Philip Abbott Movies
In critiquing a minor science fiction film of the late '50s, a prominent film historian characterized star Phillip Abbott as "...the kind of actor whose face you forget five minutes after seeing it." While there is some truth in this, let it be recorded here and now that Abbott's professional credentials were as impeccable and impressive as any "unforgettable" star. After serving with the U.S. Air Force in World War II (and earning an air medal and three oak-leaf clusters in the process), Abbott attended Fordham University, and later studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse. Making his Broadway debut in 1948, he went on to appear in such stage successes as Detective Story and Two for the Seesaw. Far from being completely unmemorable in films, Abbott had at least two praiseworthy screen characterizations to his credit: nervous groom-to-be Arnold in The Bachelor Party (1957) and doctor-with-a-secret George Scudder in Sweet Bird of Youth (1962). His many network television credits included a stint as host/narrator on the experimental 1960 psychological soap opera House on High Street, and the continuing role of Assistant Director Arthur Ward on The FBI (1965-1974).Before, during, and after the height of his film and TV activities, Abbott continued to be a busy stage actor/director. In 1962, he co-founded Theatre West, an L.A.-based actor's workshop. He also produced, directed, and wrote nine instructional films for the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, as well as the ten-episode Lessons for Living, an in-school training project underwritten by the Disney studios. In addition, he created and produced the TV weekly Hidden Places on behalf of Nebraska Public Television. Outside of his professional activities, Abbott was active with the United Cerebral Palsy/Spastic Children's Foundation, and was one of the leading citizens of Tarzana, CA, where he served as president of the Nelson Company. Forgettable though his screen appearances may have been at times, Phillip Abbott will always be remembered by someone. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is summoned to the island retreat of her friend Henry Reynard (Gene Barry), a millionaire lumberman. Someone has threatened Henry's life, and he is convinced that the "someone" is a relative anxious to get his or her hands on the old man's millions. Upon her arrival, Jessica is told that Henry has already been killed--but as she soon finds out, appearances (and first impressions) can be very deceiving! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This lackluster attempt at blending equal parts action movie and supernatural thriller ends up sacrificing the merits of both genres. The plot finds baby-faced homicide detective Logan (Lou Diamond Phillips) on the trail of "Pentagram Killer" Patrick Channing (Jeff Kober), negligibly assisted by lots of occult mumbo-jumbo espoused by various doomsaying members of the Catholic Church. Channing is eventually captured and executed, but this turns out to be a big mistake: one of the Satanic powers Channing managed to acquire through ritual sacrifice is the power to transfer his soul into other living bodies, allowing him to roam about incognito and continue his killing spree. There is little overt horror on display, as we usually see only the aftermath of Channing's evil deeds; there is scarcely enough mystery to propel the police-procedural elements either. Worse, the producers apparently decided to toss in a romantic subplot involving Phillips and psychic Tracy Griffith to keep things interesting, but fail to sustain credibility even in this department. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lou Diamond Phillips, Tracy Griffith, (more)
- 1988
When one of her former students adapts her novel Mainly Murder as a stage play, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is honored to attend the show's opening night. Not long afterward, the reviews come out, with one critic lavishing praise on the production, and the critic's chief rival penning a devastating pan. When then "positive" critic is murdered and the "negative" critic is accused of the crime, Jessica must come to the defense of a person who obviously despises her! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Stella Stevens guest stars as Irene Danbury, New York City's oldest and most notorious madam. When Irene is brought into Night Court for prosecution, Harry (Harry Anderson) must decide whether or not to enter into evidence her diary--which lists the names of virtually every political higher-up in the city! Meanwhile, the sensitive Bull (Richard Bull) is aghast to learn of a family Thanksgiving ritual favored by court clerk Mac (Charlie Robinson). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
The made-for-TV Fantastic World of D.C. Collins is curiously not a pilot film, despite the presence of the principal character's name in the title. D. C. Collins (played by Gary Coleman) is the son of a U.S. diplomat. His own life is deadly dull, so D.C. escapes into fantasy. At various junctures, he imagines himself to be space traveller Dwight Cloudclimber and archaeologist Alabama Smith (these character names are a tip-off to the film's level of wit). Collins gets a chance to act out his fantasies when he becomes embroiled in a real-life adventure involving stolen documents. The eclectic supporting cast includes Jason Bateman, Michael Ansara, and George Gobel! Fantastic World of D.C. Collins premiered February 10, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Much against her better judgment, unlicensed midwife Olivia Allen (Lynn Hamilton) assists in the emergency delivery of an illegal immigrant's baby. When the child dies, the authorities charge Olivia with second degree murder. Her curiosity aroused by the subsequent similar deaths of several other infants, Olivia's friend Dr. Katherine Reed (Elizabeth Huddle) prevails upon Quincy (Jack Klugman) to help solve the mystery and clear Ms. Allen's name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Savannah Smiles is a sweet little film that proved a surprising hit on the Saturday matinee circuit. Mark Miller and Donovan Scott play a pair of good-natured escaped convicts who cross the path of precocious runaway Bridgette Andersen. When Andersen explains that she's hit the road because her wealthy parents neglect her, Miller and Scott decide to hold the kid for a huge ransom. You and I both know that the crooks will turn soft before the end, and return Andersen to her folks without a dollar changing hands, but even predicting the film's outcome cannot diminish its charm. Star Mark Miller, who also scripted Savannah Smiles, is the father of actress Penelope Ann Miller. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Miller, Donovan Scott, (more)
- 1980
The sixth season of Quincy M.E. begins as pugnacious, compassionate medical examiner Quincy (Jack Klugman) shows up in a small mill town to lend a helping hand to his colleague Charles Volmer (William Daniels. No sooner has he arrived than Quincy finds himself waist-deep in a brace of ethical challenges. For starters, the father (Phillip Abbott) of a boy who has OD'ed on drugs is pressuring Volmer to alter the results of the autopsy so that the boy's mother will believe that her son has accidentally drowned. And in another part of town, a powerful industrialist (Warren Stevens) is arranging a coverup of his own to hide the fact that the safety standards in his textile mill aren't up to code--with tragic results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Could it be true? Is the U.S. government really hiding an alien spaceship in the mysterious Hangar 18? According to the producers at Sunn Classic Pictures, the answer is yes, and this sci-fi drama sets out to prove it. The trouble begins when an orbiting satellite runs into the UFO and it crashes. Inside are alien bodies, and the President, who is busy with his re-election campaign, is most eager to conceal them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Darren McGavin, Robert Vaughn, (more)
- 1979
News that Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) is pregnant reaches New York, the home of Giles Kendall (Philip Abbott), the estranged father of Mary's husband, Adam (Linwood Boomer). Apparently hoping to mend the rift between himself and his son, Giles invites the couple to move in with him, and even offers to send Adam to law school. But when Mary loses her baby, Giles reveals the true motive for his "generosity." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
No murder is committed nor autopsy performed in this episode, in which medical examiner Quincy (Jack Klugman) delves into psychology. The catalyst for the plot is Timmy Carson (David Hollander), a hyperactive seven-year-old with a severely limited attention span. Though Timmy has escaped from an institution for mentally retarded youngsters, Quincy is persuaded that the boy is actually suffering from a treatable form of autism. The problem now is to convince the authorities that the boy is not retarded--and to persuade Timmy's parents that the money needed to treat his autism will be worth spending. Featured in the guest cast is Lloyd Nolan, in real life the father of an autistic son, and a very young Tracey Gold as Timmy's sister. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
A Southern big shot (Mitch Ryan) runs his local community like a personal fiefdom. His despotism extends to his abusive marriage to Maggie (Jaclyn Smith). Denied her basic rights as a woman and a human being, Maggie tries to file for divorce, only to run up against a corrupt, good-ole-boy legal system. Her only recourse is to escape from Bogen County without attracting the attention of the paid-off police force. The film's feminist trappings do not entirely compensate for the exploitational nature of the script. Made for TV, Escape from Bogen County first aired October 7, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Future Newhart costar Mary Frann is cast as female FBI Agent Pat Driscoll. Inspector Lewis Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) is on the trail of a serial killer whose victims have all been members of the same college sorority. Inasmuch as Pat Driscoll is a former member of the benighted sorority, she agrees to set herself up as bait to trap the elusive psycho. This episode was directed by series regular Phillip Abbott. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
The ninth and final season of ABC's longest-running adventure series The F.B.I marks the first time since Season Three that a new actor has been added to the cast. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. remains top-billed as Federal Inspector Lew Erskine, with Philip Abbott still on hand as Erskine's main associate, Agent Arthur Ward. Missing from the scene is William Reynolds as Agent Tom Colby; his replacement is Agent Chris Daniels, portrayed by Shelly Novack. The series' valedictory season gets under way with the episode "The Big Job", followed by "The Confession", the latter featuring pre-stardom appearances by Tom Selleck and Hal Linden. Other guest stars this season include Jackie Cooper in "The Break-In", Susan Oliver in "Fatal Reunion", John Marley (the recipient of the severed horse's head in The Godfather) in "Rules of the Game", Leslie Nielsen in "Fool's Gold Raub", Lloyd Nolan and Anna Lee in "The Killing Truth", Elizabeth Ashley in "Diamond Run", and Harvey Keitel in "Deadly Ambition". The series' 239th and last episode is "Survival", featuring a young Dabney Coleman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Philip Abbott, (more)
- 1973
Ronald Loper (Robert F. Lyons) heads a gang of kidnappers who are secure in the belief that they've pulled off the perfect crime by snatching the ne'er-do-well son (Tom Lowell) of a prominent contractor (Larry Gates). Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) hopes to catch the crooks without causing harm to the victim, a task which may prove more difficult than usual because of the personalities--and the temperaments--involved. This last episode of The F.B.I.'s eighth season also marks the final appearance of William Reynoldsas Special Agent Colby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
The longest-running adventure series on the ABC network, The F.B.I continues to go strong in its eighth season on the air. Returning to the fold are Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Inspector Lew Erskine, Philip Abbott as Agent Arthur Ward, and William Reynolds as Agent Tom Colby. The season opener, "The Runner", features a guest-star turn by future Spenser for Hire leading man Robert Urich. Other well-known actors appearing this season are Dina Merrill and Daniel J. Travanti in "The Franklin Papers", Ross Martin in "The Wizard", Mark Miller (the father of Penelope Ann Miller) in "Holiday with Terror", Sondra Locke in "Dark Christmas", Martin Sheen in "The Disinherited", Vic Morrow in "Desperate Journey" and Mariette Hartley in "The Double Play". Despite the public's growing disenchantment with governmental agencies in the wake of Vietnam and Watergate, not to mention the recent death of longtime Federal Bureau of Investigation director J. Edgar Hoover, The F.B.I. continued to post decent ratings in its familiar Sunday-night timeslot, ending its eighth season as America's 29th most watched program. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Philip Abbott, (more)
- 1971
Efrem Zimbalist Jr. continues to bring Federal offenders to heel in the role of Inspector Lew Erskine in Season Seven of ABC's longest-running adventure series The F.B.I.. Also back for more action are Phillip Abbott and William Reynolds, respectively cast as FBI agents Arthur Ward and Tom Colby. As in previous years, the seventh season of The F.B.I. offers an abundance of familiar names in the guest-star rosters. Former Leave It to Beaver regular Barbara Billingsley and onetime movie "Mike Hammer" Ralph Meeker are seen in "Recurring Nightmare"; real-life husband and wife John McIntire and Jeanette Nolan costar in "The Last Job"; Ed Begley Jr. makes one of his first TV appearances in "The Deadly Gift";Deanna Martin, daughter of Rat Packer Dean Martin, shows up in the two-part "The Mastermind"; future M*A*S*H star Wayne Rogers is cast along with future McGyver regular Dana Elcar in "Superstition Rock"; onetime "Doctor No" Joseph Wiseman and veteran movie tough guy Cameron Mitchell appear in "Bitter Harbor"; the ubiquitous Stefanie Powers is cast in "The Buyer"; Donna Mills of Knots Landing fame has a good role in "The Break-up"; John Davidson plays a mob-dominated singer in "Judas Goat"; and Lindsey Wagner, still several years removed from her Bionic Woman stardom, is featured in "Dark Journey". Having achieved a ratings peak as America's 10th most popular series during its sixth season, The F.B.I dropped down to 17th place in Season Seven, though it still outperformed such venerable programs as Bonanza and Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Philip Abbott, (more)
- 1971
Targetting a Chicago-based espionage ring, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) goes undercover, posing as an injured spy named Eric Cross. It is Erskine's goal to identity the ringleader of the spies, a person known only as "Constantine." In an ironic twist, the spy boss is revealed to be fatally ill and is written off as expendable--and as a result, Erskine must keep "Constantine" alive long enough to die in bed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
In a plot reminiscent of such "perfect crime" films as The Asphalt Jungle and The Killing, three strangers are brought together to commit a $900,000 bank robbery. Much of the preliminary footage is devoted to establishing the personalities and motives of the three crooks. Playboy Eliot Fielding (Peter Haskell) has turned criminal in hopes of wooing and winning his wealthy girlfriend; George Whelan (Richard O'Brien wants to use his cut to open a hardware store; and lifelong loser Roy Mills (Albert Salmi) desires to fulfill his pathetically childish dreams of luxury. As expected, the best-laid plans go horribly awry when the three thieves end up as reluctant kidnappers (appearing as the father of the kidnap victim is former movie Tarzan Lex Barker). This is the final episode of The F.B.I.'s sixth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Posing as a psychic, silver-tongued con artist Charles Ridgeway (Fritz Weaver) specializing in relieving his wealthy clients of their jewels and other valuables. Ridgeway's current pigeon is widow Carol Stanford (Dana Wynter), who is desperate to make contact with the spirit of her dead son. FBI Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) intends to stop Ridgeway before Mrs. Stanford loses her most cherished possessions--to say nothing of her life. This episode marks one of the earliest TV appearances of Ed Begley Jr.. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
The sixth season of The F.B.I finds Efrem Zimbalist Jr. still on the job as diligent, no-nonsense Federal Inspector Lew Erskine. Likewise, Philip Abbott and William Reynolds return to the familiar roles as FBI agents Ward and Colby. The first of Season Six's many guest stars are Martin Sheen and Joan Van Ark, appearing in the season opener "The Condemned." Other well-known performers appearing throughout the year are Monte Markham and Billy Dee Williams in "The Architect", Larry Blyden and Lois Nettleton in "The Innocents", Robert Loggia in "The Deadly Past", Mariette Hartley in "The Impersonator", William Shatner in "Antennae of Death", Fabian in "The Unknown Victim", Vic Morrow and Gary Collins in "Center of Peril", Dana Elcar, Sorrell Booke and Barbara Billingsley in "The Fatal Connection", Anne Archer in "Downfall", and Michael Douglas and Donna Mills in "The Hitchhiker". This season yielded The F.B.I.'s best-ever ratings, with the series scoring as America's 10th most popular program. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Philip Abbott, (more)
- 1970
Though he has been accused of killing his wife, mental patient Walter Carr (Earl Holliman)--who has no memory of the crime--is certain that she is still alive and that he has been framed for her murder. Escaping custody, Walter goes on a tortuous odyssey to find the truth, committing various small crimes along the way. As Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) pursues Walter, even he begins to wonder if his quarry is the victim of a miscarriage of justice. As it turns out, however, a murder has indeed been committed--and the killer is a lot closer than Walter ever imagined. Directed by series costar Philip Abbott, this is the final episode of The F.B.I.'s fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Inspector Lew Erskine continues to hunt down and ensnare the most dangerous and elusive of Federal criminals in Season Five of The Fugitive. Likewise returning for more derring-do are Erskine's stalwart coworkers, Agents Ward (Philip Abbott) and Colby (William Reynolds. Although the season's opening episode, "Target of Interest", is surprisingly light on "big" names in the guest star cast, the rest of Season Five is festooned with familiar faces. Among these are Robert Duvall in "Nightmare Road", Vera Miles in "The Swindler", Carl Betz and Jeff Bridges in "Boomerang", Cicely Tyson in "Silent Partners", Laraine Day in "Gamble with Death", Dabney Coleman and Larry Linville in "Flight", Billy Dee Williams and Lola Falana in "The Sanctuary", Harrison Ford in "Scapegoat", Josephine Hutchinson in "The Doll Courier", Barry Nelson in "Tug-of-War", David Cassidy in "Fatal Impostor", Nina Foch in "The Dealer", Anne Francis in "Deadfall", and the husband-wife team of Christopher George and Lynda Day George in "Return to Power". The F.B.I. capped its fifth season as the 24th most-watched program in the U.S., easily outrating its Sunday-night competition The Ed Sullivan Show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Philip Abbott, (more)
- 1968
The fourth season of The F.B.I. is also the first season without any major cast changes. Back for more cops-and-robbers action are Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as FBI Inspector Lew Erskine, Philip Abbott as Agent Arthur Ward, and William Reynolds as Agent Tom Colby. As in previous years, the main selling card of this season's crop of episodes is manifested in the choice of guest stars. Among those appearing are Louis Jourdan in the season opener "Wind It Up and It Betrays You", Susan Strasberg and Suzanne Pleshette in "The Quarry", Ron Howard in "The Runaways", Daniel J. Travantiin "Death of a Fixer", Cicely Tyson in "The Enemies", Bruce Dern in "The Nightmare", Robert Duvall in "The Harvest", Maurice Evans, Monte Markham and Georg Stanford Brown in "The Intermediary", Ralph Bellamy in "The Butcher", Marie Windsor in "The Flaw", Patrick Wayne (son of John) in "The Widow", Billy Dee Williams in "Eye of the Storm", Hal Holbrook in "The Fraud", Harrison Ford in "Caesar's Wife" and Gene Tierney in "Conspiracy of Silence". The season finale "Moment of Truth" features veteran actor Richard Carlson, best known for his role as a Federal undercover agent on the 1950s TV series I Led Three Lives, as a thoroughly corrupt loan shark! Continuing to thrive in a Sunday-night timeslot opposite The Ed Sullivan Show, The F.B.I. ended its fourth season as America's 18th most popular program. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Philip Abbott, (more)
