John Lupton Movies
Born in Illinois, actor John Lupton was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his father was a writer with the Milwaukee Journal. Upon graduation from New York's American Acamedy of Dramatic Arts, Lupton secured immediate stage work, then was signed as a contract player with MGM in Hollywood. Few worthwhile parts came from this alliance; Lupton was lanky and handsome in a Jimmy Stewart or Henry Fonda sort of way, but wasn't permitted to develop much of an on-screen persona of his own. His best opportunity came in 1956, when he was cast as Tom Jeffords on the two-season TV series Broken Arrow -- though most of the critical plaudits were directed at his costar Michael Ansara, who played the more colorful part of Cochise. A journeyman actor throughout the '60s, Lupton became one of the rotating "repertory" cast members of the TV series of Jack Webb (Dragnet, Adam 12, et al.) He is best known to latter-day viewers for his 14 year run as Tommy Horton on the daytime serial Days of Our Lives. John Lupton's offscreen pursuits included extensive volunteer work for the Multiple Sclerosis Association and the Special Olympics. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1988
Inasmuch as Gunsmoke star James Arness was the protégé of movie luminary John Wayne, it is altogether fitting and proper that Arness step into Wayne's role in the 1988 TV-movie remake of the film classic Red River (1948). The remake follows the original slavishly, at least during the first half. Taciturn, no-nonsense trail boss Arness, in charge of a major cattle drive, runs roughshod over his hired hands. The trail boss' adopted son (Bruce Boxleitner playing the role essayed by Montgomery Clift in the original) finally rebels against the old man's tyranny and signs on with a rival outfit. Gregory Harrison, who also co-produced the film, co-stars as the hot-headed character played by John Ireland back in 1948. Incredibly, Arness is largely absent in the closing scene of the TV version of Red River (1988), thereby weakening the story's fabled showdown denouncement. The film pales in comparison to the original, though TV fans will find compensation in the presence of several former western-series stars (Guy Madison, Ty Hardin, Robert Horton, John Lupton) in supporting roles. Red River (1988) first rode over the TV horizon on April 10, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
The perfume business is dramatized in this soap opera-like made-for-television movie. Based on the novel by Meredith Rich, Genie Francis (who played the infamous Laura on General Hospital) stars as Tiger Hayes, a woman who decides to start her own fragrance company. Typical soap dramas abound in this two-part movie, which was the pilot for a short-lived television series. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Linda Evans, (more)
- 1981
Underpublicized and underappreciated, the US ice hockey team heads for the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York. Driven a manner than can be described as merciless by coach Herb Brooks (Karl Malden), the team has learned how to swallow months of defeat and disappointment press on to success. The result: A stunning victory over the high-profile Russian and Finnish skating teams. Actual scenes from the Olympic finals are seamlessly blended with recreations of the event in this made-for-TV movie. Miracle on Ice costars Andrew Stevens as team captain Mike Eruzione. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
This TV movie stars Tony Randall as Sidney Shorr, a reclusive, middle-aged commercial artist. Sidney opens himself up a bit to an ebullient young actress (Lorna Patterson)--who shocks the shockable Mr. Shorr by becoming pregnant. If we haven't mentioned the fact that Sidney Shorr is gay, it's because the film itself never spells out the fact; his gayness is conveyed through subtle signs and suggestions. Nonetheless, when Sidney Shorr: A Girl's Best Friend became a weekly series titled Love Sidney, there was such an uproar from various pressure groups (of all persuasions) that Shorr's homosexuality was muted down to virtual oblivion. Tony Randall continued to play Sidney Shorr in Love Sidney, but the live-in actress was portrayed by Swoosie Kurtz rather than Lorna Patterson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
While searching for an embezzler who disappeared after posting bail, Jim (James Garner) asks one question too many at an elite health club. As a result, he is knocked out, heavily sedated, and bundled off to a mental institution. Unable to convince anyone of his real identity and surrounded by delusional patients who imagine themselves to be everyone from "James Bond" to "Doc Holliday", Jim nonetheless manages to find the man he's looking for and to figure out who is responsible for his current predicament--and why. Now all he has to do is escape the institution and inform the authorities. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Doctors' Private Lives was the 2-hour pilot film for the shortlived TV series of the same name. Ed Nelson and John Gavin star as, respectively, chief surgeon Dr. Michael Wise and cardiovascular unit chief Dr. Jeffrey Latimer. The drama arises from the ongoing clash of egos between these two medical giants. Nelson and Gavin were carried over to the series, as was Randolph Powell as Dr. Rick Calder. The guest cast includes Bettye Ackerman, who had ironically costarred in an earlier hospital series, Ben Casey (Ackerman was the wife of Sam "Dr. Zorba" Jaffee). Doctors' Private Lives premiered March 20, 1978; the series itself ran from April 5 to 28, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
This episode is a sobering lesson in civil liberties--or rather, the lack of those liberties when an innocent citizen is brought before a Federal Grand Jury. Much to his dismay, Jim Rockford (James Garner) is repeatedly subpoenaed and harrassed by zealous Federal prosecutor Gary Bevins (William Daniels), who is convinced that the detective knows more than he is willing to admit about the disappearance of union boss Frank Sorvino. When he isn't serving jail time for contempt of court, Jim is kept busy ducking and dodging Sorvino's cronies, as well as someone who is trying to kill him. Though ultimately Jim clears himself, justice has still not been served--and the episode ends with a blistering attack on the iniquities of the legal process as Rockford throws the prosecutor's sanctimonious words right back at him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Jim's former girlfriend Karen Stiles (Susan Strasberg) sweet-talks the detective into delivering a briefcase full of escrow papers to a real estate office. Only when it is too late does Jim (James Garner) discover that he has been conned into transporting $100,000 worth of counterfeit money. And that's not all: Karen may also be involved in a diamond-fencing operation. The stakes are suddenly raised when Karen is kidnapped by her confederates--but who, exactly, is double-crossing whom? This is the final episode of The Rockford Files' second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
James Franciscus stars as a university professor with an eye on bigger things. Using his inherent promotional know-how, he launches a career in the record industry, eventually operating his own top-selling label. To insure that the local stations will run his artists' recordings, Franciscus crosses certain deejays' palms with silver. That's called payola, and that's against the law. His empire shattered, Franciscus is reduced to cabdriving to earn a living--and by the end of the film he's neither earning nor living. Singer Kenny Rogers makes his acting debut as one of Franciscus' clients; also featured is Rogers' former First Edition colleague Mickey Jones. Made for television, The Dream Makers has pretenses of profundity, but ultimately is as pointless as its abrupt climax. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
The SWAT team scours the city in search of an elusive assassin named Bravo (Christopher George). Although under normal circumstances the situation would be tense, indeed (the life of a prominent senator is at stake), and on this occasion the team is racing against time in more ways than one: Unbeknownst to himself, Bravo has contacted a deadly and highly contagious disease. Comedienne Rose Marie makes the first of several guest appearances as Hilda. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Forrest, Rod Perry, (more)
- 1974
While performing with a street-theater troupe, Ironside's goddaughter Peggy Lynch (Kathleen Quinlan) witnesses a murder. Rather than summon the police, Peggy allows her boyfriend Jamie (Ron Thompson) to talk her into running away. Ironside (Raymond Burr) scours the city in search of the girl, not knowing that the real reason for her flight is because her boyfriend is a wanted car thief. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the wake of the 45-million-dollar gross of the original Airport (1970), Universal was all but required by an act of Congress to produce Airport '75. Charlton Heston heads the all-star cast as Alan Murdock, the former test pilot who must keep a disabled 747 from crashing in flames. The crisis begins when a businessman (Dana Andrews), flying his small private plane, suffers a fatal heart attack and the plane smashes into the cockpit of the 747. Following Murdock's radioed instructions, stewardess Nancy Pryor (Karen Black) takes over the controls. The special-guest passenger lineup includes Helen Reddy as a singing nun (a character wickedly satirized in the 1980 parody Airplane!), Myrna Loy as an alcoholic, and Sid Caesar as a garrulous passenger. While Airport '75 yielded only 25 million dollars at the box office, the franchise continued, spawning Airport '77 a few years later and Airport '79 two years after that. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Karen Black, (more)
- 1974
In this thriller, an enigmatic phantom lives in the dank tunnels running beneath the ramshackle back lot of a former movie lot. When prospective buyers endeavor to purchase the property, the furious phantom goes on the rampage. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1974
In the 240th and final episode of The F.B.I., Inspector Lew Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) and his partner Chris Daniels (Shelly Novack) are hot on the trail of escaped convict Sam Belson (Jon Cypher). The two agents manage to capture Belson in the middle of the California wilderness, but in the process Daniels is seriously wounded. It now falls to Erskine to guide himself, Belson and Daniels to safety--but time is rapidly running out for the Inspector's injured fellow agent, who may die unless he receives emergency medical treatment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Red Buttons stars in this TV comedy drama as Alexander, a retired circus clown. The kids in Alexander's neighborhood love the old fellow because he is always friendly, always fun, and chock-full of exciting and amusing "tall tales." Ultimately, the youngsters (among them an 11-year-old Jodie Foster) get to prove their devotion to Alexander by saving his rundown home from being condemned. Alexander originally aired as the final entry of ABC Afterschool Special's first season. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Red Buttons, Jodie Foster, (more)
One of the best of the early-1970s Disney farces, The World's Greatest Athlete stars Jan-Michael Vincent in the title role. A "wild boy" living off the land in the jungles of Africa, Vincent is discovered by coaches Tim Conway and John Amos. Cursed with a last-place college athletic lineup, Conway and Amos hope that Vincent will pull them out of their years-long slump. And he does, but not before several Disneyesque slapstick highlights, not to mention a handful of amusing special-effects gags (at one point, Conway is shrunk to mouse size by witch doctor Roscoe Lee Browne). Despite its formidable lineup of comedians-Conway, Billy DeWolfe, Nancy Walker, Vito Scotti et. al.--The World's Greatest Athlete's funniest line goes to guest star Howard Cosell! The script is the handiwork of Gerald Gardner and Dee Caruso, late of That Was the Week That Was and Get Smart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Conway, Jan-Michael Vincent, (more)
- 1972
This is a remake of The Asphalt Jungle with an all black cast. In it a paroled convict plans to steal $3 million work of jewels, sell them, and use the bread to start a bank to back black businesses. He is assisted by two pals, his half-brother, and a preacher who also works as a thief. The operation is ultimately backed by a man who cheats on his wheelchair-bound wife with a sexy woman. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
A teenage runaway gets more than she bargained for when she moves into an old hotel in this wildly offbeat shocker from director Paul Bartel. Cheryl (Ayn Ruymen) fled an unhappy home in Ohio for the sunny skies of California with her best friend in tow; however, after they have a falling out, Cheryl is left with no place to stay. Remembering that her Aunt Martha (Lucille Benson) runs a hotel, Cheryl arrives at the King Edward, a decaying residential inn located in one of L.A.'s less desirable neighborhoods, and persuades Martha to give her a room for a few days. Cheryl soon discovers the King Edward is home to a wide variety of eccentrics -- defrocked priests with muscle-men fetishes, falling-down alcoholics, senile old women, and a voyeuristic photographer named George (John Ventantonio). Cheryl, who indulges her own voyeuristic impulses by sneaking into the rooms of her fellow boarders, is attracted to George and enjoys playing dress-up as he watches her though a peephole, despite Aunt Martha's warnings not to interact with the other guests. But when Cheryl decides to cross the line into physical action with George, she learns his obsessions are more dangerous than she imagined -- and that both he and Aunt Martha have some rather surprising secrets. Private Parts was cult figure Paul Bartel's first feature film; it was produced for MGM, but was released through their Premier Productions subsidiary, perhaps in deference to the film's kinky sexual content. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
In this heartwarming family-oriented adventure from Disney, an adorable orphan named Napoleon (Johnny Whitaker) is sent to live on his grandfather's Oregon farm. There he is befriended by a college student (Michael Douglas) who has come to the spread to work as a goat herder during the summer. One day a traveling circus comes to town and before it leaves, the lion trainer gives the grandfather an aging lion named Major to care for. This makes Napoleon happy until his grandpa suddenly dies. Not wanting to be sent to an orphanage, the boy convinces the goat herder to help him bury the old man. The goat boy then returns to the wilderness while the youngster and his lion try to get by. Eventually the authorities get wind of the death and come to investigate. The boy panics, and he and the lion set off into the wilds to find the goat herder. A young girl named Samantha (Jody Foster making her feature film debut) joins them and they have many exciting adventures. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Penny Fuller guest stars as Jean Scott, an accomplished thief and con artist. Freshly escaped from prison, Jean charms several gullible males into acting as accomplices in a nationwide robbery spree. She needs the money to kidnap her son from her ex-husband and then leave the country with the boy in tow--unless, of course, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) can stop her. Appearing as Jean's son Tommy is a pre-teen idoldom Leif Garrett. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Astronaut Monte Markham has been dispatched to the heavens on the first US space trip to Mars. When TV coverage is abruptly cut off, the official story reads that there's been a slight malfunction, and that Markham is heading home. Only space official Jackie Cooper and a handful of associates know the truth: Markham has died a horrible death on the surface of Mars. To save the space program (not to mention American morale), a look-alike--also played by Monte Markham--is paraded before the cameras as the "returning" hero. It's doubtful, however, that the subterfuge will work on the astronaut's suspicious wife (Susan Clark). The Astronaut originally aired January 8, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
It looks like it's going to be a "Dark Christmas" for the family of Richard Ghormley (John Lupton), former employee of smuggler William Shrack (Eugene Peterson). Though innocent of any wrongdoing himself, Ghormley knows too much about Shrack's operation for his own good. Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) races against time to prevent Ghormley from being killed by professional hitman Stuart Tilden (Don Gordon)--who has already shot down several people who've have the misfortune to get in his way. Appearing as Tilden's erstwhile girlfriend is Sondra Locke, future leading lady (both onscreen and off) of Clint Eastwood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
This episode marks the first series appearance of Elizabeth Baur as rookie policewoman Fran Belding. Anxious to prove that her murdered police-captain father is innocent of corruption charges, Fran tags along with Ironside and his team as they conduct their investigation of the killing. Though the overeager rookie proves to be more hindrance than help, Ironside is impressed by her diligence and dedication. Meanwhile, two-bit gambler Charlie (played by singer Bobby Darin in one of his last TV appearances) weaves in and out of the plotline, "helpfully" providing information that might clear Fran's dad--all the while pursuing a sinister hidden agenda. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy are hunting for a prowler when they are suddenly besieged by a sniper. Things get dicier when it appears that the unseen gunman has a particular grudge against Jim Reed. Former Lost in Space regular Angela Cartwright appears in the role of "Cindy Williams"--long before the actress of the same name achieved stardom on Laverne and Shirley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
In order to qualify for a top-secret assignment, Ironside (Raymond Burr) must first undergo an evaluation conducted by psychologist William Danner (Bradford Dillman). This involves a "stress test" to see how far Ironside can be pushed before he will break. Unfortunately, Danner has a hidden agenda which places Ironside in physical as well as emotional jeopardy--and worse still, it seems as if none of the Chief's assistants will be on hand to rescue him in the traditional nick of time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
