William Woodson

- 1991
- PG13
- AddThe Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fearto QueueAddThe Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fearto top of Queue
Leslie Nielsen returns as the intrepid (and accident-prone) Lt. Frank Drebin in Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear, "un film de David Zucker." This second feature film from the "Police Squad!" series finds Drebin as a guest at a White House dinner, receiving an award for shooting his 1,000th drug dealer, although he admits to shooting only 998 -- he ran over the last two in his car. ("Luckily, they turned out to be drug dealers"). Also at the White House dinner is energy czar Dr. Albert S. Meinheimer (Richard Griffiths), whom President George Bush (John Roarke) has chosen to start a new national energy policy. Since Meinheimer believes in promoting alternative energy resources, the evil leaders of the polluting energy industries (coal, oil, and nuclear power--or the lobby groups SMOKE, SPILL and KABOOM) are horrified at Bush's choice. Joining together with arch-villain Quentin Hapsburg (Robert Goulet), they plan to kidnap the real Meinheimer and substitute a fake Meinheimer in his place who will enact energy policy according to the dictates of the energy lobby. Drebin becomes deeply involved in the conspiracy when he runs into his ex-girl friend Jane (Priscilla Presley), who is not only Meinheimer's public relations director but also Hapsburg's current paramour. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, (more)
Brian De Palma's Hollywood sanitization of Tom Wolfe's scabrous satire stars Tom Hanks as Sherman McCoy, the "master of the universe," a shallow Wall Street investor who makes millions while enjoying the good life and the sexual favors of Maria Ruskin (Melanie Griffith), a Southern belle golddigger. Sherman and Maria are driving back to Maria's apartment from the airport when Maria takes a wrong turn on the expressway and the two find themselves in the South Bronx. She sees a black youth approaching Sherman's car and Maria, frightened, guns the engine, running over the teenager and killing him. The two drive away and decide not to report the accident to the police. Meanwhile, indigent alcoholic journalist Peter Fallow (Bruce Willis), anxious for a story to make good with his editor, comes upon the hit-and-run tale through local black community activist, Reverend Bacon (John Hancock). Bacon plans to use the hit-and-run case as a rallying point for the black community, while Fallow recognizes the press coverage inherent in prosecuting the callow Sherman. As Sherman is brought to his knees, the New York community fragments into different factions who use the case to suit their own cynical political purposes. Finally, Sherman is left without any allies to support him except for the sympathetic Judge White (Morgan Freeman) and the remorseful Fallow. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, (more)
The Japanese-made Galaxy Express offers the spectacle of a real locomotive, chugging its way through the solar system. In Willie Wonka fashion, the locomotive guides its passengers into realizing their heart's desires--which of course usually turns out not to be what they've expected. The central character herein is a little boy, who wishes to learn the secret of immortality. He does...and he doesn't like it one bit. Touted as a children's movie, Galaxy Express is grim going at times. Best not to see this film right after the funeral of a loved one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Corey Burton, Fay McKay, (more)
- Starring:
- Ted Schwartz
The major difference between the original Hanna-Barbera/DC Comics cartoon series Super Friends and its successor The All-New Superfriends Hour is the latter series' expanded cast. Old Justice League of America favorites Superman, Batman & Robin, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman are back in harness, along with a pair of brand-new junior members: the Wonder Twins Zan and Jayna, who had the ability to morph into icelike statues, in case the job at hand required such a talent. During the series' first (and only) season, each major Superfriend appeared in his or her own adventures, usually in the company of a "guest" superhero, with all the main characters rallying together for a climactic "League of Justice" component. Four different stories are presented per episode, bearing such titles as "Invasion of the Earthors," "The Brain Machine," "City in a Bottle," "The Marsh Monster," "Doctor Fright," "Super Friends vs. Super Friends," "Planet of the Neanderthals," "Attack of the Giant Squid," "The Tiny World of Terror," and "The Mummy of Nanza." All told, the single season of All-New Superfriends Hour features 14 thrill-packed sixty minute installments. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Woodson, Bob Lloyd, (more)

- 1971
- G
- AddEscape from the Planet of the Apesto QueueAddEscape from the Planet of the Apesto top of Queue
Escape From the Planet of the Apes is the third in the series of films based upon the Planet of the Apes characters created by novelist Pierre Boulle. At the end of the second film, the centuries-in-the-future world colonized by simians was destroyed, but apes Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) and Zira (Kim Hunter) were able to escape in the space vessel left behind by 20th century astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston). Cornelius and Zira pass through another time warp, finding themselves in the Earth of the 1970s. When they reveal their ability to speak, the apes are first treated as curiosities, then as threats when the government, believing the story that the Earth will eventually be inherited by monkeys, tries to prevent the birth of Zira's baby. They are ultimately given shelter by sympathetic circus owner Armando (Ricardo Montalban). This film was followed by the fourth "Apes" entry, 1972's Conquest of the Planet of the Apes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, (more)
Cain (Clint Walker), better known throughout the West as "Killer Cain," is released from prison in 1891, after serving 18 years for killing a man, one of over a dozen lives that he'd taken from the age of 16. But he finds that his penalty is hardly paid and his punishment hardly over, even though he's truly reformed and wants no trouble. He's unable to get away from his past, even though the Old West is fading fast in the face of civilization -- in fact, the fading of the West is making matters worse, as ordinary folks are mostly scared of and curious about him. Additionally, he still has enemies all around, who will give him no peace; and to top it off, the only man willing to give him any kind of a job is Dan Ruffalo (Vincent Price), operator of a Wild West show, as a sharpshooter. It turns out that Cain isn't even that perfect a shot anymore, but Cain still becomes the show's biggest attraction, because people will pay to see -- or say they saw -- a killer, and that upsets young Billy (Paul Hampton), Ruffalo's other sharpshooter, who never misses but has also never killed a man either. Billy is a lot more frightening to Cain than Cain could ever be to Billy, because Billy turns out to be a psychopath. Adding to his troubles is the presence of Luke Santee (Mike Henry), a killer with his own score to settle with Cain, as well as Karma (Craig Littler), a mysterious lawyer who's been looking for him. Cain and Billy seem headed for a collision sooner or later, even as Cain tries to find peace in the company of Monica Alton (Anne Francis), an artist from the East who loves him, and who has come out West to make a new life for herself. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clint Walker, Vincent Price, (more)

- 1968
- G
- AddThe One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Bandto QueueAddThe One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Bandto top of Queue
Set in 1888, this tuneful fact-based Disney production concerns the attempts of a musically talented family of Dakota pioneers -- who are politically divided on the upcoming presidential election -- to wrangle an invite to that year's Democratic convention in cosmopolitan St. Louis. Incumbent Grover Cleveland is attempting to win his second straight election and is challenged by Benjamin Harrison. The results are that Cleveland won the popular vote, but Harrison won the electoral vote to be declared President of the United States. Cleveland would win the next election to become the only President to ever serve two non-consecutive terms. Walter Brennan, Buddy Ebsen, Janet Blair, Richard Deacon, Wally Cox, John Davidson and Leslie Ann Warren round out the adult cast. Along with the moppets, they sing and dance to espouse their political allegiances to the candidate of their choice. Look closely for Goldie Hawn in her first film role as a laughing chorine. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Brennan, Buddy Ebsen, (more)
To prevent his sweetheart in Pasaic, New Jersey from marrying a horse-car conductor, Agarn (Larry Storch) sends the girl a letter claiming that he has killed the infamous Apache warrior Geronimo (Mike Mazurki). Alas, Agarn sets him self up for a scalping when Geronimo learns of the deception and goes on the warpath again. Jackie Joseph, then the wife of series regular Ken Berry, appears as Agarn's girlfriend Betty Lou MacDonald. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this spoof of the then-current "spy craze", Fort Courage becomes a hotbed of espionage intrigue when Agarn (Larry Storch) is chosen to test a new secret bulletproof vest. Before long, the vest is stolen, and the prime suspect is slinky female spy Lorelai Duval (Abbe Lane). Pat Harrington Jr. gives a standout performance as bumbling, gadget-laden superspy B. Wise, a dead-on takeoff of Get Smart star Don Adams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the concluding episode of a two-part story, Lucy's roommate Carol Bradford (Carol Burnett) is hired along with The Vagabonds to perform a musical act at an upcoming Palm Springs golf tournament. When she is invited to accompany Carol to the gig, Lucy (Lucille Ball) feigns illness so she can skip work. Upon her arrival at Palm Springs, Lucy is fixed up with a date with handsome movie actor Collin Grant (Dan Rowan)--who happens to be the golfing partner of Lucy's boss Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon). Carol, Lucy and The Vagabonds (including an uncredited Joe Pesci!) perform "Lazy River" and "The Hukilau Song." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carol Burnett, Dan Rowan, (more)
The good news is that F Troop is about to receive a citation for its high morale. The bad news is that everyone at Fort Courage is mad at everyone else -- and you can cut the angry silence with a knife! This episode is best known for an outtake (never seen on TV but shown at network-affiliate meetings) in which several of the male regulars begin "camping" their roles with lisping voices, limp wrists and swiveling hips (surprisingly, the most convincing performance along these lines is delivered by veteran western star Bob Steele!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Now using the alias "Paul Keller", Kimble (David Janssen) gets a job at a carnival with the help of pretty Tina Andresen (Joanna Pettet). Unfortunately, Tina's uncle Harry (Andrew Duggan) is a retired detective with a very suspicious mind. . .and he's certain he's seen Kimble's face somewhere before. Having falling in love with the fugitive, Tina offers to help him escape--only to reveal herself as a dangerous psychotic when Kimble refuses to take her along with him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Paul Drake (William Hopper) is hired to investigate when an unusually high number of heart attacks threaten to bankrupt the Safeline Insurance Company--an assignment that proves more hazardous than it first appeared to be. In his efforts to help Paul prove that some of the claims are fraudlent, Perry (Raymond Burr) forces ex-boxer Jack B. David (Hal Baylor) to reveal that he isn't a helpless invalid. When David ends up dead, Perry may well be facing a manslaughter charge! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Darrin doesn't know what trouble is until beautiful model Pleasure O'Riley (Kipp Hamilton) moves next door to the Stephens home. It seems that Pleasure is terrified by her jealous boyfriend, pro football player Thor Swenson (Ken Scott) -- and she turns to poor Darrin for protection. As usual, Samantha ends up rescuing her husband from a horrendous fate. Written by Ken Englund, "Pleasure O'Reilly" originally aired on March 18, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
A full year before the debut of Warner Bros.' TV series The FBI, a pilot of sorts was filmed under the title FBI Code 98. Jack Kelly heads the cast of this Dragnet-style docudrama, wherein the action is underlined by William Woodson's stentorian off-camera narration. The main plot concerns a disgruntled mad bomber, who uses his heightened knowledge of electronics to stay one step ahead of detection. The all-Warner-contractee cast includes Maverick's Kelly, Ray Danton, Andrew Duggan, Philip Carey, William Reynolds (later a regular on The FBI), Peggy McCay and Merry Anders. Originally intended as a TV special, FBI Code 98 was released theatrically instead. The film was produced by Stanley Niss, the author of the book on which the screenplay was based. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Kelly, Ray Danton, (more)
Lifelong parasite Rachel Gordon (Phyllis Hill) will be cut off without a cent by her rich Uncle Abner (Richard Hale) unless she immediately returns all the money she has syphoned from his bank account. Out of desperation, Rachel takes a shot at Albert while the man is sleeping. It turns out she needn't have bothered: Albert is already dead, and the police have charged his secretary--and main benificiary--Bruce Jay (John Napier). Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) knows that Bruce is innocent, and that Rachel wanted to be guilty but technically isn't...so whose alibi does he ultimately break down in court? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
While Ward (Hugh Beaumont) and June (Barbara Billingsley) are out of town, Beaver (Jerry Beaver) and Wally (Tony Dow) are left in the care of their overindulgent Uncle Billy (Edgar Buchanan). Beav quickly learns to take advantage of Billy's freewheeling nature, even unto hatching a scheme to help his pal Gilbert (Stephen Talbot) sneak into the movies without paying. But it soon becomes obvious that even lovable ol' Billy has his limits when it comes to bad behavior. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edgar Buchanan, William Woodson, (more)
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) are freed from the bank vault in which they've been locked up for 18 hours. In trying to explain to the media how she accidentally locked the door in the first place, Lucy succeeds in trapping Mooney in the vault all over again! The only person in town qualified to open the vault is candy manufacturer Mr. Bundy (Jay Novello), who'd once served time as a safecracker. Unfortunately, the temptation of all that money proves too much for the "reformed" Bundy, and he ends up robbing the safe and taking Lucy and Viv (Vivian Vance) hostage! The episode's riotous climax finds our two heroines, tied back to back, happily hopping around to sample the tasty confections in the back room of Bundy's candy store. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gale Gordon, Jay Novello, (more)
This is the third of four consecutive episodes in which Perry Mason appears only briefly, while a "guest" lawyer handles the case at hand (Raymond Burr was at the time recovering from minor surgery). Subbing for Perry on this occasion is Bruce Jason (Hugh O'Brian), a lawyer who normally specializes in cases involving the entertainment world. But there's nothing "entertaining" about the death of Iron-curtain dignitary Franz Schreck, who turns up murdered shortly after making a big-money deal to sell some top-secret papers to columnist Elihu Laban (Abraham Sofaer). Ultimately, Jason must defend Laban on a double-murder charge, and in the process ends up chasing "himself" in the form of a lookalike assassin (also played by Hugh O'Brian). Removed from the original Perry Mason syndicated rerun package in 1966, this episode remained on the shelf until it was telecast on cable TV in the mid-1990s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Hired by a bank to collect $10,000 from rancher Dan Tibner (Nestor Paiva), Paladin (Richard Boone) finds that Tibner has been murdered and the money stolen. Suspicion immediately falls upon a band of gypsies that has been roaming around the ranch, but Paladin is convinced that there is more to the story than meets the eye. Famed flamenco guitarist Laurindo Almeida is prominently featured in this, the 225th and final episode of Have Gun, Will Travel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the seventh-season opener of Perry Mason, scheming seaman John Brooks (Ron Starr) has concocted what he thinks is a foolproof scheme to pass himself off as Caleb Stone, heir to the fortune possessed by elderly sisters Sophia (Beulah Bondi) and Minevah (Meg Wyllie). The scheme involves persuading another man named Caleb Stone (Ivan Dixon) to adopt the alias of John Brooks, so that the two men can periodically switch identities and confuse the authorites. Things go horribly wrong when the phony nephew is accused of murdering another of the old ladies' relatives, Ernest Stone (Hugh Marlowe). This is a fine way for Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) to start off the new year! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
After he is seen literally throwing his money away, eccentric businessman Gus Dalgran (Otto Kruger) is locked up in a mental instution. Dalgran's far from loyal employees decide to use his absence as an opportunty to double-cross him, whereupon he escapes--and then things really get out of hand! Can it be that Dalgran was merely feigning insanity to cover up the murder of his duplicitous nephew Kenneth (Don Dubbins)? And what clues will Perry Mason find while visiting the military base which also figures into the story? Featured in the cast is a young Burt Reynolds, as well as soap-opera veteran John Larkin, who had previously starred in the radio version of Perry Mason. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This is a relatively informative look back on the history of communism (in the West, not in Asia), starting with Karl Marx and carrying all the way through the infamous "kitchen debate" between Richard Nixon and Nikita Khrushchev. Not exactly free of political diatribes, the documentary still provides fascinating footage of scenes with Lenin and Trotsky, as well as more harrowing sequences of a Russian ship sinking during the Russo-Japanese war and the mutilated bodies of people killed during Stalin's many purges. As the documentary progresses toward the 1950s, the narration has more in common with Cold-War rhetoric than neutral observation. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
Astrologer Samuel H. Keel (Richard Boone) has predicted that someone named Seth Carter is destined to win a $500,000 lottery. In hopes of locating the elusive Carter, Keel hires Paladin (Richard Boone) to help in his search. Unfortunately, the first three people presumed to be linked to Carter are brutally murdered--and if the pattern continues, Paladin may be unable to prevent further bloodshed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide











