Hal Linden Movies

A man is sent into the future to see the possible results of his actions in this mixture of sci-fi adventure and Christian drama. In 1890, Russell Carlisle (D. David Morin) is a philosopher and college professor who has completed a manuscript he calls "The Changing Times." The university where Carlisle teaches is considering publishing his latest work, but a committee of ranking professors under the leadership of the school's Dean (Hal Linden) must first vote unanimously to approve the material. One of Carlisle's colleagues, Norris Anderson (Gavin MacLeod), strongly objects to the paper on the grounds that Carlisle contends morality can be taught apart from Christianity -- a view that Anderson, a devout Christian, cannot abide. Carlisle becomes increasingly frustrated with Anderson's objections, but after the meeting, Anderson shows Carlisle something remarkable -- a working time machine he has built in his home. Using this innovation, Anderson sends Carlisle to a typical American city in the year 2001, in order to show the impact his ideas could have as he witnesses a society in which morality and Christianity are considered separate entities. As he tries to make his way through modern-day America, Carlisle becomes friendly with Eddie (Paul Rodriguez), a well-meaning regular guy, and Michelle (Jennifer O'Neill), a beautiful woman with a mind of her own. Time Changer is the first feature film from writer and director Rich Christiano, who has been making short films for the Christian marketplace since 1991. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

James Garner is reunited with several of his fellow cast members from the Rockford Files series in this made-for-TV sequel. It all begins when schoolteacher Ernie Landale (Hal Holbrook), the husband of private eye Jim Rockford's ex-prostitute friend Rita Kapkovic (Rita Moreno), is accused of child molestation. Never mind that the evidence is circumstantial at best, flimsy at worst: The Media have already tried and convicted Landale, irresponsibly whipping up a journalistic frenzy that turns all of the benighted teacher's associates and friends against him. All, that is, except Jim Rockford (Garner), who, together with Landale's attorney Beth Davenport (Gretchen Corbett) and police lieutenant Dennis Becker (Joe Santos), is prepared to move heaven and earth to find the actual pedophile and clear Landale's name. Filmed in 1997, The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds, It Leads made its CBS debut on April 20, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

David (Mark Rosenthal) is standing on the roof ledge of a building in lower Manhattan, threatening to jump. Several of his friends try to convince him to safely get down from the ledge, that suicide is not the answer. But as they speak to him, the audience sees moments from the friends' lives in flashback. It becomes obvious that David's friends have lives every bit as sad and desperate as David's; with people like this as your support group, why shouldn't a man jump? Jump features a strong supporting cast, including James LeGros, Richard Belzer, Harvey Fierstein, and Hal Linden, and was shown at the 1999 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

In this taut drama, a father fights to save his family from the desperate bank robbers who have taken over his newly acquired country home. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

When his long-time lover Danielle abruptly dumps him, Peter suddenly feels that he has reached one of life's turning points. Already a successful stockbroker at age 30, he doesn't know where to go or what to do with the rest of his life. When Rebecca comes along, he can't help but fall in love with her. She too, finds Peter dangerously attractive. Unfortunately, Rebecca, who is new in town, is engaged to another. Fortunately, her beau isn't due to arrive for at least another month. Still, neither Peter nor Rebecca want trouble and so they agree to become "just friends." Romantic comedy mayhem ensues as they do their best to keep their agreement. Complicating matters for Peter is the fact that all of the other women he sees tend to dump him too. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Entranced by his boss's persuasive vision of a suburban community that is completely safeguarded from the world's ugly realities, an executive eagerly buys a home within the enclave. But soon after his arrival, he realizes that the price of safety is paid with something more precious than money: privacy and personal freedom. When he sees that death is the penalty for rule breaking, he tries to escape. But he and his brood soon discover that getting out of "The Colony" can be a dangerous endeavor. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

This compilation tape consists of three episodes from the USA Network's Ray Bradbury Theater syndicated television series. All of the episodes have to do with Mars exploration or Martian beings. ~ Brian Gusse, Rovi

After 20 years of marriage, Steve Giardino (Alan Alda) and his wife Jackie (Ann-Margret) agree to a divorce in this situation comedy. The focus is on both of them as they suffer through matchmaking, blind dates, and their new life as eligible singles. Donna (Mary Kay Place) is Jackie's friend, while Mel Arons (Hal Linden) is the confidante of the vain but likeable Steve. Steven worries that he will never find anyone decent to date until he meets the pretty Dr. Kay Hutton (Veronica Hamel). Jackie is enamored with a sculptor (John Shea) before his glaring faults become too much for her. While Jackie's new relationship is on the outs, Steve prepares for a new life with Kay. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Beethoven Quartets Nos. 9 and 11 are performed by the Guarneri String Quartet, introduced by Hal Linden. ~ Rovi

In this Broadway musical (filmed in Los Angeles in front of a live audience), Hal Linden and Lee Remick portray Michael and Agnes, a married couple whose relationship is examined from the night before their wedding, to the day they move out of their family home five decades later. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

Directed by seasoned comedy man Melville Shavelson, The Other Woman is a "menage a trois" TV movie with a twist. The stars are middle-aged Anne Meara and Hal Linden, and youngish Madolyn Smith. The twist? Linden, a book publisher, is married to half-his-age Smith, a fashion designer. It is Anne Meara, a fiftyish divorcee and aspiring romance novelist, who turns out to be the "other woman!" Ms. Meara cowrote the teleplay for this engaging contrivance, in which everyone is so essentially likeable that we genuinely care how things turn out. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi