Douglas Sheldon Movies
Actor/author/singer Douglas Sheldon began his screen career with a tiny role in The Guns of Navarone (1961). Born in Stepney, London, in 1936, he earned a living at his father's fairground in his teens, as a barker and bingo caller. Acting for him opened up as a possible profession following his military service, when he was chosen for a tiny part in The Guns of Navarone. He'd had some acting training as a boy, and the film put him on to a performing career, mostly in small stage roles. His resemblance to a young Marlon Brando or John Derek made him stand out amid supporting players, and his singing career (as Doug Sheldon) began as something of an offshoot of his acting -- he was seen on-stage by composer/manager Bunny Lewis, who got Sheldon a recording contract that resulted in his charting three singles in England in 1962 and 1963. By that time, however, the Beatles had broken through to chart success, and Sheldon's brand of pop/rock vocalist was decidedly out of favor. By 1965, he had returned to acting full-time. His screen credits included episodes of Doctor Who, the David Lean epic Ryan's Daughter (1970), and Iron Eagle II (1988). During the 1980s, he turned to writing fiction. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
The highlights of this classic children's story are the performances of Diana Rigg as the Mean Queen and Billy Barty as Biddy the Dwarf. The seven-year-old Snow White is played by Nicola Stapleton, with Sarah Patterson portraying the princess at age 16. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg, Billy Barty, (more)
A pair of American pilots are forced to cooperate with their Soviet counterparts on a mission to destroy a Middle Eastern nuclear weapons site in this predictable, low-budget action sequel. The first Iron Eagle's rebellious fly boy Cooper (Mark Humphreys) has returned, as has his gruff mentor Chappy (Louis Gossett Jr. as yet another military man). They must work with two Russian pilots, one of whom is a beautiful woman that handsome young Cooper naturally sets out to woo. An extended build-up, including the requisite government conspiracy, leads to the climactic final battle. Average-at-best production values fail to elevate the film above a derivative screenplay, although the film did find enough success to produce further installments in the series. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Louis Gossett, Jr., Mark Humphrey, (more)
- 1988
In this mystery, Peter Ustinov reprises the role of Hercule Poirot, the fussy and flower-tending detective from Belgium created by Agatha Christie. In 1937, Mrs. Emily Boynton (Piper Laurie) is on an archeological dig in Palestine; she inherited the wealth of her recently deceased husband and feels little inclination to share it with her relatives. When she turns up murdered, there are plenty of logical suspects among the people who hated Emily, so which one did the deed? It's up to Poirot to find out. The supporting cast includes Lauren Bacall, John Gielgud, and Carrie Fisher; the film was Ustinov's sixth go-round as Poirot. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Ustinov, Lauren Bacall, (more)
- 1975
- R
Peter Sellers stays busy in this comedy playing Hitler, Prince Kyoto, and four others in this tale of an anti-Nazi French whorehouse which supports the Allied war effort by exterminating the most dangerous of its patrons in the bedroom. Highlights include Lila Kedrova as the madame who becomes a general in the resistance, and Curt Jurgens as Gen. Von. Grotjahn, Sellers' nemesis. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lila Kedrova, Curd Jürgens, (more)
The logic behind inflating Robert Bolt's minimalist romantic drama Ryan's Daughter into a 12-million-dollar epic seems to have been "When David Lean directs, it's a super-spectacular." Sarah Miles (who at the time was married to Robert Bolt) stars as Rosy, the daughter of Irish pub keeper Tom Ryan (Leo McKern). Married to tweedy, sexless schoolmaster Charles Shaughnessy (Robert Mitchum), restless Rosy has an affair with British officer Randolph Doryan (Christopher Jones). When village idiot Michael (an Oscar-winning turn by John Mills) innocently uncovers evidence of Rosy's indiscretion, the local gossips begin wagging their tongues. Shaughnessy chooses to remain above the scandal, assuming that Rosy will come to her senses. Later, Rosy's father informs on a group of IRA insurgents, hoping to keep the peace in his village. The locals assume that Rosy, still enamored of Doryan, is the informer, and exact a humiliating punishment. Realizing that his very presence has caused disgrace for Rosy, Doryan kills himself. For Rosy and Shaughnessy, life goes on...not happily ever after, just ever after. The film was lensed on location in Ireland by frequent Lean collaborator Freddie Young. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Mitchum, Trevor Howard, (more)
- 1969
Detective Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond is called on to investigate the activities of his arch enemy Carl Peterson (James Villiers). Carl tries to stop the British from testing a new and improved fighter plane. Drummond travels to Morocco to check into rumors of attempted tampering and espionage by Carl and his henchmen. Comedy relief is provided by Robert Morley as the cooking instructor Miss Mary. Sydne Rome play the delectable double agent whom Drummond is attracted to but whom he also suspects is up to no good. Carl gathers together a bunch of mini-skirted gun-toting mod girls to do his evil bidding in this lightweight spy saga. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Johnson, Daliah Lavi, (more)
- 1968
Filmed during the production break between the sixth and seventh season of The Avengers, this episode served as the swan song for Emma Peel (Diana Rigg). . .and as an introduction to novice secret agent Tara King (Linda Thorson) (Though, technically, it was not the first episode in which she appeared). On this occasion, Tara assists Steed and Emma as they try to flush out a traitor in their midst. The episode's "gimmick" is a drug which induces amnesia -- and also a loose tongue. The final scene, in which Emma turns over the reins to Tara, is a classic. According to some sources, "The Forget-Me-Knot," written by Brian Clemens, was first shown in England on September 25, 1968, while other sources list January 12, 1969, as its first airdate. Be that as it may, the episode actually debuted on American television on March 20, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Based on a popular British novel by Nell Dunn, Up the Junction was a made-for-TV movie in 1965 before being remade for theatrical release in 1968. It features Suzy Kendall as Polly, an upper-class Chelsea girl who decides to relieve her boredom by slumming in a working-class section of London called Battersea. She gets a job in a candy factory and becomes friends with co-workers Rube (Adrienne Posta) and Sylvie (Maureen Lipman), two sisters. Polly takes up with Peter (Dennis Waterman), who dreams of leaving Battersea and becoming rich. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzy Kendall, Dennis Waterman, (more)
- 1965
In the third episode of the 12-part story "The Dalek Masterplan," the crew of the TARDIS pursues the destruction-minded Daleks as they make their escape from the burning jungles of Kembel. The next destination for the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions Katarina (Adrienne Hill), Steven (Peter Purves), and Bret (Nicholas Courtney) is the planet Desperus. Here is where the Daleks hope to foment more destruction and devastation by rallying the populace against a minority-group scapegoat. Written by Terry Nation, "Devil's Planet" originally aired on November 27, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 1965
In the fourth episode of the 12-part story "The Dalek Masterplan," the TARDIS crew persists in its efforts to prevent the Daleks from unleashing their doomsday weapon, the Time Destructor. Captured by the villains, Katarina (Adrienne Hill) nonetheless manages to save the lives of her traveling companions. Meanwhile, Bret (Nicholas Courtney) is faced with a decision that profoundly alters his relationship with the rest of the crew members. Written by Terry Nation, "The Traitors" originally aired on December 4, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
In this youthful drama, based on a true story, a group of boarding school girls who have lost their virginity begin to proudly wear yellow teddy bear pins to show that they are now worldly women. One of them, a troubled 16-year old who has been ignored by her parents, is quite pleased when she finally gets her pin. Unfortunately she also gets pregnant. Her impregnator is a window washer and aspiring pop singer. She needs an abortion and is assisted by a helpful hooker who also helps her become a streetwalker so she can raise the cash for the operation. The girls father is outraged when he learns the truth, but he blames the school's biology teacher, not his daughter. He is angry with the educator because she knew all about the teddy bear club and was the one who talked about sex with them. The teacher resigns after being reprimanded. Before she does though, she gives an emotional speech to the school board. Meanwhile the troubled girl, runs away to London. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jacqueline Ellis, Annette Whiteley, (more)
