Jack Arnold Movies
Originally an actor on the Broadway stage, Jack Arnold went on to become one of the most beloved B-movie directors in the history of Hollywood. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Arnold became a director of short subjects, earning one Oscar nomination. In 1953, he moved up to feature films, and quickly showed a propensity for action and crime pictures, which he delivered with good pacing and performances. His breakthrough came with Creature From The Black Lagoon and It Came From Outer Space, two 3-D titles that were among the most successful done in that short-lived format. Arnold's subsequent pictures, including The Incredible Shrinking Man, showed a lyricism and sensitivity that was rare in B-movies of the time, and even the films that he wrote but didn't direct, such as The Monolith Monsters, showed unexpected depth, while his High School Confidential could be the best teen exploitation ever made, and has made millions in the decades since it was originally released. After The Mouse That Roared--a British satiric comedy that achieved an international following--Arnold saw his opportunities in feature films drying up, and took a position at the CBS television network, where, as part of his job, he rescued Gilligan's Island from oblivion, and directed an award-winning network special. Chronic illness halted his career in the 1970s, and despite the attempts by other, younger director admirers to help him get pictures, Arnold was largely inactive during the 1980s. He died in 1992 after a long illness. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi- 2009
This biting, acerbic black comedy from Denmark concerns poor Alex Kleins (Anders Matthesen), a real estate executive who gives new meaning to the term "down and outer." Completely bankrupt and thus on the brink of destruction, he finds himself pushed over the edge by an obnoxious, vexing family and clients with lousy taste and excessive wealth. And to top it all off, Alex finds it impossible to sell his own house. As a last result, he responds to all of these pressures in a desperate and thoroughly repellent manner. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Starring:
- Anders Matthesen, Iben Dorner, (more)
Filled with enough cameos to keep film buffs entertained, this otherwise routine action-comedy by John Landis boasts Michelle Pfeiffer as one of its major attractions. She plays Diana, a woman prone to having affairs with some very dangerous men, and Jeff Goldblum is Ed Okin, an aerospace engineer whose lot is thrown in with Diana's when the woman is caught in a bind at the airport. The beautiful Diana is an airhead on the scale of the Hindenberg, her only concerns are clothes and men -- which she either most attractively wears or wears out, depending. While Ed is at the airport one day trying to sort out his life, Diana arrives with six smuggled emeralds in tow and is immediately welcomed by several hired assassins. Fear and expediency propel her into Ed's car, and the two are off on a series of narrow escapes that has them pursued by everyone from Iranians to baddies played by well-known international directors (Roger Vadim) or singers (David Bowie) or comedians (Dan Aykroyd). ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Pfeiffer, (more)
- 1981
An episode of the television series, with Buck, Wilma, Hawk, and the crew plunged into strange surroundings because of a mysterious green box. ~ Rovi
- 1980
The title of this made-for-TV biopic is faintly risible: is there anything about Marilyn Monroe that we don't know by now? Pleasingly enough, the story is told in a straightforward, nonexploitive manner (the affair with JFK warrants no more than a throwaway line). Emmy-nominated Catherine Hicks plays Marilyn, nee Norma Jean Baker. We follow her progress from orphanages and foster homes to her first 20th Century-Fox contract at age 20. Considered "washed up" before her career has gotten off the ground, Marilyn is rescued both professionally and emotionally by her agent/lover Johnny Hyde (Richard Basehart). She rises to full stardom and is the center of attention of two "ideal" marriages, first to baseball player Joe DiMaggio, then to Arthur Miller (neither of whom are depicted on screen). But Marilyn remains a lonely, tragic figure, a victim as much of her own demons as of Hollywood's exploitation mill. Based loosely on Norman Mailer's highly suspect biography of the actress, Marilyn: The Untold Story premiered on September 28, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1977
- PG
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This comical western chronicles the silly adventures of a bumbling wagonmaster and his clutzy assistant as they attempt to take seven passengers across the prairie. Among the passengers are two wealthy Bostonians, an aspiring showgirl, a teacher, and bachelor. The story is adapted from Dusty's Trail, a television sitcom. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1977
Sex and the Married Woman stars Joanna Pettet as a housewife and Barry Newman as her liberal-minded husband. Encouraging his wife to find her "inner self," Newman has no notion that Pettet will translate this invitation into writing a book based on the sex habits of her friends and neighbors. The book becomes a best-seller, Pettet becomes a celebrity, and Newman seethes with envy. When first telecast in 1977, Sex and the Married Woman was advertised on the basis of its large cast of celebrity cameos (Jayne Meadows, Keenan Wynn, etc.) Virtually ignored was the fourth-billed F. Murray Abraham, seven years away from his Oscar win as Salieri in 1984's Amadeus. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1977
- PG
Filmed on location in Zurich, Switzerland, The Swiss Conspiracy is concerned with a Swiss bank that discovers some of its clients are becoming the victim of a brilliant blackmailer. The bank's president (Ray Milland) contacts David Christopher (played by David Janssen), a former agent with the U.S. Treasury, to help discover who the blackmailer is and to foil his plot. As Christopher delves into the mystery, he uncovers a complicated web of intrigue, car chases, and shoot-outs that takes all of his wits to unravel. Along the way, Christopher encounters the beautiful Denise Abbott (Senta Berger), with whom he develops a relationship, as well as Rita Jensen (Elke Sommer) and Robert Hayes (John Saxon), who know more than they are willing to tell. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi
In this film, the mischievous girls at a British boarding school concoct a competition to see who can seduce visiting dignitaries. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi
A black cowboy saves a frontier town from both the law and the bad guys in this western written by and starring Fred "The Hammer" Williamson. Boss (Williamson) is an African-American bounty hunter traveling though the Wild West with his best friend and sidekick Amos (D'urville Martin), gunning down wanted men and claiming the rewards when they make their way into town. When Boss bests a man in a gunfight, he discovers the victim had an invitation to become sheriff of San Miguel, a town under the control of notorious outlaw Jed Clayton (William Smith). Boss and Amos head to San Miguel, hoping to claim the hefty reward for capturing Clayton, but they discover the corrupt and venal Mayor Griffin (R.G. Armstrong) has to be bullied into making a black man sheriff. When Boss shoots two of Clayton's henchman during a barroom brawl, it brings the outlaw out of hiding, but it also makes life dangerous for anyone who dares to side with Boss, including Clara Mae (Carmen Hayworth), a beautiful woman he rescued from an ambush that claimed her father. Boss also finds time for a romantic assignation with Miss Pruitt (Barbara Leigh), the town's pretty schoolmarm, and Amos's new career as deputy allows him to interpret certain laws to his own advantage. Boss Nigger was also distributed under the less controversial title The Black Bounty Hunter, and has been released on home video simply as Boss. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- 1974
Best known for directing several popular science-fiction films in the 1950s, Jack Arnold turned to blaxploitation with this gritty crime film. Fred Williamson stars as Shep Stone, who becomes a private detective after being suspended from the police department. The usual sleazy setpieces deal with porno producers (one of whom, Bret Morrison, was the voice of The Shadow on radio), drugs, and murder. Teresa Graves (Get Christie Love!) co-stars with Rosemary Forsyth and The $6,000,000 Man's Richard Anderson in this average, but entertaining potboiler. Williamson and Arnold re-teamed for Boss Nigger the same year. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi
When irascible boss T.R. Hollister (Jim Backus) threatens to pull the plug on an underwater environmental living project, employee Fred Miller (Tony Randall) and his wife, Vivian (Janet Leigh), take their family down in the deep to live for 30 days. With all the modern conveniences of a home on land, the family even invites a rock & roll band to get down and record. Merv Griffin (himself) arranges an underwater interview for his television show while Mel Cheever (Ken Berry) schemes to get Fred's job back on dry land. Two of the Miller kids, Lorrie (Kay Cole) and Tommy (Gary Tigerman), join three others (Richard Dreyfuss, Roddy McDowall, and Lou Wagner) in the rock band. Friendly dolphins fend of shark attacks as the land sharks try to scuttle the underwater project in this family film. Music is provided by Jeff Barry. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tony Randall, Janet Leigh, (more)
- 1966
Once again, the castaways are certain that rescue is just around the corner. This time, the catalyst for their high hopes is a section of a telephone cable that has washed ashore. Quickly rigging up a makeshift telephone, the castaways attempt to make a long-distance call to civilization--only to be forced to battle the bull-headed bureaucracy of the telephone company! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sandra Gould
- 1966
Millionaire Mr. Howell (Jim Backus) is aghast by a radio bulletin indicating that he has returned to Civilization and is spending his money like a sailor. This news can mean only one thing: Someone is impersonating Mr. Howell, prompting the nervous millionaire to offer a huge reward to any Castaway who can come up with a plan to get himself rescue. The plot thickens when the phony Mr. Howell (also Jim Backus) washes up on the island and takes the real one's place! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
The Castaways wonder what the cause is when the Skipper (Alan Hale Jr) starts itching and sneezing uncontrollably. Eventually, however, the awful truth is revealed: The Skipper only goes into his sneezing fits whenever Gilligan (Bob Denver) shows up, indicating that the old boy is allergic to his first mate. In desperation, the Professor (Russell Johnson) cooks up a potential cure for the Skipper's allergy, but it fails disastrously. All ends well, however, when it is discovered that the fault lies not with Gilligan but with his hair--or rather, what's in his hair. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
When the Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.) shows signs of losing his strength, the Professor (Russell Johnson) concludes that the Castaways are seriously deficient in Vitamin C. Alas, there is only a handful of orange seeds left on the island, which Gilligan (Bob Denver) is assigned to guard throughout the night. Inevitably, our hero falls asleep at his post, leading to a surrealistic "Jack and the Beanstalk" nightmare in which the Skipper is cast as the Giant! Incidentally, the "Little Gilligan" in the dream sequence is played by Patrick Denver, the real-life son of series star Bob Denver. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Patrick Ryan Denver
- 1966
Versatile dialectitian Vito Scotti, cast as a misplaced WW2 Japanese solider during Season One of Gilligan's Island, makes a return visit to the island, this time in the role of mad scientist Dr. Boris Balinkoff (Vito Scotti). Promising to rescue the Castaways, Balinkoff transports them to his spooky old castle, where his sinister purpose is revealed: He plans to use our seven heroes and heroines for his experiments in personality-switching. Before long, everybody is speaking and acting like everyone else: The Professor (Russell Johnson) sounds like Mary Ann (Dawn Wells), Mary Ann sounds like the Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.), and worst of all, the mind and personality of the voluptuous Ginger (Tina Louise) has been switched with that of Balinkoff's brutish assistant Olaf (Mike Mazurki)! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Vito Scotti, Mike Mazurki, (more)
- 1966
There seems to be no limit to the people and things which are capable of making their way to the Castaways' island. This time, the little uncharted speck of sand and foliage is the landing site for a huge meteor. The Professor (Russell Johnson) warns that the extraterrestrial rock may be festooned with radioactivity--and it sure seems like he's on target when the Castaways begin to age rapidly! This is the final episode of Gilligan's Island's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1965
Everyone falls under suspicion when Mrs. Howell's diamond brooch disappears. What no one realizes--at least not at first--is that the "thief" is actually a gorilla (played by famed stuntman and animal imitator Janos Prohaska), who tips his hand by kidnapping Mrs. Howell (Natalie Schafter). Turns out that the big ape is actually attracted to Mrs. Howell's perfume, which Gilligan (Bob Denver) soon learns to his dismay when he himself is drenched in the aromatic liquid. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Janos Prohaska
- 1965
In her neverending efforts to bring culture to the island, Mrs. Howell (Natalie Schafer) organizes a Castaway Orchestra. Much of the music that results is pretty wretched, save for the percussion section, which consists primarily of Gilligan (Bob Denver) on the drums. In fact, Gilligan's persistent beat-beat-beat of the tom-toms has a remarkable effect on the natives of a neighboring island--who are convinced that the drums are tapping out a war chant! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Frank Corsentino, Russ Grieve, (more)
- 1965
A bump on the head causes the Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.) to suffer from amnesia. Things get worse when the Skipper imagines that he's still fighting WW2, and that the other castaways are all invading Japanese soldiers! The Professor (Russell Johnson) tries to bring an end to the Skipper's delusion via hypnosis, with the usual hilarious results. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1965
When Gilligan digs up a strange-looking gemstone, the Skipper is certain that the stone has magical powers. In fact, the Skipper tells Gilligan that if he makes three wishes before sundown, all three will come true. After wasting the first two wishes on ice cream, Gilligan is determined to make the third wish count--and as the sun sets in the west and the other Castaways gather around him, Gilligan closes his eyes and shouts "I wish we were off the island!" (Too bad he couldn't have been more specific, however). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1965
The latest fad on the island is turtle racing, and Mr. Howell (Jim Backus) is the luckiest castaway at the track. Even when Howell feels sorry for the perennially-losing Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.) and attempts to "fix" a race, the millionaire emerges the winner again. Ultimately, Mr. Howell wins all of the Skipper's prized possessions--including Gilligan (Bob Denver), who becomes the Howells' houseboy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1965
Harold J. Stone guest stars as Alexi Gregor Dubov, an eccentric painter who has arrived on the island to escape civilization. It turns out that Dubov has a short-wave radio transmitter--but he has no intention of using it to help the castaways get of the island. In an effort to force Dubov to contact the mainland, the castaways devise a devastating blow to the painter's ego by convincing him that goofy Gilligan (Bob Denver) is an artistic genius. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Harold J. Stone
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