Phil Chambers Movies
- 1990
- R
Heat, both climatic and erotic, imbue this Australian thriller from first-time directors Colin South and John Tatoulis. The film takes place in mid-summer in the sweltering city of Melbourne and concerns a love affair between Wendy (Santha Press), a jazz singer, and Mack (Hugo Race), a knife-wielding punk who wants to be a rock star but is planning to rob a bank. Wendy's younger sister, 15-year-old JoJo (Rebekah Elmaloglou), has moved in with Wendy, and she is rapidly becoming sexually aware, because she is secretly observing her sister and Mack as they make love. Meanwhile, two cops -- Dinny (Dominic Sweeney), an inexperienced rookie, and Milas (John Flaus), a weary veteran cop -- are following Mack because he has an audiotape in his possession that shows evidence of government corruption. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugo Race, Santha Press, (more)
- 1979
In the latest in a long line of outlandish get-rich-quick schemes, Angel (Stuart Margolin) poses as a hit man named "Mr. Jones" and accepts a $10,000 contract. Of course, Angel has no intention of killing anyone, and every intention of absconding with the money. But things quickly go sour when Angel's would-be victim is apparently murdered by someone else. Once again forced to extricate Angel from the mess he's gotten himself into, Jim (James Garner) discovers that both the US Navy and the Russian KGB have taken a special interest in the murder--and while he's trying to figure out why, Jim must also solve the mystery of his dad's stolen blue jeans. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Two men kidnap Wendy Rankin (Belinda J. Montgomery), the daughter of a thief (Ray Rankin) who absconded with $400,000 ten years earlier. As the FBI endeavors to locate the kidnappers, Wendy is forced to relive a horrifying experience that occurred at the same time as the robbery. Interestingly, the part of Wendy's mother is played by Leave It to Beaver's Barbara Billingsley--whose character name is "June". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
The FBI suspects a trucking firm of being the front for a sophisticated hijacking ring. To get to the truth, Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) goes undercover as a truck driver, while Colby (William Reynolds), posing as an ex-con, lands a job with the firm as dispatcher. Inevitably, Colby's cover is blown--but this may prove less dangerous to him than to the head hijacker (Edward Binns), who has been set up for murder by one of his own "pals". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
The Cartwrights give food and shelter to a bedraggled, impoverish company of army veterans, who have been denied their pensions for various and sundry reasons. What the Cartwrights don't know is that the ex-soldiers intend to get even with the government by robbing the Carson City mint. Complicating matters is the fact that one of the veterans, Sgt. Mike Russell (James Gregory), is an old friend of ranch hand Candy. First broadcast on February 2, 1969, "Company of Forgotten Men" was written by Kay Lenard and Jess Carneol. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1969
In a situation drenched with irony, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) must prevent the murder of attorney Richard Bender, who at present is defending Arnold Toby (Linden Chiles), a mob boss whom the FBI has been trying to nail for five years. Bender's would-be assassin is Dennis Holland, who has a personal vendetta against the lawyer. Caught in the middle is Holland's employee Peter Zacharias (played by future Mary Tyler Moore Show costar Ed Asner), who has been set up as a fall guy for Bender's killing--and who is also the father of Arnold Toby's current girlfriend Carol (played by former Gilligan's Island regular Dawn Wells)! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Bonanza's final eighth-season offering, "The Greedy Ones" first aired on May 14, 1967. Rumors are flying that old prospector Gus Schultz has struck it rich on the Ponderosa. As a result, Ben Cartwright must contend with a veritable batallion of greedy gold hunters. The worst of the lot is avaricious mining tycoon Shasta (Robert Middleton), who will stop at nothing to get his mitts on the gold-which may not even exist! "The Greedy Ones" was written by James Amesbury. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1967
In this comic episode, Hoss and Joe Cartwright embark on yet another big-business scheme. Investing in two rabbits, our heroes intend to make a fortune selling rabbit skins. Alas, neither brother has the heart to take a knife to the cute little bunnies, which of course proceed to multiply at an alarming rate. Will Ben bail out his two entrepreneur sons, or will he sit back and allow the fur to fly? Written by Alex Sharp, "Ponderosa Explosion" originally aired on January 1, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) is assigned to capture escaped bank robber-murderer Robert Charles Porter (Earl Holliman). Going undercover, Erskine quickly learns that Porter is the latest client of a gang that specialize in smuggling criminals out of the US. In the episode's thrilling climax, Erskine finds himself reluctantly sharing a "last ride" with the wounded Porter and his terrified girlfriend Linda (Barbara Luna). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Now travelling under the name "Pete Allen", Kimble befriends Willie Turner (Denny Miller), a mentally challenged youth who is also on the lam from the law. To protect Willie, Kimble gets the boy a job as a carnival roustabout, but his generosity may result in his own arrest. Ultimately, the only person who can save both Kimble and Willie is Willie's sister Mary (Collin Wilcox)--if she chooses to do so. Featured in the cast are a young, pre-stardom Dabney Coleman and future Hill Street Blues regular Michael Conrad. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Former convict Trace Cordell (Tony Young) is back in town, and everyone lets him know he's not welcome. Particularly displeased with Trace's return is banker Paul Dorn (John Conte), who'd been crippled by Trace and is now married to the ex-convict's former girl friend Clara (Joan Blackman). The Cartwrights become involved when Dorn tries to use his considerable clout to have Cordell removed from the scene-permanently. Written by Ken Pettus and Frank Chase, "The Return" first aired May 2, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1965
Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) must once again put his social life on hold when he is summoned to his alma mater, Cal State. Though he'd been slated to merely pick up an award, Perry ends up defending student Van Fowler (James Noah) on a murder charge. The victim is Professor Stuart Logan (G.B. Atwarter), who after accusing his entire class of cheating on an exam was himself labelled a cheater by the hapless Fowler, who had helped to write Logan's best-selling book but received neither credit nor compensation for his efforts. A pretty strong motive indeed--but Perry is a bit too swift for both the prosecution and the real murderer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Pernell Roberts plays a dual role in this February 14, 1965 installment of Bonanza. Adam Cartwright discovers that his exact double, a man named Tom Burns, is posing as Adam to raise money under false pretense. With the help of a saloon girl named Ann (Lola Albright), Adam attempts to track down his lookalike-only to be threatened by Tom's apparent murderer. "The Search" was written by series "regular" Frank Cleaver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
The FCC alerts Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) when several radio operators begin receiving strange, cryptic messages. Meanwhile, a deranged man named Joseph Walker (played by a young Robert Duvall) formulates a plan to destroy a new guided missile known as "Thor", which is slated to be delivered from an Arizona silo to a California launching site. It turns out that those bizarre radio signals are actually clues being provided by Walker in a perverse game of "catch me if you can"! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
"Old Sheba" is a scraggly circus elephant, which the Cartwrights receive as payment for Hoss' one-night stand as a big-top performer. Ben and Adam insist that Hoss and Joe return the pachyderm, but the boys are convinced that they can take care of Old Sheba all by themselves. To make a long story short, they can't. Also appearing are William Demarest as Tweedy, Henry Kulky as Bearcat, and Clegg Hoyt as Barney. First shown on November 22, 1964, the hilarious "Old Sheba" was written by Alex Sharp. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1963
In this romantic comedy, Deke Gentry (Kirk Douglas) is a lawyer who gets an unusual assignment from Chloe Brasher (Thelma Ritter), a wealthy widow, owner of a successful hotel chain, and one of his most prominent clients. Chloe has three daughters, sensible Kate (Mitzi Gaynor), bohemian Jan (Leslie Parrish), and heath food fanatic Bonnie (Julie Newmar), and she wants Deke to find them husbands. Though Deke protests that matchmaking is outside his traditional area of expertise, Chloe is insistent, and he ends up taking the job. To be sure that he's going through with it, Chloe assigns her security chief Joe (William Bendix) to keep his eye on Deke. Eventually, Deke fixes up Bonnie with Harvey Wofford (Richard Sargent), a meek IRS agent, and pairs Jan with artist Sam Travis (William Windom), but Kate turns out to be the hardest Brasher sister to marry off, until he throws his own hat into the ring. Richard Sargent would later shorten his first name to Dick and find success on the popular television comedy Bewitched. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, Mitzi Gaynor, (more)
- 1963
First telecast April 4, 1963, this grim 60-minute Twilight Zone installment would seem to be more suited to Alfred Hitchcock Presents or Thriller. Martin Balsam stars as Martin Senescu, curator of a "chamber of horrors" wax museum. Upon learning that the museum is to be demolished, Martin takes his favorite wax statues -- those of Jack the Ripper, Henri "Bluebeard" Landru, and ax murderer Albert W. Hicks -- to his home, much to the dismay of his wife Emma (Maggie Mahoney). Not long afterward, two brutal murders take place -- and the evidence leads Martin to conclude that the culprits were his beloved wax figures. Though credited to Charles Beaumont, "The New Exhibit" was actually scripted by longtime Beaumont collaborator Jerry Sohl. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Balsam, Will Kuluva, (more)
- 1963
Perennial loser Claude Miller (John Fiedler) becomes a winner overnight when he strikes a rich silver lode. Determined to get even with the people who had previously subjected him to ridicule, Claude buys out his tormentors' mortgages. Alas, once a loser, always a loser: Claude's plans for revenge are undermined by his new partner, a crooked deputy. The supporting cast includes Florence Sundstrom as Daisy, J. Pat O'Malley as Clancy, Jay Lanin as Slauson, Ken Mayer as Tarbosh, and Ken Drake as Claude. First shown on May 12, 1963, "Rich Man, Poor Man" was scripted by Richard P. McDonagh and Barbara and Milton Merlin, from a story by Arnold Belgard and Robert Fresco. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1963
"The Colonel" is habitual liar Frank Medford, an old friend of Ben Cartwright. Now a poverty-stricken travelling salesman, Frank is determined to convince everyone that he is as successful as Ben. Thus, Frank tells one of his celebrated whoppers, claming to be a millionaire. It takes the love of a good woman-to be exact, Emily Colfax (Hellena Westcott)-to cure Frank of his chronic prevarications. Featured in the cast are such noteworthy character actors as Warren Kemmerling, Edward C. Platt, Mary Wickes and Raymond Bailey. Originally seen on January 6, 1963, "The Colonel" was written by Preston Wood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1962
A sometimes astonishingly grim western, Six Black Horses ostensibly stars Audie Murphy, but is effortlessly stolen by Frank Jesse (Dan Duryea). Wrongly accused of horse theft, Ben Lane (Murphy) is rescued by ruthless but sentimental gunslinger Jesse. The two men are hired as trail guides by Kelly (Joan O'Brien), who wants to traverse hostile Indian territory so that she can be reunited with her husband. What she knows -- but the audience doesn't -- is that her husband is dead, murdered by Jesse. Kelly had hired him to exact vengeance, but it is she who is nearly killed. Lane is left stranded when Jesse rides off to claim the money promised him by Kelly. This he does so as to finance his "dream funeral," wherein his casket will be borne to Boot Hill by six black horses. When Lane catches up with Jesse, he sees to it that the outlaw gets his wish -- after first taking the precaution of filling Jesse full of lead. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audie Murphy, Dan Duryea, (more)
- 1962
Hoss Cartwright agrees to meet and provide transportation for Lotty (Judi Meredith), the mail-order bride of his temporarily incapacitated friend Walter Prescott (John Doucette). Hoss' gallantry backfires when Lotty falls in love with him--whereupon the disgruntled Prescott hires a bounty hunter to kill the hapless Mr. Cartwright. The supporting cast includes Phil Chambers (Dick Thompson), Tyler McVey (Townsman), Roy Engel (Doctor), Tina Menard (Francesca), George Robotham (Frank) and Gil Perkins (Whitey). Originally seen on November 18, 1962, "Knight Errant" was written by Joseph Hoffman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1961
Andy infuriates Aunt Bee with his assertion that all the Mayberry women are gossips. To get even, she fabricates a rumor that a travelling shoe salesman is really a talent scout for the TV series Manhattan Show Time. Five points to anyone who guesses what happens next! Like many first-season episodes, "Those Gossipin' Men" was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart. The program first aired on January 16, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Sheriff Andy is forced by the indignant taxpayers of Mayberry to evict old Frank Myers (Andy Myers), the poorest man in town. While helping Frank pack, Andy comes across an old document: A bond worth nearly $350,000. Suddenly, the townsfolk can't do enough to curry Frank's favor, even unto fixing up the old man's ramshackle house. And then the painful truth about the "lucky" bond is revealed. Originally shown on October 23, 1961, "Mayberry Goes Bankrupt" was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Jim Lindsey (James Best), the wandering troubadour introduced in the 1960 episode "The Guitar Player," pays a return visit to Mayberry. The townsfolk are impressed by Jim's stories of his newfound fame and fortune-stories that seem to be backed up by the guitarist's fancy new Mercedes Benz. Ultimately, however, Sheriff Andy discovers that Jim isn't the huge success he claims to be. Also repeating his role from "The Guitar Player" is Henry Slate as bandleader Bobby Fleet. Written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, "The Guitar Player Returns" was first shown on May 15, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Eve Nesbitt (Gloria Talbott) contacts Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) to determine the progress of the insurance settlement related to the drowning death of her husband Willard (Les Tremayne). As it happens, however, Willard is only pretending to be dead so that Eve can collect on the policy's "double-indemnity" clause. But when his business partner Lloyd Castle (Edward Binns) cheats Eve out of her share of a gold mine, Willard emerges from hiding--only to be bumped off for real. Accused of murdering her husband, Eve once again puts her fate in Perry's hands. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
