Michael Praed Movies
Lead actor, onscreen from the late '80s. ~ All Movie Guide
In this gangster farce from first-time writer/director Ky Mo Lab, a pair of Irish pals become embroiled in a murder mystery upon their move to London. When Kenny (Glen Mulhern) arrives in the big city, he's dismayed to find his mate, Byron (Brendan Mackey), on the dole and boozing it up. But he's even more horrified to learn how Byron supplements his dole checks: by working as a rent boy in a gay pub. Despite his trepidation, Kenny soon embarks on a parallel career. But when a rich couple named The Queen (Michael Praed) and Golders Green (Simon Godley) turn up dead, Kenny and Byron think they've found the solution to their financial woes. Rumor has it that Golders Green kept a wad of cash squirreled away in his mattress. Unfortunately, several other colorful low-lives have their eyes on the prize, from The Desperate Dwarf (Raymond Griffiths) to The Iron Lady (Karen Sharman). As the queer corpses continue to pile up, Kenny and Byron wonder whether they'll ever locate the loot -- and whether their newfound occupation has deeper implications. Screened at the Palm Springs Film Festival, Nine Dead Gay Guys marked the feature debut for both Mulhern and Mackey. The character Golders Green is named after the neighborhood where he lives, a historically Jewish area of London. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glen Mulhern, Brendan Mackey, (more)
- 2002
This compendium of material from the BBC sketch comedy program French & Saunders pokes fun at everything from Baywatch and the Batman franchise to Björk and Ingmar Bergman, stopping along the way to mock British tennis players and postcolonial biddies. Most of the material dates from the early to mid-'90s; all of it features future Absolutely Fabulous writer/actress Jennifer Saunders and Vicar of Dibley star Dawn French, who parody pop culture figures (Liam Neeson and Mel Gibson in a faux Braveheart/Rob Roy crossover) and inhabit their usual assortment of original characters. Guest players include supermodel Kate Moss and singer/actress/celebrity wife Patsy Kensit. The title refers to the duo's parody of Madonna's Truth or Dare, which, bowing to that film's British title, is called "In Bed With French & Saunders." Other French & Saunders collections include French & Saunders: At the Movies, French & Saunders: Gentlemen Prefer, and French & Saunders: The Ingenue Years. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, (more)
This British romantic comedy from director and star Martin Clunes concerns Neil Price (Clunes), a meek toy demonstrator who becomes engaged to Hilary (Sarah Winman), a beautiful girl from a prosperous family. At his wild bachelor party, Neil consumes a spiked drink and passes out. When he awakens, he is nude on a Scottish island beach, with only three days to make it back to London in time for his wedding. Along the route, Neil has a series of adventures and meets a variety of eccentric characters, including a sexually-depraved Welsh salesman, Graham (Griff Rhys Jones). and a medical researcher, Carmen Svennipeg (Anna Chancellor), who assists Neil in his quest to get back home. Back in London, however, it unfolds that Neil's best friend Gary (Michael Praed) is the party responsible for slipping Neil the drugged elixir and depositing the poor groom on the remote beach. It seems that Gary has designs on Hilary and her money, and he's got three days to make his plan work. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Clunes, Michael Praed, (more)
- 1991
- R
A substantial improvement on its predecessor, this in-name-only sequel retains only a few characters from the original To Die For, standing alone as an effective vampire tale in its own right. The complex plot revolves around the facilities of vampire Doctor Max (Michael Praed), whose stores of whole blood provide temporary food supplies for wayward bloodsuckers in need of a fix. Into Max's clinic arrives young Danny (Jay Underwood) and his sister Nina (Rosalind Allen), whose adopted baby is suffering from an unknown affliction. While Danny eventually falls under the seductive spell of the translucent-looking Celia (Amanda Wyss), Max's predatory brother Tom (Steve Bond) sets his sights on Nina's unprotected neck, leading to a confrontation with Max over the fate of Nina and her child, revealed to be a human/vampire half-breed, of whom Max is the father. Events are further stirred by the arrival of manic vampire hunter Martin (Scott Jakoby), who is obsessed with destroying them all. This slick and stylish production belies its low budget with technical panache (aside from occasional cost-cutting measures in the special effects department), which includes superb photography, razor-sharp editing, and a script that provides dimension and believable motivations for its characters without skimping on scares. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosalind Allen, Steve Bond, (more)
- 1991
In this made-for-television drama a female writer of popular thrillers decides that it is time to kill off one of her characters, a serial killer who has appeared in many of her recent books. Soon afterward, she finds herself pursued by a copy-cat serial killer/fan. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
The special effects are the highlight of this routine science fiction saga. A scientific exploration team bound for the planet Volcryn encounter an evil spaceship helmed by the villainous Jon Winderman (Michael Des Barres), who resembles a composite parody of heavy metal rockers. Not so far fetched an idea -- as in real life, Des Barres took the place of lead singer Robert Palmer in the short-lived 1980s rock group Power Station. He is probably most famous for being the husband of Pamela Des Barres, author of the tell-all groupie expose I'm With The Band. Michael Des Barres's film career began with To Sir, With Love in 1967. He also has been a songwriter and television actor. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Catherine Stewart, Michael Praed, (more)
- 1986
This made-for-television drama is a two-hour movie from the Britain's Robin of Sherwood series. Michael Praed stars as the legendary Robin Hood, possessor of one of the seven sought-after Swords of Wayland. In this installment, Robin defends himself against a coven of witches posing as nuns. New-age music pioneers Clannad provide the soundtrack music. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Michael Praed took over from Jason Connery (Sean's son) in the title role of Robin Hood: The Swords of Wayland, one of several mid-1980s British TV movies based on the legendary do-gooder. As in most of these "revisionist" films, Robin's battle is not with such corporeal villains as Prince John or the Sheriff of Nottingham, but with the Supernatural. This time he's up against an evil priestess, played by onetime TV-commercial favorite Rula Lenska. Judi Trott repeats her role of Maid Marian from the earlier Jason Connery "Robin Hood" installments. Robin Hood: The Swords of Wayland was filmed in 1984; its American cable-TV debut occurred five years later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Michael Praed stars as Robin Hood in this 2-hour adventure, made for British TV. The story involves Robin's introduction to the demure Maid Marian (Judi Trott). She proves her worth to the satisfaction of the Merrie Men, and is accepted into Robin Hood's band of outlaws. A subplot concerns sorcery, courtesy of one Jennet (Angharad Rees). Released to US cable TV in the mid-1980s, Robin Hood and the Witch of Elsdon was re-broadcast upon the 1991 release of Kevin Costner's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
In the The Swords of Wayland installment of the BBC series Robin Hood... The Legend, an evil sorceress possesses magical powers that terrorize Robin Hood and his merry men, as well as the citizens of Nottingham. Of course, Robin and his men have to battle the sorceress in this engrossing, action-filled update of the Robin Hood legend. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1983
In this adventure, good Robin finds that the Sheriff of Nottingham is pursuing him with renewed vigor after the King threatens to demote him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1983
In this adventure, clever Robin dons several disguises to save a minstrel's lover who is being forcibly betrothed to the nasty Sheriff of Nottingham. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1983
In this mystical adventure, brave Robin and his merry men manage use ingenuity and a bit of magic to save Maid Marian from a fate worse than death. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Robin Hood and the Spirit of Sherwood was one of the first 2-hour installments of the popular BBC TV series of the early 1980s. Michael Praed (later replaced by Jason Connery) stars as Robin Hood, with Judi Trott as Maid Marian. In keeping with the "sword and sorcery" ambience of the series, Robin is forced to contend with an unearthly force that holds Sherwood Forest in its clutches. Premiering on British TV in 1983, Robin Hood and the Spirit of Sherwood was shown in the US on cable TV a year or so later. It was reissued to commercial TV channels in 1991 to cash in on Kevin Costner's theatrical film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
