Casey Sander Movies
This Hallmark Channel TV movie is one of several starring Kellie Martin as Samantha "Sam" Kinsey, the owner of a British-style American bookshop which traffics in mystery novels. The game is afoot when Sam's friend Barbara Sommers (Patricia McCormack, a dyed-in-the-wool conspiracy buff, suspects foul play in the death of a wealthy relative. Still worse, Barbara has been frozen out of the will, which favors such high-profile lowlifes as the dead man's brassy trophy wife Madaline (Robyn Lively) and his covetous stepdaughter Fawn (Kari Wuhrer). After crying "foul" in public over the questionable circumstances surrounding the loved one's death and the subsequent bequests, Barbara is herself murdered--and the incriminating photos which she had in her possession have vanished. Investigating the killing, Sam and her friends, former CIA agent Philby (Casey Sander) and public prosecutor Cassie (Nina Siesmazko), unearth a trail of evidence going as far back as 60 years! Mystery Woman: Snapshot originally aired January 28, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This Hallmark Channel TV movie is one of several starring Kellie Martin as Samantha "Sam" Kinsey, the owner of a British-style American bookshop which traffics in mystery novels. On this occasion, Sam hopes to bring new customers into her establishment by inviting the once famous folk-rock trio of Steven, Dan and Carly (played by David Naughton, John Getz) and Ellen Greene) to perform at a charity show held near the "Mystery Woman" bookshop. Inevitably, a murder occurs, and the victim is Steven, Dan and Carly's much-despised promoter Jason Hurd. The prime suspect is Carly, who has apparently been engaged in underhanded dealings with her burned-out husband Dan. Taking a personal interest in the case is Sam's coworker, former CIA agent Philby (Clarence Williams III), who has idolized the musical trio since the 1960s. Mystery Woman: Sing Me a Murder debuted February 25, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
This Hallmark Channel TV movie is one of several starring Kellie Martin as Samantha "Sam" Kinsey, the owner of a British-style American bookshop which traffics in mystery novels. This time out, Sam scores a coup when she manages to get reclusive mystery writer Donald Fiske (William Katt) to make a rare personal appearance at her "Mystery Woman" bookshop. Also on hand is the writer's bitchy wife Jody (Sheree J. Wilson) and his troubled son Cameron (AJ Trauth), not to mention a somewhat disreputable videogame developer named Randy (Jamie Elman), who has persuaded Sam to carry his latest creation, an addictive game called "Whodunnit?", in her store. When Fiske is murdered, Randy is the primary suspect, the result of an ownership squabble over "Whodunnit" which not only involved the dead man, but also some very shady characters from Russia. Though Randy seems to be guilty as hell, Sam nonetheless works overtime to prove his innocence, a task complicated when Sam is assaulted and Jody is kidnapped. Mystery Woman: Game Time premiered August 21, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This Hallmark Channel TV movie is one of several starring Kellie Martin as Samantha "Sam" Kinsey, the owner of a British-style American bookshop which traffics in mystery novels. To improve business, Sam hosts a book signing with three celebrity "whodunit" authors in attendance. One of the three, Claire Beckman (Beth Broderick), uses the occasion to announce her retirement -- whereupon she is nearly shot to death by a cleverly rigged hidden pistol. A second attempt on Claire's life, using poison, succeeds, whereupon local police chief Connors (Casey Sander) places everyone under suspicion -- including Sam. Thus, our heroine is forced once again to play amateur sleuth, with the able assistance of her friends and colleagues, especially enigmatic former CIA agent Philby (Clarence Williams III). Mystery Woman: Mystery Weekend debuted January 7, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kellie Martin, Clarence Williams III, (more)
- 2005
This Hallmark Channel TV movie is one of several starring Kellie Martin as Samantha "Sam" Kinsey, the owner of a British-style American bookshop which specializes in mystery novels. As is her habit, Sam ends up playing amateur detective herself, this time at a fancy health spa called Drummonds. One of the spa's customers, a woman named Debbie (Allison Smith) is found murdered, and suspicion immediately falls upon Alice (Bess Meyer), whose husband George (Scott Grimes) and Debbie were having an affair. Complicating matters is the presence of a psychic named Emily (Felicia Day) who with unbecoming eagerness offers to direct the police to the location where Debbie's body has been hidden. As a result, Emily herself is accused of the murder--and at this point Sam and her friends Cassie (Nina Siemaszko) and Philby (Clarence Williams III)--the latter a former CIA agent!--try their hand at ferreting out the real killer. Mystery Woman: Vision of Murder debuted June 5, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
An epic-Western in the grand tradition, the made-for-cable The Trail to Hope Rose stars Lou Diamond Phillips as Keenan Deerfield, a half-Indian outlaw just released from prison. Determined to start life anew, Keenan takes a grueling rock-mining job in a town controlled by the odious Driggers family, headed by flint-eyed patriarch Samuel Drigger (Warren Stevens), with the coldblooded Gerald Rutledge (Richard Tyson) as the family's chief henchman. Keenan's fellow workers are treated like slaves and forced to live in squalor, but none dare complain lest they meet with one of the many convient "accidents" that have befallen anyone who dares stand up to the Driggers. With stoic fortitude, Keenan waits for the right moment to strike a blow for justice, benefiting from the moral support of the town's honest but ineffectual Marshal Toll (Lee Majors) and good-natured farmer Eugene Lawson (Ernest Borgnine). The plot thickens when Keenan falls in love with Gerald's "woman," the pregnant Christine Beckford (Marina Black), and when one of Keenan's past associates, A.J. Foster (David Shackelford), rides into town intent upon stealing the Drigger mine's payroll. The rather endearing old-fashioned quality of the film is enhanced by the location-shooting at the Paramount Ranch, a reconstructed western town in Agoura, CA. The Trail to Hope Rose first aired July 4, 2004, on the Hallmark channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ernest Borgnine, Lou Diamond Phillips, (more)
- 2000
A teenage boy has his life turned upside down (usually once a week) in this half-hour situation comedy. 14-year-old Tucker Pierce (Eli Marienthal) is already having enough trouble dealing with school, the onset of adolescence, and his body's new habit of betraying his feelings about girls when his father decides to leave his mother Jeannie (Noelle Beck) for a younger woman. With few options, Tucker and Jeannie end up moving in with Jeannie's sister Claire (Katey Sagal), her husband Jimmy (Casey Sander), and their son Leon (Nathan Lawrence). Tucker is more than a little creeped out by Leon's malign obsession with professional wrestling, and Claire is convinced her nephew is some sort of pervert, but Tucker fortunately has an ally in the neighborhood -- a pretty girl his age named McKenna (Alison Lohman). Directed and co-produced by Allan Arkush, Tucker premiered on the NBC television network on October 2, 2000. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eli Marienthal, Katey Sagal, (more)
- 1996
Ellen Hart Pena was a woman who seemingly had it all -- she was beautiful, a respected athlete, and the wife of a successful politician, Federico Pena -- the mayor of Denver, CO, before being named U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Clinton. But Ellen also had a dangerous secret -- she suffered from the eating disorder bulimia, which not only came close to claiming her life, but also threatened the health of her unborn child. Dying to Be Perfect: The Ellen Hart Pena Story is a made-for-TV movie that documents Ellen's struggle to conquer her eating disorder, as well as overcome the poor self-image that led her to starve herself. Ellen Hart Pena is played by Crystal Bernard, while her husband Federico is portrayed by Esai Morales; the supporting cast also includes Casey Sander and Tom Atkins. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Crystal Bernard, Esai Morales, (more)
- 1996
While being escorted to prison from Phoenix to New York, crazed killer Peter Cronin (Anthony Michael Hall) hijacks a commercial jet in flight with the help of accomplices. Holding the 200 passengers and the crew members hostage, Cronin forces the plane to land in Dallas, then demands another, more powerful aircraft for the last leg of his escape. As FBI agent Frank Layton (Perry King) and detective Deni Patton (Ally Sheedy) attempt to negotiate with Cronin, time runs perilously short for the hostages, who know that the killer isn't bluffing when he threatens to kill one prisoner per hour unless his demands are met. A curious reunion for former Breakfast Club costars Anthony Michael Hall and Ally Sheedy, the made-forTV Hijacked: Flight 285--which is so weighed down with the "backstories" of the many characters that it could well have been retitled "The High and the Mighty at Gunpoint"--made its ABC network debut on February 4, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Brolin, Perry King, (more)
- 1994
In this adventure, a poor street urchin and a poor-little-rich boy who look exactly alike meet and decide to switch roles. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Weaver, Rider Strong, (more)
Stars of country music fill out the cast of this made-for-TV western. Kenny Rogers plays a bounty hunter who sets off with his newlywed partner (Travis Tritt) to track down the kidnappers who ran off with Tritt's wife (Laura Harring). ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1992
As The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air returns for a third season, rap-happy homeboy Will (Will Smith) returns to the lavish LA home of his relatives, the Bankses, after spending the summer in his old South Philly 'hood. Will has brought with him a new hip-hop hairstyle and wardrobe that thrills his cousin Ashley (Tatyana M. Ali) but greatly annoys his uptight Uncle Philip (James Avery). When he clashes with Philip over the use of his new cell phone, Will is turned out of the house, whereupon he tries to move in with his pal Jazz (Jeff Townes)--but things don't turn out as planned, and before long our hapless hero has been collared by The Law. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Do not confuse this fact-based feature with the more tongue-in-cheek cable TV version, The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader Murdering Mom. This one looks seriously at the story of a Texas mother who was willing to kill to ensure her daughter's place on the cheerleading squad. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Based on the true-life adventures of the late Drug Enforcement Agency spy Barry Seal, this exciting espionage adventure chronicles the events that lead up to his death in 1984. Before coming to work for the DEA, smooth-talking Seal (Dennis Hopper) had been a drug smuggler for the notorious Medellin Cartel in Colombia. The DEA captures him and he agrees to become their informant. Unfortunately, though he is a master con artist, he is no match for the con men running the U.S. government agency. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Hopper
- 1991
The whole story is in the title of this made-for-TV heartstopper. Based on a true 1988 incident, the film details the breakout of a fire in a Los Angeles high-rise. The LA fire department does what it can, but their ladder equipment falls short of the 37-story requirement. Lee Majors, Lisa Hartman and Peter Scolari comprise the all-TV star cast of this Towering Inferno clone (which improves upon its role model): Majors is the LAFD supervisor, while Hartman and Scolari are the unlucky entrapped office workers. The focal point of Fire! Trapped on the 37th Floor is not the conflagration itself but the resourcefulness of the professional firefighters and the improvisational skill with which they utilize their equipment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee Majors, Lisa Hartman, (more)
- 1991
This biopic chronicles the rapid rise to fame of the enduringly popular California rock band. Though it was a fast ascent, it was not without problems and each of the band members suffered personal problems. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1991
The "first time" usually refers to romance in TV movies of this nature. Corin Nemic is an impressionable young Jewish kid who falls hard for girl next door Cheryl Pollak. Ah, but this is San Antonio in the early 1960s, and Pollak is Catholic. Before you can say "Bridget Loves Bernie" (or even "Abie's Irish Rose") the two young spooners are stymied by parental pressure. It is the girl who takes the initiative in quelling the fears and doubts of the grown-ups, while shy Corin stands by in moonstruck admiration. For the Very First Time is nearly stolen by Donovan Leach (son of rock singer Donovan and sister of actress Ione Skye), who plays a beatnik artist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Al Novak (Robin Thomas), ex-husband of officer Chris Novak (Robin Thomas), goes undercover to flush out a counterfeiter known as The Dutchman. When the counterfeiter's courier is killed, Hunter (Fred Dryer) discovers that the American Secret Service has a vested interest in the case. Chris' interest is, however, a little more personal--especially when Al's cover is blown. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Single parent Victoria Principal is justifiably driven into a blind rage when her 11-year-old daughter (Danielle Harris) is molested. Thanks to legal loopholes, the girl's attacker is set free. Victoria swears vengeance, and intends to get it by any means possible, despite the level-headed remonstrations of cop Paul Sorvino. Also known as Nightmare, the made-for-TV Don't Touch My Daughter debuted April 7, 1991. Its director was John Pasquin, who later helmed the innocuous, family-oriented theatrical feature The Santa Clause. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victoria Principal, Danielle Harris, (more)
- 1989
As a reporter investigates the disappearance of an anchorwoman, his important characters are being killed by an "avenging angel." ~ All Movie Guide
- 1987
Looking forward to a passionate reunion with his erstwhile LA-based fiancee Cynthia Farrell (Dana Delany), Magnum (Tom Selleck) is torn away at the last minute by a pressing business matter. Cynthia is understandably put out to discover that Magnum has been hired by a sexy actress named Andrea Lisa Blount). As it turns out, all thoughts of romance must be held in check--perhaps permanently--as Magnum tracks down a sleazy porn director whom Cynthia accuses of making "snuff" films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Not to be confused with the 1975 TV movie Bloodsport, this 1986 production was a spin-off of the recently cancelled police drama series T.J. Hooker. William Shatner is back as the aforementioned Hooker, a cop on special assignment to Hawaii (where the film was lensed). Accompanied by longtime professional colleagues Stacey Sheridan (Heather Locklear) and Jim Corrigan (James Darren), Sgt. Hooker endeavors to protect U.S. Senator Stuart Grayle (Don Murray) and his wife, Barbara (Kim Miyori), from terrorists, only to find that the assignment isn't quite as cut and dried as it seems. Telecast May 21, 1986, on CBS, Blood Sport did not result in a wholesale weekly revival of T.J. Hooker, as the producers evidently had hoped, though reruns of the original series continued to be seen on CBS' late-night schedule until September 17, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Shatner, Heather Locklear, (more)
- 1985
In this drama, an angry, bereaved husband decides to get his own kind of justice after the man who killed his wife and son is freed on a legal technicality. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1995
- R
During a big barroom brawl, petty crook Martin accidentally shoots the son of a crime lord and flees to the relative safety of a remote northern California logging community in this taut drama. In the little town, he takes over an abandoned hunting cabin, changes his name and begins working as a logger. Eventually he meets, Anna, a lovely young widow and her teenage son, Jeff. The disparate twosome fall in love, but Martin tells Anna nothing about his past. She has a good effect on him and he tries to live a decent life. Unfortunately, a crooked sheriff learns the truth and begins trying to blackmail him. He also meets opposition with his crew boss Max, Anna's suspicious brother. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Costas Mandylor, Megan Gallagher, (more)
