Celia Lovsky Movies
Trained at the Royal Academy of Arts and Music in Vienna, Celia Lovsky gained popularity on the Austrian and German stage in the 1920s. When Hitler assumed power in 1933, Lovsky left for France in the company of her then-husband, actor Peter Lorre. Resettling in Hollywood in 1935, she put her career on hold during her marriage to Lorre, returning to films after their divorce (they remained friends and confidants until Lorre's death in 1964). From 1947 until her retirement in the 1960s, Lovsky was most often seen in maternal roles: George Sanders' mother in Death of a Scoundrel (1956), James Cagney's mother in Man of 1000 Faces (1957), Sal Mineo's mother in The Gene Krupa Story (1959), and so on. Star Trek devotees will remember Celia Lovsky as the Queen of Vulcana in the 1967 episode "Amok Time." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1974
In one of his last TV roles, Sam Jaffe guest stars as Alex Zubatuk, a retired cobbler. When Zubatuk comes forth and confesses to a killing, detectives Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) are reluctant to take the old man at face value. And for good reason: what the viewer knows (but the detectives don't) is that the meek, self-deprecating Mr. Zubatuk is taking the rap to protect the grandson of his best friend Victor Karlinsky (Victor Karlinsky). The real killer is played by prolific character actor Zooey Hall, here billed as David Z. Hall. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
The doctors and paramedics encounter unexpected difficulties while planning a surprise party for head nurse Dixie (Julie London)--especially when it appears that she won't even show up due to a broken ankle. Back on the job, the team rushes to the rescue when a 1000-pound advertising sign threatens to collapse on two workers, a man is stuck in his own sauna bath, and and stubborn old woman becomes trapped in a an apartment building that will soon explode. Former Dick Van Dyke Show regular Ann Morgan Guilbert has a rather prickly cameo role as a motorcyclist who has landed in a cactus patch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Caught in a heavy rainstorm on Walton's Mountain, a family of Gypsies takes refuge it what seems to be a deserted house. Actually, it's the home of the Baldwin sisters, temporarily out of town. The Gypsies' unwitting "break-in" fuels the bigotry of Matt Beckwith (William Bramley), who tries to turn the other residents of the Mountain against the nomadic family. When the Waltons offer to lend a helping hand, the Gypsies are too proud to accept...even though their baby is gravely ill. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Richard Fleischer directed this nightmarish science fiction vision of an over-populated world, based on the novel by Harry Harrison. In 2022, New York City is a town bursting at the seams with a 40-million-plus population. Food is in short supply, and most of the population's food source comes from synthetics manufactured in local factories -- the dinner selections being a choice between Soylent Blue, Soylent Yellow, or Soylent Green. When William Simonson (Joseph Cotten), an upper-echelon executive in the Soylent Company, is found murdered, police detective Thorn (Charlton Heston) is sent in to investigate the case. Helping him out researching the case is Thorn's old friend Sol Roth (Edward G. Robinson, in his final film role). As they investigate the environs of a succession of mad-from-hunger New Yorkers and the luxuriously rich digs of the lucky few, Thorn uncovers the terrible truth about the real ingredients of Soylent Green. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, (more)
- 1968
Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) is on the hunt for Red spy major Jan Anka, who has assumed the identity of deceased American Albert Robinson. Having thus far successfully eluded the Feds, Anka is confronted with an unexpected threat to his safety with the arrival of a girl named Janet (Julie Sommars), who is convinced that "Robinson" is her long-lost father. With one murder charge already hanging over his head, Anka may be forced to kill again to rid himself of the "inconvenient" Janet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
A team of research scientists believe they have discovered a superior intelligence. Jim Tanner (George Hamilton) and his pretty partner Margery Lansing (Susan Pleshette) have discovered the entity through their work on human endurance. The Power is able to control the minds of others, but Jim can't substantiate his suspicions that the force comes from one of the members of the scientific staff. A series of murders has Jim under suspicion by the police, as he tries to uncover the identity of the killer. Yvonne De Carlo, Earl Holliman, and Miss Beverly Hills also star in this sci-fi mystery. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Hamilton, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1967
One of the most famous episodes of the original Star Trek series, "Amok Time" finds the normally logical, restrained Mr. Spock acting oddly and demonstrating an uncharacteristically short temper. His fellow officers soon discover that Spock is passing through pon farr, the Vulcan mating period; during this period, which reoccurs every seven years, Vulcans are compelled to mate or die. To save his first mate, Captain Kirk redirects the Enterprise to the planet Vulcan, so Spock can participate in the traditional mating ritual, which shall be overseen by the great Vulcan elder T'Pau and include an arranged marriage to his pre-selected mate, T'Pring. When they arrive, however, T'Pring has another suitor. Spock expects to face this suitor in a fight to the death, another part of the ritual; however, as part of her own secret scheme, T'Pring selects another champion: Kirk. Kirk soon finds himself facing a crazed Spock in deadly combat, with no apparent chance of escape. Penned by acclaimed science-fiction writer Theodore Sturgeon, this episode is remembered most for the rare glimpse inside the Vulcan culture, and the memorable final battle sequence. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- 1967
To brighten the existence of elderly, homesick Norwegian nun Sr. Olaf (Celia Lovsky), Sr. Bertrille takes to the air and "arranges" a sudden snowstorm. Her act of largesse not only wreaks havoc with a confused weatherman (Woodrow Parfrey), but also threatens to destroy the San Juan tourist trade. First broadcast on December 21, 1967, (it couldn't be seen in August, could it?), "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" was written by Richard De Roy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
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Schlockmeister Roger Corman produced this graphically violent chronicle of the Chicago gangster wars of the 1920s and the events that lead to the bloody title showdown between rival mobsters Al Capone (Jason Robards) and Bugs Moran (Ralph Meeker) that marked a brutal end to a terrifying era. Fred Steiner's film score is effectively mixed with popular songs from the 1920s, and the re-creation of gangster-era Chicago is a credit to the set designers. Historic and insightful narration is dramatically provided by Paul Frees, giving the film the flavor of a docudrama. Jean Hale plays Moran's gun moll, who is mercilessly kneed in the stomach while arguing over a fur coat. Though The St. Valentine's Day Massacre was heralded by critics at the time of its initial release, their opinion of the film has changed with each decade as they waver on the cinematic value of all of Corman's work. Audiences continue to relish the film, which is often shown on the anniversary of the bloody executions. Watch for Jack Nicholson as one of the unfortunate victims. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Robards, Jr., George Segal, (more)
- 1966
Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) must capture enemy spy Sladek (Charles Korvin) before the man can report to his superiors. Sladek has in his possession a coded list of all the anti-Communist insurgents in his own country, a document that would result in mass executions should it fall into the wrong hands. Complicating Erskine's assignment is the fact that Sladek has fallen in love with Marya Pazmany, a naturalized American citizen who finds her loyalties torn between her adopted country and her treacherous lover. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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)
- 1965
Hurriedly assembled to capitalize on the Paramount feature of the same name, Magna Pictures' Harlow was shot in less than two weeks, utilizing a glorified TV-kinescope process called Electronovision. Carol Lynley is physically an excellent choice to play 1930s Hollywood "platinum blonde" Jean Harlow, though she has little of Harlow's casual charisma. Pushed into a movie career by Mama Jean (Ginger Rogers) in order to support her dysfunctional family, Jean rises from 2-reel comedies to big-budget features in the space of a year. Though one of the highest-priced stars at MGM, Jean's fortune is rapidly depleted by her high-living (and, it is hinted, incestuous) stepfather Marino Bello (Barry Sullivan). Seeking happiness and security, Jean marries producer Paul Bern (Hurd Hatfield), only to have him commit suicide due to his impotence. Just when her misery is about to be ended by her marriage to movie star William Mansfield (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.)--a thinly disguised William Powell, who refused to allow his name or likeness to be used--Jean dies of uremia at the age of 26. If you can get past those miserable Laurel & Hardy imitators at the beginning of Harlow, you might be able to survive the rest of the picture, which gives a whole new meaning to the word "cheap." Watch for boxing champ Sonny Liston in a one-scene bit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carol Lynley, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., (more)
In 1950, Maj. Jefferson Pike (James Garner), an Army intelligence agent who served with distinction in World War II, awakens in a hospital with severe amnesia. He isn't sure where he is, how he got there, or even who the woman at his side is, even though the doctor tells him that her name is Anna (Eva Marie Saint) and that she is his wife. The doctor instructs Pike to recall, in as much detail as possible, what he was doing before the accident that caused his traumatic memory loss. But the doctor isn't a doctor, Anna isn't Pike's wife, it isn't 1950, and he isn't in an American hospital. World War II is still very much in progress, and Pike is being duped in an elaborate scheme prepared by Maj. Walter Gerber (Rod Taylor), a German intelligence agent. Gerber is trying to trick a drugged and suggestible Pike into telling him everything he knows, as the injured soldier lies in a Bavarian military hospital after being taken prisoner. Will Pike be able to see through the cracks in Gerber's facade before he spills the beans that could mean death and defeat for American soldiers? 36 Hours was later remade for TV under the title Breaking Point. TV fans will want to keep an eye peeled for bit parts by James Doohan from Star Trek and John Banner from Hogan's Heroes. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Garner, Eva Marie Saint, (more)
- 1964
Clearly inspired by the then-current publicity blitz surrounding the Elizabeth Taylor film version of Cleopatra, this Twilight Zone episode was credited to scriptwriter Charles Beaumont, even though Jerry Sohl did the actual writing. Ann Blyth stars as Pamela Morris, a seemingly ageless movie queen. Determined to find out why Pamela is as beautiful as she was during the silent-film era, journalist Jordan Herrick (Lee Herrick) shows up at the actress' home for an interview. He ends up getting the story of his life -- which turns out to be a significant shorter life than that enjoyed by Pamela Morris. "Queen of the Nile" first aired March 6, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ann Blyth, Lee Philips, (more)
- 1963
In one of the few "procedural" dramas presented on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, the health officials and police department of Los Angeles race against time to prevent an anthrax epidemic. They must also keep secret the fact that they've found a disease-ridden corpse, lest they throw the city into a panic. Dedicated young health official Dr. Dana (Michael Parks) joins forces with older colleagues Dr. Oliver (Charles McGraw) and Deputy Sheriff Judd (Berkeley Harris) to pinpoint and isolate the source of the anthrax -- strenuously battling bureaucracy and red tape every inch of the way. "Diagnosis: Danger" was intended as the pilot for a weekly series starring Michael Parks, but the project failed to find a sponsor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles McGraw, Michael Parks, (more)
- 1962
After suffering a blow on the head, Phil Townsend (Richard Basehart) awakens to discover that he has long been suffering from amnesia. Realizing that he's slated to be married, Phil rushes to the house of his fiancée, only to discover that he is three years late. Soon afterward, he finds out that he has spent those three years living under the name of David Webber -- and as it happens, "David Webber" is suspected of murdering the wife of his ex-employer. This episode is based on a novel by Cornell Woolrich, previously filmed in 1942 as Street of Chance (with Burgess Meredith as the amnesiac protagonist) and thereafter adapted several times for the radio anthology Suspense. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
This was the last film by director Stuart Heisler, and in his uneven output it was not one of the most memorable. The evil dictator (Richard Basehart) is shown to be very much involved with his love life, as though impotency and a severe Oedipal complex alone could account for his dominion over Germany and the insanity that led into World War II. Other characters in the top echelons make their way into and out of the story, including Heinrich Himmler (Rick Traeger), Joseph Goebbels (Martin Kosleck), and of course, Eva Braun (Marla Emo). Any viewers looking for an explanation of how the madness within Hitler related to his rise to power and his downfall, will best look elsewhere. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Basehart, Cordula Trantow, (more)
- 1961
The "Kiss of Death girl" is Francey McKay (Jan Sterling), who runs the blackjack table at a mob-controlled gambling house. Every time a man falls in love with Francey, he ends up shot full of holes: her most recent "victim" was Whitey Barrows (Wesley Lau), who worked for Francey's bootlegger boss Lou Scalisi (David J. Stewart). Though Scalisi and his fellow hoodlums hold Francey personally responsible for the ongoing friction between the booze runners and a gang of hijackers, it really isn't the poor girl's fault. All she wants to do is get out of the rackets, and she's looking for a nice guy who'll show her the way--and can she help it if every guy she knows is mixed up with the rackets? Mickey Shaughnessy is seen as Henny Combs, a softhearted nightclub bouncer who shares Francey's dream of going straight...without, of course, committing the fatal blunder of cooperating with Elliot Ness (Robert Stack). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Patricia Medina guest-stars as Rosita Morales, a former cabaret dancer. A pair of con artists, Luga (Sebastian Cabot) and Sanchez (Paul Picerni), hire Rosita to pose as Spanish noblewoman Isabella Marie Inez de la Cuesta. It is the first step in a scheme to claim the valuable De La Cuesta Land Grant -- which includes a generous portion of the Ponderosa. Written by David Dortort and Leonard Heideman, "The Spanish Grant" was originally telecast on February 6, 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1959
After receiving a brooch from lovelorn student Tomachek (Robert Ellenstein), Lois Morrision (Barbara Baxley), who teaches in a classroom comprised of adult immigrants, suddenly begins writing on the blackboard in a language she has never used--and doesn't even recognize. But Tomachek does understand the language, and recognizes the chalk writings as a message from a girl he knew a long time ago. What Lois doesn't realize--until it is almost too late--is that the message is a dark and foreboding one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) investigate the savage murder of a lunch counter proprietor. The main piece of evidence is a linoleum knife with a taped handle--but alas, with no fingerprints. Ultimately, the detectives detectives that the victim may have had the same last name as the murderer. Without tipping off the ending, it can be noted that a young Leonard Nimoy appears as a character named Karlo Rozwadowski...a "big name" indeed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Hotel waitress Thelma Tompkins (Olive Deering) is surprised to learn that wealthy Mrs. Mannerheim (Celia Lovsky) has named Thelma in her will. Relating this news to her lazy musician boyfriend, Arthur (Rick Jason), in hopes that he will propose to her, Thelma is disappointed when Arthur replies that marriage is out of the question until Mrs. Mannerheim dies. Giving this set of circumstances, Thelma and Arthur have no alternative than to "help" Mrs. Mannerheim shuffle off her mortal coil -- a scheme ultimately foiled by the usual ironic twist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Sal Mineo, who'd previously registered well as the lead in the TV drama Drummer Man, essays a strikingly similar role in The Gene Krupa Story. The film details Krupa's troubled home life: (he wanted to be a musician; his father wanted him to become a priest), his rise to fame as drummer for the Benny Goodman orchestra, his years on top as a bandleader, and his ongoing problems with drug abuse. A fictional romantic subplot is grafted onto the proceeding involving clearly defined "good" and "bad" girls Ethel Maguire (Susan Kohner) and Dorissa Dinelli (Susan Oliver). Yvonne Craig has an entertaining scene as an anachronistically garbed good-time girl. Craig would later recall that, at the time of shooting The Gene Krupa Story, she weighed more than Sal Mineo, and that in the scene where he's required to lift her off the floor, she virtually had to lift him. Mineo, a drummer of some accomplishment, convincingly wields the sticks during the musical highlights, though the trickier drum solos were dubbed in by Gene Krupa himself. Real-life recording stars Anita O'Day, Red Nichols, Bobby Troup and Shelley Manne make cameo appearances. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sal Mineo, Susan Kohner, (more)
- 1958
Superstar-to-be Charles Bronson is atypically cast as Chris Sorenson, a rough-hewn by shy rancher who is hopelessly in love with aristocratic Spanish ranch owner Maria deCastro (Grace Raynor). For a nominal fee, Paladin (Richard Boone) attempts to help Chris win Maria's love by teaching him how to talk and behave like a proper gentleman. The fly in the ointment is Maria's crooked foreman Brewer (Edmund Johnson), who frames Chris on a cattle-rustling charge. Watch for a young Dyan Cannon in a bit role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
In this drama, a Jewish refugee finds himself stranded in Paris just as the Nazi invaders arrive. Desperate to escape, he commanders the car of a Polish colonel who hates Jews. In order to save himself, the colonel helps the fellow escape. En route, they pick up the officer's girl friend. Trouble begins when the girl finds herself attracted to the Jewish fellow who is really quite witty and charming. The colonel is not amused, but eventually they three end up hiding in a castle. Unfortunately, they are captured anyway. To help them out, the Jewish fellow pretends the colonel is his cousin and they manage to escape. This causes the colonel to change his attitudes and the two become friends. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Danny Kaye, Curd Jürgens, (more)
