Amzie Strickland Movies
- 1974
In this made-for-TV movie, six persons have won a cruise-ship vacation, but they find that the awards were just a trick to begin a killing game. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Laraine Stephens guest-stars as Eve Vayle, who masterminds the death of her mobster husband Johnny (Charlie Guardino) in order to steal the records of Syndicate boss Stanley Luchek (Ronald Feinberg). Though forced to hide from the mob, Eve hopes to eventually extort millions of dollars from Luchek and his family. In order to put both Eve and Luchek out of business, the IMF relies on one of its most time-honored ploys: The recreation of a dead man, fingerprints and all. Written by Howard Browne, "Boomerang" was originally telecast on January 12, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1973
All the experts have declared that it is impossible to rob a safety-deposit vault surrounded by a sophisticated, high-tech alarm system--but that's just what happens. Clearly the heist was the work of a well-trained team, and the cops are able to arrest one of the suspects almost immediately. Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr), however, is certain that the man in custody is innocent...and meanwhile, the actual master thief is working on a plan to seal Ironside's doom! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
The killer of police officer Randy Keating (Roger Perry) is himself killed by Keating's partner Frank Carlson (David Carradine)--whereupon Carlson finds himself facing a murder charge. Inasmuch as he attended police academy with both Keating and Carlson, Sgt. Ed Brown (Don Galloway) takes a personal interest in the case. With the help of his boss Ironside (Raymond Burr), Ed slowly but surely figures out that Carlson has been framed--but by whom? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
For his only directorial effort, Jack Lemmon selected his old friend and habitual co-star Walter Matthau to play the central character. Joseph P. "Kotch" Kotcher (Walter Matthau) is an irksome 72-year-old who lives with his son (Charles Aidman) and daughter-in-law (played by Lemmon's wife Felicia Farr). Kotch is far from senile, but there are times that his family wishes he was a little more docile and doddering; he insists upon expressing his unwarranted opinions on all matters, both large and small, forever challenging his daughter-in-law's authority. When it is suggested that Kotch find himself a nice retirement home, the rebellious old man decides instead to take a long bus ride, hoping that his family will have cooled off by the time he returns. Before leaving, he tries to make amends with the family's former baby-sitter Erica (Deborah Winters), whose dismissal he has brought about. Upon learning that Erica is pregnant, Kotch loans her some money; and when she moves away to Palm Springs, he moves in with her, hoping to be of some help. As they get to know one another, Kotch and Erica discover that they're very much alike: both have been cast aside by their relatives due to their independent airs. Kotch was adapted by John Paxton from a novel by Katharine Topkins. Watch for director Jack Lemmon in a bit as a bus passenger. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Matthau, Deborah Winters, (more)
- 1970
Bill Bixby sheds his "lovable sitcom hero" persona in the role of smooth-talking psychopath Tom Dayton. Seven years after killing the fiancee of Sgt. Ed Brown (Don Galloway), Dayton is delcared to be "safe" by the authorities and is given his freedom. But Ed is convinced that Dayton's pathological hatred for female authority figures will soon resurface and tragedy will result unless the man is put out of commission permanently. This final episode of Ironside's third season features a flashback sequence in which Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr) is able to move around without his wheelchair--presumably to squash the then-prevalent rumor that star Burr was genuinely paralyzed from the waist down! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Baby Kathy Jo develops a rash, and it looks as though she is allergic to her own father Steve (Mike Minor). Banished from his own house, a disheartened Steve decides to move out. This leads to a convoluted comedy of errors sparked by the loose tongues and suspicious minds of the town gossips, led by Mrs. Tucker (Amzie Strickland). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
While investigating a series of burglaries amongst San Francisco's wealthiest residents, Eve (Barbara Anderson) falls in love with one of the victims, suave society columnist Larry Van Druten (Chad Everett). Things become so serious that Eve considers quitting the force to become Larry's wife. There's only one problem: Ironside (Raymond Burr) suspects that Van Druten is the mastermind behind the robbery spree. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) answer a summons from a bemused suburbanite, who can't figure out why over fifty Mexican youngsters have "adopted" him as a surrogate father and camped out on his front lawn. Elsewhere, the two patrolman capture a robber, and try to extricate a sniper from a small bungalow. And it what may turn out to be the most terrifying incident on their shift, Pete and Jim try to break up a fistfight between two drunken middle-aged ladies. Featured in the guest cast are Batman's former "Chief O'Hara" Stafford Repp, and frequent Jerry Lewis costar Del Moore. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Despite her reluctance, new mother Betty Jo (Linda Kaye Henning) agrees to out on the town with husband Steve (Mike Minor) for the first time since the birth of Kathy Jo. Self-appointed baby sitter Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) assures the couple that he'll never take his eyes off the baby. And, in his own inimitable fashion, Joe is true to his word: He brings Kathy Jo along to a poker game with the boys--and ends up in the same jail cell as the cooing infant! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
F Troop ends its two-year run with an episode featuring Patrice Wymore, the former wife of movie star Errol Flynn. Wymore is cast as Peggy Gray, the sweetheart of Army efficiency expert Major Terrence McConnell (Charles Drake). When McConnell shows up at Fort Courage to claim his bride, the F Troopers immediately leap to the wrong conclusion, assuming that the Colonel is going to close down the fort immediately! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Using the alias Stephen Fitzgerald, con artist Andrew Cook (James Daly) has married the widow of a bank owner, embezzled the bank funds, and murdered his wife--a pattern he has followed for years in several other cities. Now the homicidal Cook has targeted wealthy Amy Hunter (Margaret Leighton) as his next victim, with both Amy's life and a million-dollar "prize" at stake. Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) must figure out the reason behind Fitzgerald's modus operandi in order to stop him before he can steal--and kill--again. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Can armed robbery help save a marriage? These and other questions about modern relationships are pondered in this comedy. Penelope Elcott (Natalie Wood) married James (Ian Bannen) after a very brief courtship, and as his star has begun to rise in the banking business, he spends less and less time with her, leading Penelope to wonder if he still cares for her. Penelope comes up with what she thinks is a good way to get James's attention -- disguising herself as an old lady and robbing his bank of $60,000. The robbery, however, goes off without a hitch, and wracked with guilt, Penelope confesses her crime to her analyst, Dr. Gregory Mannix (Dick Shawn). Mannix, however, isn't much help, since he's crazier than any of his patients and madly in love with Penelope to boot. Penelope also features Jonathan Winters in a one-scene role as Dr. Klobb. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Natalie Wood, Ian Bannen, (more)
- 1965
Rob (Dick Van Dyke) thinks he's been ripped off when Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) purchases four costly "eider down" pillows from a guy named Lawrence Wiley (Alvy Moore). Our hero's suspicions are confirmed when he concludes that the pillows are actually stuffed with cheap chicken feathers. When Wiley refuses to refund his money, Rob takes the matter to court, acting as his own lawyer and generally proving the old "fool for a client" adage in front of surly Judge Taylor (guest star Ed Begley Sr.). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Aunt Bee becomes quite the celebrity when she wins an abundance of prizes on the TV game show Win or Lose. As her fame grows, so does her ego-at least until the IRS shows up to burst her bubble. "Aunt Bee on TV" was filmed before the series' three-episode "Hollywood arc" ("Off to Hollywood", "Taylors in Hollywood" and "The Hollywood Party"), but telecast afterward, on November 15, 1965. The episode was written by Fred Freeman and Lawrence J. Cohen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
As "Ed Curtis", Richard Kimble befriends Josephus Adams (Arthur O'Connell), an old-fashioned rural doctor who believes in using "folk remedies" to cure all ills. After a woman in Adams' care dies of an untreated bronchial infection, Kimble insists upon intervening in the doctor's future cases. Meanwhile, Adams' faithless young wife Marianne (Sheree North) threatens to reveal Kimble's true identity if he resists her romantic advances. Things come to a head when Adams' beloved niece Sharon (Kim Darby) lapses into a coma after being stung by a bee. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Receiving the urgent message "Contact Shorty Smith!" from his home planet, Martin (Ray Walston) mistakes a hobo named Shorty Smith (Guy Marks) for his contact man. Before long, Shorty is installed in the home of Martin and Tim--and becomes so accustomed to the luxuries and privileges therein that he absolutely refuses to leave. Martin figures that the only thing that will get rid of Shorty is the proverbial Love of A Good Woman...and that's where middle-aged Jenny Holbrook (Amzie Strickland) comes in. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Hoping to increase his income, Deputy Barney begins moonlighting as a real estate salesman. His first client is Andy, who is resistant to the notion of selling his house and purchasing another. As it turns out, however, Barney's big sale is thwarted when he fails to take into consideration that certain people, namely children-have a disturbing habit of telling the truth. Dabbs Greer and Amzie Strickland appear as a couple of prospective homeowners named Sims. First telecast on January 4, 1965, "Barney Fife, Realtor" was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Dick Van Dyke plays a dual role as Rob Petrie and Rob's late Uncle Hezekiah, who appears in this episode via a filmed "living will." As one the main heirs to the curmudgeonly Hezekiah Petrie's vast fortune, Rob is a bit confused by the old man's capricious legacy -- which consists of an ancient roll-top desk, a cryptic poem, and a snatch of the old song "Me and My Shadow." Ultimately, Rob and Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) plunder the contents of the desk, but find absolutely nothing of interest -- except for a yellowed old photograph.... ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dick Van Dyke, Dan Tobin, (more)
- 1965
When Rob (Dick Van Dyke), Buddy (Morey Amsterdam), and Sally (Rose Marie) each receive an unexpected 1,200 dollars, the intrepid trio decide to invest in a growing business. The most attractive prospect would seem to be the bargain shoe store owned by Buddy's Uncle Lou (Lou Jacobi). Unfortunately, running a business in this case translates to getting the business -- especially when Rob is stuck with the job of shoe clerk on an unusually busy day! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lou Jacobi, Milton Frome, (more)
- 1964
Rob (Dick Van Dyke) plans to devote an episode of "The Alan Brady Show" to a showcase of famous old radio comedians. The staff has no trouble lining up such venerable talent as Bert Gordon (the "Mad Russian" of The Eddie Cantor Show fame) and Arlene Harris (whose "Chatterbox" routines were a highlight of Al Pierce and His Gang). But when Rob approaches Edwin Carp (Richard Haydn), the tweedy "Fish Man" of many a classic radio variety series, Carp refuses to emerge from retirement -- and for a very strange reason. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Haydn, Arlene Harris, (more)
- 1963
Gregory Peck plays a benevolent God-like figure in a white smock as Captain Josiah Newman, the head of a psych-unit at a Southwestern army base during the waning days of World War II. Newman is a patriarchal protector to his patients, preferring to keep him in his ward, rather than return them to certain death on the battlefield. The matriarchal figure of the ward is Lieutenant Grace Blodgett (Jane Withers), but Newman is more interested in his assistant Lieutenant Francie Corum (Angie Dickinson), with whom he is having an affair. Further help is provided by human nature expert, Corp. Jackson Laibowitz (Tony Curtis), the orderly. And Newman needs all the help he can get. Particularly with three patients: Colonel Bliss (Eddie Albert) is suffering from a guilt complex from all the men he has sent to death; Corporal Tompkins (Bobby Darin, in an Academy Award-nominated performance), although decorated for bravery in combat, calls himself a coward for failing to save his pal from a burning plane; and Captain Winston (Robert Duvall) is guilt-ridden and has lapsed into catatonia because he had hidden for over a year in the basement of a building in Germany. Although Newman wants to cure these men of their psychological problems, he doesn't want to see them returned to the war to be killed. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gregory Peck, Tony Curtis, (more)
- 1963
Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) simply can't understand why Rob (Dick Van Dyke) has not yet shown up at a get-together at the Petrie home with her Aunt Mildred (Amzie Strickland) and Uncle Edward (Harold Peary). What Laura doesn't know is that, earlier in the day, Rob had incurred an accidental head injury with what he thought was a prop violin but which turned out to be the genuine article. Suffering from temporary amnesia, Rob has wandered off to faraway Red Hook, NJ, where, identifying himself as "Antonio Stradivarius," he is currently the star attraction at a wild party!. How is he going to explain this one to Laura once he recovers his wits? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Sallie Janes, (more)
- 1963
Having previously costarred in the third-season episode "The Contract", John Larkin, former star of the daytime drama The Edge of Night, and Frank Sutton, future "Sgt. Carter" on Gomer Pyle USMC, are reunited in this Season Four entry. Larkin is cast as "Lieutenant" Phillip Hedden, a former WW1 hero now running a protection racket preying on neighborhood butchers. Sutton plays Hedden's former sergeant and current partner-in-crime, Davey McCain. Though convinced of McCain's loyalty, Hedden doesn't realize that the battle-scarred Davey despises him. Ultimately, this unholy alliance is destroyed not so much by Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) as by Davey's grim determination to "win" both a pretty girl (Francine York) and a long-denied War decoration. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
The third season of The Dick Van Dyke Show opens with one of the series' funniest and most celebrated episodes. In flashback, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) recalls the day that he and Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) brought their newborn son Ritchie home from the hospital. A series of bizarre incidents, coupled with the ditzy behavior of the OB-GYN nurse, convince Rob that he has the wrong baby, and that a couple named Peters have unwittingly gone home with the Petrie infant. Despite Laura's protests, Rob invites Mr. and Mrs. Peters to his home to reveal the dire news -- only to get the surprise of his life, not to mention the lives of every viewer who watched this episode when it first aired on September 25, 1963. (Not only was the punch line one of the best-kept secrets in TV history, it was astonishingly timely, given the momentous sociopolitical events of the previous summer!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Jerry Paris, (more)
