George Sawava Movies
- 1979
Beggarman, Thief is the 4-hour sequel to the ratings-busting miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man; both productions were based on the works of novelist Irwin Shaw. For the purposes of the sequel, a new member of the Jordache clan is introduced: filmmaker Gretchen Jordache Burke, played by Jean Simmons. It is Gretchen's task to keep the family together after the murder of her brother Tom (played by Nick Nolte in Rich Man, Poor Man) and the recent disappearance of her other brother Rudy (Peter Strauss, re-creating his RMPM role). Originally presented in two parts, Beggarman, Thief was first telecast November 26 and 27, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Simmons, Glenn Ford, (more)
- 1979
The fourth Airport film may be the silliest of them all, as George Kennedy returns, this time co-piloting with Alain Delon. The plane is on its way to the Moscow Olympics, has a bomb on board, and gets fired upon with missiles that necessitate flying upside-down. A look at the cast list resembles a bad episode of Fantasy Island, but it's always fun to see shameless touches like casting Mercedes McCambridge (Johnny Guitar) as the coach of the Soviet team. If you don't understand the significance of that choice, you may find this film more tedious than laughable, but fans of bad movies will have a field day, as Jimmie Walker, Charo, and -- oddly enough -- Bibi Andersson rub shoulders with high-altitude disaster. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alain Delon, Susan Blakely, (more)
- 1975
The fourth season of Streets of San Francisco finds veteran police detective Mike Stone (Karl Malden) and his youthful (but increasingly experienced) partner Steve Keller (Michael Douglas) still operating out of the SFPD's homicide squad. The focus in this episode, however, is on a pair of romantically involved narcotics agents, George (Clu Gulager and Amy Ninette Bravo). When she is killed by an addict, he goes on a bitter rampage, determined to avenge her death--and seriously hampering Stone and Keller's investigation of the murder in the process. This episode is highligted by a wild car-chase finale, as well as a significant pre-Star Wars appearance by Mark Hamill. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Henry Jones guest stars as Dr. Alexander Knott, an elderly country physician who helps Roy (Kevin Tighe) and John (Randolph Mantooth) during an emergency--and who goes to great lengths to hide his own physical frailties. Back at the station house, John becomes starstuck during a photo shoot in which he is surrounded by beautiful models. And in another show business-related incident, a pair of Hollywood stuntmen (played by real-life stunt performers Fred Gabourie and George Sawaya) are trapped on a studio-built waterfall. The same week that this episode originally aired on NBC, the cast of Emergency! appeared in a "crossover" episode on Adam-12, "ost and Found". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Comedian Mort Sahl guest stars as a publicity-hungry jewel thief who finds himself trapped in an air-conditioned duct. Elsewhere, radioactivity causes serious problems as the paramedics try to rescue a man injured in a science lab; two barroom brawlers carry their fight over into the hospital waiting room; and an arrogant surfer suffers mightily when he returns to the waves before he has fully recovered from an accident. The title of this episode has something to do with paramedic Johnny Gage's (Randolph Mantooth) devotion to Emergency!'s "sister" TV series Adam-12. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Described in the original TV Guide listings as "a young movie and TV comer", Martin Sheen essays another bad-guy role for producer Quinn Martin in this episode. Sheen is cast as Steve Chandler, a novice contract killer who goes into hiding from both the FBI and the Mob after bungling a job. On the verge of starting life anew with girlfriend Marcy Brandon (Meg Foster), Chandler realizes with startling suddenness that his days of freedom (and on earth!) might be numbered. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Ironside (Raymond Burr) investigates a perversely amusing situation wherein an elusive criminal has been burglarizing other criminals. The trail of evidence leads to a halfway house for ex-cons, run by former jailbird Lou Karns (Pat Hingle). Though lighthearted in nature, the episode turns serious when the unknown thief steals money from the Mob, whereupon Karns and his "customers" may well be targeted for extermination. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
It looks like it's going to be a "Dark Christmas" for the family of Richard Ghormley (John Lupton), former employee of smuggler William Shrack (Eugene Peterson). Though innocent of any wrongdoing himself, Ghormley knows too much about Shrack's operation for his own good. Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) races against time to prevent Ghormley from being killed by professional hitman Stuart Tilden (Don Gordon)--who has already shot down several people who've have the misfortune to get in his way. Appearing as Tilden's erstwhile girlfriend is Sondra Locke, future leading lady (both onscreen and off) of Clint Eastwood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A murder investigation uncovers a plot that could destroy the world as we know it in this thriller. When a scientist doing research on nuclear weapons is murdered during a hospital stay, federal investigator Dave Pomeroy (Howard Duff) is called in to find out who killed him and why. With the help of Dr. Paula Stevens (Linda Cristal), the late scientist's assistant, Pomeroy learns that the scientist fell victim to a group of communist renegades whose members include two brilliant but unstable weapons experts, August Best (Nehemiah Persoff) and Myra Pryor (Anne Jeffreys). Pomeroy discovers that Best and Pryor have constructed an atomic bomb of their own -- and that they're threatening to use it to start World War III, forcing the detective to take swift action to prevent worldwide devastation. Panic in the City also features Dennis Hopper in the small role of Goff, just a year before Easy Rider would make him a star. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Howard Duff, Linda Cristal, (more)
- 1968
Subscribing to a computer dating service, Goober misunderstands the questions on the application form and supplies misleading information. For example, he describes himself as a voracious reader, neglecting to mention that his reading material consists entirely of comic books. But the computer doesn't know that, and as result Goober is matched up with worldly, erudite psychologist Dr. Edith Gibson (Nancy Malone). Scripted by Bruce Howard from a story by Bob Ross, "A Girl for Goober" was the 249th and final episode of The Andy Griffith Show. It was, however, originally telecast as the next-to-last episode, on March 25, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Berry
- 1968
Sol Madrid isn't a western, as might be gathered, but a drug-ring melodrama. David McCallum shows up early in the film as a spaced-out junkie. But Man From UNCLE fans need not worry: McCallum is actually an undercover agent, looking for the source of heroin being trafficked by the Mafia. The top man in the Mexican-based narcotics operation is the man you'd least likely expect -- especially when one remembers the sort of roles the guilty party had previously played in his long career. Based on Robert Wilder's novel Fruit of the Poppy, this went out to British moviehouses under the title The Heroin Gang. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David McCallum, Stella Stevens, (more)
- 1967
Former movie villain turned Hollywood producer Sheldon Leonard arranges to film a scene for his latest TV pilot at Mr. Mooney's bank. Unaware of this, Lucy (Lucille Ball) jumps to the wrong conclusion when she hears Leonard, "in character" as a gangster, planning a major bank heist. Thus it is that Lucy and Mary Jane (Mary Jane Croft) disguise themselves as scrubwomen to foil the sinister schemes of the "crooked" Mr. Leonard. This final episode of The Lucy Show's fifth season closes with a marvelously Pirandellian moment, as Sheldon Leonard contemplates creating a new series built around the antics of a zany redhead! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sheldon Leonard, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1967
Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) takes over as head of the Impossible Missions Force in "The Widow." This time, the target is Alex Cresnic (William Cresnic), the world's largest heroin dealer. The IMF's mission is to persuade Cresnic's buyers that he has double-crossed them. First step: to convince Cresnic that Cinnamon is the widow of his partner Mark Walters (Joe Maross)--who is still very much alive. (Written by Barney Slater, "The Widow" first aired September 10, 1967, as the opening episode of Mission: Impossible's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1967
In this WW II drama a naive group of men join the military to fight for their country, never anticipating the horrifying realities of war. One of them is mortified at first, but then turns into a heartless killer. His sergeant reprimands him for shooting a surrendering German. Later he proves himself worthy by risking his neck to save the sergeant. Afterwards the two become life-long friends. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Drury, Steve Carlson, (more)
Tongue-in-cheek humor prevails in Batman, a witty homage to the Dynamic Duo's exaggerated exploits. The Caped Crusaders (Adam West and Burt Ward) are called in as a last resort when the criminal masterminds of the millennium team up to conquer Gotham City by turning the U.N. Security Council into dehydrated dust; among the villains are the Joker (Cesar Romero), Catwoman (Lee Meriwether), the Riddler (Frank Gorshin), and the Penguin (Burgess Meredith). The entire cast is excellent, particularly West and Ward, who distinguish themselves among a standout list with hilariously straight-faced performances. The film includes some truly memorable scenes, highlighted by a particularly tenacious shark with a vertical leap that would put Spud Webb to shame and a bomb on the waterfront with no place to explode (nuns, infants and lovebirds beware!). ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In this well-regarded film noir thriller, Joe Barron (Glenn Ford) is a police detective whose wife Lisa (Elke Sommer) has inherited a stock portfolio from her father. Joe and Lisa go on a spending spree, but when their new holdings fail to pay dividends, Joe finds himself deep in debt. Dr. Horace Van Tilden (Joseph Cotten), a rich doctor who caters to high-society clientele, shoots an intruder in his home, and Joe is assigned to investigate; Joe discovers that Van Tilden has a lucrative sideline selling drugs, and that the shooting victim was actually an addict looking for dope. When Joe learns that Van Tilden keeps his drug money in a safe at home, he sees a way to finally pay off his debts, but his partner, Pete Delanos (Ricardo Montalban), gets wind of Joe's scheme and demands a cut of the action. Matters become more complicated for Joe when he learns that the man Van Tilden shot was married to Rosalie (Rita Hayworth), whom he loved many years ago. The Money Trap was directed by Burt Kennedy, who was best known for his witty and unconventional westerns. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glenn Ford, Elke Sommer, (more)
- 1966
Blinded in an explosion, Saunders (Vic Morrow) is rescued by a British-accented man (Fritz Weaver) identifying himself as Chaplain Ernest Miller. The Chaplain persuades Saunders to assist him in carrying a wounded Allied officer back to American lines. What the sightless Saunders doesn't know is that "Miller" and the wounded man are both Germans--and they intend to lead him in the wrong direction and into captivity. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Awakened at 3 AM and summoned to a secret meeting with President Grant (William Bryant), Jason (Chuck Connors) recalls a similar meeting between himself and Grant during the Civil War. Captured by Confederate soldiers, Jason soon discovers that his fellow POW is none other than General Grant--whose incarceration may well turn the tide of the war in favor of the South. Andrew J. Fenady, who wrote this episode, makes a cameo appearance as General Phil Sheridan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this western a cowboy rides out for vengeance against the outlaws who brutally murdered his sister. But before he can exact vigilante justice upon the killers a wise old lawman manages to round up the gang and bring them to proper justice. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1965
SS Captain Reichhart (George Backman) and his minions take sadistic delight in capturing and torturing American officers. Reichart's latest "catch" is none other than Lt. Hanley (Rick Jason) of King Company. Sgt. Saunders (Vic Morrow) must locate the Nazi's secret headquarters before it is too late for Hanley. Prominent in the supporting cast is future Star Trek costar Leonard Nimoy, adopting a German accent for the occasion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this western, a cavalry sergeant is wrongly court-martialed. To reclaim his good name, he takes over a patrol that just lost its leader in an Indian attack. He leads the regiment to Fort Courageous, but is appalled to discover that the Indians attacked and massacred all but one of its inhabitants. The hardy little group must now fight the renegades on their own. The ex-sergeant plans a brilliant strategy that culminates in winning the Indian's respect. They leave the fort alone and peace is restored. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this touching drama, an abandoned young girl and a world-weary, embittered ex-prizefighter team up and hitchhike to California. There, he hopes to find the drug addicted deadbeat who has absconded with his life savings. As the two make the arduous journey, the boxer cannot help but find his bleak outlook on life lightened by his optimistic young companion who amuses herself by gazing at the world through the gaily colored wrappers of the suckers she always carries. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don Gordon, Lee Philips, (more)
- 1963
Spliced together with plentiful strips of old footage from previous films set in Africa, this routine romantic drama takes place on the east, equatorial region of the so-called "dark continent," in 1897. The story features Mariette Hartley as Ruth Knight and Lloyd Bochner as David, an engineer and Ruth's romantic interest during a safari. Frankie Avalon plays another safari member. Aside from the spliced-in scenery and animals, and the romance between Ruth and David, there is a dash of adventure here and there as slave traders enter into the action. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Avalon, Mariette Hartley, (more)
- 1963
The Clampetts prepare to celebrate their first Thanksgiving in Beverly Hills. Problem is, Elly May has become so attached to the Thanksgiving turkey that she can't bear the thought of cookin' and eatin' the poor bird. The plot of this episode manages to accommodate two rather inauthentic-looking Indians, one of them portrayed by ubiquitous dialect comedian Benny Rubin. "Turkey Day" premiered on November 27, 1963, appropriately, the day before Thanksgiving. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Based on the story "The Horla" by Guy de Maupassant, this grim low-budget potboiler stars Vincent Price as Simon Cordier, a ruthless magistrate in 19th-century Paris who becomes possessed by the malevolent spirit (or "horla") of a condemned murderer whom Cordier was forced to kill in self-defense. Driven by the madman's ghost to continue his pattern of brutal crimes, Cordier comes to the realization that the only way he can purge the violent demon from his soul is to immolate himself in a blazing pyre. Though the riveting Price (whose very presence can enliven even the most dismal of horror duds) does an admirable job as the tormented Cordier, he is unable to bear the ponderous weight of this tedious production. Although a parallel between the callousness of Cordier's office and the insensate evil of his crimes would have provided an interesting subtext, the script forfeits this potential, relying instead on a pat, self-righteous finale with religious overtones. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vincent Price, Nancy Kovack, (more)
