James Brolin Movies
When James Brolin was 15, his parents invited Hollywood producer/director William Castle to dinner. Impressed by Brolin's self-confidence and teen-idol looks, Castle invited him to audition for a film role at Columbia Pictures. When he failed to land the part, Brolin decided to "show 'em" by studying diligently for an acting career, eventually logging 5,000 hours of class time. While still attending U.C.L.A., he landed a small role on the Bus Stop TV series, which led to a 20th Century Fox contract. For the next five years, he marked time with bits and minor roles in such Fox features as Take Her, She's Mine (1963), Goodbye Charlie (1964), Von Ryan's Express (1965), Our Man Flint (1966), and Fantastic Voyage (1966). His first real break came with a peripheral but noticeable recurring role on the 1966 TV Western The Monroes.In 1968, Brolin finally attained stardom with his Emmy-winning characterization of Dr. Steve Kiley on the popular TV medical series Marcus Welby, M.D. During his five years with Welby, Brolin returned to films to play such choice roles as the unbalanced Vietnam vet in Skyjacked (1972) and ill-fated vacationer John Blaine in Westworld (1973). The most conspicuous of his post-Welby film assignments was 1976's Gable and Lombard, a cinematic atrocity redeemed only slightly by Brolin's earnest portrayal of Clark Gable. His most endearing screen assignment was his extended cameo as P.W. in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985), and in 1992 he had one of his strongest roles to date as a wayward father in Allison Anders' Gas Food Lodging. Periodically returning to television, Brolin has starred on the weekly series Hotel (1983), Angel Falls (1993), and Extremities (1995). James Brolin is the father of actor Josh Brolin, who co-starred with his dad in the made-for-cable Finish Line (1989). In 1998, Brolin assumed one of his most high-profile real-life roles to date as the husband of Barbra Streisand, whom he married in July of that year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In this feature-length episode, the world's most wealthy and beautiful pair of amateur detectives go Down Under to buy a wildlife preserve and end up solving a murder mystery. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1996
- R
In this violent actioner, a vengeful criminal escapes from prison and heads off to ruin the life of the one responsible for his incarceration. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Brolin, Billy Drago, (more)
- 1996
While being escorted to prison from Phoenix to New York, crazed killer Peter Cronin (Anthony Michael Hall) hijacks a commercial jet in flight with the help of accomplices. Holding the 200 passengers and the crew members hostage, Cronin forces the plane to land in Dallas, then demands another, more powerful aircraft for the last leg of his escape. As FBI agent Frank Layton (Perry King) and detective Deni Patton (Ally Sheedy) attempt to negotiate with Cronin, time runs perilously short for the hostages, who know that the killer isn't bluffing when he threatens to kill one prisoner per hour unless his demands are met. A curious reunion for former Breakfast Club costars Anthony Michael Hall and Ally Sheedy, the made-forTV Hijacked: Flight 285--which is so weighed down with the "backstories" of the many characters that it could well have been retitled "The High and the Mighty at Gunpoint"--made its ABC network debut on February 4, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Brolin, Perry King, (more)
- 1996
Knowing that her daughter will die without a bone marrow transplant, a mother is forced to face up to her past mistakes and find the child she gave up years before in hopes of finding a donor match. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patty Duke, Tracey Gold, (more)
While at the Cannes Film Festival, producer Sy Learner (Seymour Cassel) makes a bet that he can turn any nobody into a star. A cabbie from New York named Frank (Francesco Quinn) becomes his test case as Sy tries to get Frank noticed amidst the stars and glitter of Cannes. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Seymour Cassel, Francesco Quinn, (more)
- 1995
In this psychological thriller, James Brolin plays David, the head of a large corporation who goes on a winter retreat with his wife Claire (played by Kelly LeBrock) in tow. One of the underlings in the company, Patrick (Wolf Larson), desperately wants David out of the way; in a fit of rage, he snaps and kidnaps Claire, torturing her until David can come to her rescue. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kelly LeBrock, James Brolin, (more)
- 1995
- R
A handful of brave survivors must contend with an unusual sort of post-apocalyptic crisis in this science fiction drama. The earth has been decimated in the wake of World War III; while massive thermonuclear attacks wiped out most of the major cities, an experimental biological weapon was released that spread two artificial viruses, one of which would infect men and another which would infect women. When the two viruses are brought together during sexual intercourse, the result is instant and painful death for both parties, and the deadly spread of this weapon has meant that humanity as we know it is doomed to eventual extinction. However, Calloway (Richard Lynch), the leader of a battalion of all-male ravagers who plunder the post-nuke plains for whatever they can find, discovers a community where men, women, and children are actually living together in something resembling civilization. It seems that a scientist was able to develop a serum that rendered the twin viruses harmless; however, the inventor is killed as Calloway and his men raid the village. The inventor's son, Joe Knight (Bryan Genesee), survives, and he must learn the secrets to his father's formula. He gets some unexpected help from McCabe (James Brolin), a renegade peacekeeper on the run from Calloway, and Shara (Kehli O'Byrne), who with McCabe is eager to discover the formula for the serum and begin repopulating the world. Roger Corman served as executive producer for this project. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Brolin, Bryan Genesse, (more)
- 1994
- R
SWAT-Team instructor John Lomax's faith in the American justice system is shaken when the sociopath who murdered his sister is sentenced to life in a mental institution rather than to Death Row. Internal pressures upon Lomax mount when he is attacked by a mentally unstable woman desperately trying to free her brother from jail before his execution. When Lomax begins talking about ways to get to his sister's murderer and to kill him for revenge, his girlfriend and his partner get seriously worried. Meanwhile, the killer himself has devised an escape plan and he doesn't care who gets killed during the ensuing mayhem. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Speakman, James Brolin, (more)
- 1994
A sex therapist is forced to turn detective to keep herself out of prison in this steamy thriller. Journalist Shoshona Reed (Elizabeth Sandifer) has a knack for digging up incriminating information -- enough so that she's begun blackmailing a number of people and threatening to run incriminating stories about them if they don't pay up. Shoshona is a client of sex therapist Rebecca Mathis (Shannon Tweed), and when Shoshona is killed, Rebecca becomes a suspect in the murder investigation. To save her own skin, Rebecca begins investigating Shoshona's death, and she discovers that there are a number of people who might have wanted her dead, including Darrell Martine (Chad McQueen), a disturbed ex-convict, and Tom Mueller (Craig Stepp), a businessman with a secret. Indecent Behavior III followed this picture a year later. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1994
- R
This Canadian thriller features a cute little kid who kills. Connie and Linda give birth simultaneously in the same hospital. A mix up with the babies occur. Linda, after the baby, Adam, hits her, feels something is wrong. Indeed, the babe's real mother is a homicidal maniac and her illness seems to be genetic. Four years pass and Adam has grown into an autistic child. He cannot speak, but he sure can glower when he doesn't get his way. He despises his grandfather because the old man considers him stupid. His parents really love him, but they are concerned. They should be. It is not long before bodies are dropping like flies in the house. The parents hire Clive, a special ed. tutor, to teach Adam to speak. Detective Atwater becomes involved after he begins to suspect that little Adam is behind the mayhem. His mother is inclined to agree. Eventually the mix-up is discovered and Linda confronts Connie, who is chained up in prison. Soon she discovers the whereabouts of her real son. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Darlanne Fluegel, Martin Neufeld, (more)
- 1994
Directed by Linda Yellen, this made-for-cable movie originally aired on the Showtime network and featured a star-studded cast including Dudley Moore, Liza Minelli, and James Belushi. The plot centers around several fraternity and sorority graduates who have decided to regroup at their alma mater. Nick (Belushi), a determined but gloomy reporter, attends on the sole hope of finding some good gossip. His highest hope lies within the career ties of his ex-lover Winnie (JoBeth Williams), who now serves as publicist to rising politician Rebecca Ferguson Stone (Patricia Wetig). Fellow alumni Charlie (Ben Gazzara) is returning for equally dishonest reasons--he's hoping to convince his ex Francie (Gena Rowlands) to pay off his gambling debts. Francie, however, has found herself more interested in bonding with a single mom/housekeeper (Ally Sheedy). All of their lives take a turn for the unexpected when the big man on campus mysteriously dies. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
A woman becomes deeply disturbed when she starts having psychic visions of a brutal murder. Unfortunately, when she goes to the police, they treat her not as a witness, but as the prime suspect. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Eden, James Brolin, (more)
Rod McCall wrote and directed this slice-of-life melodrama about a woman in a mid-life crisis who struggles to preserve her home and family. Sally Kirkland stars as Jenny, who must deal with a serious problem involving her errant husband Henry (James Brolin) as she prepares for the wedding of her youngest daughter Kat (Renee Estevez). Henry has taken off for New Mexico with his most recent lover and business associate Patsy (Laura Johnson), where they plan to pay off Jenny's mortgage, sell the property and split the money. Meanwhile, Jenny's other daughter Samantha (Pamela Gidley) arrives at the wedding with her life in an uproar -- she is undecided whether to stay in New York City and pursue her classical music career or head back home and marry handsome cowboy Bill (Michael Moore). Henry arrives at the wedding only to be slapped by Jenny for his callousness. Afterwards, Patsy, tired of all the internecine family squabbles, denounces Henry for his cavalier ways and threatens to keep their proposed business deal (an auto dealership) all to herself. But heading in the same direction is Jenny and Samantha, with Jenny chaffing at the bit, preparing to let Henry have it in a final cathartic confrontation. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sally Kirkland, James Brolin, (more)
- 1993
- R
Bud Cort's directorial debut is a dark comedy about a romantic obsession that leads to tragedy, featuring a wide array of cameo performances including James Brolin, Carol Kane, Rhea Perlman, Martin Mull, Andrea Martin, Woody Harrelson, Timothy Leary, and Gena Rowlands. Cort is Ted Whitley, a local poet celebrity in Venice Beach, California, who spends his time drifting along the boardwalk and delivering his beat poetry inspirations at a local dive. As he sits on a pier composing his latest art work, a vision of incredible beauty --Linda Turner (Kim Adams)-- strolls by in a bikini and Ted is immediately smitten. Linda turns out to be the manager of the agency that Ted has used to try to find a new apartment. He flatters her with his attentions and his poetic rambles. For her part, she likes Ted but doesn't consider him romantic material. Ted misinterprets Linda's friendliness for amorousness and when Linda tries to back off from Ted, Ted cannot be stopped. His out-of-control obsession for Linda turns Linda's once-friendly demeanor into one of terror. But Ted continues stalking her until tragedy strikes. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bud Cort, James Brolin, (more)
- 1992
In this outing a city boy learns the meaning of manhood after he struggles to protect the ancient and beautiful Limberlost forest from those who would destroy it. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Brolin, Christian Campbell, (more)
- 1992
James Arness made his first appearance as Marshal Matt Dillon in eight years in the 1993 TV movie Gunsmoke: The Long Ride. Inasmuch as Amanda Blake (Kitty) and Milburn Stone (Doc) had passed on, and Dennis Weaver was disinclined to revive the role of Chester, big Jim pretty much goes it alone in this one. The plot is set in motion by a trio of murderous robbers. Matt Dillon chases after the threesome, while he in turn is being chased by a posse who thinks that Matt is the gang's boss. Featured in the cast are James Brolin as a helpful frontiersmen, and Ali McGraw as "Uncle" Jane Merkel (we're not about to explain that one). Gunsmoke: The Long Ride was originally telecast May 8, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Arness, James Brolin, (more)
- 1992
In this two-part adventure drama based on a thriller by author Sidney Sheldon, three nuns must run for their lives from a cruel colonel. Their flight leads them straight to a renowned Spanish rebel. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Deborah Raffin, Michael Nouri, (more)
Based on a novel by Richard Peck called Don't Look and It Won't Hurt, Allison Anders's melodramatic coming-of-age tale Gas Food Lodging takes place in Laramie, NM, a small town right off the highway. Nora (Brooke Adams) is a truck-stop waitress who lives in a trailer park with her two teenaged daughters, Trudi (Ione Skye) and Shade (Fairuza Balk). While Trudi sleeps around and defies her mother, Shade spends her time at the local cinema and wishes she could have a dad like a normal family. One day, Trudi hooks up with a visiting geologist (Robert Knepper) and spends a magical evening in a cave with him. However, he turns up missing and Trudi finds herself pregnant. Meanwhile, Shade's romantic advances are rejected by Darius (Donovan Leitch), but she finds something new with film projectionist Javier (Jacob Vargas). Shade's attempts at finding a husband for her mom are unsuccessful, but Nora ends up meeting satellite TV installation man Hamlet Humphrey (David Lansbury). Features a cameo appearance from Dinosaur Jr. frontman J. Mascis, who also wrote the original music. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brooke Adams, Ione Skye, (more)
- 1992
- R
After witnessing a murder, a prostitute runs and is thought to be killed in an explosion. Soon her housewife twin sister begins to search for her and decides to pose as the missing woman. Before long, she is the target of repeated attempts on her life, but escapes successfully only to find a big surprise awaiting her. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephanie Kramer, Susan Almgren, (more)
- 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
