Ralph Moody Movies
A favorite of producer/director Jack Webb, character actor Ralph Moody was a familiar face to viewers of Dragnet in both its 1950s and 1960s incarnations -- but that would be an unfair (as well as inaccurate) way to describe an actor who amassed hundreds of film and television appearances in barely 20 years of movie and television work. Born in St. Louis, MO, in 1886, Moody didn't make his screen debut until 1948, with a small role in Man Eaters of Kumaon. Already in his sixties, he always looked older than he was, and his craggy features could also impart a fierceness that made him threatening. Although Moody was known for playing kindly or crotchety old men, he occasionally brought that fierceness to bear, as in the Adventures of Superman episode "Test of a Warrior", in which he played the sinister medicine man Okatee. But in between that and dozens of other one-off television assignments, Moody also managed to work in scenes as the coffin-boat skipper in Samuel Fuller's Pickup on South Street and one of the rescue workers in Billy Wilder's Ace in the Hole.Moody was one of those actors who could work quickly and milk a line or a scene for all its emotional worth. What's more, he could do it without over-emoting. He was the kind of character player that directors and producers in budget-conscious television of the 1950s needed. In an episode of Circus Boy, he played a touching scene with a young Micky Dolenz, as an aging railroad engineer introducing the boy to the world of locomotives and trains. After that, Moody got called back to do three more episodes. But it was Jack Webb who really put him to work in Dragnet and many of his other productions, in radio and feature films as well as television. His more memorable appearances on Dragnet included "The Big Producer", as a once-famous movie producer who is reduced to selling pornographic pictures to high-school students, and "The Hammer", from the 1967 revival of the series, in which he portrayed the neighbor of a murder victim. Moody continued working regularly in television until a year before his death in 1971, at age 84. His final appearance was in the Night Gallery episode "The Little Black Bag". ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi
- 1971
- G
Fires and tornados add to the difficulties of the Tanners, a Pittsburgh family of three which has pulled up stakes and moved to what they thought would be a fully functional ranch in Wyoming. Instead they find a broken down ruin. In addition to having to rebuild and battle the elements, they have a fight on their hands. Their cattleman neighbor controls the water, and he hates farmers. As the mother (Vera Miles) gets the household in order, the father and son (Steve Forrestand Ron Howard) struggle the get the ranch in working order; they are aided by a mountain man, Thompson (Jack Elam), and Two Dog, a Native American (Frank de Kova). When the showdown over water rights comes, these two new friends are at their side. This Technicolor western, set in the 1880's, is loosely based on the book "Little Britches," by Ralph Moody. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- 1971
Season Thirteen of Bonanza began on September 19, 1971 with the series' 390th episode, "The Grand Swing." Young Jamie's carelessness results in the loss of a valuable horse. Hurt and humiliated, Jamie offers to leave the Ponderosa for good. Rather than display anger, the boy's adoptive father Ben Cartwright takes Jamie on a extended pack trip through the length and breadth of the Cartwright property, hoping to demonstrate how best to handle difficult situations. In the course of the story, Ben and Jamie become closer than ever. Highlights of this wonderful episode include a full tour of the Ponderosa spread (filmed in Arizona and California), and a poignant vignette involving a "witness tree", where Hoss and Joe Cartwright's names were carved years before. "The Grand Swing" was written by Ward and John Hawkins and William Koenig. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1969
Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and his date Sally (Barbara Baldavin) join Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and his wife Jean (Mikki Jamison) on a weekend excursion to a ghost town. What should have been an enjoyable occasion quickly turns sour when the town is invaded by armed motorcyclists, forcing Malloy, Sally and the Reeds to barricade themselves in a deserted saloon. Making this western-style showdown doubly dangerous is the fact that Jean is pregnant. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1967
This prescient episode costars Tom Skerritt, soon to appear as "Duke Forest" in the movie version of M*A*S*H, with Wayne Rogers, the future "Trapper John" in the M*A*S*H TV series. Skerritt is cast as John Rim, a fugitive from justice who is hiding in a Gulf Coast community where he is regarded as a local hero for rescuing a busload of children. When Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) shows up in search of Rim, is confronted by a wall of silence and hostility from the locals, who can't believe (or choose not to believe) that John Rim is a criminal. Meanwhile, John shows his true colors by attempting to seduce the wife (Katherine Justice) of his own brother Frank (Rogers). This is the first episode in which star Efrem Zimbalist Jr. dropped character at the conclusion to issue his monthly "Wanted by the FBI" bulletin. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
All hell breaks loose in a Texas town when an escaped convict heads home in Arthur Penn's Southern gothic melodrama. Appointed by local kingpin Val Rogers (E. G. Marshall), benevolent Sheriff Calder (Marlon Brando) manages to keep the peace in Tarl, but the situation starts to fester one Saturday when news filters in that wild child Bubber Reeves (Robert Redford) has jumped prison. Bubber's impending arrival arouses hostility among Tarl's citizens, such as Edwin Stewart (Robert Duvall), who believes that Bubber will come after him to settle an old score, and Damon Puller (Richard Bradford), who, between grope sessions with Edwin's wife Emily (Janice Rule), uses Bubber as an excuse to terrorize black residents. As the atmosphere heats up, Calder wants to keep Bubber alive, and he convinces Bubber's wife Anna (Jane Fonda) and her lover, Val's son Jake (James Fox), to find Bubber and coax him into surrender. Val's fear that Bubber will kill his son, however, sparks a long confrontation that leaves rational law and order pummeled into the ground by the town's ignorant cruelty. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi
- Starring:
- Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, (more)
- 1965
Scientists discover that a maverick asteroid is hurtling towards Earth and if they cannot stop it, it will destroy our planet in this special-effects laden Italian sci-fi thriller that is also known as Planet on the Prowl. Their task isn't easy, for as the little planet draws near it upsets the Earth's gravity and causes all kinds of natural disasters. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1964
Reba Burgess (Audrey Totter) has managed to keep her late husband's mining company alive by securing big bank loans, using a shoebox full of uncut diamonds as collateral. All this may come to an end when Carl Bascom (Jeff Corey) appears out of nowhere, claiming to have a written agreement that gives him half of the mine. Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) enters the scene when Bascom is killed with a weapon owned by Reba. This episode is topheavy with familiar character actors in the supporting cast, including Elisha Cook Jr. (The Maltese Falcon), Bruce Bennett (Treasure of the Sierra Madre), Ben Johnson (The Last Picture Show) and Roy Barcroft (who showed up in virtually every Republic serial and western ever made!) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1964
Bruce Yarnell makes his first appearance as the Cartwrights' cousin Muley from Missouri. "Blessed" with a singing voice that can literally shatter glass, Muley manages to make life difficult for his rich relations-and also inadvetently louses up negotiations with a neighboring Indian tribe. The supporting cast includes such dependable character actors as Jesse White, Jerome Cowan, Strother Martin and Ralph Moody, the latter in his standard role as an elderly Indian chief. Written by Robert Barron and Alex Sharp, "The Saga of Muley Jones" was originally telecast on March 29, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1963
Eula Johnson (Diana Millay), the bored young bride of rancher Grover Johnson (Rod Cameron), begs her husband to sell his bleak desert spread, but he refuses. Enter wealthy Texas Nelson Barclift (a pre-Gilligan's Island Alan Hale Jr), who offers to pay Johnson four times what his property is worth. As it turns out, Barclift may be Eula's co-conspirator in a major swindle--but this becomes a moot point when both Barclift and Eula turn up dead. Accused of murder, Johnson puts his life in the hands of Perry Mason (Raymond Burr). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1963
While trying to land a lucrative lumber contract with the railroad, Ben Cartwright once again finds himself in competition with his old and hated rival, ruthless ranchowner Barney Fuller (Jay C. Flippen). Determined to prove that he is up to the challenge, Ben displays an uncharacteristic streak of recklessness-and in so doing, accidentally causes the death of a Ponderosa ranchhand. Others in the cast include Melora Conway as Martha, Ralph Moody as Gabe, and Raymond Guth as Watts. First broadcast on December 29, 1963, "The Prime of Life" was one of several Bonanza episodes written by former actor Warren Douglas. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1962
Veteran Hollywood song-and-dance man Dan Dailey essays one of his most unusual roles as Karate expert Dexter Lloyd Bayliss. Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) is suspicious when Bayliss, who is known to be "tight" with the mob, sets up a martial-arts classroom for teenage kids. As it turns out, Bayliss is teaching these impressionable youngsters how to become professional assassins for the Underworld...and he's very, very good at his job. This is the only episode of The Untouchables to be written by a woman $Kitty Buhler). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1962
Writer-director Montgomery Pittman's final Twilight Zone offering was the bucolic comedy "The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank." As the youthful title character (James Best) lies in his coffin during his funeral, the assembled mourners listen to the droning words of the local pastor (William Fawcett) -- whereupon Jeff sits bolt upright, very much alive! Doc Bolton (Edgar Buchanan) assumes that he made a misdiagnosis when he declared Jeff dead, but the townsfolk are convinced that the boy has been possessed by the devil, especially after Jeff handily beats up his longtime antagonist Orgram Gatewood (Lance Fuller), something he has never been able to do before. Only Orgram's cousin Comfort (played by director Pittman's daughter-in-law Sherry Jackson) remains unafraid of Jeff, but even she begins to have her doubts during the diabolically amusing final scenes. Blessed with a semi-satirical harmonica score by Tommy Morgan, "The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank" made its first TV appearance on February 23, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- James Best, Sherry Jackson, (more)
This musical boxing drama finds Walter (Elvis Presley) as a recently discharged soldier looking forwork in New York's Catskill Mountains. He happens across Grogan's Gym, a boxing emporium that helps perfect the "gentle art." Proprioter Willie Grogan (Gig Young) and trainer Lew (Charles Bronson) run the camp for aspiring pugilists. Walter saves Grogan's long suffering girlfriend Rose (Joan Blackman) from an assault by a gangster when he knocks out the goon. He earns the nickname "Kid Galahad" and a chance to show off his talents in the boxing ring. While Walter trains for the big fight, Lew is approached by unsavory gamblers, who want Lew to be lax in repairing any cuts Walter sustains in the ring for a slice of the economic pie. Lew refuses and has his hands broken by the gambling goons. Although Walter knows the fix is on, he battles his way to victory against overwhelming odds and an intimidating opponent. Walter exacts revenge on the men who broke Lew's hands, which may be the first and only time in cinematic history that Charles Bronson needs any outside help. Presley delivers seven songs, the most memorable being "I Got Lucky." United Artists got lucky with the release of Kid Galahad, which drew legions of loyal Presley fans at the box office. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Gig Young, (more)
- 1961
Twice every year, wealthy mountaineer Shep Montrose (Roy Barcroft) invades a small town, throws money in every direction, and wreaks havoc upon the townsfolk and their property. The locals like the fact that Shep is so generous, but they're tired of cleaning up the damage he leaves in his wake. With Shep scheduled to make another of his calamitous weekend visit, Paladin (Richard Boone) is hired to curb the mountain man's predilection for violence--if he can survive the assignment. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1961
This is an uneven melodrama on the tragic life of Pima Indian Ira Hayes, one of the men who raised the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima. The story picks up with Hayes (Tony Curtis) leaving his reservation in Arizona to join the Marines, enter boot camp, and start to adapt to the life of a Marine. Hayes becomes good friends with Sorenson (James Franciscus), and it is this friendship that sustains him in a white man's world. But as time goes by and the moment immortalized on Iwo Jima ends, Hayes goes into a decline, being unconvinced there was any heroism involved in his actions during the war and never being able to adjust to civilian life. At this point in time, no one recognized the afflictions common to all soldiers after long years in battle, and the death of Sorenson is blamed for Hayes' downfall. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tony Curtis, James Franciscus, (more)
Homicidal represents producer/director William Castle's slant on Hitchcock's Psycho. The film concerns a young woman named Miriam Webster (Patricia Breslin) who seemingly has everything a girl could want - including a successful flower shop business, and a handsome beau, Karl (Glenn Corbett), who works as a pharmacist. Events take a turn for the worse, however, when Miriam's half-brother, Warren, returns from Europe - with a rather unpleasant friend in-tow: a blonde named Emily (Jean Arless). Emily promptly sets about destroying Miriam's life: the newcomer attempts to wheedle Karl away from Miriam, then rips the flower shop to pieces, then ultimately reveals a little taste for knife-wielding that directly threatens Miriam's safety. Like The Tingler and other Castle outings, this one originally featured a gimmick, preserved in the video release: a "fright-break" just prior to the climax, which allowed terrified audience members approximately 45 seconds to get out of their seats and leave the theater - to avoid the prospect of being "frightened to death." One look at Jean Arless's credit in the cast listing betrays the final twist in this one, directly (and unapologetically) lifted by Castle from Psycho. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Glenn Corbett, Patricia Breslin, (more)
This Biblical epic stars Elana Eden as Ruth, who serves in the temple where the High Priestess (Viveca Lindfors) leads the worship of the Pagan idols of the people of Moab. When Ruth falls in love with Mahlon (Tom Tryon), a Hebrew, she must come to terms with his spiritual beliefs, but in time she embraces his faith and converts to Judaism when they marry. Ruth travels with Mahlon and his mother Naomi (Peggy Wood) to their homeland of Bethlehem. Ruth suffers hardship and religious persecution, and when Mahlon dies, Ruth's faith is severely tested. But her belief in God survives this trial by fire, and in time Ruth finds a new love with Boaz (Stuart Whitman). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Stuart Whitman, Tom Tryon, (more)
- 1960
The only pleasure afforded the half-crazed residents of a ghost town called Bonanza is the faded portrait of a beautiful woman which hangs on the wall of the saloon. When the portrait turns up missing, the locals blame the only stranger in their midst--namely, Paladin (Richard Boone). Ultimately, and for no other reason than to save his own skin, Paladin agrees to seek out the missing lady. This episode represents are rare collaboration between master fantasists Charles Beaumont and Richard Matheson, two of the most prolific contributors to the classic Rod Serling anthology The Twilight Zone. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1959
The Kingston Trio's hit song with the lyrics "hang down your head Tom Dooley, hang down your head and cry..." may have been the inspiration for this well-wrought drama, but the film stands on its own. Three Confederate soldiers learn too late that the stagecoach they just attacked, killing two Union soldiers, was off-limits because the Civil War was over. Killing the former enemy after peace has been declared is considered murder, so the three young men decide to head for refuge further south. One of the three, Tom Dooley (Michael Landon) takes a detour to find his Northern sweetheart and marry her before escaping. That, it turns out, was a fatal mistake and the beginning of a folk hero and a folk song. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Jo Morrow, (more)
- 1959
Not long after trying to strike a deal with political "fixer" Wilfred Borden (George Neise), building contractor George Andrews (John Anderson) is in a car accident. When Borden is murdered and Andrews arrested for the crime, Perry (Raymond Burr) hinges his defense on locating swimsuit model Dawn Manning (Dolores Donlon), the girl who was with Andrews at the time of the accident--and that, folks, is why Mr. Mason is posing as a professional photographer. This episode is based on a 1958 novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1959
In a most unusual episode, Perry Mason's client is his friend and business associate, private detective Paul Drake (William Hopper). After confronting Frank Thatcher (Bruce Gordon) for concealing evidence in a hit-and-run case, Paul knocks the man down--and is promptly rendered unconscious himself. When he awakens, Paul finds Thatcher dead and himself charged with murder. DA Burger (William Talman) is reluctant to prosecute, but does so anyway, making Perry's job even more emotionally draining than usual. Key players in the proceedings include singer Donna Kress (Vanessa Brown), with whom the very married Thatcher had been carrying on an affair, and the dead man's extremely wealthy father-in-law Henry Dameron (Basil Ruysdael). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1959
Elderly Alter Fortner (Ralph Moody) tells Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) that he has lost his wallet, which contained a huge amount of money. But when a wallet matching the description is recovered, Fortner abruptly changes his story, no only insisting that the wallet is not his but also denying that he ever reported it missing in the first place. Could Fortner's change of heart have anything to do with a family of French emigres named Velard? Featured in the supporting cast is child actor Bobby Crawford, then concurrently costarring in the ABC western series The Rifleman. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1959
The citizens of Moon Ridge, Colorado are convinced that an unearthly monster has invaded their town. What other explanation can there be when a mentally challenged girl named Emily Bella (Natalie Norwick) suddenly disappears, and a set of strange footprints are found outside her room? Though Paladin (Richard Boone) is not by nature superstitious, even he is stymied by the situation--at least until the final scene. This episode was written by Gene Roddenberry, who several years later would channel his fascination in all things supernatural into his own series, Star Trek. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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