George Wyner Movies
Science allows a man to cheat death and continue to be a thorn in the side of his family in this dark comedy. Mr. Valdemar (Howard Hesseman) is a wealthy but ill-manned man who is elderly and in poor health. Knowing he doesn't have long to live, Valdemar agrees to take part in an experiment by Dr. Pretory (Jason Carter), an eccentric hypnotist. Pretory wants to discover what happens to a man if he is under hypnosis at the point of death, and so as Valdemar is taking his last few breaths, Pretory puts him in a deep trance. Hovering somewhere between death and life, Valdemar is able to describe to world beyond our own to Pretory and his family; however, cheating death isn't making Valdemar any easier to get along with, and he continues to cause trouble for his daughter, Daisy (Jessica Capshaw), and her significant other, Benjamin (Neil Patrick Harris), especially since you can't inherit the estate of a man who isn't entirely dead. The Mesmerist was based on the short story The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar by Edgar Allan Poe, which was brought to the screen in less comical form as part of Roger Corman's 1962 horror omnibus Tales of Terror. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2002
The tragically short life of one of TV's favorite funny ladies is the subject of the network-movie biopic It's Always Something: The Gilda Radner Story. The story begins in Gilda's native Canada, where as a child she develops her comic skills to overcome her shyness and feelings of inadequacy. Gravitating to show business, Gilda (played as an adult by Jami Gertz) becomes a topnotch sketch performer with the famed Second City Troupe, leading to an even more prestigious stint as one of the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" on the irreverent American variety series Saturday Night Live. Earning the love and devotion of TV viewers throughout the nation with such ditsy comic characters as Emily Latella and Roseanne Roseanadana, Gilda nonetheless has trouble settling down in a satisfactory romantic relationship in her private life. But after a few go-nowhere affairs and an in-name-only marriage to musician G.E. Smith, Gilda at last finds happiness as the sweetheart -- and later the wife -- of actor Gene Wilder (played by Tom Rooney), her costar in the 1982 movie Hanky Panky. Just when it seems that Gilda's life is on the right course with all cylinders clicking, she is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Based on her 1989 autobiography (published the same year as her death), It's Always Something: The Gilda Radner Story debuted April 29, 2002, as part of an evening-long ABC network tribute to Radner and her career. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jami Gertz, Tom Rooney, (more)
- 2001
A girl poised on the brink of adolescence finds herself shouldering a whole new set of responsibilities in this made-for-TV drama based on the autobiographical book by Esmeralda Santiago. In 1961, Mami Santiago (Wanda De Jesus) decides to leave her life in a Puerto Rican farming community behind and move herself and her six children to New York City in search of a better life -- and better medical care for her ailing son. Mami's oldest daughter, Esmerelda (Ana Maria Lagasca) -- Negi for short -- not only has trouble adapting to her new environment, but doesn't quite fit in at her new school, where she's lumped in with other Spanish speaking students with whom she shares no common culture. Negi's burden is intensified by the fact her mother and siblings are counting on her to learn English and serve as the family's interpreter. One of Negi's teachers senses her creative gifts and arranges for her to audition for the Performing Arts School in Manhattan, but as Negi struggles to learn a monologue in a new language she has yet to master, she isn't sure if she has what it takes to make the grade. Esmeralda Santiago penned the screenplay for Almost A Woman from her own memoir; the film was first broadcast as part of the award-winning PBS anthology series Masterpiece Theater. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wanda De Jesus, Miriam Colon, (more)
- 1999
James Garner is reunited with several of his fellow cast members from the Rockford Files series in this made-for-TV sequel. It all begins when schoolteacher Ernie Landale (Hal Holbrook), the husband of private eye Jim Rockford's ex-prostitute friend Rita Kapkovic (Rita Moreno), is accused of child molestation. Never mind that the evidence is circumstantial at best, flimsy at worst: The Media have already tried and convicted Landale, irresponsibly whipping up a journalistic frenzy that turns all of the benighted teacher's associates and friends against him. All, that is, except Jim Rockford (Garner), who, together with Landale's attorney Beth Davenport (Gretchen Corbett) and police lieutenant Dennis Becker (Joe Santos), is prepared to move heaven and earth to find the actual pedophile and clear Landale's name. Filmed in 1997, The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds, It Leads made its CBS debut on April 20, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
A homicide witness and her son are killed, and Andy (Dennis Franz) and Bobby (Jimmy Smits) think that the suspect's lawyer may have had a hand in the homicides. Elsewhere, Diane (Kim Delaney) and Jill (Andrea Thompson) investigate a missing persons case, and James (Nicholas Turturro) and Greg (Gordon Clapp) go after the peddlers of phony sports memorabilia (leading to another desultory romance for Greg). Amidst this activity, Andy is advised by his doctor to start taking Viagra, and Bobby and Diane hope to use their lunch hour to get married in a civil ceremony. This 90-minute episode was the last in NYPD Blue's fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
When Jon Stewart guest hosts and draws even bigger ratings that The Larry Sanders Show's eponymous host, Larry's paranoia starts to kick in. When the increasingly sex-obsessed host targets Winona Ryder for conquest, he is devastated upon finding Ryder and Stewart making out in the dressing room. The appearance of two network suits compounds Larry's anxiety, and his fears may be justified when it's revealed that there may be some big changes on the show. Meanwhile, Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) has difficulties changing his license plates to his trademark "Hey Now" when oddball doppelganger fan Paul (George Wyner) already has the customized plates. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1997
The rest of the "FYI" staff displays a variety of reactions--from shock to solace--when Murphy (Candice Bergen) reveals the results of her biopsy. Once this is done, Murphy must decide which of two painful surgical options to choose; she also spends much of the episode going through doctors like she goes through secretaries! And what effect does all this have on Murphy's love life? Welll, Kay (Lily Tomlin) thinks she knows the answer to that one--but she's wrong. This episode originally ended with Candice Bergen doing a PSA for the American Cancer Society. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Even though it has taken Alan (William Russ) twenty years to decide to give up the grocery business, wife Amy (Betsy Randle) chastizes him for making a "rush decision" by quitting his job. With this in mind, no one is more surprised than Amy when she chooses to change the course of her life as well--and that, ladies and gentlemen, is how Mr. and Mrs. Matthews decide to purchase a camping-supply store and go in business for themselves. Meanwhile, Eric (Will Friedle) makes a concerted effort to improve his chances of eventually entering college. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Jessica (Angela Lansbury) arrives at the headquarters of a prominent ice cream manufacturing firm in order to collect a promised donation for her literacy foundation. It soon develops that the company has created a brand-new flavor--but not for public consumption. How else to explain the mysterious death of one of the company's top executives...a death quickly followed by another one that is equally mysterious? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Though Kelly (Christina Applegate) loses an audition for a sitcom role, the producer (George Wyner) is impressed by her impromptu description of the Bundy clan. As a result, the sitcom is rewritten to resemble a certain extremely popular Fox series about a dysfunctional family living in Chicago--and take a look at that cast! Inside jokes abound in this classic entry, including a pointed reference to housewife-activist Terry Rakolta, a swipe at the Fox network's low-power UHF affiliate lineup, and a clever amalgam of the names of series creators Ronald Leavitt and Michael G. Moye. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is invited to speak at an exclusive club where only men are permitted as members. Despite her gender, Jessica is asks by the club's governing committee to help them solve a mystery involving the murder of a "rogue" member. This proves difficult when it becomes apparent that the killer may himself be on the committee. This episode is chock full of sly science-fiction and fantasy references--no surprise, inasmuch as it was written by J. Michael Straczynski, a guiding force behind the popular series Babylon 5. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is among the guests enjoying a skiing vacation at a mountain lodge. At least, she and the other guests were enjoying the vacation until they were all trapped in the lodge by a sudden blizzard. Among the others are a jealous husband, an outraged wife, a long-suffering agent and an abrasive champion skier. Before long, one of these characters is going to be murdered, and Jessica will try to figure out the killer's identity before he (or she) can strike again. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Originally broadcast as an installment of ABC's Disney Sunday Movie anthology, The Leftovers marked the TV acting debut of singer John Denver. He is cast as Max Sinclair, the director f a foster-care facility for older orphans who, for various reasons, no one has ever adopted. Described themselves as "the leftovers", the six kids form a strong bond, refusing to be farmed out to separate families, even though orders have come down for Sinclair to vacate his facility within five weeks. Amidst the seriocomic intrigue, Max falls in love with widow Heather Drew (Cindy Williams), the facility's housekeeper--and an orphan herself. A few potential stars can be glimpsed among the supporting players, notably a pre-Urkel Jaleel White as wisecracking "leftover" Jake. The Leftovers debuted on November 16, 1986. ~Saw Film/TV Guide/Internet/Marrill/Expert ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
The titular cat is a furry white male named Leo. Leo is able to talk, and if you can't handle that, forget the rest of this TV movie. When he inherits $5,000,000, Leo becomes the target of disgruntled heirs who'd like to bump him off. This is one instance where you're liable to cheer on the villains. The Richest Cat in the World was first telecast on The Disney Sunday Movie. Surprised? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Adapted from a book by Joan Barthel, A Death in California is a harrowing two-part TV movie based on fact. Cheryl Ladd plays Hope Masters, a wealthy Beverly Hills woman who is forced to watch in mute horror as a criminal sociopath (Sam Elliot) murders her boyfriend (Granville Van Dusen). She is kidnapped by the killer and forced to accompany him on a long and grueling getaway trip. Despite repeated sexual assaults, Hope forms something of a bond with her kidnapper. He allows her to go free, but Hope's ordeal is far from over; when the killer is recaptured, both he and Hope are put on trial for murder. Despite the tawdry nature of the tale, Death in California is handled with taste and tact, allowing the weirder aspects of the case to speak for themselves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cheryl Ladd, Sam Elliott, (more)
- 1985
The messages referred to in the title are those conveyed on a Ouija board. The heroine (Kathleen Beller) conjures up these messages, which indicate that her future happiness is gravely in doubt. In point of fact, the words she spells out on the board are I-AM-GOING-TO-KILL-YOU. A mystery figure from the woman's past intends to fulfill this prophecy--with a dagger. Material like this only works if the producers have faith in it; Deadly Messages appears to have been made by people who found the premise amusing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Shot while saving Hannibal's life, Murdock hovers between life and death as The A-Team closes its second season. Meanwhile, the other team members recall the good deeds performed by the mercurial Murdock, thereby triggering a series of flashbacks culled from such previous episodes as "Bad Day at Black Rock", "Holiday in the Hills", "Till Death Do Us Part", "Diamonds 'n' Dust", "There's Always a Catch", "Labor Pains", "Beast from the Belly of a Boeing" and "When You Comin' Back, Range Rider?" Meanwhile, the relentless Col. Decker (Lance LeGault) is rapidly closing in on the team--and it looks like he really has the upper hand this time! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Dick Van Dyke is the Drop-Out Father in this lighthearted TV movie. A successful but unsatisfied insurance executive, Van Dyke decides one day to kick over the traces. As his wife (Mariette Hartley) and family listen in fascinated horror, our hero announces his plans to move from the suburbs to a Manhattan loft, there to "find himself." With the exception of his loyal youngest daughter, Van Dyke's family elects to stay put, permitting him to carve out a new life on his own. Peter Matz won an Emmy nomination for his sprightly musical score. Originally telecast September 17, 1982, Drop-Out Father was followed in 1988 by a made-for-TV sequel, innovatively titled Drop-Out Mother. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
The hospital where Quincy (Jack Klugman) works is in full security-lockdown mode when President Sarejo (Rudy Solari), a Latin American dictator, is rushed to the emergency room for a serious operation. It soon becomes apparent that a group of radicals has also arrived in Los Angeles, possibly planning to assassinate the ailing leader. But before this can happen, two members of the President's cabinet die of apparent heart failure--whereupon Quincy swings into action to determine if the deaths were mere happenstance, or the result of a vast and insidious conspiracy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Getting a late start with its fifth season thanks to a Hollywood writers' strike, Alice makes up for lost time with one of its funniest episodes. While making a small withdrawal at an ATM, Mel (Vic Tayback) is both amazed and thrilled when the malfunctioning machine spews out dollar bill after dollar bill--dispensing a total of $24,675. It falls to Alice (Linda Lavin) to bring the euphoric Mel back to earth before he embarks on a wild--and wildly dishonest--spending spree. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Archie rushes Stephanie to the hospital when she suffers an attack of appendicitis. Upon meeting Stephanie's doctor, however, Archie very nearly rushes Stephanie back home again. It turns out that Dr. Shapiro (George Wyner) was once the childhood playmate of Archie's daughter, Gloria -- and seemingly for this reason alone, he refuses to operate on Stephanie. Written by Phil Sharp and Milt Josefsberg, "The Appendectomy" first aired on January 21, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1979
Edith is her usual bubbly, buoyant self as she prepares a special St. Patrick's Day dinner for the patrons of Archie's bar. But what Archie doesn't know is that Edith is paying a painful price for her cheerfulness; suffering from phlebitis, she had been ordered by her doctor to stay off her feet. Written by Patt Shea and Harriet Weiss, "Too-Good Edith" originally aired on April 8, 1979, as the 203rd and final episode of All in the Family. Most of the regular cast members would reassemble the following September for the spin-off series Archie Bunker's Place, which ran until 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1978
Kojak (Telly Savalas) is tempted to leave the police force when he is offered a highly-paid position as private investigator for a prestigious law firm. Meanwhile, however, the detective is kept busy tracking down the source of some dangerously contaminated heroin. Will Kojak's sense of responsibility for the citizens he is protecting outweigh his ambition to advance himself? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Paramedics Gage and DeSoto work to save lives when a ferry explodes in Puget Sound in this episode of the "Emergency!" television series. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1978
Dennis Weaver plays a retired mainland lawyer who becomes a hotel owner in Honolulu. Despite his most strenuous efforts, Weaver can't resist playing detective from time to time. You're absolutely right: The Islander was the pilot for an unsold TV series. Weaver's first and last case involves a runaway grand-jury witness, a mobster, and a senator suspected of murder. The mobster is played by Sheldon Leonard, as ideally suited for his role as Robert Vaughn is perfect in the part of the senator. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
