Bill Toomey Movies

One of the best of the early-1970s Disney farces, The World's Greatest Athlete stars Jan-Michael Vincent in the title role. A "wild boy" living off the land in the jungles of Africa, Vincent is discovered by coaches Tim Conway and John Amos. Cursed with a last-place college athletic lineup, Conway and Amos hope that Vincent will pull them out of their years-long slump. And he does, but not before several Disneyesque slapstick highlights, not to mention a handful of amusing special-effects gags (at one point, Conway is shrunk to mouse size by witch doctor Roscoe Lee Browne). Despite its formidable lineup of comedians-Conway, Billy DeWolfe, Nancy Walker, Vito Scotti et. al.--The World's Greatest Athlete's funniest line goes to guest star Howard Cosell! The script is the handiwork of Gerald Gardner and Dee Caruso, late of That Was the Week That Was and Get Smart. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Generally cast as a villain in such series as the F.B.I., Richard Kiley is herein seen as the victim. Kidnapped by three homicidal extortionists, pediatrician Herbert Barth (Kiley) manages to break free and escapes into the wilderness. The rest of the episode is a variation on the old "Most Dangerous Game" theme, as Barth is hunted down like an animal by expert marksman James Vaughn (Jerry Ayres). This episode was filmed on location in the forests of Utah and Washington State. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi