Allison McKay Movies

John Goodman's full-throttle performance as a William Castle-inspired schlockmeister propels Joe Dante's delightful and charming comedy Matinee. The film takes place during the fall 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, a time when America's innocence began to crumble. Goodman plays film producer Lawrence Woolsey, who is in Key West to premiere his latest horror epic, "Mant," the story of a man who turns into a giant insect ("Half Man! ... Half Ant! ... All Terror!"). He's busy rigging the local movie theater with all manner of gimmicks, such as Atomo-Vision and Rumble-Rama, and stationing a buxom nurse -- played by Woolsey's girlfriend and leading lady Ruth (Cathy Moriarty) -- in the lobby to assist potential heart attack victims. Amidst all the hubbub, a quartet of local teenagers gear up for the big premiere: Gene (Simon Fenton), a Navy brat whose father is on alert for the duration of the crisis; Stan (Omri Katz), Gene's friend who has a furious crush on Sherry (Kellie Martin); and Sandra (Lisa Jakub), the daughter of two beatnik free-thinkers. As the premiere of "Mant" gets closer and Soviet-U.S. tensions increase, the four teenagers' problems and desires also mount to the boiling point. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Frasier the Sensuous Lion would seem to have been conceived as a racy "answer" to Disney's sugary-sweet animal comedies. The talkative title character is befriended by zoologist Marvin Feldman (Michael Callan). When Frasier's loquaciousness becomes public knowledge, Feldman tries to save the lion from being commercially exploited by a sleazy California wildlife preserve. The film's supporting cast includes such TV perennials as Frank De Kova ("Wild Eagle" on F Troop) and Malachi Throne ("Noah Bain" on It Takes a Thief). Frasier's innuendo-laden dialogue is supplied by, of all people, Victor Jory. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Assigned to the Southwest Division, Officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) nab a suspected peeping tom who turns out to be an innocent gas-meter reader. Elsewhere, the two cops extricate a furniture store owner who has become trapped in a doorway while repossessing a sofa, and try to mollify an extremely angry father. And there's a memorable incident involving a starving artist, an expired permit, and a questionable "masterpiece." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This Adam-12 episode has the look and feel of a pilot for a spinoff series starring singer Trini Lopez as Barrio priest Father Rojas. There's a street-gang war brewing, and Father Rojas is determined to stop it before it starts. But he can't do the job entirely alone--and that's where Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) come in. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Completely unfazed by all his previous misbegotten romances, handyman Eb (Tom Lester) decides to advertise for a wife. Before long, Eb is besieged with mail from eager brides-to-be -- but only because he has claimed to be a wealthy landowner, with a full retinue of servants. Inevitably, Eb is forced to back up his claims, enlisting a reluctant Oliver (Eddie Albert) and a nonplussed Lisa (Eva Gabor) to pose as his faithful retainers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In another "crossover" episode, Petticoat Junction's Sam Drucker (Frank Cady) wins a trip to Hollywood. Upon his arrival in Beverly Hills, Sam is set upon by Granny, who thinks that the mild-mannered storekeeper has come to propose marriage -- something that neither Jed nor Mr. Drysdale wants to have happen. Also appearing is another Petticoat Junction regular, Lori Saunders (Bobbie Jo), while Larry Pennell reprises his familiar role of movie star Dash Riprock. "Sam Drucker's Visit" originally aired on March 5, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this comedy, an aspiring singer finds herself single and pregnant. The story begins when she is rushed to the hospital to give birth. She is joined by three men; all of them want to marry her. The story of her pregnancy and her rise to stardom are told in flashback. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Mrs. Drysdale tries to interest Granny in astrology. but Granny declines, expressing terror over the notion of practicing "black magic." This plot situation is played to the hilt when Granny becomes convinced that Mrs. Drysdale has turned herself into a crow! Among the dependable character actors in the supporting cast are Tris Coffin as the psychiatrist and John Gallaudet as the veterinarian. "That Old Black Magic" first aired on September 22, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide