Lee Meriwether Movies

Oscar nominees Ed Harris and Robert Forster star in self-taught identical twin filmmakers Logan and Noah Miller's autobiographical family drama about a pair of twin brothers who return to their small town after failing to find success as major league baseball players. Their dreams of becoming professional athletes dashed, the brothers attempt to rethink their lives while reconciling their love for their homeless father (Harris). Deeply shamed by their derelict dad's chronic shameful behavior, the brothers find themselves in a personal crisis after going to work at the local rock quarry and having to contend with their ne'er-do-well friends. Forster co-stars as the sympathetic town sheriff in a film also featuring Brad Dourif and Lee Meriwether. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Holy Thomas Wolfe! The same team responsible for the "retro" TV movie Surviving Gilligan's Island (including executive producer and former Gilligan co-star Dawn Wells) were responsible for this nostalgic hark back to the classic Batman TV series of the late '60s. In rehashing the creation and popularity of Batman, screenwriter Duane Poole draws heavily upon the autobiographies of stars Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin, the Boy Wonder) -- with special emphasis on Ward's recollections of the Dynamic Duo's alleged sexual escapades both on and off the set. To avoid a dry recitation of names, dates, and statistics, the producers contrive to "bookend" the flashback sequences with a campy present-day plot line, wherein the 74-year-old Adam West and 56-year-old Burt Ward (as themselves) team up to locate the original Batmobile, which has been stolen from under their very noses at a gala auto show. An unknown enemy of the two actors plants a series of cryptic clues, leading West and Ward on a picturesque journey back to Hollywood, with memorable stopovers at a roadside bar and a restored movie palace along the way.
Every so often, the veteran performers pause to remember significant events from their Bat-past (including the adulation of fans, battles with network censors, egotistical flare-ups on the set, and their own marital breakups), while in fine old Batman tradition an unseen narrator (whose identity is sublimely significant to the story line) delivers warnings of impending doom. Also keeping in the spirit of the original series are the bizarre, off-center camera angles, the onomatopoeic "Bam!," "Pow!," and "Zowie!" superimpositions during the fight sequences, the steady stream of inside jokes (including a running gag involving Adam West's notorious stinginess), and the amusing cameo appearances by former "special guest villains": Frank Gorshin, Julie Newmar and Lee Meriwether. A bit of Pirandello wafts into the proceedings as well, whenever either West or Ward cheerily comments on the fact that he realizes he's only acting in a TV movie, or that a commercial break is overdue. Though it strains much too hard for laughs at times, the film at least deserves credit for trying to be different from the usual run of TV biopics. Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt made its CBS Bat-bow on March 9, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Veteran character actor Turhan Bey makes a rare TV appearance in this episode, set in Cairo, Egypt. Having arrived in the Land of the Pharoahs as part of a cultural exchange program, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) soon becomes involved in a perplexing case involving the theft of a priceless Egyptian relic, a gang of smugglers, and the CIA. And as usual, she helps to extricate an old friend from a murder charge. Also showing up in this installment is Jeri Ryan, still a few years removed from her costarring stint as Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this drama, an American tourist visits some of the world's most glamorous capitals. The tale is based on a Gerald Green novel. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

The 1978 series pilot True Grit is based on the 1969 John Wayne film of the same name. Warren Oates brings his own characteristic touches to the old Wayne role of Rooster Cogburn, the "one-eyed fat man" (now a one-eyed thin man with a beard) who agrees to help headstrong orphaned teenage girl Mattie Ross (Lisa Pelikan). Mattie wants to get to her relatives in California, but she and Cogburn get off to a bad start when Rooster loses their train fare in a poker game. He tries to recoup their loss by mining for gold in Wyoming, then by riding shotgun on the gold shipments. Had the pilot sold, it would have detailed the further adventures of Cogburn and Mattie (as indicated by the original network title, True Grit: A Further Adventure). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Like 1976's "Part One," Having Babies, Part 2 is a multiplotted TV movie about the effect of parenthood on four couples. The first film concentrated on a natural childbirth class. This second film broadens the subject matter with glances at adoptions and unwanted pregnancies. Among the many new parents are Tony Bill (taking time off from his producing career), Carol Lynley, Wayne Rogers, Lee Meriweather and Rhea Perlman. The film closes on some actual footage of twins being born. One year later, a third Having Babies film was telecast, under the imaginative title Having Babies III. Repeating her role from "Part 2" was Susan Sullivan, whose obstetrician character became the basis of the short-lived series Julie Farr, MD. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This barely released western spoof stars John Astin and Steve Carlson as the con-artist title characters, at large in 1890 Colorado. The comedy is on a "Little Rascals" level, while the action highlights, centered around a gold hunt, are compromised by uncertain staging. Hans Conried provides some of the film's brightest moments as a bombastic, slovenly politician. Erdman himself plays a small role, sharing screen time with such reliables as Jesse White, Pat Carroll, Lee Meriweather and Allyn Joslyn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The only three-part adventure in the history of Mission: Impossible, "The Falcon" was written by series stalwart Paul Playdon. The IMF's assignment is to restore the rightful heir to a European throne. The usurping General Ramon Sabattini (John Vernon) hopes to gain control of the monarchy by marrying his cousin Francesca (Diane Baker), and to that end has threatened to kill Francesca's imprisoned fiance Prince Stefan (Joseph Reale). With the help of a falcon, not to mention the magical skills of agent Paris, the IMF endeavors to rescue Stephen and return the crown to young King Nicolai (Noel Harrision). Lee Meriwether makes her fourth appearance as IMF agent Tracey. Part One of "The Falcon" first aired January 4, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In Part Two of the three-part Mission: Impossible adventure "The Falcon", Willy poses as the Bishop who is to perform the marriage ceremony between General Sabattini (John Vernon), the pretender to a European throne, and the General's reluctant fiancee Princess Francesca (Diane Baker). Meanwhile, Paris poses as a master illusionist and mind-reader in order to rescue King Nicolai (Noel Harrison), rightful heir to the throne. Lee Meriwether again appears as IMF agent Tracey, here pretending to be Paris' stage assistant Mme. Vinski. Written by Paul Playdon, Part Two of "The Falcon" was originally telecast on January 11, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A late millionaire's millions have disappeared, and Crime magazine reporter Jeff Dillon (Tony Franciosa) wants to find out why. Together with his crack researcher Peggy Maxwell (Susan Saint James), Dillon checks out the deceased man's relatives. Each, it seems, has a reason for wanting the man dead, and each had opportunity to make off with the inheritance. Lee Meriweather, Hazel Court, Yvonne De Carlo and Henry Jones are among the shifty-eyed suspects. Island of Gold and Precious Stones originated as a 90-minute episode of the TV series Name of the Game; it was first broadcast on January 16, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Stephen McNally guest-stars as Nazi war criminal Kruger Schtelman, the only man who knows the whereabouts of a fortune hidden by the Germans during WW2. To prevent Schtelman from using the money to finance a neo-Nazi revolt, the IMF must trick him into revealing the whereabouts of the hidden cash. The solution: To convince Schtelman that the War is still in progress--and that he is on board a Nazi submarine (meticulously recreated by Mission: Impossible art director Gibson Holley). Lee Meriwether makes her second appearance as IMF agent Tracey. Written by Donald James, "Submarine" first aired on November 16, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Guest stars Torin Thatcher and May Britt are cast as Rados and Eva Gollan, respectively the exiled dictator of a South American nation and his ambitious wife. In preparation for regaining power, Gollan has deposited millions in a Swiss bank account. In order to get the account's number, the IMF must convince Gollan that World War III has started. Lee Meriwether makes her first appearance as IMF agent Tracey, here impersonating a nurse in an elaborate "simulated disease" scam. First broadcast October 5, 1969, "The Numbers Game" (aka "The Key") was written by Leigh Vance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi