Linda Purl Movies
Connecticut native Linda Purl grew up in Japan, where her father, a Union Carbide executive, had been transferred. Under the watchful eye of her mother, a former ballerina, Purl began acting professionally in Japanese stage and TV productions at the age of seven. Ten years later, she made her American film debut in Jory (1972). Never a conventional ingenue, she has played everything from mentally retarded teens to rape victims to psychotic killers, as well as a few real-life personalities like Alice Roosevelt Longworth and globetrotting journalist Nellie Bly. Purl has the distinction of playing two different recurring characters on the same television series. During the 1974-75 season of Happy Days, she was seen as Richie Cunningham's (Ron Howard) high-school girlfriend Gloria; she returned to the series in 1982 as Ashler Pfister, a divorced mother with whom Fonzie (Henry Winkler) was briefly involved romantically. Linda has also appeared regularly on such series as The Secret Storm and Beacon Hill; more recently, she played an assistant DA put in charge of a group of young ex-convicts on the syndicated weekly adventure series Robin's Hoods (1994). Linda Purl was at one time married to Desi Arnaz Jr.. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1979
"Sharon cries out for strength...for hope...for love...." So read the ad copy for the made-for-TV A Last Cry For Help Sharon (Linda Purl) is an outwardly happy, normal high schooler: A-student, cheerleader, popular with everyone. So why is she so determined to commit suicide? Director Hal Sitowitz' penetrating script is at its best when dealing with Sharon's inner turmoil; otherwise, Sitowitz' last-act tendency to proselytize weakens the overall impact. First aired January 19, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
25 years ago, Katherine (Linda Norris) put her son Jamie up for adoption. Now happily married to Greg Norris (Perry King), Katherine is surprised when a young man claiming to be Jamie (Andrew Kraulis) shows up at her door. Captivated by the boy's charm and honeyed words, Katherine and Greg welcome Jamie into their home, much to the disgust of her daughter Tara (Meredith Henderson) who senses that there's something not quite right about her supposed brother. How right Tara is: It turns out that Jamie, in cahoots with his sleazy girlfriend Delia (Sophie Gendron), has cooked up a sinister long-range scheme aimed at his "parents"--beginning with trying to induce a heart attack for Greg in order to collect an enormous insurance policy. The made-for-cable Stranger at the Door was first telecast by the Lifetime channel on June 21, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
In this drama a single mother and her lover try to keep an illegal adoption outfit from taking their baby. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Produced for the USA cable service, Accidental Meeting stars Linda Purl as Maryanne and Linda Gray as Jennifer. Meeting by chance, the two women begin discussing the men in their life. Maryanne expresses a wish to see her boss dead, while Jennifer would sooner see an odious male of her acquaintance drop dead. When Maryanne's hateful employer is killed, Jennifer re-enters her life, admitting to the murder and demanding equal reciprocation. While Accidental Meeting's 1951 role model Strangers on a Train is virtually suitable for the whole family, the later film is laden with "parental guidance suggested" violence and sex. Accidental Meeting premiered March 17, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Purl, Linda Gray, (more)
- 1988
When this seriocomic TV film first aired March 28, 1988, it was titled Addicted to His Love. Evidently to pacify certain feminist factions, the film was rechristened Sisterhood for syndication. Either way, this is the story of a smooth lothario, played by Barry Bostwick. In the course of 97 minutes, Bostwick finds time to romance and betray four women, played by Linda Purl, Coleen Camp, Erin Grey and Dee Wallace-Stone. Instead of getting mad upon learning that they're sharing Bostwick's affections, the four ladies join forces to get even. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
"Bad" Ronald (Scott Jacoby) has been in hiding in a secret room ever since going off the deep end and killing a teenaged girl who'd made fun of him. Ronald's mother (Kim Hunter) helps her son to remain hidden, even when the house in which he is sequestered is rented by a family. As luck would have it, three of the family members are nubile young girls--perfect targets for the lonely, and looney, Ronald. In the original John Holbrook Vance novel on which this TV-movie is based, Ronald abducts, repeatedly rapes and ultimately kills two women. The video version of Bad Ronald is heavily laundered, but no less terrifying. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Jacoby, Pippa Scott, (more)
- 1977
Elizabeth Christman's novel A Nice Italian Girl was the source for the TV-movie Black Market Baby. Desi Arnaz Jr. plays a slick lothario who is paid by an illicit adoption agency to impregnate impressionable college student Linda Purl. The racketeers stand to make $50,000 by selling the baby to an anxious middle-aged couple. When Arnaz falls in love with Purl and tries to help her keep her baby, the crooks take swift and violent action. Originally titled A Dangerous Love, Black Market Baby was released theatrically overseas as Don't Steal My Baby--a title more appropriate to the overall tawdriness of the film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Purl, Desi Arnaz, Jr., (more)
- 1992
Heather Locklear plays a businesswoman who's moving ever upward on the executive ladder. Alas, though lucky in her job, she's unlucky in love. Locklear's secretary Linda Purl takes it upon herself to offer helpful advice on matters of the heart. But it turns out-and here's the BIG SURPRISE-that Purl has ulterior motives. With two screenwriters, you'd think that the producers could have come up with something less contrived and cliched. Edward Albert and James Acheson costar in this made-for-cable melodrama, which was first telecast July 15, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In this made-for-TV sequel to 1966's Born Free, Jonathan Brandis and Ariana Richards play Rand and Val, a pair of American teenagers who, while in Africa, come to the rescue of a lioness who has been tamed by hunters. The lioness' best hope for survival is to be returned to the wild, and now Rand and Val have the daunting task of teaching the animal a lifetime of survival skills in a mere three weeks. Born Free: A New Adventure also features Linda Purl and Christopher Noth. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jonathan Brandis, Ariana Richards, (more)
Cloris Leachman stars as Melba, a woman with whom violence is a way of life, in Jonathan Demme's high-pitched "B"-movie Crazy Mama. The film spans three decades in the violent life of Melba, beginning in Jerusalem, Arkansas in 1932, when law enforcers kill her father (Clint Kimbrough), turning her mother Sheba (Ann Sothern) into a bitter widow. Mother and daughter take off to Long Beach, California, and the time jumps to 1958, when the two are thrown out of their beauty salon for non-payment of back rent. Melba now has an attractive (and pregnant) teenage daughter Cheryl (Linda Purl). The three generations take to the road, stealing cars and creating general mayhem across the United States, robbing a motorcycle racetrack box office and a bank. But in 1959, Melba and Cheryl are picked up again, running a Miami Beach snack bar, their lives wasted in free-living terror. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cloris Leachman, Stuart Whitman, (more)
- 2005
No sooner has entrepreneur Devon Major (Sebastian Spence) emerged from a messy divorce than he is accused of murdering his ex-wife. Astonishingly, Devon requests that his wife's divorce attorney Susan Grace (Vanessa Angel) represent him at his trial. Despite Susan's avowed hatred of Devon, she agrees to take the case, conferring with District Attorney Kirsten Sorenson (Linda Purl) to get additional information on her client, who is simultaneously being investigated on a money-laundering charge by US treasury agent Mark Fairfield (David Palffy). It turns out that some extraordinary clever person has cooked up an elaborate hoax in order to literally get away with murder and robbery--but who is it, and how do Kirsten and Mark figure into the Hitchcock-like denoument? Made for cable, Criminal Intent was first telecast July 8, 2005, on the Lifetime network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
When a TV producer strikes up a romance with an old flame, a star in his new TV series, their relationship is threatened by mysteries she won't explain to him. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Loretta Young was originally to have starred in made-for-TV Dark Mansions, but she didn't like the script and passed up the project; her role was quickly filled by another Hollywood veteran, Joan Fontaine. Aaron Spelling and Douglas Cramer, the guys who brought you Love Boat, "go gothic" in this Seattle-based tale of the supernatural. While writing the history of a shipbuilding family, Linda Purl learns a little too much for her own wellbeing. Per the film's title, most of the story takes place in a haunted house-and it's a lulu. Michael York, Philip Drake and Melissa Sue Anderson costar. Dark Mansions was first telecast August 23, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
- Add Eleanor and Franklin: The Early Years to QueueAdd Eleanor and Franklin: The Early Years to top of Queue
The winner of 11 Emmy awards, the made-for-TV Eleanor and Franklin stars Edward Herrmann as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Jane Alexander as Eleanor Roosevelt. The film traces the first four decades of the lives of cousins Franklin and Eleanor, beginning with their marriage in 1905. Conflicts loom in the form of FDR's domineering mother (Rosemary Murphy) and Eleanor's discovery of an affair between her husband and artist Lucy Mercer (Linda Kelsey). After Franklin is stricken by polio in 1921, Eleanor emerges as a formidable and influential public figure. James Costigan wrote the teleplay for Eleanor and Franklin, which first aired as a two-parter on January 11 and 12, 1976. The film was followed several months later by a multipart sequel, Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Herrmann, Jane Alexander, (more)
In this independent horror film from writer/director K.C. Bascombe (Swindle, The Contract), Jesse James plays Brian Billings, a young boy suffering from an intense fear of the dark. His older brother Dale (Kevin Zegers) thinks the phobia is childish and unwarranted, but when the power goes out while the boys are home alone, Dale begins to become aware of the true evil that does indeed lurk in their house when the lights go out. Fear of the Dark also stars Linda Purl and Rachel Skarsten. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Zegers, Jesse James, (more)
The plane carrying a new liver for seriously ill youngster Jason Blanchard (Myles Jeffrey) crashes during a hailstorm. Also lost during the icy deluge are Jason, his mother, and his siblings. Defying the odds, Jason's devoted father, Dan (Ted McGinley), is convinced that his family is alive and that the precious liver is still intact. With the storm still raging, Dan embarks upon his own frenzied search. Debuting March 14, 2003, Frozen Impact was one of a string of medium-budget disaster films starring former TV-series luminaries and produced for the PAX network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Featuring the voices of Perry King as mighty Samson and Linda Purl as his love Delilah, this Hanna-Barbera animated video tells a version of the Bible story concerning Delilah's treachery and Samson's righteous revenge. When the Philistines conquer the Promised Land, only mighty Samson has the strength and moral courage to defend his defeated people. Thwarted in their efforts to vanquish Samson, the Philistines bribe Delilah into discovering and eliminating Samson's source of strength -- his hair. But even shorn of his locks, Samson prevails over his enemies due to his faith in God. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Originally titled Giving Birth, Having Babies was the first of three pilot films for a TV series that eventually appeared under the title Julie Farr MD. In omnibus fashion, the film focuses in on four couples and their reactions to impending parenthood. Essentially, this is a feature-length "commercial" for the Lamaze method of natural childbirth. Adrienne Barbeau plays Lamaze-class supervisor Allie Duggin, while the mommies-to-be are portrayed by Karen Valentine (as tennis pro Beth Paterno), Jessica Walter (as middle-aged Sally McNamara), Linda Purl (as teenager Laura Gorman) and Vicki Lawrence (as unwed mother Grace Fontrell). Having Babies was originally telecast October 17, 1976. It was followed by Having Babies II in 1977, Having Babies III in 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
In this made-for-TV action adventure, some criminals terrorize a Seattle-bound bus filled with innocent passengers after a kidnapping goes awry. Michael O'Keefe stars as Jack Boulder, a just-released ex-con who, along with some resourceful characters, helps his fellow bus passengers defend themselves against kidnappers who have been duped out of their ransom money. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael O'Keefe, Linda Purl, (more)
- 1980
- PG
The cliches about actors fighting an uphill battle in Tinseltown are all found in this film, its own actors an example of its message. Donny Most stars as Leo, an aspiring thespian with less than an ingratiating manner and Linda Purl is Loree, an actress who just might get her foot in the door because her mother -- an Oscar winner -- has already opened it for her. Loree's ups and Leo's downs do nothing to help their romantic relationship, as careers and professional goals have an impact on their feelings. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don Most, Linda Purl, (more)
- 1979
Based on a true story, the made-for-TV Like Normal People IS the story of a romance between two mentally challenged adults. In his first dramatic acting appearance, Shaun Cassidy plays Roger Meyers, a mildly retarded man who, while living in a home for the handicapped, falls in love with another resident, Virginia Rae Hensler (Linda Purl). Despite the fierce opposition of their parents--not to mention one of the administrators, who regards such a union as "a social obscenity"--Roger and Virginia are determined not only to marry, but to raise a family. Virtually their only ally is teacher Bill Stein (Zalman King), who formulates a stringent training program to show the couple the obstacles that they will face, and must overcome, in their future lives. Like Normal People made its ABC debut on April 13, 1979, a scant three weeks after the broadcast of the similarly themed No Other Love. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shaun Cassidy, Linda Purl, (more)
Also known as Little Ladies of the Night, the story focuses on a teenager who runs away from home and finds herself in the sordid world of street-life prostitution. She gains help from a police officer, who is still connected to the underground since he formerly worked as a pimp. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
