Arthur Rosenberg Movies
The story of two average women who refused to be silenced and intimidated by the company who manufactured their silicone implants is detailed in this inspirational docudrama starring Mary McDonnell and Gail O' Grady. Sybil Goldrich (McDonnell) was a wealthy California who was devastated to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and Kathleen Anneken (O'Grady) was a typical middle-class mother from Kansas who had always been unhappy with her breast size. Despite their disparate backgrounds and social statuses, both women would soon be drawn together by the tragic circumstances surrounding their decision to receive breast implants. Ignored, mistreated, and disregarded by silicone specialists Dow Corning after they received their implants and fell gravely ill, Goldrich and Anneken became united in their efforts to take their case to the FDA. While proving Down Corning was responsible for their many ailments was a near impossible task, getting their story out to the public was simply a matter of using every opportunity they had to state their case publicly. In the end it was one lawyer who possessed the incriminating evidence needed to bring Down Corning down, and ensure that their cries weren't silenced by the stifling greenback gag of big business. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gail O'Grady, Mary McDonnell, (more)
- 1992
On July 19, 1989, a DC-10 en route from Denver to Philadelphia lost all its hydraulics and broke apart just outside of the Sioux City, Iowa airport, killing 110 of the 285 passengers and a single crew member, and risking the lives of everyone else on board. At that point, the rescue crew, which had spent months preparing for such an emergency, had its mettle tested above and beyond the call of duty. In this made-for-TV reenactment, Charlton Heston plays the jetliner's pilot (reprising a similar role from Airport 1975). The rescuers include Richard Thomas and James Coburn. Also known as A Thousand Heroes, Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232 debuted February 24, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Richard Thomas, (more)
- 1991
Deception: A Mother's Secret premiered as a made-for-TV effort during Thanksgiving week, 1991. There's little reason for leading man Steven Weber to offer thanks for the events which transpire in this heavy-going soap opera. Upon the death of his wife, Weber discovers that his entire marital relationship was founded on lies. In particular, he learns that even his young son has an unsavory past--and that Weber may have to give up his child to strangers before long. Though not indicated by the title or the ad campaign, Deception: A Mother's Secret is at base the story of a single father's right to adopt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Weber, Katherine Helmond, (more)
- 1990
The acting of its stars saves She Said No from the "lurid dreck" category. Judd Hirsch is a successful but utterly amoral attorney who rapes Veronica Hamel. She sues, but he uses his legal expertise to walk free. Then Hirsch turns around and sues Hamel for slander (or for libel, depending on whether you believe the ads or the synopsis)--to the tune of ten million dollars! The lizardlike lawyer comes acropper when he forgets the unwritten rule of jurisprudence and acts as his own attorney. Lee Grant plays the DA on the case, who was denied the opportunity to retry Hirsch and is smarting for a chance to show the creep up. She Said No is better written than it deserves to be by Michael O'Hara. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In this entry in the long-running mystery series, Perry Mason represents a former student who is accused of murdering a singing star. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The made-for-cable Incident at Dark River stars Mike Farrell as a working-stiff family man. When his daughter falls ill, Farrell discovers to his horror that the girl is suffering from toxic poisoning. A local battery factory has been polluting the area with its deadly waste, but when Farrell tries to take legal action, he finds that the law favors the factory. Albert Rubin's slowly paced script leans towards "bad guy vs. good guy" rather than shades of gray, but it successfully hits all the right emotional buttons. The presence of well-known environmentalist Mike Farrell in this sincere, medium-budget effort is a prime example of putting one's money where one's mouth is. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Friends in Georgia are broken up when an enticing teenager comes between them as told in this true story. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1989
In this episode, defense attorney Cromwell investigates the case of a woman accused of killing her rich husband. She discovers an underlayer of greed and adultery. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Bluegrass was a two-part TV movie that resurrected virtually every "racetrack" cliche known to man. Widowed Cheryl Ladd heads to Kentucky to start up a horse farm. Her wicked neighbor is Wayne Rogers who seeks Ladd's downfall. Faithful farm manager Brian Kerwin won't let Rogers stand in the way of Ladd's dream. Anthony Andrews hangs around as a Harlequin romance-style Irish rake with a Dark Secret. And what would a horse-farm movie be without Mickey Rooney? Part One of Bluegrass raised a stir upon its February 28, 1988 debut, with a brief shot of horses mating. But it was the foaling sequence in Part Two that really made the headlines. All tangled plotlines knot together in the second half of Bluegrass. Part Two, first telecast on Leap Year day in 1988, Ladd literally bets the ranch on the Kentucky Derby, while mysterious Irish stranger Anthony Andrews reveals his (gasp!) terrible secret. One of the film's highlights was the genuine birth of a foal. The poor animal looked so shaky that the network issued an official statement insisting that the newborn horse survived. When the truth came out (the foal didn't make it), the producers were heartily condemned by animal activist groups--which may be why all current films bear the closing disclaimer about no animals being injured during shooting. Bluegrass was directed by Simon Wincer, who later helmed the epic miniseries Lonesome Dove. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cheryl Ladd, Brian Kerwin, (more)
- 1987
In the conclusion of a three-part story, McCall (Stepfanie Kramer]) is strangely recluctant to report her near-rape at the hands of the predatory Lloyd Fredericks (Frederick Coffin). Elsewhere, while rounding up a band of Satan worshippers, Hunter (Fred Dryer) is forced into another "shoot first and ask questions later" confrontation. And justice is meted out in a most unexpected fashion to the eminently corrupt jurist Warren Unger (Robert Reed). This episode was adapted from a novel by former police detective Dallas L. Barnes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
The son of Hispanic mayoral candidate Michael Elandro (Gregory Sierra) is one of three teenagers accidentally shot and killed in a police raid. In their efforts to prevent a race riot, Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) must convince Elandro that they are sincere in their efforts to see that justice is done. Former series regular Arthur Rosenberg returns as Lester Cain, who since last we saw him has been promoted from Captain to Commander of Police. This episode was adapted by former police detective Dallas L. Barnes from his own novel See the Woman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In the first episode of a three-part story, Hunter (Fred Dryer) finds himself up against a crooked judge, a coven of Satanists, and a serial killer known only as Big Foot. The intrigues commence when McCall is pressured to drop charges against Judge Warren Unger (Robert Reed), who was caught in a police sting with a teenage prostitute. Later on, the hooker tells Hunter that she thinks her best friend has been kidnapped by the Satanists--one of whom may well be the elusive Big Foot. Shelley Taylor Morgan returns in the role of flamboyant undercover cop Kitty O'Hearn in this adaptation of a novel by former police detective Dallas L. Barnes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In the second episode of a three-part story, the teenage hooker who'd busted a corrupt judge (Robert Reed) is abducted by a band of Satanists. Meanwhile, Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) is stymied in his efforts to trap a serial rapist by lack of evidence; Dee Dee McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) and undercover cop Kitty O'Hearn are served papers by the lawyer representing the ex-wife of police sergeant Navarro (Erik Estrada); and politically ambitious Commander Cain (Arthur Rosenberg) learns to his chagrin that his friends may do more harm to his career than his enemies. This episode is adapted from a novel by former police detective Dallas L. Barnes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Blood and Orchids was adapted from Norman Katkov from his own fact-based book. The scene is Hawaii, 1937. The wife (Madeline Stowe) of a naval officer (William Russ) is beaten nearly to death by her lover (Matt Salinger)--her husband's best friend. Four native Hawaiians find the woman and take her to the hospital, then flee out of fear of being blamed for the assault themselves. The aristocratic mother (Jane Alexander) of the beaten woman knows the truth, but, coldly insistent upon maintaining white supremacy on the islands, orders her daughter to claim that the Hawaiian boys had abused her. A trial follows, complicated by an honest police officer (Kris Kristofferson), who doesn't believe the victim's story. This two-part TV movie digresses from the source novel by hoking up a romance between the cop and the young wife (Sean Young) of the prosecuting attorney (Jose Ferrer). Blood and Orchids was originally telecast in February of 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
This drama was originally made as a television pilot for a potential series. It centers on a police detective from Wichita who heads for Las Vegas to find his sister and ends up entangled with mobsters and crooked politicos. This film was followed by a sequel, Stark: Mirror Image in 1985. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nicholas Surovy, Marilu Henner, (more)
- 1985
Originally shown in two parts, this four-hour TV movie stars Michael Biehn as the outwardly "perfect" doctor husband of Madolyn Smith. But Biehn is actually a psychopath, who is carefully plotting the murder of his wife. As the horrible truth slowly dawns upon Madolyn, she must find some way to prevent her murder--and to alert disbelieving authorities of her husband's duplicity. Based on a true story, Deadly Intentions first took shape as a book by William Randolph Stevens. The two-part format permitted the film's narrative to build up suspense in the first half, then concentrate on detection and courtroom proceedings in the second. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Biehn, Madolyn Smith, (more)
- 1984
Police Commissioner Larry Crenshaw (William Windom) is the primary suspect when his wife Connie (Rosemary Thomas) is murdered. This places Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) in a ticklish situation: they are ordered to investigate the one man who most desires to see them thrown off the force--and they must save his hide if he turns out to be innocent. Before the inevitable slam-bang finale, the viewer is treated to an abundance of unexpected plot twists, most of them involving a disreputable private eye (Ray Girardin) and a deceptively charming tennis player (Sam Jones). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) takes a sudden leave of absence to prevent her former partner, embittered renegade cop Gus Trancus (David Ackroyd), from fulfilling a contract as a professional hit man. Owing her life to Trancus, McCall hopes that she can stop him before he completely ruins his life--but she may be fighting a losing battle. Meanwhile, Hunter (Fred Dryer) is not only saddled with wimpy Sgt. Terwilliger (James Whitmore Jr.) as temporary partner, but he's also having a great deal of trouble getting the higher-ups off his back long enough to locate Dee Dee and keep her from harm. Arthur Rosenberg makes his first series appearance as Captain Lester Cain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
A gangland boss is killed in what seems to be a bungled holdup, but both Hunter (Fred Dryer) and the Mob suspect that a professional hit man was responsible. If he wants to avert an all-out gang war, Hunter must locate the only witness to the crime, a woman named Sandy Newton (Mary-Margaret Humes), who has completely disappeared from view. Ultimately figuring out who ordered the "hit", Hunter calls in favors from his own mob-connected family to prevent any further bloodshed--and to save Sandy in the bargain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Assigned custody of a squirrely pickpocket (Paul Eiding), Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) and DeeDee McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) are forced to temporarily stash their prisoner in a small town jail presided over by Sheriff Jake Cutter (Bo Svenson). Neither detective had counted upon the presence of a duplicitous deputy who manages to frame the pickpocket for a murder that the deputy himself has committed--and taking another life in the process. As a result, Rick, Dee Dee, and a terrified waitress caught up in the intrigue may never get out of town alive. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
No one pays much attention when 10-year-old Ruffy Collier (Marissa Mendenhall) reports that her carrier pigeons have been stolen. But Hunter takes a special interest in the little girl's story after her uncle is murdered by thugs looking for a cache of missing drugs. To save Ruffy from being kidnapped or worse, Hunter and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) are pressed into service as babysitters--a job that may prove even more treacherous than the case at hand. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Hunter (Fred Dryer) has finally nabbed the sociopathic bandit he's been chasing after for weeks. So imagine the detective's dismay and disgust when he is forced to provide police protection for his prisoner, who has offered to turn states' evidence against a mob kingpin in exchange for immunity. And if that wasn't enough of a cross to bear, Hunter must also nail the elusive "Mister Big" before he can get a chance to bump off the slimy witness. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this lively adolescent-oriented musical, a city kid attempts to adapt to life in an ultra-conservative backwater Midwestern town. Once there, he ends up leading the repressed teenagers into a rebellion against the town fathers, who have outlawed rock & roll and dancing. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, (more)
- 1984
Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) butt heads with Jimmy Jo Walker (Wings Hauser), a sadistic bounty hunter who has a bad habit of beating criminals to death before hauling them in. Walker's latest target is a murder suspect which Hunter has been pursuing--and when it becomes obvious that the police detective is crimping his style, the brutal bounty hunter adds McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) to his list of potential victims. Needless to say, this situation will not be resolved with a calm, level-headed discussion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
