Philip Stone Movies
Though his parts were often on the smallish side, British actor Philip Stone has been fortunate enough to appear in several international movie moneymakers. He was seen in the James Bond opus Thunderball (1965), in producer Dino De Laurentiis' Flash Gordon (1980), and in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1985) (as Captain Blumbartt). He had occasional important roles in a few non-hits as well, such as Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973), in which he played General Jodl. Stone was also an off-and-on particpant in the long-running Carry On series of British slapstick comedy films. As a member of director Stanley Kubrick's informal "stock company," Philip Stone appeared in Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971), Barry Lyndon (1976) and The Shining (1978). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
An expensive but enormously profitable war picture, Where Eagles Dare centers upon a daring rescue and even more daring escape. Disguised as Nazi officers, commandoes Maj. John Smith (Richard Burton), Lt. Morris Schaffer Clint Eastwood and six other courageous souls parachute behind enemy lines. Their mission: to rescue an American general, held captive in a supposedly impenetrable Alpine castle. Aiding and abetting the commandoes are Allied undercover agents Mary (Mary Ure) and Heidi (Ingrid Pitt). Also on hand is a British officer (Patrick Wymark), who masterminded the mission. Somewhere, somehow, someone amongst the Allies is going to turn out to be a traitor. There's also a neat plot twist in store when the commandoes manage to reach the American general -- which leads to yet another twist. The vertigo-inducing climax has made Where Eagles Dare one of the most sought-after of "early" Eastwood starring features. The film was written directly for the screen by espionage novelist Alistair MacLean. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, (more)
- 1964
The Unearthly Stranger takes a romantic approach to standard sci-fi material. John Neville marries mysterious Gabriella Lucidi, but begins questioning his judgment when his new bride exhibits some curious behavioral traits. When he discovers that Lucidi has no pulse, Neville is really thrown for a loop. Inevitably, Lucidi reveals that she is a visitor from another planet, sent as the vanguard for an invading alien army. Neville could live with this, save for the fact that Lucidi's mind is being controlled by her outer-space superiors, forcing her to induce the deaths of anyone who draws close to her. Ultimately, Lucidi sacrifices herself for Neville, with whom she has truly fallen in love. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Neville, Philip Stone, (more)
- 1964
A surgeon seeks his revenge on his unfaithful wife's lover by convincing him that he must have a deadly heart operation. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1961
Originally telecast January 7, 1961, this very first episode of The Avengers was one of the few that "justified" the series' title. When his fiancée is murdered by drug couriers, Dr. David Keel becomes frustrated by the police's inability to solve the case. Enlisting the aid of secret agent John Steed, who is likewise trailing the drug dealers, Dr. Keel lays a trap for the "brains" of the outfit, Ronnie Vance (Robert James). Kate Woodville, later the wife of series star Patrick Macnee, was seen as the murder victim. Scripted by Ray Rigby from a story by Patrick Brawn, "Hot Snow" was videotaped, like most of the first 78 episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Still on the trail of drug kingpin Ronnie Vance, Dr. Keel goes undercover to join Vance's gang at the suggestion of secret agent, John Steed. Threatened with death from a narcotics-laden hypodermic, Vance confesses to the murder of Keel's fiancée. Much to Steed's delight, Keel agrees to remain as his permanent partner. This episode introduced Ingrid Hafner in the semi-regular role of special agent Carol Wilson. Written by series stalwart Brian Clemens, "Brought to Book" was originally telecast January 14, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
