John Rayner Movies
- 1986
- PG13
Filmed in 1982 in New York, this comedy hinges on a tried-and-true plot device: a man has less than a day to get married or he loses a fortune (no waiting for blood tests or licenses here!). When the fabulously wealthy W.D. Westmoreland (Jonathan Winters) dies, his grandson Luke (Art Hindle) discovers that he will inherit $250 million if he marries before he is 35. Since he turns thirty-five tomorrow, that leaves him less than 24 hours to find a bride and make it legal. Everything impedes his good intentions, including his father, who stands to inherit that money if Luke remains a bachelor. There are a lot of volunteers for Luke's open position of an immediate wife, but what makes matters even more complicated is he has developed an interest in a young, average-looking woman from the countryside. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lissa Layng, Art Hindle, (more)
- 1979
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Quincy (Jack Klugman) is still work hand in glove with idealistic pre-med student Marty Herrera in his efforts to bring a shady, drug-pushing doctor named Mason Colella to justice. Hampering Quincy's efforts is the fact that young Herrera's method of "curing" college-age addicts is not only extreme, but illegal. Making matters worse, Colella is murdered--and Marty is arrested for the crime. Both parts of this episode originally aired in a single, two-hour timeslot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast in a single two-hour timeslot), Quincy investigates when the son of TV kiddie host Brock Campbell (Michael Constantine), dies of a quaalude overdose. The grieving Campbell had no idea that his son was a junkie--nor could he have ever imagined that the boy's drugs had all been legeally prescribed by a shady doctor named Mason Colella (Charles Aidman). In his efforts to shut Colella and his drug-pushing cronies down, Quincy joins forces with Marty Herrera (A Martinez) a eager if somewhat reckless pre-med student who is determined to purge dangerous drugs from his college campus. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
- R
In this crime drama, a runaway girl from rural Montana heads for LA and ends up trapped within its darkest underbelly surrounded by crime, drugs, and sleazy people. Fortunately, her brother, a tough cowboy, comes to rescue her. But first he must find her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Mitchum, Karen Lamm, (more)
- 1974
Assigned temporary fill-in duty at Los Angeles International Airport, Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) are kept hopping with a variety of major crimes and minor misdemeanors. In the course of their shift, the two cops collar some parking-lot thieves, and stop a frequent-flying dope smuggler in his tracks. They also recover a runaway kid who is trying to stow away on an airliner. The supporting cast includes former My Three Sons costar Tina Cole. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
In order to deactive a satellite armed with thermonculear bombs, the IMF must penetrate a heavily guarded island and destroy the missile's control center. Part of the plan requires Barney to arrive on the island alone via submarine. Alas, something goes wrong, placing Barney--and, by extention, the entire world--in direst jeopardy. Scripted by actor Wesley Lau from a story by Lau and Judy Burns, "The Filed" first aired on January 23, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1970
The title of this Mission:Impossible episode refers to a Gypsy tribe indigenous to the European country ruled by youthful King Victor (Barry Williams). Intent upon seizing the throne, Regent General Aragas (Mark Richman) hatches a scheme to murder the young monarch and to frame Victor's uncle for the crime. To prevent this, the IMF kidnaps Victor and turns the boy over to a pair of gypsies--actually IMF agents Paris and Zorka (Margarita Cordova). Written by Laurence Heath, "Gitano" first aired on February 1, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1968
There's not much "down time" for Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) as they go about their rounds in this episode. Of primary importance is the recovery of a stolen car, the trunk of which contains the owner's pet boa constrictor. Elsewhere, the two officers mediate an out-of-control neighborhood argument, and attempt to rescue two people from a smoke-filled room. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
- NR
Improvisational director Robert Altman hadn't yet found his cinematic "voice" when he helmed the conformist, stick-to-the-script Countdown. James Caan is top-billed as a scientist who is chosen over astronaut Robert Duvall for the upcoming NASA moon shot. In their haste to beat the Russians to the moon, the NASA folks have tried to sidestep several safety measures, but doctor Charles Aidman sees to it that every possible precaution is taken. When Caan makes it to the lunar surface, he stumbles upon gruesome evidence that the Russians had sent up a secret expedition themselves--and had fatally ignored all those extra security precautions which he's been subject to. Ted Knight, who received some of his best pre-Mary Tyler Moore roles in Altman's TV work, co-stars in Countdown. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Caan, Joanna Moore, (more)
- 1968
Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) is on the hunt for Red spy major Jan Anka, who has assumed the identity of deceased American Albert Robinson. Having thus far successfully eluded the Feds, Anka is confronted with an unexpected threat to his safety with the arrival of a girl named Janet (Julie Sommars), who is convinced that "Robinson" is her long-lost father. With one murder charge already hanging over his head, Anka may be forced to kill again to rid himself of the "inconvenient" Janet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Paul Winfield (Sounder) guest stars as Robert Phillips, a prominent African American militant accused of murder. With racial tensions at an all-time high, Commissioner Randall (Gene Lyons) asks Ironside (Raymond Burr) to quietly conduct an investigation to ascertain Phillips' guilt or innocence. Determined to thwart Ironside's efforts are a number of extremists--both black and white--who intend to use Phillips' arrest as catalyst for a bloody, apocalyptic race riot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Joe Cartwright joins a posse led by Sheriff Rimbau (John Ireland) to capture two robbery/murder suspects. For Rimbau, it is personal: His own brother Jack (James B. Sikking) was killed by the outlaws. Before long, Joe realizes that Rimbau intends to be judge, jury and executioner, thoroughly prepared to cold-bloodedly murder two men who may well be innocent. John Ford regular Harry Carey Jr. appears as Mapes. Originally telecast on February 26, 1967, "Judgement at Red Creek" was written by Robert Sabaroff. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Not only is Ethel Andrews (Pippa Scott) jilted by her fiance Bruce Strickland (Hunt Powers) on her wedding day, but she is also blamed for a $50,000 theft masterminded by her erstwhile sweetheart. Fleeing town, Ethel ends up swapping identities with Peggy Sutton (Althea Milgrave), who is likewise on the lam. This proves to be yet another tragic blunder for Ethel when it turns out that Peggy is carrying $50,000 in the trunk of her car. Subsequently, the cops find the 50 grand, put two and two together, and charge poor Ethel with the murder of Bruce Strickland! It is up to Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) to end Ethel's incredible bad-luck streak and clear her of all charges. This is the second Perry Mason episode based on Erle Stanley Gardner's novel The Case of the Footloose Doll (the first was filmed under that title in 1959). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) is in Reno, helping Pete Warren (Peter Breck) finalize his divorce from his wife Myrna. When an incriminating photo reveals that Myrna (Myrna Fahey) is mixed up in a counterfeit gambling-chip scam at a local gambling casino, Pete tells a pack of lies to the authorities to save his soon-to-be "ex" from prosectuion. Before long, Pete is facing a far more serious charge than counterfeiting: Myrna has been murdered, and all the evidence points to him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
