Richard Benedict Movies
Richard Benedict came to the U.S. from his native Sicily when he was 7. Before entering the army, Benedict pursued a reasonably successful career as a prizefighter. In Hollywood from 1945, Benedict was often cast as an amiable second lead (as in Olsen and Johnson's See My Lawyer), though he also could be a persuasive heavy if that's what the part called for. His biggest A-picture role was as the entombed prospector in Billy Wilder's trenchant The Big Carnival (1951, aka Ace in the Hole). In the early 1960s, Richard Benedict turned to directing, working on such network TV series as Hawaiian Eye and Charlie's Angels. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1982
When a baby suffering from multiple disabilities is electrocuted, the child's father Gerald Preston (Jim Antonio) is suspected of murder. Quincy (Jack Klugman) cannot believe that his old friend Gerald is capable of so monstrous a crime, and says so publicly. But a new, politically ambitious pathologist named Walter Ross (John Rubinstein) is determined to prove Gerald's guilt--no matter what steps he must take. ~ Hal Erickson, 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
- 1976
The scene is a roller-games rink, where skating star Karen Jason has been killed in an "accident." To find out the truth behind Karen's death, the Angels go undercover as roller girls. Along the way, they discover that Karen was murdered as part of a scheme to defraud an insurance firm -- but the villains aren't about to let our heroines skate away scot-free. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Kate Jackson, (more)
- 1976
The Angels investigate when a crusading journalist "accidentally" drowns at a fancy West Coast resort. As Kelly (Jaclyn Smith) and Jill (Farrah Fawcett-Majors) work undercover at the resort itself, Sabrina (Kate Jackson) and Bosley (David Doyle) team up on the "outside." It soon develops that the dead woman had stumbled onto a crooked land-development scheme masterminded by criminals who are "hiding in plain sight" -- and who are not averse to committing four murders if necessary. This was the first Charlie's Angels episode filmed, but the sixth to the be telecast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Kate Jackson, (more)
- 1970
Even though Jason Banning (Carl Betz), a hard-drinking Police Pension Fund investment manager, has confessed to the murder of his secretary, all existing evidence proves otherwise. Ironside (Raymond Burr) takes it upon himself to find out if Banning is actually guilty, or if he is simply suffering from a really bad cases of the D.T.s. If the latter is true, then who DID kill the secretary--and why? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Bent on revenge, a mysterious assailant has managed to completely isolate Ironside (Raymond Burr) in his apartment-office. The telephone wires have been cut, and anything that the Chief can use as a weapon has been removed. Nor can Ironside count upon a timely rescue from his assistants, all of whom all occupied elsewhere. How can our wheelchair-bound hero save himself when he doesn't even know who is responsible for his predicamnt--nor where his tormentor is hiding? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Nehemiah Persoff makes his second Mission: Impossible guest appearance, this time in the role of corrupt Latin American official Phillipe Pereda. Planning to loot his country's treasury of $40,000,000, Pereda intends to pin the blame on the country's honest president, De Varo (Rodolfo Acosta). The IMF is assigned to destroy Pereda by stealing back the money--from a high-tech safe which is controlled by sound waves and requires perfect pitch to open. Originally broadcast April 6 1969, "The Vault" was scripted by Judy Burns from a story by Burns and John Kingsbridge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1969
When Mark (Don Mitchell) is shot by an unknown assailant, it is first assumed that the bullet was intended for Ironside (Raymond Burr). When a second shooting proves that Mark was the intended target all along, Ironside tries to figure out who could possibly hate his assistant enough to kill him. The plot thickens when the hired thug who pulled the trigger turns up dead. Now Ironside must hide the fact that Mark himself survived the attack in order to flush out the brains behind the assassination attempt. Richard Benedict, who directed this episode, appears in the role of "Sock". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Charged with murdering her husband, Tracy Oliver (Dana Wynter) is set free because of a hung jury. But in some cases, "free" is only a relative term: Unable to withstand the innuendos and accusations of an insensitive public, Tracy attempts suicide, whereupon opportunistic TV reporter Len Leavitt (Mort Sahl) decides to capitalize on the woman's anguish. Tracy's old friend Ironside (Raymond Burr) is galvanized into reopening the murder investigation, hoping once and for all to establish the truth--even if the truth is not something that he wants to hear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
- R
In this adventure, Pat Morrison (Burt Reynolds) leads a group of World War II veterans back to the Philippines in search of gold hidden prior to the Japanese invasion. A professional tennis player (Anne Francis) hires Morrison because her aging father's health won't permit him to make the trek. Their moves through the jungle terrain are monitored by villains who covet the riches, hoping Morrison and company will do all the work before they step in and steal the loot. Unclear is the reason the woman's father was dismissed from the army during the war in the Pacific, as well as the motives for the recovery and his absence from the expedition. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Burt Reynolds, Anne Francis, (more)
- 1968
Miami-based gambling kingpin Frank Layton (Warren Stevens) has agreed to finance the return of a deposed Latin American dictator General Neyron (Albert Paulsen). In exchange, Layton will receive all gambling rights in Neyron's home country. The IMF agents hope to derail this bargain, and destroy Layton and Neyron, by preying upon the paranoia of both men. First aired on December 15, 1968, "The Bargain" was written by Robert E. Thompson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1967
Solo and Illya travel to Latin America to prevent T.H.R.U.S.H. from orchestrating a revolution against a popular Evita-like ruler named Angela (Madlyn Rhue). The plot thickens when the principal instigator of the revolt turns out to be Angela's own husband, power-hungry General Abaca (Joe Sirola). Plots and counterplots and counter-counterplots abound in John W. Bloch's teleplay. The 100th episode of The Man From U.N.C.L.E., "The Fiery Angel Affair" first aired on November 6, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The IMF is assigned to infiltrate a South American stronghold, where a group of unregenerate Nazis have gathered in hopes of reestablishing the Third Reich. Much to the agents' amazement, the leader of the Nazis is the infamous Martin Bormann! Will the agents be able to convince the old but wily Bormann that Briggs and Rollin are former members of Hitler's inner circle? Written by Mann Rubin, "The Legend" first aired on February 11 1967, during the same week that the cast of Mission: Impossible appeared on the cover of TV Guide. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Hill, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1967
Suspected of car theft, Richard Kimble (David Janssen), alias "Tom Barrett", is arrested in Wyler City, Montana and placed in a cell next to a rabid bigot named Carter (James Farentino), who is accused of a racially motivated murder. African American police deputy Dalton (Percy Rodriguez) bundles Kimble and Carter in his car and sets out for the capital in Helena, where both men are to be arraigned. But neither Dalton nor Kimble may survive the journey: The road to Helena is festooned with Carter's equally venomous friends, who are determined to free the killer and leave no witnesses behind. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In Mexico, agents Kelly and Scotty try to persuade disillusioned fellow agent Angela March (Sally Kellerman) to return to America for her own safety as well as to protect the vital information she carries in her head. But Angela, guilt-ridden over having been forced to kill a man, isn't about to leave her new home. And, by the way-she has just become a mother. First shown on March 30, 1966, "My Mother, the Spy" was written by Howard Gast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Robert Duvall guest stars as Peter Halsman, a German medic who is captured while Hanley (Rick Jason) and his squad prepare to knock out an enemy observation post. Though Saunders (Vic Morrow) strenuously objects, Halsman is forced to accompany the men while they carry out their mission. As the situation intensifies, Halsman finds himself in conflict with his medical ethics--especially when he must weigh the lives of his captors against those of his fellow Germans. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Jason Evers guest stars as wounded GI Jim Cully, an ill-tempered Virginia hillbilly who trusts absolutely no one. While Kirby (Jack Hogan) visits Cully in the hospital, we flash back to the tumultuous events leading up to the present moment. Essential to the action (and its outcome) is Pvt. Littlejohn (Dick Peabody), the only member of King Company willing to befriend the taciturn Cully--an act which may prove fatal to him. Watch for cult-film favorite Dick Miller in a small role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this wintery version of a beach-blanket movie, a group of teens and their ski-bunnies attempt to turn the ski-lodge that one of them has inherited into an exciting music club for weathy kids. Unfortunately, there are those who want to see them fail. Songs include: "King of the Mountain," "Ski City," "Hip Square Dance" and "Do the Ski (with Me)." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Stacy, William Wellman, Jr., (more)
- 1961
Dean Martin plays an easygoing Southern politician, long on charm but short on brains. Susan Hayward, a poor girl with rich ideas, marries Martin and endeavors to engineer him into the governor's chair. Though no saint herself, Hayward is determined to overcome the good-old-boy corruption infesting the state government. She emerges triumphant after a public showdown with crafty politico Wilfred Hyde-White. Based on a novel by Wirt Williams,Ada was produced by the same team that had guided Susan Hayward to an Oscar nomination for I'll Cry Tomorrow. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Susan Hayward, Dean Martin, (more)
During a Los Angeles Christmas, a group of 82nd Airborne vets assembles under the leadership of gamblin' man Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra) to rip off four Las Vegas casinos just after the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day. Playboy Jimmy Foster (Peter Lawford) joins in the scheme because he's sick of needing his oft-married mother's money, especially now that she's about to wed Duke Santos (Cesar Romero), a self-made man with all sorts of underworld ties. After he receives the news that he could die at any time, newly released convict Anthony Bergdorf (Richard Conte) reluctantly agrees to participate so he can leave some money to his estranged wife and young son. Ocean's own wife, Beatrice (Angie Dickinson), doesn't think much of her husband's promise of a big score to come, but her quiet protests don't dissuade him. With Las Vegas garbage man and fellow vet Josh Howard (Sammy Davis Jr.) and several casino employees among their number, the titular band of thieves have just a few days to get ready for their caper. When Duke Santos, Jimmy's mother, and one of Ocean's discarded paramours all show up in Sin City at the same time as the veterans, the crew's perfect plans face some serious hurdles. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, (more)
- 1960
The 1962 theatrical release of The Scarface Mob was created from the first two episodes of the famously popular 1959 TV series, The Untouchables. It stars Robert Stack as the courageous agent whose job is to corral the powerful mobster Al Capone. Nevill Brand plays Capone and Walter Winchell adds flavor as the Dragnet-style narrator. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Stack, Neville Brand, (more)
- 1959
The premiere episode of The Untouchables takes place just after the events of the series' two-hour Desilu Playhouse pilot, as Chicago gang boss Al Capone is escorted to Federal prison on a tax-evasion charge. With "Scarface" out of the picture, several Capone lieutenants compete for the honor of occupying their boss' empty chair, including his chief lieutenant Frank "The Enforcer" Nitti (Bruce Gordon) and the brutal-but-businesslike mob bookkeeper Jake "Greasy Thumb" Guzik (Nehemiah Persoff). Meanwhile, Federal agent Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) invites a new member to his "Untouchables" team: Enrico Rossi (Nick Georgiade), a former assistant barber who has witnessed a brutal ganglang slaughter masterminded by Nitti. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
In this tearjerker, a morally disparate father and son attempt to reconcile their differences. The father is a major construction magnate who has dreamed of his son taking over the lucrative family business. The father's heart is devastated when the son decides to become a missionary after graduating with an engineering degree and a great rift is formed between them, one that does not heal until a terrible tragedy ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1959
A family friend of 17-year-old Lois Brewster informs Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) that he has come into possession of some pornographic pictures in which the girl is prominently featured. It turns out that Lois was the victim of two phony talent scouts, who after promising to make her a star tricked her into a life of degradation and prostitution--whereupon the girl committed suicide. B-movie favorite Yvette Vickers has a flashy role as the dead girl's roommate, who has also been dragooned into the dirty-picture business. This episode is based on the Dragnet radio broadcast of December 7, 1950. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Perry (Raymond Burr) receives an envelope containing $500 from Marian Fargo (played by a redheaded Angie Dickinson), who wants him to exchange the money for documents pertaining to her brother, a fugitive from justice. Things get sticky when the "drop-off" point turns out to be a murder scene. Compelled to clear Marian of charges that she killed not only a blackmailer named Renault (Jan Arvan) but her own husband Arthur (Peter Adams), Perry must rely upon a witness (Dorothy Green) whose eyesight is very seriously impaired--and who may have a hidden agenda of her own. (In an unintentionally amusing scene, Perry complains that the coffee in an expensive French restaurant costs an outrageous one dollar per cup!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
