George Wyner Movies
- 1975
Surrending to Emily's power of persuasion, Bob agrees to run for the chairmanship of the school board. By all appearances, Bob is a shoe-in; the incumbent is a washout who hasn't attending a board meeting in nearly half a year. But as usual, Bob seems poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Future Oscar-winning screenwriter Quinn Redecker is seen as Dr. Dalton, while other cast members include George Wyner as Rex Pottinger, and Lillian Garrett as Rita Montez. Written by Coleman Mitchell and Geoffrey Neigher, "Think Smartly - Vote Hartley" first aired on January 11, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1975
A woman identifying herself as Jennifer Sandstrom claims that her sister's death was not a suicide as reported, and hires Jim (James Garner) to find out for sure. It doesn't take long for Jim to determine that his client has not been entirely honest and up-front--and indeed, she isn't even "Jennifer Sandstrom", but instead a private eye named Christina Dusseau (Stefanie Powers). Using Jim to keep the authorities at bay, Christine is trying to crack an insurance scam instigated by a crooked lawyer. But thanks to Christina's somewhat underhanded methods, both she and Jim may end up dead. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Hired by an insurance company to locate Nancy Wade (Jesse Welles), Jim (James Garner) finds the woman living in poverty in Las Vegas. Despite her reduced circumstances, Nancy is hesitant to bank the $10,000 cashiers' check she received upon the death of her mother. In his efforts to find out why, Jim runs afoul of a pair of mobsters who have enmeshed poor Nancy in a money-laundering scheme. Boulder Dam provides the backdrop for the climax of this, the final episode of The Rockford Files' first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Ever in pursuit of extra money, Fred and Lamont Sanford (Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson) take over management of a rooming house, which they rename the Sanford Arms. At first, our heroes intend to be discriminating in their clientele; after all, they can't just let anybody rent a room. But when tenants fail to materialize and the debt begins mounting, the Sanfords are forced to rethink their screening process -- and as a result, they open their doors to a fugitive from justice. Nancy Kulp makes her first series appearance as May Hopkins, the mother of semi-regular Officer "Hoppy" Hopkins (Howard Platt). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, (more)
- 1974
In a daring daylight robbery, two criminals steal $20,000,000 in Wall Street securities, killing a man as they escape. Lt. Kojak (Telly Savalas) determines that the best way to bring the thieve out in the open is to dangle an attractively baited hook. The highlight of this episode is Kojak's bravura impersonation of a billionaire Greek tycoon (not named Onassis, but the hints are there). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Diana Ross plays the magnificent, tragic song stylist Billie Holiday, who while writhing in a strait jacket in a prison cell, awaiting sentencing on drug charges, reflects on her turbulent life. Raped in her youth by a drunk (Adolph Caesar), then compelled to work as a domestic in a Harlem whorehouse, Holliday is encouraged to try for a singing career by the bordello's pianist (Richard Pryor). She rises as high as it is possible to go in the white-dominated show business world of the 1930s, but can't handle the pressure and turns to narcotics. The film takes several liberties with the 44-year existence of "Lady Day." Among the Billie Holiday standards performed by Ross are "My Man," "I Cried for You," "Lover Man," "Them There Eyes," and the title song. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, (more)
- 1972
Ironside star Raymond Burr makes his TV directorial debut in this episode, in which Chief Ironside comes to the aid of a troubled Federal judge and the judge's son. Slated to preside over a well-publicized fraud case, Judge Van Buren (William Windom) is approached by "certain parties" and told to either withdraw from the case or impose a lighter sentence than the defendant deserves. To make certain that Van Buren follows orders, the villains murder a young actress (Angel Tompkins)--then pin the blame on the judge's reckless son Larry (Rick Lenz). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
The police are stymied by a lack of witnesses and clues as they investigate the murder of a pretty coed in San Francisco park. Hoping to arouse the conscience of The Public, Ironside (Raymond Burr) appears on an all-night TV debate show, begging people to come forward with any information that might help collar the killer. The Chief hopes that he can either panic the perpetrator into tipping his hand, or play for time until his assistant Ed Brown (Don Galloway) can ferret out the one clue that will crack the case. Featured in the cast is a young Ed Begley Jr. (who undoubtedly was bicycling to the studio even back in those pre-Global Warming days). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
