Richard Crenna Movies
American actor Richard Crenna started out as a radio performer at age 11, demonstrating an astonishing range for one so young. The momentum of his career was unaffected by an army hitch and time spent earning an English degree at the University of Southern California. But even though he was by then in his twenties, Crenna found himself still playing adolescents, notably squeaky-voiced high schooler Walter Denton on the radio comedy Our Miss Brooks. That he was able to play characters of virtually any age was overlooked by movie and TV casting directors, who could see Crenna only in callow-juvenile roles. After making an excellent impression as ballplayer Daffy Dean in the 1953 film Pride of St. Louis, for example, Crenna wasn't cast in another film until the 1955 movie version of Our Miss Brooks--in which, at 29, he was Walter Denton once more. The following year, Crenna decided "to sorta let Walter Denton die," and took a decidedly mature role in the sleazy exploitation film Over-Exposed (1956). It was a fully grown Crenna who took on the role of Luke McCoy on the Walter Brennan TV series The Real McCoys, which ran from 1957 through 1963 and which gave Crenna his first opportunities as a director. After McCoys, Crenna found himself facing potential career standstill again, since it seemed that now he was typed as the rubeish Luke McCoy. This time, however, the actor had impressed enough producers with his dogged work ethic and the range displayed in guest-star appearances. In 1964, Crenna was cast in a prestigious TV drama For the People as assistant DA David Koster, and though the program lasted only one season, Crenna was firmly established as a compelling dramatic actor. Still, and despite solid Richard Crenna film performances in The Sand Pebbles (1966), Body Heat (1981) and The Flamingo Kid (1985), the actor has never completely escaped the spectre of Walter Denton. Crenna was able to conjure up the old adenoidal Denton voice on talk shows of the 1980s and 1990s, and in the action-film spoof Hot Shots: Part Deux, the actor, with an absolute straight face, portrayed Colonel Denton Walters! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 2002
The purpose of this PBS documentary is to show that the true villains of the Hollywood Blacklist were not always "evil" politicians and fat-cat studio moguls. Filmmaker Lionel Chetwynd (ironically a lifelong staunch conservative) has chosen his mentor, screenwriter Carl Foreman, as the hero of the piece. The narrative focuses on 1952, the year that Foreman wrote the script for the classic Western High Noon. Even as his film is being lauded by the critics and the public alike as a masterpiece, the politically "dangerous" Foreman cannot find work in Hollywood, and the State Department is endeavoring to seize his passport. It is hurtful enough that old friends shun him, out of fear that they too will be "tainted"; but when even Stanley Kramer, the self-avowed liberal producer of High Noon, turns his back on Foreman, it is too much to bear. Chetwynd's teleplay is based upon an impassioned letter written by Foreman to influential film critic Bosley Crowther -- a desperate effort on the part of the screenwriter to state his case before the public, and, as it turns out, a futile gesture. At the time of its original telecast in September 2002, Darkness at High Noon: The Carl Foreman Documents incurred the wrath of Stanley Kramer's widow, Karen Sharpe Kramer, who insisted that her late husband was being unfairly maligned; thus it was that Chetwynd was forced to add a disclaimer to the document, begrudgingly stating that his thesis was merely "one version of the story." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Gansberg, Ray Huggins, (more)
This made-for-cable Western stars Richard Crenna as an aging rancher whose daughter has a son she can no longer control. The boy is sent to live with his grandfather, and as the youngster learns the importance of discipline and hard work, the rancher learns the importance of the bonds of family. By Dawn's Early Light also stars David Carradine, Stella Stevens, and Chris Olivero. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Crenna, Chris Olivero, (more)
Oliver Stone served as executive producer for this made-for-cable drama that looks back at the events of March 30, 1981, when John Hinckley, Jr. attempted to assassinate then-president Ronald Reagan. Richard Crenna stars as Reagan, Christian Lloyd plays Hinckley, Richard Dreyfuss portrays Secretary of State Alexander Haig (who infamously proclaimed himself "in charge here" after the shooting) and Holland Taylor appears as Nancy Reagan. Produced for the Showtime premium cable network, The Day Reagan Was Shot was first aired on December 9, 2001. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Dreyfuss, Richard Crenna, (more)
- 2000
In this feature-length follow-up to the long-running TV series Murder, She Wrote, homespun mystery novelist Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) leaves her Cabot Cove residence to attend a big-city writer's conference. As generally happens wherever Jessica shows up, a murder takes place; in this instance, the victim is a former KGB agent (Duncan Regehr) who was about to publish his tell-all memoirs. Teaming up with fellow author Warren Pierce (Richard Crenna), Jessica sets about to solve the murder -- much to the dismay of the local constabulary. Allegedly written as far back as 1998 (by Babylon 5 stalwart J. Michael Straczynski), Murder, She Wrote: A Story to Die For finally arrived on the CBS prime-time manifest on May 18, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Angela Lansbury, Richard Crenna, (more)
Jean de Segonzac directs Richard Crenna and Craig T. Nelson in the police thriller To Serve and Protect. Police officer Tom Carr begins to look into the death of a woman, but his suspicions that his perp is a serial killer become more pronounced after the death of a judge. Although Carr is able to get help from two other generations in the Carr family, he must step up his game when the killer takes an unexpected hostage. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Crenna, Craig T. Nelson, (more)
- 1997
A modern-day prodigal son, Isaiah Dockett (Rick Schroder) returns to his family farm in Nebraska after a six-year absence. Although he is welcomed back by his ailing mother Edith (Carroll Baker) and younger brother Jacob (Gabriel Mann), and is even able to platonically reconnect with his now-married former girlfriend Susan Doyle (Kim Dickens), Isaiah is unable to penetrate the wall of resentment that his taciturn and unforgiving father Arliss (Richard Crenna) has built around himself. Only when the farm is threatened by a raging flood are Isaiah and Arliss able to come to any sort of an understanding--but will it be permanent, or will it wash away once the waters have receded? Filmed in Alberta, the made-for-TV Heart Full of Rain first aired on October 5, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This installment of the series The Real Las Vegas covers the early days of the city. The city started out as a Mormon settlement, but mobsters such as Bugsy Siegel had other plans. They changed the city into a gambling oasis. Learn the early history of this fabled city with the help of actor and narrator Richard Crenna. ~ Linda J. Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1996
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Telemovie mainstays Richard Crenna and Patty Duke (who co-starred in the 1982 sitcom It Takes Two) reteamed for this 1996 prime-time docudrama. Crenna is John Porter, a husband and father whose emotional isolation from his wife (Duke) and children springs from his own ingrained fear of mortality. When the Porters' twentysomething daughter, Sarah, is kidnapped, crisis pulls the family together in a desperate attempt to find the young woman before time runs out. It also forces John to overcome his fear of intimacy and connection, by reaching out to his family at an intensely difficult time. This feature, unsurprisingly, was based on a true story. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Crenna, Patty Duke, (more)
- 1996
This installment of the series The Real Las Vegas covers the early gambling life of the city. Bugsy Siegel is noted for starting this present-day gambling oasis. He eventually fell from grace with the mob and after he was gone they moved in. Learn about this part of the history of Las Vegas with the help of actor and narrator Richard Crenna. ~ Linda J. Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This installment of the series The Real Las Vegas reports on the city of today. See a profile of present-day mogul Steve Wynn, who controls many businesses in the city, although some resorts are now family-owned. Learn about today's Las Vegas with the help of actor and narrator Richard Crenna. ~ Linda J. Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Michael Anderson directed this TV movie version of Jules Verne's oft-adapted science fiction classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Richard Crenna stars as Henry Aronnax, a marine biologist, who, along with his crew, must confront the maniacal genius Captain Nemo (Ben Cross), helmsman of the Nautilus. Paul Gross and Julie Cox also star. This film should not be confused with the other 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea TV movie that aired the same year and starred Michael Caine and Patrick Dempsey. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Crenna
- 1996
Country-western singer JoAnne Chadway (Molly Gross) is distraught when her mother Renee (Angie Dickinson)--and even more so since the disappearance occurred amidst bitter domestic strife with JoAnne's powerful attorney father Clay Chadway (Richard Crenna). When Clay inevitably becomes a suspect in Renee's possible murder, JoAnne embarks upon her own private investigation to ferret out the truth. What she discovers is horrifying--not so much because of what she now knows, but because of what she never knew before about her parents. "Inspired by actual events", the made-for-TV Deep Dark Secrets was first unveiled by CBS on April 15, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Modern transportation has come a long way. From the introduction of Henry Ford's quirky invention to the technically sophisticated constructions of modern times, cars have had an interesting history. Richard Crenna hosts this four-part series that follows the automobile's evolution. The Birth of the Automobile takes the viewer back to 1909 with the creation of the Model T. Driving Passion captures a moment when Americans reacted with predictable fervor to such an unexpected convenience.
~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Driving Passion documents America's fascination with the automobile. Beginning with the introduction of the Model T, the documentary traces the history of four-wheeled transportation. Hosted by Richard Crenna, The Fast Track to the Future looks at the modern problems plaguing car owners. From the gas crisis to technological advances, the future is undetermined. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Filmed on location in the Lone Star State, the made-for-TV In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy could be described as a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, except that its perverse plot twists are more reminiscent of Jacobean than Shakespearean tragedy. After being rendered paraplegic in an accident, wealthy young Luke Constable (Michael Hayden) is deserted by his socialite girlfriend. In an extremely vulnerable state, Luke falls in love with Laurette Wilder (Laura Leighton), the daughter of a working-class family. Determined to prove that she isn't merely a golddigger, Laurette encourages Luke to break away from his family and turn his back on their fortune. Her stubborn pride ultimately shatters their marriage, but the couple remains in love--so much so that the now-impoverished Luke, determined to "make good" for his wife's sake, is willing to commit murder. Produced for the Fox network, the fact-based In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy debuted September 12, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Crenna
- 1994
A serial killer is on the loose. The only clues he leaves are dried "wallflowers" near or on the body. For Police Lieutenant Janek, the need to find the maniac becomes more urgent after he learns that the latest victim is his own beloved goddaughter. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Crenna, Helen Shaver, (more)
- 1992
Hypnotic regression prompts a pair of sisters to recognize that they've been abducted by aliens. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Crenna, Mare Winningham, (more)
- 1992
Richard Crenna makes his fifth appearances NYPD detective Frank Janek in Terror on Track 9. The villain this time is a serial killer who preys upon women at Grand Central Station. The murderer's modus operandi is to inject his victims with poison. Janek suspects that the perpetrator is a man with a extensive background in chemistry-but he's still whistling in the dark, inasmuch as he has millions of suspects to choose from. Joan Van Ark and Swoosie Kurtz costar. Made for television, Terror on Track 9 debuted September 20, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Two patients, one with flashbacks and another who remembers the crash of a UFO, lead a well-known Los Angeles psychiatrist into an investigation of UFO abductions in order to help them. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Two patients, one with flashbacks and another who remembers the crash of a UFO, lead a well-known Los Angeles psychiatrist into an investigation of UFO abductions in order to help them. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Based on a true story, And the Sea Will Tell was originally telecast in two parts on February 24 and 26, 1991. The story takes place in 1974, when two couples sail separately to the South Pacific island of Palmyra. Wealthy marrieds Mac and Muff Grant (James Brolin and Diedre Hall) are looking for thrills. Former convict Buck Walker (Hart Bochner) and his hippie girl friend Jennifer Jenkins (Rachel Ward) are trying to start life over. Only one of the couples returns. Seven years later, the pitiful remains of the missing couple washes up on shore. Part One is the set-up; Part Two is devoted to the trial of accused-murderer Jenkins, and to the defense mounted by famed attorney Vincent Bugliosi (Richard Crenna). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Partially filmed in Hawaii and Tahiti, And the Sea Will Tell was a two-part TV movie based on a real murder case. A wealthy couple (James Brolin and Deidre Hall) are killed on their yacht off the coast of a secluded South American island called Palmyra. The suspects are a hippyish pair (Hart Bochner and Rachel Ward) whom the rich folks had befriended. It's fairly clear that the hippies were involved in the crime: The question is, did the man do it while the girl looked on helplessly, or was she a willing accomplice? Richard Crenna plays real-life defense attorney Vincent Bugliosi, upon whose book And the Sea Will Tell was based. The first part of this teledrama premiered on February 24, 1991; part two, in which the girl's testimony consumes most of the screen time, was shown on February 26. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
