Charles Aidman Movies

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

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

Despite irrefutable evidence which places Jim Applegate (Charles Aidman) at the scene of a lynching, Hoss Cartwright doesn't reveal this information to Sheriff Coffee. It is not friendship or loyalty which motivates Hoss' silence: Both he and Jim are in love with Cameo Johnson (Peggy Ann Garner), and Hoss does not want to be accused of falsely besmirching his romantic rival. Featured in the cast are Robert McQueeney as Gideon and Joe De Santis as Morehouse. Written by Anthony Lawrence and first telecast on April 15, 1961, "The Rival" was one of several Bonanza episodes directed by Robert Altman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this action adventure, five wilderness greenhorns on a hiking trip stumble across the remains of a skyjacker. They also find a fortune in cash. This causes nothing but grief as the greedy quintet battle their way back to civilization. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Squad 51's emergency hotline is tied up a hysterical woman (Fintan Meyler) who is convinced that her husband (Charles Aidman) is being stalked. . .by the ghost of her late sister. Elsewhere, a tranquilizer overdose results in a quick trip to the E.R., a diver is trapped fifteen feet beneath the waves in his own car, and there's another crisis situation in a warehouse. The episode's guest cast includes a young Bruno Kirby, here billed as Bruce Kirby Jr.. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

An Indian chief (Anthony Caruso) whose son has been sentenced to be executed by the Army seeks out the help of Paladin (Richard Boone). The chief does not want his son released, but merely to make certain that the boy is afforded the proper tribal burial rites. Upon reaching the Army outpost, Paladin fully intends to carry out his assignment, only to be sidetracked by his growing suspicion that the chief's son has been framed for murder. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Paladin (Richard Boone) is hired by a mortally woman named Mrs. Kilmer (Lillian Bronson), who wants to learn the whereabouts of her long-long son before she dies. The trail of clues leads Paladin to Harper City, a town held in the grip of the wealthy--and psychotic--Fred Harper (Charles Aidman). Clearly, Harper knows something about Mrs. Kilmer's prodigal son, but he isn't telling...and Paladin is fully aware that the previous detective hired to locate the boy turned up dead. This is the final episode of Have Gun, Will Travel's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This low-budget horror anthology from Oklahoma presents a quartet of eerie tales, told by a strange mortician (Ivor Francis) to a young man on the run from his lover's irate husband (John Ericson). The tales involve a crotchety old woman whose hatred of children sparks an attack from a group of homicidal kids; a "Spy vs. Spy" detective story; a foul-tempered curmudgeon who gets his violent comeuppance in a grim variation on "A Christmas Carol"; and a serial killer with a penchant for photography a la Peeping Tom. Young Ericson's sins are not forgotten either, as we learn at the film's creepy climax. A passable home-grown omnibus, comparable with the similarly themed Chillers or Screams of a Winter Night. Released to video as House of the Dead. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Tina Louise guest stars as Candy, a pretty cocktail waitress who hitches a ride from Ironside's aide Mark (Don Mitchell). What Mark doesn't know is that Candy is the accomplice of a wanted criminal, and that she is looking for a fall guy to take the rap for a recent robbery. The trouble really begins, however, when Candy unexpectedly grows fond of her "patsy" Mark--just as her partner-in-crime returns to the scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

For his only directorial effort, Jack Lemmon selected his old friend and habitual co-star Walter Matthau to play the central character. Joseph P. "Kotch" Kotcher (Walter Matthau) is an irksome 72-year-old who lives with his son (Charles Aidman) and daughter-in-law (played by Lemmon's wife Felicia Farr). Kotch is far from senile, but there are times that his family wishes he was a little more docile and doddering; he insists upon expressing his unwarranted opinions on all matters, both large and small, forever challenging his daughter-in-law's authority. When it is suggested that Kotch find himself a nice retirement home, the rebellious old man decides instead to take a long bus ride, hoping that his family will have cooled off by the time he returns. Before leaving, he tries to make amends with the family's former baby-sitter Erica (Deborah Winters), whose dismissal he has brought about. Upon learning that Erica is pregnant, Kotch loans her some money; and when she moves away to Palm Springs, he moves in with her, hoping to be of some help. As they get to know one another, Kotch and Erica discover that they're very much alike: both have been cast aside by their relatives due to their independent airs. Kotch was adapted by John Paxton from a novel by Katharine Topkins. Watch for director Jack Lemmon in a bit as a bus passenger. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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