Jameson Brewer Movies
With a career that spanned over five decades and encompassed virtually every kind of media, writer Jameson Brewer is admired by legions of animation fans for his efforts in translating such Japanese anime television series as Voltron and Battle of the Worlds for U.S. television. Brewer got off to an impressive start in the business with story work on Disney's Fantasia (1940), and in addition to putting pen to paper for such classic small-screen dramas as Ethel Barrymore Theater and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, he also began building an extensive list of feature credits that included Sweet Genevieve (1947), Okinawa (1952), and Ghost Town (1955). Rising through the ranks as story editor on everything from Mission: Impossible to The Addams Family, the prolific writer reached what many anime fans consider to be his career peak with his work on various animated television shows of the 1970s and '80s; his marked attention to detail offering a smooth translation of numerous Japanese television mainstays. Other feature screenwriting credits include the beloved Don Knotts comedy The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964) and the 1973 chiller Terror in the Wax Museum. On September 11, 2003, Jameson Brewer died of natural causes in Thousand Oaks, CA. He was 87. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide- 1987
Antoine de Saint-Exupery's children's classic serves as the basis for these animated tales. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Singing her way through life as life sings back at her, little orphaned Heidi (voice by Margery Gray) is bounced around from her aunt's house, to her grouchy grandfather's place, to a wealthy family in the big city, and never do the vocals subside nor does her spirit droop to anything lower than high "C," probably a fitting classification for this animated film from the Hanna-Barbera studio. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Sammy Davis, Jr., (more)
In this film, the mischievous girls at a British boarding school concoct a competition to see who can seduce visiting dignitaries. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1973
- PG
Murder abounds at a wax museum after the owner decides to sell it, and seemingly waxen figures come alive. By the way, are wax images normally supposed to breathe when being filmed? ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1973
The Arnold of Arnold, like the Harry of The Trouble With Harry, is stone cold dead from the outset of this film. That doesn't stop Arnold's mistress Stella Stevens from marrying the corpse so as to come into his millions. The trick is to hide the fact that Arnold is indeed stiff as a mackerel. To accomplish this, a series of murders is a necessity. Special guest victims include Stevens' wastrel brother Roddy McDowall, her dotty sister Elsa Lanchester, handyman Jamie Farr, as well as lawyers Farley Granger and Patric Knowles. Also on hand are such dependables as Victor Buono, Shani Wallis, John McGiver and Bernard Fox. The script is by TV-sitcom stalwarts Jameson Brewer and John Fenton Murray. As one-joke films go, Arnold is as good as any. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Theodore Bikel guest stars as Armenian immigrant Arschag Divinian, who--conveniently for plot purposes--is the uncle of a friend of police officer Eve Whitfield (Barbara Anderson). A tobacco dealer, Divnian is being blackmailed by his two disreputable nephews to allow them to prepare synthetic marijuana in the back of his store. What secret in Divinian's past can be so horrible that he is willing to risk arrest and disgrace? That's the question that Eve's boss Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr) wants answered--immediately! Featured in the cast are Star Trek alumnus Walter Koenig and famed exotic dancer Magda Harout. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
One of the better and more diverting of ABC's first full season of made-for-television movies, The Over-the-Hill Gang was a low-budget Western with a gimmick: Get a bunch of elderly actors, known either for their leading roles in the 1930s, or for playing comic sidekicks (and Walter Brennan was a lot of both categories) through the 1950s, and put them together in a plot. The result was this enjoyable oater about a quartet of retired Texas Rangers (Pat O'Brien, Walter Brennan, Chill Wills, Edgar Buchanan) who take on the corrupt mayor (Edward Andrews) of a small Nevada town where O'Brien's daughter (Kris Nelson) and newspaper editor son-in-law (Rick Nelson) live. Jack Elam represents the bad guys' muscle with his usual threatening aplomb, and Andy Devine gets a lot of mileage out of his role as a corrupt, inept judge. The other surprise in the cast is Gypsy Rose Lee, looking radiant as ever, portraying an admirer of the former rangers, in what was her final screen appearance, and such familiar old faces as Myron Healey, William Benedict, and Elmira Sessions in supporting roles. When O'Brien and company realize that they're no longer fast enough to do the job with guns, they decide to use their wits instead, outsmarting and outflanking the villains. The pacing by director Jean Yarbrough (whose own career went back to the 1920s, and whose last film this was) is a little leisurely, but the script is fairly clever and it's a lot of fun watching the veteran actors chewing up the scenery, with Devine having the most fun of all in an unusual role as a villain. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1969
This drama, based on Alexander Dumas' novel, chronicles the doomed love between Lord Horatio Nelson and the scandalous Lady Emma Hamilton. The tale begins when luscious country girl Emma, who possesses feminine charms no man can resist, uses her beauty to charm her way into the inner circle of the social elite, eventually marrying the prominent Lord Hamilton. She then has an affair with the naval hero, Nelson, whom she marries after her first husband dies. She even has a child with her new man. When he dies, however, she is deeply hurt to discover that her aristocratic "friends" will not allow her to attend the honored man's funeral. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michele Mercier, Richard Johnson, (more)
- 1967
April poses as a stewardess to help her fellow agent Mark prevent an assassination during a plane flight. There is only one problem: Both the killer and the intended victim are heavily disguised, and April is unable to determine which is which. Some hints may be provided by listing the guest cast, which includes Murray Matheson as Albert Merek, Julie Adams as Julia Douglas, Grayson Hall as Mrs. Fowler, and David Brian as Logan Petrie. Written by Jameson Brewer, "The High and the Deadly Affair" first aired on April 4, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In the first episode of a two-part story, Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) is again summoned to Washington by President Grant (William Bryant). This time, Jason is asked to infiltrate a group of insurrectionists who may or may not be plotting to assassinate the President and overthrow the government. John Carradine repeats his role as Jason's grandfather, General Josh McCord, in this story co-written by series star Chuck Connors--whose wife Kamala Devi also makes a guest appearance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In the second episode of a two-part story, Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) has infiltrated a group of insurrectionists who plan to assassinate President Grant. When Jason's cover is blown, the assassins boldly make a public attempt on both his life and Grant's--leaving an incriminating dagger behind. Now fully aware of who is behind the plot, Jason formulates a counterplot of his own, which reaches full fruition at a Washington DC costume party. Future Mission: Impossible leading man Peter Graves plays a pivotal role in this story, which was co-written by Branded star Chuck Connors--whose wife Kamala Devi also makes a guest appearance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In the first episode of a two-part story, Jason (Chuck Connors) intervenes when ruthless cattle baron Aaron Shields (Gary Merrill) orders the flogging of Kolyan (Nico Minardos), the leader of a gypsy tribe. This action earns Jason the undying hatred of Shields, but has a completely different effect on Shields' daughter Robin (Ahna Capri). As for Kolyan's gypsies...well, that's another story, one that will not be resolved until the concluding episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In the conclusion of a two-part story, ruthless cattle baron Aaron Shields (Gary Merrill) arranges for Jason (Chuck Connors) to be thrown in jail for coming to the aid of a band of gypsies. When he discovers that his own daughter Robin (Ahna Capri) has given the gypsies the bail money for Jason's release, the outraged Shields orders his henchman to wipe out the entire tribe--with an especially grisly fate reserved for gypsy leader Kolyan (Nico Minardos). Can it be that we are witnessing a sagebrush version of Romeo and Juliet...or is it Il Trovatore? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In the second episode of a three-part story, Jason (Chuck Connors) agrees to embark upon a dangerous undercover mission on behalf of President Grant (William Bryant). Meeting a gang of Mexican bandits, Jason pretends to join them in brazen plan to steal gold from a US Army fort. Should McCord fail in routing the bandits, they will kill him; should he succeed, he still runs the risk of being branded a traitor as well as a coward by the US Government! Unlike the rest of Branded's first-season episodes, "The Mission" was filmed in color (though whether or not it was originally broadcast in color is still a matter of dispute). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Approaching a ghost town in answer to a job offer, Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) finds he has walked into a trap. The only residents of the town are religious fanatic Joshua Murdock (John Dehner) and his deranged sons Micah (Paul Brent) and Malachi (a pre-Dallas Jim Davis). Convinced that McCord's "cowardice" at Bitter Creek has caused the town's ruin, Murdock prepares to exact a revenge of Biblical proportions. Featured as Grey Eagle is prolific Native American actor Iron Eyes Cody, best remembered as the "weeping Indian" in a famous series of anti-littering public service announcements. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In the first episode of a three-part story, Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) is invited to Washington DC by his ex-fiancee Laurette (played by Connors' then wife Kamala Devi) and her father, Senator Hastings (Macdonald Carey). It turns out that Lansing is one of several people who hope to benefit by discrediting the late General Reed, who had been McCord's superior officer at the Battle of Bitter Creek. Although he could clear himself of desertion charges by ruining Reed's reputation, McCord refuses to do so--but this is only the beginning of the story. Unlike the rest of Branded's first-season episodes, "The Mission" was filmed in color (though whether or not it was originally broadcast in color is still a matter of dispute). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this amusing fantasy, a combination of live-action and animated effects, Don Knotts plays scrawny bookkeeper Henry Limpet, who longs to help the U.S. after the outbreak of World War II. He becomes depressed after being turned down by the Navy, particularly after his pal George (Jack Weston) is accepted. When Henry takes a walk on the Coney Island pier with his wife Bessie (Carole Cook), he falls into the water and is transformed into a fish, complete with his reading spectacles. Henry finally gets to help the war effort by helping to track down Nazi U boats for the Navy. Andrew Duggan and Larry Keating play the admirals who spearhead the secret mission involving the transformed Henry. Longtime Disney production associate John Rose was the producer of this film, and the influence of the animation is evident. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don Knotts, Carole Cook, (more)
- 1962
Bungling courier Freddie Merkel (Tommy Noonan) dreams of creative success but always manages to botch things up at crucial moments. Shortly after destroying his motorcycle, he decides to become a songwriter. This gives con man Duke (Peter Marshall) the perfect opportunity for his latest scam, one that involves submitting Freddie's song to a contest. Unfortunately, a wind gust blows the finished piece away just before Freddie turns it in. The two scramble to catch the tune, but it ends up in the hands of a priest who is suddenly inspired to enter the contest himself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tommy Noonan, Peter Marshall, (more)
- 1961
A strange bet provides the basis of this comedy, a British theater producer decides to make some easy money by betting a psychiatrist, whom he overheard telling a colleague that he could create the perfect child by hypnotizing a pregnant woman, that the shrink has as many holes in his theory as he did in his head. The wager is made, and the producer then talks an actress friend into masquerading as the pregnant woman to ensure his win. Unfortunately for him, the actress and the doctor fall in love. Seeing that her sweethearts theories are being derided by his peers, she decides to help him out and get pregnant for real. To do this, she gets drunk, staggers over to the producer's apartment and demands that he satisfy her right then and there. Unfortunately in the middle of it all, the doctor shows up. Then the producer's fiancee pays a visit and the whole scam falls apart in his living room. Fortunately happiness ensues when the doctor and the actress marry and decide to try the experiment for real. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Agnes Laurent, John Bentley, (more)
- 1957
Jungle Heat is set in pre-WWII Hawaii. A group of pro-Japanese fifth columnists infiltrate the islands, intended to demoralize the populace long before the Pearl Harbor attacks. Specializing in sabotage, the spies target the pineapple and sugar plantations, not to mention the big-city industries. American doctor Jim Ransom catches on to what's happening (though it seems to take him forever), and, together with National Guard officer Richard Grey, foils the villains. It is worth noting that the principal villain in Jungle Heat is not Japanese, but an occidental traitor played (or overplayed) by James Westerfield. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lex Barker, Mari Blanchard, (more)
- 1955
Another of producer Howard W. Koch's TV-style budget pictures, Ghost Town is a modest western taking place during one tension-filled night. A group of stagecoach passengers are besieged by hostile Cheyenne Indians. Seeking shelter, the passengers are forced to set up camp in a deserted town. There's every possibility that the Cheyennes will be back, so no one gets a good night's sleep--but we do learn which of the passengers are heroes and which are cowards. Allen Miner, whose B westerns were usually more interesting than his TV assignments, directed Ghost Town with a minimum of waste footage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kent Taylor, John Smith, (more)
- 1952
Running an action-packed 67 minutes, Okinawa is an expert combo of wartime newsreel footage and studio re-enactments. The plot concerns the gun crew of a destroyer, engaged in the torturous allied invasion of Okinawa, which cost more American and Japanese lives than any previous Pacific-Theater battle. Pat O'Brien does his usual as the ship's commander, while other stock types are essayed by Cameron Mitchell, Richard Denning, Rhys Williams, Richard Benedict and James Dobson. Curiously, Okinawa was co-written by Leonard Stern, a man more closely associated with TV comedy than two-fisted war epics, and directed by Leigh Jason, who generally piloted musical shorts and features. Actor-producer Alvy Moore (who later played county agent Hank Kimball on TV's Green Acres) shows up in a bit role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pat O'Brien, Cameron Mitchell, (more)
- 1948
Monogram's French Leave received an inordinate amount of press coverage because of its teaming of two former child stars. Jackie Cooper and Jackie Coogan play a couple of amorous merchant seamen on the loose in a small French village. Hoping to score with the local mademoiselles, the two Jackies become sidetracked with black market activities. The boys bend a few laws along the way, but everything turns out just fine. It was French Leave that convinced Jackie Cooper to seek out acting lessons rather than coast on his past fame; as for Jackie Coogan, he wouldn't truly make a comeback until losing his hair and re-emerging as a cantankerous character actor on such TV series as The Addams Family. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Cooper, Jackie Coogan, (more)
- 1947
In this musical, a young socialite reluctantly attends an exclusive school; she would rather be working on becoming a Broadway star. She is so determined to be one that she begins ditching her classes to work as a chorus girl in a musical. Following the show's closing, she invites two fellow dancers to visit her home. Musical mayhem and romance ensue. Songs include: "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "It's So Easy," "All I Know Is Si Si" (Doris Fisher, Allan Roberts), "Boogie Woogie from Nowhere" (Saul Chaplin). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Porter, Jimmy Lloyd, (more)
