Joanna Moore Movies
Southern-born Joanna Moore often said she'd never intended to be an actress, but an actress she was for nearly two decades. In films from 1956, Moore had her share of worthwhile and memorable roles. She was seen as the daughter of a blown-up murder victim in Orson Welles' Touch of Evil (1957); she was pathetically brilliant as retarded prostitute Miss Precious in A Walk on the Wild Side (1962); and she was as sexy as the Disney organization would permit as femme fatale Desiree de la Roche in Son of Flubber (1963). From 1963 to 1967 Moore was married to actor Ryan O'Neal, five years her junior; she bore him two children, Tatum and Griffin, both of whom later pursued their own acting careers. Joanna Moore retired from acting in 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1957
This parody of Hollywood westerns centers on a boorish hellion of a cowboy star who makes life for the studio people around him a waking nightmare. His press agent is particularly beleaguered as she has been assigned to try to keep the errant star in line. She really has her work cut out for her when a little boy wins a national contest and gets to spend a month in the cowboy's home. Now the agent must conceal her difficult charge's true nature from the innocent boy. Fortunately, the lad has a good effect on the star and helps him settle down and become a decent fellow. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jock Mahoney, Julie Adams, (more)
- 1958
George Nader plays a reporter whose career is ruined by liquor. A comeback opportunity presents itself when Nader is a bystander at the arrest of a well-known criminal. The reporter knows that the crook, who has been accused of an ambush murder, is innocent, and he sets about to collar the real killer. Nader goes "cold turkey" on the booze despite tempations at every turn, and gets his man. Appointment with a Shadow is one of a handful of films directed by onetime I Led 3 Lives star Richard Carlson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Nader, Joanna Moore, (more)
- 1958
After the death of her first husband, Judy (Joanna Moore) marries Steve (Steve Forrest), the man who sold her the insurance policy on her late hubby's life. When Judy and Steve quickly run out of money, Judy pins her hopes on a sweepstakes ticket that husband number one purchased just before his death. Unfortunately, the ticket stub is in the pocket of her dead husband's jacket -- the jacket that he was buried in. Based on a story by frequent Hitchcock collaborator Cornell Woolrich, "Post Mortem" had been previously been dramatized on the radio anthology Suspense. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
In this sci-fi film, a college professor must deal with the cataclysmic consequences that ensue when a transmogrifying dragonfly bites a prehistoric fish from Madagascar. Soon after the bite, the strange fish becomes gigantic and begins passing on its new ability to morph all it comes in contact with back into their primal forms. When it bites a dog, the dog becomes a wolf. When some fish slime ends up in the professor's pipe, the professor put it to his lips, and he turns into a rampaging Neanderthal with a very large stone-axe that he freely wields around the terrified college campus. Bloody mayhem ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arthur Franz, Joanna Moore, (more)
- 1958
Flood Tide can be described as The Children's Hour gone ballistic. Michel Ray is David Gordon a sweet-faced little boy who dotes on his widowed mother Anne (Cornell Borchers) - but has a nasty, pathological penchant for lying. When a body washes up on the beach and a man is arrested, David tells a few "convenient" lies that get the fellow arrested. The owner of the adjacent beach house, Steve Martin (George Nader) returns from a trip, learns of the situation, and discusses in detail why he thinks the boy is being deceptive; he then spends the rest of the movie romantically pursuing Anne while attempting to earn David's trust and extract a confession from him that will free the unjustly convicted fellow. Flood Tide was directed by Abner Biberman, who as a former movie villain had a good grasp of what makes a sociopath tick--even a ten-year-old one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Nader, Cornell Borchers, (more)
- 1958
George Baxter (Jack Raine), a courier for the South African Diamond Company, arrives at his firm's California office to find the place in a state of disarray, with a strange girl (Joanna Moore) standing the middle of the room. Baxter concludes that the place has been robbed, but before he can say or do anything the girl has ducked into the nearby office of Perry Mason (Raymond Burr), claiming to be a typist for a temp agency. Later on, Baxter is found murdered, and a man named Duane Jefferson (Alan Marshall) is charged. Perry wants to defend Jefferson, but the man refuses to identity the woman who could prove his innocence (and guess who that woman is?) Based on a 1956 novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner, this episode offers a genuinely shocking twist just before the climax. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This baroque nightmare of a south-of-the-border mystery is considered to be one of the great movies of Orson Welles, who both directed and starred in it. On honeymoon with his new bride, Susan (Janet Leigh), Mexican-born policeman Mike Vargas (Charlton Heston) agrees to investigate a bomb explosion. In so doing, he incurs the wrath of local police chief Hank Quinlan (Welles), a corrupt, bullying behemoth with a perfect arrest record. Vargas suspects that Quinlan has planted evidence to win his past convictions, and he isn't about to let the suspect in the current case be railroaded. Quinlan, whose obsession with his own brand of justice is motivated by the long-ago murder of his wife, is equally determined to get Vargas out of his hair, and he makes a deal with local crime boss Uncle Joe Grandi (Akim Tamiroff) to frame Susan on a drug rap, leading to one of the movie's many truly harrowing sequences. Touch of Evil dissects the nature of good and evil in a hallucinatory, nightmarish ambience, helped by the shadow-laden cinematography of Russell Metty and by the cast, which, along with Tamiroff and Welles includes Charlton Heston as a Mexican; Marlene Dietrich, in a brunette wig, as a brittle madam who delivers the movie's unforgettable closing words; Mercedes McCambridge as a junkie; and Dennis Weaver as a tremulous motel clerk. Touch of Evil has been released with four different running times -- 95 minutes for the 1958 original, which was taken away from Welles and brutally cut by the studio; 108 minutes and 114 minutes in later versions; and 111 minutes in the 1998 restoration. Based on a 58-page memo written by Welles after he was barred from the editing room during the film's original post-production, this restoration, among numerous other changes, removed the opening titles and Henry Mancini's music from the opening crane shot, which in either version ranks as one of the most remarkably extended long takes in movie history. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, (more)
- 1958
Audie Murphy heads the cast of the better-than-usual oater Ride a Crooked Trail. It all begins when gunslinger Joe Maybe (Murphy) is mistaken for a famed U.S. marshal. This wouldn't be so bad, except for the fact that Joe has already drawn up plans to rob the town's bank with his cohort Sam Teeler (Henry Silva). The dilemma deepens when Joe falls in love with Teeler's ex-girlfriend, Tessa Milotte (Gia Scala), and begins entertaining notions of reforming. A youthful Walter Matthau steals the show as boozy, braggadocio Judge Kyle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audie Murphy, Gia Scala, (more)
- 1959
Although Albert Magnum (Alan Hewitt) has the reputation of being a playboy, his friendship with Virginia Pond (Joanna Moore) is strictly platonic. Thus, when Albert warns Virginia to steer clear of her violently jealous ex-husband, Joseph (Gary Merrill), he is acting out of the purest motives. Unfortunately, Joseph doesn't quite see things the same way, as Albert learns to his regret when he confronts Joseph during a fishing trip. This is the final episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents' fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Just at a point when he has everything to live for, wealthy Dave Ramey (Brian Keith) is stricken down with polio. Now confined to an iron lung, Ramey obsesses over the possibility that his wife, Cindy (Joanna Moore), plans to kill him. When Cindy falls for a handsome stranger named Arnold Barrett (Yale Wexler), it would appear that Ramey's fears are about to be realized -- but as we all know, appearances on Alfred Hitchcock Presents have a habit of being deceiving. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
While on the road to Denver, gallant Bart (Jack Kelly) rescues the beautiful Linda Burke (Joanna Moore) from a runaway horse. Upon reaching his destination, Bart discovers that Linda has helpfully sent word that he is a topnotch gambler. And apparently that's not all Linda has told the townsfolk; before the episOde is half over, our hero has been framed for murder. Watch for Stacy Keach Sr., father of the contemporary character actor (and creator of the classic radio series Tales of the Texas Rangers), in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
In danger of losing his job, TV-producer David Wayne hopes to cook up a real ratings winner by building a network special around the life and work of elderly doctor Paul Muni. For the past 45 years, the iconoclastic Muni has run a free clinic in the slums of Brooklyn. Muni has no time for television, however, so Wayne tries to get Muni's lifelong friend Luther Adler to talk the doctor into appearing before the cameras. Adler agrees, on the proviso that Wayne's network promises to build a nice home in the suburbs for the physician and his wife (Nancy R. Pollock). Going to work on Muni, Adler convinces the old man that a coast-to-coast special will permit him to vent his spleen on the subject of the mercenary medical profession. On the night of the broadcast, Muni discovers that one of his slum patients, Billy Dee Williams, has been arrested for car theft. Leaving Wayne high and dry, Muni rushes down to the police station, where he is pressed into service to save a life. While doing so, he suffers a fatal heart attack, with the weeping Adler at his side. Wayne finally realizes that Muni's selfless idealism was of greater value than any commercially-motivated television program, and says as much when he hands in his resignation. The Last Angry Man turned out to be the cinematic swan song for veteran-actor Paul Muni; he died eight years later. Based on a novel by Gerald Green, The Last Angry Man would be remade for television with Pat Hingle in the Muni role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Muni, David Wayne, (more)
- 1961
In this sequel to "The Underground Court", Nero Rankin (Will Kuluva) has installed himself as chairman of the Syndicate, replacing the estimable Judge Foley. When Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) manages to convince Rankin's secretary Sylvia Orchins (Jean Carson) that her boss will be killed unless she cooperates with the Feds, Rankin quickly disposes of the hapless girl and gives Ness a "message" by sparking a bloodbath in which innocent bystanders are mowed down in the streets. Ironically, this turns the public against Ness rather than Nero--making it all the more crucial to end Rankin's reign of terror before Chicago becomes one huge slaughterhouse. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
One of a handful of Elvis Presley vehicles for United Artists release, Follow That Dream is a leisurely comedy/musical with a homey appeal that will delight even non-Presley fans. Based on Richard Powell's novel Pioneer Go Home, the film casts Elvis as Toby Kwimper, the most responsible member of an itinerant rural family comprised of Pop Kwimper (Arthur O'Connell) and nubile cousin Holly Jones (Anne Helm). Claiming "squatter's rights," the Kwimpers set up housekeeping, much to the dismay of local gamblers Carmine (Jack Kruschen) and Nick (Simon Oakland). In an attempt to force the family off their land, social worker Alicia Claypool (Joanna Moore) tries to prove that Toby is "degenerate," but succeeds only in making a fool of herself. Beyond a handful of pleasant songs, the film's highlights include Elvis' unwitting breakup of the local gambling casino, and the climactic trial scene featuring Roland Winters as a dyspeptic but basically likeable judge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, (more)
This moody and controversial drama takes place in Depression-era New Orleans. Dove (Laurence Harvey) has traveled by bus from Texas to find his wayward lover Hallie (Capucine). He meets young Kitty Twist (Jane Fonda) as the two get off in the crescent city. Teresina (Anne Baxter) gives him a job at her small cafe. In his free time, Dove searches for Hallie and finds her at work as a prostitute in the Doll's House. Dove implores Hallie to return to him but she refuses. When the lecherous lesbian madame Jo (Barbara Stanwyck) discovers Dove's intentions towards Hallie, she has him beaten to a bloody pulp by her hired goons. He is found by Kitty, now a happy hooker at the Doll House, and is taken back to the cafe where the compassionate Teresina heals his physical and emotional wounds. The film taken from the novel by Nelson Algren is much tamer than the original text. The title track, sung by Brook Benton, was nominated for an Academy Award. The "black-cat stalking" opening and closing sequences (by designer Saul Bass) is a perfect little "film-within-a-film." This footage, with its superb lighting, framing, panning, and editing, should be appreciated by anyone who wants to know more about the art of cinematography. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laurence Harvey, Capucine, (more)
- 1962
Once voted "most likely to succeed" by his alma mater, Dave Sumner (Howard Morris) is little better than a derelict when he is reunited with his old college chum Stanley Towers (Jack Carter). Now a prosperous -- if somewhat disreputable -- businessman, Stanley takes pity on down-and-out Dave and gives him a job. Little does Stanley suspect that good old Dave is harboring a secret. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Though introduced in the episode titled "Andy and Opie-Bachelors," Sheriff Andy's new girlfriend, county nurse Peggy McMillan (Joanna Moore), made her earliest series appearance in "Andy's Rich Girlfriend", which though filmed after her inaugural episode was telecast first, on October 8, 1962. Upon discovering that Peggy has a very wealthy father, Andy begins to think that the girl is out of his league. Barney takes it upon himself to "re-invent" Andy so that he'll be acceptable to Peggy's friends and family. "Andy's Rich Girfriend" was written by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
When Aunt Bee leaves town, county nurse Peggy McMillan (Joanna Moore) promises to look after Andy and Barney. At first, Andy regards Peggy's willingness to do the cooking and housework as an act of friendship. Barber Floyd plants the notion in Andy's head that Peggy is merely trying to snare a husband. First telecast on October 22, 1962, "Andy and Opie-Bachelors" was written by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Andy becomes jealous when he sees his girlfriend Peggy in the company of her old friend Don (Fred Beir). Sensing that Andy needs to play the field a bit, Barney tries to fix his pal up with another girl-and thus are introduced two of the series' most outrageous recurring characters, "fun girls" Daphne (Jean Carson) and Skippy (Joyce Jameson). Originally telecast on November 5, 1962, "Barney Mends a Broken Heart" was the last of four episodes to feature Joanna Moore as Peggy McMillan, but not the last one to be shown. The episode was written by Aaron Ruben. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Though "Opie's Rival" was the first episode filmed for The Andy Griffith Show's third season, it was held back from public view until December 3, 1962, by which time the character of country nurse Peggy McMillan (Joanna Moore)-introduced in this episode-was firmly established (and in fact, had already left the series!) Believing that Peggy is stealing away Andy's affections, a jealous Opie is beside himself when his Paw invites Peggy to go fishing with them. Thus, Opie feigns several illnesses to keep Peggy and Andy apart. "Opie's Rival" was written by Sid Morse. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Son of Flubber represented the first time that Walt Disney ever attempted a theatrical feature sequel: in this case, the earlier film was the 1961 moneyspinner The Absent-Minded Professor. While Flubber is more formula-bound than Professor, it proved an instant audience-pleaser, and a hit to the tune of nine million dollars. Fred MacMurray returns as professor Ned Brainerd, currently working on his new discovery, "dry rain." The comically destructive side effects of this discovery seemingly doom the professor to failure -- at least until the closing courtroom sequence -- but meanwhile he has better luck with Flubbergas, a byproduct of the antigravity glop he'd invented in the first film. In addition to MacMurray, Absent-Minded Professor alumni Nancy Olson, Keenan Wynn, Tommy Kirk, Leon Ames, Elliott Reid, Alan Carney, Gordon Jones, Forrest Lewis, and James Westerfield reprise their roles from the earlier film, while Ed Wynn shows up in a new guise as a nervous agricultural agent. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fred MacMurray, Nancy Olson, (more)
- 1963
Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) takes the case of self-made millionaire Otto Olney (John Larkin), who wants to sue art critic Colin Durant (John Larkin) for allegedly spreading rumors that the rare Gauguin painting recently purchased by Olney is a forgery. But Durant insists that he had never cast aspersions on Olney--and he offers to produce a witness, Maxine Lindsay (Erin O'Donnell), to prove his assertion. In his efforts to track down the elusive Maxine, Perry ends up in her bathroom--where Colin Durant, dead as a doornail, is taking his last shower! This episode is based on a 1962 novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
This western served as the pilot film for Warner Bros.' Temple Houston television series. It is the tale of a young, brash attorney (Jeffrey Hunter) in the Texas circuit court system. His old flame (Joanna Moore) is accused of murder. The case is resolved when Hunter reveals the real killer in contrived courtroom melodrama. A rather skimpy plot, but uncomplicatedly colorful and entertaining. ~ Lucinda Ramsey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeffrey Hunter, Preston S. Foster, (more)
- 1963
Now working as an ambulance driver and using the handle "Doc", Kimble (David Janssen) is approached by a desperate married couple (Wright King, Joanna Moore) seeking help for their ailing son (Michel Petit). It soon develops that the "couple" are actually the brother and wife of kidnapper Ralph Simmons (Claude Akins), and that their "son" is actually a kidnap victim suffering from hemophilia. Though Kimble may be able to stop the captive boy's bleeding, will he be able to save his own life once his usefulness is at an end? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
When Charlie Osgood (Steven Hill) embezzles 95,000 dollars, his business partner, Eddie Turin (Richard Anderson), threatens to turn him over to the police. Not wishing to be arrested, Charlie elaborately fakes his own suicide, then runs off with his girlfriend, Danielle (Joanna Moore). Only when it is too late does Charlie discover that his foolproof scheme has a fly in the ointment -- and that his second "suicide" will be just a bit more successful than his first. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Hill, Joanna Moore, (more)
