Ken Lynch Movies
Character actor, onscreen from the '50s; he often played military men, sheriffs, or policemen. ~ All Movie Guide- 1970
Wounded and in a state of shock, Officer Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) is held captive by two escaped convicts in a small café. Malloy's partner is told that unless he frees the convicts' comrade from jail, Pete will be killed. It is at this point that the department's S.W.A.T. team swings into action--and this being a Jack Webb production, the viewer is given a crash course on this elite unit's modus operandi. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
A distraught man named Carl (Gary Merrill) climbs onto a skyscraper ledge, apparently planning to jump off. Several police officials and psychiatrists show up hoping to talk Carl out of suicide, but he refuses to talk to them, and in fact won't even reveal the reason that he has decided to end it all. Only when Officer Barrett (Mark Richman) arrives on the scene does Carl explain that his wife has recently killed herself after cheating on him with a man named Steve -- but why is Barrett able to succeed where so many others have failed? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Tennis player Walter Richmond (Robert Horton) finds a perfect doubles partner in the shapely form of attractive young widow Laura Gild (Betsy Von Furstenberg). As the two get to know each other better, the insatiably curious Walter begins asking questions about Laura's dear, departed husband. It would have been far better, however, if Walter had kept his curiosity to himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Archie predicts disaster when Mike and Lionel participate in an anti-Pentagon demonstration at the U.N. building. It turns out that Archie is right -- but disaster befalls him, when, showing up at the demonstration to take Mike and Lionel home, he ends up in the slammer himself. Allan Melvin appears as Desk Sergeant Pulaski, and it's too bad that Archie doesn't know the good sergeant's last name before he shoots off his mouth in the final scene. Scripted by Paul Wayne, Michael Ross, and Bernie West from a story by Wayne, "Archie In the Lock-Up" originally aired on October 2, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1973
All in the Family ventures into Rashomon territory when Archie and Mike offer two different versions of the same story. It all began when Archie called in a couple of repairmen to fix the Bunkers' refrigerator. According to Archie, the repair crew consisted of an intimidating Mafia don and a knife-wielding black gang-banger, while Mike insists that the two workers were a stereotypical musical-comedy Italian and an Amos 'N' Andy-style shuffler. It is up to Edith to tell the real story, without editorial interpolations. Ken Lynch and future Barney Miller co-star Ron Glass deliver bravura performances as repairmen Bob and Jack, while the regular cast members get to display their versatility as well. Written by Don Nicholl, "Everybody Tells the Truth" first aired on March 3, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
Based on the best-selling novel by Robert Traver (the pseudonym for Michigan Supreme Court justice John D. Voelker), Anatomy of a Murder stars James Stewart as seat-of-the-pants Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler. Through the intervention of his alcoholic mentor, Parnell McCarthy (Arthur O'Connell), Biegler accepts the case of one Lt. Manion (Ben Gazzara), an unlovable lout who has murdered a local bar owner. Manion admits that he committed the crime, citing as his motive the victim's rape of the alluring Mrs. Manion (Lee Remick). Faced with the formidable opposition of big-city prosecutor Claude Dancer (George C. Scott), Biegler hopes to win freedom for his client by using as his defense the argument of "irresistible impulse." Also featured in the cast is Eve Arden as Biegler's sardonic secretary, Katherine Grant as the woman who inherits the dead man's business, and Joseph N. Welch -- who in real life was the defense attorney in the Army-McCarthy hearings -- as the ever-patient judge. The progressive-jazz musical score is provided by Duke Ellington, who also appears in a brief scene. Producer/director Otto Preminger once more pushed the envelope in Anatomy of a Murder by utilizing technical terminology referring to sexual penetration, which up until 1959 was a cinematic no-no. Contrary to popular belief, Preminger was not merely being faithful to the novel; most of the banter about "panties" and "semen," not to mention the 11-hour courtroom revelation, was invented for the film. Anatomy of a Murder was filmed on location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Stewart, Lee Remick, (more)
- 1964
This western presents a more sympathetic view of Native Americans than is usually found in the genre as it tells the tale of the army commander of an Arizona outpost who despises all Indians until he falls in love with a beautiful missionary girl. He must change his ways because one of her parents is an Apache. Unfortunately, his attempts to reform are nearly foiled by greedy gold-seekers trying to start a war with the local Apaches. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audie Murphy, Michael Dante, (more)
- 1973
When a couple of coal miners decide to turn into gangsters they find they're still in the wrong business. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1979
Experiment in Terra is a 60-minute episode of the TV sci-fi series Battlestar Gallactica. Joining regulars Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict is guest villain John Calicos as the outer space "quisling" Baltar. In plotting his escape from Battlestar Galactica, Baltar also plans to free the imprisoned rebels of the planet Terra. You might get some fun guessing what planet Terra is really supposed to be and spotting how many plot elements are "borrowed" from Star Wars. Experiment in Terra was first shown March 11, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, (more)
Crooked sheepherder Jeb Drummond (Everett Sloane) is caught trying to graze his flock on the Ponderosa without permission. Ben Cartwright orders Jeb and his sons Billy (Ray Daley) and Burton (Tom Reese) to get out and stay out. But Jeb has other plans -- and he kidnaps Ben's son Adam to make sure those plans are carried out. First telecast on February 13, 1960, "Blood on the Land" was written by Robert E. Thompson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1967
Thoroughly immersed in the mystery novel Inspector Foot of Scotland Yard, Joe Cartwright begins to fancy himself an ace detective. Attempting to apply the latest Scotlard Yard techniques to prevent a bank robbery, Joe causes more trouble than he's worth-while his dad Ben and Sheriff Coffee end up in jail! The episode's key fight scene is a deliberately spoof of the then-popular Batman TV series. Cowritten by Bonanza star Michael Landon and Oliver Crawford, "Joe Cartwright, Detective" was first shown on March 5, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1963
In this sequel to the 1962 Bonanza episode "Inger, My Love," Ben Cartwright once again waxes nostalgic over his late second wife, Inger (again played by Inga Swenson). In a lengthy flashback, Ben and Inger head westward to a remote frontier outpost, where they are besieged by hostile Indians. In the course of the story, Inger's son Hoss is born (and, for the benefit of the viewer, it is explained that Hoss' name holds a special meaning in Inger's native country). Also in the cast are Johnny Stephens as five-year-old Adam Cartwright, Gene Evans as Lucas, Kevin Hagen as Simon, Dee Carroll as Rachel, Ken Lynch as Welks, John Frederick as Payne, Kathleen O'Malley as Mrs. Payne, and William Fawcett as Tulliver. Written by Anthony Lawrence, "Journey Remembered" was originally seen on November 10, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1963
While hunting down a wolf, Adam Cartwright accidentally shoots and nearly kills his own brother Joe. Thoroughly disgusted by the violence indigenous to the West, Adam vows to leave Nevada for good. In this he is encouraged by Sheila (Carolyn Kearney), an ardent-but as it turns out, misguided-pacifist. Featured in the cast are Brendan Dillon as Emmet, Ken Lynch as Doud, Addison Richards as Dr. Kay, and Jason Johnson as Vince. Originally broadcast April 7, 1963, "My Brother's Keeper" was written by Seeleg Lester. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1962
Abducted by the Shoshones at the age of six, teenager Billy Horn (Carl Reindel is brought back to the White Man's world by Ben Cartwright. As Billy tries to adjust to a different set of rules and values, he forms a strong friendship with Ben's son Joe. Meanwhile, a slick operator named Milton Tanner (Ken Lynch) has laid claim to the Ponderosa, using a set of old land grants as proof of possession. While Ben prepares legal recourse with family lawyer Lewis (Robert Burton), Billy tries to use Indian methods to defend his new friends against the mean-spirited Tanner-with tragic consequences. Raymond Bailey, minus the toupe he wore as Milburn Drysdale on The Beverly Hillbillies, appears as the Judge in the closing scenes. Written by Preston Wood, "The Beginning" first aired on November 25, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
Gilbert Roland guest-stars as poor but proud horse rangher Jim Acton. Hoping to get back on his financial feet, Acton is devastated when his prize mare is legally awared to Sam Whipple (Ken Lynch). Not long afterward, Acton kills Sam in self defense, but an overeager deputy named Pete (Pat Conway) is determined to prove Sam a murderer, and to bring him to justice dead or alive-preferably dead. As always, the Cartwrights intervene. Written by Thomas Thompson, this episode served to reunite two veterans of the Republic Pictures B-western mill: Director William Witney, and supporting actor Roy Barcroft. "The Lonely Runner" was first broadcast on October 10, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1978
- R
The Carry On series is living on fumes in this late entry. An unofficial burlesque of the Emmanuelle series (albeit with a single modification: the spelling of the name was changed to 'Emmannuelle' to avoid legal complications), the film centers upon Emmannuelle Prevert (Suzanne Danielle) and her unsuccessful attempts to make love to her husband Emile (Kenneth Williams), a French ambassador. Emile grants Emmannuelle permission to bed down with anyone she likes and her prodigious intercourse rate turns her into a celebrity and a frequent talk show guest. Meanwhile, Theodore Valentine (Larry Dann) is hopelessly in love with her and wants to marry her. Emmannuelle, however, is obsessed with arousing her husband Emile's sexual desire at almost any cost. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzanne Danielle, Kenny Williams, (more)
This is the 20th feature in the successful "Carry On" series of bawdy slapstick comedies. Sidney Bliss (Sidney James) and his faithful assistant Sophie (Hattie Jacques) run a bogus matrimonial agency designed to unite people looking for love and romance. One couple never speaks a word in the film but are seen kissing in strange and familiar places. Three love-starved ladies offer their services to anyone who asks, and an excellent pie fight harkens back to the days of the classic silent comedies, with continual running gags and sexual innuendo permeating the film. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sidney James, Kenny Williams, (more)
In this addiction melodrama, Joe Clay (Jack Lemmon), a promising adman, meet his future wife Kirsten (Lee Remick) at a party. Once married, the pressures of his business lead Joe to seek solace in liquor. Kirsten joins him in his nocturnal drinking sessions, and before long both are confirmed alcoholics. After several frightening episodes, Joe is able to shake the habit thanks to AA, but Kirsten finds it impossible to get through the day without liquor. The two split up, although Joe clings to the hope that someday he and Kirsten will be reunited, if for no reason other than the sake of their young daughter. J.P. Miller adapted the screenplay from his own 1958 Playhouse 90 television script. Though nominated in several categories, Days of Wine and Roses won only the Best Song Oscar for Henry Mancini's title tune. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Lemmon, Lee Remick, (more)
Though he's most famous for his portrayal of Victor Laszlo in 1942's Casablanca, actor Paul Henreid took a few turns behind the camera as evidenced by this 1964 thriller starring Bette Davis as twins Margaret DeLorca and Edith Phillips. After landing the beau they both sought after by falsely claiming she was pregnant, Margaret lives a life of luxury as the wife of a wealthy man. Now, 20 years later, a broke and lonely Edith has returned for revenge. After killing the recently widowed Margaret, Edith assumes her identity with plans of living the life she feels she's deserved all along. But in order to pull it off, she'll have to play the role of Margaret connivingly enough to fool her servants as well as a local playboy and the police. Dead Ringer was remade in 1986 as Killer in the Mirror, a made-for-television movie starring Ann Jillian. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bette Davis, Karl Malden, (more)
- 1964
In this romantic comedy, a middle-aged postmistress from a small town goes to a post office convention in New York and promptly falls in love with a man who is engaged to another. His fiancee is a widow with a teenage son. The man really wants a family, but he also really wants the postmistress.Trouble ensues while he makes up his mind. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glenn Ford, Geraldine Page, (more)
- 1965
Not to be confused with David Hewitt's abominable Dr. Terror's Gallery of Horrors (AKA The Blood Suckers), this clever horror omnibus is one of the better early anthologies from Amicus Productions, thanks to Freddie Francis' stylish direction and a tongue-in-cheek approach from writer Milton Subotsky (who would later apply the same sardonic treatment to the EC Comics-based productions Tales from the Crypt and The Vault of Horror). The framing story is set in a train car, where five passengers have their fortunes told by the all-seeing Dr. Schreck (Peter Cushing), who refers to his ominous tarot deck as his "House of Horrors." Their respective stories involve all manner of occult happenings: a jazz musician's involvement with a voodoo curse; an estate haunted by a werewolf; a doctor (Donald Sutherland) who suspects that his wife has become a vampire; a cottage besieged by a monster kudzu vine; and the most entertaining segment, in which arrogant art critic Christopher Lee is avidly pursued by a snubbed artist's severed hand. In the end, it doesn't take a jaded horror buff to deduce Schreck's true identity or the ultimate destination of the train passengers, but it's a fun ride nonetheless. Not all of the stories work (the vampire story's "twist" ending is rather silly, the voodoo tale painfully dated), and the effects are generally sub-par, but Francis keeps the pace snappy throughout, giving the entire film a throwaway, Halloween spook-house feel. Hammer horror fans will certainly find this a keeper on the strength of Cushing and Lee's performances. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, (more)
- 1964
A full year before the debut of Warner Bros.' TV series The FBI, a pilot of sorts was filmed under the title FBI Code 98. Jack Kelly heads the cast of this Dragnet-style docudrama, wherein the action is underlined by William Woodson's stentorian off-camera narration. The main plot concerns a disgruntled mad bomber, who uses his heightened knowledge of electronics to stay one step ahead of detection. The all-Warner-contractee cast includes Maverick's Kelly, Ray Danton, Andrew Duggan, Philip Carey, William Reynolds (later a regular on The FBI), Peggy McCay and Merry Anders. Originally intended as a TV special, FBI Code 98 was released theatrically instead. The film was produced by Stanley Niss, the author of the book on which the screenplay was based. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Kelly, Ray Danton, (more)
- 1957
John Hoyt guest stars as Rex Proctor, a politically ambitious Washington bureaucrat. Arriving in Dodge City, Proctor insists that Marshall Matt Dillon (James Arness) is all wrong in his approach to law and order. Using his political clout, Proctor takes over as the town's peacekeeper, imposing innumerable "Eastern" rules and regulations that are totally out of place in the Wild West. Despite Matt's protest, Proctor refuses to listen to reason--and his stubbornness may cost him his life. This episode is based on the Gunsmoke radio broadcast of January 29, 1956. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Reluctant to bring in his own son Billy (Andrew Prine) on a murder charge, a town marshal (Ken Lynch) hires Paladin (Richard Boone) to do the job. Venturing into treacherous mountain country, Paladin seeks out Billy in hopes of persuading the young man into surrending peacefully and standing trial. Unfortunately, Paladin's trail is dogged by a bloodthirsty posse, none of whose members is inclined to bring Billy back alive. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Paladin (Richard Boone) accepts a job from wealthy Sid Morgan (Denver Pyle), who claims he needs protection from outlaw Howard Gorman (Steve Gravers). While escorting Morgan and his young fiancee Stacy (Jacqueline Scott) to Silver City, Paladin confronts Gorman, who does indeed seem to have a vendetta against Morgan. Only too late does Paladin discover that he and Gorman have been maneuvered into a bloody showdown merely for Morgan's perverse amusement. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
