Rita Taggart Movies
Supporting actress, onscreen from the '70s. ~ All Movie Guide
Writer/director John Sayles once again takes his audience to a place they may never have been before (this time both psychologically and geographically). Joe Gastineau (David Strathairn) lives in Juneau, Alaska, where his life has been stuck in neutral for about 25 years. When he was young, Joe was involved in an accident on a fishing boat that led to the death of two crewmembers, and he's never recovered from the blow. When Joe meets Donna De Angelo (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), however, he starts to come out of his shell. Donna is a lounge singer who goes from job to job, wherever she can get work. Her life has been built around being able to pick herself up when she falls and learning to be comfortable wherever she lands -- a gift that her teenage daughter, Noelle (Vanessa Martinez), does not share. Donna and Joe become attracted to each other, and her example leads Joe to take a job on a boat again. However, just as Joe's life is starting to get back on track, his ne'er-do-well half-brother Bobby (Casey Siemaszko) arrives to ask Joe a favor. One disaster leads to another, and Joe soon finds himself stranded on an island with Donna and Noelle, trying to hide from a group of men out to kill him. Shot on location in Alaska by award-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler, Limbo also features a soundtrack with a new song by Bruce Springsteen, "Lift Me Up"; Sayles directed three Springsteen music videos in the 1980s. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, David Strathairn, (more)
Director Andrew Davis followed up the action blockbuster The Fugitive (1993) with this Capra-esque box office dud that nevertheless featured engaging dual performances by Andy Garcia. Garcia stars as Ruben and Robby, twin brothers who were raised separately and have become total opposites. Ruben has recently inherited a 40,000-acre Santa Barbara estate from his eccentric guardian, Mona (Holland Taylor). A friend to artisans and migrant workers, Ruben wants to transform the land into a commune, while the cold-hearted Robby wants to steal it from his brother, develop it and make millions. Muddying the waters are Lou (Alan Arkin), a quick-thinking ex-cop and pal of Ruben's who is able to manipulate the law to his own purposes, Eddie (Joe Pantoliano), a shark lawyer who plays both sides against the middle, and Ruben's ex-wife Laura (Rachel Ticotin). When each brother masquerades as the other for a time, however, some insights are gained by both. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andy Garcia, Alan Arkin, (more)
- 1994
Incredible as it must seem to some, quite a few families and individuals have agreed to give up all or part of their privacy and permit a film crew to record their every act. Therefore, the premise of this send-up of "reality television" is not so far-fetched as might be supposed. In the story, a ratings-hungry television executive (Robby Benson) persuades the Webber family to become subject to this sort of intrusion, in return for lots of money and the opportunity to live in a really fancy mansion. The star of the resulting show is the family's nubile and sexually active daughter (Jennifer Tilly), who takes casts of each of her dates' better body parts in hopes of one day putting together a model of her ideal man. The highly intellectual father in the family is a psychiatrist (Jeffrey Tambor) with some very strange patients, some of whom have agreed to appear on camera as well. The mom (Rita Taggert) becomes a popular role model, even though she feels neglected by the rest of the family, and especially her husband, and the son (David Arquette) just moons around, in mourning for his recently dead girlfriend. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeffrey Tambor, Rita Taggart, (more)
In this coming-of-age drama, three recent high school graduates from Detroit must make a difficult choice when they are offered a fortune to smuggle hashish from Canada into the US. As they are quickly going nowhere in their grimy suburban town, the three buddies are sorely tempted. Each of them undergoes a major change in their personal lives and they are left with the feeling of having nothing left to lose. Unfortunately, their lark across the border becomes deadly serious when they meet the dealer at an isolated farm and realize that he wants them to smuggle heroin, not hash. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josh Charles, Jason Gedrick, (more)
- 1992
Millionaire oilman Buck Wilson (Wayne Tippet), the father of Jessica's editor, has disappeared--and along with him $150,000,000 from his corporate account has vanished. Brought in to investigate the matter, psychic Marika Valenti (Natalja Nogulich) claims to have had a vision that Wilson is dead. Jessica (Angela Lansbury) enters the fray when Marika herself turns up murdered. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
- PG13
Three rebellious bickersome brothers reunite to drive their father's title car from their Detroit homes to Florida. The auto is to be a gift to celebrate their mother's birthday party. Along the way, their adventures are punctuated by pop tunes from 1963 that include "Louie, Louie," a song that inspires a hilarious debate as the three attempt to fathom the song's meaning. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Dempsey, Arye Gross, (more)
- 1989
- R
This muddled attempt at creating a new supernatural serial killer franchise (in the mode of Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street series) features perennial movie thug Brion James as sadistic mass murderer Max Jenke, who hacked up more than 100 victims with a meat cleaver before his eventual capture by dedicated cop Lucas McCarthy (Lance Henriksen). Unwilling to cease his homicidal spree after his death, Jenke had been conducting bizarre experiments in soul-transference prior to his capture; his execution in the electric chair subsequently transforms his evil essence into electrical current. In this new form, the seemingly unstoppable maniac launches a supernatural siege against McCarthy and his family until the tormented cop finally faces him down on his own nightmare turf. Originally conceived as another House sequel, this film consists of long periods of tedium punctuated by outbursts of graphic gore and surreal effects. This condition is partially the result of footage being shot by two separate directors; it seems as if neither of them knew what the other was doing. James is amusingly sleazy as the cackling madman, but his one-note material is not compelling enough to merit a recurring character. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lance Henriksen, Brion James, (more)
- 1988
This comedy is based on the comic fantasy hit Splash and was designed as the pilot for a television sitcom. In the story, the Manhattan yuppie and his magical mermaid marry and try to live a normal life in the big city. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
In this film, based on a true story, convicted criminal Lee Umstetter (Nick Nolte) is sentenced to life in San Quentin prison, with no possibility of parole. Despairing at his interminable sentence, Lee spends his time reading and educating himself. When he writes and performs a play that attracts the notice of a film critic (Rita Taggart), she sets out on a quest to have him paroled. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nick Nolte, Lane Smith, (more)
- 1985
Rock-em sock-em LAPD detective sergeant Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) continues busting heads and breaking arms in pursuit of justice as Hunter begins its second season. Someone is systematically murdering female porn stars, and Hunter and his partner DeeDee McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) are ordered to find out who and why. So Hunter goes undercover at a seedy modelling agency, while McCall dons form-fitting leotards at an exercise club known to be hangout for the porn industry. Several plot twists and double crosses later, Dee Dee finds herself the killer's next target--and Hunter is miles away. Directed by former Starsky and Hutch star David Soul, this episode introduces two new series regulars: Bruce Davison as Captain Wyler, and Richard Beauchamp as Carlos the morgue attendant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Harry's courtroom docket this evening includes a man claiming to be Santa Claus (Jeff Corey) (red suit, white beard, the whole shootin' match) who's been hauled in for trespassing, and a pair of cynical teenage runaways, one of whom is played by Family Ties costar Michael J. Fox. In his usual off-the-wall fashion, Harry solves everyone's problems and gets a hug in the bargain. With this episode, Paula Kelly joins the cast in the role of combative public defender Liz Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Not quite reaching as far as its storyline would permit, this film on the addiction and downfall of an otherwise successful married man is not always successful itself. Lillian (Pamela Sue Martin) is commissioned to do a painting for Jake Gregory (Steve Railsback), who owns a Los Angeles construction firm. As they proceed up to the top of a project in a cage elevator, the attraction between them rises even faster, and after the usual romantic and personal interludes, the two of them decide to marry. On their first anniversary, Jake gives Lillian diamond earrings, and a painful ear-piercing ensues, played out with sexual undertones. The couple have no major problems until one day they meet the villainous Sidney (Ian McShane) who invites them to his home where he introduces them to freebasing cocaine. In the long run, Lillian backs away, but Jake quickly becomes addicted, though their initial reactions to the drug are the opposite. During the remainder of the film, Jake's life deteriorates steadily, as no one and nothing is able to come between him and the cause of his destruction. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pamela Sue Martin, Steve Railsback, (more)
- 1984
Thanks to the machinations of his nemesis Judge Willard (Jason Bernard), Harry (Harry Anderson) is summoned before a judicial review board. Led by the decidedly off-base Judge Landis (Ray Walton) the board must decide if Harry's bizarre and flippant courtroom behavior constitutes sufficient grounds for dismissal. Episode highlights include the G. Gordon Liddy-ish character testimony provided by overzealous Night Court bailiff Bull (Richard Moll). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Joan Collins and David Hasselhoff star in this made-for-TV comedy caper, in which a con artist who has just gotten out of jail. Curt Taylor (Hasselhoff) finds himself back in business when he becomes an assistant to glamorous film star Cartier Rand (Collins). Curt's primary interest in working with Cartier is the opportunity to get his hands on her world famous and highly-valuable collection of jewelry. In time, however, Curt finds himself attracted to Cartier, which will take a bit of explaining, since he informed Cartier's jealous fiancée that he was gay in order to win the job. The Cartier Affair also stars Telly Savalas, Charlies Napier, and Ed Lauter. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Ubiquitous hooker Carla B. (Rita Taggart) has decided that she's in love with Harry (Harry Anderson), even though he hasn't really given her any encouragement. The situation gets out of hand when Carla hides in Harry's chambers wearing nothing more than a towel. Elsewhere, Dan (John Larroquette) loses a city-council election to an opponent who's been dead for quite some time! Jason Bernard makes his first appearance as Harry's flint-eyed nemesis Judge Willard. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
He just happened to be home when the outgoing mayor was calling around to make judicial appointments. . .and that's how Harry T. Stone (Harry Anderson) became New York City's youngest--and wackiest--judge. In this debut episode of Night Court, Harry settles down to work in a nocturnal appellate court frequented by such eccentrics as hard-drinking, womanizing ADA Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), bald, taciturn bailiff "Bull" Shannon (Richard Moll), chain-smoking, sarcastic matron Selma (Selma Diamond), and wide-eyed, bubbly court clerk Lana (Karen Austin). Harry makes his mark the first night on the job when he flips a coin to decide whether or not a woman (Peggy McCay) who tried to shoot her husband should be released or go to the slammer--then incites a riot when he orders the woman, her husband, and their lawyer to go out to dinner together! Featured in this inaugural episode are Rita Taggart in the recurring role of impulsive hooker Carla B. and Gail Strickland as legal-aid lawyer Sheila Gardiner, a character that would be replaced in the very next episode (and for the rest of Season One) by Paula Kelly as Liz Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
When his wife becomes the new family breadwinner, a football coach must learn the ins and outs of child care and housecleaning. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Michael Glaser, Dee Wallace, (more)
- 1983
Although based on Nathanael West's novel that essentially trashes the journalist's trade as cold-hearted and Machiavellian, director Michael Dinner has opted to make his journalist a pathetic figure instead. The story centers on a reporter who is trapped into writing the "Miss Lonelyhearts" column for a local newspaper and then slowly comes apart emotionally and psychologically as he gets involved with the troubles of his readers. While the plot of the film remains solid, the characterization of the journalist changes the intent -- and whether that is for better or worse will depend on the viewer. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Roberts, Arthur Hill, (more)
- 1981
A compassionate social worker puts her own life in jeopardy when she begins investigating a powerful businessman suspected of selling babies on the black market. Kate Carlin (Lynda Carter) has dedicated her entire life to helping children. When Kate discovers that a local businessman has been taking advantage of troubled teens by purchasing their unwanted babies and selling them for a sizable profit, she makes it her personal mission to gather evidence against him and ensure that justice is served. But this is one businessman whose connections go all the way to the top, and when he discovers that Kate is about to bust the case wide open he makes it clear that he'll do everything in his power to silence her forever. Harold Gould and Dean Stockwell co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lynda Carter, Dean Stockwell, (more)
- 1981
This ABC TV movie is set in an experimental coed prison, presided over by progressive warden E.F. Crown (Shirley Jones). The wisdom of incarcerating men and women together is placed in doubt when white-collar criminal Roy Matson (Perry King) falls in love with hard-boiled, streetwise Jane Mount (Kate Jackson). In addition to Shirley Jones, Tony Curtis pulls special guest star duty as Flanagan, a two-bit hoodlum who aspires to "class." Inmates: A Love Story debuted on February 13, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
The landmark 1978 courtroom prosecution which determined that a married man can by law be brought up on charges of raping his wife, was meticulously--and tastefully--detailed in this made-for-TV movie. Linda Hamilton stars as Oregon housewife Greta Rideout, who after years of abuse at the hands her husband John (Mickey Rourke) (it is the sort of marriage described by one observer as "usually [winding] up as suicide or homicide") finally takes him to court, accusing him of forcing her to have sex against her will. Among those involved in the case are feminist activists Helen (Conchata Ferrell) and Jean (Gail Strickland) and opposing attorneys Gary Gortmaker (Eugene Roche) and Charles Burt (Rip Torn). Rape and Marriage: The Rideout Case originally aired October 30, 1980 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Hamilton, Mickey Rourke, (more)
Used Cars is one of Robert Zemeckis' pre-Roger Rabbit and pre-Forrest Gump efforts starring Kurt Russell is a devious car salesman who goes to work for affable but monumentally unsuccessful used car dealer Jack Warden. Warden's principal rival is his more prosperous twin brother, also played by Warden, who schemes to take over the "good" brother's lot. After a series of raunchy vignettes, the film boils down to an every-man-for-himself price war between the two Wardens, which rages on even after we're one Warden short. The supporting cast of Used Cars is populated by such reliables as David L. Lander, Michael McKean, Al Lewis, Dub Taylor, Dick Miller and Betty Thomas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, (more)
