Linda Smith Movies

A Canadian-U.S. co-production filmed in 1998, Someone is Watching stars Stefanie Powers as Michelle Dupree, who, with her adopted son, Cory (Mickey Toft), is painfully attempting to pick up the pieces after the pair has been terrorized by an intruder in their home. Hoping to start life anew in a different town, Michelle learns to her chagrin that she cannot entirely escape the traumas of her past, especially when she begins receiving threatening phone calls. Meanwhile, Cory has "adjusted" to the situation by inventing an imaginary friend, a monster residing in his closet. Before long, people start dying horribly -- including Bobby Culley (Martin Neufeld), the disturbed youth whom Michelle has suspected of making those crank calls. Can the killer actually be Cory's mythical "friend" -- or is something even more sinister occurring. Intended for theatrical play, Someone is Watching ended up on Canadian cable television before making its US debut over the Lifetime cable channel on January 10, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this campy musical parody, Franchesca Page (Franchesca Leon), an aspiring singer and dancer with stars in her eyes and no discernable talent, scores a role in the upcoming disco stage extravaganza "The Lady Does It All!" as understudy to the leading lady. When the star unexpectedly dies, Franchesca is suddenly put front and center, where she proves woefully inadequate to the task before her, leading some to suggest her casting was an effort by the producers to deliberately sabotage their own show. However, help is on the way in the form of Franchesca's nagging stage mother, Rita Page (Varla Jean Merman), a former Vegas showgirl looking for one more moment in the spotlight. Varla Jean Merman is the creation of drag artist Jeff Roberson, who describes his character as the illegitimate child of Ethel Merman and Ernest Borgnine. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this thriller, a businessman's private habit of calling a phone sex service nearly costs him his life and that of his family when the dream girl at the end of the line turns out to be a psychotic killer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This was the "unofficial" Liberace biopic, as opposed to the error-ridden "official" Liberace (telecast one week earlier in October of 1988). The star of Liberace: Behind the Music is Broadway actor Victor Garber, who later scored a personal triumph as the devilish Mr. Applegate in the revival of Damn Yankees. Behind the Music is an unauthorized TV movie based on the recollections of the pianist's business manager, giving scriptwriter Gavin Lambert far more leeway in delineating the title character, warts and all. The closing sequences delve much deeper into the AIDS question than was possible in the family-approved Liberace starring Andrew Robinson (who, to be fair, looks more like the real entertainer than does Victor Garber). Liberace: Behind the Music could have descended into tabloidism ("Behind the rumors and the secrets" read the advertising copy), but emerges as a work of conspicuous dignity and (reasonably) good taste. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Morning Man is young Bruno Doyon, who despite his youth has been convicted of 22 separate robbery charges. After escaping from jail, the wounded Doyon is aided by a beautiful lady doctor (Kerrie Keane). Promising to reform, Doyon prevents his old cronies from committing a robbery. He then charms his way into a job as a "morning man" (hence the title) on a Quebec radio station, turning himself in to the authorities exactly one year after his escape. This CBC TV movie is based on a true story; who knows how many other deejays out there are convicted felons? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This amateur horror film finds Tony Washington (Jon-Mikl Thor) returning from the dead with the help of a voodoo priestess (Manuska Rogaud) after he is killed by joy-riding teenagers. He seeks revenge against the terrible teens as well as the local police captain (Adam West). This is the film debut of Tia Carrera. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

This low-budget entry into the sword-and-sorcery cycle of the early '80s wasn't successful during its initial release, but has steadily built a strong cult following over the years. The Beastmaster tells the story of Dar (Marc Singer), the son of a king who was stolen from his mother's womb by a witch under the command of vicious sorcerer Maax (Rip Torn). A poor villager saves Dar from being sacrificed and raises him as his own son, teaching Dar how to fight and witnessing the boy's ability to telepathically communicate with animals. Their happiness is destroyed when their village is attacked by the evil Jun horde, a race of beast-like warriors controlled by Maax. Dar vows revenge and journeys to his father's former kingdom to destroy Maax. Along the way, he falls in love with gorgeous slave girl Kiri (Tanya Roberts) and teams up with former royal guard Seth (John Amos). Dar also uses his powers to enlist the aid of an eagle, a panther and two adorable ferrets named Kodo and Podo. Together, Dar and his unlikely but brave team square off with Maax in an impressive two-part finale that involves a swordfight on the side of a pyramid and a showdown with the Jun horde near a flaming moat. The resulting film was full of action and eccentric surprises, but failed to make an impression at a box office already glutted with fantasy films. However, The Beastmaster eventually became a serious cult favorite thanks to home video and extensive exposure on cable (it is the second most aired movie on TBS after Gone With the Wind). This enduring popularity led to two sequels and a syndicated television series chronicling the further adventures of Dar. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide

White students are bussed into an all black school in this powerful drama. Quincy Davis (Calvin Lockhart) is the dedicated black English teacher who leaves an all white school to teach in the inner city. Lloyd Wilkerson (John McLiam) is the disciplinary principal who manages the institution like a prison. He tells Quincy point blank that his main job is to keep the peace in a potentially explosive situation. Sherry (Patricia Stich) is stripped in the locker room while Douglas (Jeff Bridges) is repeatedly beaten up but refuses to give up or give in to the mob. The white minorities are constantly harassed by the mob lead by the militant J.T. Watson (James A. Watson Jr.). Lerone (Dewayne Jesse) is helped with his reading by Lloyd, and improves his skills by reading Lady Chatterly's Lover. The after-school reading program soon becomes popular to the students, who find new appreciation for literary pursuits. Watch for an early appearance from Rob Reiner, later to achieve sitcom stardom as Meathead on All in the Family and become one of Hollywood's best directors. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide