Marion Ross Movies
Marian Ross dreamed of stardom from childhood, going so far as to change the spelling of her first name to Marion because she thought it would look nicer on a marquee. When her family moved from Minnesota to California, the 16-year-old aspiring actress plunged into the busy world of amateur theatricals in the San Diego area. She was voted Outstanding Actress at San Diego State University in 1950, then went on to work at the prestigious La Jolla Playhouse. Mel Ferrer, La Jolla's resident director, recommended that Ross try her luck in Hollywood. She worked steadily in TV and films from 1953 onward, but stardom was still outside her reach. Ross played a succession of maids, nuns, nurses, and that nebulous classification, the Heroine's Best Friend. She showed up in small roles in such films as Forever Female (1953), Lust for Life (1955), and Operation Petticoat (1959), earning the respect of her fellow workers but very little in the way of public recognition. "I've always had a way of not attracting attention," she would note with resignation later in life. On television, Marion played unstressed recurring roles on such series as Life with Father, Mrs. G Goes to College and Mr. Novak. She finally achieved stardom as Marion Cunningham, mother of 1950s high-schooler Richie Cunningham, on the weekly sitcom Happy Days. What started out as a shaky midseason replacement in January of 1974 ended up ABC's number-one hit; Ross hitched her wagon to the ever-rising Happy Days star until its final episode in 1983. During this period, she reactivated her stage career, with considerably more success than she'd enjoyed in the 1950s. Ross' post-Happy Days TV gigs included a 1986 guest shot as the new bride of Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod) on The Love Boat and the brief 1989 series Living Dolls. In 1991, Marion Ross earned an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of archetypal Jewish mother Sophie Berger on the TV "dramedy" Brooklyn Bridge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this provocative made-for-television family drama, Marybeth, a college co-ed finds herself forced to make a choice that will forever alter her life when she learns that her recently-deceased grandmother has chosen her to become the legal guardian of her mentally retarded mother. This crossroads comes shortly before Marybeth is to graduate. She knows that if she does indeed take custody of her mother Sarah, all her dreams will be as dust; however, the only other alternative is to send her mother to an institution where she may or may not receive proper care. In making her choice, Marybeth must spend time with her mother and in so doing finds herself finally coming to grips with some of her family's most painful secrets. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kellie Martin, Mary Steenburgen, (more)
- 1969
In his TV-movie debut, Stewart Granger plays a philandering photographer whose wealthy wife, Lois Nettleton, catches him in an adulterous situation. Not wishing to give up his cushy life style, Granger rigs a fatal automobile accident for Nettleton before she begins divorce proceedings. She survives the crash, but suffers a loss of memory. Granger must now figure out how to eliminate her before her amnesia passes and she can finger him as her would-be killer. Filmed in Mexico, Any Second Now is highly recommended to anyone who hasn't seen the story before in its many previous incarnations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Theft is the pivotal element of this drama which was based on a Brink's robbery. A gang of thieves decide to pull a major heist. They carefully prepare, including a trip inside to pinpoint the alarms and guards while making key impressions. The actual robbery is shown as is the chaos which follows. Soon, the criminals are fighting over how long to wait before using the cash and stealing from one another in an attempt to get more than their share. Still, it takes nearly three years before the crime is solved. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jay Barney, J. Pat O'Malley, (more)
The granddaddy of all "computer run amok" films, Colossus: The Forbin Project concerns a huge electronic brain designed to control the American missile defense system. Colossus' technicians do not count on the computer developing an intelligence of its own. Communicating with its Russian counterpart, Colossus decides to take over the earth, threatening global destruction should anyone try to pull its plug. The film's climax is unsettling, but no more so than the actual state of world affairs in 1970. Colossus: The Forbin Project was filmed in Canada. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Braeden, Susan Clark, (more)
- 1994
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In this sudsy adaptation of a popular Danielle Steel novel, a beautiful young wife experiences waves of guilt when she finds herself increasingly distracted from caring for her dying, elderly and rich husband by the attentions of a virile stranger named Alex. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Urich, Stacy Haiduk, (more)
- 2003
- PG13
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In keeping with his background in television sitcoms, Sam Weisman directs the cameo-filled comedy Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. Dickie Roberts (David Spade) was a child actor on the hit TV show "The Glimmer Gang" and remains remembered for a particular catch phrase. Now in his thirties, he finds work as a parking valet and spends time with other nominal child stars (enter cameos by Danny Bonaduce, Corey Feldman, and the like). Wanting to make a comeback, he manages to get an audition with director Rob Reiner. When the role requires him to be normal, he decides to hire a normal family in order to relive the childhood he missed out on. He ends up with sleazy salesman George Finney (Craig Bierko) and his loving wife, Grace (Mary McCormack). Dickie shares a room with their two kids: sunny daughter Sally (Jenna Boyd) and impressionable son Sam (Scott Tessa). Former child star Alyssa Milano appears as Dickie's girlfriend, Cyndi. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Spade, Mary McCormack, (more)
- 1973
Squad 51 paramedics Roy (Kevin Tighe) and John (Randolph Mantooth) don't quite know what to do with a large inheritance they've received from a former patient--until the IRS tells them exactly what do. On a more serious note, the emegency team must deal with a hard-driving stockbroker (Warren Berlinger) who insists he has no time to be treated for a possible heart attack. Elsewhere, a child is trapped in a car surrounded by high-power wires; and a teenager comes to grief during a hamburger-eating contest. Marion Ross makes a brief, pre-Happy Days appearance in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Once again, the Griffin household is invaded by Peter's crabby father Francis, an old-line Catholic who hates anyone who doesn't adhere to his own peculiar set of religious values. In his efforts to re-convert the family, Francis causes little Stewie to become a "bubble boy." As a result, rebellious Peter attempts to establish his own religion, with "The Fonz" from Happy Days as his new Deity. Without revealing any more, please note that the episode's star-studded voice cast includes Marion Ross and Tom Bosley--and before we forget, Gary Cole is back as obstreperous boss-man Bill Lumbergh, the character he'd played in the movie Office Space (Shucks! There's no space left to mention Jaws: Fire Island). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1953
Sir James Barrie's whimsical play Rosalind was updated and urbanized as the 1953 film Forever Female. Ginger Rogers plays a veteran Broadway star who has optioned a play written by William Holden. Though on the less sunny side of 40, Rogers expects to play the leading role, that of a 19 year old girl. Producer Paul Douglas--who also happens to be Rogers' husband--insists that Holden alter the age of the main character. Meanwhile, iron-willed ingenue Patricia Crowley, who is far more suited to the part than Rogers, begins her own campaign to win the role. Far more enjoyable than the plot mechanics of Forever Female are the sly showbiz inside jokes, courtesy of screenwriters Julius and Philip Epstein. It's also fun to tick off the familiar faces in the supporting cast, including George Reeves as a stuffy suitor, future Mrs. Bing Crosby Katherine Grant as an auditioning actress, and Gunsmoke and Dragnet villain Vic Perrin as an effeminate set designer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ginger Rogers, William Holden, (more)
- 2003
When Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) fails to call her, Rory (Alexis Bledel) goes "stag" to a high school hockey game, where she links up with Lane (Keiko Agena) and her sham boyfriend Young Chui (Samson Yi) -- and also gets her first look at her ex-beau Dean's new girlfriend, Lindsay (Arielle Kebbel). Elsewhere in town, the Doose family descends upon the Inn for a family reunion. And Emily (Kelly Bishop) digs up an old scandal with which she hopes to neutralize her irksome mother-in-law Trix (Marion Ross). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Emily (Kelly Bishop) is upset when her troublesome mother-in-law Trix (Marion Ross) shows up at Richard's (Edward Herrmann) 60th birthday party...especially upon discovering that Trix has rented her house to the rock band Korn. Meanwhile, Rory (Alexis Bledel) tries to persuade Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) to accompany her to Stars Hollow's Winter Carnival, but Jess balks because Dean (Jared Padalecki) might be there -- a contingency that thrusts Rory back into Dean's arms for what seems to be the millionth time. And in her efforts to keep her musical activities secret from her mother, Lane (Keiko Agena) begins her band rehearsals in Lorelai's garage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Lorelai (Lauren Graham) is so preoccupied with getting the Dragonfly up and running, and Rory (Alexis Bledel) is so busy trying to catch up with her college class work, that the two Gilmores keep missing each other on the phone. Nor is this the only problem facing the main characters in this episode: for example, Lorelai's dad Richard (Edward Herrmann) is shocked when his mother Trix (Marion Ross) suddenly treats him as disdainfully as she does his wife, Emily (Kelly Bishop). And having been kicked out of her own house, Lane (Keiko Agena) is making a total nuisance of herself on the Yale campus. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Richard (Edward Herrmann) is devastated when his mother Trix unexpectedly dies (though Marion Ross quickly returns to the series in the new role of cousin Marilyn), but this pales in comparison to Emily's (Kelly Bishop) reaction upon unearthing evidence of how truly and deeply Trix despised her. With her parents in no condition to think straight, it falls to Lorelai (Lauren Graham) to plan the funeral, right down to selecting the guest of honor's underwear. Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson) finds it impossible to keep his problems to himself -- and is rapidly losing customers as a result. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
In the series' 100th episode, Lorelei (Lauren Graham) finds her life falling apart even as her parents' marriage comes back together. The situation really boils over when Christopher (David Sutcliffe), the father of Lorelei's daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel), squares off against Lorelei's current beau Luke (Scott Patterson). Unfortunately, this violent showdown couldn't have come at a less appropriate occasion: the wedding ceremony in which the reconciled Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) renew their vows! Despite all this friction, Rory still finds time to warm up her relationship with Logan (Matt Czuchry). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
Prominent surgeon Walter Brennan comes to the conclusion that his talents are on loan from God. He retires from his lucrative practice and moves to a small town, there to donate his money to charitable religious causes. Brennan's avaricious family maneuvers to have the old doctor declared legally incompetent and unable to manage his money. Fortuitously, Brennan's faithful granddaughter (Marion Ross) is an attorney, and she takes on her grandfather's court defense. Thanks to the testimony of his grateful patients, Brennan is declared sane and is permitted by court decree to spend his money any way he chooses. God Is My Partner has been pared down from its original length to 73 minutes by its TV distributor; the abbreviated running time still gives Walter Brennan ample opportunity to charm the birds out of trees with his lovable irascibility. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Hoyt, Marion Ross, (more)
In exchange for being allowed to make his directorial debut in Grand Theft Auto, Ron Howard agreed to take no salary as a director, merely as star and co-screenwriter (with his dad Rance). The plot finds Sam Freeman (Howard) eloping with his heiress girlfriend Paula Powers (Nancy Morgan). Her mob-connected dad Bigby Powers (Barry Cahill) vehemently opposes the marriage, and isn't about to change his mind now that Sam has stolen his Rolls-Royce and sped off to Las Vegas with his daughter in tow. Marion Ross, Howard's Happy Days mom, turns in an offbeat supporting characterization. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ron Howard, Nancy Morgan, (more)
Set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the 1950's, HAPPY DAYS revolves around Richie Cunningham and his family and friends. A "wholesome" young man, Richie is a Jefferson High School student who would do anything to get a date and he spends plenty of time with his friends at Arnold's, the local burger joint. Contrasting with his wholesome nature is Arthur Fonzarelli, best known as Fonzie, a rough-around-the-edges motorcycle riding high school dropout famous for his slicked hair, leather jacket, and the catchphrase "aaayyyy!" Fonzie is a regular around the Cunningham house, with Mrs. Cunningham doting on him and Richie turning to him for advice on how to attract girls.
- Starring:
- Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, (more)
Happy Days was set in the 1950s in Milwaukee, the heart of middle-class America, and told the story of the Cunningham family. Mr. Cunningham (Tom Bosley) ran the local hardware store and Mrs. Cunningham (Marion Ross), like all good TV Moms, spent her time in the kitchen. Their son, Richie (Ron Howard), hung out at Arnold's Drive-In with his pals Ralph Malph (Donny Most) and Potsie (Anson Williams), trying to be as cool as the coolest greaser in town, the Fonz (Henry Winkler). Richie's sister, Joanie (Erin Moran), tagged along whenever she wasn't at her friend Jenny Piccolo's house. The Cunninghams also had an older son, Chuck, but he mysteriously disappeared after the first season.
- Starring:
- Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, (more)
"Happy Days" was set in the 1950s in Milwaukee, the heart of middle-class America, and told the story of the Cunningham family. Mr. Cunningham (Tom Bosley) ran the local hardware store and Mrs. Cunningham (Marion Ross), like all good TV Moms, spent her time in the kitchen. Their son, Richie (Ron Howard), hung out at Arnold's Drive-In with his pals Ralph Malph (Donny Most) and Potsie (Anson Williams), trying to be as cool as the coolest greaser in town, the Fonz (Henry Winkler). Richie's sister, Joanie (Erin Moran), tagged along whenever she wasn't at her friend Jenny Piccolo's house. The Cunninghams also had an older son, Chuck, but he mysteriously disappeared after the first season.
- Starring:
- Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, (more)
Happy Days was set in the 1950s in Milwaukee, the heart of middle-class America, and told the story of the Cunningham family. Mr. Cunningham (Tom Bosley) ran the local hardware store and Mrs. Cunningham (Marion Ross), like all good TV Moms, spent her time in the kitchen. Their son, Richie (Ron Howard), hung out at Arnold's Drive-In with his pals Ralph Malph (Donny Most) and Potsie (Anson Williams), trying to be as cool as the coolest greaser in town, the Fonz (Henry Winkler). Richie's sister, Joanie (Erin Moran), tagged along whenever she wasn't at her friend Jenny Piccolo's house.
- Starring:
- Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, (more)
