Michael Stroka Movies

Businessman Chester Grant (Danny Aiello) will do anything it takes to get the sale, but finds himself getting older and must choose a successor. Instead of the logical man for the position (James Karen), Grant decides that he will invite two rival salesmen to dinner and then make a decision. ~ John Bush, Rovi

Contract on Cherry Street represented Frank Sinatra's TV movie debut--an event deemed worthy of a TV Guide cover story. Sinatra plays NYPD veteran Deputy Inspector Frank Hovannes, in charge of a special unit set up to battle organized crime. The murder of Hovannes' partner, coupled with departmental restrictions and legalities, leads the Inspector to organize a semi-vigilante group with three other like-minded officers. They murder an underworld honcho, in hopes of triggering a mob war that will result in the decimation of every gangster in the Big Apple. Edward Anhalt's script for Contract on Cherry Street can't make up its mind whether to emulate The Godfather or Kojak. Sinatra's own Artanis Productions was responsible for this film, so any praise or blame must ultimately fall upon Ol' Blue Eyes' shoulders. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Returning to Collinwood (and, evidently, from the dead!), Angelique (Lara Parker) and her servant Laszlo (Michael Stroka) make a beeline to Barnabas' coffin -- only to find the coffin open and Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) missing. Possessed by the head of Judah Zachary, Leticia (Nancy Barrett) returns Judah's body to its underground hiding place. This episode was initially telecast on October 23, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Escaping Quentin (David Selby), the evil John Yaeger manages to change back into the kindly Cyrus Longworth (both characters are played by Christopher Pennock). Still convinced that Alexis (Lara Parker) is really Angelique, Bruno (Michael Stroka) tries to kill her. This episode was originally telecast on April 22, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

House of Dark Shadows is the theatrical-feature spin-off of the popular 1960s TV "Gothic" serial Dark Shadows. Jonathan Frid is on hand again as 150-year-old vampire Barnabas Collins, once again going about his business in the spectre-filled Collinswood mansion. Another carryover from the TV series, Carolyn Stoddard (Nancy Barrett), finds her blood supply depleted by the elusive Mr. Collins. When Carolyn dies, it isn't long before she's wandering the hallways as one of the "undead". Barnabas persists in his bloodsucking activities until he makes the error of falling in love with mistress-of-the-house Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Hannah Stokes (Paula Lawrence), the aunt of Alexis (Lara Parker) and Angelique, senses the presence of Angelique's spirit at Collinwood. Her premonitions would seem to be confirmed when Angelique's piano begins playing all by it itself. This episode initially aired on April 14, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Mr. Trask (Jerry Lacy) warns Bruno (Michael Stroka) to beware the ghost of Dameon Edwards (Jered Holmes). The terrified Bruno hopes to solicit the aid of scientist Cyrus Longworth (Christopher Pennock), who, having downed his secret potion, has transformed into the Hyde-like John Yaeger. This episode originally aired on April 17, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Bruno (Michael Stroka) continues to investigate the possibility that Alexis (Lara Parker) is really Angelique. Cyrus Longworth (Christopher Pennock), scientist sweetheart of the Parallel-Time version of Sabrina Stuart (Lisa Richards) prepares to create a formula that will separate man's good and evil nature. This episode initially aired on Aprl 7, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Angelique (Lara Parker), still in her 1840 persona of Valerie, believes that her old enemy Judah Zachary has been reincarnated as Gerard (James Storm). Using his own special methods of persuasion, Gerard convinces Angelique that Zachary has possessed Quentin (David Selby) and caused him to commit murder. While in his jail cell, Quentin receives another letter "from the grave." This episode originally aired on December 2, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Showing up from "real" time, Julia (Grayson Hall) kills her Parallel-Time counterpart (also Grayson Hall), preventing the "other" Julia from driving a stake through Barnabas' heart. With the assistance of William H. Loomis (John Karlen), Julia remains in Parallel Time, posing as her "other" as part of an overall plan to foil Angelique (Lara Parker). This episode was originally broadcast on June 15, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Quentin (David Selby) discovers that Daphne (Kate Jackson) is the sister of his late sweetheart Joanna Mills. Though she admits that she wants to kill Quentin, Daphne insists that she has not been tormenting him with the letters from the dead Joanna. Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) has a fateful encounter with Angelique's servant Laszlo (Michael Stroka) during his desperate search for the missingJulia (Grayson Hall). This episode was originally telecast on November 18, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A frightened Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) shies away from Jeb (Christopher Pennock), so he keeps his distance, not wanting to force her to love him -- at least not at first. Arriving at the Old House for a showdown with Barnabas, Jeb is attacked by the werewolf (Alex Stevens). This episode was first telecast on February 9, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

After telling Roger (Louis Edmonds) about the Parallel Time room, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) sees parallel versions of Roger and Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) in the middle of a strange argument. Back in the "real" world, Bruno (Michael Stroka) hopes to strike out at Jeb by locking Jeb's wife, Carolyn (Nancy Barrett), in the same cottage with Chris (Donald Briscoe) -- just before the latter's transformation into a werewolf. This episode initially aired on March 20, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi