William Russ Movies
A self-described "navy brat," William Russ travelled all over the country in his formative years. Russ settled down in one place long enough to attend the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor; here he studied drama with such classmates as Christine Lahti. After graduation, he toured Europe as a member of the Ann Arbor mime troupe. Back in the states, he attended New York's Neighborhood Playhouse on a scholarship. His subsequent New York stage credits include MacBeth, The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel (in which he appeared with Al Pacino) and Buried Child. In films since 1989's Disorganized Crime, Russ' largest and most rewarding movie role (thus far) was over-the-hill ballplayer Roy Dean Bream in 1991's Pastime. Russ is best known to the public at large for his TV work: he has played Burt McCowan in Another World, Roger Lococco in Wiseguy, Redmond Dunne in Capitol News and Terry Hannon in The Middle Ages. At present, William Russ -- billed under his nickname "Rusty" -- appears on a weekly basis as Ben Savage's father on Boy Meets World, taking occasional time-outs to co-star in such made-for-TV movies as Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story (1995). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1990
Dana Delany and William Russ play a poor-but-proud married couple with three children. Dana has made a promise to a dying relative to take care of said relative's four kids. And now, she and her husband are saddled with the additional responsibility, which turns out to be a grueling, rewarding and tear-jerking experience. Promise to Keep was "inspired by a true story," as most TV movies of this ilk claim to be. The film was shot on location in Charleston, South Carolina. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Delany, William Russ, (more)
A cuckolded wife finds renewed happiness in the arms of another after leaving her faithless spouse. But when the husband becomes deathly ill, she agrees to take care of him, even though it could mean losing her new lover. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judith Light, Jay Thomas, (more)
- 1999
Cassie Whitman (Roma Downey) is at first relieved that her husband David (William Russ) has survived a deadly plane crash. But as the comatose David recuperates, Cassie learns a few things that will seriously jeopardize the future of her marriage. For one thing, David's travelling companion the plane (who was killed in the crash) was his mistress, with whom he been secretly seeing for eight years. For another, the "other woman" had a child by David, named Erica (Kristina Malota). Will Cassie forgive, forget and take Erica to her heart, or will she give both her husband and his child the bum's rush? This highly rated TV movie offers a rare opportunity to hear Roma Downey playing a role without her inherent Irish accent, and she meets the challenge quite well. A Test of Love debuted December 1, 1999 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roma Downey, William Russ, (more)
Tony Kaye made his feature directorial debut with this dramatic exploration into the roots of race hatred in America. In a shocking opening scene, teen Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong) races to tell his older brother, neo-Nazi Derek (Edward Norton), about the young blacks breaking into his car in front of the house, whereupon Derek gets his gun and with no forethought shoots the youths in their tracks. Tried and convicted, Derek is sent away for three years in prison, where he acquires a different outlook as he contrasts white-power prisoners with black Lamont (Guy Torry), his prison laundry co-worker and eventual pal. Meanwhile, Danny, with a shaved head and a rebellious attitude, seems destined to follow in his big brother's footsteps. After Danny writes a favorable review of Hitler's Mein Kampf, black high-school principal Sweeney (Avery Brooks) puts Danny in his private "American History X" course and assigns him to do a paper about his older brother, who was a former student of Sweeney's. This serves to introduce flashbacks, with the film backtracking to illustrate Danny's account of Derek's life prior to the night of the shooting. Monochrome sequences of Derek leading a Venice, California gang are intercut with color footage of the mature Derek ending his past neo-Nazi associations and attempting to detour Danny away from the group led by white supremacist, Cameron (Stacy Keach), who once influenced Derek. Director Tony Kaye, with a background in TV commercials and music videos, filmed in L.A. beach communities. Rated R "for graphic brutal violence including rape, pervasive language, strong sexuality and nudity." ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, (more)
T.J. (Paul Gross) and Dex (Peter Berg) leave Detroit to wax up their skis and find an adventurous new life on the slopes of Aspen in this skiing drama. The two become instructors and take up residence in a mobile home, at first fulfilling their ultimate bachelor fantasy. But T.J. becomes torn between two women: a sugar mama who appeals to his materialistic side (Finola Hughes) and a local disc jockey closer to his own age, whom he actually loves (Teri Polo). Meanwhile, Dex's writing is not taking off like he'd hoped, and he becomes jealous of T.J.'s luck with women and effortless entrance into the glittery Aspen social network. Dex loses his job and tries to sell drugs to help make ends meet. The two sort out their various problems and their own fractious relationship against the backdrop of preparing for the big race, which provides Aspen Extreme its requisite quantity of skiing footage. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Gross, Peter Berg, (more)
- 1985
The self-aggrandizing world of Madison Avenue advertising is the subject of this clichéd, sexist satire that features a cynical ad executive (Loretta Swit) and her minions who choose three regular Joes to represent the Norbecker Beer company in a new ad campaign. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Loretta Swit, Rip Torn, (more)
- 1995
This musical biography chronicles the life of influential country music superstar Dottie West. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michele Lee, Kenny Rogers, (more)
- 2001
It is a strange conglomeration of humanity that is trapped together during a power outage in a suburban shopping mall. Among the "prisoners" are single mom/law student Kathy Robbins (Jane Seymour), her son Eric (Corin Nemec), and her daughter Blair (Alexandra Picatto). Fifteen-year-old Blair in particular has a lot to worry about when she is stalked by an unidentified psycho, who has armed himself in an abandoned sporting-goods store. By the time the audience is apprised of the identity of the would-be murderer, it is painfully obvious that Blackout can hardly be construed as "Family Fare." Directed by star Seymour's husband James Keach, this made-for-TV film first aired over CBS on January 24, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jane Seymour, Corin Nemec, (more)
- 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
- 1998
Having overloaded himself with tough courses for his freshman year at Pennbrook, Cory (Ben Savage) soon buckles under the pressure and runs off to Wyoming, there to seek advice and solace from his retired high school teacher Mr. Feeny (William Daniels). The visit has a profound effect on Feeny, who decides that retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Meanwhile, Eric (Will Friedle) tries to develop a sensitive side in order to woo Rachel (Maitland Ward) away from Jack (Matthew Lawrence)--resulting in a surprising response from Rachel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
In this landmark episode, Ben Savage (Cory) costars with his real-life brother Fred Savage, under the direction of Boy Meets World regular William Russ. Fred is cast as Stuart, a hip new college teacher who is popular with the Pennbrook students because he treats them as equals. But Stuart reveals his true nature when, left alone with Topanga (Danielle Fishel), he hits on her. Hearing of this, the outraged Cory shoves Stuart through a screen-door window--and when the dust settles, our hero is facing expulsion! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Having sprained his ankle during the senior class ski trip, Cory is nursed back to health by pretty Lauren (Linda Cardellini, in her first series appearance). Inevitably, he is attracted to the girl--but can't admit it without hurting Topanga (Danielle Fishel). Alas, that is just what happens when Cory and Lauren end up sharing a kiss...and Topanga find out by sheerest accident. Yes, it's another pivotal episode of Boy Meets World. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Hoping to encourage Shawn (Rider Strong) to continue writing poetry, Cory (Ben Savage) suggests that his friend read some of his work at a campus coffeehouse. When Shawn backs off, Cory reads the poems himself. At this point Shawn blows his top, outraged that Cory would make public Shawn's unresolved feelings about his girlfriend Angela (Trina McGee-Davis)--who is none too thrilled about the situation either! Meanwhile, Eric (Will Friedle) comes up with a foolproof method to relieve the stress of his college exams...and he's just the fool to prove it. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Series protagonist Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) is all of 11 years old as Boy Meets World launches its first season, but even at that tender age he has drawn up what he considers a definitive list of friends and enemies. In the "friends" column are his best friends, Topanga (Danielle Fishel), Shawn (Rider Strong), and Stuart (Lee Norris) -- whose last name changes from Lempke to Minkus early on because of a legal entanglement. Looming large in the "enemies" column is Cory's least favorite teacher, the highly demanding and unpredictable George Feeny (William Daniels) -- and worse still, Mr. Feeny lives right next door to Cory's family! A few facts about season one of Boy Meets World: the character of Nicholas (Chauncey Leopoldi) was supposed to have been a regular as one of Cory's school pals, but the part was minimized as the season rolled on; conversely, Topanga Lawrence, introduced in the fourth episode ("Cory's Alternative Friends") was intended to be a minor character, but her status was suddenly elevated after she and Cory shared their first on-screen kiss! A handful of other characters make their first-and-only Boy Meets World appearances during the series' freshman season: "Grandma Was a Rolling Stone" features Rue McClanahan as Cory's grandmother Bernice and a very young Keri Russell as Feeny's niece Jessica; and "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not" marks the only apperance of Topanga's sister Nebula (Krystee Clark). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Savage, Rider Strong, (more)
Season two of Boy Meets World evidently takes place two years after season one, because series protagonist Cory Matthews (Ben Savage), an 11-year-old attending sixth grade in the first season, has now become a 13-year-old high school freshman. Likewise aging rather rapidly are Cory's best friend Shawn (Rider Strong) and erstwhile girlfriend Topanga (Danielle Fishel), who are also launching their first year at John Adams High School. Also on hand -- much to Cory's dismay -- is his least favorite elementary school teacher Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) who has been appointed principal of John Adams. Incidentally, this plot development represents one of the many in-jokes pervading Boy Meets World: William Daniels had played president John Adams in both the Broadway and film versions of the musical 1776. Another excellent example of this strain of humor can be found in the second season episode "Who's Afraid of Cory Wolf," in which Phyllis Diller guest stars as a gypsy woman named Madame Ouspenskaya -- an homage to actress Maria Ouspenskaya, who essayed the same type of role in the original Wolf Man movies of the '40s! But getting back to Boy Meets World, season two ushers in several new recurring characters: high school bully Harley Keiner (Danny McNulty); Cory's new buddies Joey (Blake Soper) and Frank (Ethan Suplee) -- aka "The Rat" and "The Enforcer"; and the school's coolest teacher, Mr. Hunter (Anthony Tyler Quinn), who favors leather jackets and drives a motorcycle, Fonzie-style. Also, this season introduces the kids' favorite after school hangout, Chubbie's Malt Shoppe. Perhaps the most noteworthy plot development this season is the desertion of Shawn Hunter, whose truck driver dad heads off for parts unknown to search for Shawn's runaway mom. As a result, Shawn moves out of his trailer park home and into the Matthews household, the first of many relocations for this nervously nomadic character. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Savage, Rider Strong, (more)
Just as seasons one and two of Boy Meets World were seemingly separated by a two year time lapse, so too does season three apparently begin two years after the previous season. How else can one explain how Cory Matthews (Ben Savage), Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong), and Topanga Lawrence (Danielle Fishel) have suddenly surged ahead in age from 13 to 15 years old? Most of the familiar faces are back in their familiar roles this season, with one noteworthy exception. Lily Nicksay, who had played Cory's kid sister Morgan during the first two seasons, has been replaced by Lindsay Ridgeway, who makes her debut as Morgan in the episode "A Kiss Is More Than a Kiss." In other developments, Cory is cold shouldered by Topanga after impulsively telling her he loves her, whereupon he begins dating Melissa (Anndi McAfee) on the rebound. Shawn has moved in with high school teacher Mr. Turner (Anthony Tyler Quinn), who has become his legal guardian. School bully Harley Keiner (Danny McNulty), written out of the series at the end of season two, returns (ostensibly from reform school) for one last appearance in "He Said, She Said." And Cory's school chum Joey (Blake Soper) drops out of sight, not to appear again until the fifth season finale episode "Graduation." Season three's many highlights include another of the series' pure fantasy episodes, "I Was a Teenage Spy," in which Cory is electronically transported back to the '50s -- where he meets former Happy Days regulars Tom Bosley, Anson Williams, and Pat Morita! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Savage, Rider Strong, (more)
- 1996
Season four of Boy Meets World finds the now 16-year-old Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) still trying to make sense of the world around him and the people in it. More specifically, Cory's relationship with classmate Topanga Lawrence (Danielle Fishel) has gone far beyond mere friendship...but is he willing to risk her anger and scorn by once more declaring his love? Elsewhere, John Adams High School's coolest teacher Mr. Turner (Anthony Tyler Quinn) is no longer on the series, his absence explained away as the result of a serious motorcycle accident. Since Turner had been the legal guardian of Cory's best friend Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong), Shawn has no choice but to move back in with his irresponsible truck driver father Chet (Blake Clark). Also, Cory's older brother Eric is having trouble gaining admittance to the college of his choice, forcing him to make some serious decisions about the future. Similarly, Cory's dad Alan (William Russ) has begun asking himself if he really, truly wants to spend the rest of his life working in a grocery store. And finally, Cory loses track of another longtime buddy when the character of Frankie (Ethan Suplee) is written out of the series, not to return until the fifth season finale episode "Graduation." Of the many fourth season Boy Meets World episodes, a handful are standouts, notably the Christmas episode "Easy Street," featuring comedy legends Buddy Hackett and Soupy Sales; and the two-part "A Long Walk to Pittsburgh," wherein Olivia Hussey, star of the 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet, appears as Topanga's Aunt Prudence. And we mustn't forget the first appearance of Bonnie Bartlett as Ms. Bolander, Dean of Admissions at Penbrook College -- and future wife of the redoubtable high school principal Mr. Feeny (played by Bonnie Bartlett's real-life husband William Daniels). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Savage, Rider Strong, (more)
- 1997
When Boy Meets World began its ABC run in 1993, hero Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and his friends Shawn (Rider Strong) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) were all 11-year-old sixth graders. But as the series launched its fifth season in the fall of 1997, Cory, Shawn, and Topanga had all miraculously aged to the point that they were high school seniors! As Cory prepares to culminate his high school career, his older brother Eric (Will Friedle) heads off to Penbrook College, there to be introduced to his new roommate Jack Newman (Matthew Lawrence) -- who happened to be the long-lost half brother of Cory's best pal Shawn Hunter. At first hostile towards Jack, Shawn ends up moving in with his brother and with Eric. In the episode "Boy Meets Real World," the notoriously fickle and faithless Shawn finds true and lasting love in the form of Angela Moore (Trina McGee-Davis). In other developments, irascible high school principal Feeny (William Daniels) falls in love with Penbrook's Dean of Admissions, Ms. Bolander (played by Daniels' real life wife Bonnie Bartlett). And after innumerable roadblocks and setbacks, the romance between Cory and Topanga seems destined for a happy ending when, in the season finale, Topanga proposes to Cory at their high school graduation ceremony. Among the highlights during season five are a brace of crossover episodes: "The Witches of Penbrook" finds Melissa Joan Hart reprising the title character of her own series, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and "No Guts, No Cory" represents Boy Meets World's contribution to an experiment conducted by ABC, in which all of the network's Friday night TGIF sitcoms were linked together for one memorable evening by a single theme. And on a more serious note, the episode "If You Can't Be With the One You Love..." addresses the issue of teen drinking, with series star Ben Savage appearing as himself at the end of the episode, delivering a public service announcement for the National Clearinghouse of Alcohol and Drug Information. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Savage, Rider Strong, (more)
- 1998
Season six of Boy Meets World instantly resolves the cliffhanger ending of season five, with 18-year-old Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) saying yes to the marriage proposal delivered by his childhood sweetheart Topanga Lawrence (Danielle Fishel) -- though he balks when Topanga suggests that they elope immediately! Having both graduated from John Adams High School, Cory and Topanga enroll at nearby Penbrook College, where Cory's brother Eric (Will Friedle) is entering his sophomore year. Cory's pal Shawn (Rider Strong) has moved out of the apartment he shares with Eric and Jack Newman (Matthew Lawrence), whereupon Eric and Jack welcome a new roomie in the very attractive form of no-nonsense, take-charge Rachel McGuire (Maitland Ward). Elsewhere, Cory's mother Amy (Betsy Randle) gives birth to her fourth child, a boy named Joshua; and former John Adams High principal Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) contemplates retirement, but moves back to town to ask for the hand of Ms. Bolander (Bonnie Bartlett). The season finale takes place at the wedding of Feeny and Bolander, during which a tearful Topanga, unnerved by the impending divorce of her parents, is on the verge of breaking off her engagement with Cory. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Savage, Rider Strong, (more)
- 1999
The seventh and final season of Boy Meets World opens on a less than lighthearted note, with Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and Topanga Lawrence (Danielle Fishel) having broken off their engagement, and Cory's pal Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong) splitting up with his sweetie Angela Moore (Trina McGee-Davis). Eventually however, at least one of the couples patches things up, and Cory and Topanga are married in the appropriately titled episode "It's About Time." Later on, the newlyweds move to New York, where Topanga has accepted an internship. Back in Philadelphia, Cory's brother Eric (Will Friedle) exhibits a heretofore carefully hidden streak of responsibility as he and his roomie Jack (Matthew Lawrence) take over management of the student union at Penbrook College. In many ways, this turn of events is even more unbelievable than season seven's obligatory fantasy episode "As Time Goes By," in which the series regulars are recast as the characters from the 1942 film classic Casablanca. Without giving away too many details regarding the series finale, it can be noted that Angela moves to Europe to be nearer to her father; Shawn and Jack join the Peace Corps; and Cory's longtime friendly enemy, school principal George Feeny (William Daniels), delivers the poignant curtain speech. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Savage, Rider Strong, (more)
- 2000
In conclusion of a two-part story (originally shown in tandem with Part One), the "war of pranks", pitting Cory (Ben Savage), Shawn (Rider Strong) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) against Rachel (Maitland Ward), Angela (Trina McGee-Davis) and Jack (Matthew Lawrence) has gone wildly out of control, the result being that several long-standing friendships have been destroyed. Mr. Feeny does his best to repair the damage, but it may be too late. Only after everyone gets a chilling glimpse into The Future--the year 2006--does the situation resolve itself. Without revealing any more, the point of the story is summed up in one pithy sentence: "Lose one friend, lose all friends, lose yourself." This episode was originally planned as the series finale of Boy Meets World ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
At long last, Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) are husband and wife. While enjoying their honeymoon in Hawaii, the newlyweds are enchanted with their tropical surroundings, so much so that they decide to never, ever return to Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Eric (Will Friedle), who has surreptitiously tagged along with the honeymooners, does all sorts of things to help them enjoy their stay in the islands--all the while managing to keep his presence a secret from them! Naturally, it falls to Eric to subtly persuade the couple to return home...but it isn't easy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Eric (Will Friedle) has a bizarre new roommate named Adam (Charlie Newmark), who apparently has patterned his life after Psycho's Norman Bates--right down to the stuffed bird and dead-but-alive mother. In a strikingly similar situation, Cory (Ben Savage) begins having nightmares in which he murders Shawn (Rider Strong) in a variety of unique ways. Does Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) have the answer to Cory's plight? This episode marks both the return and final appearance of Cory's erstwhile sweetheart Lauren (Linda Cardellini). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
