Rickie Sorenson Movies

Racketeer Rudy Walden (Peter Mark Richman) has managed to corrupt several members of a college basketball team, bribing them to shave points and "fix" certain games. By the time the FBI has gotten wind of Walden's activities, star player Billy Blaik (Anthony Costello) has been added to his list of potential accomplices. Before the story reaches its climax, the villains have resorted to kidnapping--with murder the next item on the menu. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Gidget (Sally Field) thinks it's high time that she declare her independence--that is, she's tired of depending upon her friends to drive her to the beach. Though she's not yet 16, Gidge begins to make payments on a unique form of transportation: a dilapidated old hearse. This is one of several Gidget episodes directed by William Asher, who was concurrently working on Bewitched (and incidentally, you can see the home of Darrin and Samantha Stevens only a few yards away from Gidget's house.) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This episode of Gidget revives a character introduced in both the original novel and film upon which the series is based: The Great Kahuna, a handsome but irresponsible Hawaiian surfer, here played by future Adam-12 costar Martin Milner. Hoping to escape his marriage-minded girlfriend Buff (Julie Parrish), Kahuna hides out in his Malibu hut. Stumbling upon this hiding place, Gidget (Sally Field) is immediately smitten by the much-older Kahuna, and is thrilled when he seems to reciprocate--little suspecting that she's being used as a pawn in a game of romantic one-upsmanship. This is the only episode of the series to be written by "Gidget" creator Frederick Kohner. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Cliff Robertson plays Tolly Devlin, an embittered ex-convict who has spent a lifetime tracking down the men who murdered his father. Desirous of handling matters on his own, Devlin pretends to be loyal to both the Mob and the Government, playing one against the other in hopes of flushing out the killers. He learns that the three surviving assassins are employed by a supposedly charitable "cover" operation known as National Projects. To get what he wants, Devlin ingratiates himself with mob boss (and outwardly solid citizen) Conners (Robert Emhardt). What Robertson didn't count on was falling in love with "Cuddles" (Dolores Dorn), which leads to his own downfall -- but not before justice is served. Producer/director/writer Fuller based Underworld USA on a series of "exposé" articles in The Saturday Evening Post; the film's release fortuitously occurred shortly after that infamous mob convention in Appalachin, New York. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Tarzan's Fight for Life was the last "Tarzan" entry to be produced by Sol Lesser, whose association with the series dated back to 1933; thereafter, Sy Weintraub was in charge of the franchise. Gordon Scott makes his third appearance as the Lord of the Jungle, while Eve Brent costars as Jane (a character absent from the the two previous Tarzan flicks). This time, Tarz comes to the aid of medical missionary Dr. Sturdy (Carl Benton Reid), whose efforts to minister to the natives are being undercut by witch doctor Futa (James Edwards). Relying on superstition and fear, Futa hopes to foment a native riot, despite the more temperate atttitudes of tribal chieftan Ramo (Woody Strode). The climax relies as much on suspense as action, with Gordon Scott doing a little more genuine acting than usual. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

One screen legend tips his hat to another as James Cagney portrays horror film icon Lon Chaney in Man of a Thousand Faces. Joseph Pevney's bio-pic takes a somewhat whitewashed view of Chaney's career, but Cagney is nothing short of riveting in the lead. The film begins as Chaney, the son of two deaf parents, is tasting success in vaudeville as a knockabout juggler, mime, and quick-change artist. Chaney meets Cleva Creighton (Dorothy Malone) and hires her as his assistant. They fall in love and marry, but when Chaney reveals his parents are deaf mutes, she recoils in revulsion. When she gives birth to a son, she refuses to look at him, thinking their child will also be deaf. Chaney proves her wrong, but Cleva reveals an underlying psychological affliction that grows in intensity as Chaney's vaudeville success increases. When Chaney becomes a vaudeville star, Cleva walks out on both Chaney and her son. Chaney's son is sent to a home, since after Cleva's departure, he hasn't the money to support him. To get his son back, he travels to Hollywood and takes every bit role available, using his gift for creative disguises to land several roles in one film. Chaney becomes well respected for his talents and his popularity becomes greater, and he eventually becomes a superstar. Along the way, he meets Hazel Bennett (Jane Greer) and they fall in love and marry. But his happiness is shattered when Cleva comes back into his life and demands the return of her son. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi