Maurice Marsac Movies
French character actor Maurice Marsac, in films since 1944's To Have and Have Not, has played dozens of maitre d's and concierges; he plays the waiter in The Jerk (1978) who must deflect Steve Martin's complaint that his plate of escargot is covered with snails. Less typical Maurice Marsac roles include Nicodemus in 1961's The King of Kings and Charles DeGaulle in the 1982 TV biopic Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Marsac's catchphrase was "how you say," as in "Monsieur, I have a gun. I am going to--how you say?--'scram' with zee loot." Marsac died of cardiac arrest on May 6, 2007 in Santa Rosa, California. He was 92. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1986
In this elaborate spoof of the Bond films, Murdock (Dwight Schultz) dons tux and toupee to pose as dashing secret agent Logan Ross--a man who doesn't exist, but was created as a decoy by General Stockwell (Robert Vaughn). It is Murdock's mission to prevent a political assassin named Jaguar from striking again--and to keep his fellow A-Teamer Face (Dirk Benedict), jealous over not being chosen to impersonate Logan Ross, at arm's length. The episode is filled to the brim with "007" references, including an exotic and enigmatic heroine, a wheelchair-bound master villain headquartered in a Monte Carlo casino, and an Oddjob-like henchman named Frobe! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Much to the surprise of the Night Court staff, Dan Fielding's parents, whom he insisted were dead, show up in New York City, fresh from Paris, Texas. It quickly becomes obvious why Dan (John Larroquette) had tried to obliterate his parents' existence: Not only are they "trailer trash", but they're also Democrats! Cast as the elder Elmores (not "Fieldings", but "Elmores"--and Dan isn't really "Dan" either!) are real-life husband and wife John McIntire and Jeanette Nolan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
The perfume business is dramatized in this soap opera-like made-for-television movie. Based on the novel by Meredith Rich, Genie Francis (who played the infamous Laura on General Hospital) stars as Tiger Hayes, a woman who decides to start her own fragrance company. Typical soap dramas abound in this two-part movie, which was the pilot for a short-lived television series. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Linda Evans, (more)
- 1982
Jean Stapleton stars as Eleanor Roosevelt in this made-for-TV biography, first telecast May 12, 1982. The film recounts Mrs. Roosevelt's life after the 1945 death of her husband, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. At the request of new president Truman, Eleanor serves as a United Nations delegate, spending much of her time tilting with dedicated anti-FDR politico John Foster Dulles (E.G. Marshall). She goes on to spearhead the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proving to Dulles--and to Soviet delegate Freddie Jones--that she's anything but soft on Communism. The winning teleplay for Eleanor: First Lady of the World was by Caryl Ledner and Cynthia Mandenberg. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Jaclyn Smith trades the flimsy costumes of Charlie's Angels for the pink pillbox hat and white gloves of the former First Lady of the Land in the made-for-TV Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. The daughter of socialites "Black Jack" Bouvier (Rod Taylor) and Janet Lee (Claudette Nevins), Jackie spends her early adulthood at the posh Newport estate of her stepfather, Louis Auchincloss (Donald Moffat). In 1953, 24-year-old Jackie marries Senator John F. Kennedy (James Franciscus), himself a child of privilege. The film follows the King and Queen of "Camelot" through Kennedy's 1960 election as President, the tragedy of Jackie's highly publicized miscarriage in the summer of 1963, and the JFK assassination in the fall of that year. All things considered, Jaclyn Smith does a pretty creditable job capturing the "public" Jackie Kennedy, even if the "private" Jackie remains as elusive as she was in real life. (Sidebar: Though "Camelot" is heard on the soundtrack, the real Jackie Kennedy would later note that it was not her husband's favorite song, never mind the legend-weavers in the Kennedy camp). Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy was first broadcast October 14, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Samuel Fuller's valedictory war picture, The Big Red One follows the First Infantry Division from Africa to Europe during the years 1942 through 1945. Lee Marvin portrays the division sergeant; he's tough and experienced, to be sure, but he takes on his job with cool professionalism rather than Hollywood bravado. Based on Fuller's own experiences, the film is a loosely constructed series of anecdotes. Among them are an insane asylum under bombardment while the inmates applaud and a climactic vignette in which a very young concentration camp internee dies while a friendly soldier plays piggy-back with the boy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee Marvin, Mark Hamill, (more)
- 1978
After a four-week hiatus, Good Times returned to CBS's Wednesday-night schedule with this episode. Sheryl Lee Ralph guest stars as Vanessa Blake, an old girlfriend of unemployed J.J. Evans (Jimmie Walker). Afraid to tell Vanessa that he's out of work, J.J. suffers a thousand deaths as his high-maintenance sweetie pressures him into taking her on a very expensive date. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Unicorn (Jean Claudio), a top enemy agent, is accidentally killed by his own comrades during a shootout. To fool the Other Side, the New Avengers arrange an elaborate hoax to make it appear as though Unicorn is still alive. Unfortunately, the villains have captured a foreign Prince in hopes of exchanging him for Unicorn--and the Prince has been wired to explode in case the exchange goes awry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, (more)
- 1977
In the first episode of a two-part story filmed in France, a Russian "K" agent, imbedded as a "sleeper", commits mass murder and then drops dead, aging rapidly as he expires. This occurs in 1965; twelve years agent, another long-imbedded "K" agent is likewise reactivated and likewise launches a murderous attack--this time on an empty house. Steed (Patrick MacNee) and his associates find out that there are 250 sleeper agents throughout France and England, all programmed to be activated by a Soviet satellite--which is now malfunctioning, unleashing death and destruction on an unsuspecting world. Former Avengers costar Diana Rigg appears as Emma Peel in scenes culled from the 1960s episodes "The Winged Avenger" and "The Hidden Tiger". Parts one and two of K is for Kill were telecast in the US as a "feature film" on March 23, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Hunt, Joanna Lumley, (more)
- 1977
In the conclusion of the two-part story, a malfunctioning Soviet satellite has reactivated Russian "K" agents throughout France and England, transforming the agents into homicidal zombies. The New Avengers think they can rest easy upon confirming that all 250 K agents are dead--until they learn that there were actually 252. Once they have disposed of Number 251, our heroes must somehow prevent the last, unknown K agent from assassinating an equally unknown but very high-profile official, thereby launching World War 3. Parts one and two of K is for Kill were telecast in the US as a "feature film" on March 23, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, (more)
- 1977
Cover Girls isn't really a Charlie's Angels rip-off. Honest! Look: there are three girls in Charlie's Angels and only two girls (Jayne Kennedy and Cornelia Sharpe) in Cover Girls. Besides, the Angels are private eyes, working on behalf of boss John Forsythe; the Cover Girls are fashion models, doubling as secret agents on behalf of boss Don Galloway. Just because Cover Girls premiered on May 18, 1977, six months into Charlie's Angels' fabulous first season, doesn't mean that there was any conscious copycatting. Does it? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jayne Kennedy, Cornelia Sharpe, (more)
- 1977
Jim (James Garner) is hired by a woman identifying herself as Karen Hall (Barbara Babcock), who claims to be researching the career of Alva Korper, a German film director notorious for his Nazi sympathies during WW2, and for his mysterious death in a suspicious car crash. It soon develops that "Karen Hall" is actually Korper's daughter, and she is one of several shady characters searching for a priceless 18th century painting stolen years earlier by the Germans. With Jim being pursued by everyone from ex-Nazis to French police detectives, and with no idea of what is really going on, he must turn to a college coed (Irene Tsu) majoring in "logic" to straighten things out. The title of this episode (directed by film star James Coburn) refers to the last-act expositional dialogue heard in every mystery story, usually delivered by the hero or (as in this case) the villain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
All in the Family ventures into Rashomon territory when Archie and Mike offer two different versions of the same story. It all began when Archie called in a couple of repairmen to fix the Bunkers' refrigerator. According to Archie, the repair crew consisted of an intimidating Mafia don and a knife-wielding black gang-banger, while Mike insists that the two workers were a stereotypical musical-comedy Italian and an Amos 'N' Andy-style shuffler. It is up to Edith to tell the real story, without editorial interpolations. Ken Lynch and future Barney Miller co-star Ron Glass deliver bravura performances as repairmen Bob and Jack, while the regular cast members get to display their versatility as well. Written by Don Nicholl, "Everybody Tells the Truth" first aired on March 3, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1972
Syndicate loan sharks Ollie Shanks (Paul Koslo) and Rudy Blake (Lou Antonio) must be intercepted before they can transfer $10 million from Hawaii to California. Assigned to put Shanks and Blake out of business, IMF agent Willy ends up being captured himself. As the villains inject Willy with near-fatal doses of truth serum, his fellow agents race against time to complete his mission before their cover is blown. Scripted by Jackson Gillis and Laurence Heath from a story by Gillis, "Double Dead" originally aired on February 12, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1971
Once again going undercover, Inspector Erskine poses as an art expert to trap a gang of thieves headed by Porter Brent (Vic Morrow). The villains intend to sell a valuable painting back to the museum whence they stole it, and Erskine sets himself up as go-between. The problem: One of the gang members, Yvonne Shelby (Susan Howard), was arrested by Erskine eight years earlier--and she hasn't forgotten his face. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
In the sixth episode of a seven-part story arc, Samantha and Darrin arrive in Paris, only to face the wrath of Sam's father, Maurice. Incensed that the Stephenses did not pay him a visit in London, Maurice gets his revenge by sending Darrin to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Want to bet that this rash act will prove beneficial to Darrin's new client, European tour packager Henri Sagan (Maurice Marsac)? Written by Michael Morris, "Paris Witch's Style" first aired on October 20, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1971
Posing as a psychic, silver-tongued con artist Charles Ridgeway (Fritz Weaver) specializing in relieving his wealthy clients of their jewels and other valuables. Ridgeway's current pigeon is widow Carol Stanford (Dana Wynter), who is desperate to make contact with the spirit of her dead son. FBI Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) intends to stop Ridgeway before Mrs. Stanford loses her most cherished possessions--to say nothing of her life. This episode marks one of the earliest TV appearances of Ed Begley Jr.. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
In the first episode of Family Affair's two-part Season Four finale, Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot and the kids pay a visit to Bill (Brian Keith), who is on assignment in Tahiti. Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) bask in the carefree behavior of the local children (not to mention the idea of going to school outdoors), Cissy (Kathy Garver) falls in love with handsome tour guide Mike (Michael Blodgett), and Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) despairs over the new casual approach to life taken by the family. Then Bill drops a real bombshell: He's planning to marry Tahitian beauty Janine (Danielle Aubrey), and to settle in the tropics permanently! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
In the conclusion of Family Affair's two-part Season Four finale, Bill (Brian Keith) and the kids are so enchanted by their visit to Tahiti that they intend to remain there permanently--much to the dismay of Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot), who feels that the island's casual lifestyle may cause the family to disintegrate. But things begin to erode long before French thinks they will when Cissy (Kathy Garver) discovers that her new "dream boy", a tour guide named Mike (Michael Blodgett), is already married. But even though Cissy has been disillusioned, is this setback enough for Bill to abandon his own plans of settling in Tahiti--which include marriage with the alluring Janine (Danielle Aubrey? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Hogan and his men draw up a plan to blow up a roomful of German generals during a secret banquet meeting. Posing as caterers, our heroes manage to plant several booby-trapped ashtrays in the banquet hall. The problem: London insists that the sabotage scheme be called off, because one of the officers is an Allied plant. Though quite funny, this episode is somewhat sobering in that Hogan has no qualms about killing Klink and Schultz along with the rest of the German brass. Also appearing are Maurice Marsac as Sgt. Jacques Mornay, John Hoyt as General Bruner, and Ben Wright as General Mercer. Also known as "Evening of the Generals," the episode was written by Laurence Marks and first telecast on December 2, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
Elvis Presley plays Guy Lambert, a musician (so far, so good) who is touring Great Britain (something Elvis never managed in real life). Jill Conway (Annette Day), a wealthy heiress, is a big fan of Guy's who has developed a very serious crush on him; her family wants to keep her away from the romantically-inclined singer, so they send her to Belgium, not realizing that Guy has a string of gigs set up there. En route to Brussels, a pair of hapless jewel thieves (Norman Rossington and Chips Rafferty) hide their loot in Guy's luggage, which makes the singer the unwitting target of three equally inept detectives (Harry, Herbert, and Sylvester Wiere). While wooing Jill and avoiding her treacherous uncle Gerald (John Williams), Guy also finds himself pursued by the worldly Claire Dunham (Yvonne Romain). Elvis sings nine songs along the way, including "Long Legged Girls with Short Dresses On" and "Baby, if You Give Me All Your Love." 18 months after Double Trouble was released, Presley's career was revitalized by his 1968 comeback special, though he would also release four more films before it aired. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Annette Day, (more)
Doris Day plays a swinging, mod-attired agent of espionage (yes, that Doris Day) in this caper comedy directed by Frank Tashlin. Patricia Fowler (Day) is an industrial spy who is hired to work undercover at a cosmetics company. While posing as a low-level employee, she is to get the goods on a new formula they intend to market. However, it turns out that makeup isn't all this firm has to sell; they're also involved in an international drug-smuggling ring, and she finds herself doing battle with other agents willing to kill to ensure that the flow of narcotics is unabated. Her adventures cause her to cross paths with Christopher White (Richard Harris), a fellow agent with whom Patricia is soon romantically involved, and together the couple locate the secret lab of cosmetics tycoon and evil genius Stuart Clancy (Ray Walston). While this was a game attempt to update Day's squeaky-clean image, it was not terribly well received; one year and three films later, Day retired from movies to devote herself to television work, and quit showbiz altogether in 1973 (with the exception of a short-lived talk show that aired in 1984). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Doris Day, Richard Harris, (more)
A man begins monkeying around with his new farm with hilarious results in this comedy for the whole family. American Hank Dussard (Dean Jones) inherits an olive plantation in a small French village after his uncle passes away. Hank soon gets a crash course in the expense of hiring pickers for the olive harvest from Father Sylvain (Maurice Chevalier), the local priest. Hoping to cut expenses, Hank buys four monkeys, and teaches them how to pick olives. While the plan looks good on paper, it doesn't go over well with the town's farm laborers -- who threaten a strike if Hank doesn't get rid of his new help. Hank also has troubles with his new work force when he discovers that his monkeys are all female, and the arrival of a male chimpanzee takes their minds off the olives. Monkeys, Go Home! features Maurice Chevalier in his final screen role; the supporting cast also includes Yvette Mimieux and Jules Munshin. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maurice Chevalier, Dean Jones, (more)
- 1966
Kirby (Jack Hogan) is accosted by two American GIs, Roberts (Nick Adams) and Driskoll (Roger Perry)--one of whom takes a shot at him. All three men are subsequently taken prisoner by British corporal Tommy Behan (Gavin MacLeod), who is convinced that they are German infiltrators. To be sure, there is a German spy in the vicinity...and Kirby begins to suspect that the "ringer" is Behan himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
James Franciscus guest stars as PFC Charles Harris, a demolitions expert assigned to Saunders' squad for a mission to blow up a German communications center. As the mission progresses, Saunders can't help but wonder why Harris, a former doctor, would give up the medical profession and dedicate himself to killing rather than curing. It turns out that Harris, like so many other Combat supporting characters, is running away from himself--and the race may be over sooner than he thinks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
