Don Chaffey Movies

Exceeding all expectations, the weekly Mission: Impossible revival of 1988 managed to weather its first 19 episodes, graduating to a second season beginning September 21, 1989. In a truly ill-considered move, ABC rescheduled the series to Thursdays, opposite NBC's blockbuster sitcom The Cosby Show (the accompanying ad campaign went something like, "Tonight's Mission: To Give American an Action Alternative to Cosby"). The second-season opener, "The Golden Serpent," was not only the series' first multi-part adventure since 1970, but also brought back one of the original IMF team members, electronic wizard Barney Collier (Greg Morris). Assigned to Australia (where, in fact, the entire series was filmed), the IMF attempts to ruin a drug-running operation by convincing top man Prince Selimun (Patrick Bishop) that his long-deceased twin brother is still alive. Part One of "The Golden Serpent" was scripted by Michael Seims, Ted Roberts, and Jeffrey M. Hayes, from a story by Seims. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season One of the "new" Mission:Impossible came to an end with the episode titled "The Bayou." Veteran Australian movie villain Frank Thring guest-stars as Jake Morgan, who in concert with his partner Pepper Leveau (Paula Kelly) operates a thriving white-slavery ring in New Orleans. To put Morgan and Leveau out of business, the IMF team stages a voodoo ritual aimed at splitting up the nefarious duo --- and in so doing, our heroes also hope to rescue the villain's latest victim, Diane Marshall (played by former What's Happening!! regular Danielle Spencer). First broadcast on May 6, 1989, "The Bayou" was written by Jeffrey M. Hayes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The fact that this made-for-TV movie is derivation of the megahit Airport is obvious by the presence of novelist Arthur Hailey in the credits. Gil Gerard heads the cast as David Montgomery, manager of a huge and extremely busy airport. As David wrestles with personal problems at home and a crisis with a burned-out air traffic controller (Bill Bixby) at the workplace, his burden is increased by the news that a Hawaii-bound jet has taken off with a bomb on board. George Kennedy, who'd appeared in all of the Airport theatrical films, here contributes an extended cameo role. International Airport first aired May 25, 1985, on ABC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This first Lassie film in nearly three decades (discounting the various feature-length compilations of Lassie TV episodes) is worth watching for its veteran cast. Lassie is legally wrested from freckled-faced Michael Sharrett by evil Pernell Roberts, who hopes that the kid's grandpa Jimmy Stewart will sell his valuable vineyards to "ransom" the dog. Roberts' scheme falls through, and Lassie makes her getaway, embarking upon a grueling trek to be reunited with her young master. Alice Faye, looking very well preserved, shows up to sing a song or two. Also contributing vocally are Pat Boone and Debby Boone and The Mike Curb Congregation; even Stewart gets to sing (he hasn't improved much since his last singing role in Broadway Melody of 1936, but you gotta love him). About the only cast member in The Magic of Lassie who doesn't sing is Mike Mazurki. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this gentle drama, a young American man (Beau Bridges) forsakes his promising career working with his father (Lloyd Bridges), a powerful business magnate, in favor of becoming a professional beach bum in Australia. After the boy becomes a world renowned surfer, his dad turns up from the States and tries to reconcile with his estranged son, which must happen soon, as the father only has a few months left to live. This telemovie represented the second of two Australian productions that Beau Bridges did, after the extraordinary Adam's Woman in 1970. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Earl Hamner Jr. of The Waltons fame cowrote the teleplay for Lassie: The New Beginning with Jack Miller. The venerable female collie is now owned by two orphan children (Shane Sinutko and Sally Boyden). She accompanies the kids on a hazardous journey from Arizona to Southern California in search of their only living kin. You won the bet--Lassie does rescue the children in the (ta da!) nick of time. John McIntyre and Jeanette Nolan costar in this 100-minute TV movie. Lassie: The New Beginning was first telecast in two parts on September 17 and 24, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The principal characters in this Australian miniseries were James Casey (John Meillon) and his terminally ill son, Sean (Mark Shields-Brown). Throughout the series' three 75-minute episodes, James met with formidable obstacles as he endeavored to grant Sean his three last wishes: to get a dog, to be reunited with his mother, and to meet the Queen of England. The story concluded with the proposal, and granting, of a mysterious fourth wish. Based on a true story, The Fourth Wish aired over the Australian ABC network in 1976; two years later, a feature-film version appeared, again starring John Meillon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Originally titled Persecution, the British Terror of Sheba represents Lana Turner's entree into the "fading stars in horror flicks" sweepstakes. Turner plays a maniacally possessive millionairess who delights in dominating her tremulous young son (Mark Weavers). She knows that her son has a morbid fear of cats, and she uses this knowledge to keep him under her thumb. Even when he grows up (then portrayed by Alan Bates), Turner continues her reign of terror. As tragedy is heaped upon tragedy, we eagerly await Turner's comeuppance. When it comes, it's well worth the wait, even though The Terror of Sheba itself is hardly in the category of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (or even Die! Die! My Darling!). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This series of videos contains memorable episodes from the British television series that mixed drama with archival footage as it chronicled the exploits of Squadron 697 during WW II. This volume contains "Sitting Ducks." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Don Chaffey's Sex Clinic stars Georgina Ward as a woman who runs the title business. She offers an outlet for those with more unusual sexual kinks, but in turn blackmails those same customers. Georgina becomes involved in a lesbian relationship, and her son has come sniffing around trying to connect with his estranged mother. The supporting cast includes Maria Coyne, Windsor Davies, and Carmen Silvera. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Steed is assigned to protect a key witness against the other side. Only Tara is informed of Steed's secret whereabouts, compelling the enemy to hatch an elaborate scheme to extract the necessary information from our heroine. In rapid succession, Tara is kidnapped, her flat is bombed, and her superior, Mother, is killed. Written by Brian Clemens, "Requiem" was first broadcast in America on March 31, 1969, then shown in England on April 16 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Tara investigates when her uncle doesn't return from his vacation. Following the trail of evidence, she finds herself at a fancy hotel, where guests are permitted to stay as long as they like, but woe betide them if they ever try to leave! While attempting to rescue her uncle, Tara is herself imprisoned by the hotel's ultra-courteous staff. With Steed otherwise occupied, Mother sends his own nephew, an agent in training, to extract Tara from her predicament. Brimmed to overflowing with familiar guest star faces, "Wish You Were Here" was written by Tony Williamson; it was first shown in England on February 12, 1969, having made its "official" debut on American TV on November 18, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide