Lee Purcell Movies
American actress Lee Purcell received her first movie break in 1970's Adam at 6 AM, portraying Jerri Jo Hopper, the young vis-a-vis of liberal college professor Michael Douglas. Most of her later film roles were secondary but sizeable (see Kid Blue [1973] and Mr. Majestyk [1974], both dominated by their male stars). Ms. Purcell was better served on television, where she appeared in such roles as silent film starlet Billie Dove in the 2-part The Amazing Howard Hughes (1976). In the same vein, Lee Purcell played '40s movie actress Olivia de Havilland in the 1985 biopic My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1995
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Fraser's (Paul Gross) former lover Victoria (Melina Kanakeredes reveals her true colors when she kills her former partner Jolly (Denis Forest) and frames Fraser (Paul Gross) and Ray (David Marciano) on a charge of passing stolen money. But is it truly her scheme to destroy Fraser, or does she have something entirely different in mind. A shocking denoument may spell the end of Fraser and Ray's careers--not to mention their friendship. First broadcast on Canadian television, this episode made its US debut on June 2, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Gross, David Marciano, (more)
- 1995
A valuable collection of masks from the aboriginal Tsimshian tribe has been stolen from the Museum of National History. Hoping to prevent an international crisis between the museum and the French owners of the collection, Fraser (Paul Gross) and Ray (David Marciano) inaugurate a search for the thief. They are assisted by Fraser's old friend, Tsimshian tribal leader Eric (Rodney A. Grant)--who may know more about the heist, and the crook's identity, than he is letting on. First broadcast on Canadian television, this episode made its US debut on January 19, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Gross, David Marciano, (more)
- 1995
Due South regular Daniel Kash exits the series in spectacular fashion when his character, Chicago detective Louis Gardino, is killed by a bomb intended for Ray (David Marciano). His grief exacerbated by a thirst for vengeance, Ray goes after the man whom he thinks is responsible for Gardino's death: Mafia boss Frank Zuko (Jim Bracchita), who grew up in Ray's neighborhood. Complicating matters is the growing romantic relationship between Ray and Zuko's sister Irene (Carrie-Ann Moss)--a relationship that leads inexorably to another tragedy. First broadcast on Canadian television, this episode made its US debut on February 2, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Gross, David Marciano, (more)
- 1995
Assigned to protect a federal witness, Fraser (Paul Gross) learns to his chagrin that the man in question is Gerrard (Ken Pogue), who killed Fraser's father (Gordon Pinsent) back in Canada. With Gerrard at large in Chicago, Fraser is ordered to bring the fugitive back alive at all costs. As Fraser wrestles with his own vengeful impulses, he must also contend with a handful of rogue Federal agents who have no intention of allowing Gerrard to testify in court. First broadcast on Canadian television, this episode made its US debut on December 22, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Gross, David Marciano, (more)
- 1995
When a witness against Ray's old nemesis Kruger (Aidan Devine) perjures herself in court, Ray (David Marciano) goes ballistic--and ends up being jailed for contempt. Reckoning that there are several incarcerated cons who have scores to settle with Ray, Fraser (Paul Gross) arranges to "protect" his friend by getting himself arrested. While Fraser makes many new friends behind bars as the jail's new library monitor, Ray discovers that the lying witness was only trying to save her imprisoned husband from Kruger's wrath. Lee Purcell becomes a semi-regular in the role of highly suspicious attorney Louise St. Laurent, a character introduced in the first-season episode "Victoria's Secret." Originally broadcast on Canadian television, "Witness" made its US debut on December 15, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Gross, David Marciano, (more)
- 1994
A metal sculpture created by artist Kim Mitchell (Loretta Swit) proves quite versatile when it used as a murder weapon. The victim is Philip Jovi (Edward Hibbert), an art gallery owner with whom Kim did not see eye-to-eye. Fortunately for Kim, her friend Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is on hand to help her beat a murder rap...maybe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Real-life father and son Lloyd and Beau Bridges star in the tense modern melodrama Secret Sins of the Father. Nebraska farmer Louis Thielman (Lloyd) is charged with murder of his wife. Making the charge is Louis's son Tom (Beau), the town sheriff. Though the evidence points to Louis, there are those who believe that Tom is pursuing a vendetta rather than justice. For starters, Louis has been carrying on an affair with Lisa Carson, Tom's ex-lover. Despite the film's docudrama approach, this one isn't based on a true story. Beau Bridges doubled as director for this made-for-TV drama, which debuted January 9, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lloyd Bridges, Beau Bridges, (more)
- 1991
The Long Road Home evokes memories of The Grapes of Wrath, though it doesn't quite reach the same heights as the earlier film. Mark Harmon heads up a family of migrant workers, toiling in California's San Joaquin Valley in 1937. Harmon's brood is obliged to face down not only the Depression but also exploitive farm owners. When one too many human rights is trampled upon, a union movement takes shape amongst the migrants. Though distinctly American in subject and tone, The Long Road Home was produced by Britain's Norman Rosemont. Unfortunately, this made-for-TV film premiered during an unusually cluttered February "sweeps week" in 1991; there was so much competition that Long Road Home was not even warranted the standard full-page TV Guide ad. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Up for re-election as mayor of Cabot Cove, Sam Booth (Richard Paul) figures that his staunch anti-development platform will enable him to easily defeat his pro-development opponent. Unfortunately, Sam's campaign is seriously compromised when a strange woman shows up in town and accuses the confirmed-bachelor mayor of being the father of her five children! While Sam tangles with this embarrassing turn of events, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) temporarily takes his place as the mayoral candidate--just in time to solve yet another murder. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Bill Bixby stars as physicist Dr. David Banner, the mild-mannered alter ego of the raging green mutant The Hulk (Lou Ferrigno), in this made-for-TV film based on the 1978 series (which was inspired by the Marvel Comics characters). In this outing, Dr. Banner teams with Thor, the Norse god of thunder. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno, (more)
- 1988
To Heal a Nation is the true story of Jan Scruggs (Eric Roberts), a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. In 1979, Scruggs, employed by the US Department of Labor, becomes obsessed with the dream of erecting a monument to those who died in Vietnam. In pursuit of this dream, Scruggs and his fellow fundraisers run up against bureaucratic indifference and public hostility-not to mention the reservations of certain veterans who disapprove of the monument's "radical" design. On November 13, 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is erected in Washington DC-an intensely emotional moment, vividly recreated by combining dramatizations with actual news footage. Originally presented as GE Theater TV production, To Heal a Nation debuted May 29, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Who's innocent in Betrayed by Innocence? Is it filmmaker Nick DeLeon (Barry Bostwick), who loves his wife but also his work? Is it Nick's working wife Sharon (Lee Purcell), who spends more time at the office than at home? Or is it nubile, underage coed Marisa Vogel (Cristen Kauffman), who has an affair with Nick? Paul Sorvino co-stars as Marisa's policeman father, whose rallying cry is "statutory rape." Made for television, Betrayed by Innocence originally aired March 1, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barry Bostwick, Lee Purcell, (more)
- 1986
Season Three of Murder She Wrote begins with the first episode of a two-part story, in which mystery writer Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) pays a visit to the Carmody Circus, an extremely small-time operation. It seems that Jessica has evidence that one of the circus' employees, a roustabout-clown who calls himself Carl, is actually her brother-in-law Neil (Jackie Cooper), who has long been presumed dead. No sooner does Jessica link up with Neil than the man is accused of murdering the circus' hateful manager Hank Sutter (Charles Napier). A young Courtney Cox appears as Neil's granddaughter, Carol Bannister. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In the second half of Murder She Wrote's two-part Season Three opener, Jessica's long-missing brother in law Neil Fletcher (Jackie Cooper), who has been working under an alias with the Carmody Circus, has confessed to the murder of circus manager Hank Sutter. Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is convinced that Neil is innocent, and that he is covering up for somebody else--and this proves to be a reasonable conclusion when a second murder occurs, in which the victim is rival circus owner Harry Kingman (Joe Dorsey). Seriously hampering Jessica's investigation is the stone wall of resistance built up by the highly clannish circus folk--and by the curiously hostile local authorities. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Retreating to a placid Maine lake resort in order to finish her latest novel without distractions, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) decides to go birdwatching one fine morning. During this pursuit, Jessica witnesses what seems to be a struggle between a man and a woman in a boat on the lake, ending with the woman falling overboard. The man is accused of murder, but Jessica believes that the victim was not pushed in the water but instead jumped on her own accord--and the mystery deepens when it turns out that the drowned woman was a champion swimmer! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Magnum (Tom Selleck) and T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) are reunited with their high school classmate Goldie Morris (Lee Purcell), who is still the same zany, impulsive political activist she'd been back in the good old days when she was Magnum's tutor. Goldie wants the detective to help her locate a kidnapped dolphin, which has been outfitted with explosives. At the same time, Magnum is kept busy protecting a visiting dignitary, third-world despot President Kole (Brock Peters). Care to place bets over how quickly Magnum discerns a link between Goldie, the dolphin and the President. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
This made-for-TV biopic chronicles the exciting (at times scandalous) life and career of Eroll Flynn, Hollywood's most popular swashbuckling rake. Much of the information comes from Flynn's autobiography. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Duncan Regehr, Barbara Hershey, (more)
- 1981
This made-for-TV follow-up to 1980's The Girl, the Gold Watch and Everything stars Lee Purcell and Philip MacHale as Bonnie Lee Beaumont and Kirby Winter, roles created in the earlier film by Pam Dawber and Robert Hays. Once more, the hapless Kirby is the possessor of a magic watch that can stop time all around him--and once more, the watch causes him and his fiancee Bonnie Lee nothing but trouble. This time, hero and heroine are pitted against evil land baron Hoover Hess III (Burton Gilliam), who isn't above committing foul play to get what he wants. What Hoover wants, by the way, is a patch of valuable land owned by Bonnie Lee's mother (Carol Lawrence). Among the singular pleasures in this whimsical adventure yarn is the appearance of Jerry Mathers, Beaver Cleaver himself, as one of the bad guys! Based on characters created by John D. MacDonald, The Girl, the Gold Watch and Dynamite was first syndicated to local TV stations May 21, 1984, as part of the "Operation Prime Time" series. It was offered as both a 2-hour movie, and as a series of five half-hour programs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
In this made-for-television thriller, a pair of couples, a U.S. senator among them, are stalked by backwoods snipers while on a white-water rafting trip. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1980
In this WW II adventure, a team of female pilots perform dangerous missions on both sides of enemy lines. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
When first telecast on April 8, 1980, this made-for-TV movie was titled Kenny Rogers as The Gambler. Jim Byrnes' teleplay is loosely inspired by Rogers' Grammy award-winning song. Rogers plays high-rolling gambler Brady Hawkes, who is en route from El Paso to Yuma to see the son he never knew. Along the way, Hawkes befriends Billy Montana (Bruce Boxleitner), feckless Eastern tinhorn. The twosome comes to the aid of reformed "lady of the evening" Jennie Reed (Lee Purcell), who is pursued by an unprincipled train baron. At the end, Brynes must stand up to his son's cruel stepfather (Clu Gulager). A huge ratings success, The Gambler inspired four sequels over the next two decades. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenny Rogers, Bruce Boxleitner, (more)
- 1979
A couple find the body of a detective in their apartment, and follow the trail of his killer to Nashville. The film is also known as Country Music Murders. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1979
In this murder mystery a married couple goes to Nashville to look into the murder of a private eye. They are involved because his body was found in their apartment. The film is also titled "Murder in Music City." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
