Jackie Burroughs) is tarnished by the likelihood that she will lose her job -- to say nothing of a sudden appendicitis attack. Later on, Hetty helps arrange for her sister Olivia (Mag Ruffman) and her eccentric, slightly impractical brother-in-law, Jasper (R.H. Thomson), to take charge of the local lobster cannery. And as for Hetty's city-bred niece, Sara (Sarah Polley), she does her bit for the greater good by coming to the aid of a young boy who has managed to coast through school without ever learning to read or write. Also, Alec courts trouble when he hires a mysterious farmhand, played by guest star Bruce Greenwood; and another guest performer, the highly respected Canadian character actor Gordon Pinsent, is cast as a noted politician whom Alec idolizes -- until the truth about the politician's clay feet is revealed. Elsewhere, Alec's daughter Felicity (Gema Zamprogna) receives the first of several marriage proposals from Gus Pike (Michael Mahonen), a former drifter now gainfully employed; however, Felicity has her heart set on attending medical school, an extremely lofty goal for a young girl in early 20th century Canada. Other developments include the arrival of a new minister and his wife, Viola (guest star Stockard Channing), who exhibits some mighty peculiar behavior -- and for a mighty disturbing reason; and the concerted efforts by certain interested parties to play matchmaker for widowed schoolteacher Clive Pettibone (David Fox) and provincial school superintendent Muriel Stacey (Marilyn Lightstone). By far the most crucial development during season five is the revelation that Alec and Janet King's youngest daughter, Cecily (Harmony Cramp), is suffering from tuberculosis -- and must be bundled off to a more healthy climate if she ever hopes to recover. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sarah Polley, Jackie Burroughs, (more)
An innkeeper in a small Midwestern town is concerned about strange boarders, whom he believes are visitors from the future. He struggles to save his daughter from being taken by the aliens and to keep the town from being destroyed. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Daniels, Ariana Richards, (more)
- Starring:
- Macaulay Culkin

- 1990
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This average Canadian sci-fi actioner concerns the exploits of an intergalactic policeman named Abraxas (Jesse "The Body" Ventura). The space cop comes to Earth to track a rogue alien, Secundus (Sven-Ole Thorsen), who is looking for a woman to bear his child -- a "Comator" with the power to destroy the universe. The sole point of interest may be the method of impregnation -- a single touch. The supporting players include Marjorie Bransfield and James Belushi, cast once again as a school principal. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marjorie Bransfeld, Sven Ole Thorsen, (more)

- 1987
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An Emmy-winning adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel by the same name, this is a Canadian TV production which follows the life of a feisty young girl who is adopted by a bachelor farmer and his sister who have decided to adopt a boy and have several surprises due them when Anne arrives. Part of a series that goes through her winning a place in their hearts and home, it continues on through her youth and the blossoming of young love. This particular episodes deals with her first tentative encroachments into social functions and dealing with the loss of a loved one. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Megan Follows
Blind Justice is a fact-based TV movie starring Tim Matheson, here made to look "normal" with glasses and mustache. The innocent Matheson is fingered by witnesses as an armed robber/kidnapper/rapist. For the next 14 months, his life is hell. Too much circumstantial evidence surrounds the case, and too much information leaks out to the public; even if Matheson beats the rap, he'll be ruined in his community. Blind Justice was first telecast on March 9, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Matheson, Mimi Kuzyk, (more)
Harboring dreams of becoming a great dancer, Diane (Shelley Long) begins taking lessons with the legendary Madame Likova (played by prolific cartoon-voice-over specialist Marilyn Lightstone). Intercepting a letter in which Likova pens a devastating critique of Diane's terpsichorean skills, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) rewrites the missive, hoping to spare Diane's feelings. Alas, Frasier's good intentions backfire when Diane feels emboldened enough to audition for the Boston Ballet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This fast-paced, animated action feature zoomed into theaters with characters developed from a popular TV cartoon series. The GoBots can morph into mechanical contrivances like land rovers or spaceships and are divided between good GoBots and evil ones (called Renegades). As these two factions combat each other, the Rock People have their own problems. They are humans who can become literally petrified if danger approaches. In their boulder form, it's no problem at all to roll down a mountainside and get away from pursuers. But the evil Rock Lords are oppressing the poor Rock People, and it's high time the GoBots rolled in to do something about it. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Margot Kidder, Roddy McDowall, (more)
Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables, previously filmed in 1934, was afforded a TV-movie treatment in 1985. Megan Follows stars as 13-year-old Anne Shirley, an orphan girl sent to live with a foster family on Canada's Prince Edward Island. Though she has great difficulty controlling her temper, impulsiveness and vivid imagination, Anne eventually wins over her new guardians, domineering Marilla Cuthbert (Colleen Dewhurst) and Marilla's shy brother Matthew (Richard Farnsworth). Anne's secondary adventures concern her "bosom friend" Diana (Schuyler Grant) and her supposed enemy Gilbert Blythe (Jonathan Crombie). Anne of Green Gables was offered on American television as a 3-part presentation on PBS' Wonderworks; it aired from February 17 through March 3, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, (more)
- Starring:
- Don Adams, Holly Berger, (more)
This low-grade thriller centers around Frank Waite (Art Hindle), a sports-car salesman who is suddenly mean-tempered when his wife Lee (Shannon Tweed) becomes turned off by sex, and Anouk Van Derlin, the sex therapist they decide to see (Carole Laure). As Anouk starts to bring out the suppressed sexual fantasies of the couple, their sex life is much better -- but both Lee and Frank are not completely at ease with their new, unrestrained relationship. In the meantime, a series of stabbings occurs in the city that may or may not be related to a transvestite neighbor of the Waites. But as the murders continue, some of the victims turn out to be friends or acquaintances of the couple -- and the guessing game to identify the real killer begins. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Art Hindle, Carole Laure, (more)
When his mother remarries, a young boy expresses his unhappiness with the new arrangement by refusing the friendly advances of his new stepfather and taking up residence with his beloved pony. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
This heavy-duty literary drama is about the burdens faced by one family during the end of the Great Depression in the late 1930s and is based on a novel by Gabrielle Roy. The oldest daughter in the family works in a diner to help make ends meet, giving her paycheck to her mother and keeping her tips for herself. After a few encounters with a fast-talking womanizer at the diner she spends one night with him and ends up pregnant and abandoned. At the same time or in short succession, her father loses his job, they move to a miserable, damp location, and the youngest brother contracts tuberculosis -- numerous tragedies that ultimately stem from poverty. The pregnant daughter connives to get engaged to a decent, shy young man who then goes off to war. But because of their engagement, the daughter now has access to a new and large house, and in spite of everything, the family's fortunes may be improving a little. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mireille Deyglun, Marilyn Lightstone, (more)
This anthology film is comprised of six segments shot by four female directors. "Love from the Marketplace," explores the way food relates to love. "The Black Cat in the Black Mouse Socks" stars singer Joni Mitchell, who also wrote it and its music. "Julia" tells the tail of a vanquished affair that is renewed. In "Love on Your Birthday" a wife gives her husband a night with her best friend as a birthday present. She then gets jealous and the trouble begins. "Por Vida" follows the journey home of a WW II GI. "Parting" follows the love of an elderly man for his paralyzed wife. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gordon Thomson, Joni Mitchell, (more)
William Fruet directed this odd Canadian horror film based on a novel by Michael Maryk and Brent Monahan. Wealthy Jason Kincaid (Oliver Reed) has a telepathic link to a mysterious snake god called N'Gana Sunbu. A strange cult sets the snake free after it grows to monstrous size, whereupon it terrorizes a college town. Kincaid joins its list of victims before a parapsychologist (Peter Fonda) puts the creature out of its misery with a machine-gun. Al Waxman, Kerrie Keane, and Marilyn Lightstone co-star in this occasionally entertaining shocker featuring gruesome special effects by Dick Smith. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Fonda, Oliver Reed, (more)
Inspired by stories from the fantasy graphics magazine Heavy Metal, this five-part animated feature combines the talents of hundreds of artists and animators from 17 different countries. A glowing green orb called Loc-Nar that contains the sum total of all evil in the universe travels through space and time, spreading violence and discord in its wake. The stories that follow demonstrate Loc-Nar's malevolent presence throughout the universe. In New York in the year 2023, cabbie Harry Canyon picks up a fare who turns out to have Loc-Nar in her possession, and it turns out to be one trip he wishes that he had never made. In contemporary suburban America, a nerdy high school kid finds the orb in his backyard and is transported to a comic-book universe where he's a mighty warrior and famous spoiler of women. A robot created by an alien race falls in love with a secretary from Earth who was kidnapped by his masters, while she is at once fascinated and repelled by his sexual talents. And finally, Loc-Nar crashes into a mountain, and a world of fantasy and danger spontaneously appears in its wake, ruled by The Defender, a beautiful amazon who rides on a giant bird. The voice cast for Heavy Metal includes John Candy, Harold Ramis, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Richard Romanus, and John Vernon. The sound track features selections by Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Nazareth, Cheap Trick, Devo, and Grand Funk Railroad. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rodger Bumpass, Jackie Burroughs, (more)
This speculative made-for-TV drama examines the courtship and early marital life of Mary and Joseph before the birth of their remarkable son, Jesus. The film is also known as the Beginning Was Love. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Blanche Baker, Jeff East, (more)
In Hungary, 12-year-old Andras Vadya supported himself during World War II by serving as a pimp for prostitutes. Once the war is over, he tries his hand at a number of different jobs, but has a sexual fixation on "older" women. Andras (Tom Berenger) tells the story of seven of his affairs. One affair, when he was still a quite young man, was with Bobbie (Susan Strasberg), a woman whose anti-communist views put her in danger in postwar Hungary. In Praise of Older Women features many sexual scenes and situations. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Berenger, Karen Black, (more)
In this fourth Canadian-filmed episode of The New Avengers, Steed (Patrick MacNee), Gambit (Gareth Hunt) and Purdey (Joanna Lumley) doggedly search for a missing circuit, following such clues as a drowned corpse in an evening gown. The trail leads to the bottom of Lake Ontario, where our heroes discover a hidden Soviet missile silo. This is the episode in which Joanna Lumley bravely attempts a Canadian accent--and this is also the final New Avengers installment, bringing the 16-year-old Avengers TV franchise to a close. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, (more)
Growing up in 1920s Montreal is no picnic for Orthodox Jewish boy Jeffrey Lynas. His grandfather, wizened old junk dealer Yossi Yadin, is the only person who plays attention to the lonely Lynas. He is also the only adult who treats Lynas like a friend and equal instead of a nuisance. This sensitive, perceptive drama obviously meant more than a mere residual check to scriptwriter Ted Allen, who also appears in the film. Jeffrey Lynas' parents are played by Len Birman and Marilyn Lighthouse, two of Canada's cartoon voiceover artists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Yossi Yadin, Len Birman, (more)





















