Frances Bay Movies
- 2005
This heartwarming made-for-cable "road" picture begins in Chicago, where widowed grandmother Annie Eason (Betty White, convincingly portraying a 69-year-old while herself in her eighties!) wants to grant the final request of her husband Elliott: To release his ashes from the top of "Annie's Point"--3000 miles away. Embittered over having to manage his late father's business, Annie's son Richard (Richard Thomas) flatly refuses to take her to Annie's Point, so she goes instead with her free-spirited granddaughter Ella (Amy Davidson). Their odyssey turns into a frantic and sometimes funny chase after Annie goes on a gambling spree in Las Vegas, prompting Richard to hotly pursue his mother with the intention of having her institutionalized. Annie's Point made its Hallmark channel bow on January 22, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Blake (Jeremy Sisto) is like a lot of people living in L.A. He believes he has an audience following him around, watching everything he does. He addresses the camera nearly constantly, and it becomes clear that we are Blake's audience. He spots a Suspicious Character (Peter Stormare of Fargo, who also contributes the film's closing song) on the street and follows him. He tells the man, "I know what you did," even though he doesn't know. The cops warn Blake to stop harassing people, but he owes it to his audience to fight evil. Blake gets a surprise visit from his parents (Marcia Strassman and Eric Pierpoint), who are surprisingly understanding about his mental state. His mother tells him they showed up unannounced because, "We know that your audience hates phone conversations." Blake advertises for a sidekick to help him fight evil, and meets a young, unemployed black comic, Antoine (Brian White), who doesn't have anything better to do. Blake is hesitant to hire him ("I don't do clichés"), but Antoine reassures him that he is not a stereotype. Another run-in with the Suspicious Character gets Blake arrested, and sentenced to visit Elizabeth (Dina Meyer), a beautiful court-appointed therapist. Blake immediately recognizes her as his Love Interest, and her demurrals only reinforce his belief. Even the fact that she's engaged doesn't dissuade him. "He must be a total loser compared to me," he surmises. He thereafter refers to her betrothed as Doomed Fiancé (Carlos Jacott). Blake has a difficult time getting Elizabeth to see things his way, but his jovial personality begins to win her over. Meanwhile, he learns the sinister nature of Suspicious Character's behavior. The Movie Hero marks the feature debut of writer/director Brad T. Gottfred. It was shown at the 2003 Rhode Island International Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeremy Sisto, Dina Meyer, (more)
- 2002
In her efforts to make up her mind whether or not to marry Cole (Julian McMahon), Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) casts a spell. In a twinkling, Phoebe is confronted with her past and future selves (played respectively by Samantha Goldstein and Frances Bay). What the "present" Phoebe doesn't know at this point is that Cole is now possessed by The Source of All Evil -- while The Seer (Debbi Morgan) plans to vanquish both The Source and the Charmed Ones and take over the Underworld. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Krause, Julian McMahon, (more)
- 2002
The title of the CBS doctor drama referred to the fictional Presidio Medical Group of San Francisco. Distinguishing this effort from all other forcep-and-scalpel weeklies was the fact that the staff of Presidio Med was virtually all-female, save for a brace of "token" handsome hunks. Still, in standard TV fashion, the doctors became emotionally (and sometimes intimately) involved in the welfare of their patients. The main characters included OB-GYN specialist Harriet Lanning (Blythe Danner), oncologist Rae Brennan (Dana Delany), cardiologist Letty Jordan (Anna Deavere Smith), plastic surgeon Jackie Collette (Sasha Alexander), pediatrician Jules Keating (Julianne Nicholson), and, from the male contingent, internist Matt Slingerland (Paul Blackthorne) and Greek-born surgeon Nicholas Kokoris (Oded Fehr). Created by former ER producers Lydia Woodward and John Wells, Presidio Med debuted Tuesday, September 24, 2002, before settling into its usual Wednesday-night time slot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Delany, Paul Blackthorne, (more)
- 2001
An infant left in the care of nurse Abby Lockhart (Maura Tierney) is kidnapped from the hospital. A young patient taking steroids is more worried about his father's wrath than his illness. The results of Greene's (Anthony Edwards) competency test are in. The relationship between Weaver (Laura Innes) and Legaspi (Elizabeth Mitchell) reaches an impasse. And Carter (Noah Wyle) makes a surprising discovery about new pediatrics intern Rena (Lourdes Benedicto). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Hume Cronyn, Joan Gregson and Tegan Moss star in this dramatic fantasy about a teenage girl who wants to swim the English Channel. She soon meets an elderly couple who offer her advice, not realizing they have an different perspective on water than most people: they are, in fact, mermen and mermaids. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hume Cronyn, Frances Bay, (more)
- 1998
Stand-up comic D.L. Hughley stars in this TV sitcom, based on his own life, about an African-American family moving into an upscale California suburb. Surrounded by Caucasians, vending machine king Darryl Hughley (Hughley) finds fears surfacing despite his friendly neighbors (Eric Allan Kramer and Marietta DePrima). What's happening? Is he losing his blackness as his buddy Milsap (John Henton) suggests? Premiered September 22, 1998 on ABC. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- D.L. Hughley, Elise Neal, (more)
- 1998
In the concluding half of Seinfeld's controversial series finale, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander), Kramer (Michael Richards), and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) find themselves stranded in Latham, MA -- and even worse, they are facing arrest for violating the town's new Good Samaritan law (it seems there was this mugging...). Hoping to beat the rap -- and make it to California in time for Jerry to sell his proposed sitcom "about nothing" -- the gang engages the services of flamboyant lawyer Jackie Chiles (Phil Morris). Alas, the prosecution has managed to round up a daunting array of witnesses to bolster their case against the foursome, including Sidra (Teri Hatcher) of "they're real and they're spectacular" fame, the Soup Nazi (Larry Thomas), Marla the Virgin (Jane Leeves), and the Bubble Boy (Jon Hayman) -- while the sour-faced judge (Stanley Anderson) with the familiar-sounding name fumes, and a vengeful Newman (Wayne Knight) chuckles from the sidelines. As for the now-legendary final scene...haven't we had this conversation before? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Many of the world's greatest musical compositions would never have been written if their composers had given up after numerous failures and criticisms. Rossini's Ghost is the magical story of Reliana, a little girl who is transported back in time to meet Gioacchino Antonio Rossini, one of the most successful opera composers of the 19th century. Rossini is at the point of giving up his music after the failure of his latest opera, "The Barber of Seville." Invisible to everyone except Rossini, Reliana helps three rivals in the opera become friends and gives Rossini the strength to keep trying. The sixth, and final, installment of HBO's composer series, this video is well produced, entertaining, and an asset to educational facilities. Recommended for ages nine to 12. ~ Heather M. Fierst, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph di Mambro, Melissa Pirrera, (more)
- 1995
Megan Follows leaves her Anne of Green Gables TV persona behind to portray Lila Nolan, a young Boston-based nurse who is suspected of mercy killing. Two of Lila's elderly patients have died under mysterious circumstances, and now she has arrived in Cabot Cove to provide home care for ailing Maggie Saunders (Audra Lindley)--who happens to be the best friend of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). Be assured that murder will soon rear its ugly head, and that Jessica will find herself in the position of defending Lila against a false charge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
In this chilling Canadian psycho-thriller a divorcee finds her life endangered when she returns to her hometown and finds herself the object of an unloved young boy's deadly obsession. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alexandra Paul, Marc Marut, (more)
- 1992
In this bizarre thriller, based on a true story, a family moves into their dream house and are appalled to discover that they are not alone when strange things begin to happen. It soon becomes apparent that the special tenants are angry spirits out to destroy the family and their neighbors who have built their homes on top of a graveyard. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patty Duke, David Selby, (more)
- 1991
In the first half of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour "special"), Hunter (Fred Dryer) must deal with not one but two serial killers. The first one chased a pretty coed into into the street, where she was struck and killed by a drunk driver; the second one recognized the driver and has hatched an elaborate extortion scheme. Meanwhile, officer Joanne Molenski (Darlanne Flugel) undergoes another personal crisis which ends up costing her her job. Los Angeles police chief Daryl Gates appears as himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Hunter (Fred Dryer) continues his search for a serial killer who preys upon cops. In the course of events, the detective is reunited with his old flame Chris Novak (Lauren Lane, who joins the cast as a regular), and is also introduced to Chris's 10-year-old daughter Allison Courtney Barilla). Meanwhile, Hunter's beleagured colleague Joanne Molenski (Darlanne Fluegel in her final series appearance) loses her badge--and much, much more. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Referring to the fear of spiders, Arachnophobia features a particularly deadly species of spider that manages to make its way from the Venezuelan rain forest to a small California town, thanks to the many oversights of entomologist Julian Sands. Yuppie doctor Jeff Daniels, fed up with the dangers inherent in big-city living, has resettled in this town on the assumption that nothing untoward could ever happen here to himself and his family. Before long, however, Daniels is trying to make sense of a series of sudden deaths-and to figure out why each of the corpses has been drained of blood. The audience, of course, knows that the culprits are those pesky South American spiders, which grow larger with each kill. To make matters worse, Jeff Daniels suffers from a profound case of arachnophobia. John Goodman supports the cast as a slovenly exterminator, and Frank Marshall, longtime producer of Steven Spielberg's films, makes his directorial debut in Arachnophobia. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Daniels, Harley Jane Kozak, (more)
- 1990
ALF sneaks into a retirement home on Valentine's Day, in hopes of meeting his favorite old-time movie star Virginia Russell (Frances Bay). As he mingles with the other senior citizens, ALF lifts their spirits and renews their energy--to the point that they're all behaving as if they were young again. Though not an official spoof of the movie Cocoon, this episode comes mighty close! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
It has been nearly a year since drug kingpin Bogota was killed in the episode "Love, Hate, and Sporty James", but the million dollars that Bogota had on him when he died is still missing. Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) suspect that the money was stolen by street hustler Sporty James (Garret Morris), the man who helped them mete out justice to the drug lord. Trouble is, a bunch of Colombian tough guys also think that Sporty has the dough, and they're willing to kill him to get it back. In an ironic turn of events, Sporty ends up being charged with the murder of one of the Colombians, prompting Hunter to call in a number of favors from the Underworld to find the real trigger man. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
At Diane's suggestion, Sam (Ted Danson) puts his old baseball jersey (number 17) up for auction during a public television membership drive. Alas, no one bids on the jersey except loyal Diane (Shelley Long). When this happens twice in a row, it sends Sam further down in the dumps. Meanwhile, Norm (George Wendt) turns his back on his buddies for the sake of making a good impression on his latest client. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Stars Kirk Douglas and Elizabeth Montgomery manage to rise above the melodramatic trappings of Amos. Douglas plays the title character, a fiercely independent senior-citizen baseball coach, forced to live in a retirement home after an auto accident. During his stay, Amos conducts a battle of wills with overbearing head nurse Daisy Dawes (Montgomery). This Cuckoo's Nest-derived setup has an added wrinkle: Amos suspects, quite rightly as it turns out, that Dawes has been systematically murdering her more troublesome charges. Made for TV by Douglas' own Bryna Productions, Amos first aired September 29, 1985 ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
If Elizabeth Montgomery must continue to play put-upon women in her TV movies, it cannot be denied that she possesses the superior talents to pull it off. In Second Sight: A Love Story, Ms. Montgomery portrays a woman who has been blind for 20 years. Worried that people will try to get close to her out of pity, she distances herself emotionally from everyone but her seeing-eye dog Emma. A romance with Barry Newman begins to pull Montgomery out of her shell. When the opportunity arises for a delicate operation that may restore her sight, Ms. Montgomery is alternately elated and perplexed: will the loss of her handicap also lose her the affections of Newman--not to mention Emma? Second Sight: A Love Story was inspired by Sheila Hocken's autobiographical novel Emma and I. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Barry Newman, (more)
- 1981
George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) becomes a local hero when he rescues a woman from a mugger. But George's gallantry may prove to be his downfall when the mugger escapes from the authorities, threatening dire consequences to the man who turned him in. Irwin Keyes makes his first series appearance as George's new bodyguard, Hugo Molejewski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
Lindsay Wagner stars as Callie, who battles her way up the ladder from waitress to fabulously wealthy Texas socialite. The price for her success is her son Randy, played by Jameson Parker. Though wielding great power, Callie is nearly powerless in her efforts to keep Randy away from beautiful young schemer Michelle Pfeiffer. The film's many intrigues result in a sensational murder trial. Made for TV, Callie and Son was originally seen October 13, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Hughie Hogg (Jeff Altman), the scheming-and-conniving nephew of the estimable Boss Hogg (Sorrell Booke) returns to Hazzard County with yet another plan to rid the community of the Duke family. This time, the plot involves framing the Dukes for the possession of moonshine. What Boss doesn't realize is that he himself has been set up as one of Hughie's victims, with the help of a phony IRS agent (John H. Fields). Roger Torrey and Pat Studstill (the latter a former NFL star) make their first series appearances as Hughie's doltish henchmen Wayne and Floyd. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Amy Medford (Jenny Agutter) is a dutiful housewife of the early 1900s. But when her husband objects to a wife with a career, Amy leaves her husband and comfortable lifestyle. She goes on to devote her life to teaching sight-and-hearing-impaired students at a tradition-bound special school. This film betrays its Disney-studio origins with an audience-rousing action climax, in which Amy's students take on a team of "normal" kids at a football game. Amy was produced by onetime Hollywood leading man Jerome Courtland. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jenny Agutter, Barry Newman, (more)
- 1980
After 1970's Diary of a Mad Housewife, actress Carrie Snodgress found her career moving in frets and starts rather than barrelling ahead. By 1979, Snodgress was making do with gothic horrors like The Attic. In a variation on a theme previously explored in The Barretts of Wimpole Street and The Heiress, Snodgress plays a shy, withdrawn young woman who is totally dominated by her tyrannical father Ray Milland. At father's insistence, she remains sequestered in her attic room, denied contact with any men. When she finally breaks free, a spectacularly bloody denouement is the result. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
