Richard Shaw Movies

Cliff Robertson and George Chakiris star in this dumbed-down version of The Guns of Navarone. During World War II, the story concerns a Scandinavian underground leader, Erik Bergman (George Chakiris), who reports to British authorities the location of a German V2 fuel plant. As is the case in most World War II action films, the plant is in an impregnable location -- beneath an overhanging cliff at the end of a highly defended fjord. The only way the British can hope to destroy the plant is by collapsing the cliff on top of it. In order to do that, light Mosquito aircraft must be utilized. This is the job assigned to Wing Commander Roy Grant's (Cliff Robertson) 633 Squadron. In order to assist Grant in his air attack, Bergman attempts a simultaneous ground attack, but the ground attack fails, and Bergman is captured by the Germans. When he is tortured in their efforts to uncover the RAF plans, Bergman may not be able to withhold the top-secret information. Howard Koch and James Clavell adapted their screenplay from Frederick E. Smith's novel, reportedly based on a true story. Though Koch and Clavell are each known for their excellent writing, Squadron 633 is notable mostly for its adept cinematography from the co-operative effort of John Wilcox and Edward Scaife. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Major James Wilson (Lloyd Bridges) must lead his troops across the English channel in the D-day invasion of Normandy. He trains his regulars for the invasion knowing that many, if not all, may never survive the assault. Wilson is plagued by memories of previous missions that turned out to be suicidal. Captain Franklin (Andrew Keir) is the British officer who opposed the plan and has a personal vendetta against Wilson. The two are thrown together on the same mission when Franklin is slated to command the mine sweepers that transport Wilson's troops to their destination. They face overwhelming odds and a barrage of cannon fire from the Nazi stronghold on the Normandy coast. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

British comic actor Jimmy Edwards demonstrates his versatility in Bottoms Up by playing a character named Jimmy Edwards. Actually, it's Professor Jim Edwards, doctor of dunderheads. In the tradition of Will Hay, Edwards tries to maintain decorum in the boys' school where he serves as headmaster, but it's a losing battle. The fun really begins when the son of Edwards' bookie enrolls while disguised as a Middle-Eastern potentate. Producer/director Mario Zampi knows where the laughs are and knows how to get them in full measure. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this crime melodrama, a car salesman (and suspected safecracker) saves his fiancee from those who would kidnap her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In the fourth episode of the six-part story "Frontier in Space," Jo Grant (Katy Manning), traveling companion of the Doctor (Jon Pertwee), experiences some strange and disturbing visions. Meanwhile, the commissioner of Sirius 4 reveals himself to be the Doctor's old nemesis, the Master (Roger Delgado), who has been using his hypnotic powers -- and an army of Ogrons -- to foment a war between the planets Earth and Draconia. Written by Malcolm Hulke, "Frontier in Space, Episode 4" originally aired on March 17, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Space Museum," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions have passed through the Fourth Dimension, the first step in their journey back in time. Having glimpsed into the horrible future that awaits them at a Morok-controlled space museum, the Doctor must somehow alter the course of history. The trick is to return to the precise moment when the crew of the TARDIS became enmeshed in the political intrigues of the planet Xeron. Written by Glyn Jones, "The Search" first aired on May 8, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "Underworld," the Minyan space ship R1C has located its sister ship P7E, containing the "race bank" with which the ancient Minyan astronauts hope to revitalize their race. Alas, the P7E is under control of a malevolent computer, which has no intention of yielding its race banks. In fact, unless the Doctor (Tom Baker) acts quickly, everyone on board the R1C will perish -- including the Doctor and his companion Leela (Louise Jameson. First telecast January 18, 1978, "Underworld, Part 3" was written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Part of the "Carry On Series", this is a satire on the French Revolution in which Sidney James portrays the Black Fingernail, a rip-off Scarlet Pimpernel using double entendres and jokes of questionable taste and a wide variety of disguises to hid his identity. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide

In this thriller, a novelist is quite upset to discover himself awakening with a gun in his hand. He is more dismayed to find a dead relative nearby. Now he wonders: did he do it? He is assisted by a lady hitchhiker in discovering that the real killer is a female impersonator. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

A rugged, isolated island off the coast of Nova Scotia provides the setting for this drama. Much of the island is owned by one person, the other inhabitants, primarily lobster fishermen, rent from him. One of the lobster men begins romancing the wealthy owner's daughter and marries her. After the wedding, the bride is disturbed to learn that her hubby is a compulsive gambler who quickly squanders their small savings. The impoverished couple has no choice but to leave the island and live on the mainland. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this thriller, a newspaper columnist is killed and another reporter looks into it. He is shocked when his investigation implicates his own wife. Unable to believe this, he begins a more thorough search to reveal the true killer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn Monroe's blond competition in the late '50s and early '60s, stars in this crime melodrama as Billy, the leader of a gang of thieves. She charms Jim (Anthony Quayle), a widower with a young daughter, into joining the group effort on a particular robbery. After the heist, Jim personally stashes away their stolen loot while she leads the police off in another direction. But the unfortunate new recruit ends up in the clinker for five years while the others go free. Once out of jail, Jim is brought up short -- Billy has allied herself with another man and her gang has money to spare -- though not enough money, they decide. Against Billy's wishes, the gang takes drastic measures to get at Jim's hidden cache of loot from the robbery that sent him to jail. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

After causing the needless death of another officer during a near-miss air disaster, a distraught army officer resigns from the military. Still, the American wants to serve in the war effort and so, calling himself a Canadian, enlists in the British military to train as a paratrooper. Revealing nothing about his past, he proves himself obedient and exceptionally skilled. This rouses the suspicion of his commanding officer who starts investigating the trooper. Later, the trooper more than proves himself during a dangerous mission to North Africa. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide