Abner Biberman Movies
Born in Milwaukee, Abner Biberman migrated to Philadelphia, where after a he launched his acting career at the Hedgerow Theatre. Biberman wrote magazine articles and taught acting classes while establishing himself as both an actor and director on Broadway. His shifty eyes and disreputable appearance enabled Biberman to play villains of all nations: an Italian gangster in His Girl Friday (1940) an East Indian fanatic in Gunga Din (1939), a hostile Native American in any number of films. From the mid-1940s onward, Biberman was drama coach at Universal Pictures, which led to his first film directorial assignment, The Looters (1955). While Abner Biberman's theatrical films were mostly routine melodramas, his TV work embraced such prestige programs as The Twilight Zone, Ben Casey and Ironside. Abner Biberman was the husband of actress Joanna Barnes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1973
Not long after a close friend of Sgt. Ed Brown (Don Galloway) disappears, the friend's abandoned fishing boat, "The Dancing Doll", washes up on shore--bearing traces of blood and gunfire. The authorities conclude that the missing friend was somehow connected with a mob hit, which in turn is tied in with a gangster's convention being held in San Francisco. Though Ironside (Raymond Burr) warns Ed to stay off the case lest he let his heart rule his head, it is the Chief who ends up putting the pieces of the puzzle together. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
This episode marks a rare joint appearance by actor James Daly and his daughter Tyne Daly. The elder Daly is cast as Judge McIntire, who is presently touring college campuses giving lectures about a controversial death sentence he'd levied eight years earlier. During a classroom re-enactment of the trial, McIntire is himself marked to death by an unknown party. Law student Mark (Don Mitchell) must rely upon his boss Ironside (Raymond Burr) to save the judge's life and ferreting out the would-be "executioner". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
When a wealthy friend of the San Francisco police commissioner reports that his dog is missing, a disgruntled Ironside (Raymond Burr) passes the responsibility of locating the pooch to his assistants Ed (Don Galloway) and Eve (Barbara Anderson). Meanwhile, Mark (Don Mitchell) finds out that the lost dog is in the hands of some two-bit thieves who've decided to "achieve greatness" by kidnapping the pets of the rich and famous--and they're not above eliminating anyone who gets in their way. Frequent Ironside director Abner Biberman takes on an acting role in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Susan Saginor (Carla Borelli), the wife of bank executive Eric Saginor (John Saxon), is the victim of a kidnapping. Witnessing the crime is Susan's friend Eve (Barbara Anderson), who is also abducted. In his efforts to save the lives of both the banker's wife and his own assistant, Ironside is stymied by Saginor's lack of cooperation. Could the banker have engineered the kidnapping himself--or is there something even more sinister afoot? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
So far as the authorities are concerned, Ironside's artist friend Danny Fielder (William Burns) died just after confessing to the murder of his wife's chauffeur. Why, then, is a San Francisco gift shop prominently displaying a brand-new painting that was obviously created by the "late" Mr. Fielder? In order to get to the truth, Ironside (Raymond Burr) must reopen an old murder case--and in so doing, sets himself up as a candidate for a quick and painful death! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
In a small desert town, Ed (Don Galloway) is kidnapped by D.W. Donnelly (Clu Gulager), an escapee from a local prison farm. Ed soon figures out that the real villain of the piece is not Donnelly, but instead corrupt Sheriff Poole (Steve Forrest), who with his vicious deputy Hoag (William Smith) is using the farm to cover up his own criminal exploits. Filmed on location at Temecula, California, this episode is highlighted by the spectacular demise of Ironside's celebrated, state-of-the-art police van! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Ironside (Raymond Burr) investigates when a local college campus is besieged with phony bomb threats. It happens that there is another potentially explosive situation involving the bitterness between college newspaper editor Neal Morgan (Philip Chapin) and a pair of Army bomb-disposal squad members (played by stars-in-the-making Ed Asner and Gerald S. O'Loughlin). Things reach the crisis stage when a "fake" bombing turns real and one of the Army men is killed. This is the final episode of Ironside's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Ironside (Raymond Burr) comes to the aid of his old friend and comrade-in-arms Al Cervantes (Ricardo Montalban), a Mexican-American police detective accused of murdering an abortionist (which in 1968 was an illegal profession). Although the evidence against Cervantes seems overwhelming, Ironside suspects that the man is being framed. Other key players in this tense drama are crooked lawyer F.A. Hobarth (Robert Alda), shady boxer Valdez (Rafael Campos) and conspicuously missing B-girl Rita (Poupee Boucar). Future Marcus Welby MD costar Elena Verdugo appears as Cervantes' wife. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Anne Baxter guest stars as Ironside's attorney friend Carolyn White, whom the authorities have tagged as the "most obvious" suspect in the murder of her cheating spouse. Convinced that Carolyn is being framed, Ironside (Raymond Burr) dedicates himself to proving his thesis, while his colleagues accuse him of allowing his heart to rule his head. Meanwhile, the search goes on for the murder victim's missing body--a search that yields startling results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
In this suspenseful crime drama, a lawyer begins investigating the theft of some priceless Macedonian national treasures from a religious shrine. The film is made up of two episodes from the TV show Trials of O'Brien. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Falk, Britt Ekland, (more)
- 1968
Ironside (Raymond Burr) wants to find out why young Tim Patterson (Michael Christian) has forsaken a stellar college career to become a pool hustler. It turns out that Tim has taken it upon himself to square the huge gambling debts incurred by his ne'er-do-well brother Bobby (Carl Reindel)--a task made difficult by venal professional gembler Phil Vance (H.M. Wynant). The episode's highlight is a demonstration of the genuine pool-playing prowess of guest star Jack Albertson, cast as champion cue-wielder Money Howard. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
While on a test of new equipment -- for which only Nelson (Richard Basehart), Crane (David Hedison), and eight scientist-observers are aboard -- the Seaview loses all power nearly a mile below the surface. The 10 people aboard are trapped, unable to launch the Flying Sub and too deep to escape using diving gear or the mini-subs, and then they start getting killed off one by one, in what initially look like accidents. It's clear that one of them is stalking the others, but which one, and to what purpose? Nelson and Crane must find the identity of the murderer and the reason for the sabotage of the ship before it's too late. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Larry Storch guest stars as bank robber Jackson Farrell, who is dropped off on the island by helicopter after pulling off a big job. At first attempting to pass himself off as a visting doctor, Farrell reveals his true colors--not to mention a big gun--when his henchmen arrive. Taking the castaways prisoner, Farrell demands that Gilligan (Bob Denver) lead him to the hidden loot...but soon wishes he hadn't! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Larry Storch, Jack Sheldon, (more)
- 1964
This Twilight Zone episode was purportedly adapted by Charles Beaumont from his own short story "The Beautiful People," though it was actually scripted by an uncredited John Tomerlin. The story takes place in a futuristic society where conformity is not only encouraged, it is enforced. Plain-looking but fiercely individualistic Marilyn Cuberle (Collin Wilcox) balks at living in a world where everyone looks and thinks alike, but she may not have any choice in the matter. The episode's principal attraction rests in the multiple characterizations essayed by Suzy Parker, Richard Long, and Pam Austin. "Number 12 Looks Just Like You" first aired January 24, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzy Parker
- 1964
Hate hangs heavy in the air in the small midwestern town where accused murderer Jagger (Terry Becker) is sentenced to hang at sunrise. But there's a slight hitch in these plans -- though it is already mid-afternoon, the sun has failed to rise. Written by Rod Serling, this heavy-handed Twilight Zone episode may be the first filmed TV drama to make reference to the recent Kennedy assassination. Michael Constantine, Ivan Dixon, and George Lindsey ("Goober" on The Andy Griffith Show) are among the participants in "I Am the Night - Color Me Black," which made its network debut on March 27, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Constantine, Paul Fix, (more)
- 1964
Using the name "Douglas Beckett", Kimble (David Janssen) is hired as a chauffeur by the wealthy Glenn family. Rebellious Joanne Glenn (Katherine Crawford) is in love with impoverished pool boy Dan Holt (Mark Goddard), a romance her imperious mother Madge (Joan Tompkins) does everything in her power to break up. Discovering Kimble's true identity, Dan blackmails the fugitive into helping him woo Joanne without arousing the family's suspicions. Watch for a young Peter Duel (Alias Smith and Jones) as a handsome socialite. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
In the eighth volume in a collection culled from the 1963-1965 science fiction anthology television series, a bizarre experiment causes a psychiatrist and his unbalanced patient to swap identities. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Posing as "Leonard Hull", Kimble (David Janssen) journeys to a small Oklahoma town, where he is abruptly arrested by Sheriff Mayhew (Edward Asner). No, Mayhew hasn't recognized him as a fugitive from justice: Instead, the sheriff has mistaken Kimble for Leonard Hull (John Milford), who has escaped from the Witness Protection Program on the eve of testifying in a criminal trial. Upon arriving at the police station, Hull's wife Mavis (Norma Crane) surprisingly identifies Kimble as her husband. It turns out that Mavis wants Kimble to help her make good her husband's getaway before the Mob can catch up with him--a plan that may soon be scotched by a heaviliy disguised professional assassin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
While working as a farmhand, Kimble (David Janssen) is recognized from a wanted poster, and finds himself pursued by local sheriff Morgan Fallon (Don Gordon). Meanwhile, aging Samuel Cole (Arthur O'Connell), the town's former sheriff, is determined to make up for the tragic blunder of allowing a murderer to escape his clutches. Ultimately, Kimble is trapped by both Fallon and Cole, who engaged in a tense and potentially deadly "tug of war" with the hapless Fugitive. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
While posing as "Ben Horton", Kimble (David Janssen) is hired by Norma Sessions (Angie Dickinson) to look after her brother Leslie (Robert Duvall), a reclusive, embittered invalid. Someone getting through to the truculent Leslie, Kimble wins the man's trust and friendship. Meanwhile, Norma and her boyfriend Lars (John Ericson) hatch a scheme to murder Leslie for his insurance money--and pin the blame on Kimble. (Trivia alert: David Janssen and Angie Dickinson later costarred in the highly regarded 1977 TV movie A Sensitive Passionate Man, while Dickinson and Robert Duvall had both previously appeared in the 1963 Gregory Peck vehicle Captain Newman, M.D.). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Reginald Rose adapted the script for this Twilight Zone episode from his own 60-minute Studio One teleplay, which originally aired June 13, 1955. The earlier version starred Art Carney as Horace Ford, a middle-aged toy manufacturer with the temperament of a child. Forever yearning for the days of his idyllic childhood, Horace is at last able to relive his youth, only to find that things weren't quite as rosy as he remembered. Pat Hingle played the old Art Carney role in the Twilight Zone version of "The Incredible World of Horace Ford," which was first telecast April 18, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pat Hingle, Nan Martin, (more)
- 1962
Bearing traces of such earlier film offerings as The Great Gabbo and Dead of Night, the eerie Twilight Zone episode "The Dummy" was scripted by Rod Serling from a story by Lee Polk. Cliff Robertson stars as Jerry Etherson, a nightclub ventriloquist with a predilection for liquor and emotional problems. Weighing heavily upon Jerry is the fact that he feels threatened by his dummy Willy -- as well he should, since Willy seems to be doing all his talking on his own. Hoping to rid himself of his little nemesis, Jerry adopts a new wooden companion, Goofy Goggles, but Willy isn't about to be dismissed so easily. The supporting cast features future Gomer Pyle USMC regular Frank Sutton and perennial starlet Edy Williams. Stylishly directed by former actor Abner Biberman, "The Dummy" first aired May 4, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cliff Robertson, Frank Sutton, (more)
- 1962
This episode is a showcase for stalwart Untouchables supporting player Paul Picerni, here seen in his tradtional role as Federal agent Lee Hobson. After Hobson kills crooked attorney Wallace Lawton (Allyn Joslyn) in self-defense, Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) surprises him by taking credit for the killing. No, Stack isn't a glory-grabber: He merely wants to protect Hobson from retaliation at the hands of the "nameless, faceless" Syndicate boss who'd been in cahoots with the late Mr. Lawton. Unfortunately, the anonymous "silent partner" manages to have Hobson kidnapped, and for a while it looks like the intrepid agent is slated for that dreaded Last Ride. Key players in this melodrama include stars-to-be Burt Convy as an ill-fated nightclub comedian and Dyan Cannon as the comic's songstress girlfriend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Robert Stack plays a dual role in this episode, as Federal agent Elliot Ness and his lookalike, two-bit bookie Whitey Steele. Posing as Whitey, Ness heads to San Francisco in hopes of smashing a heroine distribution ring operating out of a racetrack-infromation service run by hoodlums Joe Kulak (Oscar Beregi) and Gregory Pindar (Eduardo Ciannelli). Tension begins to mount when it looks like Ness' cover will be blown right in the middle of a huge gangland convention attended by the top mobsters from 24 different cities. Murray Hamilton steals the show as a shady newspaper reporter who never lets anyone (least of all the audience) know which side he's really on. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Flood Tide can be described as The Children's Hour gone ballistic. Michel Ray is David Gordon a sweet-faced little boy who dotes on his widowed mother Anne (Cornell Borchers) - but has a nasty, pathological penchant for lying. When a body washes up on the beach and a man is arrested, David tells a few "convenient" lies that get the fellow arrested. The owner of the adjacent beach house, Steve Martin (George Nader) returns from a trip, learns of the situation, and discusses in detail why he thinks the boy is being deceptive; he then spends the rest of the movie romantically pursuing Anne while attempting to earn David's trust and extract a confession from him that will free the unjustly convicted fellow. Flood Tide was directed by Abner Biberman, who as a former movie villain had a good grasp of what makes a sociopath tick--even a ten-year-old one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Nader, Cornell Borchers, (more)
