Michael McGuire Movies

On the verge of death, the Emperor of Centauri (Turhan Bey) hopes to negotiate honorable peace with the Narn. Instead, a power struggle blossoms into an all-out war, with Nondo in the middle. And former B5 Commander Sinclair makes unexpected contact with Garibaldi, delivering a message which could well determine the fate of everyone on the space station. First telecast on February 1, 1995, "The Coming of Shadows" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Forest Whitaker stars as the brilliant jazz saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker in this elegiac biopic. Director Clint Eastwood pays full homage to Parker's musical genius, but also devotes ample time to the musician's twin demons--drugs and alcohol-which accelerated his death at the age of 34. In his struggles to gain widespread acceptance for his music, "Bird" is forever stymied by his own self-destructiveness, and forever bailed out by the love of his life, Chan Richardson Parker (Diane Venora). The film bemoans the decline of the brand of jazz fathered by Parker, which came to be replaced by more conventional material -- as illustrated by the "descent" into the mainstream of Parker's mentor Buster Franklin. Also starring in Bird is Samuel E. Wright as Dizzy Gillespie. That's the real Charlie "Bird" Parker on the film's soundtrack, though most of the background music has been re-orchestrated. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

After a tumultuous five-year relationship, Sam (Ted Danson) and Diane (Shelley Long) are ready to exchange marriage vows. But on the day of the wedding, who should show up but Sumner Sloane (Michael McGuire), the ex-beau who "deserted" Diane at Cheers five years earlier. Announcing that he's had an offer to expand one of Diane's class papers into a novel, Sloane begs Diane to accompany him to a publisher -- immediately. Although fans of Cheers were fully aware that this, the final episode of the series' fifth season, also marked the farewell appearance of Long, the actual outcome of the story was one of the best-kept secrets of 1987, thanks to the producers' strategy of filming a false ending in front of a live studio audience. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

There was a genuine ballad behind The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, based on a real-life character. Cortez, a San Antonio cowpoke, was arrested in 1901 because he resembled the actual criminal. Unable to speak English, Cortez fights off the authorities, inadvertently killing a sheriff in the process. His subsequent life and death as a fugitive from the Texas Rangers forms the core of this independently produced project. Adapted from a novel by Americo Paredes, Ballad of Gregorio Cortez stars Edward James Olmos (who wrote some of the film's incidental music) in the title role. Originally produced for PBS' American Playhouse, the film was released to theatres in 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The place where "everybody knows your name" officially opened its doors September 30, 1982, with its premiere episode. Into the convivial Boston pub known as Cheers flounces Diane Chambers (Shelley Long), teaching assistant to erudite college professor Sumner Sloane (Michael McGuire). On the verge of wedding Sloane, the love-struck Diane agrees to wait at Cheers until the good professor is able to get his ex-wife's wedding ring out of hock. By nature prissy and patronizing, Diane quickly manages to antagonize everyone in the pub, especially Cheers' ex-baseball pitcher owner Sam Malone (Ted Danson). But it hardly matters, since the supercilious young lady will soon be far, far away, never to return. Or will she? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Real-life brother and sister Jimmy and Kristy McNichol star in this made-for-television drama about a claustrophobic cult. Jimmy McNichol stars as David, oldest son of the seemingly well-adjusted Bowers. When David disappears from his family to live with the Light of Salvation cult, sister Janet (Kristy McNichol) refuses to automatically side with her parents and dismiss the group. Young Janet tries to give her brother's judgement the benefit of the doubt, looking for her own answers, as her desperate parents consult a mind de-programming expert. Taut and edgy at times, the film shows how vulnerable young people get targeted by cults and their charismatic leaders -- only to turn into mindless drones. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi

In the conclusion of a two-part story, the cabbies gather together to recall their misadventures in the job pool during the month that the Sunshine Cab Company was shut down. Aspiring actor Bobby (Jeff Conaway) explains how his stint as an Easter Bunny at a children's party ended in disaster, while Alex (Judd Hirsch) ruminates over the strange things that boredom can do to the mind of a night watchman. But while his co-workers are relating stories of failure, Louie (Danny DeVito) insists that he was a huge success during his brief tenure on Wall Street -- and it turns out that he's telling the truth! ~ Rovi

The tragic story of Dr. Samuel Mudd, who in 1865 was sentenced to a lifetime of hard labor at the American penal colony of Fort Jefferson, was previously filmed as Prisoner of Shark Island (1936) and Hellgate (1957). Made for television, The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd stars Dennis Weaver as the unfortunate Mudd, a Maryland medico whose only "crime" was to set the broken leg of a mud-caked stranger--who turned out to be John Wilkes Booth. Arrested on a charge of treason and complicity in the conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Mudd is at first sentenced to hang, but the military court decides to be "merciful," consigning Mudd to life imprisonment on "America's Devil's Island" in the Dry Tortugas. He endures the cruelties of the sadistic commandant and the condemnation of the public at large, until his selfless courage during a hellish epidemic enables him to win the sympathy of his fellow citizens. Ultimately, Mudd is pardoned by President Andrew Johnson, though it would be many years before his name was completely exonerated in the judicial books. The film goes to great lengths to vilify Lincoln's secretary of war Edwin Stanton (Richard Dysart), whom some conspiracy theorists now believe was behind the assassination plot. This aside, and excusing a few "politically correct" alterations in the known facts, The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd is fairly accurate. The film was originally aired on March 25, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A Manhattan priest with a fondness for dabbling in detective work investigates a series of unnerving, mysterious attacks, seemingly designed to terrify a young actress. This made-for-television film, retitled for its video release, is inspired by the books of mystery author G.K. Chesterton. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

In the latest in a long line of outlandish get-rich-quick schemes, Angel (Stuart Margolin) poses as a hit man named "Mr. Jones" and accepts a $10,000 contract. Of course, Angel has no intention of killing anyone, and every intention of absconding with the money. But things quickly go sour when Angel's would-be victim is apparently murdered by someone else. Once again forced to extricate Angel from the mess he's gotten himself into, Jim (James Garner) discovers that both the US Navy and the Russian KGB have taken a special interest in the murder--and while he's trying to figure out why, Jim must also solve the mystery of his dad's stolen blue jeans. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Set in Illinois (and filmed in Canada), Home to Stay stars Henry Fonda as an aging farmer who resists the notion of moving into a nursing home. Fonda's son Michael McGuire would like to honor his father's wishes, but realizes that the old man is becoming increasingly unable to care for himself. Conversely, McGuire's teen-aged daughter Kristen Vigard feels that her grandpa is being unfairly shunted away. Together with her friend David Stambaugh, Vigard contrives to "kidnap" Grandpa and drive off to Chicago, there to get financial and emotional support from Kristen's aunt and uncle. Directed by television vet Delbert Mann, the made-for-TV Home to Stay was originally broadcast May 2, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A vengeful hoodlum accuses Lt. Kojak (Telly Savalas) of accepting a $3000 bribe. With Internal Affairs breathing down his neck, Kojak endeavors to clear his name. Complicating matters is a politically ambitious district attorney who intends to make a name for himself by bringing Kojak down. This episode was originally slated to air on February 8, 1976, but was moved forward one week when another episode, "A Grave Too Soon", was rescheduled as Kojak's Season Three finale. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi