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- 1972
A valued member of a powerful crime ring, John Prentiss (Michael Callan) decides to go into business for himself when he falls in love with Ellen Conway (Katherine Justice). Prentiss' former associates aren't keen on this, so they take out a contract on his life. It is up to Inspector Erskine to keep Prentiss alive long enough to be placed behind bars--and what about Ellen? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
- PG
A Seminole Indian and Vietnam veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome uses his cold-blooded companions to seek vengeance against the people who killed his father in this horrific frightener from director William Grefe. Tim Ochopee (Chris Robinson) has been deeply scarred by his battlefield experiences. Upon finishing his tour of duty and returning to his home in the Everglades, all Tim wants is to live peacefully in the wilderness with his pet snake "Stanley." Upon discovering that his father has been killed under suspicious circumstances, however, Tim finds Stanley a mate and begins breeding the pair. Before long, Tim has a shack full of hungry snakes just waiting for a decent meal. That meal comes when Tim decides to sick his slithering friends in slimy snakeskin manufacturer Richard Thompkins (Alex Rocco). Infuriated that Tim would refuse his offer to purchase the snakes and transform them into tacky apparel, Thompkins hires a psychotic hitman (Paul Avery) to put the snake-loving vet in the ground. But Thompkins and his volatile gun for hire have underestimated the unusual bond that Tim shares with his snakes. Now, as Tim and his serpents come out to play, the poison begins to flow and the screaming starts. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1971
- R
Two lonely women meet a pair of thugs who turn their lives into a nightmare in this thriller. Pete (Arell Blanton) is a biker who discovers that his girlfriend has been cheating on him with another member of his gang; Pete and his best friend, Stick (Alex Rocco), decide to teach her a lesson, but instead of just roughing her up they kill her by accident. The gang banishes Pete and Stick, and they head to California to keep ahead of the law. Pete and Stick happen upon a small but luxurious home where two attractive women, Rona (Elizabeth Knowles) and Laure (Sherry Bain), are staying. Rona is married to a successful classical musician, but she's angry and frustrated by the fact he's off on tour, while Laure is unattached and looking for romance. Pete and Stick invite themselves into the mansion, and Rona recklessly allows them to stay while taking Pete to her bed. However, when Stick rapes Laure, what started out as an evening with a pair of bad boys turns into several days of torment for the unsuspecting women. Wild Riders also stars Ted Hayden and Jax Carroll. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1971
William Windom makes a return visit to Mission: Impossible, again in a villainous characterization. This time, Windom is cast as Stu Gorman, a music-industry executive fronting for the Syndicate. To get the goods on Gorman, IMF agents Barney and Casey pose as blues singers--with Casey taking her part of the charade to dangerous extremes. This episode is highlighted by Greg Morris' rendition of "Judy's Gone Now", a song specially written for the series by Morris and Benny Golson. Scripted by Howard Berk and Orville H. Hampton from a story by Berk, "Blues" first aired on November 20, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
Blood Mania -- a low-budget, rather sleazy exploitation horror film -- tells the story of a woman who kills her abortionist/physician father for his money only to find out that she is not the beneficiary of his will. Blood Mania, the first film directed by Robert Vincent O'Neil, is a lurid, sensationalized, gory, implausible horror story with a silly screenplay and poor acting. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- 1967
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Schlockmeister Roger Corman produced this graphically violent chronicle of the Chicago gangster wars of the 1920s and the events that lead to the bloody title showdown between rival mobsters Al Capone (Jason Robards) and Bugs Moran (Ralph Meeker) that marked a brutal end to a terrifying era. Fred Steiner's film score is effectively mixed with popular songs from the 1920s, and the re-creation of gangster-era Chicago is a credit to the set designers. Historic and insightful narration is dramatically provided by Paul Frees, giving the film the flavor of a docudrama. Jean Hale plays Moran's gun moll, who is mercilessly kneed in the stomach while arguing over a fur coat. Though The St. Valentine's Day Massacre was heralded by critics at the time of its initial release, their opinion of the film has changed with each decade as they waver on the cinematic value of all of Corman's work. Audiences continue to relish the film, which is often shown on the anniversary of the bloody executions. Watch for Jack Nicholson as one of the unfortunate victims. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Robards, Jr., George Segal, (more)
- 1965
This exploitation film delivers the typically sadistic and fast-paced action expected from cult director Russ Meyer. Alex Rocco stars as veterinarian Corey Maddox, whose wife is raped by a motorcycle gang. The three hoods are led by Brahmin (Stephen Oliver), who was a Section 8 in Vietnam. They kill an old man and terrorize his wife Ruby (Haji) until she gets away and joins up with Maddox. Together, the two of them hunt down the gang. Brahmin shoots one of them himself, Ruby knifes another, and Maddox blows Brahmin to pieces with dynamite during a standoff at an abandoned mine. The rape scenes are brutal, though not explicit, and Meyer (who appears briefly as the local sheriff) leavens the film with enough campy humor to make it inoffensive. It would have been odious in other hands, but Meyer is somehow able to present scenes in the worst possible taste and still leave viewers smiling. He made better films than this one, but it is still superior to most similar efforts of the time. Coleman Francis and George Costello also appear. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Oliver, Haji, (more)
