Tom Palmer Movies
- 1971
John McIntire is cast as Michael "Doc" Lacy, a lifelong criminal whose career stretches back to the Dillinger era. Having never truly succeeded in his chosen profession, Lacy escapes from prison in hopes of pulling off one last "dream" robbery. Inasmuch as the old man's target is a huge military payroll, the FBI takes a more than passing interest in his movements. Appearing as Lacy's wife Helen is John McIntire's real-life spouse Jeanette Nolan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
The murder of a stockbroker tips Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) to Organized Crime's latest racket: obtaining valuable stock certificates which are then used as collateral for large Mob loans. At the center of this scheme is the beautiful but treacherous Meredith Schader (Michele Carey), who targets vulnerable male stockbrokers, pretends to fall in love with them, then blackmails them into doing the Mob's bidding. Meredith's latest victim is wealthy but lonely Val Palmer (Barry Nelson), who is blissfully unaware that he is being set up for the worst fall of his life. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
It has been three years since Tony (Larry Hagman) and Jeannie (Barbara Eden) first met. The couple plans to go out and celebrate, but Tony is called back to the base and assigned to deliver a top-secret film to NASA headquarters. Unfortunately, Tony is not allowed to tell Jeannie anything about his mission, leading her to conclude that he's stepping out with another woman--a misunderstanding that nearly results in a court-martial for our hero. Vinton Hayworth, later as semi-regular in the role of General Schaeffer, is here cast as General Watson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Katherine Daly (Anne Baxter) is kidnapped from her own home by escaped robber-murderer Frank Padgett (Steve Ihnat). Heading to the Arizona desert with his captive, Padgett intends to force Katherine to guide him through the treacherous region to his getaway plane. Though Padgett has a considerable head start, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) hopes to rescue Katherine by relaying a coded radio message to her--if it isn't already too late. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Chad Everett guest stars as Daniel Sayres, a singularly despicable con artist. Decked out with a phony USAF uniform and a "borrowed" identity from the Vietnam casualty list, Sayres specializes in tricking gullible women into marrying him, whereupon he steals all their money. The FBI is alerted to Sayres' racket when one of his victims turns up murdered. Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) must act quickly before Sayres' latest bride, Margaret Caine (Kathleen Widdowes), meets the same grisly fate as her predecessor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
A pre-superstardom Jack Nicholson appears as Marvin Jenkins, who has been charged with burglary and put on trial. Eleven of the twelve jurors vote for conviction; the sole holdout is Aunt Bee, who is nagged by that old demon known as "reasonable doubt." Also in the cast are Rhys Williams as the judge, Henry Beckman as the prosecutor, and Tol Avery as the jury foreman. First telecast on October 23, 1967, "Aunt Bee, the Juror" was written by Kent Wilson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
After the seemingly random murder of a civil servant, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) follows the trail of clues to a Communist-funded news service based in Mexico City. What follows is a maelstrom of intrigue involving a possible defector, an eccentric collector of antiques, and a "mole" planted in the American Embassy in Vienna. The acting honors in this episode are won hands-down by the magnificent Viveca Lindfors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Samantha is invited to paint a picture for a charity exhibit. Dissatisfied with the results, Endora secretly switches the painting with a genuine Monet masterpiece, affixing Sam's signature to the work of art. Trouble begins brewing when Sam wins first prize -- and Darrin's client, Mr. Cunningham (Arthur Julian), insists upon purchasing the painting. Written by Jack Sher, "Art for Sam's Sake" first aired on February 23, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1967
Helen gathers together the clever comments of her students and writes them up as a children's book-which, surprise of surprises, is accepted by a major publisher. Problem is, Helen (or, to use her nom de plume, "Helene Alexian Dubois") is so busy with rewrites and business conferences that she has no time for Andy, who is beginning to feel threatened by her success. Keith Andes guest-stars as Helen's handsome editor Roger Bryant, while Elaine Joyce is hilarious as Mavis, a flashy "good-time gal" whom the disgruntled Andy dates on the rebound. Written by Doug Tibbles, "Helen the Authoress" originally aired on February 27, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Blake Edwards directed this big-screen adaptation of the once-popular TV detective series Peter Gunn, which Edwards helped create. Peter Gunn (Craig Stevens) is a tough but polished private eye who fights crime with the help of friendly advice from an inside source at the police department, Lt. Jacoby (Edward Asner), no-nonsense nightclub owner Mother (Helen Traubel), and Gunn's best girl, Edie (Laura Devon). When a top crime boss is assassinated, Gunn is called in to investigate. Fusco (Albert Paulson) is a mobster poised to take over the city's criminal empire, and Daisy Jane (Marion Marshall) is a madame who thinks that Fusco pulled the trigger to further his own career. Jane wants Gunn to dig up the truth about Fusco, though Daisy Jane turns out to be the one with the biggest secret of all. Gunn retains Henry Mancini's memorable theme music from the original show, and brought back Craig Stevens, who played Peter Gunn on the original TV series, though Herschel Bernardi and Lola Albright were replaced as (respectively) Jacoby and Edie. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Craig Stevens, Laura Devon, (more)
- 1966
Tony (Larry Hagman) wants to buy a boat with Roger (Bill Daily), but the bank turns down his request for a loan. Hoping to help out, Jeannie magically deposits a huge sum in Tony's bank account--six million dollars, to be exact! Will this financial windfall finally give Dr. Bellows (Hayden Rorke) positive proof that there's something mighty strange going on in the Nelson household? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Turncoat scientist Lawrence Underwood (Linden Chiles) manages to steal some top-secret documents from an atomic lab in Idaho. Picking up Underwood's trail, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) methodically tracks the man down. What Erskine doesn't know is that Underwood has been exposed to deadly atomic radiation--and is contaminating everyone with whom he comes in contact. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
After meticulously planning a Baltimore bank robbery, four men--Hogan (Ralph Meeker) Collins (Don Quine), Cowboy (Albert Salmi and Breese (Paul Bryar)--steal only a few thousand dollars. Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) wants to know why the thieves were willing to settle for so paltry a sum. Doing a bit of digging, Erskine learns of a legendary bank robber who would likewise pull small robberies just for practice, in preparation for one big, spectacular heist. Now the Inspector must second-guess the thieves and prevent them from making their final haul. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Joshua Norton was a real-life character in 19th century San Francisco, formerly a man of wealth who in middle age declared himself "Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico", even going so far as to purchase a resplendant uniform (complete with plumed hat) for the occasion. Amused by this harmless eccentric, the people of San Francisco indulged him in his delusions of grandeur-and generously paid all his expenses--until the end of his days. In this February 27, 1966 episode of Bonanza, Sam Jaffee guest-stars as The Emperor Norton, who at the beginning of the story is about to be committed to an asylum. To save him from this fate, Norton's friend Harry Crawford (Parley Baer) brings him to the Ponderosa, and then-of course-the fun (?) really begins. William Challee appears as Mark Twain (the second of the author's three Bonanza appearances), who in the climactic scenes joins the Cartwrights in championing Norton's cause. "The Emperor Norton" was written by Robert Sabaroff and Gerrit P. Young. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Raymond Burr essays a dual role in this offbeat episode, appearing as both Perry Mason and Mason's evil lookalike, a scurrilous merchant seaman named Grimes. It seems that someone has hired Grimes to pose as Mason in order to discredit the lawyer's testimony in a hearing over a million-dollar patent dispute. Subsequently, the winner of the dispute, Otis Swanson (Oliver McGowan), is murdered, and innocent Barbara Kramer (Indus Arthur) is arrested for the crime. To save Barbara from the gas chamber, Perry must literally chase himself by tracking down the elusive--and dangerously short-tempered--Mr. Grimes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
When a wealthy man is found shot to death on a luxury liner, the ship's captain places Roger York (Skip Young), the victim's millionaire stepson, under arrest. But despite his suspicious behavior, is York the guilty party--and indeed, has a murder actually been committed? Investigating the case, FBI agent Rhodes (Stephen Brooks) must also confront a few of his own personal demons. Douglas Henderson appears in this episode as Special Agent Bryan Durant, a role later taken over on a recurring basis by Dean Harens. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Perry (Raymond Burr) and Paul (William Hopper) arrive in beautiful Hawaii to investigate the viability of a land deal between Jarvis Logan (John Van Dreelen) and the Pan-Pacific Hotel chain. Logan wants to purchase Kameamea Point, which cuts into his property straight down the middle, but the deal goes sour when the owner of the Point, Anona Gilbert (Wende Wagner), is jilted by mercenary beachcomber Douglas Kelland (Michael Dante). When Kelland is speared to death (yes, speared to death!) Anona is accused of the crime, forcing Perry to forget about the pleasures of the Islands and focus exclusively on business. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Using the name "Douglas Beckett", Kimble (David Janssen) is hired as a chauffeur by the wealthy Glenn family. Rebellious Joanne Glenn (Katherine Crawford) is in love with impoverished pool boy Dan Holt (Mark Goddard), a romance her imperious mother Madge (Joan Tompkins) does everything in her power to break up. Discovering Kimble's true identity, Dan blackmails the fugitive into helping him woo Joanne without arousing the family's suspicions. Watch for a young Peter Duel (Alias Smith and Jones) as a handsome socialite. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
From at least the 1930s on to the 1970s, the upbeat protestant minister, Reverend Norman Vincent Peale, ministered to the well-heeled and upwardly mobile of the United States from his pulpit at the Riverside church on Fifth Avenue in New York City. At least as positive-thinking as the similarly cheery Dale Carnegie (How To Win Friends and Influence People), his lift-yourself-by-your-bootstraps message of good cheer was perceived as unorthodox by many within the churches he grew up in. After many decades of preaching his message, summed up in his best-selling book The Power of Positive Thinking, he was enshrined as a sort of secular saint. His influence reached to Presidents and corporate heads, and his name became synonymous with a kind of extraverted wholesomeness which has long since vanished. This biopic traces his career in the most respectful possible manner. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don Murray, Diana Hyland, (more)
In this addiction melodrama, Joe Clay (Jack Lemmon), a promising adman, meet his future wife Kirsten (Lee Remick) at a party. Once married, the pressures of his business lead Joe to seek solace in liquor. Kirsten joins him in his nocturnal drinking sessions, and before long both are confirmed alcoholics. After several frightening episodes, Joe is able to shake the habit thanks to AA, but Kirsten finds it impossible to get through the day without liquor. The two split up, although Joe clings to the hope that someday he and Kirsten will be reunited, if for no reason other than the sake of their young daughter. J.P. Miller adapted the screenplay from his own 1958 Playhouse 90 television script. Though nominated in several categories, Days of Wine and Roses won only the Best Song Oscar for Henry Mancini's title tune. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Lemmon, Lee Remick, (more)
- 1962
Producer Alex Chase (Jeff Morrow) hopes to persuade Broadway star Mona White (played by a young Ellen Burstyn, then billed as Ellen McRae) to headline his new musical by allowing her to preview the score. Instead, Mona angrily accuses Alex of stealing the music from her composer husband Damion White (David Hedison). The real song thief is two-bit tunesmith Phil Schuyler (James Forrest), who ends up electrocuted in his bathtub on Halloween night. Though Damion White was identified fleeing the scene of the crime, Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) intends to prove that White is innocent by pointing out the heavy traffic in costumed trick-or-treaters--any one of whom could have been the real murderer. This episode was originally scheduled to air on October 25, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Schoolteacher and maritime historian Philip Andrews (Jeremy Slate) incurs the wratch of shipping-company owner Ben Farraday (Herbert Rudley) when he insists that Evelyn Farraday (Joan Patrick), Philip's fiancee and Ben's niece, deserved a portion of the company's profits. It inevitably follows that Ben is murdered and Philip is charged with the crime. Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) must wade through a morass of corporate intrigue and sibling rivalry to save his client and expose the real killer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
One of Hollywood's great directors, Vincente Minnelli, turns a jaundiced eye towards the film industry in this drama about the inner workings of the movie business. Jack Andrus (Kirk Douglas) is an actor whose career has gone into a tailspin along with his personal life; after a severe bout with alcoholism, a messy break-up with his wife, a life-threatening auto accident, and a nervous breakdown, Andrus has spent three years in a private mental hospital in Connecticut. Andrus is approached by Maurice Kruger (Edward G. Robinson), a noted filmmaker who worked many times with Andrus in the past, offering him a small role in his next picture, and with the blessings of his doctors, the actor flies to Rome to return to work. However, once he arrives, Andrus finds the project is in chaos -- his role has been recast, Kruger is constantly battling with producer Tucino (Mino Doro), leading man Davie Drew (George Hamilton) is squabbling with both %Kruger and his girlfriend Veronica (Daliah Lavi), and the female lead (Rosanna Schiaffino) can't recite her dialogue in English. With the shooting in shambles, Kruger asks Andrus to take over the dubbing work in hopes of bringing the film in on schedule, and against his better judgement Andrus agrees. As Andrus tries to rise to this new challenge -- made all the more trying by the arrival of his ex-wife Carlotta (Cyd Charisse) -- the production receives its biggest setback when Kruger suffers a heart attack after a bitter argument with his wife (Claire Trevor). Andrus takes over the direction of the picture, and proves a capable hand for the job, bringing in the project on time and on budget. However, Kruger expresses resentment rather than gratitude, claiming that Andrus is trying to put an end to his career. Two Weeks In Another Town was adapted from a novel by Irwin Shaw. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, Edward G. Robinson, (more)
- 1960
The scene is the magnificent but isolated home of scientist Dr. Loren (John Hoyt), his wife (Irene Tedrow), and their attractive young daughter Jana (Inger Stevens). To insulate himself from the world, Dr. Loren has created a household staff of robots, who cater to the Lorens' every whim. Eventually, Jana becomes fed up with her sheltered existence and demands that Dr. Loren dismantle all of his robots -- something which, for reasons made painfully clear in the episode's second act, he cannot bring himself to do. Written by Rod Serling, "The Lateness of the Hour" was the first of six Twilight Zone episodes to be shot on videotape, as part of an overall CBS economy drive. The episode originally aired December 2, 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Inger Stevens, John Hoyt, (more)
- 1960
There's intrigue aplenty aboard the USS "Moray" when Navy submarine commander James Page (Hugh Marlowe) accuses seaman Robert Chapman (Jack Ging) of murdering a nightclub singer. Things get worse for Chapman when Cmdr. Page himself is killed. In his efforts to defend Chapman, Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) exposes evidence of a complicated blackmail scheme involving an electronics firm owned by the victim's father-in-law Anthony Beldon (Robert F. Simon). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
