George Bloomfield Movies

Love and Murder is based on Murder at the Mendel, the first of the "Joanne Kilbourn" mysteries written by Gail Bowen. Traumatized by the murder of her husband, former police detective Joanne Kilbourn (Wendy Crewson) resigns from the force to look after her children--and when money gets tight, she launches a whole new career as a college lecturer. Inevitably, Joanne is drawn back into detective work when her childhood friend Sally Love (Caroline Goodall) is accused of murdering her ex-husband, in a manner reminiscent of the mysterious death of Sally's father twenty years earlier. Also figuring into the case is a sinister obstetrician. Counting upon the assistance of her former partner Inspector Philip Millard (Victor Garber), Joanne sets about assembling clues and interviewing suspects in hopes of saving Sally--and purging a few privates demons of her own. Originally telecast April 16, 2000, on Canadian TV as part of the off-and-on "Criminal Instinct" series, Love and Murder has since been added to the regular TV-movie rotation of America's Lifetime cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Like the various incarnations of Anne of Green Gables, the Canadian TV series Emily of New Moon was based on the works of novelist Lucy Maud Montgomery. Set in the 1890s, the series starred Martha MacIsaac as Emily Byrd Starr, who after the deaths of her parents was sent to live with her middle-aged aunts Elizabeth (Susan Clark) and Laura (Sheila McCarthy) in the Prince Edward Island community of New Moon. An aspiring writer, Emily possessed an extremely vivid imagination, which frequently resulted in a heap of trouble for herself and her oddball adult cousin Jimmy (Stephen McHattie). Forty-six hour-long episodes were shown over the CBC during a two-year period beginning January 4, 1998. At the outset of the 21st century, Emily of New Moon was picked up for TV exposure in the United States by the Movieplex cable service. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this follow-up to the previous episode "Gray," Nikita (Peta Wilson) is still romantically involved with architect Gray Wellman (Callum Keith Rennie) -- and in fact, Gray is the first and only true love of her life. Alas, if she doesn't dump Wellman and concentrate all her attention on Section One's planned capture of a drug lord, Nikita faces the likelihood of being "canceled." Making matters worse, a rogue CIA agent takes a hand in matters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Birkoff (Matthew Ferguson) is alerted to the fact that a nuclear bomb is being smuggled into the United States. The only witness to this operation is Rudy (Maury Chaykin), a mentally challenged pizza deliverer who accidentally spotted the smugglers at a large municipal airport. When Rudy is brought into Section One for debriefing, Nikita (Peta Wilson) realizes that he will never be allowed to leave alive, and tries to help him. But there may not be any time to help anyone: Unless the bomb is intercepted within 24 hours, a major American city will be wiped from the face of the Earth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fraser (Paul Gross) and Ray (David Marciano) appear in Federal court to testify against Randal Bolt (Kenneth Welsh), the terrorist leader who attempted to hijack a trainload of singing mounties in the previous episode "All the Queen's Horses." Unfortunately for the two lawmen, the courtroom is invaded by Ray's cousins, who intend to free the terrorist and kill off his accusers. The climax finds our heroes strapped to a bomb that is set to go off if their combined heartrate exceeds 200 beats per minute. First broadcast on Canadian television, this episode made its US debut on May 24, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The reticent owner of a small bed and breakfast sets out on the adventure of a lifetime after joining a rugged bounty hunter in his search for an elusive antiques smuggler. Sara is a woman who never took any risks in life. She always lived strictly by the book, but her life is about to be turned upside down by Flynn, a handsome bounty hunter on the trail of a convicted antiques smuggler. Now, as Sara and Flynn pose as archeologists, art collectors, and husband and wife, a passion that the reserved bed and breakfast owner never knew existed is suddenly awakened. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Due South regular Daniel Kash exits the series in spectacular fashion when his character, Chicago detective Louis Gardino, is killed by a bomb intended for Ray (David Marciano). His grief exacerbated by a thirst for vengeance, Ray goes after the man whom he thinks is responsible for Gardino's death: Mafia boss Frank Zuko (Jim Bracchita), who grew up in Ray's neighborhood. Complicating matters is the growing romantic relationship between Ray and Zuko's sister Irene (Carrie-Ann Moss)--a relationship that leads inexorably to another tragedy. First broadcast on Canadian television, this episode made its US debut on February 2, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Leslie Nielsen makes a return appearance as "legendary" Canadian mountie Sgt. Buck Frobisher, as do Alex Carter and Mark Melymick as well-meaning but bumbling FBI agents Ford and Deeter. Frobisher is among a group of singing mounties on board a train bound for an American concert. These redcoated songbirds as hijacked by a group of terrorists, led by Randal Bolt (Kenneth Walsh), who intend to kill everyone on board the train whether their demands are met or not. The climax involves a runaway choo-choo and Frobisher's sudden attack of "excess gas." Drama students will appreciate the character names given the members of the phony movie production crew. First broadcast on Canadian television, this episode made its US debut on April 12, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Rick Rossovich guest stars as Canadian pro hockey player Mark Smithbauer, an old friend of Benton Fraser (Paul Gross). Alas, Mark is not the Mark that Fraser remembers from his youth: Where once he played for love of the game, Smithbauer has become an arrogant, money-grubbing jerk. Even worse is the fact that Mark has apparently been bribed to lose a game by vicious bookmaker Broda (Miguel Fernandes). It should surprise no one that this episode ends with a wild car-and-skate chase through the icy streets of Chicago. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fraser (Paul Gross) finds himself in a comedy of errors that threatens to turn tragic at a moment's notice. Through no fault of his own, Fraser ends up in a compromising situation with bird-brained Katherine Burns (Jane Krakowski), the fiancee of hot-tempered Nigel Ellis (Nicholas Campbell). No sooner has Ellis been convinced that there's no hanky-panky between Fraser and Katherine than another embarrassing turn of events makes things seem far worse than before. As Ellis prepares to avenge his honor, Ray (David Marciano) and Diefenbaker race to Fraser's rescue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Canceled by CBS at the end of its first season, the lighthearted cop series Due South was kept alive for a second season on Canada's CTV network. And a good thing, too -- stuck with a lackluster 1995-1996 lineup, CBS was able to bring Due South back to American screens as a midseason replacement. By now, transplanted Canadian mountie Benton Fraser (Paul Gross) has grown comfortable in his new Chicago surroundings -- though whether or not Chicago is comfortable with the unorthodox, incredibly naïve Constable Fraser, to say nothing of Fraser's unpredictable pet wolfhound Diefenbaker, is another matter entirely! Still partnered with street-smart Chicago police detective Ray Vecchio (David Marciano), and still the object of affection for both the 27th precinct's civilian aide Elaine (Catherine Bruhler) and Ray's brash young sister Francesca (Ramona Milano), Benton is now the servant of two masters, answerable to both Ray's superior officer Captain Welsh (Beau Starr) and his own commander at the local Canadian Consulate, the beautiful but stern Inspector Margaret Thatcher (Camilla Scott). Though there's no love lost between Benton and Margaret at the outset of the season, their relationship has warmed up considerably by year's end. Assisting Benton at the Consulate is the bumbling Constable Renfield Turnbull (Dean McDermott). Other cast additions this season are Captain Welsh's boss and erstwhile girlfriend, Cmdr. Sherry O'Neill (Sherry Miller), and Ray Vecchio's irksome ex-wife Angie -- ironically played by actor David Marciano's real-life spouse (Katayoun Marciano). Absent from the proceedings is Daniel Kash as Det. Louie Gardino, the partner of Ray's chief detective rival Jack Huey (Tony Craig). Though Due South was quite popular in Canada, it didn't do particularly well in the US, and was canceled (again!) by CBS at the end of its second season. Fortunately, CTV was able to finance two additional seasons for Canadian consumption with the help of various foreign TV distributors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Newly moved to Chicago to take on his duties as Deputy Liason Officer at the Canadian Consulate, RCMP constable Benton Fraser (Paul Gross) leaps right into his erstwhile partnership with Chi-town police detective Ray Vecchio (David Marciano) when the two of them appoint themselves protectors of 12-year-old purse snatcher Willie Lambert (Chris Babers). Having witnessed an armed robbery, Willie now knows too much to stay alive--or at least that's his story. By the time Fraser and Vecchio have confirmed to their satisfaction that the habitual-liar Willie is telling the truth this time out, the crooks are in hot pursuit, leading to a climactic chase through the streets of Chicago in a horse-drawn carriage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide