Alex Rocco Movies
In films from 1965, American actor Alex Rocco specialized in tough-guy roles, sometimes leavening his hard-bitten portrayals with a dash of roguish humor. Rocco's film assignments included such parts as gangster Legs Diamond in St. Valentine's Day Massacre (1967) and Moe Greene in The Godfather (1974). He has been a regular or semi-regular on a number of television shows, beginning with 1975's Three for the Road, in which he starred as free-lance photographer (and full-time family man) Pete Karras. Alex Rocco has since been seen in such TVers as The Facts of Life as Mr. Polaznek, Sibs as Howie Roscio, The Famous Teddy Z as Al Floss, and The George Carlin Show as Harry Rossetti. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A car wreck causes the lives of 15 strangers to unexpectedly collide in this independent comedy drama. It's Father's Day, and Ted (William Forsythe) is out on the road with his 19-year-old son Josh (Dan Byrd). When Josh slams on the brakes to avoid hitting a dog along a two-lane highway in the country, his car is rear-ended by Lorraine (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), a cellist en route to a gig. Josh's car hits a telephone pole which soon blocks the road, and a traffic jam results. Among the folks waiting for the road to clear are Lilac (Gina Torres) and her lesbian girlfriend Rose (Mariah O'Brien), who is about to have a baby and needs medical help. Jerry (David DeLuise) and Curt (Christopher Amitrano) are a pair of half-bright rednecks who have stolen an ATM machine and are trying to figure out how to liberate the cash from it when they're enlisted to help Rose have her child. Divorcé Dale (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is spending the day with his kids Robert (Skyler Gisondo) and Brianna (Marissa Blanchard), but he isn't sure how to break the news he'll soon be moving away and won't see them very often. Gary (Jonathan Silverman) and Judy (Julie Claire) are a bickering yuppie couple at odds over the fact they haven't been able to have a baby. Amy (Amanda Detmer) is on her way to her wedding, and her friends Stephanie (Amanda Foreman) and Jen (Elizabeth Bogush) are there to lend support, but Amy is having second thoughts and Stephanie knows something that would have a very serious effect on the nuptials. And Mick (Alex Rocco) is a middle-aged man traveling with his wife Ruby (Tess Harper) who ends up acting as an advisor on affairs of the heart to several other stranded motorists. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2003
50 years ago, the Egyptian Theater was founded to "celebrate children." But in the intervening decades, theater owner Ben Horner (Alex Rocco) has come to despise all children, especially the juvenile delinquents who vandalize the Egyptian on a daily basis. Moreover, the theater's current resident company is comprised of pompous, self-serving actors who could care less about entertaining youngsters. Monica (Roma Downey) and the other angels endeavor to restore the Egyptian's original mission--and to bring the various warring factions together on common ground. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
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Based on a real-life 1994 scandal involving college basketball point-shaving, Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie stars David Krumholtz as the title character. Though a mere freshman on the campus of Arizona State University, Benny Silman (Krumholtz) is in charge of accepting all bets for the school's basketball games, under the watchful eye of his mentor, a high-rolling Las Vegas gambler (Nicholas Turturro). It isn't long before Benny is operating his own bookie ring, raking in big bucks at every turn. The beginning of the end for Benny occurs when A.S.U. basketball star Stevin "Hedake" Smith (Tory Kittles) suggests that he'd like a piece of the action, too. Although the Benny Silman depicted onscreen remains unrepentant and unapologetic, even when getting his just desserts at the hands of the authorities, the real Silman appears in the film's epilogue, equipped with an unexpected "Don't let this happen to you!" admonition. Filmed on location in California and Nevada (not surprisingly, the producers were unable to line up shooting dates in Arizona), the made-for-cable Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie debuted March 31, 2002 over the FX network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Krumholtz, Jennifer Morrison, (more)
- 2001
At a charity car wash organized by Chris (voice of Seth Green), Meg (voice of Mila Kunis), Stewie (voice of Seth MacFarlane), and Chris find a wallet containing some cash. Joe (voice of Patrick Warburton) tells the kids that they have to post a notice about the missing wallet and wait two weeks before they can claim it as their own. Suddenly, a thief grabs the wallet and runs off, sending Joe on a high-speed chase in his wheelchair. Joe manages to retrieve the wallet, but the thief escapes. Joe sinks into a deep depression. It's the first time he's ever "lost a perp," and he considers quitting the police force. Peter (MacFarlane) raises Joe's spirits by convincing Joe to compete in the "Special Peoples' Games" and training him for the decathlon. "Today we'll see some of Quahog's finest athletes struggle valiantly against God's twisted designs," announces Tom Tucker (MacFarlane) on the day of the event. When Joe begins to doubt his chances after falling behind, Peter makes an inspirational speech. "Did George W. Bush quit even after losing the popular vote? No. Did he quit after losing millions of dollars of his father's friends' money in failed oil companies? No. Did he quit after he got that DUI? No...." Determined to see his friend victorious, Peter steals some steroids from the pharmacy and "juices" Joe's water bottle. Their friendship grows strained, however, after Joe wins and becomes a national celebrity, and downplays Peter's contribution to his victory. Meanwhile, Meg, Stewie, and Chris grow increasingly paranoid about who gets to hold onto the wallet, eventually asking Brian (MacFarlane) to watch it for them. This episode features the voices of Tony Danza, Valerie Bertinelli, and Alex Rocco. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Three guys from New Jersey decide they need some male bonding with their fathers -- whether their fathers like it or not -- in this independent comedy. When his grandfather dies, Richie Gallo (Scott Baio) finds himself thinking about his relationship with his family, and realizes that he barely knows his aging father Jimmy (Dean Stockwell). Richie discusses his emotionally distant relationship with his dad with his pals Al (Carlo Imperato) and Philly (Thomas Calabro), and they confess they aren't much closer to their own fathers -- and their fractured family lives have had an impact on their less-than-stable relationships with women. Richie decides they should get closer to their dads before it's too late, so Richie, Al, and Philly fast-talk their fathers Jimmy, Charlie (Joe Viterelli), and Phil (Alex Rocco) into joining them for a long weekend getaway of family bonding, though the older men are hardly enthusiastic about the idea. Star Scott Baio co-wrote the screenplay for Face to Face, which was based on a story he wrote with Adam Ferrara and fellow cast member Carlo Imperato. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Stockwell, Alex Rocco, (more)
- 1996
Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt) have decided to hold off telling everyone that Jamie is pregnant until the couple can make a formal announcement at their Thanksgiving dinner. This plan is undermined by a number of "security leaks" in the office of gynecologist Joan Golfinos (Suzie Plakson). The ending offers six degrees of surprises thanks to an unheralded guest star. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Following the death of a pregnant woman undergoing routine surgery, an anesthesiologist is falsely accused of drug abuse and charged with murder. Desperate to prove his innocence, the doctor escapes and quietly launches his own investigation into the tragedy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Matheson, Emma Samms, (more)
- 1993
Made for television, the two-part, four-hour Love, Honor and Obey: The Last Mafia Marriage is the true story of "mob wife" Rosalie Profaci Bonanno, here played by Nancy McKeon. Inasmuch as the teleplay is based on Ms. Bonanno's memoirs, it is perhaps understandable that she casts herself as an innocent bystander in the ongoing saga of Mafia activity in the United States, totally ignorant (at least at first) as to how her father Joe Profaci (Tomas Milian) and his chief mob rival Joseph Bonanno (Ben Gazzara) support themselves and their families. It is further suggested that Rosalie is completely in the dark concerning the mob connections of her husband Bill (Eric Roberts), Joe Bonanno's son; after all, how could anything be amiss when the Pope Himself calls to congratulate the bride and groom? Ultimately Rosalie sees the light when her husband enters a war against opposing mob families, and is subsequently thrown in prison. The rest of the story chronicles how Rosalie struggles to escape the onus of "Mafia princess", seeking out honest, mainstream work to take care of herself and her children. Love, Honor and Obey: The Last Mafia Marriage originally aired Mary 23 and 25, 1993 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The millionaire of the title is Joan Rivers, an over-aged Beverly Hills brat whom many of the film's characters want to see dead or in rags. Armed with only her mile-a-minute mouth, Rivers fends off con men, fortune hunters, and would-be murderers--among them, possibly, her own husband (Alex Rocco). Thank heaven for her faithful household staff, headed by manic chef Mesach Taylor. The villains include Morgan Fairchild and David Ogden Stiers, for whom the audience may be rooting after fifteen minutes or so. How to Murder a Millionaire was made for TV--but not for my TV. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joan Rivers, Alex Rocco, (more)
- 1990
In this thriller, a suburban housewife begins playing detective after she overhears a neighborhood conspiracy to kill someone on her baby's intercom. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1990
After watching the ultra-violent cartoon series The Itchy & Scratchy Show with Bart (voice of Nancy Cartwright) and Lisa (voice of Yeardley Smith), little Maggie picks up a hammer and attacks Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta), much as the cartoon mouse pummeled the cat. Marge (voice of Julie Kavner) is convinced the show's violence helped provoke the attack, and writes a letter of concern to the show's producer, Roger Meyers Jr. (voice of Alex Rocco). Meyers responds by calling Marge a screwball; angry, Marge organizes S.N.U.H. (Springfieldians for Nonviolence, Understanding, and Helping) to protest the cartoon's carnage. S.N.U.H.'s activities lead to a nationwide boycott of Itchy & Scratchy, and with profits plummeting, Marge is brought in to help write episodes of the show that would be more acceptable to concerned parents. Under Marge's supervision, Itchy & Scratchy becomes a kinder, gentler show; it's also not very funny. While their parents may approve, the kids lose interest and the show's ratings hit the skids. "Itchy & Scratchy & Marge" first aired on December 20, 1990. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1989
"FYI"'s resident airhead Corky (Faith Ford) wins her first Humboldt Award for her special report "The Women's Touch at West Point", leaving Murphy (Candice Bergen) and Frank (Joe Regalbuto) stewing at the starting gate. Hoping to capitalize on all the publicity, Miles (Grant Shaud) assigns Corky to the show's next BIG STORY--adding insult to injury by asking Murphy to help the novice newscaster with her report. Alex Rocco carries over his characterization of oily talent agent Al Floss from the CBS sitcom The Fabulous Teddy Z (seems that Al also represents Corky and Frank!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Dyan Cannon plays the title character, a middle-aged housewife and mother who enjoys singing in local amateur contests. Almost overnight, she becomes a nationally famous rock star, with all the attendant trappings of glamour and adulation. But fame has its price: As Cannon rises to the top of her profession, she neglects her two teenaged children. Heather Locklear guest stars as a rocker who calls herself Darcy X; also in the cast is a pre-stardom Fran Drescher. Rock 'n' Roll Mom was originally telecast on The Disney Sunday Movie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dyan Cannon, Telma Hopkins, (more)
- 1987
Hunter (Fred Dryer) finds it curious that burglary victim Carol Benson (Cindy Morgan) is reluctant to assist in his investigation of the theft of her diamond necklace. What Hunter doesn't know is that the necklace was a phony, and that the adulterous Mrs. Benson has resorted to fraud in order to provide financial support to her current lover. The lady's chickens come home to roost in a disastrous manner when she tries to buy back the stolen goods from the bewildered thief. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Few men in the publishing industry have more enemies than Christopher Bundy (Bert Convy), who has converted a once respectable magazine into a lurid tabloid specializing in tell-all exposes and pictures of nude women. Jessica (Angela Lansbury) angrily shows up at Bundy's Connecticut headquarters to protest his plans to reprint her first murder story in his magazine. Inevitably, Bundy is murdered, and Jessica's old friend Chester Harrison (Robert Stack) is accused of the crime--but Harrison is only one of several people whose closeted skeletons had been exposed by the ruthless Mr. Bundy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
This TV pilot film stars Carl Weathers as Harry Braker, an ex-Marine who is his city's only African American police lieutenant. Tough but tender, Braker bends the rules to help the helpless. Braker's team of co-workers is the usual cop-show manifest: The gonzo (Randall "Tex" Cobb), the green newcomer (Joseph Bottoms) and the drop-dead gorgeous babe (Ann Schedeen). Their assignment this time out is to find the killer of a prominent producer and director, both of whom were engaged in the manufacture of porno films. Braker was telecast back to back on April 28, 1985 with another busted pilot, Brothers in Law. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Crooked promoter Sonny Monroe (Alex Rocco) is fixing boxing matches and using the prize money for his illegal drug-trafficking racket. When amateur boxer Billy Marquette (Daniel Faraldo) is ordered by Monroe to take a dive, Billy's family seeks out the A-Team for help. In a twinkling, B.A. (Mr. T.) has gone undercover as boxer "Volcano Johnson", with Hannibal (George Peppard) as his manager and Murdock (Dwight Schultz). Featured in the cast are veteran ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Sr. and ill-fated starlet Lana Clarkson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Based on the true story that took place in Harlem during 1971, this made-for-TV crime drama centers on assistant district attorney Robert Tanenbaum's desperate search for a trio of cop killers. Tanenbaum (James Woods) is assisted by an equally determined detective (Yaphet Lau Kotto). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Woods, Yaphet Kotto, (more)
- 1985
Jerry Orbach makes his first series appearance as gruff but golden-hearted Boston private detective Harry McGraw. While researching a 25-year-old murder for her latest book, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) engages the services of McGraw's partner Archie Miles (Maltese Falcon fans take note!) When Miles is murdered, McGraw joins forces with Jessica to find out if his partner's probe of the "old" case was the cause of his death--or could it have been one of the other two cases which Miles was also digging into? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
While the made-for-TV The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank sure looks like a pilot film, nobody involved would fess up to this. Based on the writings of humorist Erma Bombeck, the film stars Carol Burnett and Charles Grodin as an upwardly mobile New York couple who move themselves and their family to suburbia. What follows is a 1970s variation on Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, with lawn disasters, commuting problems, Little League intrigues and "committee-itis" thrown into the pot. Eric Stoltz, later to gain fame in such films as Mask, plays Burnett and Grodin's teen-aged son. Premiered on October 25, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Loosely based on a true story this sudsy made-for-television courtroom drama tells the story of a rather hedonistic young divorcee who is accused of killing her own child. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1977
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Jim (James Garner) infiltrates a sanitarium called Horizon's Crest to rescue T.T. Flowers (Strother Martin), who is being victimized by evil land developer Jack Muellard (Scott Brady). But though Muellard is temporarily stopped in his tracks, T.T. still isn't out of the woods yet--and in fact, the poor fellow may be "legally" murdered by a police SWAT team. This episode marks the spectacular demise of Jim Rockford's beloved Firebird 100! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
The formal title for this TV mini-series was Harold Robbins' 79 Park Avenue, just in case you might mistake it for William Makepeace Thackeray's 79 Park Avenue. Originally presented in three parts, this adaptation of the Robbins best-seller stars Lesley Ann Warren as Marja Fludjicki, a Depression-era tenement girl who is accused of murdering her drunken stepfather. Part One details how Marja's "crime" was justifiable; she'd been raped by the bounder. Parts Two and Three would trace Marja's progress from teenaged prostitute to elegant, high-priced Park Avenue Madam--and mob mistress. Forced by circumstance into a life of prostitution, Marja marries Las Vegas high-roller Ross Savitch (Marc Singer). Ross is bumped off by the Syndicate, leaving Marja in the lurch. Marja rebounds from tragedy to become a federal witness against the Mob. 79 Park Avenue was first telecast on October 16, 17, and 18, 1977. Though all the names are changed, it isn't hard to discern the Bugsy Siegel story in this video equivalent to eating a whole box of chocolates in one sitting. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Originally screened as a mini-series on the NBC television network, this epic-length feature combines the entirety of The Godfather and The Godfather Part II with 15 minutes of outtakes from the two films, recutting the material into chronological order (clarifying the complex structure of The Godfather Part II, which jumped back and forth between events that occurred before and after the narrative of the first film). The Godfather 1902-1959: The Complete Epic tells the tale of the Corleone Family, from the arrival of Vito Corleone in the U.S. as a boy and his rise to criminal power as a young man (played by Robert DeNiro) to the decline of his empire decades later. While some of the original material was censored for television broadcast, when The Godfather 1902-1959: The Complete Epic was later released on home video, the altered footage was restored to its original content. However, this proved not to be the final and complete document of the Corleone saga, as Francis Ford Coppola added another chapter to the story nine years later with the release of The Godfather Part III. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, (more)
- 1977
In the first episode of a two-part story, Rocky's somewhat eccentric friend T.T. Flowers (Strother Martin) has been forced off his "Freedom" property, declared mentally incomptetent, and placed in a sanitarium called Horizon's Crest. It's all the handiwork of crooked land developer Jack Muellard (Scott Brady), who unfortunately has gained the confidence of T.T.'s daughter Cathy (Karen Machon) and son-in-law Sherman (Alex Rocco). Realizing that he will never be able to persuade the authorities that T.T. has been victimized, Jim (James Garner) must handle the situation all by himself--beginning with a daring "break-in/break-out" at Horizon's Crest. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
