Don Swayze Movies

The title character in this made-for-TV movie, played by Gary Kasper, is an artificial "superhuman," created at the behest of the U.S. government to be the ultimate soldier. Unfortunately for the Feds, J.O.E. has been imbued with the genes of idealistic scientist Michael Moran (Terence Knox), an avowed pacifist. J.O.E. also has a mind of his own, rendering him incapable of following orders in which he does not believe. The humanoid hero's convictions -- and incredible strength -- are put to the test when a group of terrorists try to destroy the U.S. defense system. Clearly the pilot for a proposed (and never sold) series, J.O.E. and the Colonel (released to video as Humanoid Defender) made its ABC network debut on September 11, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When a rapist avoids conviction several times in a row, his past victims join together to exact vigilante justice. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

Writer Jill Clayburgh wants to remove her coke-addicted daughter Martha Plimpton from the corruptive environs of Manhattan. When assigned to write an article about family trees, Clayburgh, with daughter in tow, heads to the bayous of Louisiana, there to seek out an elusive great-uncle--and, it is hoped, to give Plimpton a new start in life. Upon their arrival in the deep south, Clayburgh and Plimpton are confronted with the uncle's rugged, iron-willed wife Barbara Hershey and her four grown sons. The anticipated culture clash results in tragedy for all concerned. Wavering between the plausible and the outrageous, Shy People makes for fascinating, almost mesmerizing viewing. Released late in 1987 to qualify for the Academy Awards, the film was given a general release in mid-1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this post-apocalyptic film, a group of renegade roadsters find their brutal authority challenged by a tough truck driver. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

A tracking gunman is joined by his collegian son in an effort to catch a homicidal religious freak in this made-for-cable western. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide

In this grim actioner, two city dudes head out for the country and find themselves involved in a feud when one of them falls in love with a country boy's gal. The jealous lover belongs to the murderous clan that runs the area and now the city boys, one of whom is a Vietnam vet, must team up or die. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Jessica (Angela Lansbury) comes to the aid of Ellen Woer (Dee Wallace Stone), whom she'd previously helped to beat a murder rap. In the interim, Ellen has become owner of a diner, in which three patrons died of arsenic poisoning. While Jessica labors to find out what really happened, several disgruntled "locals", convinced that Ellen had actually been guilty of murder the first time around, aren't about to let her slip through the fingers of the law a second time--and no one is more vituperative (or profane) than the town's chief hothead, Edge Potter (Don Swayze). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This is one of the many made for TV movies revolving around the popular disheveled character created by Peter Falk - Lieutenant Columbo, of Homicide. In this one, the Lieutenant is called upon to use his expertise to help out the family when his nephew's new bride is kidnapped on their wedding night. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide

Markie Post, Corbin Bernsen, and Kelsey Grammer headline this tightly wound thriller about a devoted wife who makes a shocking discovery about her successful and outwardly upstanding husband, a successful dentist. Inspired by a true story, Appointment for a Killing opens as Joyce Benderman (Post) basks in the glow of her recent good fortune. Raised in poverty, Joyce can't believe her luck when she is married to charismatic dentist Stan (Bernsen). Stan is everything a woman like Joyce could ever want; he's successful, handsome, and a good provider. But Stan has a dark side that's about to flip his wife's world upside down. When Joyce discovers that Stan is an adulterer, who thrives on sexually ensnaring and manipulating young, unsuspecting women, she begins to suspect that he may also be the culprit responsible for a recent series of heinous murders. At once terrified of her husband yet determined to stop him, Joyce agrees to aid a federal agent (Grammer) in tricking her husband into admitting his guilt. But this game is deadly serious, because should Joyce arouse her husband's suspicions odds are good that she'll become his next victim. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The plot in this suspenseful mystery evokes the old westerns while dealing with contemporary issues concerning the further development of the West. It all begins when a stranger rolls into a remote little town and discovers that they are doing their best to keep secret the murder of a civil liberties lawyer who was threatening to prevent developers from exploiting the land. The stranger finds out and takes steps to ensure that justice is done. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In 1944, Angela Lansbury and Mickey Rooney both appeared in the classic racetrack film National Velvet. The two veterans are reunited in this story, which appropriately enough revolves around a thoroughbred horse, and two families who have staked everything in an upcoming race. When her old friend, horse trainer Matt Cleveland (Rooney), is murdered, Jessica (Lansbury) hits the trail of clues and collars the killer in the home stretch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Martial arts abound in this taut adventure, yet another version of the 1924 classic story "The Most Dangerous Game," by Richard Connell. Big-game hunter Danton Vachs and his pals live on a remote island off the Mexican coastline. The island is densely jungled and Vachs makes a good living staging hunts involving human victims. His latest victim is an exceptional athlete and Vietnam veteran. To get him to the island, Vachs has his girl friend kidnapped and will not release her until the vet, Matt Collins agrees to play. He is given a four hour start upon his pursuers. While making his way through the jungle, he runs into John Blackwell, his predecessor, a survivalist who faked his death, and who has been hiding out on the island ever since. Together the two team up to make it back to the big house, get deadly chopsocky revenge and save Matt's girl friend. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide