Robin Mattson Movies

Law & Order rips another story from the headlines in the series' 13th-season opener. When a professor specializing in stem-cell research is murdered, the detectives at first suspect that the killer was a pro-life zealot. It soon develops that the actual target for extermination was the professor's wife (also murdered in the attack), who was raising money and public awareness for Muslim women's rights. Ultimately, the clues lead to a young Muslim extremist who calls himself Mousah Salim, but who is actually an American named Greg Landen (Wil Horneff). In prosecuting the case, the lawyers try to ferret out the motivation behind Landen's wild-eyed fanaticism, with surprising results. Fred Dalton Thompson joins the cast as new DA Arthur Branch. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The made for TV Menu for Murder was first telecast December 4, 1990. An unpopular PTA leader is murdered with a poisoned croissant sandwich during a gala luncheon. Though practically every woman on the committee had expressed a desire to kill the victim, the principal suspect is housewife Julia Duffy. Detective Ed Marinaro conducts an intense investigation of Julia-much to the discomfort of her husband. Joan van Ark and Morgan Fairchild also star, the latter incrongrously cast as a PTA treasurer. Originally titled Murder at the PTA Luncheon, Menu for Murder was reportedly withheld from view until a few legal matters could be smoothed out with the Parent-Teacher's Association. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Separated at birth, in this thriller, a "good" twin seeks out his brother in order to claim a share in his inheritance but becomes embroiled in a plot with the "bad" twin's wife to murder the bum. Unfortunately for them, a few other people are involved in the scheme, and a great many more murders take place than anyone planned. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

This made-for-TV suspenser stars Suzanne Pleshette as famous soap opera writer Carla Webber. Carla turns detective when the cast members of her program begin dying under mysterious circumstances. Barry Newman plays the investigating detective, while Robert Vaughn and Patrick O'Neal are special guest suspects. The film's principal attraction (and a hardly unexpected one) is the presence in the supporting cast of then-current soap opera stars: All My Children's Peter Bergman, General Hospital's Stuart Damon and Robin Mattson, Ryan's Hope's John Gabriel, and One Life to Live's Robert S. Woods. Fantasies was first networkcast January 18, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of The Dukes of Hazzard's two-part Season Three opener (originally telecast as a single two-hour "special"), Duke cousins Bo (John Schneider) and Luke (Tom Wopat) have had a falling out over Diane Benson, the gorgeous owner of the Carnival of Thrills. What's more, Bo intends to defy the wishes of Luke, Daisy (Catherine Bach) and Uncle Jesse (Denver Pyle) and drive the "General Lee" in a treacherous jump over 32 cars. Enter insurance inspector Zimbra (Vernon Weddle) with the disturbing news that four men have tried the same jump in the past three months, with catastrophic results--and it looks as though someone is deliberately sabotaging the stunt, with Bo neatly set up as the next victim! This episode was originally filmed for the series' second season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Not only does star Rod Steiger bypass The Honor Guard on his resume; it is also ignored by virtually every chronicler of Steiger's career. Why? Wouldn't you want to see a low-budget Canadian film wherein ex-marine Steiger, unhinged by the death of his son in Vietnam, terrorizes a young couple (David Huffman, Robin Mattson)? Most American viewers didn't catch up with this turkey until it was telecast on the Showtime Cable service in the summer of 1983. Originally titled Wolf Lake, The Honor Guard is rated R for its violence and sex content. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A young racer attempts to win a dragstip competition where the outcome has already been fixed by the local mob, in this film alternately known as Hotrod and Rebel of the Road. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

An upcoming Super Bowl provides the framework for this suspenseful thriller set in New Orleans. The trouble begins when a murderous stalker begins threatening assorted lovers, gamblers, and con artists who typically surround the big game. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Doctors' Private Lives was the 2-hour pilot film for the shortlived TV series of the same name. Ed Nelson and John Gavin star as, respectively, chief surgeon Dr. Michael Wise and cardiovascular unit chief Dr. Jeffrey Latimer. The drama arises from the ongoing clash of egos between these two medical giants. Nelson and Gavin were carried over to the series, as was Randolph Powell as Dr. Rick Calder. The guest cast includes Bettye Ackerman, who had ironically costarred in an earlier hospital series, Ben Casey (Ackerman was the wife of Sam "Dr. Zorba" Jaffee). Doctors' Private Lives premiered March 20, 1978; the series itself ran from April 5 to 28, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

When they're just out for fun, the fun turns foul for two wild guys who head down Georgia way where they run into trouble with the law, Georgia style. This is the first film effort for actor Nick Nolte. ~ Rovi

"He sold his soul for rock-n-roll," read the tagline for Brian De Palma's satirical Phantom of the Opera for the '70s rock scene. After hearing Winslow Leach (William Finley) perform a song from his Faust rock opera, Phil Spector-ish impresario Swan (Paul Williams) decides that Winslow's opera would be the perfect debut attraction for his new rock palace, the Paradise. Swan steals the music and has Winslow imprisoned -- but not before Winslow meets aspiring songbird Phoenix (Jessica Harper). Jumping prison, Winslow breaks into Swan's Death Records factory to ruin the recordings, but a record press accident grossly disfigures him. Winslow then sneaks into the Paradise to sabotage Swan's show, disguising himself as the Phantom. Swan, however, cuts a deal with the Phantom to finish his cantata; he promises that Phoenix will sing it but then reneges, hiring prissy glam rocker Beef (Gerritt Graham). Determined to have Phoenix sing, the Phantom soon discovers just how far Swan will go to give the people what they want. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

A shipwreck leaves an anthropologist and his family stranded on an island populated by mutant beasts. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi