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John Beck Movies

American actor John Beck first stepped on a high school stage to overcome his acute shyness. He found he enjoyed the sensation, and left the Midwest for California, working first in commercials, then as a guest actor on various TV series, starting with James Garner's Nichols (1971). After his film bow in Burt Lancaster's Lawman (1971), Beck was cast as Erno, the handsome futuristic rebel leader with "capped gums," in Woody Allen's Sleeper (1973). But it was television which kept Beck the busiest, from 1980s TV weeklies like Hotel, Murder She Wrote and Jake and the Fatman to a two-year run (1991-92) as Judge David Raymond on the NBC daytime drama Santa Barbara. John Beck's "dream" TV role turned out to be just that -- a dream. For it was he who played Pamela Ewing's (Victoria Principal) husband on Dallas during the series' notorious 1985-86 season, which was explained away at the beginning of the next season as entirely a figment of Pamela's imagination. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
2003  
R  
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Jason Scott Lee portrays the title character in Stephen Boyum's time-traveling action film Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision. The film follows the timecop as he jumps from various eras in history in an attempt to stop criminal Branson Miller (Thomas Ian Griffith) who has been manipulating history for his own personal gain. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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Starring:
Jason Scott LeeThomas Ian Griffith, (more)
 
2000  
R  
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Renegade adventurer Hunter (John Beck) and his daughter Nadia (Julie St. Claire) discover, in a remote Siberian cave, inventor Nikola Tesla's deadliest device: A machine that can turn human brain waves into explosions, big and small. While returning the doomsday device to civilization by means of passenger plane, a band of terrorists led by Beck (Hannes Jaenicke) gets on the plane with plans to move the machine to a second plane and blow up the first one in mid-air, with the ten other passengers as well. But Hunter thwarts the scheme at a grave cost: His plane crashes in the mountains of British Columbia. The CIA dispatches Jason Ross (Treat Williams) to find the device, rescue the survivors, and stop the terrorists. Meanwhile, the crash survivors struggle with freezing temperatures, an avalanche, and a man-eating bear.
~ Buzz McClain, Rovi

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Starring:
Treat WilliamsJohn Beck, (more)
 
1997  
 
From the folks who brought you Baywatch, the made-for-TV Steel Chariots was described by one critic as a combination of Dallas and The Dukes of Hazzard. At base, the story involves the intramural rivalries in a Texas auto-racing family, which extends to open warfare between the sponsors who back the various drivers in the clan. Taking up most of the screen time are the various squabbles between sibling racers D.J. and Brett Tucker (Ben Browder, Gurney Brown), with the boys' parents, played by John Beck and Kathleen Nolan, virtually exiled to the sidelines. A subplot concerns the conflict between moonshining hotrodder Franklin Jones (Brian Van Holt) and his preacher dad (Randy Travis). Providing a modicum of authenticity to the proceedings is the climactic NASCAR-style race, along with appearance by such authentic track habitués as drivers Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett, mechanic Rusty Wallace and announcer Benny Parsons. Steel Chariots first aired September 23, 1997, on the Fox network. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1995  
 
Rookie cop Monica (Roma Downey) is partnered with veteran officer Zack Bennett (Joe Penny) on his first day back after recovering from a shooting. Zack's former partner Ben (Paul Rodriguez) is angry over the fact that Zack has demanded to be paired up with something else. What Ben doesn't know is that Zack is harboring a terrible secret: he has become dangerously addicted to prescription drugs. Monica's Heavenly assignment is to straighten Zack out, but this may prove impossible after he steals the stash of an arrested drug dealer (John Hawkes)--who as a result is set free to commit even more heinous crimes! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1995  
R  
Tough, world-weary wanderer Rinda travels throughout the Southwest working occasionally as a truck-stop cook. She is in one lonely town when she hooks up with sexy Bo Schrag. They have a brief affair, and she doesn't realize Bo is married until his plain wife shows up during one of their sessions with a shotgun in her hand. Rinda and Hallie Schrag end up becoming friends and taking off for Phoenix. This taut little thriller chronicles their many exploits along the way. The tenuous friendship between two is nearly destroyed when they pick up handsome cowboy hitcher Dodge after he helps them fix their car. Together the three go to a deserted hot springs, and en route a quiet, tense rivalry between the women, both of whom want the enigmatic Dodge, builds. Meanwhile, back in the town they just left, police begin investigating a robbery-homicide that just may involve Dodge. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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Starring:
Mia SaraMichelle Forbes, (more)
 
1995  
 
The popular television detective duo from Hart to Hart reunites for another go-around in this made-for-television adventure movie. While the Harts (Robert Wagner and Stephanie Powers) attend a charity auction, they stumble upon an old locket with what may be a picture of Jonathan Hart's long-lost sister. Jonathan may be on the brink of finding his missing sibling -- or he may be a pawn in scheme concocted by some thieves. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi

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Starring:
Robert WagnerStefanie Powers, (more)
 
1994  
 
The focus of this episode is O'Brien, who is arrested by the Cardassians on charges of smuggling and conspiracy. Though he is unaware of the charges levelled against him, O'Brien protests his innocence, to no avail, since the Cardassians have already found him guilty and sentenced him to death. Making matters worse is the overwhelmed body of evidence pointing to O'Brien's guilt, evidence that even the crew of DS9 is unable to refute. Written by Bill Dial and directed by Avery Brooks, "Tribunal" first aired June 4, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1994  
 
For a couple of years during the mid '90s, the Menendez Brothers, Lyle and Erik, held the country's interest after they stood trial for cold-bloodedly killing their parents. The murders took place in L.A., where both victims had successful Hollywood careers. What shocked the nation was that the nicely dressed, soft-spoken defendants claimed their parents abused them all their life. This sensationalistic dramatization is the first of several TV movies that exploited the brothers and their trial. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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Starring:
Jill ClayburghJames Farentino, (more)
 
1993  
 
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Two rival families clash for control of the Island of St. John in this mini-series. Caught in the middle of the conflict are two lovers, Ocean and Maxine, one from each family. Their secret rendezvous are already putting them both in jeopardy, but when Ocean is accused of killing Maxine's brother, a storm between the families could erupt, leaving no spoils worth taking in the end. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

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1991  
R  
When a woman murdered over fifteen years ago is again found dead, a small-town Arizona policeman (John Beck) must solve the case without stepping on the tender toes of procedure, courtesy of a federal agent from Phoenix (Steven Bauer). ~ John Bush, Rovi

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Starring:
John BeckSteven Bauer, (more)
 
1991  
 
Nancy Landon (Vera Miles) swoops down on Cabot Cove with the announcement that her son Steve (Richard Gilliland) had been fathered by the late husband of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). With this in mind, Nancy insists that Jessica is obligated to help clear Steve fraud and murder charges related to the Landons' construction business. Though it pains her to do so, Jessica does what she can to prove Steve's innocence. Also in the cast is Martin Milner as Jessica's friend Clint Phelps, who may know more about the case than he's letting on. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1990  
 
McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) and her boyfriend, Judge Michael Hayworth (John Beck), are held captive by the brother (Harold Sylvester) of a convict who killed himself in prison. Their captor is convinced that the Judge, who refused to consider new evidence in his brother's case, is responsible for the tragedy. As Hunter races against time to free his partner, information comes to light suggesting that Hayworth may have had a hidden agenda during the dead man's trial. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1989  
R  
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In the Cold of the Night is an above-average erotic thriller, directed with superb visual style by Nico Mastorakis, but plagued by an uneven, derivative plot. Photographer Scott Bruin (Jeff Lester) is very successful but begins to have frightening visions of himself murdering a beautiful woman. When he meets the woman in those dreams, Kimberly (Adrienne Sachs), they begin a highly charged romance. When Scott becomes suspicious, he finds out information which leads to a "surprise" ending. In the Cold of the Night generated a great deal of controversy when it was originally released, and director Mastorakis had to cut the film to avoid an X rating. Despite the cuts and the weak plot, the extraordinary visual style of Mastorakis, and the haunting cinematography make In the Cold of the Night a treat for fans of erotic thrillers or anyone who appreciates technique and style in filmmaking. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

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1989  
 
The terrible crash of Delta Airlines Flight 191 provides the basis of this made-for-TV drama-in-real life. The disaster occurred at Dallas in 1985 and during that fateful night many of the ordinary passengers, crew, and rescue workers became true heroes as they worked together to save lives. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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Starring:
Charles HaidAngie Dickinson, (more)
 
1988  
 
Raymond Burr, as ever, stars in this TV-movie continuation of the Perry Mason saga. Once more pulled out of semi-retirement, Perry takes on the case of a wealthy man (David Hasselhoff) accused of murdering his heiress wife. Of course, this has nothing to do with the Klaus von Bulow affair. As was customary in these latter-day Mason episodes, the bulk of the detective work is in the hands of Paul Drake Jr., played by William Katt--the real-life son of Mason's "Della Street," Barbara Hale. Lady in the Lake was one of two Perry Mason two-hour specials produced by Fred Silverman and Dean Hargrove in 1988; the other was subtitled The Case of the Avenging Ace. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1987  
R  
A gumshoe gets in deep kim-chi when he agrees to murder a fellow's wife in exchange for $25,000 up front. No sooner does he accept the money than he is running off to his intended victim to first warn her and then sleep with her. As soon as they finish making love, he learns that she was not the wife and that the real one has been killed. Now the detective finds himself framed for murder and must somehow avoid the determined police detective who constantly dogs him while continuing his own investigation of the circumstances. His search leads him into the fashion-model world where he encounters more deception, double-crossing and danger. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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Starring:
Billy Dee WilliamsVanity, (more)
 
1987  
 
Season Seven of Magnum, P.I comes to spectacular conclusion--one that was originally intended to be the series' final episode. Wounded in a violent shootout, the comatose Magnum (Tom Selleck) hovers between life and death. From his vantage point in "Limbo", Magnum tries to communicate with his friends, to warn them that his ex-wife Michelle may soon be murdered. Coming to Magnum's rescue--in a manner of speaking--is the spectre of his old Navy buddy "Mac" MacReynolds (Larry Manetti). Though Magnum, P.I. had indeed been cancelled at the end of its seventh season, the series was brought back the following year by public demand--necessitating a hasty "rethinking" of this episode's now-famous closing image. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1986  
 
Hunter (Fred Dryer) is a witness to murder when his former partner, DEA agent Neil Jordan (John Beck), is gunned down before his eyes. But after attempting to chase down the killer, Hunter returns to the crime scene find that Jordan's body has disappeared. At this point the detective is plunged into a maelstrom of intrigue and deception involving the Feds, the Mafia, and even Fidel Castro--and as the cream of the jest, it turns out that Jordan may not really be dead after all! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1985  
 
Jessica (Angela Lansbury is given a crash course in the nomenclature of football when she inherits a small percentage in a pro football team. She also stumbles upon a murder case (surprise!) when the team's much-hated owner is killed in the locker room . It's going to be tough to discern the murderer's identity this time, inasmuch as Jessica must first work her way through every member of the team--not to mention their wives and sweethearts! Former professional athletes Bruce Jenner and Dick Butkus appear in key supporting roles. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1985  
 
In this drama, set twenty years after the original saga, a woman comes to the tumultuous New England village to investigate the mysterious disappearance of her mother and discovers that the town's most respected citizens have been keeping a series of dark, disturbing secrets. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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1980  
 
In this made-for-TV farce, the urban phenomenon of the traffic jam and the effect it has on the lives of the participants is examined. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi

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1980  
 
Ever anxious to enter the "nighttime serial" market engendered by Dallas, NBC commissioned Flamingo Road, a casual remake of the 1949 Joan Crawford film of the same name. The TV-movie pilot, which aired in May of 1980, introduces the dramatiis personae. Howard Duff plays the corrupt political boss of a small Florida town (a role originated by Sidney Greenstreet in 1949). Cristina Raines is the Crawford counterpart, a faded nightclub singer who wanders into Duff's town and upsets the political and social apple cart by shacking up with a local contract (John Beck). Duff tries to destroy Raines by dredging up her past, to no avail. When Flamingo Road became a series in 1981, it manage to hang by its fingertips in the ratings for eighteen months. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1978  
 
This video provides an excellent lesson about who can be trusted in life and which human values are the most important ones. In this Biblical story, Delilah's greed causes her to repeatedly betray Samson as she seeks to tell his enemies how his great strength can be taken away from him. At first, Samson is clever and deceives Delilah. Eventually, he trusts her, only to have her accept money in exchange for his secret. Men arrive to subdue Samson, once Delilah tells them the best way to take away his mighty strength. This video can generate reflection on the most important traits that adults should try to nurture within themselves. ~ Elizabeth Smith, Rovi

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1978  
 
A progressive scientist builds a machine that allows him time travel in this adaptation of the classic from H.G. Wells. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi

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