Jeff MacKay Movies

Conspiracy film specialist Alan J. Pakula turned journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's best-selling account of their Watergate investigation into one of the hit films of Bicentennial year 1976. While researching a story about a botched 1972 burglary of Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate apartment complex, green Washington Post reporters/rivals Woodward (Robert Redford, who also exec produced) and Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) stumble on a possible connection between the burglars and a White House staffer. With the circumspect approval of executive editor Ben Bradlee (Jason Robards), the pair digs deeper. Aided by a guilt-ridden turncoat bookkeeper (Jane Alexander) and the vital if cryptic guidance of Woodward's mystery source, Deep Throat (Hal Holbrook), Woodward and Bernstein "follow the money" all the way to the top of the Nixon administration. Despite Deep Throat's warnings that their lives are in danger, and the reluctance of older Post editors, Woodward and Bernstein are determined to get out the story of the crime and its presidential cover-up. Once Bradlee is convinced, the final teletype impassively taps out the historically explosive results. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, the fate of the Galactica rests in the hands of an army of criminals and misfits, under the command of Apollo (Richard Hatch) and Starbuck (Dirk Benedict). This ragtag band must destroy the Cylon pulsar cannon mounted on the ice planet Arcta. Can they depend upon the help of a race of clone miners, who have as much reason to hate the Cylons as anyone in the universe -- but who may not be willing or able to fight? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Starbuck (Dirk Benedict) is charged with the murder of rival Viper pilot Ortega (Frank Ashmore). With the full weight of evidence against him, Starbuck finds few that are willing to believe his protestations of innocence. One of those few, however, is his best friend Apollo (Richard Hatch), who doggedly sets about to prove that the authorities have arrested the wrong man--and in the process, Apollo uncovers an unusually vicious blackmail scheme. "Murder on the Rising Star" was later combined with the Battlestar Galactica episode "The Young Lords" and reissued as the two-hour "TV movie" Murder in Space. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of Magnum, P.I.'s two-part opening episode (originally telecast as a single two-hour "TV movie"), Magnum (Tom Selleck) and Alice Cook (Pamela Susan Shoop) literally put their lives on the line to prove that Alice's sister, Navy lieutenant Dan Cook, died a hero--contradicting the government's insistence that Cook was part of an international drug-smuggling ring. The trail of clues leads to crime lord Philipe Trusseau (Roger Loggia), with whom Magnum had previously crossed swords in Vietnam. As with most TV pilots, there are significant differences between "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii" and later Magnum, P.I. episodes. For example, Magnum's wartime buddy Rick (Larry Manetti is the owner of a nitery called "Café Americain" instead of his more familiar stamping grounds at the King Kamehameha club; also, the role of Moki the Bartender, later played by Rene Abillera, is here enacted by Branscombe Richard, while Jeff McKay, later seen on a semi-regular basis as Naval officer "Mac" MacReynolds, is cast on this occasion as "Ski" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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