Inez Pedroza Movies
A pile of human bones found at a construction site reopens one of Los Angeles' most notorious unsolved murders: the "Black Dahlia" case of 1947. Veteran movie tough guy Lawrence Tierney) is cast as Doyle, the original investigating detective on the case. Once Doyle has come out of retirement to help Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) piece the new clues together, it becomes apparent that the "Black Dahlia" killer is still alive and at large--and that he was also responsible for another unsolved murder on Doyle's watch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Investigating the murder of a famous movie queen, Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) discover to their surprise that the dead woman had quite a checkered past. Key players in the intrigue that follows are a jealous and covetous sister, a homeless man, and several minions of the CIA. This first episode of a two-part story was adapted from a novel by former police detective Dallas L. Barnes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Defense attorney Mike Snow (Martin E. Brooks), longtime nemesis of police detective Hunter (Fred Dryer), is the first person contacted by a distraught woman (Wendie Malick) whose husband has just been killed in an "accidental" boat explosion. Though Snow is certain that he'll be able to clear the woman of murder charges, Hunter is convinced that she is guilty as Hell, but has no proof to back him up. A neat "Second Time's The Charm" plot twist wraps this one up in a nice, tidy package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) receives a tip from an old friend that rock star Zack Sherman (Nick Sherman), the ex-husband of singer Miss Gina B (Chaka Khan), has disappeared. When her friend vanishes as well, McCall investigates by going undercover as (what else?) a singer at a rock cub called "The Cradle." As it turns out, McCall's friend had been keeping some bad company, the upshot of which is that Zack will never return--and it appears as though McCall is also destined to disappear without a trace. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The son of Hispanic mayoral candidate Michael Elandro (Gregory Sierra) is one of three teenagers accidentally shot and killed in a police raid. In their efforts to prevent a race riot, Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) must convince Elandro that they are sincere in their efforts to see that justice is done. Former series regular Arthur Rosenberg returns as Lester Cain, who since last we saw him has been promoted from Captain to Commander of Police. This episode was adapted by former police detective Dallas L. Barnes from his own novel See the Woman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the first episode of a three-part story, Hunter (Fred Dryer) finds himself up against a crooked judge, a coven of Satanists, and a serial killer known only as Big Foot. The intrigues commence when McCall is pressured to drop charges against Judge Warren Unger (Robert Reed), who was caught in a police sting with a teenage prostitute. Later on, the hooker tells Hunter that she thinks her best friend has been kidnapped by the Satanists--one of whom may well be the elusive Big Foot. Shelley Taylor Morgan returns in the role of flamboyant undercover cop Kitty O'Hearn in this adaptation of a novel by former police detective Dallas L. Barnes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Ambitious journalist Isabel Turette (Anne-Marie Johnson) has parlayed a string of skid-row murders into a spectacular, Pulitzer-worthy front-page story. As Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) investigate the killings, they can't help but notice that the journalist has refused to allow the police to tap her phone, even though she claims that the killer has been calling her personally just before each "hit." The story takes a sinister turn when a homeless person contacts the detectives--and insist that the reporter herself is the murderer! Beah Richards makes her first series appearance as garrulous bag lady "Pockets" in this final episode of Hunter's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
After rape victim Rhonda Burke (Sonia Curtis) suffers a fatal attack, one of the many suspects comes forth with a confession--which is promptly thrown out of court. Outraged by this breach of justice, Rhonda's sister Sheila (Lauren Tewes) swears vengeance on all those suspected of assaulting Rhonda. Subsequently, two suspects are killed, and Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) are ordered to go after Sheila--even though Hunter cannot reconcile himself to the notion that Sheila is a murderer. Attorney Melvin Belli and TV journalist Ines Pedroza appear as themselves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Season Seven of Magnum, P.I. begins with a two-part episode (originally telecast in a single two-hour timeslot) largely set in Los Angeles. Magnum (Tom Selleck) arrives in La-La-Land to deliver some legal papers on behalf of Robin Masters. Befriending a comedienne named Marti Jensen (Mona Miller), Magnum ends up a prime suspect when the woman is found murdered in his hotel room. In his subsequent efforts to clear himself and find the real killer, Magnum works side by side (and sometimes closer than that!) with attractive entertainment lawyer Cynthia Farrell (Dena Delany). Meawnhile, back in Hawaii, Rick (Larry Manetti), T.C. (Roger Mosley) and Higgins conduct an intensive search for teenager Kenny (Alfonso Ribeiro), who has witnessed two murders. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Face (Dirk Benedict) unexpectedly receives a pardon after "evidence" surfaces proving him innocent of the Vietnam bank robbery which landed the A-Team in prison. Hannibal (George Peppard) is convinced that there is something fishy about the pardon--especially since he knows darn well that Face was at that bank along with the rest of the Team! Meanwhile, Face basks in the glow of being a celebrity, hiring a public relations firm to handle his fan base. Alas, it turns out the the PR guys are actually CIA agents, who hope to smoke out a fugitive Viet Cong general by setting Face up as a sitting duck. This episode introduces Jack Ging in the role of General Bull Fullbright. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
It's The African Queen meets Richard Pryor in this schmaltzy and salty attempt by Pryor to appeal to the family crowd. Pryor plays Joe Braxton, an inept burglar whose parole officer Donald (Robert Christian) wants to help out. Knowing that Joe is an excellent mechanic, he refers him to Vivian Perry (Cicely Tyson), the director of a school for emotionally disturbed children. The school is about to close for lack of funds, and Vivian wants to flee Philadelphia with eight of her charges and get to a farm in Washington State where the children can grow up in the fresh air and away from the urban environment. Joe is enlisted to drive the bus, which continually breaks down en route, permitting Joe plenty of time to interact with the kids -- taking them fishing, teaching them strip poker, and convincing a Vietnamese girl not to sell her body. The prim and proper Vivian holds up her nose at the vulgar and sloppy Joe, so it is inevitable that at journey's end the two will find true romance. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Pryor, Cicely Tyson, (more)
Condominium is a two-part, four-hour TV adaptation of the novel by John D. McDonald. The setting is a hastily constructed Florida high-rise, assembled at the least possible cost by its greedy owners. An oncoming hurricane threatens to topple the structure and its residents into the ocean. Various degrees of greed, lust, terror and concern are displayed by stars Steve Forrest, Dan Haggerty, Ralph Bellamy, Barbara Eden, Stuart Whitman, Jack Jones and Pamela Hensley. Produced for the syndicated "Operation Prime Time" series, Condominium was first made available to local stations on November 20, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Dr. Steven Strange, the Marvel Comics magician/superhero created in 1963 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, made his long-awaited screen debut in this 1978 TV pilot film. Peter Hooten plays Strange, while Sir John Mills portrays the doctor's sorcerer shaman, "The Ancient One." The Ancient One (whose real name is Lindmer) allows Strange access to the "Hermedic Arts," which enables him to control the elements. In the pilot, Strange's origin is retraced, then the story segues into a titanic battle between Strange and Camelot-era villainess Morgan LeFay (Jessica Walter), who has come back to life in order to collect human souls. Stan Lee reportedly disowned the video version of Dr. Strange, perhaps because one of his beloved characters was "camped up" for TV consumption. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Hooten, John Mills, (more)
A pre-Rocky Sylvester Stallone is prominently featured in this episode as young detective Rick Daley, who accidentally shoots a boy while on duty. Daley claims that shots were being fired all around him at the time of the tragedy, and that he is innocent. Pressured by the higher-ups to protect Daley, Kojak (Telly Savalas) refuses to accept the young cop's story without positive proof--while certain members of the Internal Affairs division seem willing to throw Daley to the wolves whether he's guilty or not. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Los Angeles is the natural site for a film about earthquakes: they happen there frequently, and the landscape is familiar to moviegoers from thousands of films. A huge number of ongoing vignettes which include cameos from numerous celebrities and stars are tied together by the ongoing efforts of architect Graff (Charleton Heston) to rescue his estranged spoiled-rich-girl wife (Ava Gardner), while helping out with the ongoing rescue efforts taking place around him and while trying to determine what has happened to his mistress Denise (Genvieve Bujold). The rumbling sound effect designed for this film (Sensurround) won a "Best Sound" Oscar for the film in 1975. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, (more)
Arrogant rookie cop George Barrett (John Elerick) has trouble following orders during his probation period--and Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord), Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Ed Wells (Gary Crosby) bear the brunt of his insubordination. Messing up a variety of cases and forever jumping to the wrong conclusions on the job, Barrett proves to be danger to himself and his coworkers. Things come to a head when Barrett panics during a confrontation with a bombing suspect. This episode is highlighted by a slyly misleading opening sequence (Don't worry, our heroes aren't really dead). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Pro wrestler H.B. "Hardboiled" Haggerty is but one of many colorful characters appearing in this episode. Summoned to break up a disturbance in a bar, Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) end up trying to subdue a patricularly violent patron (Haggerty, of course)--who happens to be confined to a wheelchair. This incident does not, however, deter the two cops from conducting an ongoing robbery investigation. Also making cameo appearances are such reliable Hollywood character actors as Allen Jenkins, Stubby Kaye, Robert Emhardt and the unforgettable Pedro Gonzales-Gonzales (of whom Groucho Marx once quipped that it was the first time he'd ended up getting third billing after one person). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Set against the political turmoil of the late 60's, R.P.M. (Revolutions Per Minute) stars Anthony Quinn as "Paco" Perez, a free-thinking liberal college professor whom the campus leftists regard as an authority figure they can understand. Perez is also free-thinking enough to have a grad student as a mistress, Rhoda (Ann-Margret). When the University President is forced out of office by a radical group, Perez is given the job, but his credibility with the activists comes into question when he's unable to meet their demands as quickly as they would like. Rossiter (Gary Lockwood) and Dempsey (Paul Winfield), two of the activist leaders, threaten to destroy the university's new computer network (remember, this was back in the day before you could buy a computer for a thousand bucks), and Perez calls in the cops, which only fans the flames of a tense situation. R.P.M. was written by Erich Segal, before he was to find success with another story set (in part) on a college campus, Love Story. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Quinn, Ann-Margret, (more)
At the urging of Sr. Bertrille, casino owner Carlos Ramirez agrees to act as surrogate father to convent orphan Marcello (Manuel Padilla). Things take a tricky turn when Marcello, suffering a severe case of hero worship, insists upon being adopted by Carlos-and even offers to pick his own stepmother. Future Charlie's Angels diva Farrah Fawcett appears as Lila. Originally telecast on October 15, 1969, "Marcello's Idol" was written by John L. Greene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Henry Koster directed this cloying family musical based on the true life story of Soeur Sourire, a Belgian nun whose recordings made her an overnight sensation on The Ed Sullivan Show. Debbie Reynolds stars as Sister Ann, a Belgian nun who likes to compose little tunes on her guitar. She writes the song "Dominique" for a lonely little boy, Dominic Arlien (Ricky Cordell), whose mother has died and whose father is an alcoholic. Father Clementi (Ricardo Montalban) tries to promote the song, getting help from his old friend Robert Gerarde (Chad Everett), a record producer. "Dominique" becomes an international hit, thanks to Robert's efforts, and Ed Sullivan appears on the scene to film Sister Ann for his television program. Unsure of how to handle her amazing success, Sister Ann seeks out Father Clementi for advice, unsure of whether to give up her singing and remain a nun or to continue on with her singing career and renounce her vows. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Debbie Reynolds, Ricardo Montalban, (more)
The original king of rock-n-roll (Elvis Presley) stars in this light comedy musical as a singing buck who finds employment at an all femme ranch & spa. After kissing the girls and making them cry, the stud-clad crooner is sent away, but soon comes back to rescue a pretty maiden from the hands of fortune-seeking baddies. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Julie Adams, (more)
In this comedy, the head of a United Nations department suddenly becomes a father when he stumbles across an abandoned baby in one of the halls. He tries to find a home for the darling and suddenly finds himself surrounded by assorted exotic beauties all trying to win the baby for their country. In the end, though, the bachelor takes the babe for his own. Songs include: "So Wide the World," "Fais Do Do," and "A Global Affair." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Hope, Liselotte Pulver, (more)
This Biblical epic stars Elana Eden as Ruth, who serves in the temple where the High Priestess (Viveca Lindfors) leads the worship of the Pagan idols of the people of Moab. When Ruth falls in love with Mahlon (Tom Tryon), a Hebrew, she must come to terms with his spiritual beliefs, but in time she embraces his faith and converts to Judaism when they marry. Ruth travels with Mahlon and his mother Naomi (Peggy Wood) to their homeland of Bethlehem. Ruth suffers hardship and religious persecution, and when Mahlon dies, Ruth's faith is severely tested. But her belief in God survives this trial by fire, and in time Ruth finds a new love with Boaz (Stuart Whitman). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stuart Whitman, Tom Tryon, (more)
















