Jeff MacKay Movies
- 1988
In the concluding half of Magnum, P.I.'s final episode, Magnum (Tom Selleck) wrestles with the prospect of returning to active Naval service even as he lays a trap for the man who assaulted his former girlfriend Linda (Patrice Martinez). He also receives word that his daughter Lily, presumed murdered in an earlier episode, is still alive. Elsewhere, the impending marriage of Rick (Larry Manetti) and Cleo (Phyllis Davis) hits a few prenuptual snags, while T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) is unexpectedly reunited with his ex-wife Tina (Fay Hauser). And last but not least, the mystery of Robin Masters' true identity is finally solved...maybe. One of the highest-rated "finales" in network TV history, this episode leaves enough dangling plot strands to suggest that the producers had an elaborate "reunion" movie in mind. We're still waiting. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Magnum, P.I. wraps up its eight-year run with a two-part final episode (originally telecast in a single two-hour timeslot). In Part One, Magnum returns to his home town for a family reunion, where his paternal grandfather (Howard Duff) offers to reinstate him as a Naval officer. But before Magnum can say "yes" or "no", he is summoned back to Hawaii by former girlfriend Linda Lee Ellison (Patrice Martinez), who insists that someone is stalking her. Upon his return, Magnum receives some startling information about his daughter Lily, whom he had presumed to be dead. Meanwhile, Rick (Larry Manetti) nervously prepares to marry the estimable Cleo Mitchell (Phyllis Davis). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Season Seven of Magnum, P.I comes to spectacular conclusion--one that was originally intended to be the series' final episode. Wounded in a violent shootout, the comatose Magnum (Tom Selleck) hovers between life and death. From his vantage point in "Limbo", Magnum tries to communicate with his friends, to warn them that his ex-wife Michelle may soon be murdered. Coming to Magnum's rescue--in a manner of speaking--is the spectre of his old Navy buddy "Mac" MacReynolds (Larry Manetti). Though Magnum, P.I. had indeed been cancelled at the end of its seventh season, the series was brought back the following year by public demand--necessitating a hasty "rethinking" of this episode's now-famous closing image. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Though a murdered Magnum (Tom Selleck) was seen wandering off to Heaven in the final episode of Magnum, P.I.'s seventh season, the public demanded the return of both the character and the series. Thus, Season Eight begins with Magnum still in a coma, the result of a violent shootout. In this state, the detective has an out-of-body experience, in which he is guided Heavenward by his old friend "Mac" MacReynolds (Jeff MacKay, who plays a dual role in this episode). Fortunately, he awakens to find himself back in the "real" world--whereupon he grimly sets out to find the surviving member of the criminal trio who nearly caused him to cash in his chips. Featured in small but significant roles are series star Tom Selleck's mother Martha Selleck and son Kevin Selleck. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Temporarily assuming Higgins' duties at Robin's Nest, the normally freewheeling Magnum (Tom Selleck) begins behaving in the strict, stuffy manner usually associated with Higgins (John Hillerman)--who, conversely, is comporting himself in the footloose "Magnum manner" while on vacation! The reason for Higgins' giddiness is a beautiful woman with whom he is carrying on a secret romance. Convinced that the woman is a nothing more than a golddigger, Magnum turns to a most unusual source to advise him how to rescue Higgins from the lady's clutches. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Filmed in black-and-white, this episode is both an homage to and a spoof of The Maltese Falcon and other "hard-boiled detective" movies of its ilk. In 1941 San Francisco, cynical gumshoe Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) tries to solve the murder of the much-despite publishing baron William Tyler Maxfield. Along the way, he meets the other Magnum, P.I. regulars, recast as "film noir" stereotypes. The story comes to a climax with obligatory revelation scene, in which Magnum gathers all the suspects together in the same room--and is HE surprised by the outcome! Only at the very end do we discover precisely why and how Magnum has been transplanted to another time and another place. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Two warring Mexican crime families have one thing in common: They both want Magnum (Tom Selleck) dead. This is because a "friend" who has been impersonating Magnum has taken it upon himself to blackmail one of the crime bosses. Needless to say, this turn of events seriously compromises Magnum's efforts to get a pilot's license--and the consequences are even worse for his pal T.C. (Roger E. Mosley)! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Rick (Larry Manetti) borrows $20,000 from Ice Pick (Elisha Cook Jr.) to purchase a luxury boat, fully equipped with bikinied geisha girls, from the redoubtable Mac (Jeff MacKay). Turns out, however, that the boat wasn't Mac's to sell, and now the real owners are out for Rick's blood. As if this wasn't enough trouble, a gang of Japanese gangsters likewise insists upon laying claim to the boat--and don't forget Ice Pick, who is a bit put out about losing that 20 grand and wants it back post-haste! This episode is highlighted by a climactic fight scene, which manages to be both thrilling and sexy at the same time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
While playing a video game called "Dungeon Master", Magnum manages to mess up the computerized security system at Robin's Nest. Enter security expert Krista Villaroch (Jenny Agutter), who is hired to get the system up and running in time for a jewelry exhibit being held at the estate. The capricious Magnum dares Krista to test out the system with a phony heist--little realizing (at first) that she is actually the daughter of infamous jewel thief Doc Villaroch (Cesar Romero), who despite his advanced age is far from retired! This episode was written by actress Deborah Pratt, then the wife of Magnum, P.I. executive producer Donald P. Bellisario. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Magnum's latest client is a little Vietnamese street kid named Tran Quoc Jones (Ronald Harrah III). An illegal alien, the boy has come to Hawaii in search of his missing dad, an American G.I. Can it be that Magnum's friend T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) is the man Tran Quoc seeks? And why has pompous politician Dick Hasley (Rick Lenz) chosen to exploit the child's plight as a means of publicizing his campaign? The answers, of course, are not immediately forthcoming--in fact, it will require a murder for the truth to be revealed! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Stilling reeling from the suicide of Diane Dupres, Magnum is ill-prepared for the sudden reapparance of his old Navy friend Mac (Jeff MacKay)--especially since Mac had been killed two years earlier. Can this really be a return from the grave, or is Magnum losing his mind? As this question is being pondered, the viewer is treated to poignant highlights from the previous episodes "Echoes of the Mind", "Memories are Forever", "Did You See the Sunrise?" and "Distant Relative". Without giving away too much of the plot, it can be noted that this episode marks what may be the only instance in which a previous TV-series regular returns to the same series with the same character name--but as an entirely different character! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A good ol' boy comedy-drama, Songwriter flashes enough substance between the songs and the hijinks to qualify as a sometimes astute look into the darker areas of the music business. Willie Nelson plays Doc Jenkins, the title character, who conspires with longtime pal Blackie Buck (Kris Kristofferson) to turn the tables on a shady promoter, Rodeo Rocky (Richard Sarafian), who has Doc signed to a contract that is one step short of indentured servitude. Lesley Ann Warren plays Gilda, an up-and-coming country chanteuse whom Doc is tutoring. The rest of the supporting cast is a mix of veteran character players (Rip Torn, Melinda Dillon) and musicians associated with Nelson (Mickey Raphael, Bee Spears, Jody Payne, Johnny Gimble). There are also plenty of musical numbers featuring Nelson and Kristofferson (solo and duets). The musicians/actors went on to co-star in two TV movies, A Pair of Aces and Another Pair of Aces, essentially playing the same kind of good ol' boy characters, though as detectives, not songwriters. ~ Tom Wiener, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, (more)
- 1982
In the first half of Magnum, P.I.'s Season Three opener (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode). T.C.'s old war buddy Nuzo (James Whitmore Jr.) shows up in Hawaii with a dire warning for T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) and his comrades-in-arms Magnum (Tom Selleck) and Rick (Larry Manetti). It seems that the evil Soviet torture specialist Col. Ivan (Bo Svenson), who made life hell for Magnum et. al. during their time in Viet Cong POW camp, is still at large--and determined to kill his former prisoners. Unfortunately, Magnum isn't around at first to hear Nuzo's warnings, which fact proves fatal for one of his closest associates. This episode marks the final regular appearance of Jeff MacKay) as Magnum's Navy pal "Mac" MacReynolds (but not by any means the final appearance of MacKay himself!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Computer-firm CEO James Randolph (Charles Aidman) has hired Magnum (Tom Selleck) to investigate the possibility of industrial espionage within his organization. And, oh yes, Randolph also wants the detective to find out if Mrs. Randolph (Nancy DeCarl) is cheating on him. The second part of the assignment proves to be the toughest when Magnum discovers that Mrs. Randolph's current paramour is his none other than his old pal Rick (Larry Manetti, who in real life was married to guest actress Nancy DeCarl). Meanwhile, Higgins (John Hillerman) goes to extreme lengths to impress his old flame Lady Ashley (Olga Marr). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Magnum (Tom Selleck) is reunited with journalist Kate Sullivan (Tyne Daly), whom he'd met while she was covering the Vietnam war. At the moment, Kate has been assigned to interview a visiting dignitary from the Jororo Islands. . .or at least that's what she claims. As the story unfolds, it becomes obvious that Kate is more interested in securing the "inside story" on cross-dressing international assassin David Bannister (Christopher Morley)--whose own current assignment is to assassinate the man from Jororo! This episode was deemed strong enough to warrant a followup, "Jororo Farewell," which aired two seasons later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
This mystery from the Tales of the Gold Monkey series involves a WW II pilot and his one-eyed pooch. The master and his visually-impaired pup go to the South Pacific in search of an ancient golden idol. They are assisted by a shady German. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1981
It's hate at first sight when Magnum (Tom Selleck) is hired to protect arrogant prima ballerina Kendall Chase (Andrea Marcovicci), who has been receiving death threats. Despite their mutual animosity, Magnum and Kendall ultimately fall for each other--a plot development almost as unexpected as the revelation that T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) is a lifelong ballet fan! Meanwhile, Rick (Larry Manetti) embarks on an investigation that seems to be separate from the main plotline...but isn't. Cast as Kendll Chase's mentor-manager, guest star Signe Hassso essayed virtually the same role in the earlier and quite similar Starsky and Hutch episode "A Body Worth Guarding". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Marion Hammond (Wendy Girard) engages the services of P.I. Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) to locate her missing archaeologist father. While hunting for ancient sunken relics, Dr. Hammond was lost in the Nihoa Channel, which the local natives regard as sacred--and cursed. As usual, Magnum is not told the whole story by his client, and as a result stands a good chance of becoming just as "lost" as Hammond, and just as "cursed" as the Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
In a shocking bit of counter-casting, Melissa Sue Anderson stars in this TV-movie shocker as Vivian Sotherland, a beautiful -- and wholly evil -- teenaged witch. Accustomed to eliminating anyone who gets in her way, Vivian has lovingly made certain that her sweetheart David Sterling (Patrick Cassidy) will not flunk out of high school through the simple expedient of killing all his teachers. Alas, the clueless David throws Vivian over in favor of a new girl in school, Robin Prentiss (Mary Beth McDonough). Fully prepared to add Robin to her ever-growing list of victims, Vivian is rather put out to discover that her romantic rival possesses a few supernatural powers of her own. Midnight Offerings was first broadcast February 27, 1981, on ABC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Melissa Sue Anderson, Mary McDonough, (more)
- 1981
Marcia Wallace (The Bob Newhart Show) is cast as professional fitness trainer Barbara Terranova, who can only afford to pay private eye Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) for one day's service. Thus it is that Magnum is faced with the formidable task of locating Barbara's missing fiance--who has been targeted for murder!--within 24 hours. Fortunately, Magnum is able to work out a "barter" deal with Barbara, who agrees to train him for the upcoming "Ironman Triatholon" in exchange for a few extra days' detective work; unfortunately, Barbara is a VERY strict taskmaster (or is that taskmistress?), This is the final episode of Magnum, P.I.'s first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
After making a mysterious nocturnal helicopter flight, T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) is arrested on charges of smuggling a person into the country and transporting drugs. Magnum (Tom Selleck)is determined to clear T.C.'s name--even though T.C. himself throws up several roadblocks by refusing to explain or justify his actions. The key to solving the mystery is a certain Joey Santino (Vincent Caristi), whose long-standing friendship with T.C. may result in disaster for both men. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), Magnum has figured out that the reason he has been summoned to testify in Washington about his old unit in Vietnam is to prevent him from asking any more questions about his lost love Michelle (Marta DuBois), whom he had married during the war--and who was not killed in an explosion as he has been led to believe. It turns out that Michelle is now the wife of a high-ranking Vietnamese general (Soon-Tek Oh), who is presently in Washington negotiating the release of some American POWs. What Magnum doesn't find out until it is nearly too late is that Michelle's life is in grave danger...courtesy of someone known as "The Tiger" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Laura Frasier (Rebecca Holden), the new singer at the Kamehameha Club, claims to have clairvoyant powers. Her latest premonition is that her fiance Eric Tobin (Francisco Lagueruela), reported MIA in Vietnam way back in 1972, is still alive. Investigating, Magnum (Tom Selleck) discovers that Eric was once a member of the top-secret Delta Section, which had been up to no good during the war--and whose surviving members have apparently engaged the services of a professional sharpshooter to make certain that Eric never reveals Delta's sordid secrets. Jeff MacKay makes his first series appearances as Magnum's Navy pal "Mac" MacReynolds, while Lance LeGault, seen in later episodes as Magnum's perennial nemesis Col. Buck Greene, is here cast as John W. Newton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour "TV Movie"), Magnum (Tom Selleck) is convinced that he has seen Michelle (Marta DuBois), the woman whom he married in Vietnam during the war--and who had been reported killed in an explosion. His efforts to find out if Michelle is indeed still alive are stonewalled by the US Government, whose representatives--including his frequent associate Mac (Jeff MacKay)--are clearly hiding something. In the midst of this intrigue, Magnum is called back to active duty (with a promotion) and hauled before a military hearing to testify about his old unit in 'Nam...but what is REALLY going on here? Lance LeGault makes his first appearance as Magnum's perennial nemesis Col. Buck Greene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
In the opening two-part episode of Magnum, P.I. (originally telecast as a single two-hour "TV movie"), Hawaii-based private detective and former Naval Intelligence officer Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) is already comfortably installed as head of security at the lavish estate of wealthy mystery writer Robin Masters, and well into his genially adversarial relationship with Jonathan Higgins (John Hillerman), the never-seen Masters' snobbish manservant. Despite his cushy surroundings, Magnum isn't averse to accepting "outside" assignments--nor is he immune to trouble being thrust upon him unexpectedly. That's what happens on this occasion, when Magnum's old Vietnam buddy Dan Cook (Allen Williams) turns up dead, with ten bags of cocaine in his stomach. Refusing to believe the offical report that Cook was involved in a drug-smuggling ring, Magnum conducts his own investigation, despite being warned off on several occasions by the authorities--and sure enough, he uncovers a frameup and a widespread conspiracy! Featured in the guest cast is ex-Playboy playmater Lillian Muller, here billed as "Yuliis Ruval." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
