William Bronder

Paul Clemens plays the real-life Peter Reilly, who in September of 1973 was charged with the mutilation and murder of his mother. The confused 18-year-old signs a confession after being told that he's flunked a lie detector test. Later renouncing the confession, Reilly demands a reopening of his case. The citizens of Peter's home town of Canaan, CT, who'd been willing to see the boy thrown in jail for life when the case first hit the papers, now rally around the youth, insisting that his constitutional rights have been violated. New evidence uncovered by a sympathetic detective enables Peter to press his case. Stefanie Powers plays Joan Barthel, the Canaan resident and free-lance journalist who chronicled Peter's bid for freedom. The made-for-TV A Death in Canaan was first telecast March 1, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In search of a courier for stolen diamonds, undercover cop Tony Baretta (Robert Blake) boards a cross-country bus. The problem: Baretta has no idea what the courier looks like. A bigger problem: The bus is being closely followed by the mastermind of the diamond heist, who intends to exact a horrible revenge from his double-crossing henchmen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This highly anecdotal film centers upon Doc (Nick Nolte), a self-employed marine biologist who lives by the ocean and interacts with the neighborhood denizens, trying to conceal a troubled past. Across from Doc's digs stands the local bordello, the Bear Flag Restaurant. Across the entrance ambles Suzy (Debra Winger), a drifter who tries to become one of the girls and fails miserably. However, she does set her sights on Doc and acts accordingly. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Flush is an amiably goofy British comedy of bad manners. William Calloway, William Bronder and Jennie Linaro head the cast. The humor rises from a series of rude noises, emanating from various body functions. Oddly, the film's combination of British reserve and Mel Brooksish flatulence is quite effective. This 1981 release is no relation to the 1975 buried-treasure farce Flush It. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

An evangelist suspected of financial impropriety is found dead in a motel room, apparently from an overdose of drugs and alcohol. Was it an accident, a suicide, or a murder? Quincy (Jack Klugman) is pressured by the authorities to solve the mystery--a task which may or may not be expedited by Dr. Paul Chase (Stephen Elliott), who insists upon performing a "psychological autopsy" on the victim. This episode was originally scheduled to air on October 25, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

More ambitious and expensive than ABC's first "novel for television" miniseries QB VII, the eight-episode, 12-hour Rich Man, Poor Man was the one that truly put the genre on the map, its phenomenal success in the ratings making possible the even more spectacular Roots. Adapted from the mammoth novel by Irwin Shaw, the miniseries covers the years from WWII to the 1960s, detailing the vacillating fortunes of the immigrant Jordache brothers. "Rich Man" Rudy Jordache (Peter Strauss) is determined to use his hard-earned education -- and his inherent ruthlessness -- to carve out a business and political empire not unlike that enjoyed by Joseph P. Kennedy and his progeny. "Poor Man" Tom Jordache (Nick Nolte), a quick-fisted hothead, goes an entirely different route, first as a professional boxer, then as a functionary of the evil gangster chieftain Falconetti (William Smith). Naturally, both brothers become entangled in romance along the way, with Julie Prescott (Susan Blakely) ending up as Rudy's benighted spouse. Originally telecast on February 1, 2, 9, 16, 23, and March 1, 8, and 15 in 1976, Rich Man, Poor Man earned 20 Emmy nominations and led to a weekly sequel, Rich Man, Poor Man -- Book 2, in the fall of 1976 (this version necessitated a title change for the original, which was rebroadcast as Rich Man, Poor Man -- Book 1 in the spring of 1977). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Charlie the bartender (Danny Wells) has the opportunity to multiply his profits by hosting a big party. When Charlie is unexpectedly called out of town, Louise (Isabel Sanford) offers to serve drinks in his place. What Louise doesn't know is that the party is a reunion for a gang of tough, unruly bikers. A strong all-male supporting cast, including Warren Berlinger and Reid Shelton, lifts this episode out of the ordinary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In one of his first acting roles, Arnold Schwarzenegger is typecast as professional bodybuilder Josef Schmidt. Anticipating Arnold's earliest, villainous film appearances, Schmidt is dangerously sensitive to criticism of his chosen profession--a sensitivity that leads inexorably to murder. Who'd have thought back in 1977 that Schwarzenegger would one day forsake the Streets of San Francisco to take up residence in the gubernatorial mansion in Sacramento? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This seven-minute short cartoon, released with Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, is the first animated short put out by Disney studios since 1965. It features the ever-ebullient Roger Rabbit of Who Framed Roger Rabbit fame. Here, he is teamed with Baby Herman, who must be rushed to the hospital after swallowing a rattle. The ever-seductive Jessica Rabbit (voice by Kathleen Turner) also puts in an appearance. While there is nothing in this cartoon that is unsuitable for children, it contains enough savvy wit to keep adult viewers' attention. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide