Gavin MacLeod Movies
Best remembered for his high-profile acting roles on two 1970s television sitcoms -- that of genial news writer Murray Slaughter on CBS's The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977) and that of sweet-natured Captain Merrill Stubing on ABC's The Love Boat (1977-1986), stage-trained actor Gavin MacLeod in fact began his career typecast as a villain. He landed parts in Hollywood features including The Sand Pebbles (1966), Deathwatch (1966), and The Comic (1969), and enjoyed a tenure as Joseph "Happy" Haines on the sitcom McHale's Navy from 1962 through 1964.After The Love Boat permanently laid anchor in the mid-'80s, MacLeod signed on as a spokesperson and pitchman for Princess Cruises and returned to regional theatrical work. He also tackled guest spots on programs including Touched by an Angel and (in a move that surprised everyone) the HBO prison drama Oz. Off-camera, MacLeod is an outspoken born-again Christian. He hosted a popular talk show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, along with his wife, Patti (whom he divorced in 1982 and remarried three years later), called Back on Course, and personally funded many of the Greatest Adventure Stories from the Bible animated videos for children. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 2003
50 years ago, the Egyptian Theater was founded to "celebrate children." But in the intervening decades, theater owner Ben Horner (Alex Rocco) has come to despise all children, especially the juvenile delinquents who vandalize the Egyptian on a daily basis. Moreover, the theater's current resident company is comprised of pompous, self-serving actors who could care less about entertaining youngsters. Monica (Roma Downey) and the other angels endeavor to restore the Egyptian's original mission--and to bring the various warring factions together on common ground. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A man is sent into the future to see the possible results of his actions in this mixture of sci-fi adventure and Christian drama. In 1890, Russell Carlisle (D. David Morin) is a philosopher and college professor who has completed a manuscript he calls "The Changing Times." The university where Carlisle teaches is considering publishing his latest work, but a committee of ranking professors under the leadership of the school's Dean (Hal Linden) must first vote unanimously to approve the material. One of Carlisle's colleagues, Norris Anderson (Gavin MacLeod), strongly objects to the paper on the grounds that Carlisle contends morality can be taught apart from Christianity -- a view that Anderson, a devout Christian, cannot abide. Carlisle becomes increasingly frustrated with Anderson's objections, but after the meeting, Anderson shows Carlisle something remarkable -- a working time machine he has built in his home. Using this innovation, Anderson sends Carlisle to a typical American city in the year 2001, in order to show the impact his ideas could have as he witnesses a society in which morality and Christianity are considered separate entities. As he tries to make his way through modern-day America, Carlisle becomes friendly with Eddie (Paul Rodriguez), a well-meaning regular guy, and Michelle (Jennifer O'Neill), a beautiful woman with a mind of her own. Time Changer is the first feature film from writer and director Rich Christiano, who has been making short films for the Christian marketplace since 1991. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- D David Morin, Gavin MacLeod, (more)
- 1996
This video is a Hanna-Barbera animated version of the oft-dramatized Bible story of Daniel in the lion's den. Featuring the voice of Gavin MacLeod, the video shows how Daniel's faith is put to the test and he passes with flying colors. Widely admired for his intelligence and high morals, Daniel also has enemies who are jealous. They trump up some charges so that he's arrested and thrown into a cell with hungry lions. He puts his faith in God and that saves him. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water again, along came the "retro" TV movie The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage. Four regulars of the original Love Boat series are back on board: Gavin McLeod ($Capt Stubbing), Bernie Kopell (Doc), Ted Lange (Isaac) and Jill Whelan (Vicki). Filmed on location in the Carribean, the plotline accommodates the usual quota of guest stars, in this cast Ted Shackleford, Shanna Reed, Joe Regalbuto, Tom Bosley, Julia Duffy, Steve Bond, and wrestler "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. The story concerns a gang of eccentric jewel thieves, who set about divesting the passengers of their valuables while said passengers are out frolicking on deck and on shore. The TV Guide had it right on the money when commenting that a film of this nature "defies criticism". Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage premiered February 12, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
25 year ago, a fatal stabbing occurred during a broadcast of the popular TV comedy-variety series "The Barry Barnes Show." Now Barnes (Donald O'Connor) and his cast and crew have gathered together at the murder scene to stage a reunion special. Soon thereafter, a mysterious woman dressed in black shows up to accuse Barnes of committing the murder. When a second tragedy strikes, it is up to Jessica (Angela Lansbury) to find out just what the heck is going on now, and what really went on back in 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In this comedy, two high school seniors pretend to be foreign exchange students and suddenly find themselves among the popular kids. They soon find that such popularity is a double-edged sword. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1985
The Comic takes its cue from Martin Scorsese's brilliant King of Comedy, reaching heights of audacious bloodletting untapped by the earlier film. The time is the future: in a totalitarian state, comedians are a rare and precious commodity. Aspiring funster Steve Munroe would kill to become a star. And that's just what he does to the State's most popular comedian. Alas, Munroe discovers that being top banana in the Brave New World is akin to being top gun in the old west. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Adapted from the Judith Krantz novel of the same name, the CBS miniseries Scruples zeroes in on a trendy, upscale Beverly Hills boutique. The guiding force behind the Scruples shop is beautiful Billy Ikelhorn (Lindsay Wagner), who, though born into grinding poverty, had risen to the uppermost rungs of L.A. society by virtue of her marriage to millionaire Ellis Ikelhorn (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.). When her husband dies after a long illness, Billy compensates for her grief by becoming a Boadicea of the fashion industry. Her personal and professional life is entangled with those of her closest associates, fashion photographer Spider Elliott (Barry Bostwick) and designer Valentine O'Neill (Marie-France Pisier). Originally telecast in six two-hour episodes on February 25, 26, and 28, 1980, Scruples proved popular enough to warrant a 1981 TV-movie sequel, starring Shelley Smith as Billy, Dirk Benedict as Spider and Olga Karlatos as Valentine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lindsay Wagner, Barry Bostwick, (more)
- 1980
Producer Aaron Spelling's made-for-TV Murder Can Hurt You is an unsubtle take-off of Neil Simon's theatrical feature Murder By Death. A crime is committed by the unknown, all-seeing Master Criminal. To solve the case, several top detectives are summoned, each one a takeoff of a popular TV gumshoe. Victor Buono plays Ironbottom, Jamie Farr and John Byner are Studsky and Hatch, Tony Danza is Pony Lambretta, Gavin McLeod impersonates Nojak, Connie Stevens goes by the name of Salty Sanderson, Burt Young portrays Palumbo....you get the idea. Just so we don't miss the joke, each character is introduced with the theme song of his or her "real" TV counterpart. The sporadically chucklesome Murder Can Hurt You was first telecast May 21, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victor Buono, John Byner, (more)
Each week, passengers looking for romance board the beautiful Pacific Princess cruise ship as it sails to tropical and exotic lands. Captain Stubing, Julie, Gopher, Dr.Adam, and Isaac help them to get the most out of their trips and do their best to help them fall in love.
- Starring:
- Gavin MacLeod, Bernie Kopell, (more)
- 1977
Ransom for Alice was the pilot film for the unsold series The Busters. The protagonists are not narcotics agents as might be assumed, but instead a male-female team of government undercover agents (Gil Gerard, Yvette Mimieux) operating in Seattle in the 1890s. Their current assignment is to rescue a teenaged girl (Laurie Prange) who has been abducted by a white slave ring. The male agent has plenty of opportunity to pose as a gunslinger (with a vast array of creative weaponry), while the female agent is consigned to pose as a dance hall girl. Ransom for Alice is an uncertain blend of cop drama, western, and espionage caper; it had all been done earlier, and better, as The Wild Wild West. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
The New Love Boat was the third pilot film for the long-running TV series. After several casting missteps in the two earlier films, the series' regular characters are herein solidified: Gavin McLeod as Capt. Stubing, Bernie Kopell as Doc, Fred Grandy as Gopher, Ted Lange as Isaac and Lauren Tewes as Julie. Guest stars include Georgia Engel as a stowaway, Gary Frank and Melanie Mayron as a pair of tremulous honeymooners, Stella Stevens and Pat Harrington as an eternally bickering married couple, and Audra Lindley and Phil Silvers as, respectively, an outspoken middle-aged lady and a woebegone widower. The New Love Boat was originally telecast May 5, 1977, while the Love Boat series ran from 1977 to 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gavin MacLeod
- 1976
While The Mary Tyler Moore Show no longer enjoyed Top 20 ratings as the series entered its seventh season, CBS hoped that the show would last forever as the linchpin of its Saturday-night lineup. However, series star Mary Tyler Moore (cast as Mary Richards, newscast producer at Minneapolis TV station WJM) had already decided to emulate the example set by her previous sitcom, The Dick Van Dyke Show: quit while the applause and laughter are still ringing in your ears, rather than hang around until nobody is left in the room. Thus, season seven of The Mary Tyler Moore Show was predestined to be season last. Even so, the series' final batch of episodes uphold the lofty standards of previous seasons, as indicated by the fact that Mary Tyler Moore earned its third Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy award in a row at the 1976-1977 ceremonies. Things get off to a grand start with "Mary Midwife," in which Georgette Baxter (Georgia Engel), the pregnant wife of WJM-TV's vainglorious anchorman, Ted Baxter (Ted Knight), goes into labor right in the middle of one of Mary Richards' infamous dinner parties. Subsequent episodes of note include "Sue Ann's Sister," in which WJM's "Happy Homemaker" Sue Ann Nivens (Betty White) suffers a bad case of sibling rivalry when her sister -- and professional competitor -- Lila (Pat Priest) comes to town; and "Sue Ann Gets the Ax," wherein Sue Ann accepts a humiliating supporting role on a TV kiddie show when her own series is canceled. Also worth noting are "Ted's Change of Heart," in which Ted undergoes an epiphany after suffering a heart attack while on the air; "Lou Proposes," featuring another lively appearance by Eileen Heckart as Mary's globetrotting journalist aunt Flo Meredith; "Mary's Insomnia," combining slapstick with melodrama as Mary inadvertently becomes addicted to sleeping pills; "The Critic," guest-starring Eric Braeden as a waspish arts critic who is given a gooey comeuppance by an unwitting Ted; "Hail the Conquering Gordy," marking a return appearance by John Amos in the role of former WJM weatherman Gordy Howard; "Mary's Big Party," in which Johnny Carson makes a guest appearance -- we think; and the series' only fantasy episode, "Mary's Three Husbands." The Mary Tyler Moore Show neatly wraps things up after seven seasons with the now-classic series finale, in which the new manager of WJM-TV fires everyone on the staff -- except, amazingly, Ted Baxter! (It's a long way to Tipperary....) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, (more)
- 1975
If for no other reason, the sixth season of The Mary Tyler Moore would be memorable for the Emmy-winning episode "Chuckles Bites the Dust," which has been listed in innumerable media publications as one of the funniest sitcom episodes of all time. Just in case you need remembering, this is the half hour in which Chuckles the Clown, resident kiddie host at Minneapolis station WJM-TV is killed in a freak accident during a circus parade -- seems he was dressed as a giant peanut, and a rogue elephant tried to "shell" him. As her co-workers Lou Grant (Edward Asner), Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod), and Ted Baxter (Ted Knight) compensate for their loss by making hilarious bad-taste jokes about Chuckles' demise, the outraged Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore) insists that they behave themselves and treat the occasion with the dignity and sobriety it deserves -- only to dissolve in laughter herself during the minister's eulogy at Chuckles' funeral ("A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants"). Not that this was the only season-six highlight. The opening episode, "Edie Gets Married," finds Lou Grant trying to bear up as a guest at his ex-wife's wedding; "Mary Moves Out" introduces Mary's new high-rise apartment, a move dictated by the departure of her former landlady Phyllis Lindstrom (Cloris Leachman had, of course, left the series to star in her own spin-off, Phyllis); "Murray in Love" poses a crisis of conscience for the very married Murray when it dawns upon him that he's fallen in love with Mary; "Mary's Aunt" introduces Eileen Heckart in the role of wordly journalist Flo Meredith, who finds an apt sparring partner in the form of the envious Lou; "Ted's Wedding," in which Ted finally ties the knot with his long-suffering fiancée, Georgette (Georgia Engel), with a pre-Three's Company John Ritter as the minister who performs the ceremony (in tennis clothes!); "The Happy Homemaker Takes Lou Home," wherein we finally see the erotically furnished "bachelorette apartment" of TV household-hint hostess Sue Ann Nivens (Betty White); "The Seminar," featuring an unforgettable cameo appearance by then-first lady Betty Ford; and "Ted and the Kid," distinguished by the first appearance of Robbie Rist as Ted and Georgette's adopted son, David. Also, Ted Bessel appears in a handful of episodes as Joe Warner, whom the series' producers were obviously hoping to develop as Mary's permanent boyfriend. Although it had dipped to number 19 in the ratings, The Mary Tyler Moore Show remained an audience favorite during its sixth season, and also won its second Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy award in the bargain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, (more)
- 1974
In this made-for-television comedy, a young woman gets herself into trouble when she begins fulfilling her man-craving with a string of married men. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1974
- Add The Mary Tyler Moore Show: Season 05 to QueueAdd The Mary Tyler Moore Show: Season 05 to top of Queue
Season five of The Mary Tyler Moore Show gets under way with all but one of its familiar regular characters in attendance: Valerie Harper has departed the series in the role of Rhoda Morganstern to star in her own weekly spin-off, Rhoda. However, Harper and Mary Tyler Moore would be reunited in a "crossover" Rhoda episode telecast October 28, 1974, in which Rhoda is married to her boyfriend, Joe Gerard (David Groh). Otherwise, it is business as usual in Minneapolis, as Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore) divides her time between her associate-producer duties in the WJM-TV newsroom and her home life in the apartment house owned by flighty Phyllis Lindstrom (Cloris Leachman). Mary's grouchy boss, Lou Grant (Edward Asner), is still adjusting to his recent divorce; newswriter Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod) continues to mask his neuroses with a smile and a wisecrack; the "humanization" of dimwitted, self-centered anchorman Ted Baxter (Ted Knight) carries on under the watchful and loving eye of his fiancée, Georgette Franklin (Georgia Engel); and "Happy Homemaker" Sue Ann Nivens proves tireless in her efforts to sleep with every eligible man within a 50-mile radius.
Season five kicks off with the Emmy-winning "Will Mary Richards Go to Jail," in which wide-eyed Mary finds herself in the slammer with a pair of cynical "working girls" after she refuses to reveal a news source. Subsequent first-rate episodes include "You Sometimes Hurt the One You Hate," with a contrite Lou Grant bending over backward to patch things up with Ted Baxter after tossing him through his office doors over an on-the-air gaffe; "Lou and That Woman," featuring Sheree North as Lou's sometimes girlfriend, lounge singer Charlene Maguire; "The Outsider," guest-starring Richard Masur as WJM's new business consultant, who manages to get on the wrong side of everyone in the newsroom; "A New Sue Ann" (or "All About Eve in Minneapolis"), in which Sue Ann is hoodwinked into hiring a perky young assistant (Linda Kelsey) who is plotting to take over as the Happy Homemaker; "Mary Richards: Producer," Mary's annual blow struck on behalf of feminism; "Marriage Minneapolis Style," in which Ted finally pops the question to Georgette -- then begs his friends to help him break the engagement; and the deathless "Ted Baxter's Famous Broadcasters' School," which surely needs no synopsis. Arguably, the season's most interesting episode is "Phyllis Whips Inflation," which serves a the pilot for Cloris Leachman's own spin-off series, Phyllis. Ranking at number 11 in the 1974-1975 ratings, the fifth season of The Mary Tyler Moore Show was also the first in which the program earned an Emmy award for Outstanding Comedy Series. Also earning Emmys were Betty White as Outstanding Supporting Actress and Cloris Leachman for Outstanding Single Performance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Season five kicks off with the Emmy-winning "Will Mary Richards Go to Jail," in which wide-eyed Mary finds herself in the slammer with a pair of cynical "working girls" after she refuses to reveal a news source. Subsequent first-rate episodes include "You Sometimes Hurt the One You Hate," with a contrite Lou Grant bending over backward to patch things up with Ted Baxter after tossing him through his office doors over an on-the-air gaffe; "Lou and That Woman," featuring Sheree North as Lou's sometimes girlfriend, lounge singer Charlene Maguire; "The Outsider," guest-starring Richard Masur as WJM's new business consultant, who manages to get on the wrong side of everyone in the newsroom; "A New Sue Ann" (or "All About Eve in Minneapolis"), in which Sue Ann is hoodwinked into hiring a perky young assistant (Linda Kelsey) who is plotting to take over as the Happy Homemaker; "Mary Richards: Producer," Mary's annual blow struck on behalf of feminism; "Marriage Minneapolis Style," in which Ted finally pops the question to Georgette -- then begs his friends to help him break the engagement; and the deathless "Ted Baxter's Famous Broadcasters' School," which surely needs no synopsis. Arguably, the season's most interesting episode is "Phyllis Whips Inflation," which serves a the pilot for Cloris Leachman's own spin-off series, Phyllis. Ranking at number 11 in the 1974-1975 ratings, the fifth season of The Mary Tyler Moore Show was also the first in which the program earned an Emmy award for Outstanding Comedy Series. Also earning Emmys were Betty White as Outstanding Supporting Actress and Cloris Leachman for Outstanding Single Performance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, (more)
