Melody Patterson Movies

In The Harrad Experiment, young men and women attend Harrad College for what is essentially a one-year "control group" trial in pre-marital sex, to be overseen by Prof. Philip Tenhausen (James Whitmore) and his wife, Margaret (Tippi Hedren). Although initially paired off for the first month, they will be free to change partners once a month if they so desire. The film focuses on two couples, the somewhat shy Sheila (Laurie Walters), who is paired with the rich and swaggering Stanley (Don Johnson), and alluring Beth (Victoria Thompson), whose roomie is the awkward Harry (Bruno Kirby). The two couples don't get off to a good start, as Stanley is disappointed in his partner and Harry intimidated by his. There's a great deal of tension as the partners consider whether they have been paired off appropriately, and the jealousy and discomfort they feel comes to the surface in an improvisational exercise overseen by Philip. Whether this is all a result of mismatched pairs or more a result of Stanley's inability to "feel" is the subject of some debate, and leads to a number of confrontations and scenes (not to mention nude yoga classes and discussions of group marriage). Stanley also attempts to interest Margaret in having sex with him, but when she suggests that they do so freely and openly on the lawn, he can't go through with it. Stanley decides he wants to leave Harrad, but at the last minute changes his mind and joins Sheila, Beth and Harry for a group hug. Based upon Robert Rimmer's best-seller, Harrad was followed by a sequel, The Harrad Summer. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide

Film editor Bill Brame directed this violent biker film featuring an intense performance by Bruce Dern as Keeg, the sadistic leader of a vicious gang of cyclists. When Keeg's girlfriend Lea (Melody Patterson) poses nude for an artist named Romko (Chris Robinson), the hooligan goes on a drunken rampage and rips up Romko's sketches, beating the artist severely. Later, Romko retaliates with some beatings of his own, leading to a grisly scene of revenge in which the artist's hands are slowly crushed in a metal vise. Brame's quickly paced film also includes the requisite drugged orgies and a gang-rape. Genre veterans Gary Littlejohn, Scott Brady, and Steve Brodie also appear in this brutal exploitation entry, which is fairly well-cast save for co-executive producer Casey Kasem's notion that he could be believable as Bruce Dern's brother. Trivia buffs should note that Kasem appeared in Brame's Free Grass the same year, and that his production partner for this film was California Lt. Gov. Mike Curb, who went on to lead the musical Mike Curb Congregation. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

Considering his previous lack of matrimonial success (specifically, he was jilted at the altar), handyman Eb (Tom Lester) surprises one and all by announcing his plans to marry the toothsome Lorelei Appleby (played by Melody Patterson of F Troop fame). Reluctantly elected as "father of the groom," Oliver (Eddie Albert) is expected to foot all the expense of the upcoming wedding. But worse is still to come: Oliver must also act as mediator between Eb and his grouchy future father-in-law (portrayed by veteran character actor John Qualen of Grapes of Wrath and Casablanca fame). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Stranded in Swineville, U.S.A., the Monkees find themselves in the middle of the long-standing feud between the Weskitts and the Chubbers. Inevitably, Davy falls in love with Ella Mae Chubber (played by former F-Troop regular Melody Patterson), which gets him in trouble with Ella Mae's secret boyfriend Judd Weskitt (Lou Antonio). Also appearing are Dub Taylor as Paw and Billie Hayes (the immortal "Witchiepoo" on H.R. Pufnstuf) as Maw. Song: "Papa Gene's Blues. Written by Peter Meyerson, "Hillbilly Honeymoon" first aired on October 23, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Each of the first-season episodes of the riotous Western sitcom F Troop opened with a stirring balled, sung by a male chorus, which explained how clumsy, inept Wilton Parmenter (Ken Berry), a hapless scion of a legendary military family, was promoted to captain in the final days of the Civil War. Dispatched to pick up General Grant's laundry, Parmenter developed a cold en route and abruptly sneezed within earshot of the Union troops, who were then in retreat. This sneeze was misinterpreted as a command to "Charge!," whereupon the troops reversed direction and scored an enormous victory over the Confederates. Although Parmenter was now a hero, it was clear that he was somewhat lacking in the basic requirements of strong leadership, so he was shipped far, far out West to assume command of Fort Courage, an obscure cavalry post manned by misfits and foul-ups known as "F Troop." In the series opener, "Scourge of the West," it is quickly established that, despite Parmenter's presence, that F Troop was actually controlled by crafty Sgt. Morgan O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker), a genial con artist who runs most of the local illicit activities, from gambling to moonshine to the manufacture of phony Indian souvenirs. Together with his sidekick, Cpl. Randolph Agarn (Larry Storch), O'Rourke is able to keep his various underhanded enterprises up and running, all the while pulling the wool over the eyes of the dimwitted Parmenter. Aiding and abetting O'Rourke and Agarn is Wild Eagle, chief of the local Hekawi Tribe, a timid soul who proclaims "We not fighters -- we lovers. Hekawis invent peace pipe!" In several of the earliest episodes, venerable character comedian Edward Everett Horton is seen as the Hekawi's doddering medicine man, "Roaring Chicken." The satirical tone of the series is maintained in its choice of guest stars and character names. Henry Gibson appears as the "jinxed" cavalry private Wrongo Starr; Sarah Marshall is seen as suspected murderess Hermione Gooderly; Pat Harrington Jr. does an on-target impersonation of Get Smart star Don Adams in the role of frontier spy B. Wise; Don Rickles is his usual frantic self as cowardly renegade Indian Bald Eagle; Andrew Duggan shows up as Major Chester Winster, inventor of "the gun that will win the West"; Bernard Fox guests as Major Bentley-Royce, British master of camouflage; and in the episode "El Diablo," series regular Larry Storch does double duty as both Cpl. Agarn and Agran's lookalike cousin, a notorious Mexican bandit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide