Vincent Van Patten Movies
Vincent Van Patten is the youngest son of actor Dick Van Patten, the brother of actor James Van Patten, and the nephew of actors Joyce Van Patten and Timothy Van Patten. As night follows day, Vincent was destined from the start for a show-business career. Making his professional debut in his preteen years, Van Patten has been seen in such TV-movie productions as Dial Hot Line (1969), The Bravos (1970), James at 15 (1977) and Gidget's Summer Reunion (1985). His theatrical feature credits range from the Disneyesque doings of Charlie and the Angel (1976) to the amiable anarchy of Rock 'N' Roll High School (1979), wherein Van Patten was cast against type as a high school nerd. Thus far, his only weekly TV-series gigs have been as Paul Apple in Apple's Way (1974) and John Karras in Three for the Road (1975); he appeared as the 16-year old son of bionic duo Steve Austin and Jaime Sommers in a 1976 episode of The Six Million Dollar Man, but the anticipated spin-off series never came to fruition. In addition, Vincent Van Patten has been active in the Hanna-Barbera voice over pool, putting words in the mouths of the animated characters on Scooby-Doo and Jeannie, among other programs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1972
The beautiful black stallion given by Ben Cartwright as a birthday present to his son, Joe, is stolen. Searching for the horse, Joe comes across a family of drifters, and is soon embroiled in a potentially deadly rivalry between Bill Brenner (Clu Gulager) and his son, Tommy (Vincent Van Patten). Mitzi Hoag appears as Bill's wife, Alice. Written by Jack B. Sowards, Mort Zarcoff, and Juanita Bartlett, this episode is highlighted by a climactic "race for life" between a horse and a train; by the lush location photography, filmed in the Sierra Foothills near Sonora; and by the musical score of David Rose, which would later serve as the main theme music for the subsequent Michael Landon-starring series Little House on the Prairie. Alas, by the time "Stallion" was originally broadcast on November 14, 1972, NBC had already cancelled Bonanza, which had never recovered ratings-wise from the loss of Dan Blocker or its move from Sunday to Tuesday evening. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
During a cross-country balloon race, 2 aeronauts become entangled in the start of the Civil War. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1971
Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) round up some kids who have been committing minor crimes while playing hookey. Though society at large is willing to write off these youngsters as incorrigible, Reed decides to appeal to the kids' parents to help curb truancy. . .and to find out just how many crimes can actually be attributed to the truants, or to someone older who is acting as a ring leader. Barbara Nichols, one of Hollywood's favorite "dumb blondes" (dumb on film if not real life, that is), is seen as Mrs. Stephens. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Ex-convict Gordy Brokaw (Earl Holliman), a demolitions expert, is being strongarmed into helping a gang of revolutionaries steal a huge cache of dynamite and assemble a time bomb. To bind the bargain, the rebels kidnap Gordy's young son (Vincent Van Patten). Though Ironside (Raymond Burr) is able to rescue the boy, he must still locate the explosives--and defuse them himself--before it is too late! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
The eleventh season of Bonanza was wrapped up on April 19, 1970 with the powerhouse episode "A Matter of Circumstance." Though several prominent actors-notably young Vincent Van Patten-appear in the supporting cast, the episode is virtually a one-man show, focusing on Michael Landon as Joe Cartwright. Left alone at the Ponderosa to await the arrival of a new cook, Joe is injured by a fall from his horse. Dazed and confused, Joe tries to stay conscious and treat his own injuries-even if it means amputating his own arm! The episode is distinguished by the subjective-camera direction of William F. Claxton, wherein we see most of the action through Joe's eyes. "A Matter of Circumstance" was written by B.W. Sandefur. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1969
Vincent Edwards, four years removed from Ben Casey, enters another branch of the healing profession in the made-for-TV Dial Hot Line. Edwards plays Matt Lincoln, a community psychiatrist who is patched into a "hot line" telephone for those troubled souls unable to afford therapy. This TV movie involves three of Lincoln's call-in patients, including one potential suicide. Also featured was future Laugh-In regular Chelsea Brown as Tag, a member of Lincoln's staff. Dial Hot Line later matriculated into the brief Matt Lincoln TV series, with both Vincent Edwards and Chelsea Brown retained from the pilot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
