Bob Goldstein Movies
- 1982
Sitcom stalwart Valerie Harper trades jokes for the judiciary in Farrell: For the People. Valerie stars as New York attorney Elizabeth Farrell ("All she wants to be is a DA", declared the TV Guide ad copy, "but her toughest case is being a woman!"), whose case load runs the gamut from rapists to killers. This TV movie borrows a page from current events by fictionalizing the notorious Norman Mailer/Jack Henry Abbott contretemps. Farrell takes on an ex-convict who has become a best-selling author thanks to the intervention of the Manhattan intellectual elite--and whose latest creative achievement is murder. Farrell: for the People was the pilot for a projected TV series, but the central character was too bland and confining for Valerie Harper's talents. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Recently widowed Dr. Nichols (Walter Matthau) finds himself ill at ease in re-entering the singles scene. Then he meets Ann Atkinson (Glenda Jackson), a patient recuperating from a jaw operation. Freshly divorced from a philandering spouse, Jackson is as reluctant to inaugurate a lasting commitment as Walter--but inaugurate they do, in a hilarious scene wherein Jackson and Walter try to emulate those romantic couples in 1930s movies who were forced by the censors to keep one foot on the floor while lying in bed. It is Jackson who encourages Matthau to stand up for his ideals during a lawsuit involving senile head physician Dr. Willoughby (Art Carney, who is unbearably funny at times). Richard Benjamin rounds off the cast of polished farceurs who add so much sparkle to House Calls. The film was later adapted into a TV sitcom starring Wayne Rogers in the Matthau role, Lynn Redgrave (and later Sharon Gless) in the Jackson counterpart, and David Wayne as a less aphasiatic version of the Carney character. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, (more)
- 1977
As a surprise for Fred (Redd Foxx), who is about to celebrate his 40th year in the business, Lamont (Demond Wilson) and Aunt Esther (LaWanda Page) arrange to upholster all his furniture. This of course requires the removal of the furniture without informing Fred. Upon returning to an empty living room, Fred assumes he's been robbed and summons the police -- and his insurance company. Evidently slated to air on December 10, 1976, as the 122nd episode of Sanford and Son, this installment was moved up to January 7, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, (more)
In this 1975 adaptation of Neil Simon's stage play, director Herbert Ross presents the story of two old-time Vaudvillians played by Walter Matthau and George Burns in his first starring role since 1939's Honolulu. After decades apart, the cantankerous duo is persuaded to reunite for a television special despite the fact that they hate each other. Richard Benjamin co-stars as Matthau's nephew, who has the responsibility of making sure the comedians go through with the show and don't kill each other in the process. Nominated for four Academy Awards, Burns took home the statue for Best Supporting Actor. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Matthau, George Burns, (more)
- 1974
After one of his clients commits suicide, unscrupulous private eye Ray Coughlin (Martin Balsam hopes to cash in on the man's insurance policy. Conspiring with the victim's equally crooked business manager, Coughlin arranges the evidence to make suicide look like murder. In his efforts to foil this scheme, police lieutenant Kojak (Telly Savalas) makes little effort to hide his shame and disgust over the fact that Coughlin used to be a cop himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Kojak (Telly Savalas) and his colleagues are perplexed by a mad bomber who has been striking various targets on Manhattan island. Not only are clues virtually nonexistent, but the bomber doesn't seem to be following any sort of pattern. However, the audience knows something Kojak doesn't: the perpetrator is targeting people whom he regards as personal enemies because they have done harm to his friends. A pre-stardom Dabney Coleman appears in a significant supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Ironside (Raymond Burr) investigates the mysterious disappearance of Michael Brandon (Ted Hartley), a brilliant scientist who was working on a top-secret missile project at the Gregory Institute. There are those who are convinced that Brandon has defected to the Soviets or Red Chinese, but his wife Ellie (Hildy Brooks) is adamant in her belief that her husband had met with foul play. Should Ironside trust Mrs. Brandon or the evidence of own eyes--and can there be someone else at Gregory Institute involved in the mystery? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
