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Dirk Blocker Movies

2005  
 
This Hallmark Channel TV movie is one of a series starring John Larroquette as McBride (no first name), a hard-nosed cop turned compassionate defense lawyer, specializing in "lost causes." McBride's client this time is a hitchhiker named Dudley Banks (Devon Gummesall), who had the rotten luck to accept a ride from a beautiful, affluent-looking woman calling herself Whitney (Maeve Quinlan), just before she is found murdered. As he digs into Whitney's past, he finds that there are several men who had good reason to wish her dead--especially the several husbands she accumulated (and robbed blind) while adopting a plethora of false identities! McBride: The Chameleon Murder originally aired January 14, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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2000  
 
Maura Tierney graduates from recurring actor to series regular in the role of OB nurse Abby Lockhart, who begins her first ER rotation during an outbreak of the flu. Elizabeth Corday (Alex Kingston) is less than enthused when her highly judgmental mother breezes into town. Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Romano (Paul McCrane) verbally duke it out over a tricky case. Carter (Noah Wyle) tries to aid a youngster afflicted with muscular dystrophy. And the evening yields two cases of illegal injections: One by the mother of a patient, the other by a patient himself. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1994  
 
In Texas, a member of a truck-hijacking ring turns up murdered. The evidence points to Rob Platt (Patrick Cassidy), the son of Wayne Platt (Earl Holliman), owner of a small trucking firm that was being victimized by the crooks. Inasmuch as Wayne is an old friend of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), one can safely assume that the truth will soon be revealed and the actual murderer put in irons. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1991  
 
When a self-involved real estate agent is given fifty hours of community service to do by a judge, he becomes the coach for a basketball team of developmentally challenged adults. In trying to teach them, he learns. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi

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Starring:
John LarroquetteKathy Baker, (more)
 
1988  
 
My Father, My Son was based on the wrenching autobiographical book by Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. This TV movie begins in 1968, when Secretary of the Navy Zumwalt orders the anti-personnel drug Agent Orange to be sprayed on enemy troops in Vietnam; the Admiral has been assured by his superiors that the drug is essentially harmless. Meanwhile, Zumwalt's son Elmo III (Keith Carradine), having survived numerous debilitating childhood diseases, is serving in Nam. Fifteen years pass: Elmo III has contacted cancer, and Admiral Zumwalt must come to grips with the likelihood that his son's illness was caused by Agent Orange. Though the film does not shy away from politicizing, the focal point of My Father, My Son is the ever-strengthening relationship between Admiral Zumwalt and his stricken son (who died shortly after this film was first telecast in May of 1988). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1988  
 
In the first episode of a two-part story, Hunter (Fred Dryer) suspects that his Vietnam war buddy Randall Fain (introduced in the previous season's episode "Jade Woman") did not commit suicide as has been reported. Despite Fain's guilt over a tragic wartime blunder which had nearly wiped out his unit, Hunt is certain that the man was murdered, and that the motive was a fortune in stolen emeralds. The key to solving the case may be in the hands of Fain's Oriental mail-order bride Rose--who since returning to prostitution has completely dropped out of sight. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1987  
 
Desperado was the first of several made-for-TV movies revolving around the exploits of itinerant cowboy Duell McCall (Alex McArthur). This time around, McCall finds himself in the middle of a deadly feud in a small mining town. As the only honest man in the territory (comparatively speaking), our hero is ripe for a double-cross. Framed for the murder of Sheriff Whaley (Robert Vaughn), McCall is forced to wander the wild frontier in search of the one man who can clear him. Written by Elmore Leonard, this sagebrush Fugitive first aired April 27, 1987. Designed as the pilot for a weekly series, Desperado instead spawned a cluster of feature-length sequels, produced between 1987 and 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1987  
 
Hunter (Fred Dryer) is reunited with his Vietnam-war buddy Randall Fain (Dirk Blocker), who is awaiting the arrival of his Oriental mail-order bride Rose Chin (Clare Nono). Unfortunately, the girl has been kidnapped by minions of the drug-smuggling ring with which she is peripherally involved. The case takes a unexpected twist when the crooked marriage broker who brought Rose to America is murdered--leaving Hunter with nary a lead to work with! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1987  
 
Halloween always seems to bring disaster of some kind or other to the Night Court gang. For example, Dan (John Larroquette) is literally bedeviled by a strange little man (Zale Kessler) in a satanic costume, who seems to know every intimate detail of Dan's life--and who offers to buy the prosecutor's soul for a measly hundred bucks. Meanwhile, Harry (Harry Anderson) ends up being locked in a safe while preparing a magic trick for his Halloween party, affording him time aplenty to review his previous misdeeds. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1986  
 
While Harry (Harry Anderson) takes a night off, his duties are assumed by Judge Watson (Jeff Altman), with whom Dan (John Larroquette) forms a bond. But when Watson proves to be packing heat--and worse, turns out to be a crook--it is a very reluctant Dan who agrees to wear a wire in a police sting operation aimed at the errant Judge. Watch for the hilarious "Bert and Ernie" moment featuring former Black Sheep Squadron regular Dirk Blocker and future Murphy Brown costar Joe Regalbuto. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1983  
 
In this soapy episode from a short-lived television medical drama, four doctors try to juggle their personal and professional endeavors. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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1982  
 
Though Two of a Kind was hardly George Burns' television debut, it was his first dramatic TV appearance. Burns is cast as Ross "Boppy" Minor, who is shunted away to a nursing home by his unfeeling son-in-law Cliff Robertson. Robby Benson co-stars as Nolie Minor, Boppy's mentally retarded grandson. Both outcasts from "normal" society, Nolie and Boppy form a strong bond in this touching domestic drama. An Emmy Award went to songwriters James Di Pasquale and Dory Previn for their theme song "We'll Win the World." Two of a Kind first aired October 9, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
George BurnsRobby Benson, (more)
 
1981  
 
A young corporal who swapped his dog tags with a friend is consumed by guilt when that friend dies in battle. As the doctors of the 4077th wrestle with this problem, they must also deal with the crestfallen recipient of a "Dear John" letter. And friendly enemies B.J. (Mike Farrell) and Charles (David Ogden Stiers) joins forces to challenge a wheeler-dealer GI securities salesman who threatens to bankrupt the camp. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1976  
 
This film relates the efforts of World War II flying ace "Pappy" Boyington to control his highly decorated and unmanageable Pacific theater squadron. The film also acted as the pilot for the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep. ~ Rovi

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1976  
 
Based on the exploits of real-life 1830s frontiersman James Bridger, this TV movie was supposed to have graduated to a weekly series, but the fates were against it. James Wainwright plays the title role with Gary Cooper-like stoicism. John Anderson guest stars as President Andrew Jackson, who orders Bridger to blaze a trail from Wyoming to California. The film is extremely disorganized, suggesting that it was cobbled together from several shorter Bridger episodes. Moreover, the film was rather choppily pared down from 100 minutes to 78. When Bridger rescues Sally Field from bandits, we don't even know who her character is or why the hero is so interested in her plight. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1976  
 
Black Sheep Squadron is the 2-hour pilot film for the TV adventure series Baa Baa Black Sheep. Robert Conrad stars as real-life World War II ace Gregory "Pappy" Boyington. Ever at odds with his superiors, the highly decorated Boyington quits the Flying Tigers, finagles a major's commission, and organizes his own squadron of misfits and screw-ups, which he dubs the Black Sheep Squadron. In true buck-the-establishment fashion, Pappy's boys prove to be better and braver pilots than practically anyone else in the whole durned Marine Corps. Among the Black Sheep are such personable young performers as James Whitmore Jr., Dirk Blocker (son of Dan Blocker) and John Larroquette. Originally titled Baa Baa Black Sheep when it first aired on September 21, 1976, Black Sheep Squadron was later syndicated as Flying Misfits. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1974  
 
With Mrs. Beadle sidelined by a sprained ankle, Caroline (Karen Grassle) volunteers as substitute teacher. She immediately focuses on the tribulations of 15-year-old Abel Makay (played by Dirk Blocker, the son of Michael Landon's former Bonanza co-star Dan Blocker), who is too embarrassed to continue schooling because he can neither read nor write. With Caroline's help, Abel begins to struggle upward from his illiteracy -- until the supercilious Mrs. Oleson (Katherine MacGregor) humiliates the poor boy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Michael LandonKaren Grassle, (more)
 
1995  
R  
This is a '90s version of a good old fashioned B monster movie. It is set in a small rural town that is outwardly upright and peaceful and is inwardly rotten to the core. It seems that in its earliest years, the town fathers made a devil's bargain with a wandering warlock to insure good crops and prosperity for the residents. They soon came to regret the deal and decided to murder the magician and bury his bones in a field. The trouble begins in modern times when the hellish bones are inadvertently unearthed thereby freeing the warlock's evil spirit which immediately takes over a scarecrow and goes on an unequaled killing spree. The strawman's handiwork is discovered by young lovers Claire and Dillon. They soon find themselves pursued by the demonic creature, but eventually they knock the stuffing out of him and destroy the evil spirit, but not before more creative murders and mayhem ensue. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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1993  
R  
Alan Rudolph wrote and directed this typically off-beat drama. A brief romantic liaison between a wealthy European and an American ballet dancer results in a pair of identical twins, who are separated and raised by others shortly after birth. Henry (Matthew Modine) was adopted by Pete (M. Emmet Walsh), an auto mechanic, and Henry grows up to follow in his Pete's footsteps. Emotionally fragile, Henry is in a relationship with Beverly (Lara Flynn Boyle), a rich but painfully shy woman who is terrified by sex. Henry, however, finds his own sexual appetite increasing, and he becomes involved with Rosie (Marisa Tomei), a prostitute living in his neighborhood. Meanwhile, Henry's brother, Freddy (also played by Matthew Modine), lives in the same city, though they've never met. Freddy is a gangster and hired killer working for crime kingpin Mr. Paris (Fred Ward). While Freddy is cool and confident on the surface, deep down he hates his job and tells his wife, Sharon (Lori Singer), that he wishes he had enough money to quit and move away. As fate would have it, Freddy and Henry's mother, who sank into a severe depression after losing her children and her lover, has died, leaving a substantial fortune to her two sons, who must now meet in order to collect their inheritance. Equinox premiered at the 1992 Seattle Film Festival, though it would not open theatrically until a year later. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Matthew ModineLara Flynn Boyle, (more)
 
1993  
R  
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Based on stories by Raymond Carver, Short Cuts follows 22 Los Angeles residents whose lives intersect over the course of a few days. Ann and Howard Finnegan (Andie MacDowell and Bruce Davison) are preparing for their son Casey's birthday party when the boy is injured in an auto accident and falls into a coma. Meanwhile, Andy (Lyle Lovett), a baker, seethes with anger over the birthday cake that wasn't claimed, and Howard's father, Paul (Jack Lemmon), decides that a visit with his ailing grandson is a good time to discuss his infidelities. Lois (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is a new mother who watches over her baby when not making money doing phone sex, which bothers her husband, Jerry (Chris Penn), though he knows they need the money. Pilot "Stormy" Weathers (Peter Gallagher) takes a very literal approach to dividing up community property with his ex-wife (Frances McDormand). Doreen (Lily Tomlin) is trying on to hold her marriage with Earl (Tom Waits), who is a good man on the rare occasions that he's sober. Zoe (Lori Singer), a classical musician, is trying to find some way to connect with her mother, Tess (Annie Ross), a jazz singer. Dr. Ralph Wyman (Matthew Modine) and his wife, Marian (Julianne Moore) put their bickering on hold while they have dinner with another couple, Stuart and Claire Kane (Fred Ward and Anne Archer). Stuart and his pals Gordon and Vern (Buck Henry and Huey Lewis) earlier went on a fishing trip where they discovered the body of a drowned woman but decided not to report it until the end of the weekend. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Andie MacDowellBruce Davison, (more)
 
1989  
R  
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This reject from slasher-movie remedial school -- featuring copious amounts of teen sex and the usual unimaginative gore murders -- involves the return of a problem teen (Donovan Leitch) to high school after his release from an institution. After essentially pinning the "Red Herring" sign on the main character, the filmmakers then pander what passes for suspense as Leitch's classmates head for that big D-hall in the sky. Not even a supporting performance by then-unknown Brad Pitt managed to rescue this lackluster thriller, which arrived far too late in the game to appeal to the teen-horror crowd -- an audience which by then had already migrated from Halloween clones and Friday the 13th sequels to Freddy Krueger territory after Wes Craven's crafty A Nightmare on Elm Street. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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Starring:
Donovan LeitchJill Schoelen, (more)
 
1989  
R  
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Director Alan Rudolph's 1989 model mood piece stars Tom Berenger as shabby private eye Harry Dobbs, who is hired by the mysterious Miss Dolan (Anne Archer). Dolan wants Dobbs to tail her abusive boyfriend, Rick (Neil Young). Dobbs immediately demonstrates his uncanny powers of detection by trailing the wrong man (Ted Levine), whose story turns out to be far more fascinating than Rick's. Meanwhile, Dobbs is himself pursued by female P.I. Stella Wynkowski (Elizabeth Perkins), which hardly pleases Dobbs' jealous girlfriend, Doris (Ann Magnuson). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Tom BerengerElizabeth Perkins, (more)
 
1988  
R  
This cliché-ridden car-racing feature doesn't even get off the blocks. The unshaven villains have greasy hair and black T-shirts, while the clean-shaven good guys are blonde and sport light-colored action wear. Andrea (Marla Heasley) invents a revolutionary new car engine and goes to the Charlotte Motor Speedway to try it out. She meets driver Al Pagura (Joseph Bottoms), and the two fall in and out of love. George Kennedy plays the heavy, and somewhere an underdeveloped plot about racetrack corruption appears. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

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Starring:
Joseph BottomsMarc Singer, (more)
 
1987  
R  
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Proving that you can never guess what you'll find when you clean out the basement, a man of the cloth discovers that ultimate evil has made a hiding place in his cellar in this tale of terror. Father Loomis (Donald Pleasance) is a priest who discovers a strange object in a church basement -- a canister filled with a swirling and volatile green substance. With the help of Professor Birack (Victor Wong), Loomis discovers the startling truth about his find -- it seems that Satan, who is actually an alien life form, had a son, and the essence of the devil's spawn is trapped inside the canister. The evil spirit has been guarded by a group calling themselves "The Brotherhood of Sleep," but the spirit has the ability to free itself whenever it decides the time is right...and it seems that time is just around the corner. Prince of Darkness was directed by horror master John Carpenter; he also wrote the screenplay under the pseudonym Martin Quatermass. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Donald PleasenceJameson Parker, (more)
 
1985  
R  
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The time is The Future; the place is Rain City, formerly Seattle. The city is a police state, while the citizens have adopted the manner and dress of 1940s gangsters. Recently released from prison, ex-cop Kris Kristofferson tries to touch base with his ex-girlfriend Genevieve Bujold, who runs a 1950s-style cafe. Hoping to make up for past sins, thereby redeeming himself in Bujold's eyes, Kristofferson endeavors to save innocent, newly arrived couple Keith Carradine and Lori Singer from the evil designs of crooked Joe Morton. Trouble in Mind strives mightily for a film noir ambience, right down to the presence of a sinister, Greenstreetesque "fat man," played in male drag (for a change) by Divine. The title tune for Trouble in Mind is sung over the credits by Marianne Faithful. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Kris KristoffersonKeith Carradine, (more)