Joyce Meadows Movies

In this suspenseful drama set in a luxury resort, a psychotic teen-age girl working as a baby sitter there causes all kinds of trouble. The story is a remake of the 1952 Marilyn Monroe film, Don't Bother to Knock. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Successful LA marketing analyst Michael Boll (James Spader) seemingly has it all-except a sense of self-confidence. Enigmatic drifter Alex (Rob Lowe) enters Michael's life and immediately begins to exert a negative influence. As Michael's self-esteem zooms (aided by generous dollops of sex and drugs) he allows himself to be dragooned into a life of crime by the demonic Alex. The "doppelganger" aspects of Bad Influence, and the film's many unexpected twists and turns, echo films of Alfred Hitchcock, especially Strangers on a Train. The film's boldest stroke is to cast the likeable Lowe as the bad guy (albeit a charming one) and the often villainous Spader as the malleable milquetoast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Aspiring folksinger Amy Jo Jennings (Bonnie Jones) is not only incredibly naïve, but also incredibly rich, thanks to the profits of her family's "home remedy" firm. Shifty promoter Harry Bronson (Robert H. Harris) hopes to capitalize on both Amy Jo's naivete and wealth by offering her a starring role in a touring musical production--provided she invests $50,000 in the show. When she finally realizes she's being duped, Amy Jo heads to a wild party to confront Bronson, only to find that he's been murdered and she's the principal suspect. Among those "grilled" by Amy Jo's attorney Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) is a weird character named Jazzbo, played by the estimable Gary Crosby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Chris Carlyle's (Jay North) family leaves their farm for the city, Chris must give his pet puma up to the local zoo. When Chris discovers the terrible conditions that the animals are being kept in, he manages to find a way to set all of the creatures free, much to the dismay of the local residents. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

Housekeeper Nellie Conway (Joan Lovejoy) tells Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) that she thinks her boss Newton Bain (Harry Townes) is planning to kill his invalid wife Elizabeth (Shirley Mitchell). Investigating the situation, Perry finds that Mary may not be playing with a full deck. Later on, Elizabeth is indeed murdered--but it is Mary Douglas (Nancy Gates) who is charged with the crime. Comedian Jerry Van Dyke plays a rare dramatic role in this episode, which is based on Erle Stanley Gardner's 1951 "Perry Mason" novel The Case of the Fiery Fingers (previously filmed under its original title during Season One). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This third film version of the lachrymose Fannie Hurst novel Back Street stars Susan Hayward as Rae Smith the role previously essayed by Irene Dunne (in 1932) and Margaret Sullavan (in 1941). In both earlier films, Rae Smith sacrifices 28 years of her life to her married lover, who can never get a divorce and who compels Rae to squirrel herself away in a shabby back-street apartment. In contrast, Susan Hayward's Rae Smith is a fiercely independent fashion designer, whose fidelity to the very married John Gavin doesn't retard her livelihood in the least. Vera Miles makes a meal of her supporting role as Gavin's shrewish, alcoholic wife. Though cinematographer Stanley Cortez does his utmost, he can't completely hide the fact that Hayward is at least ten years older than her costars, making her seem more of a doting aunt than the "other woman" (the film might have been more effective had Hayward and Miles switched roles). Its plot inconsistencies and logic lapses notwithstanding, Back Street proved to be another hit for producer Ross Hunter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

TV star Brett Halsey is the lead in The Girl in Lover's Lane. While drifting through a small town, Bix (Halsey) becomes involved with local tease Carrie (Joyce Meadows). Shortly afterward, Carrie is murdered, and Bix is held responsible. The actual killer is feeble-minded Jesse (Jack Elam), but the villagers aren't as quick on the uptake as the movie audience. Only the intervention of runaway youngster Danny (Lowell Brown) saves Bix from a lynch mob. Girl in Lover's Lane was directed by another TV habitue, Charles R. Rondeau. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Robert Horton took time off from his Wagon Train schedule to appear in this episode. Horton is cast as Brad Taylor, a man torn between two women. Brad would like to marry wealthy Janice Wright (Joyce Meadows), but his other girlfriend, Leslie Lenox (Fay Spain), refuses to break off their relationship. In desperation, Brad kills Leslie -- then is astonished by how quickly the police show up at his apartment to charge him with murder, especially since they couldn't possibly have found Leslie's body in so short a time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

3DFrontier Gun3D is another of the moderately interesting low-budget westerns turned out by 20th Century-Fox's Regal Films subsidiary in the late 1950s. John Agar plays Jim Crayle, who offers his services as voluntary marshal when crazed gunman Yubo (Robert Strauss) inaugurates a reign of terror. Unfortunately, Crayle is unable to outdraw Yubo due to a wrist injury, leading the townsfolk to assume that their new marshal is yellow. Only when his argument with Yubo becomes personal does Crayle truly rise to the occasion. John Agar does his best in an unsually cerebral role, but his passive character-and characterization-works against the film's suspense. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

One of the least-known of the American-International "B" westerns of the 1950s, Flesh and the Spur offers the spectacle of the inimitable John Agar in a dual role. When his twin brother Mathew is killed, Luke Random goes gunnin' for his brother's murderer. Along the way, he teams up with gunslinger Stacey (Touch Connors, aka Mike Connors), who is also seeking out an old enemy. Five points to anyone who guesses before the fadeout who Mathew Random's killer turns out to be. Written by A-I regular Charles B. Griffith, Flesh and the Spur was originally released on a double bill with Naked Paradise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide