Bruce Mars Movies
- 1969
The second multipart adventure of Mission: Impossible's third season, "The Bunker" was written by Paul Playdon. The IMF is assigned to rescue rocket scientist Erich Rojak (Milton Selzer), who is being forced to cooperate with the enemy. Not only must the agents release Rojak from an impenetrable bunker, but they must also free his wife Anna (Lee Meriwether, who is being held hostage in a maximum-security prison. Part One of "The Bunker" originally aired March 2, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1969
In the second half of the two-part Mission: Impossible adventure "The Bunker", the IMF team continue their efforts to rescue rocket scientist Erich Rojak (Milton Selzer) and his wife Anna (Lee Meriwether from the Enemy. Complicating matter is the fact that Rojak is being held in bunker some 300 feet beneath the ground, and the presence of Alexander Ventlos (Ray Baxter) a master of disuguise, who is determined to assassinate Rojak. One lengthy sequence finds Cinammon Carter impersonate Anna Rojak--a somewhat ironic plot device, in that actress Barbara Bain (Cinammon) would later be replaced on the series by Lee Meriwether. Written by Paul Playdon, Part Two of "The Bunker" was first broadcast on March 9, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1968
This pilot film for the 1969-1970 TV series Then Came Bronson stars Michael Parks in the title role. A young, ambitious journalist, Bronson realigns his priorities after his best friend (Martin Sheen) commits suicide. Borrowing a page from Kerouac, Bronson gives up the rat race for the road. He mounts his friend's motorcycle, speeding up and down the California coastline in search of life's meaning. Along the way, he meets a runaway bride (Bonnie Bedelia) who briefly joins him on his odyssey. The best sequence takes place in a nomad encampment, presided over by Zorba-like Akim Tamiroff. Everyone who grew up in the late-'60s seems to have fond memories of the series; why, then, was the show canceled after only one season? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bonnie Bedelia, Akim Tamiroff, (more)
- 1968
This exploitation film about the evils of marijuana finds art teacher Phil Blake (Fabian) discovering some of his students are smoking pot. Although he admits to the students he tried it himself in college, he is dumber than a bag of hammers about student drug use. Phil has eyes for fellow teacher Ellie (Diane McBain) until he discovers she is the main dealer, along with the star of the football team. Included in the cast is actress (Patty McCormick), all grown up since her appearance in Bad Seed, and Terri Garr, who makes a brief appearance as a student. This unintentionally laughable film, a feeble attempt to cash in on the sensationalism of marijuana use, was co-written by Richard Gautier and Peter Marshall of "Hollywood Squares" television fame. This film, along with similarly overblown 1930s anti-marijuana diatribes, cost the "straight" world a great deal of credibility at the time, and it became an instant "camp" classic. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Fabian, Diane McBain, (more)
- 1967
Don Rickles guests in this episode as Eddie Rickles (what a stretch!), a former boxer who wants to buy a flower shop. When Mooney (Gale Gordon) denies Eddie the necessary $3000 loan, Lucy (Lucille Ball) takes matters into her own hands by arranging a comeback for the punchy pugilist in a bout with the much-younger Sonny Shaw (Bruce Mars). Her efforts to bolster Eddie's confidence succeed all too well--especially when, after getting her hands on the three grand by other means, Lucy must convince Eddie that he's all washed up! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Don Rickles, Cliff Norton, (more)
- 1966
Hoss Cartwright seriously injures washed-up boxer Hank Kelly (Michael Conrad in a challenge fight. Feeling guilty, Hoss refuses all entreaties to fight on a professional basis-but younger brother Joe is eager and willing to show off his pugilistic prowess. Featured in the cast are Phillip Pine as Ross Dugan and Mari Aldon as Rubi Kelly. Written by Robert L. Goodwin, "The Fighters" first aired on April 24, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Outbound from a small town recently besieged by Indians, a stagecoach carries several diverse characters. They include rummy sawbones Josiah Boone (Bing Crosby), dance-hall girl and prostitute Dallas (Ann-Margret), embezzling bank clerk Gatewood (Robert Cummings), pregnant army officer's wife Lucy Mallory (Stefanie Powers), policeman Curly (Van Heflin), and several others. En route, the drunken Doc Boone is forced to sober up and deliver Lucy's baby, and the travelers are joined by Ringo (Alex Cord), an outlaw falsely accused of killing his own father and brother. Despite being arrested by Curly, Ringo helps fight off Indians and falls for Dallas. Once the coach reaches its destination, Luke Plummer (Keenan Wynn) and his two sons, the real killers of Ringo's family, shoot Gatewood for his stolen loot and wound Curly. A showdown between the Plummers and Ringo is inevitable. Famed painter Norman Rockwell, who rendered cast portraits for the film's closing credits sequence, appears in a brief cameo. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ann-Margret, Red Buttons, (more)
- 1966
Penned by noted science-fiction author Theodore Sturgeon, this episode of the famed science-fiction television series depicts the crew of the starship Enterprise relaxing and enjoying time off -- until, that is, their vacation spot provides them with some unexpected surprises. When Dr. McCoy suggests a brief vacation for the crew to relieve stress, Kirk agrees, having found what seems to be the perfect place: a pristine, Earth-like planet without any dangerous animal life. However, once the crew lands, bizarre events begin to occur. On this supposedly uninhabited planet, Sulu finds an ancient gun, Kirk meets an old school rival, and McCoy spots the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. While initially benevolent, these appearances become increasingly strange -- and dangerous. Soon the vacationers appear to be in mortal danger, and Kirk, Spock, and the others must solve the mystery behind these curious encounters before anyone is harmed. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
- 1965
Virginia City is held in a grip of terror by the vicious family of condemned killer Harry Lassiter (Jack Chaplain. Cold-blooded matriarch Ma Lassiter (Marie Windsor) promises to kidnap one citizen per day until Harry is set free. Things get personal for the Cartwrights when Little Joe is among those abducted by Ma's murderous brood. In addition to guest-star Marie Windsor, another film noir stalwart, John Hoyt, is seen as Major Sutcliffe. First broadcast on December 5, 1965, "Five Sundowns to Sunup" was written by William L. Stuart. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
