Maxine Stuart Movies

An irreducable masterpiece, the Rod Serling-scripted Twilight Zone episode "The Eye of the Beholder" takes place in a hospital in the dead of night. The protagonist is Janet Tyler, who, having been shunned by society because of her hideous ugliness, has just undergone extensive plastic surgery. Knowing full well that she will be shipped off to a community of fellow "outcasts" if the surgery is unsuccessful, Janet tensely awaits the results as the bandages are slowly removed from her face. Even after repeated viewings, this landmark episode loses none of his power and poignancy, with Douglas Heyes' surehanded direction matched by Bernard Herrmann's brilliant musical score. First telecast November 11, 1960, "The Eye of the Beholder" was rerun in the summer of 1962 -- when, to avoid tipping off the punch line, the episode reverted to its working title, "A Private World of Darkness." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this addiction melodrama, Joe Clay (Jack Lemmon), a promising adman, meet his future wife Kirsten (Lee Remick) at a party. Once married, the pressures of his business lead Joe to seek solace in liquor. Kirsten joins him in his nocturnal drinking sessions, and before long both are confirmed alcoholics. After several frightening episodes, Joe is able to shake the habit thanks to AA, but Kirsten finds it impossible to get through the day without liquor. The two split up, although Joe clings to the hope that someday he and Kirsten will be reunited, if for no reason other than the sake of their young daughter. J.P. Miller adapted the screenplay from his own 1958 Playhouse 90 television script. Though nominated in several categories, Days of Wine and Roses won only the Best Song Oscar for Henry Mancini's title tune. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Seriously injured in an explosion, Richard Kimble (David Janssen) awakens to find that he has lost all memory of his identity as a fugitive from justice. Hoping to help Kimble put the pieces back together are Dr. Towne (Ivan Dixon), an aloof neuropsychologist, and Margaret Ruskin (Betty Garrett), a warmhearted social worker. Using their patient's reference to a "one-armed man" as a clue to his identity, Towne and Margaret unwittingly contact Fred Johnson (Bill Raisch), the man who committed the murder for which Kimble has been charged. Now Kimble's own life is in danger --and he still doesn't know enough about himself to escape his fate. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When hitchhiker Frank Schroeder (a pre-Hawaii 5-0 Jack Lord) gallantly saves a young Mexican girl named Teresa (Pilar Seurat) from being sexually assaulted, she gratefully tags along with him on his Eastward journey. What Teresa doesn't know is that Frank is a triple murderer who for several days has been eluding a nationwide FBI dragnet. The girl is also blissfully unaware that her travelling companion is planning to pull off a million-dollar diamond heist--and to kill anyone who has the bad luck to get in his way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Successful racecar driver Capua (Paul Newman) falls in love with Elora (Joanne Woodward). The two marry and settle down with Elora's 13-year-old son Charley (Richard Thomas). The honeymoon is short-lived as Capua must spend his time away from home on the racing circuit. Soon the racer's luck begins to change as his main rival Luther Erding (Robert Wagner) begins to best him at every race. Capua has a one-track mind and realizes too late that his wife is being lapped by the rival racer not only on the track but in the bedroom as well. He comes home to find his wife in bed with Luther, and he promptly leaves. Young Charley hitchhikes across country in an attempt to bring the couple towards a reconciliation. Richard Thomas, who would later star in the television series "The Waltons," makes his film debut. Spectacular footage from Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin and Indianapolis is used, including a 17-car pile-up. Cameo appearances are made by racers Bobby Unsur and Tony Human. After doing all his own driving during filming, Paul Newman would develop a lifelong passion for auto racing beginning with this film. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Posing as a magazine writer, Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) dogs the trail of celebrated Parisian ballet dancer Danielle Chabrol (Claudine Longet), whom the Feds suspect of being a Communist spy. At present, Danielle is a guest at the Hawaiian estate of retired US diplomat Eric Reeverson (Michael Rennie). Her plan is to romance Reeverson and extract some top-secret information, which she will then relay to her Hawaiian contact James Kellogg (Russell Johnson)--who, conveniently, is Reeverson's next-door neighbor. But this scheme takes a deadly turn when Reeverson's son Glen (played by a young Harrison Ford) falls for Danielle himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the life of sexually successful young high-school student Phil Fuller (Kristoffer Tabori) the episodes in this story enable him to gain increased maturity and understanding. Phil is attracted to his gym teacher's beautiful wife who has a phobia about growing old and who eventually takes him to her bed. The boy also has a girlfriend with a late period, so he gallantly arranges for an abortion for her. When they discover she is not actually pregnant, he finds out that his mother (Joyce Van Patten) is seeking an abortion. Though he and she were not on very good terms, he stands by her throughout the whole ordeal (not entirely by choice) and wins her friendship. The story is broadly based on a novel by James Leigh. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

In order to move into a newer, larger house (with a LOT more bathrooms), the Partridges must undergo the trauma of parting with their old house. Eventually the kids decide that they don't want to move and do everything they can to scare off the new owners (Bert Freed, Lurene Tuttle)--who prove very hard to scare. Worse still, the family has waited so long to close the deal on their new home that they might end up on the street without any sort of roof over their heads! Song: "As Long As You're There". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A lesser but still entertaining Neil Simon work, The Prisoner of Second Avenue was adapted to film in 1974. Jack Lemmon takes over the role played on Broadway by Peter Falk: Mel is a New York-based advertising man who goes through hell when he loses his job. The gods seem to conspire against him as he tries to cope with his unemployed status; he is particularly depressed over the fact that he must now subsist on the income of his wife (Anne Bancroft). There are laughs in The Prisoner of Second Avenue, but it's the laughter of desperation and despair; it might not be advisable to watch this film after a bad day at the office. Watch for Sylvester Stallone as the "human punch line" of an old urban legend about a pickpocket. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Appointed a temporary student teacher, Laurie (Susan Dey) takes her job very, very seriously--and in the process makes life miserable for her brother Danny (Danny Bonaduce). Determined that Danny will get a passing grade, Laurie mercilessly tears apart his every academic effort. Finally, Danny teaches her a lesson by proving that even the greatest of men were once struggling 13-year-old students--but will he be able to make his point without having to attend (ugh!) summer school? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Meek-and-mild longshoreman Pete Thornwall (Robert Walker Jr.) steps forward to take credit for the murder of much-despised loan shark Jake Hennafy (Roy Jenson). Although he is taken into custody, Pete basks in the knowledge that he has become a hero amongst his fellow dock workers, who rationalize that Hennafy was a man who needed killing. But Quincy threatens to burst Pete's bubble when he uncovers evidence that Hennafy died under entirely different circumstances--and that the real killer's motive had nothing to do with heroism. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Six recently divorced males gather 'round a restaurant table and talk about their past lives and their recently failed marriages while trying to piece their lives back together. This drama is somewhat interesting for presenting the topic of life after a divorce from a man's point of view. (And yes, Neil Sedaka sings the smash title song over the final credits - so don't change that dial!) Originally made for television, and broadcast on ABC in two parts - one on Wed., Sep. 5, 1979, and one on Friday, Sep. 7, 1979 -- this film was reissued on video about ten years later to capitalize on Billy Crystal's growing fame. When it arrived on home video, the picture received its first MPAA rating (R) and was edited down from its original running time of 150 minutes to 96 minutes. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Comedy falls as flat as a blowout in this film by Joseph Sargent about a down-to-earth trucker (Robert Blake) and the rich and looney witch (Dyan Cannon) he is forced to take on a haul from New York to L.A. Madie (Cannon) is running away from her money-grubbing husband who is conniving to get the most inexpensive divorce he can. Charlie (Blake) the trucker is under pressure from a ruthless creditor and is in desperate need of cash. As the mismatched duo continues in a stressful journey across country, sparks fly but fail to ignite much of anything along the way. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide