Stanley Adams Movies
After a few desultory movie appearances in the mid-1930s, rotund American actor Stanley Adams came to films permanently in 1952, to re-create his stage role as the bartender in the movie version of Death of a Salesman. His busiest period was 1955-1965, when he appeared on virtually every major TV series in America. His video roles ranged from a pompous time-travelling scientist on Twilight Zone to a wisecracking witch doctor on Gilligan's Island. Shortly after completing his last film, 1976's Woman in the Rain, Stanley Adams committed suicide at the age of 62. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1962
Leaning heavily on violence to ostensibly deliver a pacifist message, this standard drama by Philip Leacock looks at the problem of teen gangs from a slightly different angle -- these teens are all wealthy. Everything starts off when aerospace engineer Walt Sherill (Alan Ladd) is accosted and severely beaten by a group of young punks. The victimized man decides to hunt down the thugs on his own, at first just for curiosity and then increasingly for vengeance. His actions spark retaliatory measures, and before the credits roll, the body count is elevated by a few more victims in what amounts to nothing more than a blood feud. In the end, justice of the legal and politically correct sort makes a token appearance. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Ladd, Rod Steiger, (more)
- 1971
Aka Machismo, 40 Graves for 40 Guns stars James Lemp, Gary Kent and Gary Graver as the leaders of notorious Harris Gang. Since nearly half the cast is identified as "member of the Harris gang," it's clear this isn't any two-bit operation. Conducting raids on Mexican border towns, the gang indulges in wanton killing, looting and raping. But when they steal a pure gold cross, they've gone too far. Operating on the theory that it takes a rat to catch a rat, the Federales spring a hardened convict (Robert Padilla) from jail and put him in charge of a posse comprised of fellow prisoners. If the posse catches the Harrises, they'll be pardoned. If not... This is sort of film where there are no good guys, just various degrees of bad. The ending is predictably bloody, and unpredictably ironic. Combining elements of The Magnificent Seven, The Dirty Dozen and The Wild Bunch, 40 Graves for 40 Guns deserves to be better known. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
This drama tells the true story of one of Broadway's most successful madams in the 1920s. It is loosely based on the autobiography of Polly Adler. The story begins when young Polly is seduced and raped at her job by the sweatshop foreman. When her uncle, with whom she lived, learns of the act, he blames her and tosses her out. She then moves into an apartment owned by a racketeer. It is he who encourages her into her "helping" profession when he gives her money for bringing her pals to a gangster party. Soon she is beginning to build up her own clientele. As her business prospers, she begins to choose nicer locations. Her tiny cathouse becomes a haven for sleazy politicos, mobsters, and businessmen. The madame herself has a passionate romance with a young songwriter and she helps his career. He does not know of her vocation and she eventually breaks up with him to keep his reputation intact. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shelley Winters, Robert Taylor, (more)
- 1974
- R
This sleazy exploitation feature from director Robert Kelljan (Count Yorga, Vampire) is more noteworthy for its cast than its content. The plot concerns a group of five women who learn martial arts and team up to avenge their violations by a rapist (Peter Brown) who forced them to sing Jingle Bells while molesting them. Caligula's Anneka di Lorenzo, Richard Pryor's ex-wife Jennifer Lee, and Hullabaloo dancer Lada Edmund, Jr. co-star in this drive-in favorite, also released as Act of Vengeance. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Once again pulling holiday duty at Christmastime, mobile officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and Jim Reed (Kent McCord) have a great deal of difficulty locating any sort of Yuletide cheer on the streets of LA. For starters, the two cops are summoned to a robbery scene, where they find that the victim is an old duffer in a Santa Claus suit (resulting in the arrest of another ersatz Santa). Elsewhere, Pete and Jim conduct an extensive search for a small East Indian boy (Tom Nasheboo) who has vanished--a crisis that bears a marked resemblance to one of the most famous Christmas episodes of Adam-12's "sister" series Dragnet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Amy Milner, the daughter of Adam-12 costar Martin Milner (Officer Pete Malloy), makes her dramatic TV debut in this episode. The younger Milner is cast as Debbie McMahon, the daughter of a storekeeper who is wounded in a robbery. Outraged that the perpetrator has managed to escape, Debbie holds Officer Jim Reed (Kent McCord) responsible. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Escaped convict Rod Collins (Clu Gulager) heads for the home of his pen pal, the niece of Margaret Lowen (Katherine Squire). Fortunately for the police, Rod has left his pen pal's picture and letters back in his cell, enabling them to contact Margaret and ask her assistance in bringing the fugitive to justice. But once Rod shows up at Margaret's doorstep and insists upon meeting her niece, the situation takes an unexpected turn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Banyon is an A-number-one detective yarn set (very accurately) in the 1930s. Robert Forster, emulating John Garfield in virtually every scene, plays private eye Miles C. Banyon. Right now he's in dutch because a beautiful young woman has been found murdered--and Banyon's gun was the murder weapon. This state of affairs plunges the detective into a maelstrom of deceit and double-cross involving (among many elements) a Winchell-style radio commentator (Jose Ferrer), a paroled big-time gangster, a scar-faced assassin, and a Nazi Bund camp. Once he solves the main mystery, Banyon is faced with the unhappy Maltese Falcon task of exposing a close friend as a murderer. First telecast March 15, 1971, Banyon spawned a brief TV series one year later, with Robert Forster still in the lead. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Forster, Darren McGavin, (more)
George Montgomery both produced and starred in the psychological western Black Patch. Written by character actor Leo Gordon (who also appears on screen), the story revolves around one-eyed marshal Clay "Black Patch" Morgan (Montgomery). The marshal is delighted to find out that his old buddy Hank Danner (Leo Gordon) is riding into town, but less than thrilled to learn that Danner is now a wanted outlaw. Reluctantly throwing his friend into jail, Morgan sets off a chain reaction of terror, beginning with a jailbreak engineered by crooked saloonkeeper Frenchy De Vere (a particularly vicious performance by Sebastian Cabot) and culminating in a showdown between the marshal and Danner's young protégé Flytrap (Tom Pittman). This is the sort of film in which a rape is represented by the symbolic opening and closing of a screen door. Black Patch seems pretentious when seen today, but in 1957 a western never lost money at the box-office. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Montgomery, Diane Brewster, (more)
- 1966
Though the character of Adam Cartwright was gone from Bonanza, he was far from forgotten, as proven by this episode from May 1, 1966. Alan Bergmann guest-stars as Gilly Maples, a shipmate of the now-seafaring Adam. Arriving at the Ponderosa, Gilly claims to be a lonely fellow, seeking only the warm companionship of the Cartwright clan. In truth, however, Gilly is a thief, who plans to rob Adam's family once he has wormed his way into their confidence. Ivor Barry costars as Gilly's cohort Morgan. "Home from the Sea" was cowritten by George F. Slavin and actor Stanley Adams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1964
Suffering from a advanced case of "spring fever," Hoss Cartwright is nonetheless assigned to pick up a prisoner in the town of Rimrock. Alas, Hoss arrives in the wrong town, where he ends up being jailed as a bank robber. Escaping, he finds shelter in the shack of local recluse Loulabelle (Glenda Farrell), better known around these parts as "Looney" (and not without good reason!) Stanley Adams and Lloyd Corrigan make brief appearances in the respective roles of Sheriff Tate and Mr. Simmons. Scripted by Lois Hire, "The Pure Truth" was first telecast on March 6, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
In an idealized New York City during the early '60s, Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) is a charming socialite with a youthful zest for life who lives alone in a nearly bare apartment. She has such a flippant lifestyle that she won't even give her cat a name, because that would be too much of a commitment to a relationship. Maintaining a childlike innocence yet wearing the most perfect of designer clothes and accessories from Givenchy, she spends her time on expensive dates and at high-class parties. She escorts various wealthy men, yet fails to return their affections after they have given her gifts and money. Holly's carefree independence is changed when she meets her neighbor, aspiring writer Paul (George Peppard), who is suffering from writer's block while being kept by a wealthy woman (Patricia Neal). Just when Holly and Paul are developing their sweet romance, Doc (Buddy Ebsen) appears on the scene and complicates matters, revealing the truth about Holly's past. Breakfast at Tiffany's was nominated for several Academy awards, winning Best Score for Henry Mancini and Best Song for Johnny Mercer's classic tune "Moon River". ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, (more)
Ira Levin wrote the stage comedy Critic's Choice as a good-natured retort to a comment made by critic Walter Kerr. In his essay How Not to Write a Play, Kerr noted that the worst possible scenario would involve a drama critic forced to review a play written by his wife (we should mention that Kerr's own wife was noted playwright Jean Kerr). Levin utilized this very scenario, and the result was a Broadway hit. Less successful artistically was the 1962 film version, though with Bob Hope and Lucille Ball as stars, the film couldn't help but clean up at the box office. Hope portrays theatrical critic Parker Ballantine, while Lucille Ball plays his wife Angela. Feeling "useless," Angela writes a play as a lark, then is amazed when it is optioned by a major producer. Parker does his best to get out of the responsibility of reviewing the play (which very well may be as bad as he thinks it is), but cannot escape the responsibility. Much of the verbal wit of the Levin original is sacrificed in favor of one-line quips; there is also an overabundance of gratuitous slapstick during a little-league game and the climactic "opening night" sequence. Still, Hope and Ball work together well as always. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, (more)
Two sisters (Jane Johnstone, Kathy McHaley) seek vengeance when they are evicted from their farmhouse and a gunslinging sheriff shoots down their moonshining father. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
Elvis Presley plays Guy Lambert, a musician (so far, so good) who is touring Great Britain (something Elvis never managed in real life). Jill Conway (Annette Day), a wealthy heiress, is a big fan of Guy's who has developed a very serious crush on him; her family wants to keep her away from the romantically-inclined singer, so they send her to Belgium, not realizing that Guy has a string of gigs set up there. En route to Brussels, a pair of hapless jewel thieves (Norman Rossington and Chips Rafferty) hide their loot in Guy's luggage, which makes the singer the unwitting target of three equally inept detectives (Harry, Herbert, and Sylvester Wiere). While wooing Jill and avoiding her treacherous uncle Gerald (John Williams), Guy also finds himself pursued by the worldly Claire Dunham (Yvonne Romain). Elvis sings nine songs along the way, including "Long Legged Girls with Short Dresses On" and "Baby, if You Give Me All Your Love." 18 months after Double Trouble was released, Presley's career was revitalized by his 1968 comeback special, though he would also release four more films before it aired. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Annette Day, (more)
- 1974
The 1932-vintage fire engine purchased by Roy (Kevin Tighe) and John (Kevin Tighe) a few episodes back has been fully restored, and is ready for the annual California Fire Fighters Parade. First, however, the paramedics will have to tackle a few emergencies, among them a department store fire with several casualties, a car accident caused by a heart patient, and a bitter child-custody battle which pours over into the hospital--with potentially tragic results. Featured in the supporting cast is buxom B-picture icon Yvette Vickers (Attack of the 50 Foot Woman etc.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
According to this cookie-cutter TV movie, every man needs a woman to put down his rampant chauvinism. Ken Berry is a swinging architect (yes, he has long sideburns) who doesn't believe that women should work. Enter Connie Stevens, a highly intelligent young lady whom Berry reluctantly hires as an assistant. There's lots of talk about women's liberation, but note how most of the liberated ladies wear miniskirts and go-go boots. Every Man Needs One is inexorably a product of the early 1970s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
- R
- Add Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex, But Were Afraid to Ask to QueueAdd Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex, But Were Afraid to Ask to top of Queue
Woody Allen's in-name-only adaptation of the once notorious sexual reference guide by Dr. David Reuben contains seven episodes based on "helpful" questions answered in the book. In "Do Aphrodisiacs Work?", Allen appears as a court jester who uses a love potion to spark the erotic interests of the Queen (Lynn Redgrave). "What Is Sodomy?" stars Gene Wilder as a doctor who throws away his marriage, career, and position in the community when he falls madly in love with an Armenian sheep named Daisy. "Why Do Some Women Have Trouble Reaching Orgasm?" is a parody of stylish Italian films of the '60s in which a slick playboy (Woody Allen) discovers his wife (Louise Lasser) can climax only when they make love in public places. In "Are Transvestites Homosexuals?," Sam (Lou Jacobi) has his little secret revealed at a most inopportune moment. "What Are Sex Researchers Actually Accomplishing?" features John Carradine in a great parody of his mad-scientist roles as Dr. Bernardo, whose research into human sexuality has led to a fearsome mutation -- a 50-foot tall female breast! "What Are Sexual Perversions?" takes us to a broadcast of the popular game show What's My Perversion?, in which Jack Barry leads a panel of celebrities (including Regis Philbin and Robert Q. Lewis) in guessing the erotic obsessions of their guests. And "What Happens During Ejaculation?" takes the audience inside the body of a man in the throes of passion; The Brain (Tony Randall) guides the body's functions, with the help of his assistant (Burt Reynolds), while Allen plays a nervous sperm cell not sure if he can make the big jump. While the quality of the episodes is uneven, the best rank with the funniest moments of Allen's career, especially Gene Wilder's touching romance with the sheep ("I think we can make this work, Daisy") and the final sequence inside the male body ("What if he's only masturbating? I'll end up on the ceiling somewhere!"). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Woody Allen, John Carradine, (more)
- 1964
Suspense builds around the investigation of a plane crash that caused 53 deaths in this dramatic adaption of Ernest K. Gann's novel. Authorities systematically eliminate probable causes, finally placing blame on the pilot, who was seen drinking before the flight. The airline's director of flight operations, Sam McBane (Glen Ford), knowing the pilot's excellent WW II record, refuses to accept the authorities' conclusions and begins his own investigation. With the help of the only survivor, a stewardess (Suzanne Pleshette), McBane re-creates the events leading to the crash in an attempt to discover the true cause. The character of the incriminated pilot, Captain Jack Savage (Rod Taylor), is revealed through a series of flashbacks, from a wartime army camp (with a cameo by Jane Russell) to the climactic moment of the thrilling crash. Milton Krasner's crisp cinematography earned him an Oscar nomination. ~ Lucinda Ramsey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glenn Ford, Nancy Kwan, (more)
- 1967
Stanley Adams guest stars as King Killiwani, a native chieftan who comes to the island in search of a White Goddess. Naturally, the female Castaways are thrilled at the prospect of being chosen for this honor. But when it turns out that the White Goddess is slated to be sacrificed to a volcano, Gilligan (Bob Denver) "courageously" dolls himself up in female drag to offer himself to the persistent Killiwani. Although no one--not the cast, not the producer, not the network--knew it at the time, this turned out to be the last half-hour episode of Gilligan's Island. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stanley Adams, Mickey Morton, (more)
- 1956
One of a group of captives rescued from the Cheyenne by the Cavalry is a 12-year-old white boy who has been raised as an Indian. Mary Cullen (Marian White) insists that the boy is her own son Dennis, kidnapped from her family in infancy. Despite the combined efforts of Mrs. Cullen and Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness), there's a strong possibility that the boy will ultimately choose to continue living with the Cheyenne rather than accept is "proper" place in white society. This episode is based on the Gunsmoke radio broadcast of September 24, 1955. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
One of Dodge's finest citizens is shot down in cold blood on Front Street. Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) soon discovers that he himself was the intended target, and that the killing was masterminded by an old enemy. But as the story unfolds, it turns out that there's a third man involved in the conspiracy. One of several episodes directed by frequent John Wayne collaborator Andrew McLaglen, "Spring Term" is based on the Gunsmoke radio broadcast of June 13, 1953. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Risking his life to save Caleb Musgrove (Stanley Adams) from being poisoned, Paladin (Richard Boone) finds out that his efforts are all for naught. The "poisoning" is just the latest in a long series of practical jokes perpetrated by Caleb on friends and strangers alike. Now Paladin must end Caleb's "reign of humor" before one of his so-called jokes backfires in a fatal fashion! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
Drugs are the focus of the exploitation film set in the Los Angeles harbor. The plot centers around a villain's evil scheme to raid a ship and abscond with surplus war drugs. To help him get backers for the heist, he begins showing criminals a slide show depicting his scheme. A young woman accompanies one of the leader's gang members as he takes the slide show to various gangsters. The woman falls in love with an ambulance driver and gets him involved in the scheme. During the actual caper, the mastermind is killed, the drugs are safe, and the driver and the woman walk away from the whole thing unscathed. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Russell, June Blair, (more)
In this South Seas adventure, a sea captain teams up with lovely island princess help her vanquish the brutal smugglers who are forcing her people to dive for pearls. There are French colonialists on the island and a judge is there to ensure justice. Unfortunately, he is crooked, and after the smugglers are captured he gives them a choice: they can help him retrieve a sunken treasure or they can go to prison. They choose the former, but afterward, they double-cross the judge. Fortunately, the sea captain is still around to see that justice is served. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
