Burt Mustin Movies
Life literally began at 60 for American actor Burt Mustin, who didn't enter show business until that age and didn't make his film debut until Detective Story (1951), at which time he was 68. After a decade of uncredited movie roles as hillbilly patriarchs and Town's Oldest Citizens, Mustin began getting name recognition for numerous TV appearances in the late '50s and early '60s. The actor was a particular favorite of producer/actor Jack Webb, who cast Mustin several times on Dragnet; in one episode Burt was an octogenarian burglar, and in another was a retired detective who solved a murder case - and chewed out a young cop for not knowing the proper way to take fingerprints! Situation comedy producers made good use of Burt Mustin as well, and he was featured in innumerable cameos on such programs as The Dick Van Dyke Show, Get Smart and The Jack Benny Program, usually stealing most of the laughs from the stars. Mustin had regular TV roles as eccentric neighbor Finley on Date with the Angels, Gus the Fireman on Leave It to Beaver, barber shop patron Jud Crowley on The Andy Griffith Show, the amorous senior-citizen husband of Queenie Smith on The Funny Side, and nursing-home refugee Justin Quigley on All in the Family. Mustin got the biggest press coverage of his career when, in character as Arthur Lanson, he married Mother Dexter - played by 82-year-old Judith Lowry - on the December 13, 1976 episode of Phyllis. It was a hilarious and, in retrospect, poignant moment in TV history: Judith Lowry had died a few days before the program was aired, and Burt Mustin, who was too ill to watch the show, passed away six weeks later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1955
Included are four Christmas episodes from '50s television shows: A Date with the Angels, Racket Squad, The Ruggles and Dragnet. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1953
In 1945, James Cagney, through his independent production company, bought the rights to a lurid novel by Adria Locke Langley, concerning the rise of a Southern demagogue, loosely based on the political career of Huey Long. By the time the film finally went into production and was released in 1953, the film became an also-ran, trailing behind Robert Rossen's Oscar-winning production All the King's Men, which concerned the same subject. The film, directed by Raoul Walsh, never escapes from the towering shadows of the Rossen film, so it becomes, in the end, a matter of preference for the lead character -- whether one prefers the looming intimidation of Broderick Crawford or the brisk pugnacity of James Cagney. Cagney plays swamp peddler Hank Martin, who tries to ride into the governor's mansion in a backroad Southern state by making a crusade out of the plight of the poor and impoverished majority of the state. He begins his political assent by leading a sharecropper's revolt against the rip-offs the sharecroppers are receiving at the local cotton mill. But things become more intense and Hank Martin sows the seeds of his own destruction when he makes a deal with a local, crooked political boss in order to get ahead in his political career. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Cagney, Barbara Hale, (more)
- 1971
This unique western centers on an innocent farm boy with a talent for handling guns who decides to make it big. He begins as a bounty hunter. Later he encounters a crazed gunslinger and ends up fatally shot. Before the fateful encounter, the young man is visited by a number of mythical western heroes including Judge Roy Bean, seen as a sentimental drunk, and Jesse James who gives the boy some good advice. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1973
In the conclusion of a two-part story, new police commissioner Edna Dixon (Juanita Moore) insists upon accompanying mobile officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) during a night shift. It's something of an ordeal by fire for all three persons, inasmuch as Jim and Peter are virtually the only cops left standing during a flu epidemic. Although there are plenty of action scenes involving a neighborhood riot and a teenage car thief, the highlight of the evening is a battle royale between bar owner Jean Wagner (Rose Marie) and elderly drunk Fred Tiller (Burt Mustin)--who happens to be naked. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
This final episode of Adam-12's sixth season is actually the pilot for a proposed spinoff series titled Fraud. After they find a dead man with an oscillator belt tied around his waist, Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) discover that the victim died of diabetic shock--and that he was the patient of a quack doctor. Enter Deputy DA Abe Stayhorn (Ed Nelson) of the " Major Fraud" division, and Strayhorn's elite team of scam-busters, including chief investigator Gino Bardi (Frank Sinatra Jr.) and policewoman Lynn Carmichael (Sharon Gless), who work in concert with Jim and Pete to get the goods on the crooked medico. Advertised as a "special", this episode was seen outside the usual Adam-12 Tuesday-night timeslot, and afforded a rare Thursday-evening telecast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Today's shift finds mobile officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) chasing after a man suspected of kidnapping a child. The two cops also deal with an escaped prisoner, and with a vicious gang of armored-car hijackers. Featured in the supporting cast is venerable character actor Burt Mustin (84 years old when this episode was filmed) and former Western sidekick Rand Brooks, who in 1970 was the owner of an ambulance service which provided a number of vehicles for Jack Webb's various police shows. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Bruce Gordon, best known to 1960s TV fans as Frank Nitti on the original Untouchables series, is no less menacing in the role of modern-day bounty hunter Mike Dehner. Having come to Los Angeles in search of a bail jumper, Dehner makes no secret of his willingness to resort to violence to get his man--something that Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) are not about to let happen. Film noir stalwart Marie Windsor appears as a waitress who helps Jim and Pete stop Dehner dead in his tracks. And in a lighter moment, the two cops are confused when a woman demands that she be given a traffic ticket. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
New in town, bank clerk Billy Weaver (Dean Stockwell) rents a room from a slightly daffy old woman (Patricia Collinge). After a few days, Billy begins to wonder why he never sees any of the lady's other tenants. While he doesn't get any answers right away, he does find out that his landlady is rather fond of stuffed domestic animals -- and exotic beverages. This merrily macabre episode was given the full "Hitchcock" treatment by both its original author Roald Dahl and its adaptor Robert Bloch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
The family is planning a 50th birthday party for Archie. The only one unwilling to enter into the festivities is Archie himself, who feels that he is old and useless. Then he takes a peek at his birth certificate -- and is he in for a surprise. The episode's level of humor is heightened by the attitude contrast between Archie and the octogenarian couple Quigley (Burt Mustin) and Jo (Ruth McDevitt). Written by Paul Lichtman, Howard Storm, and Don Nicholl, "Archie Feels Left Out" originally aired on January 12, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1971
This episode offers a few clues as to what makes Archie Bunker "tick." Worried that he will be fired from his job, Arch spends a nervous evening seated at the telephone, while a steady stream of eccentric characters -- a nosy cop (Sandy Kenyon), a noisy drunk (Jack Perkins), and a confused neighbor (Hollis Irving) -- make a bad situation worse. The best scene finds Archie hauntingly recalling his father's reaction to sudden unemployment during the Depression. Burt Mustin, who later joined the cast as Justin Quigley, is here cast as an elderly guard. Scripted by Norman Lear, Don Nicholl, and Bryan Joseph from a story by William Bickley Jr., "Archie Is Worried About His Job" originally aired on March 16, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1976
The Bunker family's doctor forces Archie to go on a diet. In the spirit of "one for all," Edith convinces the rest of the family to watch their calories. Even so, Archie is constitutionally incapable of sticking to his rigid diet -- until he receives unexpected moral support from octogenarian Justin Quigley (Burt Mustin). Incidentally, series star Carroll O'Connor requested that the producers refilm the opening theme-song sequence of All in the Family during the 1975-1976 season precisely because he'd put on considerable weight since the program debut in 1971. Written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine, "Archie's Weighty Problem" was first broadcast on February 9, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1973
Burt Mustin makes his first series appearance in the role of feisty octogenarian Justin Quigley (a character that, at age 82, was seven years younger than Mustin!). Running away from a restrictive nursing home, Justin accepts Edith's invitation to temporarily move in with the Bunkers, which elicits the anticipated reaction from Archie. Ruth McDevitt likewise makes her first appearance as Justin's geriatric sweetheart, Josephine "Jo" Nelson. Scripted by Michael Ross and Bernie West from a story by Susan Harris, "Edith Finds an Old Man" was originally telecast on September 29, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
His year-long college fellowship at an end, Mike lands a teaching job. At long last, he and Gloria are able to move out of the Bunker house and find a place of their own; in fact, Gloria has promised her parents that she and Mike will locate an apartment within the week. But if Archie thinks that he is rid of his pesky son-in-law, he's in for another disappointment. Scripted by Lou Derman and Bill Davenport from a story by Robert Arnott, "Mike Makes His Move" originally aired on March 8, 1975, as the final episode of All in the Family's fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
Baker's Hawk is an old-style Western starring old-style Clint Walker. Burl Ives plays a recluse plagued by vigilantes. Ives is protected by Walker and his son, Lee H. Montgomery, on the basis of the lad's friendship with the old man. Baker's Hawk is based on a novel by Jack Bickham. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clint Walker, Burl Ives, (more)
- 1966
Written by James Henerson, this episode gets under way with a quarrel between Samantha and Darrin. Helpful Larry and Louise Tate try to patch up the Stephenses' differences, but only succeed in making things worse. When all else fails, Endora takes a hand in matters by summoning the spirit of Sigmund Freud (Norman Fell). Its title inspired by a popular cigarette commercial of the period, "I'd Rather Twitch Than Fight" originally aired on November 17, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1971
Miffed that Darrin refuses to allow Samantha to use witchcraft, Endora dispatches Sam's lookalike cousin, Serena, to the 14th century, there to cast a spell on one of Darrin's ancestors. As a result, the modern-day Mr. Stephens is transformed into a warlock for a 24-hour period, and the havoc wreaked during those 24 hours obliges Sam to take a little visit to the past as well. Though Elizabeth Montgomery plays both Samantha and Serena, the latter role is credited to one "Pandora Spocks," as it would be in virtually all future episodes featuring Serena. Written by Ed Jurist, "The Return of Darrin the Bold" originally aired on February 4, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1967
When babysitter Endora is called away to the Taj Mahal on emergency business, little Tabitha amuses herself by bringing her toys to life. Convinced that the Stephenses are holding a costume party, a tipsy Larry Tate tries to strike up a friendship with the "humanized" toy soldier (Jim Brooks), whom he thinks has joined a new agency formed by Darrin. Written by Ed Jurist, "Toys in Babeland" was scripted during Bewitched's third season and originally scheduled to air on April 13, 1967. Because of an AFTRA strike, the episode was not ready for broadcast until season four, and not shown until September 14, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1974
Shelley Winters is appropriately cast as Big Rose, a rough 'n' tough private detective. Nobody messes with Big Rose, least of all her new young partner (Barry Primus), who likes to joke his way through dangerous situations. The two detectives are hired to thwart a gang of confidence tricksters who specialize in blackmail. Though she makes an conspicuous target, Big Rose heads directly into the line of fire, with her younger assistant barely keeping pace. The pilot film for an unsold TV series, Big Rose is currently advailable under its alternate title, Double Trouble. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shelley Winters, Barry Primus, (more)
- 1966
A ricocheting bullet catches Little Joe Cartwright in his-er-nether regions. Seeking answers to his brother's non-fatal but certainly embarrassing injury, Hoss tries to communicate with world-weady female gunslinger Willie Mae Rikeman (Louise Latham) and her two uncontrollable sons Judd (Mark Slade) and Jeb (Robert Doyle. Both Cartwright boys emerge from the experience with a better appreciation of their own family. Written and directed by Herman Hoffman, "A Real Nice, Friendly Little Town" was first shown on November 27, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1965
Ben Cartwright makes a solemn promise that the entire estate of dying skinflint Jake Smith (Burt Mustin will go to Jake's next of kin, Meredith Smith. But Ben never expected to be besieged by six different people, all laying claim to be the Meredith Smith-among them a woman named Meredith (Anne Helm) and a scroungy hillbilly known as Little Meredith (the great Strother Martin). Also in the cast are Robert Colbert as Ace, Winnie Coffin as Widow Smith, Guy Lee as Ah Chow, and Robert Sorrells as the Cowby. First shown on October 21, 1965, this comic episode was written by Lois Hire. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1961
In this comic episode, mail-order huckster Gideon Flinch (Ian Wolfe), alias Homer T. Cranston, fleeces ornery Bullethead Burke (Harry Swoger) of 5,000 dollars. When Bullethead shows up in Virginia City seeking revenge, Gideon's quick-thinking niece Jennifer (Sue Anne Langdon) convinces the surly bruiser that Little Joe Cartwright is really the elusive Flinch. Arnold Stang co-stars as Jake the Weasel, while venerable character actors Burt Mustin and Clem Bevans function as a sort of Greek chorus, weaving in and out of the proceedings. Written by Robert Vincent Wright and first broadcast November 5, 1961, "The Many Faces of Gideon Flinch" was one of several Bonanza episodes directed by Robert Altman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1963
George Brenlin is cast as Whizzer McGee, a short-statured scrapper who doesn't take kindly to people making fun of his size. As a result, Whizzer loses job after job, usually by pummeling his latest employer into unconsciousness. It appears that Whizzer's fortunes will improve when he is befriended by Hoss Cartwright; instead, the troubles are just beginning. Other cast members include Jeanne Bal (Melissa), Med Flory (Otis), Burt Mustin (Washburn), Hal Baylor (Big Red), Mike Ragan (Mike), and Bern Hoffman (Bartender). Scripted by Robert Lyon Welch, "The Saga of Whizzer McGee" was originally shown on April 28, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
This musical spoof of Westerns featured Lee Marvin in dual roles that won him a Best Actor Oscar. Jane Fonda stars as the title character, a prim schoolmarm returning to her hometown of Wolf City, Wyoming, after receiving an Eastern education. On the train ride, Cat meets up with a pair of friendly, charming crooks, Clay Boone (Michael Callan) and his uncle, Jed (Dwayne Hickman), the former becoming hopelessly smitten with the naive but tough Cat. Upon arriving home, Cat discovers that her eccentric father, Frankie (John Marley), is being threatened with bodily harm by a development company that desperately wants his land. When Frankie is murdered by ruthless, noseless killer Tim Strawn (Marvin), Cat straps on a pair of six-shooters and persuades Clay, Jed, and her father's loyal Native American hand Jackson Two-Bears (Tom Nardini) to sign on as her posse. In her quest for revenge, Cat also recruits Kid Shelleen (also played by Marvin), a one-time fearsome gunslinger who's now a hopeless alcoholic. Cat Ballou (1965) is interspersed throughout the narrative with appearances by Stubby Kaye and Nat King Cole as a pair of balladeers who comment on the action musically in Greek chorus style. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jane Fonda, Lee Marvin, (more)
Filmed on location at Montana's Glacier National Park, Cattle Queen of Montana makes excellent use of the diverse talents of Barbara Stanwyck and Ronald Reagan. Stanwyck is cast as Sierra Nevada Jones, who hopes to stake her claim in the cattle business despite opposition from hostile land barons. She is helped along by government agent Farrell, even though he's officially on hand to find out who's been inciting the local Indian tribes into attacking the whites. Lance Fuller delivers a well-balanced performance as Colorados, a college-educated Indian chief who hopes to bring peace to the land. Long a fixture of TV's Late Late Shows, Cattle Queen of Montana was briefly reissued theatrically when Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Stanwyck, Ronald Reagan, (more)
