Lew Palter Movies

The election of Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court rendered the premise of First Monday in October anachronistic before the picture was even released; ignoring this, however, the film is supremely entertaining (no pun intended). Jill Clayburgh stars as Ruth Loomis, the first lady justice ever appointed to the Court. She's a conservative, while her principal foe on the bench, Dan Snow (Walter Matthau), is an old-line liberal. The film glides along on a predictable Tracy-Hepburn course until Snow comes to Loomis' defense when her late industrialist husband is accused of improprieties which might compromise Loomis' effectiveness. First Monday in October was adapted by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee from their own Broadway play, which starred Henry Fonda. Actress Martha Scott co-produced the film, while several other Hollywood veterans, including Herb Vigran and Ann Doran, dot the supporting case. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Undercover cop Tony Baretta (Robert Blake) works side by side with a federal agent to find the courier for a dealer in illegal weapons. Normally, Baretta's assignment would be fraught with danger. This time, however, that danger comes from an unsuspected but deadly source: Tony, his partner, and the fugitive have all been exposed to a particularly vicious form of contagious spinal meningitis. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This episode focuses on Lt. Carl Reese, the police-inspector friend of Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr) who is played on a recurring basis by Johnny Seven. Shortly after five pounds of heroin disappears while in the custody of Reese and his partner Don Borden (Sandy Ward), Borden is killed in a mysterious accident. Now Reese himself is suspected of collaborating with the drug dealers, and a swift conviction would seem to be a foregone conclusion. Despite the formidable opposition of the DA's office, Ironside is determined to clear Reese's name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this comedy, Harold Weiss (Richard Benjamin) is a professor at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, when a nuclear holocaust seemed imminent. Rather than sit around waiting to die, he decides to drive from Long Island to Los Angeles, taking in such sights as Las Vegas along the way. As he travels, he assumes different momentary identities which he uses--to humorous effect--in his interactions with the people he meets. This story is captured in a number of short sketch-like episodes, as the professor acts out his fantasies with increasing abandon. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Casino owner Carlos Ramirez' latest romantic conquest is the lovely Elena. At least, she was his latest conquest until Carlos was besieged by a huge number of very distant-and dependent-relatives, led by Uncle Antonio (Henry Corden) and Aunt Constancia (Athena Lorde). Not surprisingly, the innocent cause of Carlos' troubles is well-meaning Sr. Bertrille. Originally broadcast on April 3, 1969, "Cousins by the Dozens" was written by Frank Crow and Leo Rifkin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Coming in for an emergency landing while flying important documents to the Mother Superior, Sr. Bertrille drops into the middle of a secret Mob conclave. Her sudden arrival has a profound effect on a gangster chieftain (Noam Pitlik), who is convinced that Sr. Bertrille is a sign from Heaven. Insisting upon giving up his evil ways, the gangster may also give up breathing if his cronies have anything to say about it. Written by John McGreevey, "It's an Ill Wind" was first telecast on November 16, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide