Jo Anne Meredith Movies
- 1978
Rita Moreno returns as freewheeling prostitute Rita Capkovic, who wants again begs Jim (James Garner) to save her life. It seems that Rita's most recent "John", Dr. Neil Rosendahl (William Joyce), was murdered right before her eyes--but she herself has been charged with the crime. Among other things, Jim tries to figure out while Rita, who has recently inherited a fortune, refuses to hire a good attorney to get her off. The solution to the mystery rests with two other characters: one a doctor, and one a highly questionable "business associate" who suffers from a REALLY bad hip problem. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
- PG
Invisible Strangler tells the story of a boy who strangles his mother and while in a mental institution finds books which give him the key to making himself invisible. He then escapes from the hospital and goes on a murder spree, strangling his mother's friends in a series of unintentionally hilarious episodes, while they sit in their comfortable, expensive homes. The detective assigned to the case, Lt. Charles Barrett (Robert Foxworth) devises an unusual way to dispose of the killer. Sue Lyon, previously seen in Lolita, has a tiny role, as does Elke Somer. Originally shot in 1976 and titled The Astral Factor, this silly, obvious film sat on the shelf for 10 years before being released directly to video ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Foxworth, Stefanie Powers, (more)
This stylish and very entertaining blend of the horror and "Blaxploitation" genres takes some creative risks on a seriously limited budget but manages to deliver the gory goods. The story begins in New Orleans in the mid-1940s, with black crime kingpin J.D. Walker (David McKnight) shot dead on Bourbon Street. Flash forward to the present, when clean-cut college student Ike (Cooley High's Glynn E. Turman) falls under the malevolent influence of the ghostly gangster. As he begins to exhibit J.D.'s boisterous, violent traits, Ike seeks out a local minister (Louis Gossett, Jr., in a standout performance) -- who had once played a role in the gangster's execution -- to exact his revenge. This cult favorite has seen a revival of sorts on home video and primarily remains in the public eye due to the novelty value of its soundtrack: all songs are performed by the artist soon to be known as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince -- who also supplies the vocal for " Will Never Let You Go". ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glynn E. Turman, Joan Pringle, (more)
- 1974
- PG
The Mad, Mad Movie Makers is the alternate title of The Last Porno Flick. The plot (yes, there is a plot!) concerns a pair of two-bit movie producers who are anxious to cash in on the Deep Throat craze (the film, not the Watergate informant). They end up producing a lampoon of Deep Throat, meaning that they've produced a lampoon of a lampoon. Setting this one apart from the usual sleaze is its cast, peopled with such respectable names as Michael Pataki, Mike Kellin, Mariana Hill, and Anthony Carbone. At 88 minutes, The Mad, Mad Movie Makers wears out its welcome long before the final fadeout. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
- R
This sex farce stars Angus Duncan as a lothario on a mission to sleep with five very different women. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1974
The title of this episode is something of a misnomer: It's anything but routine for Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) when they pursue four young car thieves. The quartet has stolen a vehicle full of weaponry and ammunition, and now they're taking advantage of this fact by going on a violent crime spree. Other crises facing Jim and Pete tonight include a "dead spouse" report and an outsized bar fight. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
With the conspicuous exception of Roy Desoto (Kevin Tighe), The men of Squad 51 form a firehouse barbershop quartet to enter a musical competiton. This week's emergency caseload includes a woman who o.d.'s of sleeping tablets, and a corpulent fellow (Len Weinrib) who causes all sorts of accidents and sustains all manner of injuries while trying to reduce (his close encounter with an electric rowing machine is the "piece de resistance"). This is one of several Emergency! episodes directed by Hollywood veteran Joseph Pevney (Tammy and the Bachelor, Man of a Thousand Faces et. al.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this organized crime drama (one of many that came in the wake of The Godfather, Tony (Frederic Forrest) and Vince (Al Lettieri) are two brothers whose father is a high-ranking Mafia kingpin; they've followed him into the family business, operating a profitable drug ring. While waiting for a delivery of a large supply of heroin, the pair are ambushed, which leads them to suspect their associate Frank (Robert Forster) is a snitch. They soon realize that the corruption within their organization runs deeper than expected when they discover that their father has been assassinated. Don Angelo (Anthony Quinn) is chosen to be the new boss in a tense meeting of the Mafia brass, but Tony and Frank refuse to follow his leadership. Meanwhile, Orlando (Charles Cioffi), a mob accountant whose boss, Don Bernardo (J. Duke Russo), is behind bars, has a plan to bring himself to a position of power in the mob; he engineers a situation that will put Frank's fiancée Ruby (Angel Thompkins) into the arms of Don Angelo, thereby sending Frank into a murderous rage. Cult figure Sid Haig has a supporting role as The Arab. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Quinn, Frederic Forrest, (more)
- 1972
Officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) tackle a typically overloaded police log in this lively episode. For starters, the two officers nab a brace of none-too-clever counterfeiters; later, Pete and Jim mediate a violent quarrel at a drive-in lunch stand, and foil a robbery in progress. Prominent among the supporting players is prolific voiceover artist Vic Perrin, one of series producer Jack Webb's favorite character actors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
- R
A desert location becomes terrifying as a motorcycle gang disturbs a film crew working there. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1971
Rancher Drake Farron (Earl Holliman) has always considered his younger brother James (Bryan Montgomery) to be a thorn in his side. With this in mind, it is only natural that Drake should hire two-bit thug Lee Chard (Henry Silva) to murder his brother. When this scheme goes awry, Chard opts for a quick turnover by kidnapping James and demanding a huge ransom from the boy's father (Jim Davis)--thus bringing FBI Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) into the family intrigue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
The Partridges have a pungent problem on their hands when their psychedelic school bus is invaded by a skunk. As Shirley (Shirley Jones) and the kids try to figure out a way to dissipate the horrible aroma, manager Reuben (Dave Madden), unaware of the situation, books the family for a benefit show at a children's hospital. Maybe a good dose of tomato juice will alleviate the odor--and then, maybe not! Songs: &I Think I Love You" and "A Brand New Me". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Kenneth (Lawrence Montaigne) is a psychiatrist who is married to the harridan Valerie (Jo Anne Meredith). When he hooks up with Stacy (Elizabeth Plumb), he decides to end his marriage by murdering his wife. He recruits Marco, (Frank Cuva), one of his patients, to do the job. Marco puts aside his necrophilia hobby long enough to electrocute himself and Stacy, instead of his intended victim. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lawrence Montaigne, Jo Anne Meredith, (more)
- 1965
In this western, a notorious gunman decides to escape his reputation by moving to Reata Pass, a tiny town. Unfortunately, his reputation preceded him and he must fight one final battle before he can take up with the dance hall girl he's come to love. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
