Bill Mumy Movies

Larry "Wild Man" Fischer was a wildly eccentric singer who in 1968 was discovered on the streets of Hollywood by Frank Zappa, who was intrigued by Fischer's offer to write and perform original songs for passers-by for a mere ten cents each. After hearing a few dollars' worth, Zappa offered Fischer -- who had been wandering the edges of the music business for several years, with no success -- a recording contract, and in 1968 the album An Evening With Wild Man Fischer was released. Sometimes funny, sometimes harrowing, and always boasting Fischer's wobbly matter-of-taste voice and adult-child songwriting, the two-LP set of oddball tunes (including "Merry-Go-Round," "Monkeys vs. Donkeys," "Are You From Clovis," and "The Rocket Rock") sold only modestly, and after an altercation at Zappa's home, Fischer soon found himself without a record deal. While he remained a favorite among a tiny cult of admirers, Fischer was difficult for most folks in the music industry to deal with -- he'd been diagnosed as both a manic-depressive and a paranoid-schizophrenic, and his extreme mood swings, obsessive need for attention, and inability to conform to societal standards of public behavior have kept him at the sidelines of show business as a freak talent, when his abilities are acknowledged at all. But there are a number of people who know music and believe Fischer is a genuine talent, including legendary big band singer Rosemary Clooney, soul icon Solomon Burke, Devo leader Mark Mothersbaugh, and music historian and disc jockey Dr. Demento. Derailroaded: Inside the Mind of Larry "Wild Man" Fischer is a documentary which offers a look at Fischer's torturous childhood, his strange adventures in show business, his struggle to be heard, and his constant battle with his own demons; the film includes interviews with Fischer and his admirers, as well as vintage performance clips (including his appearance on Laugh-In). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Boom! Hollywood's Greatest Disaster Movies features highlights from some of the most popular disaster film in history. In addition to snippets from Independence Day, The Towering Inferno, and Airport, the film offers interviews with some of the filmmakers and newsreels of real-life disasters. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Perhaps as a byproduct of all his scheming and conniving on earlier episodes, Londo Mollari collapses from a heart attack. As he lies unconscious, his guilt feelings run amok in a surrealistic dream world. Meanwhile, Lennier begins his training as a Ranger, partly out of a sense of obligation, and partly to assuage his dismay over the marriage of Delenn and President Sheridan. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari" first aired on January 28, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Babylon 5 braces for an enemy attack from a band of savage aliens. In the absence of officers, the station is left in the hands of two lowly crewmen, Mac (Raymond O'Connor) and Bo (Lawrence LeJohn). In keeping with the episode's title, the subsequent events are seen from the viewpoint of these two "emergency" staffers. J. Michael Straczynski collaborated on the storyline with Harlan Ellison, which may be why the character of Mac and Bo sound and act so much like the two writers! "A View From the Gallery" first aired on February 11, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Unexpected trouble develops during the Brakiris' traditional Day of the Dead ceremony. Elsewhere, a pair of intergalactic comedians named Rebo and Zooty arrive to give a show for the B5 crew. The two funsters are portrayed by "guerilla magicians" Penn and Teller, with author Harlan Ellison provided the voice of the professionally mute Teller. For the first time since Season Three, someone other than J. Michael Straczynski was responsible for the script; in this instance, the author was Neil Gaiman. A calculatedly "escapist" episode, "Day of the Dead" originally aired on March 11, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Unbeknownst to President Sheridan, Delenn sends Lennier on mission to the Centauri border. The purpose: to determine where the cargo-vessel attacks are coming from. And Vir reacts strangely upon receiving a political promotion. Keep an eye out for a brief spoof of the McDonald's restaurant chain (Hint: look for the Golden Headbones). Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Meditations on the Abyss" first aired on May 27, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Lennier uncovers irrefutable evidence of a Centauri connection with the mysterious attacks on the Alliance cargo ships. A boycott is levied against the Centauri, resulting in a disastrous reprisal. Originally telecast on June 10, 1998. "And All My Dreams Torn Asunder" was written by series producer J. Michael Straczynski, who regarded it as one of the best Babylon 5 episodes of all. By any standards, it is certainly among the most portentious of the series' fifth-season installments. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

First telecast October 28, 1998, "The Fall of Centauri Prime" was the payoff for the earlier Babylon 5 cliffhanger "Movements of Fire and Shadow" --- and also the opening volley in the series' final four-episode story arc. As the Alliance and Centauri Prime wage war upon one another, Londo discovers that the hostilities were instigated by the Drakh, who have killed the Centauri regent and taken control of his homeworld. Forcing Londo to go along with their plans, the Drakh effectively seal the fate of the Centauri populace. Wayne Alexander appears as the Drakh leader. "The Fall of Centauri Prime" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In a followup to the November 4, 1998 episode "The Wheel of Fire", several residents of Babylon 5, including G'Kar, prepare to bid their final farewells to the space station. But crew members Lise and Michael have neither the time nor the inclination for goodbyes: They have just been informed of a plot to assassinate them both. Marjorie Monaghan appears as Number One, aka Tessa Holloron, Garibaldi's successor as head of security for the Alliance. Scripted by J. Michael Straczynski from a story by Straczynski and Harlan Ellison, "Objects in Motion" first aired on November 11, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When it seemed certain that Babylon 5 would be cancelled at the end of the fourth season, a "finale" was filmed in May 1997. That episode, "Sleeping in Light" (aka "Farewell"), was withdrawn from the series' manifest when Babylon 5 was picked up for a fifth season by TNT. As it turned out, "Sleeping in Light" would not air until November 25, 1998, when the series finally ended its five-year run. Written by producer J. Michael Straczynski), this valedictory episode was set in 2281 AD, 20 years after the series' time-frame. As he prepares to shuffle off his mortal coil, John J. Sheridan, the former commander of Babylon 5, is visited by his old friends and colleagues. Among those gathering around Sheridan's bedside are his son David, his former fellow officer Susan Ivanova (now a General), ex-security chief Garibaldi, the recently retired Zack, and newly-installed Centauri emperor Vir. Several past Babylon 5 regulars make cameo appearances, as do series producers John Copeland and George Johnsen. "Sleeeping in Light" earned a 1999 Hugo Award nomination for Best Dramatic Presentation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Dr. Franklyn tries to find out the secret behind the medical history of the Hyach. Telepaths Byron and Lyta reach a tentative understanding. And tensions mount between Downbelow and the rest of Babylon 5. In addition to the usual plot complications, this episode also includes subtle echoes of several previous adventures (imperceptible to the casual viewer, but eminently appetizing to the Babylon 5 aficionado). First telecast on March 4, 1998, "Secrets of the Soul" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Summoned by Captain Lochley, Psi Cop Bester (Walter Koenig) attempts to bring the telepath crisis under control. Garibaldi's unexpected response to Bester's presence becomes a moot issue when he and Franklin are trapped by Byron's more violent disciples. This is one of those Babylon 5 episodes which asks far more questions than it answers. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Phoenix Rising" was originally telecast on April 1, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide