Peter Turgeon Movies
- 1979
A huge corporation intends to buy all the buildings on a certain city block, throwing people out of their apartments in order to construct huge luxury condos. One of the buildings is a dry-cleaning store owned by George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), who becomes a darling of the media when he refuses to sell out. But George is hardly altruistic -- he is merely holding out in hopes of getting more money for his property. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
A slick Los Angeles callboy finds love and redemption in Paul Schrader's ultra-stylish drama. High-living prostitute Julian Kay (Richard Gere, stepping in for John Travolta) has it all: the Mercedes, the clothes, access to Beverly Hills' swankiest establishments, and a stable of rich, older female clients. But it all falls apart after he does a favor for his former pimp (Bill Duke) and the trick turns up dead a short while later; Julian's actual client won't give him an alibi, and police detective Sunday (Hector Elizondo) doesn't believe the gigolo's denials. The one person who can help him is frustrated politician's wife (and sole non-paying bedmate) Michelle (Lauren Hutton), if only Julian could let down his defenses and accept her gesture of love. Mixing his admiration for European art cinema with a voyeuristic view of the seamier side of sex and affluence, Schrader renders Julian an inscrutable, emotionally disengaged purveyor of pleasure, decked out in Giorgio Armani clothes coordinated with Ferdinando Scarfiotti's meticulous production design. Amid critical doubts about its artiness and distanced eroticism, American Gigolo surprised everyone by not dying on the box office vine. With some audiences reportedly showing up for repeat viewings of Gere's seductive charms, it became a moderate hit, turning Gere into a star and Armani into the new fashion sensation. Whatever reservations one may have about the movie, it provided two indelible images of 1980s decadence to come: Gere's perusing his "artist's palette" of shirts, ties, and jackets, and Gere's cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway in his convertible to the New Wave strains of Blondie's "Call Me". ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Gere, Lauren Hutton, (more)
- 1979
The made-for-TV Anatomy of a Seduction was originally telecast May 8, 1979. Susan Flannery plays a divorcee who assuages her loneliness by starting an affair with 20-year-old Jameson Parker. It so happens that Parker is the son of Flannery's best friend Rita Moreno, who doesn't take it well when she finds out what's going on. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
In this children's movies, a young brother and sister escape from the boredom of their suburban neighborhood and high-tail it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. There they wind up hiding within the maze of hallways until the girl finds a beautiful white statue. She is captivated by it and becomes obsessed with trying to discover if it is really a Michaelangelo. This leads her and her brother to the mansion of a 70-year old recluse with whom the girl becomes friends. They begin sharing their secrets and talking about art. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1972
- R
- Add The Possession of Joel Delaney to QueueAdd The Possession of Joel Delaney to top of Queue
In this supernatural thriller, Norah Benson (Shirley MacLaine) is a wealthy woman living in Manhattan who keeps a close and protective eye on her brother Joel (Perry King), who has a flat in a rough section of the East Village. Joel is a frequent guest at Norah's home and loves her two children, but when he begins acting strangely and playing too rough with the kids, she wonders if something is wrong. When Norah doesn't hear from Joel for several days, she stops by his apartment to see if he's all right, just as he's being led away by police after attacking the custodian in his building. At first Norah and Joel's doctors think that drugs may be to blame, but when Joel's girlfriend Carrie (Lisa Kohane) is found murdered and beheaded, Norah learns that Joel has become involved with Santeria, a religion that mixes voodoo with Catholicism, and his interest in Santeria has brought him in contact with Tonio Perez (Jose Fernandez), a suspected serial killer. The Possession of Joel Delaney features an original score by Joe Raposo, best known for his very different work as a songwriter on the children's TV series Sesame Street. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shirley MacLaine, Perry King, (more)
Airport had enough plot and enough star power in its cast for three feature films, and it only encompassed about half of the complexity or characters found in Arthur Hailey's best-selling potboiler. Essentially built around 12 harrowing hours at a major Midwestern airport, the film had everything an audience of the period could have wanted -- suspense, romance, drama, and comedy -- all spread across a vast canvas. Mel Bakersfeld (Burt Lancaster) is the manager of Lincoln Airport, facing a night beset by the worst blizzard in a decade, a wife (Dana Wynter) who announces she wants a divorce, a primary runway blocked by an airliner stuck in a snowdrift, and a governing board ready to fire him. Bakersfeld's cynical, smooth-talking brother-in-law, Vernon Demerest (Dean Martin), won't let up on his criticism of the management at Lincoln, but he has his own problems as well, mostly in the form of a young stewardess, Gwen Meighen (Jacqueline Bisset), who is pregnant by him and whom he finds he genuinely loves. Add to that the presence of an old lady stowaway (Helen Hayes) and a mentally disturbed passenger (Van Heflin) carrying a bomb, and there's more than enough plot to keep viewers engrossed for two hours plus. Airport became one of the top-grossing movies of its era, racking up seven-digit box-office numbers and spawning an entire film genre -- the disaster movie. With Jean Seberg, George Kennedy, Lloyd Nolan, Barry Nelson, and Maureen Stapleton filling out the rest of the leading roles, there was something for almost everyone in this film. The movie still has a lot to offer if only as a prime example of Hollywood at its most successfully glitzy, but, if possible, viewers should try and see the letterboxed version of Airport on DVD (released May 2001). ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, (more)
- 1969
- R
Last Summer is a frank coming-of-age tale that refuses to prettify its young characters or their activities. A group of aimless teens get together for sex, drugs and rock-and-roll on Fire Island. Timid, overweight Rhonda (Catherine Burns) is goaded into aberrant behavior by her peers, especially the promiscuous Sandy (Barbara Hershey). Enjoying Rhonda's discomfiture, Sandy encourages the boys in the group to gang-rape the poor girl. It was this scene, the first of its kind in a general-release American picture, that earned Last Summer its initial X rating. The film was later judiciously trimmed to qualify for an R rating without blunting its dramatic impact. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Hershey, Richard Thomas, (more)
- 1969
- PG
In this satirical comedy, Fred Amidon (Dick Van Dyke) is a Fifth Avenue bank teller waiting for his divorce to be finalized to end his marriage to Rachel (Angie Dickinson). He and fellow employee Pamela (Rosemary Forsyth) plan to marry once the ink dries on the decree. A Central Park picnic with Pamela finds Fred suffering a bee string on his chin, which he covers with a bandage, but Fred's bandaged chin causes concern for the bank vice president, who expresses his dissatisfaction. Fred then goes on a three-week vacation, and during that time he grows a beard because the bee sting makes it difficult to shave. He returns to work, and when he refuses to shave, he is branded a rebel and a symbolic hero in the worker struggle against management. The unhappy Pamela recruits her two brothers to capture Fred and shave his beard, leading to a slapstick chase with Fred clad only in his underwear. He is arrested and locked up in the local psychiatric unit. When Rachel hears of his plight, she is moved to resolve their marital differences, and the two reconcile with only minutes to spare before their divorce becomes final. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dick Van Dyke, Angie Dickinson, (more)
- 1969
- PG
Since she was a child, Natalie Miller (Patty Duke) has always thought she was an ugly ducking. When a boy called her "clown face", the six-year-old knocked out his front teeth with a shovel. Despite her mother's encouragement that she will grow up to be pretty, Natalie has never believed it will happen. When her parents bribe a young medical student to date her, Natalie discovers the ruse and moves out of her parent's house. She rents a Greenwich Village apartment from an eccentric landlady (Elsa Lanchester) and gets a job at the Topless Bottom Club. She rides a motorcycle to work, decorates her loft with a moose head, and rides up and down a dumbwaiter to get to her apartment. There Natalie meets David (James Farentino) an artist, and the two have a love affair before she discovers he is married. She considers returning home after finding him in bed with his wife. Al Pacino makes his first screen appearance in a minor role in this engaging drama. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patty Duke, James Farentino, (more)
- 1968
To catalog the visual and verbal gags in The Dove would be to ruin this delightful short-subject spoof for the uninitiated viewer. Suffice to say that this "winner of the Golden Escargot Award" (and Oscar nominee) is a dead-on satire of Ingmar Bergman movies in general and Wild Strawberries and The Seventh Seal in particular. An aging professor named Viktor Sundqvist muses on his past while making a crucial stop at a roadside outhouse (the first of several gags involving waste products). He remembers that particular summer in his youth when he and his beloved Inga were forced into a confrontation -- and a badminton game -- with Mr. Death. The film's dialogue is spoken in hilarious faux Swedish, with English-language subtitles "translating" the Scandinavian double-talk. (One character offers another a cigar, asking "Phalliken sym-bol?") Madeline Kahn makes a brief appearance as a woman in love with a cow. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
In this comedy, New York City undergoes a dramatic change when a toucan carrying a strange virus is smuggled through customs. In those it infects, the virus causes an intense euphoria and a desire to do good. The first man to receive the infected bird is a misanthropic, cynical artist who lives in an apartment with his girlfriend. The couple names the toucan "Amigo," and soon they are indeed happy. They decide to spread it around and so the bird is freed. The Big Apple goes into an economic tailspin as its residents become deliriously happy and stop buying cigarettes, booze and tranquilizers. To save the financially foundering city, the mayor and a presidential envoy begin distributing unpleasant masks to the happy city-dwellers. The artist and friends thwart the officials' scheme by infecting the masks. So begins a battle between the officials and the artist. Eventually Amigo is caught, and an antidote is delivered. The renowned rudeness, cruelty and selfishness of the native New Yorkers quickly returns, and the city is saved. The artist realizes that his quest has been futile, and he devotes the rest of his time and energy to making his girlfriend happy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Peppard, Mary Tyler Moore, (more)
- 1967
Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) goes on a date with lawyer Tony Peterson (Jerry Lacy), the better to steal his keys. Breaking into Tony's office, Carolyn searches for Julia's incriminating notebook -- only to be caught in the act. This episode originally aired on November 14, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Continuing his efforts to drive Julia (Grayson Hall) mad, Barnabas (unseen in this episode) again conjures up the ghost of Dr. Woodard (Peter Turgeon), who warns Julia that her own death is near. Meanwhile, the spirit of Barnabas' sister, Sarah (Sharon Smyth), could intervene in his brother's skullduggery -- but she won't. This episode first aired on November 13, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
After escorting Dr. Woodard (Peter Turgeon) into the secret room of the Mausoleum, Sarah (Sharon Smyth) vanishes before any further questions can be asked. Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) asks Burke (Anthony George) to postpone their wedding until they can determine the state of David's mental health. This episode first aired on October 9, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Psychiatrist Dr. Fisher (William Shust) is called in to examine David (David Henesy). Investigating the Mausoleum, Dr. Woodard finally sees the ghostly Sarah (Sharon Smyth). Peter Turgeon takes over for Robert Gerringer in the role of Dr. David Woodard. This episode first aired on October 6, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Despite her grief over the death of Dr. Woodard (compounded by a ghostly visit from the dead man!), Julia (Grayson Hall) is forced to continue her experimental treatments to cure Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) of vampirism. But the new drugs used in this treatment will have some truly bizarre side effects. This episode first aired on October 18, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Barnabas kills Dr. Woodard, but uses a special drug to make it seem as if death was due to heart failure. Since it was she who provided the drug, Julia has no choice but to continue cooperating with Barnabas -- a fact confirmed by a brief but terrifying ghostly visitation. Angus Cairns takes over from Dana Elcar in the role of Sheriff Patterson. This episode first aired on October 16, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Having read Julia's notebook, Dr. Woodard (Peter Turgeon) now knows for certain that Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) is a vampire. Julia (Grayson Hall) warns Woodard that he'd better keep his mouth shut -- or else. This episode originally aired on October 13, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Dr. Woodard (Peter Turgeon) steals the notebook containing Julia's (Grayson Hall) reports on Barnabas' anti-vampire treatments. Barnabas (Jonathan Fried) wonders if Woodard knows too much to live. This episode first aired on October 12, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Dr. Woodard (Peter Turgeon) overhears Julia (Grayson Hall) as she tells Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) that she has been keeping a notebook containing daily reports of Barnabas' "treatment." Elizabeth (Joan Bennett) asks Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) to remain at Collinwood to look after David. This episode originally aired on October 11, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) denies all when Dr. Woodard (Peter Turgeon) tells him about meeting the ghost of Barnabas' sister, Sarah. Roger (Louis Edmond) and Elizabeth (Joan Bennett) argue over the future of the troubled David (David Henesy). This episode originally aired on October 10, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
As part of his campaign to discredit Julia (Grayson Hall), Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) feigns affection for the woman. Meanwhile, Julia's mental condition deteriorates, as she hears the ghostly voice of the late Dr. David Woodard (Peter Turgeon). This episode originally aired on November 9, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) orders Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) to retrieve Julia's notebook from lawyer Tony Peterson (Jerry Lacy). He then launches a campaign to drive Julia (Grayson Hall) insane -- beginning with the brief "resurrection" of the late Dr. Woodard (Peter Turgeon). This episode first aired on November 8, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
The Beach Party Gang meets a coterie of muscle-men who try to take over their spot on the beach in Muscle Beach Party. Surfing sensations Frankie (Frankie Avalon) and Dee Dee (Annette Funicello) have their security threatened when Flex Martian (Rock Stevens) and a collection of well-oiled weight-lifters invade their turf. While tensions heat up on the beach, wealthy contessa Julie (Luciana Paluzzi) arranges for her business manager S.Z. Matts (Buddy Hackett) to entice Flex into becoming the latest in her long line of boyfriends. Julie's feelings change when she meets Frankie, who, honored by Julie's amorous attentions, returns her affections, causing a rift not only between Dee Dee and himself, but a further collapse in relations between the surfers and the body-builders, which is assuaged only by the music of Dick Dale and the Del Tones and Little Stevie Wonder. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, (more)
Decked out with another of his American accents, Peter Sellers plays self-centered concert pianist Henry Orient. While Henry's active libido sends him off on pursuit of married woman Paula Prentiss, a pair of preteen boarding-school chums, played by Tippy Walker and Merrie Spaeth, worship Orient from afar. The girls' overworked imaginations, manifested in pursuing Orient about and recording their fantasies in their diaries, leads Walker's mom, Angela Lansbury, to conclude that Henry has "had his way" with her underaged daughter. The World of Henry Orient was later musicalized for Broadway as Henry, Sweet Henry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Sellers, Paula Prentiss, (more)
