Barton MacLane Movies
Barton MacLane may have been born on Christmas Day, but there was precious little chance that he'd ever be cast as Santa Claus. A star athlete at Wesleyan University, MacLane won his first movie role in the 1924 silent Quarterback as the result of his football skills. This single incident sparked his interest in performing, which he pursued on a serious basis at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He performed in stock, on Broadway, and in bit parts in films lensed at Paramount's Astoria studios (notably the Marx Brothers' The Cocoanuts). In 1932, MacLane wrote a slice-of-life play titled Rendezvous, selling it to influential Broadway producer Arthur Hopkins on the proviso, that he, MacLane, be given the lead. The play was a success, leading to a lucrative film contract from Warner Bros.Most effectively cast as a swaggering villain ("who never spoke when shouting would do," as historian William K. Everson observed), MacLane played good-guy leads in several Warner "B"s: he played the conclusion-jumping lieutenant Steve McBride in the studio's Torchy Blaine series. Free-lancing in the 1940s, MacLane made an unfortunate return to writing in 1941, penning the screenplay for the PRC quickie Man of Courage; it is reported that audiences erupted in shrieks of laughter when MacLane, reciting his own lines, recalled his childhood days on the farm by declaring "Boy! Did I love ta plow!" He was better served in a brace of John Huston-directed films, beating up Humphrey Bogart in The Maltese Falcon (1941) and being beaten up by Bogart in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. MacLane's TV-series work included a starring stint on The Outlaws (1960-62) and the recurring role of General Peterson on I Dream of Jeannie (1965-69). Having come into the world on a holiday, Barton MacLane died on New Years' Day, 1969; he was survived by his wife, actress Charlotte Wynters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Jeannie (Barbara Eden) has worked out a new spell which enables her to change ordinary household items into porcelain statues. Examining Jeannie's handiwork, Dr. Bellows (Hayden Rorke) and his wife (Emmaline Henry) conclude that Jeannie is an artistic genius, and insist that she produce more "masterpieces." In the course of the events, our heroine's pet dog Djinn Djinn is rendered into porcelain--and this time, the spell can't be reversed! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
At the urging of Jeannie (Barbara Eden), Tony (Larry Hagman) is entered in the Florida gubernatorial election, with Roger (Bill Daily) as his campaign manager. Unfortunately, Tony is a military officer, and thus ineligible to hold political office unless he resigns his commission. But there's an even more pressing need to end Tony's political career before it begins when Jeannie discovers that someone else will become her master's wife if he wins the election! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Dr. Bellows (Hayden Rorke) has finally put together what he considers an authenticated dossier of the strange goings-on in the home of Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman). Despite the concerted efforts of both Tony and Jeannie (Barbara Eden), Bellows succeeds in delivering the document to Gen. Peterson (Barton MacLane). But rather than dismiss Tony, Peterson decides that it is Bellows who has got to go--and his replacement, Dr. Corbett (Joe Flynn), may prove to be an even bigger threat to the future of Tony and Jeannie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
As a birthday present, Roger (Bill Daily) is given one wish, to be granted by Jeannie (Barbara Eden). Unfortunately, Roger bollixes things up when he casually expresses his wish that he could go on an important space flight instead of Tony (Larry Hagman). As a result, Tony and Roger not only exchange places, but also exchange bodies! The is the final episode of I Dream of Jeannie's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Barbara Eden plays a dual role in this episode, as both Jeannie and Jeannie's gray-haired, bespectacled mother. A box of enchanted "Pipchick" candy from Jeannie's mom has a curious effect on Tony (Larry Hagman), endowing him with super strength. Convinced that Tony has created the candy himself, Dr. Bellows (Hayden Rorke) demands that our hero whip up another batch. Unfortuanetly, the recipe loses something in translation, and as a result of eating Tony's candy everyone begins acting out their innermost fantasies--including a wildly uninhibited Dr. Bellows, who leaves Cocoa Beach behind to embark upon a whale hunt! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Chaddock (Barry Sullivan) is the straight-shooting marshall of Gloryhole, Montana. Wealthy rancher Rep Marlowe (Wendell Corey) practically owns the town by way of his gambling saloons, shady land deals and hired guns who intimidate the law-abiding citizens. Sheriff Tangley (Lon Chaney Jr.) calls on Chaddock when Marlowe holds the town hostage by damming the river and cutting off the water supply. Barbara Hale plays Sarah Cody, whose young son is killed by gunfire in the ensuing melee. The saloon girl Nora (Joan Caulfield) is a former schoolteacher forced into her tawdry occupation by the menacing Marlowe in this routine western film. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barry Sullivan, Joan Caulfield, (more)
- 1967
In this freewheeling takeoff of Bonanza, the Monkees pay a visit to the Texas ranch owned by Mike's Aunt Kate (Jacqueline DeWit). Before long, they find themselves in a pitched battle against land-grabbing oil baron Ben Cartwheel (Barton MacLane), who moonlights as the notorious bandit Black Bart. Songs: "Words" and "Goin' Down". Originally seen on December 4, 1967, "Monkees in Texas" was written by Jack Winter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Producer A.C. Lyles managed to do quite well for himself in the 1960s by making low-budget westerns crammed full of familiar faces whose stock in the film industry had slipped a bit. Starring in Arizona Bushwackers were such celebrities of yesteryear as Howard Keel, Yvonne De Carlo, John Ireland, Marilyn Maxwell, Scott Brady, Brian Donlevy, Barton MacLane and James Craig. Keel is cast as a Confederate POW who is pardoned when he agrees to patrol the West on behalf of the Union. Assigned to a wide-open Arizona town, he stands up to such disreputable types as a crooked sheriff (MacLane) and saloon-owner Ireland. When legal means fail, the ex-POW resorts to six-guns and fists to keep the peace. Yvonne De Carlo's part was to have been played by Betty Hutton, but the latter actress could not adapt to A.C. Lyles' "get it right on the first take" approach. Arizona Bushwackers may be cheaply made, but it is consummately acted by its strong ensemble cast and sturdily directed by Leslie Selander. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Howard Keel, Yvonne De Carlo, (more)
- 1967
Jeannie (Barbara Eden) wants Tony (Larry Hagman) to take her to a Parisian restaurant, but he is slated to remain at NASA headquarters for a top-secret meeting about "Operation Galaxy". Resourcefullly, Jeannie creates two Tonys, one to fulfill his astronaut duties, the other to escort her to the restaurant. The appearance of the "second Tony" in front of two high-ranking French officials leads Dr. Bellows (Hayden Rorke) to conclude that Cocoa Beach has been invaded by enemy spies! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Jeannie (Barbara Eden) creates a "miracle" spot remover to clean a stain on Tony's jacket. The result: the jacket proves to be indestructible, leading Gen. Peterson (Barton MacLane) to demand that Tony (Larry Hagman) give another demonstration of the remarkable remover--a demonstration so disastrous that it nearly gets one of the regular characters permanently transferred to Iceland. (PS: Want to know who makes a cameo appearance at the end of this episode? Just say the secret word!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Sammy Davis Jr. appears as himself in this episode, in which Tony (Larry Hagman) assures Gen. Peterson (Barton MacLane) that he will be able to book Sammy for an upcoming NASA party. Unfortunately, Davis is unable to fulfill his obligation, whereupon Jeannie (Barbara Eden) creates a duplicate Sammy for the occasion. The fun begins when the real Sammy finds himself whisked hither and thither as a byproduct of Jeannie's mixed-up magic! Sammy Davis Jr. performs "That Old Black Magic" and "The Girl from Ipanema." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
While working as a secretary for General Peterson (Barton MacLane), Jeannie (Barbara Eden) gets the idea in her pretty little head that her master Tony (Larry Hagman) should be promoted to general as well. With a nod of the head and the blink of an eye, Jeannie sets the wheels in motion that will elevate Tony to the highest rank at NASA. Alas, things go horribly wrong, and before long Tony is in danger of being kicked out of the space program altogether! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In the first episode of I Dream of Jeannie's second season--and the first to be filmed in color--Jeannie (Barbara Eden) arranges a sentimental journey for herself and her master Tony (Larry Hagman) on the desert island where they first met one year ago. This time, however, the ancient bottle that Tony stumbles upon contains the evil Blue Djinn (played by Barbara Eden's then husband Michael Ansara), who'd imprisoned Jeannie in her bottle 2000 years ago--and who is forsworn to kill the girl's new master! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
To teach Eddie (Butch Patrick) a lesson about the evils of gambling, Herman (Fred Gwynne) places a bet at the race track, fully expecting to lose his money. Instead, Herman wins big--and keeps winning big the more bets he makes. This brings our hero into close and none-too-comfortable proximity with a Runyonesque mobster by the name of Big Roy (Barton MacLane). Featured as Roy's flunkey Vic is Sammy Shore, the father of comedian Pauly Shore. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
After a blow on the head, Tony (Larry Hagman) suffers from "selective" amnesia--that is, he can remember everything except that he is the Master of a genie named Jeannie (Barbara Eden). Thus, when he meets Jeannie for what he thinks is the very first time, he immediately falls in love with her, going so far as to propose marriage. Jeannie of course is delighted, but Tony's friend Roger (Bill Daily) warns her that no good can come of the situation--and for once, Roger is right. This is the final episode of I Dream of Jeannie's first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Tennis star Pancho Segura makes a guest appearance in this episode, the plot of which predates Ground Hog Day by nearly three decades. When Tony (Larry Hagman) shows signs of working too hard, helpful Jeannie (Barbara Eden) arranges a long rest for her master, by changing every day into Sunday. Thing of it is, only Tony is aware that the entire world is reliving the same day, over and over...and it's driving him bonkers! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Jeannie (Barbara Eden) comes to the rescue when it looks as though Tony (Larry Hagman) will be scrubbed from an orbital flight because of poor eyesight. Using her magic, Jeannie gives Tony the best pair of eyes on earth. Unfortunately, they prove to be too good--and now "X-ray vision" Tony is able to see through solid walls, leading to the usual embarrassing complications. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Jeannie (Barbara Eden) uses her magic to give Tony (Larry Hagman) the singing voice of the immortal Enrico Caruso. Upon hearing Tony sing, General Peterson (Barton MacLane) enters him in a NASA talent show. Unfortunately, just before this happens, Tony has ordered Jeannie to "remove" Caruso's voice once and for all--and Jeannie, of course, always follows orders, especially at the least opportune moment! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In this pivotal episode, Roger (Bill Daily) finally learns the truth: The gorgeous Jeannie (Barbara Eden) who lives in the house of his friend Tony (Larry Hagman) is a genuine genie. Hoping to take advantage of this, Roger "steals" Jeannie and becomes her new master. Before long, Roger is surrounded by wealth, luxury and beautiful maidservants--but there's a heavy price he'll have to pay for his greed before the episode is over! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Preparing to embark on a three-week trip to Rome, Tony (Larry Hagman) orders Jeannie (Barbara Eden) to remain home. Certain that Tony will succumb to the charms of some fair senorina or other, Jeannie resorts to every trick in the book to force Tony to stay in Cocoa Beach. Finally, Tony gives up and tells her she can go along--but only if she can obtain a passport legally, something that her "genie" will not permit her to do. Meanwhile, Roger (Bill Daily) eagerly awaits the opportunity to have Jeannie all to himself...as if! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Jeannie (Barbara Eden is just about worn to a frazzle serving as genie to two masters, namely Tony (Larry Hagman) and Roger (Bill Daily). More work comes her way when Roger begs Jeannie to get him out of trouble when he keeps his date Sheila (a pre-Laugh-In Judy Carne), the niece of Dr. Bellows (Hayden Rorke) out too late one night. Jeannie's solution to this crisis is to provide Roger with a genie of his own--her cousin Myrt, played by Emmaline Henry before she was established on I Dream of Jeannie in the role of Dr. Bellows' wife Amanda. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Tony (Larry Hagman) angrily orders Jeannie (Barbara Eden) to stop using magic--completely, no matter what the provocation. Alas, a few moments later Tony is kidnapped by Communist spies and whisked off to a torture chamber, where his captors hope to extract certain top secrets from him. Jeannie materializes in the chamber, but because of her promise she can only offer words of sympathy to her flustered, chained-up master. It is up to Roger--who heretofore has been completely out of the story loop--to figure out a way that Jeannie can rescue Tony (Roger Daily) without violating the rules! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Tony (Larry Hagman) makes the mistake of telling Jeannie (Barbara Eden) that his childhood ambition was to become a doctor. Almost instantly, "Doctor" Anthony Nelson pops up in an operating room, where Roger is just about to undergo removal of his appendix. Making things even more delicate is the fact that the ever-suspicious Dr. Bellows is certain that he's seen this "new" doctor somewhere else before. How will Jeannie be able to straighten out THIS mess? (PS: Isn't that little "Marcia Brady" in one scene?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Thanks to Jeannie's magic, Tony (Larry Hagman) temporarily becomes a champion-level golfer. This appeals to General Peterson (Barton MacLane), who enters Tony in a grudge match against the Navy's best players. Stubbornly determined to win on his own, Tony refuses to allow Jeannie (Barbara Eden) to help him during the game, which turns out to be his first mistake...and his second...and his third... ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
General Peterson (Barton MacLane) sends Tony (Larry Hagman) and Roger (Bill Daily) to Reno to celebrate their promotions to Major. Jeannie (Barbara Eden) was supposed to stay behind, but Roger is determined to win big-time at the gambling tables. As a result, Jeannie is smuggled to the Biggest Little City in a travelling bag, and before long Roger is practically a millionaire--at least, until Tony finds out what's what! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
