Charles Aidman Movies
Down-to-earth American actor Charles Aidman brought his "everyman" personality to such realistic war films as Pork Chop Hill (1959) and War Hunt (1962). He has since been cast in roles of quiet unstressed authority in films like Countdown (1967), Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977) and Uncommon Valor (1983). Aidman has also guest-starred on practically every TV series ever made; comedy fans will remember his portrayal of the hypnotist who plants an embarrassing post-hypnotic suggestion in the mind of Rob Petrie on a 1963 Dick Van Dyke Show episode. From 1985 through 1987, Charles Aidman was narrator of the revived Twilight Zone TV anthology series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1986
Although the second season of CBS's full-color Twilight Zone revival would have to do without the services of season one's creative consultant, Harlan Ellison, the weekly anthology still manages to serve up excellent tales of science fiction and fantasy in the tradition of the original Rod Serling The Twilight Zone of the 1960s. For the first few months of its second year on the air, the new version maintained the format established in its first season: a weekly, hour-long telecast, each episode containing two to three short playlets. This format was, however, abandoned after five weeks, at which point the series was placed on a short hiatus. When it returned two months later, Twilight Zone was seen in its "traditional" half hour form, with a single story per show. Three weeks into this run, the series was again yanked by CBS, and when it came back two months later, the 60-minute, multistory format had been restored. Among those contributing their talents during season two are directors Wes Craven, Gus Trikonis, and Martha Coolidge; writers David Gerrold, Theodore Sturgeon, and Rockne S. O'Bannon; and actors Shelley Duvall, David Faustino, George Wendt, Joe Mantegna, Martin Balsam, Linda Kelsey, and Lisa Eilbacher. The season's best episodes include "A Saucer of Loneliness," "The Storyteller," "The Toys of Caliban," "Joy Ride," and "Song of the Younger World." Canceled by CBS at the end of its second season, Twilight Zone would return as a syndicated series some 14 months later, with newly filmed episodes interspersed with network reruns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Aidman
- 1985
Revived by CBS in a new, full-color, hour-per-week format, the classic fantasy/sci-fi anthology The Twilight Zone gets off to a terrific start with its first episode, which contains two short playlets, both directed by horror flick specialist Wes Craven: "Shatterday," written by the series' creative consultant, Harlan Ellison, and "A Little Peace and Quiet," a chilling doomsday piece in the tradition of Rod Serling's original Twilight Zone. Several later episodes would feature three playlets per show, including such marvelous vignettes as "Wordplay," in which an ad executive awakens to find out that everyone in the world is speaking what sounds like gibberish to him; and "Nightcrawlers," wherein the patrons of a lonely diner experience firsthand the horrible dreams of a Vietnam veteran. Among the longer playlets are "Teacher's Aide," or: how a teacher learns to handle her unruly class with the help of a friendly gargoyle; "Wong's Lost and Found Emporium," the story of a warehouse containing literally every lost item in human history; "The Misfortune Cookie," in which an arrogant food critic gets his comeuppance from a Chinese restaurateur; and "Her Pilgrim Soul," the saga of a misplaced and very confused time traveler. Although the series tended to avoid repeating episodes seen on the original Twilight Zone, there are two noteworthy exceptions. "Dead Woman's Shoes" is a gender-switch remake of the 1962 episode "Dead Man's Shoes," while "A Night of the Meek" is an updated revision of the 1960 Yuletide offering of the same name. Halfway through season one, Harlan Ellison left in high dudgeon, complaining about interference from the CBS standards and practices people. Fortunately, The Twilight Zone was still able to attract such top-rank talents as writers Stephen King and Ray Bradbury, and directors Joe Dante and Gerd Oswald -- not to mention such A-list performers as Bruce Willis, Robert Klein, Lorna Luft, Elliott Gould, Adrienne Barbeau, Helen Mirren, Jeffrey Tambor, Piper Laurie, Richard Mulligan, Sherman Hemsley, Mare Winningham, and Richard Kiley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Aidman
- 1985
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Twenty-one years after its network cancellation, Rod Serling's classic sci-fi/fantasy anthology The Twilight Zone was revived by CBS -- minus Serling, who had passed away in 1975. Unlike the black-and-white half-hour original, the new Twilight Zone was seen in full color in a 60-minute weekly slot. Also unlike the first version, which featured a single story per episode, the remake generally offered from two to three different playlets per program. Finally, whereas Rod Serling had appeared on-camera to host the old series, the new series had no "host," merely an off-camera narrator, actor Charles Aidman; and as for the series' "classic" theme song, it was folded into a new opening theme, performed by the Grateful Dead. Debuting September 22, 1985, the new Twilight Zone initially boasted Harlan Ellison as its creative consultant (Ellison, in fact, wrote the opener, "Shatterday);" unfortunately, Ellison angrily left the series early on, citing network interference in the Christmas episode. During its second season, Twilight Zone tinkered with its length and format, with three half-hour episodes, each containing a single story, broadcast in December of 1986. After a brief hiatus, the series returned to its one-hour, multi-story format in February of 1987, retaining this format until CBS canceled the series on July 17 of that same year. In the fall of 1988, Twilight Zone resurfaced in off-network syndication, once again reduced to a weekly half-hour. Though many of the syndicated episodes were abridged versions of network originals, 35 new episodes were filmed inexpensively in Canada. During its syndicated run, Twilight Zone was narrated by Robin Ward, whose voice was also dubbed over the network reruns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Aidman, Robin Ward, (more)
- 1982
This adaptation of William Shakespeare's drama of an aging king and the deceit and treachery that envelops his family as they fight over his estate features Mike Kellen, David Groh, Kitty Winn and Darryl Hickman. The DVD version features bonus features accessible on computers with DVD drives -- a teacher's guide to King Lear, and a text for this edition of the play. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Kellin
- 1982
Computer-firm CEO James Randolph (Charles Aidman) has hired Magnum (Tom Selleck) to investigate the possibility of industrial espionage within his organization. And, oh yes, Randolph also wants the detective to find out if Mrs. Randolph (Nancy DeCarl) is cheating on him. The second part of the assignment proves to be the toughest when Magnum discovers that Mrs. Randolph's current paramour is his none other than his old pal Rick (Larry Manetti, who in real life was married to guest actress Nancy DeCarl). Meanwhile, Higgins (John Hillerman) goes to extreme lengths to impress his old flame Lady Ashley (Olga Marr). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
After literally getting away with murder, sadistic small-town bully Harry Moeller (Brion James) is himself shot to death. Six of Moeller's longtime victims step forward and confesses to the crime, which each man claiming to have taken one shot at the man with the same gun. With no way to determine which bullet was the fatal one, police chief Frank Ollano (John Anderson, happy to be rid of Moeller, is willing to write off his killing as self defense. But Quincy (Jack Klugman), who had appeared as a witness as Moeller's earlier murder trial, isn't about to let anyone get away with a second murder--even one that seems eminently justifiable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
While driving under the influence of alcohol, wealthy and influential attorney Preston Claymore (Charles Aidman) strikes and kills a pedestrian (Chevi Colton). Even though he has attempted to cover up his crime, the worst that Claymore will receive in court is a nominal fine and a slap on the wrist. Quincy (Jack Klugman) is outraged, but can do nothing: that's the way the legal system operates. Ultimately, outrage gives way to astonishment when, after performing an autopsy on the victim, Quincy uncovers evidence that this is something far more sinister than a mere drunk-driving accident. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
By the admission of its own producers, the made-for-TV Marian Rose White was "extremely loosely based" on a true story. The real Marian Rose White was a 1930s teenager who suffered from a congenital visual defect. This led to her being misdiagnosed as "feebleminded," and locked away in a Sonoma, California institution. Despite the entreaties of sympathetic staffers, Marian was forced to undergo a legally mandated sterilization--which her widowed, impoverished mother readily agreed to. Thirty years passed before this terrible wrong was addressed and Marian was allowed to re-enter society. For the purposes of this film, those three decades were telescoped into four years. The result is a sincere (if somewhat rushed) "injustice of the week" TV effort. Katherine Ross is top-billed as a compassionate nurse, while Valerie Perrine is cast as Marian's unfeeling mother. Marian Rose White is brilliantly essayed by Nancy Cartwright, who is best known today as the voice of cartoon character Bart Simpson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
In this thriller, a snoopy and ambitious television news reporter causes an average citizen to become suspected of being a serial killer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Filmed on location at Alcatraz Island, this two-part "whole story" actually concentrates on a handful of the denizens behind the cold grey walls of "The Rock". Michael Beck plays the real-life Clarence Carnes, an Oklahoma Choctaw Indian said to be the youngest man ever incarcerated in the notorious maximum security prison. Serving a 99-year sentence for a gas station holdup and murder, Carnes makes periodic attempts to escape, the final attempt being the most violent. Many of the subordinate characters are fictional (as are most of the details concerning Carnes' escape efforts); the one exception is Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz", here portrayed by Art Carney as a gentle, kindly philosopher. Telly Savalas, a costar of the Burt Lancaster vehicle Birdman of Alcatraz, also guest starred in the 1980 film. Originally titled Alcatraz and Clarence Carnes, this made-for-TV movie wavers between gritty realism and "I'm bustin' outta here!" artifice. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Beck, Telly Savalas, (more)
- 1980
A singer finds herself terrorized by the same killers who murdered her husband after he discovered an industrial waste cover-up. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1980
The town of Elkwood is up in arms when a high school track star dies while training for the Olympics. Held responsible for this tragedy is athletic coach Marty O'Banion (Frank Marth), who is accused of literally running his student to death. Faced with ever-mounting circumstantial evidence--to say nothing of the lynch-mob mentality festering in Elkwood--O'Banion's lawyer Benjamin Nicholson (John Elerick) turns to L.A. medical examiner Quincy (Jack Klugman) for help. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast in a single two-hour timeslot), Quincy investigates when the son of TV kiddie host Brock Campbell (Michael Constantine), dies of a quaalude overdose. The grieving Campbell had no idea that his son was a junkie--nor could he have ever imagined that the boy's drugs had all been legeally prescribed by a shady doctor named Mason Colella (Charles Aidman). In his efforts to shut Colella and his drug-pushing cronies down, Quincy joins forces with Marty Herrera (A Martinez) a eager if somewhat reckless pre-med student who is determined to purge dangerous drugs from his college campus. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Basing his findings on circumstantial evidence, Lt. Monahan (Garry Walberg) determines that a pregnant girl was pushed off a cliff to her death by her teenage boyfriend. But Quincy (Jack Klugman) doesn't buy this, suggesting that the victm may have committed suicide. The mystery is complicated by the interference of the girl's grieving family, who refuse to accept the truth even when it is staring them in the face. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Kojak (Telly Savalas) is tempted to leave the police force when he is offered a highly-paid position as private investigator for a prestigious law firm. Meanwhile, however, the detective is kept busy tracking down the source of some dangerously contaminated heroin. Will Kojak's sense of responsibility for the citizens he is protecting outweigh his ambition to advance himself? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
In this horror film, a sinister mortician has other plans for his customers besides the customary burial. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1977
The classroom rivalry between Mary Ingalls (Melissa Sue Anderson) and Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim) reaches its peak when both girls run for school president. Also in the electoral race is nerdy, unpopular student Elmer Dobkins (Eric Olson), who was nominated as a cruel practical joke. Things take a peculiar turn when the "slow-witted" Elmer gradually emerges as the best possible candidate. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
Hawkeye (Alan Alda) is incensed by Col. Victor Bloodworth (Charles Aidman), whose job is to predict the number of battle casualties--and who seems to be happier whenever that number is high. Fed up by Bloodworth's insensitivy, Hawkeye gives the man a good hard shove, ending up facing a court martial. The tables are turned when Bloodworth himself becomes one of his wounded "statistics." Originally scheduled to air on November 15, 1977, this episode was moved forward to November 29. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Four small-town businessmen hire Jim (James Garner) to help them purchase a fire engine--or at least that's their story. Sizing up the detective and jumping to the conclusion that he will do anything for $20,000, the men instruct Jim to murder a young actress (Priscilla Barnes) who threatens to reveal that they've been defrauding the IRS. Of course, they're wrong--but Jim is equally wrong when he assumes that the police will believe him when he tries to inform on the foursome. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Susan Clark, the queen of the made-for-TV biopic (in 1976, at least), stars as legendary aviator Amelia Earhart. The story begins in 1921, with Amelia's first biplane flight. In 1928, she becomes the first woman ever to fly the Atlantic, albeit not at the controls. She gains international fame with a daring cross-country flight. The film refuses to speculate on the cause of Ms. Earhart's disappearance during a round-the-world trip in 1937, though the clues that do exist are presented in full. Co-starring with Susan Clark are John Forsythe as Amelia's publisher husband (and "exploiter") George Putnam, and Stephen Macht as her purported lover, stunt pilot Paul Mantz. Nearly two decades after Amelia Earhart was first telecast on October 25, 1976, Diane Keaton portrayed Earhart in a made-for-cable biography. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
The scene is an exclusive prep school named Armsby, attended by honor student Paul Kincaid (Kristoffer Tabori). Pressured by his ambitious father (Charles Aidman) to succeed at all costs, Kincaid goes into an emotional spiral when he flunks a course for the first time. Confronting the teacher, Paul begs him to change his grade--and when the teacher adamantly refuses to do so, the frenzied Paul grabs a heavy trophy off a shelf...and... ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Family Ties matriarch Meredith Baxter (before she added the Birney) plays the titular heroine in an early TV movie appearance. In the film, Baxter's Carol Enders is inhabited by the spirit of a murdered woman who needs a human vessel to tell the world that she was murdered. Carol and the victim team up to solve the mystery. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Lionel Jefferson's engagement party promises to be a fun occasion for everyone but Archie, who discovers that Lionel's dad, George Jefferson, does not want to invite him. Even so, Archie attends, only to get into an argument with George's indomitable mother. The episode ends with Archie and George once more finding out they have more in common than either man would wish. Zara Cully makes her first appearance as Mother Jefferson, a role she would carry over into the All in the Family spin-off The Jeffersons. Written by Michael Ross and Bernie West, "Lionel's Engagement" originally aired on February 9, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
The made-for-TV Barbary Coast is a tongue-in-cheek western in the Maverick tradition, produced by a former writer-director of that series, Douglas Heyes. Dennis Cole plays Cash Conover, a San Francisco saloonkeeper of the 1870s. William Shatner co-stars as Jeff Cable, an undercover policeman who works hand in glove with Conover to fight crime on the Coast. Conover and Cable team up with the lovely Cleo (Lynda Day George) to tackle a vicious mob, headed by one Diamond Jack Bannister (Michael Ansara). Throwing a bit of Wild Wild West into the stew, Cable pops up from time to time wearing disguises and sporting outrageous accents. First telecast May 4, 1975, Barbary Coast was the pilot for the short-lived TV series of the same name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This Dan Curtis made-for-TV effort was the seventh screen version of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. This time, newcomer Shane Bryant plays the debauched 19th-century nobleman who makes an unholy pact permitting him eternal youth and good looks. His multitudinous sins--and his actual age--are reflected in his portrait, which Gray keeps locked up in his attic. Nigel Davenport co-stars as Gray's elegantly corrupt mentor Sir Harry Wotton, while future Lou Grant star Linda Kelsey plays Dorian's unwitting sweetheart Beatrice Hallward, niece of the man who painted the cursed portrait. Originally videotaped and then transferred to film, the two-part Picture of Dorian Gray was first telecast April 23 and 24, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
