Pernell Roberts Movies
Pernell Roberts worked such odd jobs as butcher, forest ranger and tombstone-maker while studying acting and singing and scouting around for off-Broadway jobs. Roberts' film debut, in a characteristic Deep Brooder role, was in 1958's Desire Under the Elms. From 1959 through 1966, Roberts co-starred as black-clad, taciturn Adam Cartwright on Bonanza. "Aloof, rebellious and outspoken" was how Bonanza producer David Dotort summed up Roberts, who fought tooth and nail over every real or imagined challenge to his integrity (his biggest beef was that he had to call Lorne Greene "Pa" rather than "Father"). Fed up with what he perceived as the series' declining quality, Roberts left Bonanza in 1966; it was explained to fans that "Adam" had left to study at a European university. Free of his TV series commitment, Roberts returned to his first love, the stage--and also divested himself of the toupee he'd been forced to wear as Adam. The actor played the straw-hat circuit in such musicals as Camelot and The King and I, all the while accepting film and TV roles that came up to his standards. Unfortunately, his stubbornness and standoffishness left a sour taste with co-workers and fans alike, and Roberts was unable to soar to the artistic heights to which he aspired. After years of declaring that he'd never again return to the grind of weekly television, Roberts accepted the role of Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre, chief of surgery at San Francisco memorial hospital, in the seven-season (1979-86) M*A*S*H spin-off Trapper John MD. In 1991 Pernell Roberts assumed the hosting duties of the TV anthology FBI: The Untold Stories. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1975
Looking like a million dollars in a series of fabulous outfits, Shirley Jones plays Jenny Dolan, an ex-investigative reporter. The widow of a wealthy businessman, Jenny suspects her husband met with foul play, and returns to reporting to prove her theory. She uncovers a political assassination plot, but never does solve her husband's murder...because this made-for-TV movie was the pilot for an unsold series, in which Jenny would have spent each week trying to get at the truth. She also would have gone from one exotic foreign locale to another, with an expensive change of wardrobe for each occasion. It should come as no surprise that Lives of Jenny Dolan was the first TV project of famed "glamour film" producer Ross Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this children's adventure, Paco, an orphaned Colombian boy leaves the family farm to search for his uncle in the big city. Unfortunately, he discovers that his only living relative is running a youthful gang of jewel thieves. More trouble ensues when he forces poor Paco to join them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Candidate for Murder stars Jimmy Stewart as folksy private detective Hawkins. Paul Burke costars as Hawkins' client, the campaign manager for a charismatic politician (John Ericson). A TV reporter who had threatened to release a damaging story about the politico has been murdered, and Burke is the Numero Uno suspect. Diana Hyland costars as the candidate's fiercely protective wife. Candidate for Murder originated as the March 5, 1974 episode of the Hawkins TV series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Originally seen on March 30, 1973, "Imitation" was the final first-run Mission:Impossible episode to be broadcast on CBS, even though it was the seventh of the 22 episodes filmed for the series' climactic 1972-73 season. Singer Barbara McNair guest stars as Jena Cole, the beautiful leader of a band of jewel thieves. With only 72 hours at their disposal, the IMF must recover the Marnsburg Crown Jewels from Jena's clutches. Going undercover as a crook, Barney joins the gang, only to inadvertently endanger the mission when Jena falls in love with him. "Imitation" was written by Edward J. Lasko. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1972
Scenes of the real Munich are interspersed with shots of studio mockups in Assignment: Munich. Roy Scheider stars as an American expatriate running a saloon in Munich (shades of Casablanca). He agrees to help the US government locate a cache of gold, appropriated by the Nazis during the war. This TV pilot was a long time in getting a network commitment--so long, in fact, that star Roy Scheider took another job in the interim. By the time the series premiered in the fall of 1972, the role played by Scheider had been rewritten several times for several actors; Robert Conrad, who was then "between jobs", ended up playing the part. The city of Munich was also "replaced", and the series was retitled Assignment: Vienna. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
In this mystery, ace-detective Bancek looks into the case of a missing coin valued at $3-million. The priceless object was stolen from a hotel vault. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Created for the "dime novels" in 1886, scientific detective Nick Carter has been transferred to film and radio several times in the past six decades, though most of these projects have tended to update his adventures. 1972's made-for-TV Adventures of Nick Carter restores the "turn of the century" surroundings of the original stories. Robert Conrad (somewhat older than his literary counterpart) portrays Nick Carter, a New York private investigator hired to locate the missing wife of a wealthy "robber baron" playboy. He also devotes some time to locating the murderer of a close friend. Though hampered by a tight budget, the film does a nice job recreating a 19th century world of crooked cops, graft-greedy politicians, all-powerful plutocrats, raggedy paper boys and Lower East Side lowlifes. Adventures of Nick Carter was one of three pilots for a projected "rotating" series of TV detective shows based on famed literary sleuths; the other two series in this aborted project were to have spotlighted the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Hildegarde Withers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Conrad, Shelley Winters, (more)
Filmed in Flagstaff, Arizona, The Bravos top-bills George Peppard as a frontier cavalry commander. It is Peppard's job to protect his fort, and the wagon train passengers sheltered within, from the 2000 Kiowa Indian warriors who dot the surrounding hills. This being a 1972 TV movie, the Native Americans are "savage" only when provoked. When they abduct Peppard's son Vincent Van Patten, it is in retribution for the death of their own chief's son. The Bravos was the 90-minute pilot film for a never-sold western series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
San Francisco International is a multiplotted drama set at the titular air transport center. Several storylines intersect at various junctures: A $3,000,000 cargo plane robbery, a teenaged boy commandeering an aircraft, and a violent confrontation between a nasty businessman and a an airheaded hippie. Presiding over these major and minor crises is airport manager Pernell Roberts. When San Francisco International became the TV series San Francisco International Airport, Lloyd Bridges stepped into the Van Johnson role. The series, which ran from 1970 to 1971, was part of NBC's Four in One umbrella weekly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
With no pressing assignments at hand, Phelps and Barney head to the Caribbean for a long-overdue vacation. Falling in love with gorgeous artist Alma Ross (Cicely Tyson), Barney finds himself framed for the murder of Alma's ex-boyfriend. The instigator of the frame-up is crooked police chief Manuel Corba (Pernell Roberts), the head of a private death squad that has already claimed some 70 victims. Summoning the rest of the IMF team to come to Barney's rescue, Phelps intends to put the sadistic Corba out of business for keeps. The impressive supporting cast includes such familiar faces as Leon Askin and John Schuck. Written by Laurence Heath, "Death Squad" was originally broadcast on March 15, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1969
- R
In this western, a Mexican desperado tries to flee his partner, a determined girl friend, and a US Marshal. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1969
- R
An American adventurer leads another man and a girl on an escape route out of Chinese communist-occupied Tibet. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1969
The Silent Gun refers to the weapon no longer toted by Westerner Lloyd Bridges. Once a notorious gunfighter, Bridges has vowed never to shoot again after nearly killing a little girl. Thus, when faced with evil town boss Pernell Roberts, Bridges must rely on his wits to come out on top. This made-for-TV western compromises its potential with dull dialogue sequences and uninspired direction. The Silent Gun was based on a concept by Batman creator Bob Kane. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Mercenary leader Colonel Han Krim (Pernell Roberts) promises to bring freedom to emerging African nations, all the while robbing the economic resources of those nations to fatten his own coffers. In order to discredit Krim and return his ill-gotten gains to their rightful owners, the IMF stages a spectacular gold heist. Only one possible crimp in the plan: There are only five IMF agents, while Krim boasts over three hundred followers. First telcast October 27, 1968, "The Mercenaries" was written by Laurence Heath. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1968
Vicious, cop-hating Frank Vincent (Pernell Roberts) threatens dire consequences when he is arrested on a drunk driving charge by Ed Brown (Don Galloway) and two other officers (one of whom is played by director-stuntman Hal Needham, the other by Bing Russell, father of film star Kurt Russell)). Later, both of his colleagues turn up dead, convincing Ed that Vincent is the killer; unfortunately, he has no proof, and is told to leave Vincent alone. Ultimately suspended from the force, Ed literally puts his life on the line to expose Vincent as a murderer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Communist agent Stephan Gomalk (Michael Strong) intends to take control of the small European democracy ruled by his "friend", President Beyron Rurich (Pernell Roberts). Caught in the middle is archaeologist William Bennett (Aaron Fletcher), who stumbled onto Gomalk's scheme, suffered a heart attack, and has been placed under maximum security by the villain's henchmen. The IMF agents have only 24 hours to rescue Bennett and squelch Gomalk's plans--and this will require a convincingly staged assassination attempt. Written by John O'Dea and Arthur Rowe, "Operation 'Heart'" first aired October 22, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1965
Bruce Yarnell pays a return visit to Bonanza as the Cartwright's cousin Muley Jones. Still the proud possessor of an ear-splitting singing voice, Muley is on this occasion accompanied by an equally noisy pack of hound dogs. Hoping to train the dogs to hunt the coyotes which have been preying upon the Ponderosa livestock, Hoss Cartwright gets into a passel of trouble when the dogs' real owner, a girl named Tracy (Sue Ann Langdon) shows up, claiming that the hounds were stolen from her. Written by Alex Sharp, "Hound Dog" first aired on March 21, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
Singer Hoyt Axton made his dramatic debut in this episode of Bonanza, which first aired April 4, 1965. Axton is cast as drifter Howard Mead, whose singing skills are matched only by his predilection for running afoul of the law. While trying to straigthen Mead out, Adam Cartwright is forced to defend his new friend against a robbery charge. But Adam's troubles are only beginning: Mead has fallen in love with Hilda Brunners (Susanne Cramer), the sister of the man (Steve Ihnat) Mead is accused of robbing. Written by Paul Schneider, "Dead and Gone" was the last Bonanza episode in which Pernell Roberts appeared, though not the last one to be telecast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
Virginia City is visited by one Thomas Crippen (Ashley Cowan), an Englishman who has travelled all over the world in search of the man who "murdered" his wife on the operating table. Crippen is convinced that a doctor named Mundy is guilty of the crime-and as it turns out, Mundy is the real name of Professor Poppy (Michael Rennie), a medicine showman whom Hoss Cartwright has befriended. Partially based on fact, "Once a Doctor" was written by Martha Wilkerson. The episode first aired on February 28, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
Adam Cartwright rescues long-suffering schoolteacher Barbara (Mariette Hartley), who has been tied to a burning post by her unruly pupils. While Barbara recovers from her ordeal, Adam takes over her classroom, determined to teach her contentious charges the history of the Nevada Territory. In so doing, he unexpectedly unearths some deep, dark and ugly secrets about several of the territory's leading citizens. First shown on March 7, 1965, "Right is the Fourth R" was written by Jerry Adelman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
Poor Ben Cartwright is unable to get any peace and quiet on the Ponderosa, thanks to his uncommonly noisy offspring and their friends. In desperate need of a few hours' sleep, he checks into the Virginia City hotel. Not unexpectedly, comic chaos ensues, much of it caused by a bickering husband and wife (Abigail Shelton, Robert Ridgely) and a man-chasing widow (Jean Willes. Scriptwriters Frank Cleaver and Jeffrey Fleece were responsible for this non-stop laugh riot. "A Good Night's Rest" originally aired on April 11, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
Telly Savalas guest-stars as Charles Hackett, the richest man in the world. Accustomed to getting what he wants, Hackett now covets the Ponderosa. When Ben Cartwright refuses to sell, Hackett uses every method at his disposal-fair and foul-to force Ben off his own property. But in so doing, Hackett all but destroys the one person in the world he genuine cares about: his beloved wife Maria (Linda Lawson). Though not the final episode in which series regular Pernell Roberts appeared, this was the final one to be telecast, on April 18, 1965. "To Own the World" was written by Ed Adamson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
Joe Cartwright and his friend Tuck (Warren Vanders) vie for the attentions of pretty Easterner Lucy Melviney (Brenda Scott), a sheltered young girl whose view of the world has been formed by the romantic literature she reads. When Lucinda is targeted for abduction by a renegade band of Paiutes, Joe and Tuck are determined to protect the girl from the harsh truths of the real world. Complicating matters is the fact that the renegades are led by Joe's boyhood chum Sharp Tongue (X Brands). Written by Mort R. Lewis, "The Far, Far Better Thing" originally aired on January 10, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
One of the handful of truly classic Bonanza episodes, "The Flapjack Contest" first aired January 3, 1965. Having entered the titular contest, Hoss Cartwright is put on a starvation diet by his brother Joe to ensure victory. Meanwhile, several other plot strands are woven into the proceedings, involving a bank heist, a glib con artist, a phony ruby-and an abundance of hilarious property damage. The supporting cast includes Johnny Seven as Trager, Mel Berger as Big Ed, Joan Huntington as Lily, Howard Wendell as the Banker, and and Olan Soulé as Ira. "The Flapjack Contest" was written by Frank Cleaver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
Dancer Barrie Chase, best known for her appearances on the TV specials of Fred Astaire, guest-stars in this Bonanza episode, written by her brother Frank Chase. Hoss Cartwright takes it upon himself to rescue racuous Kellie Conrad (Barrie) from dancing in saloons as her father Ned (Douglas Fowley) fiddles. Thanks to Hoss, Kellie realizes her dream of becoming a prima ballerina, with famed ballet master Paul Mandel (Warren Stevens as her mentor. One of the weaker Bonanza episodes, "The Ballerina" first aired January 24, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
