Al Molinaro Movies
Heavyset, hawk-nosed Italian-American character actor Al Molinaro maintained a constant association with two series roles throughout his career, both down-to-earth and sweet-natured, paternal types: that of Murray Greshner, better known as Murray the Cop, on the small-screen version of The Odd Couple (1970-1983), and that of Alfred Delvecchio, the second proprietor of Arnold's Drive-In, on Happy Days (a role maintained from 1976 through 1982). The Wisconsin-based location of Days hit close to home for Molinaro, as a real-life native of Kenosha, WI. Born in 1919, he began signing for acting roles in the early to mid-'50s and achieved his big break when very briefly cast as Agent 44 on Mel Brooks' spy spoof Get Smart (before Victor French replaced him). Molinaro reportedly met Odd Couple producer Garry Marshall while enrolled in acting classes with Marshall's sister, Penny, and thereby landed the part of Murray. That led, in turn, to the Happy Days casting in the fall of 1976 when series co-star Pat Morita left to headline his own short-lived series, Mr. T & Tina. Following Days, Molinaro signed for very infrequent guest roles on series and permanently settled in Los Angeles, where he did occasional theatrical performances and made public appearances. ~ Nathan Southern, 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
- 1977
When an heiress is falsely accused of the murder of her husband, she is assisted by 2 crafty criminal lawyers. ~ All Movie Guide
Happy Days was set in the 1950s in Milwaukee, the heart of middle-class America, and told the story of the Cunningham family. Mr. Cunningham (Tom Bosley) ran the local hardware store and Mrs. Cunningham (Marion Ross), like all good TV Moms, spent her time in the kitchen. Their son, Richie (Ron Howard), hung out at Arnold's Drive-In with his pals Ralph Malph (Donny Most) and Potsie (Anson Williams), trying to be as cool as the coolest greaser in town, the Fonz (Henry Winkler). Richie's sister, Joanie (Erin Moran), tagged along whenever she wasn't at her friend Jenny Piccolo's house.
- Starring:
- Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, (more)
Prolific television director Gary Nelson made the Walt Disney live-action comedy Freaky Friday, based on the novel by Mary Rodgers. Barbara Harris stars as suburban housewife Ellen Andrews, the wife of Bill (John Astin) and the mother of Annabel (Jodie Foster) and Ben (Sparky Marcus). Ellen just can't understand what's going on with teenaged Annabel, who hangs around the house making snappy remarks, eating ice cream for breakfast, and calling her brother Apeface. They each make a separate wish to be in the other's place, and they get their wish on Friday 13th. Ellen has to go through the day as a kid, playing on the field hockey team and dealing with typing class. Annabel has to deal with grown-up problems like getting appliances fixed and preparing a banquet. The whole silly story ends with a wacky car-chase/water skiing/hang-gliding conclusion in keeping with other Disney movies of the day. Freaky Friday was remade twice with the same title, and spawned a whole subgenre of body-switching movies in the 1980s. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Harris, Jodie Foster, (more)
- 1976
After a mere two-month courtship, Laverne (Penny Marshall) has decided to marry her boyfriend Sal (Paul Sylvan) before he begins his Navy hitch. Everyone is delighted by the news of Laverne's upcoming nuptuals--everyone except Shirley (Cindy Williams), who has plenty to say on the subject during the wedding rehearsal. Happy Days' future "Al Devecchio" Al Molinaro plays the priest in this episode, which was originally scheduled to air on February 24, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Mayday at 40,000 Feet is a regulation crisis-in-the-air TV movie distinguished by the accomplished direction of Robert (Hill Street Blues) Butler. David Janssen pilots a 747 chock full of guest stars, battling a snowstorm in order to find his way back to the airport. The plane develops engine trouble, threatening to dump its celebrity cargo in the icy drink. Adding to Janssen's growing list of problems is a maniac who goes on a shooting rampage in the first-class section. It's doubtful that anyone on November 12, 1976 stayed tuned to Mayday at 40,000 Feet upon discovering that its competition on another network was the John Travolta vehicle The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
"Happy Days" was set in the 1950s in Milwaukee, the heart of middle-class America, and told the story of the Cunningham family. Mr. Cunningham (Tom Bosley) ran the local hardware store and Mrs. Cunningham (Marion Ross), like all good TV Moms, spent her time in the kitchen. Their son, Richie (Ron Howard), hung out at Arnold's Drive-In with his pals Ralph Malph (Donny Most) and Potsie (Anson Williams), trying to be as cool as the coolest greaser in town, the Fonz (Henry Winkler). Richie's sister, Joanie (Erin Moran), tagged along whenever she wasn't at her friend Jenny Piccolo's house. The Cunninghams also had an older son, Chuck, but he mysteriously disappeared after the first season.
- Starring:
- Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, (more)
- 1971
In the fifth episode of a seven-part story arc, the Stephenses arrive in Rome, where Endora immediately makes her mark by bringing a statue of Venus to life. In her human state, the irresistible Venus (Francine York) causes trouble for Darrin by causing his client, Mr. Baldoni (Lou Krugman), to stray from his marital vows. There is nothing for Samantha to do but deflect Venus by "enlivening" a statue of Adonis. First telecast on October 13, 1971, "Bewitched, Bothered and Baldoni" was written by Michael Morris. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1970
Having decided to marry his sweetie Darlene (Judith McConnell), handyman Eb (Tom Lester) decides to buy a house as well. Unfortunately, his "collateral" consists of a turtle, a pocket knife, a bag of marbles, and an autographed picture of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. In his efforts to scare up more money, Eb banks heavily on the largess of Oliver (Eddie Albert) and Lisa (Eva Gabor) -- and in so doing, he not only introduces the Douglases as his birth parents, but also transforms their into a reasonable facsimile of the city dump! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judith McConnell, Robert Foulk, (more)
- 1969
In the second episode of a three-part story arc, Oliver (Eddie Albert) and Lisa (Eva Gabor) have arrived in Chicago, where Oliver intends to exercise his legal expertise to make sure that Arnold the pig will inherit 20,000,000 dollars. Naturally, Arnold goes along as well, and once in the Windy City, he in installed in a luxurious hotel with all the expensive amenities. Less fortunate are Oliver and Lisa, whose shabby accommodations are slightly worse than those at your average no-tell motel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roland Winters, Vince Barnett, (more)
- 1969
Oliver (Eddie Albert) and Lisa (Eva Gabor) begin breakfast by opening a box of Crickly Wicklys, a cereal that promises "a prize in each and every package." Well and good -- but they didn't expect to find a cache of genuine and very expensive jewelry! As it turns out, the gems were stashed in the box by a gang of thieves (headed by veteran movie heavy Anthony Caruso). Armed with this information, the viewer should be able to figure out what happens next. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Hale, Jr., Anthony Caruso, (more)
