Elizabeth Montgomery Movies

Of the two rape-oriented TV movies of the 1973-74 season, A Case of Rape, first telecast February 20, 1974, is far and away the finer film (the other was the compelling but contrived Cry Rape). Elizabeth Montgomery stars as a housewife who is sexually assaulted not once but twice by a so-called family friend (Cliff Potts). The rape is only the beginning of a long cycle of humiliation and self-doubt: the investigating police are dismissive of Montgomery's charges, the female defense attorney (Rosemary Murphy) tries to put the victim on trial, and Montgomery's reputation and marriage (to Ronny Cox) are irrevocably damaged. Though things don't go well for her in the courtroom, Montgomery emerges from the experience a stronger and more self-reliant person, unwilling to allow herself to be destroyed by outside influences. Don't miss the final confrontation between raper and rapist after the trial--an underplayed but bone-chilling vignette. Had not Cicely Tyson sewn up the Emmy with The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Elizabeth Montgomery would certainly have copped the prize with A Case of Rape. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Elizabeth Montgomery stars in this made-for-television movie about a liberal reporter whose views are challenged after she becomes the victim of random crime. Montgomery stars as Katherine McSweeney, a divorced, single-mother news reporter assigned to cover crime in her lower-middle-class neighborhood. After being mugged in her hallway, Katherine finds little sympathy from her colleagues or the police who feel her left-wing tendencies left her wide open for crime. The film shows how she transforms from a tolerant woman into a frightened and judgmental citizen, who is angry at her loss of innocence, but determined not to give in to her fear. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide

Stars Kirk Douglas and Elizabeth Montgomery manage to rise above the melodramatic trappings of Amos. Douglas plays the title character, a fiercely independent senior-citizen baseball coach, forced to live in a retirement home after an auto accident. During his stay, Amos conducts a battle of wills with overbearing head nurse Daisy Dawes (Montgomery). This Cuckoo's Nest-derived setup has an added wrinkle: Amos suspects, quite rightly as it turns out, that Dawes has been systematically murdering her more troublesome charges. Made for TV by Douglas' own Bryna Productions, Amos first aired September 29, 1985 ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Elizabeth Montgomery plays a woman who awakens from a 20-year coma. Her adjustment to the new world around her is made doubly difficult by the knowledge that her long-ago sweetheart has married her sister (Karen Grassle). Worse still, Montgomery learns that her reawakening may be temporary, and that she could lapse back into a coma at any time. Matching Elizabeth Montgomery in the noble-suffering sweepstakes is Dorothy McGuire, cast as Montgomery's mother. Lori Birdsong plays the younger version of Montgomery in the flashback sequences. The made-for-TV Between the Darkness and the Dawn was first networkcast December 23, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While penning a play about the Civil War, Samantha suffers a severe case of writer's block. Helpful Darrin advises Sam to think of her fictional characters as real people, and as a result, all of the play's characters -- from Yankee belle Violet (Eileen O'Neill) to a surly American Indian (Tom Nardini) -- literally come to life. Written by Paul David and John L. Greene, "...and Then I Wrote" was originally telecast on November 11, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Prankish Uncle Arthur offers to stage a magic show for Tabitha's birthday party. Things get a bit out of hand when, attempting to pull a rabbit out of a hat, Arthur instead produces a nubile Playboy bunny (Carol Wayne). The fun really begins when Darrin's new client, A.J. Sylvester (Bernie Kopell), takes quite a shine to the sexy visitor. Written by Ed Jurist, "A Bunny for Tabitha" first aired on November 6, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Among her many other reasons for disliking her son-in-law Darrin, Endora is dissatisfied with Darrin's physical appearance. As Samantha looks on, Endora transforms a sleeping Darrin into a "perfect husband" -- a veritable Adonis, in fact. Upon awakening, Darrin becomes convinced that it is Sam and not Endora who is unhappy with his appearance, forcing Sam to assume the identity of a sexy French sculptress to build up her hubby's ego. Written by Bernard Slade, "Change of Face" originally aired on May 13, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Darrin blows his top again, when he thinks that Samantha has used witchcraft to create a winning ad slogan. As it turns out, Sam does help Darrin, albeit in the time-honored "trial and error" fashion preferred by those irksome mortals. J. Edward McKinley, one of the series' stable of recurring character actors, is once more cast as Darrin's client, this time a man named Benson. First broadcast on March 11, 1972, "A Good Turn Never Goes Unpunished" was written by Bernie Kahn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In a bit of casting that would probably not pass muster anymore, British character actor Richard Haydn appears as Darrin's Japanese client, Kensu Mishimoto. Thanks to a misfire magic spell, Mishimoto falls madly in love with dotty old Aunt Clara. In the course of events, Sam tries vainly to conjure up Clara's former beau, Ocky; a beautiful Japanese stewardess makes a coincidental appearance; and much fun is had with the Oriental tendency to mispronounce "L"s and "R"s (again, a bit of comic business that would be rejected out of hand nowadays!) Written by Ed Jurist, "A Majority of Two" was originally telecast on April 11, 1968 (though existing evidence indicates it was meant to be broadcast at a much earlier date). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Though Endora has promised to behave herself when she meets Darrin's parents, both Darrin and Samantha prepare for the worst. Sure enough, trouble ensues at a dinner party arranged in honor of Darrin's folks. The reason? Dear old Mr. Stephens (Robert F. Simon) has apparently fallen head over heels in love with Endora. Written by Bernard Slade, "A Nice Little Dinner Party" originally aired on January 28, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The "Prince of a Guy" in this episode is none other than Prince Charming (William Bassett), whom little Tabitha has brought to life from her storybook. Upon meeting the handsome prince, Larry immediately hires him as a male model, which results in a dilemma when it turns out that imaginary characters can't be photographed. As if that wasn't crisis enough, the prince has fallen in love with a "real" woman named Helen (Louise Glenn). Also known as "A Prince for a Day," this episode was written by Ed Jurist, and first aired on February 8, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Stephens household is set on its ear when Samantha is put in charge of capricious ten-year-old warlock Merle Brocken (Craig Hundley). Upon discovering that the little visitor is from Sam's "world," Darrin makes the boy promise not to perform any magic during his visit. Merle obediently agrees, just before a burglar invades the house and overpowers Darrin. James Doohan of Star Trek fame plays Merle's father, Walker Brocken. Written by Paul David and John L. Greene, "A Strange Little Visitor" originally aired on December 2, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first of several episodes designed to accommodate the real-life pregnancy of Bewitched star Elizabeth Montgomery, Samantha reveals to Darrin that she is going to have a baby. Though delighted at the prospect, Darrin prides himself on being a "modern" parent (thanks to some coaching from boss Larry Tate), and refuses to pamper Sam. As a consequence for his seeming thoughtlessness, Darrin is given an extreme case of morning sickness by mother-in-law Endora. Written by Howard Leeds, "A Very Special Delivery" first aired on September 23, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide