Barbara Mandrell Movies
Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Decade Loretta Lynn is joined by country outlaws Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard, the late great June Carter Cash, Ernest Tubb, and a whole host of iconic country music luminaries who take the stages of the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas Texas, the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee in order to celebrate fifty years of unforgettable music in this once-in-a-lifetime concert extravaganza. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
In a real change-of-pace role, Barbara Mandrell is cast as Texas widow Ruth Wagner, the mother of Leslie Wanger (Tracey Gold), who is expecting a baby of her own. Both mother and daughter are plunged into despair when Leslie's infant son is kidnapped, almost literally from the womb, by ex-prostitute Karen (Lisa Zane), who desperately hopes that her "instant" family will prevent her drug-dealing husband Cody (William Moses) from tossing her back on the street. Adding to the burden of the Wagner family is the fact that Ruth is suffering from a heart condition that could snuff her out at any moment. Described by one TV critic as "the stupidest TV-movie of the century thus far" (it wasn't, but it came mighty close), Stolen from the Heart debuted January 26, 2000 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tracey Gold, Lisa Zane, (more)
- 1998
Small-towners Ada (Barbara Mandrell), Pearhead (Morgan Rusler), Sis (Tina Lifford) and Vinegar (K. Todd Freeman) become convinced that God is communicating with them via mysterious calls from the pay phone in the town's café. This phenomenon is accepted as a miracle by everyone except local minister Erskine (Chris Mulkey), who has lost his faith in the wake of his wife's death. Inasmuch as Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey) has been assigned to redeem Erskine, it is necessary to demonstrate God's presence in a more palpaple fashion than as a celestial phone service. The metaphoric title of this episode refers to the favorite pastime of Erskine's daughter Bits (Renee Olstead). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Angela Fischer (Barbara Mandrell) is put in a very uncomfortable position when her son Steve (Jonathan Scarfe), who has recently weathered a number of emotional difficulties, returns home with his new girlfriend Kelly Garner (Zoe McLellan) in tow. Although Steve is entranced by Kelly, Angela has a bad feeling about the girl, whose past is a matter that clearly disturbs her. As it turns out, "mother knows best," as the seemingly angelic Kelly precipitates deadly havoc throughout the Fischer household. With this made-for-TV film and the previous Stranger in the House, actress Zoe McLellan inarguably cornered the market in playing baby-faced psychos! The Wrong Girl debuted January 4, 1999 on NBC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
If there is any doubt that this made-for-TV movie is the authorized biography of singer Barbara Mandrell, the fact that the singer plays "herself" in the wraparound sequences should settle all bets. Otherwise, former Brady Bunch regular Maureen McCormick is seen as Barbara, whose life is chronicled from her early years as a musical prodigy (she played the accordion) to her first blush of TV stardom in the company of her sisters Irlene (played by Mandrell's real-life daughter Jaime Dudney) and Louise (Portia Dawson), moving ever forward to her solo superstardom and climaxing with her near-fatal 1984 car accident. The remainder of the drama details Barbara's spectacular post-crash comeback, which involved not only intense physical rehabilitation but also extensive spiritual therapy. Also showing up as themselves are Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Coproduced by Mandrell's husband Ken Dudney (herein played by Greg Kean, Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story made its CBS network bow on September 28, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Having shown up at the wrong house for her latest assignment, Monica (Roma Downey) innocently finds herself under arrest for drug possession--and when she insists that she is an angel, she ends up in a mental hospital. Monica's court-appointed lawyer Jake Stone (Joe Morton) is a cynical, athestic Vietnam veteran, whose lack of faith colors his attitude toward his client. Likewise having served a tour of duty in 'Nam is Monica's fellow inmate Claire (Cindy Williams)--who also claims to be an angel in disguise! This inspiring episode is a classic example of "what comes around, goes around"...but we don't know that until the very last scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
When a rash of coal mine fires breaks out underground in Tennessee, the government sends a geologist to assist the small-town residents in preventing tragedy. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Albert
- 1982
In this musical drama a famed country singer and her newest competitor, a rising star, compete to become female vocalist of the year. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1979
A couple find the body of a detective in their apartment, and follow the trail of his killer to Nashville. The film is also known as Country Music Murders. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Popular country music stars from the late 1970s populate this updated adaptation of Dickens', A Christmas Carol. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Blind psychologist Dr. Megan Doherty (Kathryn Harrold) comes back into the life of her former sweetheart Jim Rockford (James Garner). Now engaged to architect Jeffrey Smith (Anthony Herrera), Megan asks Jim to help clear Jeffrey of a murder charge--a tall order, inasmuch as there's an eyewitness who is willing to testify that Jeffrey did it. Can this have any connection with Megan's former patient, manic-depressive photographer Randy Smith (David-James Carroll). And are there still sparks between Jim and Megan despite her "unattainable" status? Singer Barbara Mandrell appears as herself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Two Montana saddletramps head for bustling Music City and open up a detective agency in this comical adventure that was originally the pilot of a television series. Not only do the two have to accustom themselves to strange big-city ways, they have to learn to become less inept at the gumshoe game as they try to expose extortionists and return a missing singer. Singers Barbara Mandrell and Roy Acuff make cameo appearances. On video the film is titled Ramblin' Man. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Acuff, Claude Akins, (more)
- 1976
- Add Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1976 to QueueAdd Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1976 to top of Queue
The first of two annual televised holiday variety shows hosted by The Man in Black, Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1976 features Cash joined by such musical guests as Tony Orlando, Roy Clark, Merle Travis and Barbara Mandrell. The program also includes a special appearance by Rev. Billy Graham. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Cash, Tony Orlando, (more)
