Michael Shea Movies
- 1969
Carroll O'Connor was two years away from Archie Bunker when he signed for the minor Disney effort Ride a Northbound Horse. O'Connor plays second fiddle to teenaged John Shea, an orphan who journeys to Texas in hopes of growing up to be a cattle rancher. En route, Shea meets a glib con man (you know who) who gets the boy mixed up with racetrack intrigue. John Ford veteran Ben Johnson is on hand for western lagniappe. Ride a Northbound Horse was adapted from a two-part Wonderful World of Disney TV presentation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Long before he scored with the epic Ragtime, novelist E.L. Doctorow wrote a minor novel upon which this stark 1967 film is based. It was adapted for the screen by veteran western director Burt Kennedy. In a forlorn town called Hard Times in the Old West, a cowardly mayor, Will Blue (Henry Fonda), does little to protect the citizens from the rampages of a ruthless criminal known as The Man from Bodie (Aldo Ray). The cold-blooded killer gets away with murder -- and then he burns down the town as he leaves. The citizens rebuild, and a newcomer named Zar (Keenan Wynn) injects some life into the desolate place by opening a saloon that attracts a bevy of interesting women, including Molly Riordan (Janice Rule) and Adah (Janice Paige). However, things again look bleak when The Man from Bodie returns to town. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Fonda, Janice Rule, (more)
Based on a true story and suitable for the whole family, Namu, the Killer Whale was a film that debunked many myths about orca whales--animals that have traditionally been considered voracious, merciless killers. Set in Puget Sound on one of the San Juan islands, the tale centers on the relationship between a marine biologist and an orca who is wounded by angry fishermen and left to die in a shallow cove. The biologist helps to save the whale and while it recovers, he studies it. He soon realizes that the whale is not a single-minded killer but a sensitive and highly intelligent creature. Unfortunately, when local fishermen get wind of Namu's presence, they begin to get restless and decide that they must kill him once and for all. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Lansing, John Anderson, (more)
- 1966
This installment of Bewitched is one of several 1960s sitcom episodes tied in with the annual Soapbox Derby in Akron, OH. Hoping to show up Gladys Kravitz's obnoxious nephew, Flash (Peter Dunhill), Samantha offers a helping hand to young soapbox racer Johnny Mills (Michael Shea). In so doing, she helps Johnny win the approval of his widowed father (William Bramley), who strongly disapproves of his son's participation in the race. Written by James Henerson, "Soapbox Derby" originally aired on December 29, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1966
As "Bob Stoddard", Kimble (David Janssen) works as a bartender at the same restaurant where Susan Cartwright (Lois Nettelton) is a waitress. Recognizing Kimble from a police description, Susan's nephew Gary (Pat Cardi) and his pals decide to capture the fugitive and claim the reward, using a mail-order rifle for this purpose. Things become even stickier when a social worker arrives to determine if Susan is a fit guardina for the orphaned Gary--and likewise recognizes Kimble for who he really is. Featured in the cast are 16-year-old Kurt Russell and his actor father Bing Russell). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
IMF agents Rollin and Cinnamon are assigned to an Iron Curtain nation, where they hope to retrieve a reel of recording wire containing details of an enemy chemical-warfare project. To avoid detective, Rollin poses as dockworker, while Cinnamon impersonates a news photographer. Finding the reel is the "easy" part: The problem now is to get the wire out of the country, which is festooned with agents from a variety of unfriendly countries. Written by Ellis Marcus, "A Spool There Was" first aired on November 12, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Hill, Barbara Bain, (more)
Tiger and the Flame was one of the few India-produced films to enjoy distribution in the US (courtesy of United Artists). Producer-director Shrab M. Modi also plays the sizeable role of Rajguru, the advisor to 19th century Indian queen Rani Lakshmibai (Mehtab). Upon her arranged marriage to the much-older Raja (Mubarak), the queen takes a crash course in diplomacy, military strategy, self-defense. She applies the lessons learned by spearheading a revolt against the monopolistic East Indian tea company--and, ultimately, the British Empire itself. Though the storyline of Tiger and the Flame proved remote and confusing to American audiences, the film was at least handsomely mounted in the manner of the best Hollywood historical epics. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
