Howard Browne Movies

Ben Gazzara stars in this low-level depiction of legendary gangster Al Capone, who rose to command the mob underworld in 1920's Chicago. Born in Brooklyn, Capone joins his first gang at the age of 11. From there, he graduates to the infamous "Five Points Gang" run by Johnny Torrio (Harry Guardino). After moving to Chicago a few years later and wiping out Torrio's crimeboss uncle, Capone becomes Torrio's right hand man. Capone becomes head of the area's prostitution and racketeering business, but, as his mind deteriorates from syphillis, so does his empire. There's not much to recommend here, aside from a surprisingly good appearance by Sylvester Stallone as fellow gangster Frank Nitti. Gazzara is frankly awful in the title role and producer Roger Corman uses stock shootout footage from other gangster films, including footage of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre from his own, earlier movie on the subject. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide

Laraine Stephens guest-stars as Eve Vayle, who masterminds the death of her mobster husband Johnny (Charlie Guardino) in order to steal the records of Syndicate boss Stanley Luchek (Ronald Feinberg). Though forced to hide from the mob, Eve hopes to eventually extort millions of dollars from Luchek and his family. In order to put both Eve and Luchek out of business, the IMF relies on one of its most time-honored ploys: The recreation of a dead man, fingerprints and all. Written by Howard Browne, "Boomerang" was originally telecast on January 12, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Although crooked private eye Larry Edison (Bradford Dillman) has been thrown into prison, he still wields a great deal of power over Syndicate boss Vincent Vochek (Robert Ellenstein). Edison has in his possession a roll of film proving Vochek's involvement in a recent murder. The IMF hopes to get its hands on the film and turn it over to the Feds, and this requires a massive--but phony--prison break. First broadcast on January 8, 1972, "Stone Pillow" was written by Howard Browne. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Schlockmeister Roger Corman produced this graphically violent chronicle of the Chicago gangster wars of the 1920s and the events that lead to the bloody title showdown between rival mobsters Al Capone (Jason Robards) and Bugs Moran (Ralph Meeker) that marked a brutal end to a terrifying era. Fred Steiner's film score is effectively mixed with popular songs from the 1920s, and the re-creation of gangster-era Chicago is a credit to the set designers. Historic and insightful narration is dramatically provided by Paul Frees, giving the film the flavor of a docudrama. Jean Hale plays Moran's gun moll, who is mercilessly kneed in the stomach while arguing over a fur coat. Though The St. Valentine's Day Massacre was heralded by critics at the time of its initial release, their opinion of the film has changed with each decade as they waver on the cinematic value of all of Corman's work. Audiences continue to relish the film, which is often shown on the anniversary of the bloody executions. Watch for Jack Nicholson as one of the unfortunate victims. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Prolific director Joseph Pevney is better known for his next venture -- the Star Trek television series -- than this conventional docudrama on mobster "Dutch" Schultz (played by Vic Morrow). Rather than take the focus of 1997's Hoodlum, in which Schultz's attempt to move into Harlem is thwarted, the events leading to the demise of the nearly illiterate, Bronx-born, "king of beer" are stressed. His affair with Iris Murphy (Leslie Parrish) also gets front-and-center treatment when Iris leaves her policeman husband to hook up with Schultz, only to degenerate into alcoholism. To the credit of the director, the repugnant Schultz (whose real name was Arthur Flegenheimer) is not romanticized, even though the legend of his "buried treasure" and the literary non-sequitur of his famous, 1935 deathbed ramblings would tend to lure anyone into digressions. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Owing his life to Sheriff Coleman (Walter Sande), Bart (Jack Kelly) repays the debt by agreeing to help prevent a murder. It seems that saloon owner Tom Blauvelt (Robert Rockwell) has sworn to kill the man who has fallen in love with Blauvelt's wife Greta (Coleen Gray). Taking a job as the saloon's blackjack dealer, Bart is determined to keep Blauvelt from making good his threat--little realizing that, in this case, it is the female who is the deadlier of the species. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In dire need of money after being robbed, Bart (Jack Kelly) hires on as boss of a cattle drive. His employer is Abigail Allen (Patricia Breslin), a wide-eyed, seemingly helpless blonde. It is only after two of the drovers die within the first two days of the drive that Bart realizes he's been hoodwinked--and that Abigail is nothing more nor less than a scam artist. Watch for a young Robert Conrad, just before Warner Bros. elevated him to stardom on TV's Hawaiian Eye. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Flamboyant character actor Hans Conried delivers a surprisingly low-key performance as Homer Eakins, the black sheep of a prominent family. Hoping to claim his share of his clan's estate, Homer asks Bret to impersonate him and pay a visit to wealthy General Eakins (Will Wright). Thoroughly convinced that Bret is Homer, the Colonel takes a liking to him, much to the dismay of Eakins' greedy relatives. Before long, the heirs to the Eakins fortune are being bumped off one by one, and Bret finds himself a murder suspect...and the most likely next victim. This episode is narrated by Bret's brother Bart (Jack Kelly), who otherwise does not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bret (James Garner) befriends a charming young couple, Molly Gleason (Karen Steele) and Ralph Jordan (a pre-Mannix Michael Connors). Alas, what Molly and Ralph currently have in mind is not so charming. The two lovebirds intend to use the trusting Bret as the fall guy for a bank robbery --and the plan requires Bret to be killed and Molly to tearfully identify him as Ralph. Though filmed as the pilot episode of Maverick, "Point Blank" was originally shown as the series' second telecast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide