Don Murphy Movies
An intelligent, eccentric high school senior devotes his life to indulging the every whim of the beautiful girl he adores in this quirky, dark-humored comedy. Roddy McDowall plays Alan Musgrave, an odd duck who immediately falls for the school's new student, Barbara Ann Greene (Tuesday Weld). Using his quick wits, he helps her win acceptance amongst the popular girls and a cushy job in the principal's office. Never demanding anything in return, Alan doesn't even complain when she falls for an upper-class college boy, and he does everything he can to bring the two together. However, as time passes, this seemingly well-intentioned dedication spins out of control, with results that become increasingly bizarre and even potentially fatal. The irreverent attitude and erratic tone may be an acquired taste, but the film's audacious humor and idiosyncratic approach have won it a cult following. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roddy McDowall, Tuesday Weld, (more)
- 1966
Art-gallery owner Francis Clune (Donald Murphy) is the victim of theft and fraud, while his girlfriend Bobbie Dane (Francine York) is nearly killed by a "careless" motorist. The couple's woes are exacerbated when both are charged with killing a detective (Allan Melvin) and a hijacker (Peter Mamakos). Determined to prove the innocence of Francis and Bobbie, Perry Mason (Raymond Burr), literally puts his own life on the line. This is the second Perry Mason episode based on Erle Stanley Gardner's 1952 novel The Case of the Moth-Easten Mink, previously filmed under that title in 1958 (and incidentally, the painting identified as "Sausalito Sunrise" had likewise appeared in at least two earlier episodes!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Hired by Dr. Philip Stark (Donald Murphy) to care for his invalid wife Frances, college coed Betty Kaster (Margaret Bly) goes to Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) with her suspicions that Stark plans to murder Frances for her $2,000,000 inheritance. A murder does indeed take place, but it's Stark who is killed and it's Betty who is charged with the crime. In mounting Betty's defense, Perry must wade through a veritable Tsunami of greedy relatives, and must also contend with the victim's not-so-secret girlfriend Jill Fenwick (Joan O'Brian). And there's another complication: Is the "helpless" Frances Stark really all she claims to be? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Frankenstein's Daughter, a low-budget American horror movie badly directed by Richard E. Cunha, is another in a series of poorly made adaptations of Mary Shelley's classic horror novel. Here, the original Dr. Frankenstein's grandson, Oliver Frankenstein (Donald Murphy), now living in Los Angeles, creates a female version of the Monster from sweet teenage girl, Trudy (Sandra Knight) who then goes on a killing rampage. This thriller, with poor production values and bad sets, has some intentional humor, but little real horror. Also released as She Monster of the Night, Frankenstein's Daughter was featured in It Came from Hollywood, an amusing and loving tribute to horror films and their makers. Also, lovers of trivia should note that Sandra Knight, who plays Trudy, would later become the wife of actor Jack Nicholson. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Art dealer Milo Gerard (George Macready) convinces wealthy Rufus Vanner (Rhys Williams) that he has a valuable Van Hooten painting, "The Purple Woman", for sale. In truth, the "masterpiece" is a fake, painted by alcoholic artist Aaron Hubble (Robert H. Harris). Worried that Milo will try to shift blame for the fraud on her, his wife Evelyn (Bethel Leslie) goes to Perry Mason for help. She's going to need it: Milo is subsequently murdered, and Evelyn is the number one suspect. (Ironically, in real life actor George Macready was a noted art collector and co-owner, with Vincent Price, of a prestigious Hollywood gallery). This episode was originally slated to air on November 22, 1958. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Margaret Hayes plays the title character in From the Desk of Margaret Tyding. A successful businesswoman, Margaret has reason to believe that someone wants to do her ill. Her suspicions are confirmed when it is discovered that somebody has been slipping her small doses of poison. The chief suspects: Margaret's loving husband and trusted assistant. First telecast in color in the spring of 1958 on TV's Matinee Theater, the 60-minute From the Desk of Margaret Tyding later resurfaced in kinescope form as part of the syndicated series Cameo Theater. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
In one of his last appearances in a Hollywood production, Edmund Purdom plays Korean war veteran Paul Quentin. Keeping his promise to his dead war buddy Adrian (Donald Murphy), Quentin arrives at the doorstep of his Adrian's widow Alice (Ida Lupino). Alice and her children welcome Quentin with open arms, little suspecting that his mission includes killing the children as retribution for Alice's alleged infidelities. Ultimately, Quentin grows too fond of the kids to carry out his bloody task, but there's still slimy blackmailer Howard (Jacques Bergerac) to contend with. Strange Intruder is based on a novel by Helen Fowler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edmund Purdom, Ida Lupino, (more)
- 1956
The men behind America's first venture into space are honored in this drama that paid special emphasis on historical accuracy and obtained much input and assistance from the US Air Force. The story centers on an Air Force doctor who performs many detailed test to discover how the human body will respond to the rigors of space travel including its reactions to being ejected in a space capsule from 45,000 feet, to traveling 1,000 miles per hour in a rocket sled, and ascending to 100,000 feet in a balloon. His devoted wife supports him all the way even though he sometimes insists on using himself as a guinea pig. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Guy Madison, Virginia Leith, (more)
- 1955
It is all but impossible to dislike this ultra-cheap "Cold War paranoia" melodrama. Virtually the entire picture takes place on a single set, representing a rundown roadside diner. Lee Marvin plays the aptly named Slob, a lecherous short-order cook who lusts after shapely waitress Kotty (Terry Moore). Also interested in Kotty is a scientist known only as The Professor (Frank Lovejoy), who spends the better part of his free time at the diner's counter. It turns out that the Professor is a traitor, exchanging top-secret information with Slob, who's actually a commie agent. Only the Professor isn't a traitor, see, he's really . . . But why spoil the film for the uninitiated? For the record, Keenan Wynn and Whit Bissell are also in Shack Out on 101. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Terry Moore, Frank Lovejoy, (more)
The life story of West Point athletic director Marty Maher was the inspiration for John Ford's The Long Gray Line. Told in flashback, the film recalls the first days at the Point for Irish immigrant Maher (Tyrone Power), a pugnacious boy who can't seem to fit in with the institution's regimen of unquestioning discipline. Athletic director Ward Bond takes a liking to Maher and arranges for the young man to become his assistant; Bond also plays Cupid between Maher and Irish maidservant Mary O'Donnell (Maureen O'Hara). When Mary's baby is stillborn, the Mahers begin to regard the West Point cadets as their surrogate children: this eventually leads to the film's most touching scene, in which Mary bids farewell to her son-substitute as he marches off to World War II. Following Mary's death, Marty stays on at the Point, until the place seems somehow incomplete without his presence. On the occasion of his forced retirement, Maher gently pleads with one of his former students--President Dwight D. Eisenhower--to permit him to remain at his post (Ike is played by Harry Carey Jr. in his early scenes, and by the voice of Paul Frees in the wraparound White House scenes). Based on Marty Maher's autobiography, The Long Gray Line seems at first glance too leisurely for its own good, but this appealing film gradually grows on its audience--just like Marty Maher himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyrone Power, Maureen O'Hara, (more)
- 1954
In this adventure Bomba the Jungle boy helps a Hollywood movie star search the dark, dangerous jungle for her missing husband. As they search, they encounter a man-eating leopard. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1954
Long before he devoted his life to gimmicky horror epics, director William Castle turned out a series of compact westerns for Columbia. One of the best of the batch was Masterson of Kansas, starring George Montgomery as dandified gunslinger Bat Masterson. The screenplay, by future Maverick mainstay Douglas Heyes, contrives to unite Masterson, Wyatt Earp (Bruce Cowling) and Doc Holliday (James Griffith) together in a common cause. The three protagonists intend to protect an impending land exchange between honest rancher Merrick (John Maxwell) and peace-seeking Indian chief Yellow Hawk (Jay Silverheels) against the crooked chicanery of land baron Clay Bennett (David Bruce). The most interesting characterization is provided by James Griffith, who portrays Doc Holliday as a borderline psychotic with a death wish. Nancy Gates provides the feminine angle as Merrick's daughter Amy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Montgomery, Nancy Gates, (more)
- 1946
A virtual remake of the 1943 "Trail Blazers" western Wild Horse Stampede, this unspectacular but pleasant Eddie Dean oater once again featured a lawless town worrying about the coming of the railroad. Assigned by Army Major Hammond (Forrest Stanley) to inspect 500 heads of horses for sale by J. C. Morgan, Eddie and his sidekick Soapy (Roscoe Ates) learn that the seller is actually a pretty girl, Jenny Morgan (Shirley Patterson). Fearing that the coming of the railroad may bring law enforcement to the area, local saloon owner Merino (Dennis Moore) conspires with Morgan ranch hand Tucson Brown (Lee Bennett) to rustle J. C.'s herd and steal the payment from a nearby army detachment. Things get a bit confused when Eddie is mistaken for Whistling Sam, a notorious outlaw, but J. C. and foreman turned sheriff Tennessee (William Fawcett) believe in his innocence and when the dust has settled, the villains, including the real Whistling Sam (Lee Roberts), are safely behind bars. J. C.'s ranch is saved and the building of the railroad can continue without attacks from the area's lawless elements. Adding about 20 minutes of new footage, the always frugal PRC re-edited this film and re-released the entire two years later as The Tioga Kid. Leading lady Shirley Patterson's scenes were cut and the "new" film featured Jennifer Holt as pretty ranch owner Jenny Morgan. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
