Howard Witt Movies
- 1992
This episode is a showcase for actress Carolyn McCormick in the recurring Law & Order role of NYPD psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Olivet. Paul Hecht is cast as prominent gynecologist Dr. Alex Merritt, whom Olivet accuses of molesting her. Further investigation reveals that the high-profile Merritt may have also been responsible for the suicide of his wife. The case takes a bizarre twist when the presiding judge weighs Merritt's counterclaim of police harassment. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1991
A double homicide yields two likely suspects: Melanie Cullen (Shirley Knight), widow of the male victim, and Douglas Phillips (David Lansbury), the obsessive ex-boyfriend of the female victim. The key to the case ultimately rests in the hands of Melanie's son, James (Geoffrey Nauffts). Jerry Orbach, who would later join the series' regular cast as detective Lennie Briscoe, is here seen in the adversarial role of the Cullens' defense attorney, Frank Lehrman. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1990
Based on a true events, this is the story of Charles Stuart, who claimed that a robber had shot him and killed his pregnant wife. Needless to say, the investigation started turning up some pieces that just didn't fit into this puzzle. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ken Olin, Margaret Colin, (more)
- 1987
A 300-year-old ghost looks for a bride in this Disney comedy. While searching, he mischievously disrupts the festivities of the New England town in which he lives. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1985
When Cabot Cove resident Beverly Garrett is electrocuted in her own bathtub in a locked bathroom, Sheriff Amos Tupper (Tom Bosley) is willing to write the tragedy off as an accident; Tupper, you see, is thinking about retirement, and has already hand-picked his successor. But Jessica (Angela Lansbury) can't shake the belief that Beverly was murdered, prompting the long-suffering Tupper to dare Jessica to prove it! Adding to the intrigue is a controversial land sale, a vicious poison-pen campaign that has spread throughout town, and Jessica's mounting frustration over playing hostess to a visiting travel writer. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1984
- PG
This largely autobiographical story written and directed by Michael Landon stars Timothy Patrick Murphy as Gene Orowitz (Landon's real name was Eugene Orowitz), a frail teenager with a talent for throwing the javelin and a close relationship to his father Sam (Eli Wallach), the manager of a movie theater. Sam's real love in life is writing fiction, and he pounds the keys of his typewriter well into the night as he tries to finish a major opus. One day when Gene sees Samson and Delilah (1949) at the theater where his father works, he becomes certain that whatever strength he has is due to his long hair and he refuses to cut his hair, even though long hair turns the school principal apoplectic and has to be disguised when Gene is at a sports meet. Gene's life is not a bed of roses, yet when he is dumped by his girlfriend Bonnie for Robert (Alan Hayes), an arrogant football player who has bullied him whenever the chance arose, his good friend Cathy (Hallie Todd) stays by his side. Later, he has his own revenge with Robert by connecting with a right to the jaw, shocking everyone, perhaps even himself. Gene has been working out to get ready for a big school meet and is a bit stronger in his javelin-tossing arm. As the day of the big meet approaches, life changes dramatically for him -- and the movie's climax, though it appears contrived, actually happened to Landon in real life. Landon also plays a small role in the film as a movie star visiting his hometown -- and in some ways, he was "Sam's son" because he himself took to writing -- including the script for this movie, in fact. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson, (more)
- 1983
In the final episode of Taxi to be broadcast (though not the final one filmed), Latka (Andy Kaufman) is upset because his wife Simka (Carol Kane) continues to delay her interview with the immigration officials. It seems that each interview has fallen upon "that time of the month," when Simka suffers from what she calls the "crimpka poosh." Unfortunately, if she misses another meeting with the authorities, she will be sent back to the old country--and worse, she very well may invalidate her marriage to Latka. ~ Rovi
Jon Voight starred and co-wrote the script for this comedy (directed by Hal Ashby) concerning two gamblers on the run from their debts who try to score big in Las Vegas. When Alex Kovas (Jon Voight) loses $10,000 to local New York City hoods Joey (Allen Keller) and Harry (Jude Farese) in a poker game, he hightails it to Vegas with his pal Jerry Feldman (Burt Young). In Vegas they make friends with Patti Warner (Ann-Margret), a former call girl, and move into the MGM Grand Hotel after winning big in the casino. But word gets out and Joey and Harry take a trip out West to pay the boys a surprise visit. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jon Voight, Ann-Margret, (more)
- 1980
Just when he thought it was safe to go into his apartment again, Mel (Vic Tayback) is descended upon by his overbearing mother Carrie (Martha Raye). It seems that mom's young husband Robert (Howard Witt), whom she wed a mere six months before, has walked out on her. Hoping to make the best of a bad situation, Mel prevails upon Carrie to forget her woes by helping out in his kitchen--specifically, by cooking up those yummy chicken pies which his patrons have been clamoring for since Mom's last visit. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1980
According to the NBC publicity packet, the made-for-TV Revenge of the Stepford Wives was "based on characters created by Ira Levin" -- specifically, those characters created by Levin for his fantasy-suspense novel The Stepford Wives, which was transformed into a theatrical film in 1975. On this occasion, plucky TV journalist Kay Foster (Sharon Gless) is stranded in the "idyllic" New England community of Stepford, populated exclusively by chauvinistic males and their eerily submissive and subservient wives. With the help of Megan Brady (Julie Kavner), a new arrival to the community who hasn't yet been "conditioned," Kay tries to learn the terrible secret behind the robotic Stepford wives -- and to foment a rebellion against the wicked menfolk. Revenge of the Stepford Wives first aired on October 12, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1980
Mel's contentious mom Carrie (Martha Raye) is back bearing happy news--happy to her, anyway. It seems that after decades of widowhood, Carrie is about to remarry. At first, Mel (Vic Tayback) is delighted at the prospect of someone taking his mother off his hands and off his back--but then he discovers that his future stepfather (Howard Witt) is years younger than Carrie! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1979
After calling her ex-boyfriend Jim (James Garner) for help, former model Carol is found dead. According the the police, Carol committed suicide, but another model, Alta Hatch (Erin Grey) suspects that the girl was murdered--and that the killer is the same person who bumped off yet another model. In hopes of finding a connection between the two deaths, Jim joins Alta in her investigation of the high-fashion industry, conducted on behalf of flamboyant celebrity designer Masters (Rene Auberjonois), who is acting rather suspiciously himself. In the process of uncovering the truth, Jim is--as usual--subjected to a surfeit of physical abuse. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1977
Hoping to lighten his workload, Bob interviews several candidates for the job of his assistant. When his efforts fail to yield fruit (most of the candidates, alas, are unable to diagnose a hangnail, much less a neurosis), Bob turns to his former college professor, Alan Dreesen (guest star Ralph Bellamy), who has volunteered for the job. Not unexpectedly, Bob lives to regret taking Dr. Dreesen into his practice. First telecast on November 19, 1977, "You're Fired, Mr. Chips" was written by Lloyd Garver. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1977
Even though he holds down two "civilian" jobs, rookie cop Kenny Murray (Michael Durrell) can't afford to be laid off. Not only are his debts are mounting astronomically with every passing day, but he must also pour more money into psychiatric treatment for his mentally disturbed wife Ann (Jenny O'Hara). In desperation, Kenny goes to work for a notorious loan shark--and what follows proves calamitous not only for the beleagured young cop, but also for detective lieutenant Kojak (Telly Savalas). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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