Roy Roberts Movies
Tall, silver-maned character actor Roy Roberts began his film career as a 20th Century-Fox contractee in 1943. Nearly always cast in roles of well-tailored authority, Roberts was most effective when conveying smug villainy. As a hotel desk clerk in Gentleman's Agreement (1947), he suavely but smarmily refused to allow Jews to check into his establishment; nineteen years later, Roberts was back behind the desk and up to his old tricks, patronizingly barring a black couple from signing the register in Hotel (1966). As the forties drew to a close, Roberts figured into two of the key film noirs of the era; he was the carnival owner who opined that down-at-heels Tyrone Power had sunk so low because "he reached too high" at the end of Nightmare Alley (1947), while in 1948's He Walked By Night, Roberts enjoyed one of his few sympathetic roles as a psycho-hunting plainclothesman. And in the 3-D classic House of Wax, Roberts played the crooked business partner of Vincent Price, whose impulsive decision to burn down Price's wax museum has horrible consequences. With the role of bombastic Captain Huxley on the popular Gale Storm TV series Oh, Susanna (1956-1960), Gordon inaugurated his dignified-foil period. He later played long-suffering executive types on The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction and The Lucy Show. Roy Roberts last appeared on screen as the mayor in Roman Polanski's Chinatown (1974). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1967
Hoping to attend a sale at Stacy's Department Store, Lucy (Lucille Ball) ducks out of work by fabricating a story about being seriously ill. Unfortunately, the ruse blows up in her face when she shows up at Stacy's and is promptly lauded as the store's ten-millionth customer. The trick now is to prevent Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) from seeing Lucy's picture in the paper. Just when it looks as if Lucy's goose is cooked, Mooney's boss Mr. Cheever (Roy Roberts) unexpectedly comes to the rescue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Jane Croft, Roy Roberts, (more)
- 1967
Singer-comedian Dennis Day guest stars as Cornelius Heatherington Jr. the octogenarian president of the Wesleyan bank. To keep Heatherington in a good mood while he and boss Cheever (Roy Roberts) arrange a banquet in the old guy's honor, Mooney (Gale Gordon) persuades Lucy to be Heatherington's date--a task that requires our heroine to don an elaborate "age" makeup, complete with grey wig and shawl. What results is one of The Lucy Show's most energetic episodes ever, as the young-at-heart Heatherington enthusiastically squires Lucy's superannuated alter ego "Amelia Van Dyne." (Trivia note: At the time this episode was filmed, Dennis Day was actually all of 49 years old--or roughly eight years younger than Lucille Ball!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Day, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1967
Singer Frankie Avalon guests in this episode as Thomas Cheever, the nephew of Mooney's boss Mr. Cheever (Roy Roberts). Although the elder Cheever wants Thomas to give up his dreams of a showbiz career and go into the banking business, Lucy (Lucille Ball) becomes convinced that the boy has star potential--and to prove it, she arranges an "accidental" meeting between Thomas and talent scout Mr. Penrose (Lew Parker). Frankie Avalon sings "Walking Happy" and a spoof of "I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover", then shows off his skill as a trumpeter in the ensemble number "When the Feeling Hits You." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Avalon, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1967
Dave Draper, Mr. Universe of 1967, appears in this episode. As part of a scheme to lure the Clampett account to his bank, Mr. Cushing (Roy Roberts) arranges a date between Draper and Elly May. The hapless muscleman finds himself at the mercy of "Doctor" Granny, who believes that his bulging biceps are a sign of a new and horrible affliction called "barbell bloat." Also appearing is beach-movie perennial John Ashley as Troy Apollo. "Mr. Universe Muscles In" was originally telecast on October 25, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Tennessee Ernie Ford, who'd made three major guest appearances on the old [#I Love Lucy, is back for more on The Lucy Show. With Mr. Mooney's job in jeopardy unless he can land a big bank account, Lucy (Lucille Ball) tries to persuade millionaire country singer Homer Higgins (Ford) and his singing family (The Bank Porch Majority) to invest their savings in the bank. To expedite this plan, Lucy passes herself and her boss off as the countrified couple Irma and Josh Mooney--and then arranges for the bank to host an after-hours hoedown! Roy Roberts makes his first series appearance in the role of Mooney's boss Mr. Cheever, while Tennessee Ernie Ford sings "The Ladies' Auxiliary Barn Dance." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tennessee Ernie Ford, Roy Roberts, (more)
- 1967
Nina Foch guest-stars as Clarissa, Ben Cartwright's snooty Eastern cousin. Swooping down upon the Ponderosa, the well-meaning but insufferable Clarissa manages to alienate all of the Cartwrights' friends-and even worse, causes ranch cook Hop Sing to tender his resignation. It has been suggested that Chester Krumholz' teleplay was specifically designed to prove that a regular female character would be disastrous for Bonanza. Whatever the reasons for its gestation, "Clarissa" originally aired on April 30, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1967
On the eve of her vacation to Lake Arrowhead, Lucy (Lucille Ball) is introduced to Audrey Fields (Ruta Lee), her temporarily replacement at the bank. Accurately sizing up the bleach-blonde Audrey as a conniving predator who hopes to permanently replace Lucy by playing up to Mooney (Gale Gordon), Lucy decides to stick around town long enough to show up Audrey for the phony that she is. This mission, of course, requires a few clever disguises--and that is why Lucy shows up at various junctures impersonating an interior decorator, a carper shampooer, and a wealthy (and elderly) depositor! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ruta Lee, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1967
Joe Cartwright's impending marriage to the lovely Sally Cutler (Shirley Bonne) is threatened by the girl's unwanted suitor Horace (Beau Bridges), who is not only clumsy and inept, but also potentially dangerous. When Horace accidently strangles Sally to death, Joe swears vengeance. Ben tries to prevent his son from making a mistake he'll regret the rest of his life. Also appearing are Lurene Tuttle as Mrs. Cutler and Roy Roberts as Bristol. First shown on January 8, 1967, "Justice" was written by Richard Wendley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Once again, city-bred farmer Oliver Douglas (Eddie Albert) decides to stand firm on his principles -- only to fall flat on his face. Upon receiving a tax notice that makes absolutely no sense to him, Oliver vows not to pay the bill until someone explains just what he's paying for. Unfortunately, the only person who might have a logical explanation is Oliver's assemblyman -- who, per the episode's title, is nowhere to be found. Watch for It's a Wonderful Life supporting actress Mary Treen as a laconic telephone operator. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Called up for two weeks' service as a Naval reserve Lieutenant Commander, Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) is reluctantly committed to be first officer on the submarine manned by Commander Moore (Robert Carson)--and it's all because of Lucy's well-meaning interference. But wait--there's more! Obliged to deliver an important message to Mooney, Lucy (Lucille Ball) is forced to disguise herself as a male sailor. A literally explosive climax caps this waterlogged misadventure, in which future Lucy Show semi-regular Roy Roberts (Mr. Cheever) appears as an admiral. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Roberts, Robert Carson, (more)
- 1966
Granny is both astonished and flattered when she finds herself courted by two distinguished suitors: Milburn Drysdale's father-in-law Lowell Farquahr (Charlie Ruggles) and Drysdale's banking rival Mr. Cushing (Roy Roberts). Of course, the audience knows that both men are merely interested in Granny's money -- but try telling that to Granny. Jo Ann Pflug appears as Lil. "Granny Lives It Up" was first broadcast on November 23, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Latter-day Scrooge Homer Bedloe (Charles Lane) shows up in Hooterville at Christmastime with a noticeable lack of good cheer. Bedloe plans to foil a plan formulated by Kate (Bea Benaderet) to use the Hooterville Cannonball to distribute presents and transports Christmas carolers throughout the Valley. This episode is a virtual word-for-word remake of the Season One effort "A Cannonball Christmas", this time filmed in color with several different cast members; curiously, although "A Cannonball Christmas" was repeated in Season Two, "The Santa Claus Special" aired but once on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Originally trade-previewed as Those Crazy Calloways, Disney's Those Calloways is a lengthy, anecdotal film about a highly individualistic New England family. Patriarch Cam Calloway (Brian Keith) is regarded as a crank by the local villagers because of his dream to build a bird sanctuary that will protect migratory geese from hunters. Cam uses all his savings to buy a lake, where he intends to establish his sanctuary. When a wealthy sportsman offers to turn the town into a booming resort community in exchange for hunting rights, Cam opposes the plan, which briefly puts him on the outs with everyone else. Only when Cam is accidentally shot by the sportsman do the locals rally around the "crazy" Calloways so that Cam's sanctuary can come to fruition. The plot of Those Calloways can best be described as picaresque; the film is most successful in establishing mood and atmosphere, and in offering a vast array of distinctive characterizations from such pros as Brian Keith, Vera Miles, Brandon de Wilde, Walter Brennan, Ed Wynn, John Larkin, Parley Baer, John Qualen, and Paul Hartman. Look for young Linda Evans as the girl friend of the oldest Calloway boy (DeWilde) and for future Picket Fences star Tom Skerritt as the town bully. Those Calloways was based on Swiftwater, a novel by Paul Annixter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Keith, Vera Miles, (more)
- 1965
Unsuccessful football coach Burt Payne (Bill Williams) wants to sell his share of the Wildcats pro football team to a cartel of investors, but his wealthy wife Ellen (Mona Freeman) vetoes the deal. Even so, Ellen arranges a meeting with one of the investors--just before Burt is killed in a mysterious explosion. Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) is on hand when Burt's remains are delivered to Los Angeles by train. . .and also happens to be in the vicinity when another murder occurs and the wrong person is accused. Several real-life members of the Los Angeles Rams appear as themselves in this episode, which ends with a frenetic chase sequence filmed on location at LA Memorial Colisseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Hired by Dr. Philip Stark (Donald Murphy) to care for his invalid wife Frances, college coed Betty Kaster (Margaret Bly) goes to Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) with her suspicions that Stark plans to murder Frances for her $2,000,000 inheritance. A murder does indeed take place, but it's Stark who is killed and it's Betty who is charged with the crime. In mounting Betty's defense, Perry must wade through a veritable Tsunami of greedy relatives, and must also contend with the victim's not-so-secret girlfriend Jill Fenwick (Joan O'Brian). And there's another complication: Is the "helpless" Frances Stark really all she claims to be? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Despite his defeat in the earlier episode "Clampett's Millions," banker John Cushing has not abandoned his efforts to convince the Clampetts to transfer their millions into his bank. This time around, he offers Jed Clampett a vice-presidency in exchange for the Clampett account. In a barely related subplot, Jed has taken it upon himself to be the top handyman of Beverly Hills, and to that end, is ambling around the neighborhood with a wheelbarrow full of tools. "The Big Bank Battle" originally aired on May 5, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Bob Holcomb (Bob Hope) is a widower who worries about his teenage daughter JoJo (Tuesday Weld) in this light romantic comedy. He doesn't care much for JoJo's boyfriend Kenny (Frankie Avalon) because the smooth operator has a motorcycle and some money. Bob manages to get his company to transfer him to Sweden, which effectively separates Kenny and his daughter. JoJo adapts to her new surroundings and starts to date Erik Carlson (Jeremy Slate), an idle playboy and lothario. All of a sudden, Kenny seems all right by Bob, who tries to convince him to come to Sweden and fight for the woman he loves. Bob's new flame Karin (Dina Merrill) is less-than-sympathetic to Bob's babbling about the double standards he sets for his daughter. Maudie Prickett plays a man-hungry spinster, and the musical group The Vulcanes help out with some of the feature's 12 songs. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Hope, Tuesday Weld, (more)
- 1965
Under the spell of a James Bond movie, Jethro gives up his lifelong ambition to be a brain surgeon, and decides instead to become a "double-naught spy." He runs out and purchases what he thinks is the latest espionage paraphernalia, including a gadget-laden car that doesn't quite work as planned. Meanwhile, banker Drysdale's rival John Cushing (Roy Roberts) cooks up a scheme to convince Jed to put the Clampett millions in Cushing's bank. Part one of a two-episode story arc, "Double Naught Jethro" first aired on March 3, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this concluding episode of a two-part story arc, banker John Cushing (Roy Roberts) uses Jethro as a means to convince Jed Clampett to transfer his millions into Cushing's bank. Inasmuch as Jethro aspires to become a "Double-Naught spy" like James Bond, Cushing persuades the big oaf to embark upon a "secret mission" to pry the Clampett fortune away from Mr. Drysdale. "Clampett's Millions" originally aired on March 10, 1965. The episode yielded enough belly laughs to warrant a fourth-season sequel, "The Private Eye." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Homer Bedloe (Charles Lane) finally thinks he's found a way to scrap the Hooterville Cannonball. It seems that the local Umquaw Indian tribe claims that they own the land which holds the Cannonball's railroad tracks--and Bedloe wastes no time cozying up to the tribal leaders (meaning a lot of "How!" and "Ugh!" talk that wouldn't past muster in today's more PC-sensitive atmosphere). In keeping with 1960s sitcom tradition, the Umquaw tribe is comprised primarily of non-Indian character actors, including master dialectician Benny Rubin and Love Boat's future "Doc",Bernie Kopell! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Railroad president Norman Curtis (Roy Roberts) feels that his pet basset hound should get out of the house for a while. Thus, Curtis sends the pooch for a brief stay at the Shady Rest Hotel. This provides a golden opportunity to Curtis' second in command Homer Bedloe (Charles Lane), who cooks up a doggedly clever scheme that will get the Shady Rest staff in trouble with Curtis, thereby providing him an excuse to scrap the Hooterville Cannonball. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Lazy Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) is faced with two problems: How to bring customers to the Shady Rest, and how to dig a drainage ditch at the lowest possible cost. Joe ends up tackling both problems by speading the rumor that there's been a valuable silver strike on the Shady Rest property. Glenn Strange, whose other roles include the Frankenstein monster and Gunsmoke's Sam the Bartender, is seen as would-be prospector Hawley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Sight unseen, the staff of "Event" magazine chooses the Munsters as a "typical American family." Not wishing to be part of this enterprise, a sullen Grandpa (Al Lewis) sabotages the interview and photo shoot--and Herman (Fred Gwynne) and Lily (Yvonne Carlo) manage to make things worse purely by accident. This episode marks the final appearance of Beverly Owen as Marilyn Munster, a role played for the remainder of the series by Pat Priest. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
A pair of enterprising sharpsters, James and Mabel Johnson (Murvyn Vye, Kathleen Freeman), take the Clampetts to court after a minor traffic accident. Wrapping themselves in bandages, the Johnsons spin a lucid account of how they were seriously injured by the "drunken" Clampett family, while a slick attorney (Dean Harens) prevents the defendants from telling their side of the story. Finally, Jed Clampett, acting as his own attorney, insists that the Judge (Roy Roberts) listen to a few facts, and as a result, Mr. Johnson incurs some real injuries at the hands of his outraged wife. First shown on May 1, 1963, "The Clampetts in Court" was The Beverly Hillbillies' highest-rated episode to date, and would remain the ninth most popular of the series' 274 installments. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
First telecast October 18, 1963, the pedestrian Twilight Zone episode "A Kind of a Stopwatch" was scripted by Rod Serling from a story by Michael D. Rosenthal. Richard Erdman stars as McNulty, a nonstop talker and crashing bore. Unable to engage anyone in conversation, McNulty decides to manufacture a few "pregnant pauses" of his own with the aid of a magic stopwatch, given to him by a batty barfly named Potts (Leon Belasco). Though essentially a comedy, "A Kind of a Stopwatch" boasts an unusually unsettling denouement. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Erdman, Leon Belasco, (more)
