Gordon Scott Movies
Gordon Scott first flexed his 19-inch biceps as a Phys Ed major at the University of Oregon. He served as a drill instructor and MP in the Infantry, then tackled a series of short-term civilian jobs, including fireman, cowboy, and farm-machinery salesman. While working as a lifeguard, Scott was discovered by a couple of talent scouts for independent producer Sol Lesser. Selected from 200 applicants, Scott was hired by Lesser to play the eleventh movie-Tarzan in 1955's Tarzan's Fight for Life. Also appearing in that film was actress Vera Miles, who became Scott's third wife (they divorced in 1959). Many aficionados of the long-running film series consider Scott to be the best of the post-Weissmuller Tarzans. Of Scott's five "Tarzan" efforts, his fans are most partial to the Jay Weintraub-produced Tarzan's Greatest Adventure (1959) and Tarzan the Magnificent (1960). Beginning in 1960, Scott flourished as star of many an Italian sword-and-sandal epic and spaghetti western. Gordon Scott retired from acting in 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1990
A tribute to Hollywood's Tarzan as played by Johnny Weismuller, Gordon Scott and Ron Ely as well as all the of the accompanying Janes and chimps. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1977
In this drama, a widower takes his adopted daughter for an old-fashioned Texas-style Christmas at his parent's house. While back home, the father meets his childhood love and romance ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Delta County USA was the feature-length pilot film for a proposed prime-time serial. The titular county is an old, hidebound Southern community, harboring ever so many dark secrets. The dramatic tension of the film is manifested in the lack of understanding between the older citizens and the young set. Jim Antonio heads the cast as "Jack the Bear," who's smarter than the av-er-age...you know. Delta County USA was initially telecast May 20, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A trio of musically talented Harlem sisters rise to become major stars of the '50s. Unfortunately, their sudden popularity causes much turmoil in their lives. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Philip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, (more)
For better or worse, The Gumball Rally was the catalyst for a short-lived cycle of "illegal cross-country race" flicks. As thick-headed cop Roscoe (Norman Burton) does his best to stop the titular rally, a vast and varied contingent of contestants prepare to burn rubber from New York to California. The best-looking of the racers is played by top-billed Michael Sarrazin; Franco, a delightfully narcissistic Italian road jockey played by Raul Julia, also competes. Producer/director Chuck Bail was formerly a stunt coordinator, which helps to explain the incessant car crashes and near-misses in the film. Surprisingly, the doggedly low-budget Gumball Rally was produced by First Artists, a company formed by such major stars as Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, and Steve McQueen for the purpose of creating "prestige" film fare. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Sarrazin, Norman Burton, (more)
- 1974
- PG
Based on Lillian Bos Ross' novel The Stranger and adapted by screenwriter Marc Norman 25 years before he would win the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award for 1999's Shakespeare in Love (along with Tom Stoppard), Zandy's Bride is a romantic Western starring (Gene Hackman) as gruff rural rancher Zandy Allan. Looking more for an extra hand around the ranch than a companion, Zandy sends for a mail-order bride from Sweden. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't get what he expected. When his bride, Hannah (Liv Ullmann), arrives she is anything but compliant, bearing a headstrong attitude that rubs Zandy the wrong way. Although he mistreats her at first, Zandy and Hannah fall in love as hardship hits and they must struggle together for their survival. Also starring Eileen Heckart and Harry Dean Stanton, Zandy's Bride was also released under the title For Better, For Worse. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Hackman, Liv Ullmann, (more)
- 1972
- R
Screenwriter Ernest Lehman, whose credits include the screenplays for North by Northwest, Sabrina, West Side Story, and The Sweet Smell of Success, made a less than distinguished debut as a director with this adaptation of Philip Roth's controversial novel about Alexander Portnoy (Richard Benjamin), a Jewish man who, during a session with his analyst, goes on one long tirade after another about his family, his childhood, his sexual fantasies and desires, his problems with women, and his obsession with his own Judaism. If ever there was a novel that by its nature would defy accurate presentation onscreen, this was it; but for all its flaws, Portnoy's Complaint does feature a few good performances, most notably Karen Black as Portnoy's Gentile lust object, "The Monkey," Jeannie Berlin as the memorably named local slattern Bubbles Girardi, and Jill Clayburgh as Naomi, a woman Portnoy meets in Israel. Lehman never directed again. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Benjamin, Karen Black, (more)
- 1967
One thing that always amazes us about "death rays" in the movies is that they're usually invented "for the good of mankind." No such altruism surrounds the demon device in this film, which is stolen early on by terrorists. Unless the world powers meet their demands, the villains will unleash the ray on any and all comers. Sent to set things aright is secret agent Gordon Scott, who after all those Tarzan and gladiator films looks a bit uncomfortable in a dinner jacket. This "James Bond" clone made the US rounds in the mid-1960s, when local TV stations were running anything filmed in color. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gordon Scott
- 1966
A Civil War vet returns home to his home in the South and witnesses the outdated attitudes of his family--particularly those of his domineering father. This western drama was filmed on location in Argentina. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Cotten, Gordon Scott, (more)
- 1965
The special effects and cinematography are perhaps the most impressive attributes of this movie. Zeus' son, Hercules, takes on an angry sea monster to rescue fair maiden in distress. This was a pilot for a television series. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1965
An Italian prince recruits a team of wayfarers to battle against sea pirates in this 1965 film. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this Italian swashbuckler ruthless pirates threaten the rule of the Doge of Venice. Fortunately, his brave son puts on a mask, calls himself "The Lion of St. Mark," and rallies together a regiment of mercenaries to stop them. After a few skirmishes with the pirates, the Lion finds himself falling in love for a female pirate. When his mercenaries capture her, he must save her. The grateful woman offers her thanks, but refuses to give up on her pirates. When she learns the Lion's real identity, she rethinks her position. Meanwhile the pirates are vanquished, and the hero's uncle adopts the pirate woman so that she and his nephew may continue their courtship. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1963
In this sword and sandal epic, a slave saves an enslaved princess from Roman invaders. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Gordon Scott portrays Glaucus, the son of the king of Pyras, who journeys to the neighboring kingdom of Mycene, which is ruled by the evil cult of the god Moloch. There he assumes the name of Hercules and distinguishes himself in the arena, becoming a trusted member of the household guard. This allows him to organize and lead a rebellion against the followers of the murderous Moloch, then against the monster himself. The acting and production values of this sword-and-sandal adventure film are above average, with very elaborate battle scenes involving far more than the usual number of extras, a large visual canvas, and an ambitious finale set in a maze of caverns in which two contending sets of gods use the character as their pawns. A rich score by Carlo Rustichelli also enhances the viewing of this lively, action-filled fantasy-adventure, although parents might want to keep younger viewers away from this movie, with its depictions of Moloch mutilating the beauty of the women sacrificed to him. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gordon Scott
- 1963
Ex-Tarzan Gordon Scott plays the "son of Hercules" (at least that's how he's designated in the TV print) in this sword 'n' sandal opus. The beast of Babylon (Michael Lane) is an evil king who considers the day wasted if he hasn't trampled on the rights of the citizens of Assyria. To make matters worse, the king regularly sacrifices pretty young maidens to the resident goddess. Scott muscles his way into the proceedings and spearheads a rebellion. The US theatrical title for this testosterone-laden adventure was Hero of Babylon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gordon Scott, Michael Lane, (more)
- 1963
Hero of Rome is not to be confused with Heroes of Rome, so don't. Ex-Tarzan Gordon Scott plays the title character Leading lady Gabriella Pallotta is nearly as musclebound as Scott-and cuter, besides. The plot is inconsequential: the usual tyrants, deadly tasks, fetching damsels and flashing pecs. Scott is always worth watching, seldom more so than here. Hero of Rome was another entry in TV's Sons of Hercules package, though Herc is nowhere to be found. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
This unexceptional Duel of the Titans takes place on two different levels at once. The legendary brothers Romulus and Remus go at it to see who will ultimately survive and found the city of Caesars. And the slightly less legendary but still impressive Steve Reeves (Romulus) and Gordon Scott (Remus) are brought into a kind of body-building competition. Romulus and Remus are shown from their earliest beginnings as abandoned babes on the Tiber River, destined to face all sorts of challenges. First come their adventures after they are adopted by a female wolf as her own offspring. Then they later handle catastrophes like an erupting volcano or hand-to-paw combat with an irate bear. Once the two brothers have reached adulthood, they become enemies, as Remus seeks to aggrandize his power and Romulus seeks to cut him down to size. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Reeves, Gordon Scott, (more)
- 1962
While the Elizabeth Taylor version of Cleopatra was still in production, all sorts of quickie productions and previously produced European epics concerning the Queen of Egypt began burrowing out of the woodwork. The Italian Queen for Caesar (Una Regina per Cesare) is listed as a 1962 release, though chances are it was lensed a few years earlier. Pascale Petit stars as Cleo, with sword-and-sandal veteran Gordon Scott as one of her paramours. The film covers the years between Cleopatra's ascendancy to the throne to her dalliance with Roman emperor Julius Caesar. Cleo's subsequent romance with Marc Antony is only hinted at in the film's last reels. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
This film represents the first spaghetti western to gain world-wide notoriety. It chronicles the adventures of Buffalo Bill who was assigned by General Grant to create peace between the settlers and the Indians. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
