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, All Movie Guide
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, All Movie Guide
~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Treat Williams, John 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Wagner, Stefanie 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jill Clayburgh, James Farentino, (more)
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 Albertson, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Haid, Angie 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 1978
A progressive scientist builds a machine that allows him time travel in this adaptation of the classic from H.G. Wells. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Another of the many Arthur Hailey literary properties which were transformed into TV miniseries in the 1970s, the five-part, ten-hour Wheels took place in Detroit sometime in the late 1960s. Rock Hudson starred as Adam Trenton, executive in charge of project development at the fictional auto-manufacturing firm of National Motors. Ambitious and ruthless, Adam let nothing stand in the way of his development and production of a new, youth-marketed car known as the Hawk. Meanwhile, Adam's bored and neglected wife Erica (Lee Remick, who earned an Emmy nomination for her performance) drifted into an extramarital affair and a brief "career" as a shoplifter. Eventually, Adam himself acquired a mistress, who in turn fell in love with Adam's son Kirk (James Carrol Jordan). As if things couldn't get any seamier, Kirk's brother Greg (Howard McGillin) was plagued by a blackmailer, while crooked car dealer Smokey Stevenson (played by miniseries stalwart Anthony Franciosa) cooked up a sinister deal that threatened to destroy National Motors. Originally telecast from May 7 to 15, 1978 on NBC, Arthur Hailey's Wheels posted such disappointing ratings that, when it was later rebroadcast, the property was whittled down from ten hours to four -- with episodes three and four summarily dropped from the proceedings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rock Hudson, Lee Remick, (more)
The Big Bus is set aboard a nonstop, nuclear-powered luxury bus commandeered by Joseph Bologna. Naturally, Bologna is a tortured hero with a deep dark secret (he keeps insisting he didn't eat all those passengers on his last disastrous drive). Stockard Channing and Harold Gould play the designers of the big bus, and of course they have a few skeletons in their closet. In fact, there isn't a passenger on the all-star manifest that isn't hiding something. The supporting cast features contributions by René Auberjonois (parodying his M*A*S*H role), Ned Beatty, José Ferrer, Ruth Gordon (doing a devastating send-up of Airport's Helen Hayes), Sally Kellerman, Richard Mulligan, and many others; Murphy Dunne contributes a memorable bit as a smarmy cocktail pianist. Unfortunately, The Big Bus was dumped onto the summer 1976 release schedule without fanfare by Paramount, and it sank without a trace. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Bologna, Stockard Channing, (more)
- 1976
Unlike the 1935 film version of Jack London's 1897 novel Call of the Wild, which devoted most of its running time to a romance between Clark Gable and Loretta Young, this 1976 TV-movie version wisely remains faithful to the source. The star is a magnificent dog--part St. Bernard, part German shepherd--which is kidnapped from its home in California and spirited away to the Yukon. The dog is sold to two greenhorn prospectors (John Beck and Bernard Fresson) who name the animal "Buck". Though faithful to his new masters, Buck shows inclinations of succumbing to the "call of the wild" and running off into the woods at any moment. James (Deliverance) Dickey adapted the London novel for this TV version, which was filmed in the Sierra Madres and the Grand Tetons. Call of the Wild premiered on May 22, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Attack on Terror: The FBI Versus the Ku Klux Klan is a fact-based, two-part TV movie. The film is a dramatization of the murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964. The FBI, personified herein by southern operative Wayne Rogers, is brought in to investigate the trio's disappearance. Upon the discovery of the bodies on August 2, 1964, the feds follow a trail of (admittedly skimpy) evidence which leads to the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, headed by the virulent Glen Tuttle (Rip Torn). The first part of Attack on Terror was originally telecast February 20, 1975. The film was based on the book by Don Whitehead. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ned Beatty, John Beck, (more)
- 1974
A priest, a rabbi, and a minister are attempting to keep a financially-strapped drug rehab center open, when the last bit of funding disappears. Desperate, they approach a sickly Mafia don and offer to absolve him of his sins in exchange for cash. Unfortunately, he dies before he can get them the money and they must figure out how to steal it from his safe. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
