James Whitmore Movies
Leading American character actor James Whitmore specialized in giving tour de force solo performances on stage, screen, and television, notably with his Oscar-nominated solo turn as President Truman in Give 'Em Hell Harry! Whitmore is short and thickset with a well-aged face and gentle smile; he is known for portraying outwardly tough but inwardly caring men. Born in Buffalo, NY, Whitmore attended the private school Choate in Connecticut and then studied pre-law at Yale. While there he was a member of the Yale Drama School Players and co-founded the Yale radio station. He was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps where during boot camp, he finished his degree and became an officer. Following his discharge, Whitmore joined the U.S.O. and also spent time studying at the American Theater Wing. Before making his Tony-winning debut on Broadway with a supporting role in Command Decision, Whitmore gained experience in summer stock. He made his film debut in The Undercover Man in 1949. That year, he also appeared in Battleground and his performance as a battle-scarred sergeant earned him his first Oscar nomination. Though primarily a supporting player, Whitmore occasionally played leads, notably in films like Them! (1954) and Black Like Me (1964). In addition to his film and stage work, Whitmore also performed on television as a guest star and as the star of the series The Law and Mr. Jones (1960-1962). Between 1972 and 1974, Whitmore co-starred on the series Temperatures Rising. During the '80s, Whitmore often appeared in television miniseries. His career slowed dramatically in the '90s, though in 1994, he offered a memorable performance as an old lifer who finds himself unable to cope outside of prison in The Shawshank Redemption. He died in February 2009 at the age of 87. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 2003
Created by West Wing writer Lawrence O'Donnell Jr., the weekly, 60-minute political drama Mister Sterling was a Mr. Smith Goes to Washington for the 21st century. Josh Brolin starred as William Sterling Jr., the idealistic young "reformist" son of a popular retired California governor (James Whitmore). Selected by his state's political machine to fill out the term of a dead Democratic senator, Mister Sterling arrived in the nation's capitol with a naïvely altruistic agenda -- and with no party ties, since he was a registered Independent (though in West Wing tradition, he tended to veer toward the left). Doing their best to educate Sterling to the facts of life about Washington, and sometimes expressing amazement at how much smarter he was than the "established" politicos, were his chief of staff, Jackie Brock (Audra McDonald); his legislative director, Tommy Doyle (William Russ); and resident techno-geek Leon (David Noroña). Mister Sterling was elected to office on January 10, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josh Brolin, Audra McDonald, (more)
- 2002
Vacationing on Seven Bay Island in the summer of her 16th year, budding poet Victoria "Vicky" Austin (Mischa Barton) is faced with the approaching death of her beloved grandfather (James Whitmore), who is suffering from leukemia. In hopes of briefly forgetting her troubles, Vicky begins assisting a handsome young researcher named Adam (Ryan Merriman) who is working with sea mammals. In this capacity, Vicky discovers that she possesses the unique gift of being able to communicate with dolphins -- and also finds herself romantically torn between Adam and a wealthy suitor named Zach (Jared Padalecki). Suspense enters the picture when the dolphins "tell" Vicky of an illegal driftnet fishing operation. Based on the 1981 novel by Madeleine L'Engle and location-filmed in Australia, A Ring of Endless Light made its cable-TV premiere over the Disney Channel on August 23, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mischa Barton, James Whitmore, (more)
- 2000
Screenwriter Arne Olsen makes his directorial debut in this comedy that explores the real meaning of youth and age. Owen Rinard (Eric McCormack) is the thirty-something manager of a Canadian retirement home who watches over his charges with an eagle eye and has a strong belief in rules and regulations. However, Gus Corley (James Whitmore), one of the residents at the home, isn't especially enthusiastic about Owen's iron rule, and wants to go on a fishing trip to Victoria, British Columbia. Owen has no interest in organizing outings for the patients, but when Gus, a former accountant, learns a few secrets about the current state of the books at the home, he makes Owen an offer he can't turn down -- either escort him and his friends Duncan (Ossie Davis) and Nelly (Kim Hunter) to Victoria for a vacation, or he'll tell the authorities about the irregularities in the accounts. Soon a very wary Owen is on the road with Gus, Duncan, and Nelly, and the younger man learns a few important lessons from his elders about the joy of living. Here's to Life was nominated for seven Genie awards -- the Canadian Oscar -- including Best Actor and Best Actress nominations for James Whitmore and Kim Hunter. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric McCormack, James Whitmore, (more)
- 1990
Glory! Glory! is a "roman a clef" of the Evangelism industry, with all the names fictionalized but with all characters easily recognizable to anyone who's ever watched a religious UHF channel. Barry Morse portrays a radio preacher whose operation is controlled by his honest but colorless son Richard Thomas. When Morse is promoted into a media superstar by savvy huckster James Whitmore, the son is left behind. All this changes when Thomas wanders into a bar and witnesses the performance of rock singer Ellen Greene. Greene's song Sister Ruth may be just what Thomas needs to rise to the top of his calling. Originally telecast in two parts over the HBO Pay-Cable service, Glory! Glory! closes out Part One with Ms. Greene becoming a powerful evangelist in her own right...a status quo subject to change when certain truths are made public. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
This teaching film, aimed at students in grades four through 12, presents an overview of some of America's best-known poets and their works. The film examines influential forces and events that shaped the writers' lives and how they in turn have shaped America's literary heritage. The artists featured include Edgar Allan Poe, whose success as a short story writer and poet contrasted sharply with his tragic personal life; Carl Sandburg, whose free verse and compassion for the working class changed the course of American poetry; American poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winner Robert Frost, the Californian who made a career extolling the virtues of New England; jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes, whose conversational style and patriotic themes, as in Old Ironsides, made him famous; Langston Hughes, the Harlem Renaissance poet who evocatively portrayed the life of black Americans; and Edgar Lee Masters, a leading figure in the Chicago Renaissance movement, remembered for his Spoon River Anthology. Selected works are read in the film. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1987
This docudrama re-enacts the stories of the pioneers who settled in America, paying equal attention to the Native American ancestors whose land was impinged upon by the new "Americans." Narrated by James Whitmore. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Target: Favorite Son is the 115-minute abridgement of the three-part TV miniseries Favorite Son. Adapted by Steve Sohmer from his own novel, the film stars Harry Hamlin as a freshman senator from Texas who has "greatness thrust upon him" when he is accidentally shot during the assassination of a visiting Nicaraguan contra leader. Almost as if rehearsed, Hamlin delivers an impassioned pro-contra speech--all of which is seen on live TV. Upon recovering, Hamlin is selected by his party to run for the Vice President's post. Meanwhile, FBI agent Robert Loggia investigates the assassination, and what he discovers could--to reuse the cliché--blow Washington DC wide open. Featured in the cast is James Whitmore as the President, whose political enemies do their best to hound out of office so that the supposedly honest-and-aboveboard Hamlin can assume the Presidency. At the time of its first telecast, Favorite Son received a great deal of press play due to a scene wherein Linda Koslowski, playing the ambitious, oversexed mistress of Hamlin's press aide, strips to bra and panties and asks one of her boss' assistants (Lance Guest) to tie her up. Nothing further is shown, of course, but this tiny, almost missable scene ended up as the focal point of the entire series, so long as the clean-up-TV brigades were concerned. Favorite Son originally aired October 30 and 31, and November 1, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In this animated children's feature, the Biblical stories of "Moses" and "Samuel and Saul" are retold. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1986
All My Sons is the 1986 TV adaptation of Arthur Miller's 1947 Broadway play (a film version, starring Edward G. Robinson and Burt Lancaster, was produced in 1948). James Whitmore stars as Joe Keller, a bullying industrialist who'd been accused of selling defective weapon parts to the government during World War II. He was acquitted when the court decided that it was his business partner who was responsible. Keller and his family desperately await the post-war return of son Larry, who was officially listed as missing in action. Larry's fiance Ann (Joan Allen), the daughter of Keller's imprisoned business partner, is attracted to Larry's brother Chris (Aidan Quinn), but she has vowed to remain faithful to her missing fiance. The play's third act reveals that it was indeed Joe Keller, and not his partner, who was responsible for the defective material -- and that his penny-pinching carelessness ended up costing the life of his own son Larry. Michael Learned co-stars as Keller's wife, who like her husband vainly tries to lock out the truth. First telecast January 19, 1987, All My Sons was the sixth-season opener of PBS's American Playhouse. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
The Greater Alarm is the syndication title of the made-for-TV Firefighter. Based on a true story, the film stars Nancy McKeon as Cindy Fralick, the first female member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Recruited in 1982, Cindy faces prejudice and hostility from her male co-workers as she strives to complete the grueling training program. Nonetheless, she perseveres, and in so doing wins the respect of her one-time tormentors. Adapted by Kathryn Montgomery from Fralick's autobiography, the film was partially designed as a visual adjunct to CBS television's "Read More About It" program. Under its original title, The Greater Alarm first aired on September 23, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Will Vinton, the stop-motion animation whiz who brought us The California Raisins, is the principal creative force behind The Adventures of Mark Twain. A clay-model Twain, voiced by James Whitmore, sets out in a hot-air balloon to find Halley's Comet. Joining the waspish humorist on his journey are some of his favorite creations, including Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher and Huckleberry Finn. As the balloon ascends further into the sky, we are treated to animated dramatization of such Twain classics as "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Though brilliantly conceived and executed, Adventures of Mark Twain might have been even more effective had it been shortened by ten minutes or so. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Whitmore, Michele Mariana, (more)
The maiden flight of the first space shuttle was a much-anticipated event. In this program, the viewer will see the behind-the-scenes preparations and meet the personnel behind the launch. Hail Columbia! covers the pre-launch activities, the awe-inspiring and visually stimulating take-off, and the flight itself. The pilot of the Columbia, Robert Crippen, and astronaut John Young provide commentary, and the engineers, scientists, and other staff are seen as they ready the shuttle. Re-entry of the shuttle is anxiously awaited, and the successful landing is featured as well. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1980
In this crime drama, two detectives try to bring back a stolen jet for their rich, powerful client. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Based on Hal W. Painter's autobiography, Mark, I Love You stars Kevin Dobson as Painter. Recently and suddenly widowed, Painter is so emotionally distraught that he permits his in-laws (James Whitmore and Peggy McCay) to gain custody of his son Mark (Justin Dana). Now that he has recovered, found a good job, and entered into a serious relationship with a young woman (Cassie Yates), Painter wants his son back. But his in-laws refuse, and the whole unfortunate affair ends up with an emotional court battle. While it could have been dismissed as yet another TV-movie variation of Kramer vs. Kramer, Mark, I Love You stands up admirably on its own merits. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Husband, father, rapist. All three succinctly describe the character portrayed by David Soul in the made-for-TV Rage. Though he would seem to be a hopeless case, Soul is subjected to prison therapy sessions, on the theory that he might be curable. As the sessions continue under the guidance of therapist James Whitmore, Soul pours out a lifetime worth of anger, revealing the deep psychological wounds that have formed his warped personality. Contrasted with Soul is Yaphet Kotto, as an allegedly rehabilitated prisoner. Based on several case histories as recorded by New Jersey's Avenel Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Rage was originally telecast September 25, 1980 ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
First telecast February 4, 1980, Golden Honeymoon is an easygoing adaptation of the Ring Lardner short story. James Whitmore and Teresa Wright play a New Jersey couple who celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a second honeymoon. Their Florida idyll is disrupted when the couple's old acquaintance Stephen Elliott shows up. Elliot had been engaged to Teresa 52 years earlier, a fact that prompts Whitmore to behave in an uncharacteristically obnoxious nature. Calculated to put Elliott in his place, Whitmore's boorishness succeeds in alienating Teresa as well. Scripted by Frederic Hunter, the 60-minute Golden Honeymoon was the second-season opener of PBS' American Playhouse. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Word is about the newly discovered text that is allegedly written by the younger brother of Jesus Christ. It the document is genuine, it would throw the world's theological community into chaos. David Janssen plays an archaeologist who travels to Italy to verify the document's origins. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Broken Badge was one of several 2-hour Police Story specials telecast during the 1977-78 TV season. Claude Akins stars as a no-nonsense cop with a bad rep. A prostitute charges Akins with harassing her; shortly afterward, she turns up dead. The rest of the drama concerns Akins' straw-grasping efforts to exonerate himself from a murder charge. The "official" debut date of Broken Badge is August 27, 1978, though it appears that it was initially scheduled for an earlier telecast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Serpent's Egg, or Das Schlangenei is director Ingmar Bergman's second English language production (The Touch was his first). It is, however, his first completely non-Swedish production, made after his voluntary self-exile from Sweden over taxation issues. Set in Berlin in the early 1920s, it explores the fear and despair the city evokes in Manuela and Abel Rosenberg (Liv Ullmann and David Carradine), two Jewish trapeze artists. The suicide of Manuela's husband (Abel's brother), has stranded them in Berlin. Berlin is shown to already possess the sinister elements of cruelty and anti-Semitism which laid the groundwork for the later Nazi takeover. A series of misadventures gets them sent to a medical clinic for treatment. However, the clinic is actually a site for Nazi-type "racial" experiments on humans, which generally either madden or kill the subjects. Das Schlangenei was savaged by the critics for its improbable-seeming story and more particularly, for casting David Carradine (best known for his earlier appearances in the Kung Fu U.S. television series) in a crucial role. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liv Ullmann, David Carradine, (more)
- 1976
This film relates the efforts of World War II flying ace "Pappy" Boyington to control his highly decorated and unmanageable Pacific theater squadron. The film also acted as the pilot for the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1976
Many immigrants came to America to escape religious persecution in their native lands. Narrated by actor James Whitmore, this documentary shows how the promise of religious freedom drew many 18th and 19th century immigrants, whose various faiths contributed to the strength of the United States. This is the final installment in the 13-volume American Documents documentary series, which presents United States history in an entertaining, yet well-researched manner. Highlights of this program include historical paintings and photographs, and information about religious groups such as the Amish and the inventive, celibate Shakers, a sect that broke away from the Quakers. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
