John Randolph Movies
CCNY and Columbia University alumnus John Randolph was first seen on Broadway in the 1937 opus Revolt of the Beavers. Randolph served in the Air Force in World War II, then resumed what seemed at the time to be an increasingly successful, near-unstoppable acting career. But in 1951, Randolph found himself on a specious "Commie sympathizers" list. After appearing as a hostile witness before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, Randolph was effectively blacklisted from movies, TV and radio commercials for the next twelve years. Fortunately, he could always rely upon the theatre to provide him an income, though it was touch-and-go for a while when a Broadway show in which he was appearing was picketed by anti-Red zealots. Throughout the 1950s, Randolph was featured in such major stage productions as Come Back Little Sheba, The Visit, Sound of Music and Case of Libel. In 1963, he was at long last permitted to guest-star on a network TV program, The Defenders. Appropriately, it was in an episode titled "Blacklist," which condemned the knee-jerk policy of banning artists because of their political views; ironically, Randolph was very nearly denied the part when the network complained that he hadn't been "cleared." Though he'd played a small part in 1948's The Naked City, Randolph's movie career began in earnest in 1965. In John Frankenheimer's Seconds, he was cast as aging businessman Arthur Hamilton, who through the magic of plastic surgery is given a fresh new identity (he emerges from the bandages as Rock Hudson)! Since his career renaissance, Hamilton hasn't stopped working before the cameras. He has been featured in films like Gaily Gaily (1969), Little Murders (1971), King Kong (1976), Heaven Can Wait (1978) Prizzi's Honor (1985; as Pop Prizzi); in TV movies like Wings of Kitty Hawk (1978; as Alexander Graham Bell) and The American Clock (1993); and as a regular in the TV series Angie (1979) Annie McGuire (1988) and Grand (1990). Though he'd probably rather you not mention it, Randolph is a dead ringer for former attorney general John Mitchell; accordingly, he played Mitchell in the TV miniseries Blind Ambition, and was heard but not seen in the same role in the 1976 theatrical feature All the President's Men. Despite the upsurge in his film and TV activities, Randolph has never abandoned the theatre: in 1986, he won a Tony Award for his work in Neil Simon's Broadway Bound. As if to slap the faces of those self-styled patriots who denied him work in the 1950s, Randolph has in recent years accepted the German Democratic Republic's Paul Robeson Award, and has served on the National Council for US-Soviet friendship. John Randolph has also served on the board of directors of all three major performing guilds: SAG, AFTRA and Equity. After taking on a variety of grandfatherly roles, including Jack Nicholson's father in Prizzi's Honor and Tom Hanks' grandfather in You've Got Mail), Randloph passed away at 88-years-old in April of 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In Paul Duran's witty comedy-drama, down-and-out Jerry (Will Stewart) chances upon an old woman Alma (Carol Gustafson) walking her dog. The lucky encounter leads to a job when Alma's daughter Helen (Stepfanie Kramer) hires him to look after her mother and the dog. Jerry quickly realizes that the job is more complicated than he originally surmised. Alma is foul tempered, and a trio of wizened bridge-play suitors make increasingly bizarre demands on Jerry, while Helen and her vivacious teenaged daughter both make sexual advances on him. Later, when he enlists the help of his African-American friends, an unfortunate clash ensues resulting in tragedy. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Will Foster Stewart, Stephanie Kramer, (more)
- 1996
In this film, there is a popular television game-show called "A Smoking Gun," whose purpose is to solve murders on the air. Nolan (Sam Trammell) is an intern with this show. His job is to investigate the claims of would-be contestants. In this case, he goes to a resort island off the Massachusetts/Rhode Island coasts. Lucille, a woman living in one of the island's hotels has been writing the show for months, claiming that several murders were committed where she lives, and that she knows because she helped commit them. Nolan, a good-spirited lad who wishes to believe the best of everyone, is misled from the beginning by various members of the local community, who claim that Lucille is making things up. Gus (John Randolph), the hotel caretaker, seeks to fulfill his great dream of becoming the owner of the hotel. To that end, while Nolan is busy courting a local girl, Gus reluctantly murders several more people (including Lucille) directly under Nolan's increasingly inattentive nose. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1996
TV weatherperson Monica (Roma Downey) and cameraman Andrew (John Dye) are on hand when hard-driving investigative journalist Rocky McCann (Kay Lenz) looks into rumors of child abuse in a foster home run by retired couple Horace and Zelda Wittenberg (John Randolph, Peg Phillips). Though Monica thinks that Rocky's motivations are honorable, Andrew does not--and as for the Wittenburgs, their lives are in a shambles. As it turns out, Rocky is allowing the tragedies of her own past to ruin the future of several innocent bystanders. Meanwhile, there's a mystery afoot: why is Special Angel Agent Sam (Paul Winfield) supervising Monica instead of the missing Tess (Della Reese)? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Sullen teenage orphan Johnny Miles (Josh Albee) is wrongfully accused of stealing from his foster parents. Running away from home, Johnny forms a bond with another youthful "runaway"--this one a leopard who has escaped from a nearby wild-animal compound. Both fugitives are sheltered by a harsh but lovable kennel owner, Angela Lakey (Dorothy McGuire), who senses that neither boy nor leopard are as bad as they're cracked up to be. Assuming the responsibility of caring for the animal, Johnny risks being captured by the authorities--and while his punishment will be relatively benign, the leopard might well be destroyed. Adapted from a novel by Victor Canning, The Runaways premiered April 1, 1975, on ABC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marie Trintignant, Irène Jacob, (more)
- 1994
In the first "official" episode of ER, Ross (George Clooney) tries to save the eight-year-old victim of a drunk driver, and finds time to visit Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies), still recovering from her botched suicide attempt (for which Ross holds himself partially responsible). Elsewhere, Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) has trouble securing psychiatric help for a mentally ill patient, and novice Carter (Noah Wyle) tackles the members of a wedding party who have been brought into the ER suffering from food poisoning. As for Greene (Anthony Edwards), his attentions are divided between his patients and his wife, Jenn (Christine Harnos), who is anxiously awaiting word as to whether or not she passed her bar exam. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this sentimental comedy, two British World War II veterans (played by English stage and screen veterans Sir Alec Guinness and Leo McKern) have come back to Normandy together to revisit the site of their most harrowing wartime experiences, to look up the gravesite of a fallen comrade, and to look up the prostitute (Jeanne Moreau) who put joy back into their lives. At their hotel, they meet Waldo (John Randolph), an American veteran, who is on a similar mission. Unlike them, however, he is saddled with the company of his disagreeable daughter and her stuffy husband (Geraldine Chaplin and Edward Herrmann) who think they are doing him a favor by coming with him. One highlight of the film is Moreau's rendition of the Edith Piaf classic, La vie en rose. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alec Guinness, Leo McKern, (more)
- 1993
This made-for-cable version of Arthur Miller's play The American Clock was adapted for television by Frank Galati. Inspired partly by Studs Terkel's oral history Hard Times, and partly by Miller's own recollections, the film is set at the beginning of the Depression. When the stock market crashes, the well-to-do Baumler family (John Rubinstein, Mary McDonnell, Loren Dean) loses everything. The Baumlers are forced to move from their plush penthouse apartment to the less-attractive Brooklyn digs of Mrs. Baumler's sister (Joanna Miles). Twelve-year-old Lee Baumler (Dean), the Arthur Miller counterpart, hits the road to find out how others are coping with the Long National Nightmare. The alternately depressing and uplifting storyline moves along briskly to a surprisingly abrupt climax. Kelly Preston, David Strathairn, Eddie Bracken, Darren McGavin, and Estelle Parson co-star in The American Clock, which premiered over the TNT Cable Network on August 23, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
The set of a popular daytime drama proves to be rife with intrigues that go far beyond the script. At the center is the show's temperamental star Joanna Rollins (a pre-Star Trek: Voyager Kate Mulgrew), whose millionaire husband turns up murdered. In her efforts to solve the case, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) receives assistance from a surprising source: Joanna's former costar and ex-lover, whom she had fired from the show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
While working as a janitor in a private detective's office, Al is mistaken for a "P.I." by a beautiful client named Vanessa Van Pelt (played by the formidable Traci Lords). Donning trench-coat and snap-brim, Al goes "noir" to help Vanessa claim a valuable gem which is in dangered of being pilfered by her greedy family--and for his troubles ends up accused of murder. This episode takes into account the recent real-life miscarriage of series star Katey Sagal by setting up a Dallas-like "explanation" as to why suddenly two of the characters are no longer pregnant, neatly negating EVERYTHING that has happened since the beginning of Season Six. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Roseanne's parents, Bev (Estelle Parsons) and Al Harris (John Randolph), stop by the Conner household for a surprise visit. The usually brash Roseanne is uncommonly scared to confront them. The family is shocked when Bev and Al announce that they will be moving to Lanford. Bruce Willis guest stars in this episode as himself. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1989
In this Thanksgiving episode, Jackie comes back from the police academy to have dinner with the Conners. Roseanne's mother, Bev (Estelle Parsons), is less than thrilled to hear that her daughter is going to be a cop. Dan's dad, Ed (Ned Beatty) tries to sweet-talk Crystal (Natalie West). ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Vital Signs stars Ed Asner and Gary Cole as father and son, both prominent surgeons. Asner's skills have diminished as his alcoholism increases. Cole returns to his home town to straighten his dad out. What no one knows is that Cole himself is a substance abuser, addicted to morphine. After several near-disasters and squabbling denials, father and son make a mutual pact to wean themselves away from their addictions--with tragic results. Vital Signs is a better than average "affliction of the week" TV movie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
As Summers Die was produced as an "HBO Premiere" attraction. Set in the segregationist South of the 1950s, the film pits the wealthy but decadent members of a landed-gentry white family against a feisty old black woman, on whose property oil has been discovered. Idealistic attorney Scott Glenn bucks the family--and the inbred prejudices of the community--to protect the woman's interests. He finds himself with two unsuspected allies in the forms of young Jamie Lee Curtis and ancient Bette Davis, two "renegade" members of the very family that wants to grab the oil-rich land. As Summers Die had its cable-TV debut on May 17, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
The Second Amendment of the Constitution forms the basis of this drama that follows the crusade of a lawyer to allow citizens to carry handguns. He launched his fight after his wife and daughter were killed during a robbery. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1985
In this thought-provoking exploration of the values, ethics and moral responsibility involved in filmmaking, a group of young Hollywood filmmakers flimflam a small conservative town into believing that they are making a screwball comedy when in reality they are making a porno flick. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cyril O'Reilly, Ken Michelman, (more)
- 1983
In this made-for-TV movie, two actors who pose as detectives on a television series lose their jobs, only to take up work as real crime fighters. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1983
This final episode of Quincy, M.E was planned as the pilot for a spinoff series titled The Cutting Edge, starring Barry Newman as Dr. Gabriel McCracken, the head of a humanitarian medical service called Project Hope. McCracken and his fellow doctors are dedicated to using state-of-the-art technology to heal the suffering and provide a new lease on life to people who might otherwise have given up the ghost. In the case at hand, McCracken and company re-attach the amputed arm of dockworker Kenny Kelso (Allen Fawcett), then try to help him cope with the possibility that his "good" arm is going bad. Though nominal leading man Quincy (Jack Klugman) has limited footage in this episode, his wife Emily (Anita Gillette) is prominently featured (reportedly, Gillette was to have been a regular on The Cutting Edge--which, unfortunately, remained unsold). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Cheryl Ladd seemed bound and determined in the early 1980s to prove that she was a "Charlie's Angel" no more; we probably would have taken her word for it even if she hadn't tried so hard and stridently. Made for television, Kentucky Woman found Ladd as a poverty-stricken waitress who becomes a coal miner, despite male opposition, damp boots and squealing rats. She does this to support her fatherless son and her miner dad (Ned Beatty), who is incapacitated by black lung disease. She does sixteen tons, and what does she get? Another bunch of lukewarm reviews and deeper in...well, that word doesn't rhyme with "get." Kentucky Woman was filmed on location in Paintsville, Kentucky. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
The opening episode of Quincy, M.E.'s eighth season finds medical examiner Quincy (Jack Klugman in the middle of another sociological dilemma. 14-year-old Ethan Kellough (DeVoreaux White, former member of a vicious street gang called the "Ravnes", is the prime suspect in the drive-by shooting of a child. The powers-that-be demanding Ethan's arrest have also targeted a halfway house for troubled children, run by inner-city activist Rick Dorado (Gregory Sierra), where Ethan is undergoing a rehab program. It is up to Quincy to determine Ethan's guilt or innocence--and, hopefully, to save Dorado's program from being closed down. Anita Gillette, who had appeared in an earlier Quincy episode as the hero's late wife Helen, joins the series' regular cast in the role of psychiatrist Emily Hanover. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Linda Purl stars as Nellie Bly, famed 19th century female journalist, in this "Classics Illustrated" TV movie. A tireless crusader, Nellie exposes corruption amongst the rich of New York and miserable working conditions amongst the poor. In her most famous exploit, Nellie decides to emulate Jules Verne's Phineas Fogg by travelling around the world in 80 days-or less. Gene Barry, Raymond Buktenica, J.D. Cannon and John Randolph costar, the last-named actor playing Nellie's boss Joseph Pulitzer. Filmed in 1979, The Adventures of Nellie Bly was first telecast June 11, 1981. ~ 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
Based on the best-selling memoirs of Lillian Rogers Parks, the NBC miniseries Backstairs at the White House traces over five decades of American political history as witnessed from the vantage point of the servants' quarters. Played by Tania Johnson as a teenager and by Leslie Uggams as an adult, Lillian Rogers Parks served for 52 years as a maidservant at the White House. Though crippled early on with polio, Lillian diligently and loyally stuck to her duties -- and her own rock-solid set of principles and ideals -- through eight highly different Presidential administrations, often (and occasionally reluctantly) acting as friend and confidante to the First Lady of the moment. The large and stellar cast included a number of top-rank film and TV actors, obviously having the time of their lives impersonating such presidents as William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, and their respective wives. Also in the cast were several African-American veterans from the landmark TV miniseries Roots. Earning 11 Emmy Award nominations, the nine-hour Backstairs at the White House was seen in five installments from January 29 to February 19, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leslie Uggams, Olivia Cole, (more)
- 1979
In this opening episode of M*A*S*H's eighth season, the 4077th pays host to Pvt. Paul "Look Out Below" Conway (Ed Begley Jr.), the clumsiest man in the army--any army. Though Conway is a total loss as a soldier, he turns out to be a brilliant gourmet chef, which is why the doctors and nurses are bending over backward to keep him in camp. Meanwhile, Col. Potter (Harry Morgan) wrestles with a profoundly personal problem. Longtime series regular Gary Burghoff (Radar) is billed as a "guest star", reflecting the fact that he would soon be leaving the 4077th. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
The 8-hour TV miniseries Blind Ambition was originally telecast May 20 through 23, 1979. This 105-minute feature-film version, prepared in 1982, seems a bit rushed at times, but overall does a credible and coherent job of storytelling. Based on John Dean's book Blind Ambition, with elements of Maureen Dean's Mo woven in by screenwriter Stanley R. Greenberg, this is the saga of the Watergate affair, as experienced by Dean (Martin Sheen) and hia wife Maureen (Theresa Russell). As the Nixon administration goes down in flames, the Deans' marriage is sorely tested-as is Dean's success-at-any-price credo. Rip Torn plays Nixon like something out of a Greek Tragedy; some viewers accepted his interpretation, others found it jarringly inaccurate. Others in the cast of "usual suspects" include Michael Callan as Charles Colson, Lonny Chapman as L. Patrick Gray, William Daniels as G. Gordon Liddy, Fred Grandy as Donald Segretti, Christopher Guest as Jeb Magruder, Lawrence Pressman as H. R. Haldeman, William Windom as Richard Kleindienst, James Greene as E. Howard Hunt, Logan Ramsey as J. Edgar Hoover, and Al Checco as judge John Sirica. Also known as The John Dean Story, Blind Ambition earned two Emmy nominations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Sheen, Theresa Russell, (more)
- 1978
This biographical film chronicles the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright's determination to make their dream of flight a reality. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
