Richard Compton Movies

A deadly pre-evolutionary contagion, which feeds on human body tissues, threatens the lives of commuters in the Boston subway system. Unfortunately, the local police officials insist that Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Doggett (Robert Patrick) keep mum about this threat, ostensibly to avoid widespread panic. But the two agents aren't about to allow bureaucracy or stupidity to result in catastrophe for Beantown. One of this episode's several inside jokes is the character name "Philbrick," a reference to Boston ad executive Herbert Philbrick, whose counterespionage activities in the 1950s inspired the classic TV series I Led Three Lives. "Medusa" was first broadcast on February 11, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Finola Hughes makes her first series appearance as Patty Halliwell, mother of benevolent witches Prue (Shannen Doherty), Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), and Piper (Holly Marie Combs). In truth, however, Patty should be spoken of in past tense, since she died several years before the saga of Charmed got under way. Even so, she figures prominently in this episode, which takes place in the 1970s. And why do the Halliwell girls hurtle themselves so far back in time? Simple: in order to prevent an evil warlock named Nicholas (Andrew Jackson) from being immune to their good magic, the sisters must return to the moment in which Nicholas drew up the pact that ensured his immunity -- a pact made with the girls' own mom. ~ All Movie Guide

It is nothing unusual when impressionable Piper (Holly Marie Combs) falls in love again. What is out of the ordinary is that Piper's new beau, Mark (John Cho), is the ghost of a murder victim, who hopes not only to avenge his death but to arrange his own funeral before his body can be "claimed" by demonic forces. Elsewhere, the peripatetic Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) hopes to use her forecasting skills to good use -- and make big money in the bargain -- by going to work for a psychic. And while preparing for her birthday, Prue (Shannen Doherty) is laid low by a crushing disillusionment. Fans of the series (and even non-fans!) will certainly appreciate the scene in which co-star Alyssa Milano shows up in a fetching harem outfit. ~ All Movie Guide

Jonathan Charles Kaplan portrays an ailing alien youngster who desperately needs an operation. But the boys' parents (Tricia O'Neil and Stephen Lee) refuse to give Dr. Franklin permission to operate, citing their religious beliefs. Elsewhere on B5, Ivanova prepares to undertake a dangerous escort mission. "Believers" was written by science-fiction maestro David Gerrold, who manages to make brief but significant references to his own novels Under the Eye of God and Covenant of Justice. The episode first aired on April 27, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Nearly a full year after the first telecast of the two-hour pilot, the weekly, 60-minute Babylon 5 series proper began on January 26, 1994 with "Midnight on the Firing Line." It is now 2258 AD; the Babylon 5 has become the target of increased attacks from enemy pirates, a situation exacerbated by a personal feud between Londo and G'Kar. Making matters even worse, a Narn attack on the peaceful agricultural colony of Ragesh 3 threatens to explode into all-out warfare unless Sinclair can put a lid on the crisis. Watch for cameo appearances by executive producer Douglas Netter and costume designer Ann Bruce. "Midnight on the Firing Line" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This two-part pilot episode for Babylon 5 was originally telecast as a single two-hour TV movie on February 22, 1993 (the "official" release date of March 8 refers to the film's Chicago TV premiere). Like the subsequent series, "The Gathering" takes place in the 23rd century, and was set on Babylon 5, a space station hovering in neutral territory which is used as a center of trade and diplomacy for a wide variety of friendly and hostile planets. As the space station becomes fully operational, the crew must deal with the attempting poisoning of Vorlan ambassador Kosh Naranek, for which B5 commander Jeffrey Sinclair is being held responsible. Complicating matters is the refusal of the Vorlans to allow any medical treatment for their ambassador. Written by series producer-creator J. Michael Straczynski, "The Gathering" features several actors who were supposed to have played recurring characters, but for various reasons were written out of the weekly version: Tamlyn Tomita as Lt. Cmdr. Laurel Takamisha, Blaire Baron as Caroline Sykes, Johnny Sekka as Dr. Benjamin Kyle and Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander. The pilot won an Emmy Award for special effects, and a Hugo nomation for "Best Dramatic Presentation" -- this in spite of almost universal damnation from mainstream TV critics. On January 4, 1998, the TNT cable network offered a re-edited version of "The Gathering", with a new musical score by Christopher Frake (replacing the one composed by Stewart Copeland), a handful of new computer-generated special effects, a number of judicious cuts, and several previously excised sequences, including a lengthy hostage-crisis subplot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Assistant D.A. Crocker, Kojak's former partner, is certain that Kojak is the killer of a call girl. ~ All Movie Guide

This made-for-TV film served as the pilot for the internationally popular adventure series Baywatch. David Hasselhoff stars as Lt. Mitch Buchanan, the man in charge of the LA County lifeguard squad at Malibu beach. Future series regulars spotlighted herein are Shawn Weatherly as Jill Riley, Parker Stevenson as Craig Pomeroy and Erika Eleniak as Shauni McLain. Not that it should matter to the film's "babewatchers," but there is a plot-a "Fatal Attraction"-style thriller involving a woman scorned. And, as bonus, there's a thriller explosion-at-sea vignette. Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier was first telecast April 23, 1989, some six months before the premiere of the series proper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Majel Barrett, one of the cast members of the original Star Trek, guest stars as Deanna Troi's mother Lwaxana in this Next Generation episode. Unexpectedly showing up at the Enterprise, Lwaxana announces an impending wedding, not hers, but Deanna's. Understandably upset at the notion of a prearranged marriage to the son of an old family friend (Rob Knepper), Deanna is in no mood to contend with a band of renegade plague-bearing aliens who intend to take refuge on an inhabited planet. Originally telecast December 5, 1987, "Haven" was cowritten by Tracy Torme and Lan O'Kun. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this made-for-TV western, sudden pulp-novel fame drives gunslinger High Cardiff (Sam Elliott) to make good use of his new-found notoriety ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

Deadman's Curve is a made-for-TV biography concerning "California sound" rock-n-rollers Jan and Dean. Richard Hatch plays Jan Berry, while Bruce Davison is seen as Dean Torrence. The meat of the story is Jan's grueling efforts to fully recover from a disastrous 1966 auto accident. The film's most powerful scene occurs when the still-shaky Jan attempts a concert comeback, only to be booed offstage when the audience realizes that he's lip-synching. First telecast February 3, 1978, Deadman's Curve is seasoned with cameo appearances by Dick Clark, Wolfman Jack, and Beach Boys Mike Love and Bruce Johnson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When they're just out for fun, the fun turns foul for two wild guys who head down Georgia way where they run into trouble with the law, Georgia style. This is the first film effort for actor Nick Nolte. ~ All Movie Guide

Martin Sheen is at his most "James Dean-ish" and Vic Morrow at his most sadistic in the made-for-TV The California Kid. Sheen plays a hot rodder whose brother dies at the hands of sheriff Morrow. It is Morrow's habit to punish speeders by deliberately running them off precipitous mountain curves. Sheen goads Morrow into a no-survivors chase up a steep mountain road--where more than a few surprises await the homicidal lawkeeper. Martin Sheen's souped-up, garishly decorated jalopy gives the best and most consistent "performance" in The California Kid. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide