Ivor Barry Movies
Ex-football player Carl Weathers stars in this violent action film as Detroit policeman Jericho Jackson. The dedicated but brutal cop is plunged into nefarious doings concerning a crooked industrialist (Craig T. Nelson) and his drug-addicted girlfriend (pop-singer Vanity), breaking many people's bones before solving the case. Sharon Stone stands out in a cast of genre veterans including Nicholas Worth, Sonny Landham, and Robert Davi. Heavy on the sex and violence, this film harkens back to the glory days of 1970s blaxploitation, but is a bit too mean-spirited to be as much fun. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, (more)
- 1985
Ned Beatty plays a dual role in this episode as insensitive banker and mayoral candidate J. Melvin Rich and happy-go-lucky hobo Willy the Waver. Hoping to cure Mr. Rich of his hostile attitude towards the homeless (he wants to transform a city park, the local hoboes' haven, into a car park), angel Jonathan Smith (Michael Landon) magically transfers Rich's brain into Willy's body, and vice versa. The fun really begins when the "bum" tries to apply his street smarts to the banking business, not to mention the uppermost reaches of high society. (Incidentally, film buffs should take note of the name of the character played by Martin Rudy!) ~ All Movie Guide
John Hughes's third directorial effort, Weird Science, follows in the tradition of his previous teen-centered films, Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club. Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith play the wannabe hipster Gary and his nebbish weak-willed best friend, Wyatt, a pair of high-school geeks who are hapless with members of the opposite sex. Using Wyatt's computer, they create what they believe is the ideal woman. A lightning storm brings that woman to life, and she takes the form of Kelly Le Brock. Lisa sets about building their self-confidence, but trouble begins brewing when Wyatt's cruel, military-minded older brother, Chet (Bill Paxton), begins to realize that something is not as it should be. Hughes would finish his cycle of high-school themed films with his next movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Michael Hall, Kelly LeBrock, (more)
- 1984
Bo (John Schneider) and Luke (Tom Wopat) chase a band of armored-truck robbers into the jurisdiction of Sheriff "Big" Ed Little (Don Pedro Colley), only to be accused of being the robbers themselves and locked up in Little's jail. The only witness who can clear the Duke boys is rustic painter Artie Bender (James Cavan)--who, unfortunately, is dead. Well, he's not REALLY dead, but Boss Hogg (Sorrell Booke) has declared Bender legally deceased so that Artie's artwork will greatly increase in value! (By the way, the paintings seen in this episode were actually done by series regular James Best, who also directed). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
In Highway to Heaven's first holiday episode, angels Jonathan (Michael Landon) and Mark (Victor French) try to bring redemption to a miserly, flint-hearted used-car dealer named "Honest" Eddie (Geoffrey Lewis). Staging an elaborate Yuletide charade, the two angels show Eddie how his miserable attitude has hurt those around him -- and also advise him to change his ways before it is too late. Without giving away any more of the plot, suffice to say that Eddie is given a "Dickens" of a time before he sees the light. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1983
The A-Team comes to the rescue of the independent LoneStar cab company, which is being driven out of business by the monolithic Love Cab firm. The villains, led by Crane (Michael Ironside) and Ryder (Brion James), are of course using their own taxis for various illegal purposes. Before the inevitable climax in which a humble cab is converted into a tank, the audience is regaled by the manic machinations of A-Team member Murdock (Dwight Schultz), who in the guise of "Captain Cab" regularly solicits the advice of his puppet friend Mr. Sockie! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
- PG
Mel Brooks and his real-life wife Anne Bancroft play Frederick and Anna Bronski, musical comedy stars in 1939 Poland. The highlight of the Bronskis' act is Frederick's imitation of Adolf Hitler, but he is forced to eliminate this turn for fear of offending the Nazis. Meanwhile, Anna enters into a harmless flirtation with Polish bomber pilot Andre Sobinski (Tim Matheson). The pilot's nightly signal to visit Anna in her dressing room is "To Be or Not to Be," spoken by Bronski during the Shakespearean portion of his act. When the Germans march into Warsaw, the Bronskis and the rest of their troupe are forced into hiding (notably the homosexual Lupinski, played by Lewis J. Stadlen, who is forced to endure the humiliation of wearing a pink star). Flying for the Polish resistance in England, Sobinski asks kindly Professor Seletzky (Jose Ferrer) to deliver his "To Be or Not to Be" message to Anna. When Seletzky doesn't seem to recognize the name of Anne Bronski, Warsaw's biggest star, Sobinski suspects that something is amiss. Sure enough, Seletzky is a Nazi spy, heading to Warsaw to help Col. "Concentration Camp" Ehrhardt (Oscar-nominated Charles Durning) destroy the underground movement. Parachuting into Poland, Sobinski enlists the aid of the Bronski troupe to foil the Nazis. What follows is an uproarious series of disguises and deceptions, capped by Bronski's impersonation of Der Fuhrer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mel Brooks, Anne Bancroft, (more)
- 1977
Two men from widely opposite spectrums in life are trapped in the same dilemma. Highly respected police detective Dave Lambert (Barry Primus) and seedy informer Art DeVoe (Mills Watson) have both witnessed a cop killing--and the murderer has sent his minions forth to get rid of them both. Featured prominently in the supporting cast is Robert Walden, on the cusp of his stardom as gonzo reporter Rossi on Lou Grant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Jim (James Garner) is hired by antiques dealer Thomas Caine (William Daniels) to bid on a rare sculpted bird at an auction. Unfortunately, our hero "gets the bird" in more ways than one when, after purchasing the statue on Caine's behalf, he is attacked by hooligans and the artifact is broken. At this point, Jim would just as soon wash his hands of the whole affair, but in order to avoid paying for the busted bird, he agrees to attend another auction where a duplicate bird is on display. Complicating matters is the existence of a third bird--and of a clever and somewhat lethal art thief who is dogging Jim's trail every inch of the way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
In an acting tour de force that earned him critical acclaim back in 1974, John Davidson guest stars as professional female impersonator Ken Scott. The highlight of Scott's nightclub act is his dead-on imitation of legendary 1930s movie star Carol Marlowe. Unfortunately, the entertainer's schizophrenia overwhelms him, and soon he is carrying over his "Carol Marlowe" persona into real life--and murdering any man who is unlucky enough to be attracted to "Carol." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Herbie Rides Again is the first sequel to Disney's fabulously successful The Love Bug. The emphasis here is on Mrs. Steinmetz (Helen Hayes), a feisty old San Franciscan who refuses to sell her home to conniving developer Alonzo Hawk (Keenan Wynn). Hawk's nephew, lawyer Willoughby Whitfield (Ken Berry), joins Mrs. Steinmetz's camp when he falls in love with her niece Nicole (Stefanie Powers). (This, of course, is after Nicole angrily slaps Willoughby with a boiled lobster, sending him plummeting over a balcony railing and into the drink). The day is saved by Herbie, the almost-human Volkswagen, who rallies every VW in town to thwart Hawk's machinations. Herbie Rides Again performed admirably enough to inspire still another sequel, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Helen Hayes, Ken Berry, (more)
- 1974
- G
- Add The Island at the Top of the World to QueueAdd The Island at the Top of the World to top of Queue
This Disney family adventure, directed by Robert Stevenson in his Jules Verne mode, concern a group of explorers who travel to the Arctic Circle in 1908 to explore the uncharted wastes of the North Pole. Sir Anthony Ross (Donald Sinden), a rich Londoner, organizes an Arctic exploration team in hopes of locating his missing son. Providing expert advice is Prof. John Ivarson (David Hartman), a professor of Nordic history. As the group explores the frozen tundra, they come across an unknown valley, skirting the borders of a giant volcano, that turns out to be a lost Viking kingdom. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hartman, Donald Sinden, (more)
Lost in the Stars was an American Film Theatre adaptation of the musical play by Maxwell Anderson and Kurt Weill--which in turn was based on the Alain Paton novel Cry the Beloved Country. Brock Peters portrays a South African minister who goes to the Big City to locate his son Raymond St. Jacques, who is now a criminal in the eyes of the white rulers. The minister forges a curious, foredoomed friendship with a white farmer (Paul Rogers). Lost in the Stars has sometimes been accused of blunting the edge of Paton's angry study of the cruelties of Apartheid; fans of musical theatre will be more politely inclined to this loving filmization of the Broadway play. On its own, Cry the Beloved Country was previously filmed in 1951, with Canada Lee, Sidney Poitier and Charles Carson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
- PG
Gregory Peck produced this coming-of-age adventure, richly photographed by Sven Nykvist. Based on a true story, the film documents the five-year journey of Robin Lee Graham (Joseph Bottoms), a 16-year-old boy who sets out in a 23-foot sloop, determined to be the youngest person to sail around the world. As he travels around the globe, he undergoes a string of new experiences while growing from a child to an adult. Along the way, he falls in love with an inspiring woman, Patti Ratteree (Deborah Raffin), who follows him throughout his journeys, meeting him at ports of call in Fiji, Australia, South Africa, Panama, and the Galapagos Islands. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Bottoms, Deborah Raffin, (more)
- 1972
In a reversal of the situation in the sixth-season episode "Encore," in which a gangster was persuaded that he had gone back in time from 1971 to 1937, the IMF must jump forward some 27 years in the seventh-season Mission:Impossible entry "Two Thousand." Vic Morrow guest-stars as master thief Joseph Collins, who has stolen 50 kg of plutonium. To find out where Collins has stashed the deadly material, the IMF contrives to convince Collins that he has been in hibernation until the year 2000 --- and that a nuclear holocaust has tranformed the US into a police state. Most of this episode was filmed on location in the ruins of a hospital leveled by the California earthquake of February 1971. Written by Harold Livingston, "Two Thousand" first aired on September 23, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1972
Arte Johnson makes his first Partridge Family guest appearance as all-purpose handyman and "part-time Cossack" Nicholas Minski Pushkin. Hired to work for the Partridiges, the self-styled "Pushkin the Magnificent" proves to be inept in practical matters but a positive genius as a chef and painter--causing quite a ruckus in the latter category when he paints a portrait of a nearly-nude female on the family's garage door! Versatile cartoon voiceover artist Frank Welker makes a rare on-camera appearance. Song: "Last Night". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Ironside (Raymond Burr) and Ed (Don Galloway) head to London (courtesy of the Universal back lot), there to attend an international police convention. No sooner has he arrived than Ed witnesses the assassination of the British police official--and is subsequently targeted for death himself. To solve the murder and keep his assistant from harm, Ironside works side by side with his old friend and colleague, Superintendant Faber (Lloyd Bochner)...but gradually grows suspicious of Faber's mercurial and oftimes obstructive behavior. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
This TV movie was the pilot for the popular series The Six Million Dollar Man. In this maiden effort, we are told just how astronaut Steve Austin became a bionic man. Surviving a near-fatal crash, the mutilated Austin is given artificial limbs (plus one faux eye) and reassembled into a part-human, part-electronic entity, endowed with superstrength and the ability to run faster than anyone--a feat which is always depicted in slow motion. Put to work by the Office of Strategic Information, Col. Austin answers to his immediate superior Darren McGavin (replaced by Richard Anderson in the series proper). Martin Balsam plays the doctor responsible for Austin's superhuman status (Balsam's character was played on the series by Martin Brooks) Filmed in part at Edwards Air Force Base, The Six Million Dollar Man was first telecast on March 7, 1973, where it performed admirably opposite a Bob Hope special; the series itself began on a monthly basis in October of 1973, then became a weekly in January of 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
In the second episode of a two-part story (and a seven-part story arc), Samantha is still trapped in the 16th century, slated to become the sixth wife of King Henry VIII (Ronald Long). With Endora's help, Darrin is himself backed to the Tudor era in an effort to rescue Sam. Unfortunately, she fails to recognize him, and before long, it is Darrin who needs rescuing. Written by Ed Jurist, part two of "How Not to Lose Your Head to Henry VIII" first aired on September 22, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1971
Moving from Thursdays to Wednesdays, Bewitched launched its eighth and final season with the beginning of a lengthy story arc, largely set in England and Europe. While visiting the Tower of London with husband Darrin, Samantha rescues a nobleman (Victor Rogers), who has been trapped in a painting for nearly 400 years. As a result, Sam incurs the wrath of beautiful but deadly witch Malvina the Terrible (Arlene Martel). Vengefully, Malvina zaps Sam back to the 16th century, where she finds herself the bride-to-be of King Henry VIII (Ronald Long). Written by Ed Jurist, part one of "How Not to Lose Your Head to Henry VIII" originally aired on September 15, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1971
Inspector Erskine (Stuart Whitman) is determined to put a Communist spy ring headed by Damian Howards (Stuart Whitman) out of commission for keeps. Meanwhile, Howards concocts a scheme to get his hands on some top-secret information. Essential to the spy's success is his former girl friend Kate Waller (Sharon Acker)--but can he convince her that the flame of romance still burns? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
This made-for-television feature (which premiered on the ABC Movie Of The Week) attracted slightly more interest than usual, due in part to the presence an unusually recognizable supporting cast (including several players, such as Joseph Cotten, Keenan Wynn and Dewey Martin, who'd had real film careers, going back to the 1940's), and Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy in the lead. Nimoy plays Commander Phil Kettenring, the captain of the nuclear submarine Wayne, which has been assigned a critical, top-secret mission involving a less than completely cooperative scientist (Malachi Throne). What Kettenring doesn't know is that the Eastern bloc enemy (this being the middle of the Cold War) is already on to the mission. They've not only got a fairly clever trap set for the sub in mid-ocean, but have also infiltrated the crew at key points. As the Wayne's and her commander's problems mount, the crew begins to lose confidence in Kettenring, threatening not only the mission, but the safety of the sub. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Luther Adler guest stars as Leo Vorka, an aging European dictator who intends to purge his country of all young artists and intellectuals. The IMF hopes to topple Vorka from power and install his friendlier deputy Bartzin (Ben Astar) in his place. The mission: To drive Vorka insane and convince his deputies that the old man must be deposed immediately. The success of the scheme hinges upon a cleverly arranged series of "ghostly" visions, courtesy of a rigged closed-circuit TV. Antoinette Bower, who'd played the damsel in distress in the second-season Mission: Impossible story "The Slave", is here cast as IMF agent--and erstwhile phantom--Nora Bennett. Originally broadcast on February 8, 1970, "Phantoms" was written by Laurence Heath. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1970
Devious socialite Gene Barry stands to come into one million dollars. The catch is (and don't ask us why) that he must convince the authorities that he's dead. He arranges to switch identities with Lloyd Bridges, who is terminally ill. Diane Baker plays Barry's wife, who must needs be willing to "take this stranger" for the plan to succeed. Do You Take This Stranger? was a made-for-TV entry in NBC's Tuesday Night at the Movies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Completely unfazed by all his previous misbegotten romances, handyman Eb (Tom Lester) decides to advertise for a wife. Before long, Eb is besieged with mail from eager brides-to-be -- but only because he has claimed to be a wealthy landowner, with a full retinue of servants. Inevitably, Eb is forced to back up his claims, enlisting a reluctant Oliver (Eddie Albert) and a nonplussed Lisa (Eva Gabor) to pose as his faithful retainers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Skye Aubrey, Ivor Barry, (more)
