Karen Arthur Movies
Upon arriving in Hollywood in the 1960s, Omaha-born actress Karen Jensen discovered that there was already a Karen Jensen active in films and TV. Thus it was that Nebraska's Ms. Jensen became Karen Arthur. Under this new billing, she appeared in such films as Guide for the Married Man (1967) and Paul Newman's Winning (1969). Shifting her activities to the other side of the camera, Karen Arthur produced and directed the 1972 incest drama My Sister, My Love (originally released as The Mafu Cage), and later became one of the regular directors on TV's Cagney and Lacey, winning an Emmy for the tense 1984 episode "Heat." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Candace Cameron Bure and Tom Arnold star in this warm holiday comedy about the spirit of Christmas. A prodigal daughter returns to her father's business -- a Christmas village -- to discover that grinches are set to take the town away from him. However, they weren't counting on her business savvy or people's love for the holiday, and Santaville may just be saved from greedy hands. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Candace Cameron Bure
Made for television, The Christmas Blessing is a sequel to the earlier CBS holiday offering The Christmas Shoes, with Rob Lowe briefly reprising his portrayal of Robert Layton, a lawyer whose life was forever changed by a pair of "enchanted" shoes. This time around, the shoes have passed into the hands of Tucker Bennett (Shaun Johnston), the son of a seriously ill youngster named Charlie (Angus T. Jones. As fate would have it, Charlie is a student of schoolteacher Meghan (Rebecca Gayheart), who is endeavoring to set up a day-care center for single moms in the small town where she lives. At the same time in the same town, young medical resident Nathan Andrews (Neil Patrick Harris), his self-confidence shattered by the death of a teenage patient on the operating table, has returned home to work in the garage owned by his dad Jack (Shaun Johnston). In due course, Nathan meets Meghan and Charlie, and becomes intimately involved in the trials and tribulations of both, leading to an emotional climax in which Nathan must decide whether or not to summon his dormant medical skills to save Charlie's life. Singers NewSong and Blake Shelton appear as themselves, respectively performing the title song and the new composition "Nobody But Me". The Christmas Blessing originally aired on December 18, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neil Patrick Harris, Rebecca Gayheart, (more)
- 2002
Adapted from the bestselling novel by Richard Paul Evans, the made-for-TV The Locket stars Vanessa Redgrave as Esther Huish, an elderly, embittered resident of a nursing home. Into Esther's life comes young attendant Michael Keddington (Chad Willett), who like Esther has been forced to live a life of self-sacrifice and shattered dreams. Ever since his father deserted the family, Michael has cared for his ailing mother, putting his chances for college on what seems to be permanent hold. Now that his mother is dead, Michael is facing another crisis over which he has no control: The domineering father of Michael's fiancée has refused to bless the approaching wedding. Even so, Michael makes it his mission in life to make Esther's final years as comfortable and rewarding as possible; thus, he dedicates himself to locating Esther's long-lost love, using only a faded picture in a locket as his guide. As it turns out, it is Esther who "saves" Michael when the young man is accused of murdering another nursing-home resident. A CBS "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation, The Locket first aired on December 8, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Spinsterish New England college professor Gwen Barry (Frances Fisher) takes advantage of a prison work furlough program by hiring soon-to-be-released convict Dalton Roy (Derwin Jordan) as a handyman. As time goes by, Gwen falls in love with Dalton, and he reciprocates. Upon his release, however, Dalton breaks off with Gwen in favor of a sweetheart closer to his own age, college student Tamara (Kandyse McClure). But by now, Gwen's affection has morphed into an unhealthy obsession, and she is fully willing to destroy Dalton rather than see him slip through her fingers. Filmed in Nova Scotia, the made-for-cable Passion and Prejudice debuted April 17, 2001 on the USA network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frances Fisher, Derwin Jordan, (more)
- 2000
Based on Willa Cather's novel of the same name, The Song of the Lark follows Thea Kronborg (Alison Elliott) throughout her youth in the farm country of Colorado. Desperate to sing, Thea starts out in the confines of her father's church. Despite the doubts of many, she feels singing is her calling in life, and works steadfastly until landing a chance to perform in New York City. The film also features Maximilian Schell, Tony Goldwyn, Norman Lloyd, and Arliss Howard. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Acclaimed author Willa Cather offers a moving tale of an artist's self-discovery in a semi-autobiographical tale concerning a young woman from rural Colorado who moves to the big city to seek her fortune as a world-famous opera star. Originally aired as part of PBS' popular Masterpiece Theatre series, The Song of the Lark details the passion of young singer Thea Kronborg (Alison Elliott) as she strives to make a name for herself in the world of music along with a little encouragement from a country doctor, a railroad worker, and a millionaire, who assist her in her musical development. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alison Elliott, Maximilian Schell, (more)
This Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation was based on a true story, as set down in the book Looking for Lost Bird by Yvette Melanson and Claire Safran. The heroine, a thirty-something woman named Rebecca, is an adoptee raised by a Jewish family. Though the fact that she was adopted was never in doubt, Rebecca (or "Becks," as she is known to her friends and family) was kept in the dark as to her actual heritage. Only after the deaths of her adoptive parents, and her subsequent marriage, does Rebecca touch base with her natural parents and her three siblings -- all of whom are Native Americans living on a Navajo reservation in Arizona. As Rebecca begins a whole new life under her true name of Odette Marie Monroe, her husband Jack and their children undergo a few changes of their own, not all them pleasurable. The winner of a CAMIE Award (for "Character and Morality in Entertainment"), The Lost Child originally aired November 19, 2000 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mercedes Ruehl, Jamey Sheridan, (more)
- 1998
A nun's prayers seem to be answered when an enigmatic carpenter mysteriously appears to build a new spiral staircase for her church. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Hershey, William L. Petersen, (more)
Originally a two-part, five-hour NBC miniseries, this turn-of-the-20th-century tale follows the adventures of a headstrong American woman who sets forth to fulfill her dreams of becoming a professional photographer. Along the way, she makes many sacrifices. The story also chronicles the lives of this woman's daughter and grandaughter, both of whom come to draw strength and inspiration from the extraordinary life of their matriarch. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lea Thompson, Ellen Burstyn, (more)
- 1998
A gay man's good friend agrees to bear his child, but once impregnated has second thoughts, due in part to her love affair with a handsome journalist. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marcia Gay Harden, David Marshall Grant, (more)
Based on a true story, this Civil War-era epic centers on the exploits of Sarah Ashby McClure (Dana Delany) and her sister Euphemia (Annabeth Gish) as they try to make their way on the male-dominated West Texas plains. When their home is threatened by Mexican forces and Native American warriors, the sisters lead their family and friends to safety. Based on the book by Janice Woods Windle, True Women also co-stars Rachael Leigh Cook, Angelina Jolie, and Tina Majorino. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Delany, Annabeth Gish, (more)
- 1995
The life story of actress Mia Farrow is told in this made-for-television movie. Patsy Kensit portrays Farrow, whose life took many interesting turns, from her rise to stardom while starring in Peyton Place to her rocky marriage to Frank Sinatra. The film also explores her later years with director Woody Allen, including their adoption of needy children and the subsequent scandal surrounding Allen and their kids. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- 1995
A charming demeanor cannot mask the misogyny in husband Brad's heart, something that drives his wife to divorce him. Desperate to insure that his son's are not raised by their mother, Brad begins to plan her death. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Olin, Lindsay Frost, (more)
- 1993
Christina (Claire Yarlett) disappears while taking a little excursion on a friend's yacht. It looks like an accident to some, like suicide to others. There are also those who believe that Christina was killed by her businessman husband (John Stamos). He is convinced that she's still alive -- but the police think otherwise and charge him with murder. A USA Cable Network suspense thriller, The Disappearance of Christina debuted on November 9, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
In Secret, a Cape Cod businessman (Kirk Douglas) plans to run for political office until his grandson's battle with dyslexia force him to acknowledge that he suffers from the same disorder. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, Bruce Boxleitner, (more)
- 1992
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A two-part made for TV effort, this special depicts the dysfunctional Jackson family, which has somehow managed to raise its children in such a way that they have managed to rise above their steel town backgrounds to the tops of the charts in the music field. Though obviously not delving into the more controversial and sensational aspects of their lives, this story is a somewhat rose-colored but still interesting pictorial history of the exceptional musical family. If nothing else, worth watching for the incredible music and choreography. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Angela Bassett, (more)
- 1991
In this remake of a classic Hitchcock thriller, a niece begins believing that her beloved uncle is a cold-blooded killer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Harmon, Margaret Welsh, (more)
- 1991
Karen Arthur, the Emmy-winning director of Cagney and Lacey, was in the driver's seat for the made-for-TV psychological terror film Bump in the Night. Meredith Baxter-Birney plays a onetime famous reporter who's drunk herself into near-oblivion. Her turbulent life takes a desperate turn when her 8-year-old son (Corey Carrier) is kidnapped by a dangerous pedophile (Christopher Reeves). The boy has escaped from his captor, and now his mother must find him before the kidnapper does. Richard Bradford plays the cop on the case, who'd rather do without the interference of Ms. Baxter-Birney. Bump in the Night is commendably subtle and straightforward in handling the potentially lurid details of its story. Historical note: In March of 1995, Bump in the Night became the first feature film ever telecast on the E! Entertainment Cable Network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
The Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker story was a "natural" for TV-movie adaptation, and Fall From Grace more than fills the bill. Bernadette Peters heaps on makeup by the trowel as Tammy Faye, the wife of televangelist Jim Bakker (here played with boyish fanaticism by Kevin Spacey). The Bakkers build up their "PTL" organization ("Praise the Lord") into a massive empire encompassing millions of dollars in donations, a cable-TV network, valuable land holdings and a garish religious theme park, Heritage USA. A North Carolina newspaper rocks the boat by investigating inequities in the Bakkers' financial setup. The whole enterprise falls apart when it's discovered that Jim has siphoned off funds to cover up an extramarital affair. Telecast in the spring of 1990 to coincide with the beginning of Jim Bakker's long, long prison sentence, Fall From Grace tries to be fair...for at least fifteen minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Alfre Woodard plays a Los Angeles DA who moves back to her home town of New Orleans. She does this so that her teenaged son (Keith Williams) can be nearer to his estranged dad (Mario van Peebles). No sooner has Woodard arrived in "The Big Easy" than she is swept up in a local sex scandal. While the main plot is resolved, several secondary story lines are left unresolved, suggesting that Blue Bayou was the pilot film for an unsold series. The film was written by LA Law's Terry Louise Fisher and directed by Cagney and Lacey's Karen Arthur. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
This made-for-TV film represented the first speaking role for hearing-impaired actress Marlee Matlin. A happy wife and mother, Matlin is grief-stricken when her husband is killed in a car accident. Still not fully recovered after several weeks, Matlin must rely on her mother Lee Remick to care for her young daughter. Matlin puts her life back together by joining a theatre troupe comprised of deaf actors, one of whose members is played by Phyllis Frelich, who originated the role in the Broadway version of Children of a Lesser God that Marlee Matlin played in the film version (and won an Academy Award in the process). The film's climax is dictated by Lee Remick's efforts to gain full legal custody of Matlin's daughter. Bridge to Silence was first telecast April 9, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Randy Quaid plays the mayor of a small town in Alberta. Quaid also doubles as a the local high school history teacher, and it is in this capacity that he poses a threat to housewife Lindsay Wagner. Ms. Wagner takes a peek at her teenaged son's classroom notes, and comes to the correct conclusion that Quaid is espousing a philosophy of anti-Semitism. She is successful in having Quaid removed from his teaching job, but finds herself blocked by her own neighbors in getting Quaid ousted as mayor. Standing her ground against community hostility and physical threats, Wagner takes Quaid to court, hoping to exercise the Canadian laws against promoting race hatred. Based on a true story, the made-for-TV Evil in Clear River is a frightening glance at what can happen when "revisionist history" is filtered through the mind of a bigot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
The first TV movie to utilize the "new" drug of crack cocaine as a plot peg, Cracked Up stars James Wilder as a 17-year-old top student and athlete. Wilder and his best friend Rafael Sbarge make the fatal error of experimenting with Crack; while Sbarge is able to resist the drug's more debilitating effects, Wilder becomes a hopeless addict in a matter of minutes. Sbarge is forced to keep his friend's addiction a secret from Wilder's clergyman father, played by Ed Asner. But with Wilder stealing everything that isn't nailed down in order to feed his habit, it is only a matter of time before Asner will be forced to breach the communications gap between himself and his son. Cracked Up was originally an ABC Theatre of the Month presentation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
In this sexy thriller, Katya (Diane Lane) is a window dresser who specializes in displays with sexy, slightly kinky themes. Surrounded by the equipment of her trade -- mannequins and lingerie -- Katya lives in a loft apartment in downtown Pittsburgh. She spends her evenings taking baths by candlelight and thinking up new and more provocative window displays. She soon catches the eye of a stalker who watches her as she works in the window of the department store and begins following her home to spend his evenings watching her through her picture windows. He also makes frightening phone calls to her and intercepts her mail. One evening, while she is on a party cruise with a reporter with whom she has become romantically involved, the stalker breaks into her apartment and is surprised by Katya when she returns home. Tired of being harassed, Katya sets a trap, which leads to an interesting, and surprisingly non-violent ending. Diane Lane is appealing and attractive as Katya and the film, while uneven and frequently implausible, is entertaining and fun. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diane Lane, Michael Woods, (more)
