Ezra Stone Movies
An actor and director who worked on stage, radio, television, and in feature films, Ezra Stone is still best remembered for having played the well-meaning but troublesome adolescent Henry Aldrich, from 1939 to 1953, on the radio series The Aldrich Family. This popular program was based on a hit Broadway play, What a Life (1938), in which Stone originated the role of Henry. When the radio series ended, he turned toward directing plays and television episodes for shows ranging from Lassie to The Munsters to Lost in Space. Stone played small roles in numerous films. He learned to act at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and his professional career began on stage, in the mid-'30s. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1981
Quincy (Jack Klugman) is the technical advisor on a movie which is dramatizing an infamous murder case involving onetime socialite Victoria Sawyer (Carolyn Jones). Noticing several discrepancies in the script, Quincy begins to doubt that Victoria was guilty of the murder for which she is currently serving in prison; he also fears that the real killer may still be alive and at large. But to prove his findings, he needs the cooperation of Victoria herself--cooperation that the woman absolutely refuses to give. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
This early-'80s made-for-TV movie includes most of the cast of the original Munsters TV series. An evil scientist creates android replicas of the Munster family in order to frame them for the robbery of an art-gallery. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1973
The Rampart emergency staff must find bed space for its own members when Dr. Brackett (Robert Fuller) is trapped under a pile of fallen debris and Roy DeSoto (Kevin Tighe) comes down with tonsilitis--and even the station's doggie mascot Boot undergoes surgery. At the same time, famous actor Raymond Boyd (Robert Alda), an old flame of head nurse Dixie McCall (Julie London), checks in with a mysterious illness. And elsewhere, things get very ugly at a girl's college lacrosse game. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Henry Jones guest stars as Dr. Alexander Knott, an elderly country physician who helps Roy (Kevin Tighe) and John (Randolph Mantooth) during an emergency--and who goes to great lengths to hide his own physical frailties. Back at the station house, John becomes starstuck during a photo shoot in which he is surrounded by beautiful models. And in another show business-related incident, a pair of Hollywood stuntmen (played by real-life stunt performers Fred Gabourie and George Sawaya) are trapped on a studio-built waterfall. The same week that this episode originally aired on NBC, the cast of Emergency! appeared in a "crossover" episode on Adam-12, "ost and Found". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Series regular Alejandro Rey once more essays the dual role of dapper casino owner Carlos Ramirez and Carlos' monumentally inept lookalike cousin Luis. Hoping to build up Luis' confidence, Sr. Bertrille casts him as Christopher Columbus in an upcoming convent pageant. And that's her first mistake! First telecast on January 30, 1970 (what, not on Columbus Day??), "Hello Columbus" was written by Arnold Horwitt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
The nuns of San Tanco busy themselves arranging a surprise party for one of the convent orphans. Police Captain Fomento gets wind of the preparations, and mistakenly believes that the party is being thrown for him. To avoid yet another incident with the prickly Fomento, Sr. Bertrille has to do some quick thinking and high flying. Written by Arthur Alsberg, "Happy Birthday, Dear Gaspar" was originally telecast on March 13, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
The title character in this episode of The Flying Nun is a light-fingered monkey. When valuable items turn up missing, Police Captain Fomento suspects the nuns of Convent San Tanco. Unaware of the simian's larcenous streak, the nuns think that Sr. Bertrille is the thief. First telecast on February 20, 1969, "The Kleptomaniac" was written by Sam Locke and Joel M. Rapp, and directed by radio's former "Henry Aldrich", Ezra Stone. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
In the final telecast episode of Lost in Space (though not the final one filmed), the Jupiter 2 lands on a planet that serves as the dumping ground for all the garbage of the universe. The resident alien junkmen look longingly upon the Jupiter 2, intending to trap the ship in their magnetic clutches. While the Robinsons do their best to resist the junkmen, greedy Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris undermines their efforts: indeed, Smith should be wearing a sign reading "Will Trade Robot Memory Banks for Food"! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Angry at having one of his journeys through space interrupted by the Robinsons, time merchant Dr. Chronos (John Crawford) plots a particularly sinister revenge. Pretending to take a liking to Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris, Chronos sends Smith back to the earth 1997, just before the launching of Jupiter 2. At this point, Smith finds himself between the proverbial rock and the hard place: If he boards the ship, he will repeat the act of sabotage that sent him into space in the first place: If he doesn't board the ship, the Robinsons will all be killed by a meteor! This episode includes black-and-white footage from the original Lost in Space pilot film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Arrested on a trumped-up charge, Don (Mark Goddard) and Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) are sentenced to hard labor on a brutal intergalactic prison colony. A fellow convict named Creech (future Hill Street Blues costar Michael Conrad) approaches the pair with a desperate escape plan involving a booby-trapped cake. Smith likes the plan, Don hates it, and the Robot dons a chef's hat to do the baking! Several of the costumes and much of the facial makeup in this episode was "borrowed" from the recently completed Planet of the Apes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
The Jupiter 2 lands on what appears to be an earth colony populated by swingin' teenaged hippies. In fact, these "flower children" are sinister aliens with mind-control powers, who plan to foment a youth rebellion by turning Penny (Angela Cartwright) and Will (Billy Mumy) against their parents. The episode's highlight the "makeover" of Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) as a green-haired hippie, replete with beads, psychedelic clothing and cool dance moves. (It's also amusing that the writer assumed that Hippiedom would still be in full force in 1999; who could have predicted the rise of Punkers and Goths!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
In this drama, sweet and honest Tammy is hired as a secretary by a powerful industrialist with a handsome young son. Meanwhile a society dame is angered that the millionaire hired Tammy because she wanted her own girl to have a shot at the son. To ruin the new secretary's chances, the dame and her conniving daughter try to smear Tammy's reputation at every turn. They even try to sic the IRS on her for evasion of back taxes; the government agency retaliates by trying to take away Tammy's house to repay the debt. Fortunately, the hapless girl's grandpa and uncle show an old deed that proves that they do indeed own the house. Not only that, according to the deed, the little family also owns the property of the wealthy socialite and her family. Tammy disagrees with her family's plan and fears that her backwoods relatives will ruin her life. She is saved by her boss who secretly pays the taxes and then holds a riotous party in which her family acts like fools. Fortunately, everyone forgets about it and she and the son live happily. This is the last of four pictures about Tammy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Debbie Watson, Frank McGrath, (more)
- 1967
In the final episode of Lost in Space's second season, Penny (Angela Cartwright) saves the life of an alien named Arcon (John Carradine), who entrusts her with a valuable amulet. Not long afterward, a trio of sinster space thugs show up, demanding that Penny give up the amulet, or else the rest of her family will die a horrible death. Making Penny's choice all the more difficult is the fact that the amulet holds the power to destroy the universe. (Trivia note: the costumes worn by the villainous "Saticons" were previously seen in the episode "Wreck of the Robot"). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Will (Bill Mumy) returns to the settlement to find that Don (Mark Goddard), Judy (Marta Kristen), Penny (Angela Cartwright) and Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) have been replaced by android duplicates. It's all the handiwork of alien scientist Lemnoc (Alan Hewitt), who gives Will 24 hours to teach the facsimiles how to behave like their human counterparts. Will had better give the request a good deal of consideration--if he refuses, the "real" people will be killed! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Iconic 1960s starlet Francine York guest stars as Niolani, the Amazonian ruler of a nation of female warriors. Intending to colonize the Robinsons' planet, Niolani has her minions kidnap John (Guy Williams, Will (Billy Mumy), Don (Mark Goddard, Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) and the Robot, forcing them into slave labor to prepare for the arrival of more colonists. Meanwhile, the womenfolk--Maureen (June Lockhart), Judy (Marta Kristen) and Penny (Angela Cartwright)--are treated like royalty, the better to brainwash them into parroting Niolani's credo "Female is Everything--Male is Nothing". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
In this wonderfully Wagnerian episode, Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris brings the wrath of Valhalla down upon the Robinsons when he steals the gloves and hammer of the Norse god Thor (Bern Hoffman). Now Smith must engage Thor in mortal combat, lest everyone suffer mightily. Amazingly, Thor is vanquished, whereupon the neurotic deity loses all his confidence--leaving Valhalla vulnerable to attack from giant aliens. Sheila Matthews, the wife of series producer Irwin Allen, does a neat comic turn as the "Yo-do-ho"-ing Brynhilda...helmet, sword and all. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
At Herman's insistence, the Munsters spend their vacation in Buffalo Valley. While the rest of the family relaxes, Herman (Fred Gwynne) manages to get himself lost in the desert, ultimately wandering into a Native American village. This proves to be a most exciting happenstance for elderly Indian medicine man Powatuma (played by Felix Locher, the father of movie star Jon Hall), who insists that Herman is the reincarnation of the Mighty Spirit Wanitoba! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
While perusing the pages of Shocking Detective magazine, Herman is surprised to see a "wanted" poster with Grandpa Munster's picture! It turns out that the poster was submitted by one Pamela Thornton (Jane Withers) of Sioux City, Iowa, who insists that Grandpa (Al Lewis) is her long-lost husband. Upon being informed that Pamela is a millionaire, Herman throws family loyalty to the winds and turns Grandpa in for the reward! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The Munster family elects to split a $10,000 inheritance from Cousin Wolverine straight down the middle. Lily (Yvonne DeCarlo) and Marilyn (Pat Priest) use their $5000 share to open a beauty parlor, while Herman (Fred Gwynne) and Grandpa (Al Lewis]) pour their money into a machine that can transmit wireless electricity. Hopelessly enmeshed in the chaos that follows are supporting actors Charles Lane and Elvia Allman, apparently moonlighting from their customary duties as Homer Bedloe and Selma Plout, respectively, on Petticoat Junction. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Eddie (Butch Patrick) finds an old ring in the attic and gives it to Marilyn (Pat Priest). Grandpa (Al Lewis) blanches at the sight of the ring, declaring it to be the Fregosi Emerald, a rare gem that comes equipped with a terrible curse. Herman poohs-poohs this superstitious twaddle--at least until a variety of disasters start befalling him. Featured in the guest cast is Paul Reed, who previously costarred with The Munsters' Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis on Car 54, Where are You? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
To teach Eddie (Butch Patrick) a lesson about the evils of gambling, Herman (Fred Gwynne) places a bet at the race track, fully expecting to lose his money. Instead, Herman wins big--and keeps winning big the more bets he makes. This brings our hero into close and none-too-comfortable proximity with a Runyonesque mobster by the name of Big Roy (Barton MacLane). Featured as Roy's flunkey Vic is Sammy Shore, the father of comedian Pauly Shore. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Louis Nye guest stars as Zombo, a popular TV horror-movie host. Herman is miffed that his son Eddie idolizes Zombo, ignoring Herman in the process. Inevitably, Eddie learns the time-honored sitcom lesson that appearances are deceiving. Featured in the cast are two future stalwarts of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In: Digby Wolfe, a writer-comedian who was in on the ground floor of Laugh-In's development, and announcer Gary Owens. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In this final episode of The Munsters, former Petticoat Junction costar Pat Woodell appears as schoolteacher Miss Thompson, who gives Eddie (Butch Patrick) the assignment of writing an essay about his home life. After reading Eddie's account of the Munster Mansion and its residents, Miss Thompson concludes that the boy suffers from a too-vivid imagination. Thus it is that a brace of school officials pay a visit to the Munsters to find out the "real" story--and boy, do they ever! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Eddie (Butch Patrick) wishes he had a baby brother, causing Herman (Fred Gwynne) and Grandpa (Al Lewis) each to react in a different fashion. Herman responds by trying to be more of a "pal" to his son--with the expected disastrous results--while Grandpa creates a robot boy named Boris (Rory Stevens). Trouble ensues when Boris turns out to be the "perfect" child, causing Eddie to erupt in a fit of jealous pique. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Accidentally striking the Munster Koach, female motorist Mrs. Kingsley (Dorothy Green) takes one look at Herman (Fred Gwynne) and assumes that he's been horribly disfigured in the "accident". The guilt-ridden woman sends an insurance man to the Munster Mansion, hoping to settle out of court for $10,000. But Herman misunderstands the situation and thinks that he is being sued by Mrs. Kingsley--and rather than see his family disgraced, he runs away from home! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
