Robert Loggia Movies
Forceful leading actor Robert Loggia left plans for a journalistic career behind when he began his studies at New York's Actors Studio. His first important Broadway assignment was 1955's The Man with the Golden Arm; one year later, he made his first film, Somebody Up There Likes Me. In 1958 he enjoyed a brief flurry of TV popularity as the title character in "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca," a multipart western originally telecast on Walt Disney Presents. His next weekly TV assignment was as a good-guy burglar in 1967's T.H.E. Cat. A fitfully successful movie leading man, Loggia truly came into his own when he cast off his toupee and became a character actor, often in roles requiring quiet menace. As Richard Gere's bullying father, Loggia dominated the precredits scenes of An Officer and a Gentleman (1981), and was equally effective as the villain in Curse of the Pink Panther (1982) and as mafia functionaries in Scarface (1983) and Prizzi's Honor (1985). He was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of a two-bit detective in The Jagged Edge (1985). The most likeable Robert Loggia screen character thus far is his toy manufacturer in Big (1988), the film in which Loggia and Tom Hanks exuberantly dance to the tune of "Heart and Soul" on a gigantic keyboard. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1956
- NR
Once you get past the fact that handsome Paul Newman could never pass for plug-ugly boxer Rocky Graziano in real life, you will be able to accept Somebody Up Their Likes Me as one of the more accomplished movie biopics of the 1950s. Based on Graziano's autobiography (co-written with Rowland Barber), the film accurately depicts the teen-aged Rocky as an unregenerate punk, evidently doomed by his slum environment, and his own lousy attitude, to a life of petty crime. Determining that the only way he'll make a living is with his fists, Rocky becomes a boxer, at first willing to participate in a series of fixed fights. Eventually, Rocky develops a conscience and sense of self-respect, no small thanks to his sweetheart (and later wife) Norma (Pier Angeli). The film ends on an optimistic note after Rocky wins a "clean" bout with Tony Zale (playing himself). Training extensively with Graziano prior to and during production, Newman is quite impressive in his first worthwhile film role (this was only his third film, following the execrable The Silver Chalice and the forgettable outing The Rack). The title song in Somebody Up There Likes Me was written by Bronislau Kaper and Sammy Cahn, and performed by Perry Como. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Newman, Anna Maria Pier Angeli, (more)
Vincent Sherman replaced an uncredited Robert Aldrich as director of this noirish and atypically pro-union film from the 1950's. Tulio Renata (Robert Loggia), an organizer for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, campaigns to unionize the employees of dress factory owner Walter Mitchell (Lee J. Cobb). Viscerally opposed to the union, Mitchell has hired Artie Ravidge (Richard Boone) to thwart Renata's efforts. In a complex oedipal sub-plot, Walter's son Alan (Kerwin Matthews) returns home and joins the firm following the suspicious death of his father's partner. Alan is more sympathetic to the union and attempts to persuade his father to sign a contract. Only after Ravidge kills Renata, and the elder Mitchell finally admits to himself that Ravidge is a thug who also killed his partner, does he agree to negotiate with the union. Before he can do so, however, he, too, is murdered by Ravidge's goons. It is then left to Alan, increasingly involved with Renata's widow Theresa (Gia Scala), to run the business, bring Ravidge to justice, and settle with the union. Similar to Herbert Biberman's Salt of the Earth (1954) in its overt support of the labor movement, The Garment Jungle is clearly a liberal, not a radical, film. Rather than advocate class warfare, it asserts that honest unions and decent capitalists can work together honorably. The film's real fire is found in the personal conflicts between Tulio and Theresa and Walter and Alan. Cobb, Loggia, and Scala perform with intense and multi-dimensional passion. Particularly noteworthy is Theresa's fury at her husband for taking excessive, and ultimately fatal, risks. ~ Steve Press, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee J. Cobb, Kerwin Mathews, (more)
- 1958
In the second episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, the title character (Robert Loggia), a former gunman who yearns to be a lawyer, has been appointed sheriff of Socorro County, NM. Banking on his reputation as a fast gun, Baca "invites" all the wanted men in the area to come into town and give themselves up. All these men surrender except one, prompting Elfego to launch a manhunt in Apache territory. Originally telecast on the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Four Down and Five Lives to Go" was later edited together with the first Elfego Baca episode, The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca, and released overseas as a theatrical feature. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Elfego Baca was another of several miniseries developed by producer Walt Disney in hopes of matching the earlier success of the Davy Crockett programs. Originally telecast on the Walt Disney Presents anthology, this newest effort was launched with the first of its ten episodes, "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca." Based on the memoirs of the real-life Baca, the miniseries stars Robert Loggia as the title character, a former gunslinger who becomes a lawyer in 1880s New Mexico. Arriving in the town of Frisco, Elfego Baca subdues a drunken rowdy, much to the delight of the townsfolk and the embarrassment of the cowardly sheriff. Deputized by the local justice of the peace, Elfego learns that he has been marked for death by the drunk's scurrilous friends. The bad guys try to kill Baca with guns and gunpowder, but he proves to have more lives than a cat. Based on a true incident, "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca" was later edited together with the second episode in the miniseries, "Four Down and Five Lives to Go" and released overseas as a theatrical feature. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
In the fourth episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, gunslinger-turned-lawyer Baca (Robert Loggia) has been made a partner in the Sante Fe law firm run by J. Henry Newman (James Dunn). In this capacity, Elfego again comes to the aid of rancher Don Estaban Miranda (Gilbert Roland), whose land is coveted by a railroad company. When Don Estaban's land deed "mysteriously" disappears and his ranch is besieged by hired thugs, Elfego wonders if he will have to forsake his new peaceful ways and resort to gunplay. "Law and Order Inc." originally aired on the Walt Disney Presents anthology series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
In the third episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, former gunslinger Baca (Robert Loggia) is now studying law under Santa Fe attorney J. Henry Newman (James Dunn). During this period, Elfego butts up against a crooked judge named Hargreaves (Carl Benton Reid), who throws our hero in jail on a trumped up charge. Discovering that Hargreaves intends to cheat local rancher Don Esteban Miranda (Gilbert Roland) out of his land, Elfego plans a daring escape. "Lawman or Gunman" originally aired on the Walt Disney Presents anthology series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
On a boiling hot night in the middle of a steaming New York summer, Detective Mike Reardon is on his way to work when he is shot down execution style. His fellow officers at the 87th, led by detectives Steve Carelli (Robert Loggia) and Mike Maguire (Gerald S. O'Laughlin), can't come up with a motive. The investigation has barely started when Reardon's young partner Foster is ambushed and gunned down as well. Carelli and Maguire are the lead investigators on the double police homicide, tracing potential suspects and following up clues that all lead to blind alleys. Meanwhile, Miller, a reporter, does some investigating on his own and nearly gets a young detective killed by a street gang led by smart-mouthed punk Joe Sanchez (Jerry Orbach). Amid this chaos, Carelli tries to carry on a romance with a deaf-mute author named Teddy (Ellen Parker) and Maguire attempts not to neglect his wife too badly. Maguire is gunned down by the same shooter that killed the other two detectives, only he makes sure the killer leaves behind a few clues before he dies. Carelli can't make the pieces fit together -- the only thing that the three victims had in common was that they worked in the 87th Precinct and they were all cops. He begins wondering if the fact that they were all police officers was relevant to the killings, but not the motive. Looking for a story, Miller reports Carelli's private suppositions, suddenly putting Teddy in jeopardy. Not knowing that the shooter is a step ahead of him, the detective races to her home. Carelli breaks the case and discovers that only one of the murders had an actual motive, one much closer to home than anyone on the squad would ever have guessed. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Loggia, Gerald O'Loughlin, (more)
- 1958
In this family-oriented western, a living western legend finds himself plagued by a constant onslaught of young guns, each eager to prove his mettle and become the new fastest-gun in the West. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1958
The final film of director William Berke (his son, Lester William Burke, took over shooting following his father's death during filming) , The Lost Missile is a very cleverly constructed low-budget sci-fi thriller with some fascinating twists. A rogue missile, apparently from outside our solar system, ends up plunging into the Earth's atmosphere -- driven by atomic power, it cruises at an altitude of five miles and a speed of 4,000 miles per hour, generating a temperature of one million degrees in its wake, in a field five miles across, destroying anything and anyone it passes over; most of the planes that try to shoot it down miss and are destroyed, and no missile within range can get near enough to damage it with conventional explosives. Starting from the Bering Strait, the rogue missile lays waste to ever more populated real estate as it heads in an arc that will carry it over Ottawa and then New York, 63 minutes away; what's more, if it isn't stopped, the missile will lay waste to the entire surface of the Earth in the weeks that ensue as it arcs across the skies. Only one missile, the Jove (obviously a stand-in for the real-life army ballistic missile the Jupiter-C), still in the experimental stage, may be able to intercept it, and it doesn't have a warhead. The only answer is a "baby warhead," using the plutonium trigger projected by the American booster fast enough and exploded close enough to destroy the rogue -- but can the hero (Robert Loggia) assemble and launch it in time? ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Loggia, Ellen Parker, (more)
- 1959
In the sixth episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, the titular hero (Robert Loggia, a gunslinger-turned-lawyer) defends British-born rancher Cecil Cunningham (Patrick Knowles), who has been accused of murdering land baron Drew Griswold. According to witnesses, Griswold had been fooling around with Cyril's wife (Audrey Dalton), thereby firmly establishing a motive. In court, Baca finds that he must go face to face with his former law partner J. Henry Newman (James Dunn), the newly appointed District Attorney. Outside the courtroom, the dead man's relatives begin forming a lynch mob. Originally telecast on the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "The Griswold Murder" and the fifth Elfego Baca episode "Attorney at Law" were edited together in 1962 and released as a theatrical feature, Six-Gun Law. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
In the fifth episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, gunslinger-turned-lawyer Baca (Robert Loggia) tackles his first big court case. Elfego must defend his old pal, reformed outlaw Fernando Bernal (Edward Colmans), who has been accused of robbing the Santa Fe bank. Former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello appears as Fernando's teenaged daughter. Originally telecast on the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Attorney at Law" and the sixth Elfego Baca episode "The Griswold Murder" were edited together in 1962 and released as a theatrical feature, Six-Gun Law. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
In the eighth episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, gunslinger-turned-lawyer Baca (Robert Loggia) has secured the legal rights of the Mustangers, a religious sect that has set up a homestead in the middle of cattle country. But though the Mustangers own their property fair and square, the local cattleman still regard the group with suspicion and contempt, putting pressure on local merchants not to sell to any of the sect's members. When Mustanger leader Shadrack O'Reilly (Brian Keith) is refused service at a feed store, he sparks off a huge brawl and ends up in jail -- which, of course, brings Elfego Baca back into the story. Featuring a young James Coburn in a supporting role, "Mustang Man, Mustang Maid" was originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
In the seventh episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries, Elfego Baca, gunslinger-turned-lawyer Baca (Robert Loggia) comes to the defense of the Mustangers, a nomad-like religious sect. Determined to establish a permanent homestead on a land recently opened up by the government, the Mustanger face fierce opposition from the local cattlemen who worry that they will lose their own grazing land. Ever the champion of the underdog, Elfego Baca hopes to prevent the Mustangers from being driven out by violence -- a task made difficult by the sect's hotheaded leader, Shadrack O'Reilly (Brian Keith). A young James Coburn appears in a supporting role. "Move Along, Mustangers" was originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Robert Loggia is cast as New Orleans pianist Tom Brandt, who in an alcoholic rage kills his girlfriend with a broken bottle. After the police arrest a drunken derelict for the crime, Tom figures he's in the clear. But before long he is haunted by a perverse form of "stigmata", causing his hands to soak everyone he touches with blood...and not his own blood. Appearing as Tom's fellow musician Johnny is famed jazz trumpeter Pete Candoli. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the ninth episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, frontier lawyer Baca (Robert Loggia) accepts a stallion in payment for helping beleagured cattleman Frank Oxford (Ray Teal). It seems that Rauls Kettrick (Barton MacLane), the town boss of Taota, refuses to return 50 head of Oxford's cattle which "wandered" onto Kettrick's land. Pursuing the case through the proper legal channels, Baca obtains a warrant to search Kettrick's property, but the warrant is not honored--and Taota's only lawyer, who is in Kettrick's pocket, refuses to take action. Thus it is that Baca must rely upon the strategies of his gunslinging days to bring justice to the situation. "Friendly Enemies at Law" was originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the final episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, frontier lawyer Baca (Robert Loggia) embarks upon a mission to bring fugitive gunslinger Gus Tomlin to justice. Upon hearing that Tomlin is dead, Baca is all for giving up the search -- until a citizen of the small town of Granite claims that Tomlin and his family are living on a farm under an assumed name. The father of a man allegedly killed by Tomlin begins forming a lynch mob, but Baca offers to personally bring Tomlin back for a fair trial -- if he lives long enough to do so. "Gus Tomlin Is Dead" was originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Announcing that his girl Angie (Doris Dowling) won't marry him until he goes legitimate, bookie Larry Chetnick (Robert Loggia) wangles a job from Steve Bregomick (Will Kuluva), a family friend who runs a cash-only exporting business. Soon, however, Larry reverts to form and embezzles a great deal of money from Steve, intending to skip the country with Angie before his boss finds out. But at the last moment, a contrite Larry sees the error of his ways...or does he? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Extortionist Jimmy French (Robert Loggia) selects as his latest patsy Maude Sheridan (Barbara Baxley), the lovelorn secretary of psychiatrist Dr. Cooper (Theodore Newton). Pretending to be in love with Maude, French uses her to gain access to Cooper's files, thus enabling him to blackmail the shrink's patients. Choosing the file of one "M.J.H." as his first victim, the enterprising French succeeds only in outsmarting himself -- and losing his life in the process. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
This western is a compilation of episodes from Walt Disney Presents. The title hero, is a pugilistic lawyer who fights for justice in Tombstone. There he gets involved with the case of an Englishman falsely accused of murder and with a rancher charged with a bank heist. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Three weeks prior to the repeal of Prohibition, Woody O'Mara (Mort Mills) prepares to eliminate brewery operator Franz Koenig (played by Hogan's Heroes' future "Sgt. Schultz" John Banner) so that he and Charlie Zenko (Luther Adler) can take over all illegal liquor activities on the North Side before it's too late. Zenko shows his "gratitude" by planting a bomb in O'Mara's car and assuming command of the entire operation himself. Ironically, Zenko himself ends up being betrayed by his own son Larry (Robert Loggia)--leaving Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) to solemnly pick up the pieces. Watch for Leonard Nimoy as a squirrelly trigger man named Packy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Robert Taylor closed out his MGM contract with the 1963 western Cattle King. Taylor plays a Wyoming rancher at odds with cattle baron Robert Middleton, who is dead set against barbed wire being erected on "his" land. Just so we know the film isn't kidding around, leading lady Joan Caulfield is shot full of holes some thirty minutes before the fade-out. Taylor finally vanquishes the evil Middleton, but not without help from Caulfield's previously spineless brother William Windom-not to mention the legal support of President Chester A. Arthur (Larry Gates). Cattle King was released in England as Guns of Wyoming. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Taylor, Joan Caulfield, (more)
- 1963
Betty Rose (Carmen Phillips) is ticked off when her boyfriend, Dandy Arthur (Robert Loggia), returns from military service with a young wife named Mieko (Pilar Seurat) in tow. After "helpfully" warning Mieko that Dandy has a homicidal streak, Betty confronts her ex-beau, resulting in a violent argument which ends with Betty's death. For a while, Mieko refuses to believe that her husband might be responsible for the tragedy -- until she stumbles upon some evidence that may well sign her own death warrant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Loggia, Pilar Seurat, (more)
- 1965
Lawyer Alex Morrow (Henry Jones) would like to dump his wife, Angela (Kathleen Freeman), in favor of his sexy mistress, Fiona (Linda Lawson), but he draws the line at divorce: Alex owns a valuable stamp collection, and does not want his wife to get it in the divorce settlement. Then one day, Alex becomes aware of the fact that he is being followed by a man named Richard Schausak (Robert Loggia), who happens to be a professional hitman. Seizing the opportunity, Alex hires Richard to kill Angela -- only to have a last-minute change of heart, one that will end up costing him dearly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Jones, Robert Loggia, (more)
Filmmaker George Stevens chose Monument Valley, Utah for his exterior sequences in The Greatest Story Ever Told, this ($20 million) adaptation of Fulton Oursler's best-selling book. The "Greatest Story" is, of course, the life of Jesus Christ, played herein by Max Von Sydow. The large supporting cast includes Dorothy McGuire as Mary, Claude Rains as Herod the Great, Jose Ferrer as Herod Antipas, Charlton Heston as John the Baptist, Donald Pleasence as Satan (identified only as "The Dark Hermit"), David McCallum as Judas Iscariot, Sidney Poitier as Simon of Cyrene, Telly Savalas as Pontius Pilate and Martin Landau as Caiaphas. Even Robert Blake as Simon the Zealot, Jamie Farr as Thaddaeus, and motorcyle-flick veteran Richard Bakalyan as Dismas, the repentant thief, are well-suited to their roles. Originally roadshown at 260 minutes, Greatest Story Ever Told was later available in a 195-minute version. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Max von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire, (more)
