Terry Wills Movies
No one can escape from Alcatraz, right? Try telling that to lifer Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood). This Donald Siegel-directed nailbiter is a reenactment of Frank Morris' 1962 attempt to bust himself and two other cons out of The Rock. Eastwood, as Morris, tilts with nasty warden Patrick McGoohan for a while, befriends several fellow prisoners, and picks the guys with whom he'll make his escape. Among his break-out buddies are the Anglin Brothers (Fred Ward and Jack Thibeau), with whom he'd served in other lockups, and several others who've got their own special reasons to despise the sadistic McGoohan. Filmed on location at the newly renovated Alcatraz, Escape From Alcatraz was another box-office winner for the Eastwood/Siegel combo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan, (more)
- 1979
This TV movie stars Jean Stapleton as the real-life "Aunt" Mary Dobkin, a physically handicapped woman living in the Baltimore of the 1940s. Concerned that juvenile delinquency is destroying her neighborhood, Aunt Mary organizes the "Dobkin Dynamiters", a baseball team comprised of disadvantaged and minority children. As she fights to have her biracial team officially sanctioned by the highly segregated Baltimore power structure, Aunt Mary is further challenged by the amputation of her left leg and right foot. Nonetheless, she perseveres over the next two decades, providing nearly 35,000 disenfranchised boys the opportunity to escape the streets and play ball. Sportscaster Ernie Harwell, who'd once called the shots for the Baltimore Orioles, makes a cameo appearance in this 1979 Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
In his final all-out act of larceny, mechanic "Crazy" Cooter (Ben Jones) hot-wires the Presidential limousine, which President Carter has sent ahead to Hazzard County in preparation for a trip home to Georgia. Taking "Limo One" on a joyride, Cooter ends up hiding it in the Dukes' barn, forcing Jesse (Denver Pyle) to do some quick thinking to return the vehicle without landing in Federal Prison. Meanwhile, Boss Hogg (Sorrell Booke) worries that the disappearance of the limo will expose his own crooked chop-shop operation. In the light of this episode's plotline, it's a bit ironic that Ben Jones (Cooter) would later leave show business to become a Georgia congressman! Featured among the supporting players Gordon Hurst, brother of Rick Hurst, who would soon join the regular cast in the role of Deputy Cletus Hogg. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Vera (Beth Howland) begins taking an art class which require her to sketch nude male models. When Vera's boyfriend Brian (Alan Haufrect) objects to this, Alice supportively takes Vera's side. But Alice quickly changes her tune when she discovers that one of the "au naturel" models is her own boyfriend David (played by Land of the Lost star Spencer Milligan). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
- R
This disquieting domestic thriller from writer and director Alan Rudolph was produced by his long-time mentor Robert Altman. Anthony Perkins stars as Neil Curry, a construction worker living happily in suburbia with his wife Barbara (Berry Berenson) until their home becomes vandalized during the holiday season by a stalker. It seems that the assailant, Emily (Geraldine Chaplin), is Neil's chain-smoking, mentally disturbed ex-wife, who has just been released from jail after serving a long sentence for murder. Now she seems to be both seeking revenge for some past wrongs and attempting to win Neil back at the same time. Meanwhile, the television broadcasts the mounting death toll from a devastating earthquake in Hungary, increasing the sense of menace, though no one seems to take much notice. In supporting roles, Remember My Name (1978) featured early motion picture performances from a trio of actors that would go on to become well-known, Jeff Goldblum, Alfre Woodard and Dennis Franz. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Geraldine Chaplin, Anthony Perkins, (more)
- 1978
In the third "weather" episode of M*A*S*H's seventh season, the 4077th is placed in deep freeze by a bitter cold spell. Only Charles (David Ogden Stiers) is unaffected by the plummeting temperatures--after all, he's just received a thermal suit sent from home. Ultimately, of course, Charles finds ample reason to shiver in his boots, but not before his colleagues have dealt with such contigencies as an explosion, a severe case of hypothermia--and a marathon screening of the Sonja Henie skating epic Sun Valley Serenade. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Detective Mike Stone (Karl Malden) is none too thrilled when his daughter Jeannie (Darlene Carr) falls in love with charismatic but recklessly irresponsible motorcycle cop Larry Wilson (played by superstar-in-the-making Don Johnson). This plot device ultimately links up with a second storyline, involving a gang of criminals who use motorcycles to make their getaways. Future Little House on the Prairie regular Alonzo Dean Butler plays a minor role in this episode, which was originally scheduled to air on October 14, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
