Mike Farrell Movies
Born in Minnesota, Mike Farrell was two years old when his family moved to LA; his father, a carpenter, had just gotten a lucrative movie-studio job. Exposed to showbiz from an early age, Farrell began acting in high school plays, hoping to pursue the theatre as a career. He was forced to put his thespic urges on the back burner during his hitch with the U.S. Marines, but upon being discharged he attended drama courses at Los Angeles City College and UCLA, and also studied at the Jeff Corey Workshop. He made his professional debut in a 1961 stage production of Rain, then spent several years playing bits in such films as Captain Newman MD (1963), The Graduate (1967) and Targets (1968). His first real break came in 1968, when he was cast as architect Scott Banning on the NBC daytime drama Days of Our Lives. Two years later, he put his John Hancock on a contract with Universal, playing supporting roles in such prime-times series as The Interns (1969) and Man and the City (1971).Unhappy with the type of roles offered him by his studio, Farrell asked for and received his release in 1975 when the opportunity came to audition for the popular sitcom M*A*S*H. Wayne Rogers had just left that top-rated series, leaving an opening in the category of "Hawkeye's Best Friend." Farrell read for the assignment, hit it off immediately with M*A*S*H leading-man Alan Alda (something Rogers had never been able to do), and was cast as wise-cracking army surgeon B. J. Hunnicutt, a role he'd fill until the series' final episode in 1983. Like Alda, Farrell directed several M*A*S*H episodes; also like Alda, he was a dedicated political and social activist, devoted to such causes as gay rights and prevention of child and spousal abuse. Since M*A*S*H's demise, Farrell has chosen to cut down on his acting appearances, preferring to direct; in addition to his series-TV work as director, he has also helmed the 1988 TV movie Run Till You Fall. In 1988, he co-produced the critically acclaimed theatrical feature Dominick and Eugene. Previously married to actress/documentary filmmaker Judy Farrell (nee Hayden), Mike Farrell is currently wed to Coach co-star Shelley Fabares. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Based on a comic-book story by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, "For the Man Who Has Everything" is that rarest of rare Justice League Unlimited episodes, giving center stage to the series' three biggest stars. It's Superman's birthday, so Batman and Wonder Woman head to the Fortress of Solitude to surprise their comrade. Upon arrival, the pair finds that Superman has already been surprised by a gift from the evil Mongul -- a parasitic plant that has immobilized the Man of Steel. As Batman and W.W. struggle to free their fellow Leaguer, the comatose Superman experiences what life would have been like had Krypton never exploded and had he remained on the planet as Kal-El -- with a very familiar-looking wife named Loana, and a "dream son," Van-El. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Roberts, Dana Delany, (more)
- 2003
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Based on Brian Cruver's first-person book, Anatomy of Greed, this strident TV movie chronicles the rise and fall of the notorious Houston-based Enron Corporation in the early years of the 21st century. The film is related from the perspective of Cruver himself (played by Christian Kane), here depicted as a brilliant but naïve young trader who, after being hired by Enron, was dazzled and seduced by the company's "get rich quick by whatever means necessary" credo. The obscenely extravagant "Enron Culture" (represented by endless office parties and nubile young ladies) was built upon the backs of the company's stockholders and lower-echelon employees -- and, when everything inevitably crashed and burned in the spring of 2002, it was the "little people" who suffered the most. Although several real-life personalities are portrayed in the film, among them Enron CEO Ken Lay (played Mike Farrell), executive Jeff Skilling (Jon Ted Wynne), and conscience-stricken whistleblower Sherron Watkins (Jan Skene), many of the characters are composites, chief among them the mysterious, sinister Enron higher-up "Mister Blue" (Brian Dennehy), whose primary function is to spout blatantly mercenary exposition. Due to budget restraints, The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron was filmed not in Houston but in Canada; and thanks to copyright restrictions, the company's famous "slanted E" logo is considerably altered onscreen. The film made its CBS debut on January 5, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Dennehy, Shannon Elizabeth, (more)
- 2003
This Christmas show is the only single-part episode of Justice League's second season. With Yuletide approaching, the various League members go their separate ways to celebrate the holiday. Superman invites Martian Manhunter J'onn J'onnz (here seen in one of his many earthly aliases) to Christmas dinner with the Man of Steel's earth parents, Ma and Pa Kent; The Green Lantern and Hawkgirl continue to draw closer together, especially during a hilarious snowball fight; and longtime foes Flash and Ultra-Humanite bury the hatchet long enough to help a group of needy orphans. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Farrell, Shelley Fabares, (more)
- 1998
This documentary, which was originally made for the Sci-Fi Channel, uses computer animation and time-lapse photography to tell audiences that they know shockingly little about asteroids or the probability of one ever hitting the Earth. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
The fact-based story of an unconventional physician who attempted to heal patients with laughter, based on his own book and mixing equal doses of scatological humor and pathos. Robin Williams stars as Hunter Adams, a troubled young man who commits himself to a mental institution in the late 1960s. His experiences there convince Adams to become a doctor, and he enrolls in medical school, where he is appalled at the cold, clinical professionalism that alienates patients from their caregivers. Determined to provide emotional and spiritual relief as well as medicine, Adams clowns around for his patients, getting to know them personally. Although his efforts seem to work wonders and the hospital nursing staff is grateful for the levity Adams provides, his methods alienate his uptight roommate Mitch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) as well as the staff and faculty of his school. Adams perseveres, however, even starting his own low-cost rural clinic called the Gesundheit Institute, and wooing a pretty fellow student, Carin (Monica Potter). Tragedy strikes, and Adams' career is put in jeopardy, forcing him to defend his style and philosophy before a board of jurists determined to bar him from practicing medicine. Patch Adams (1998) was produced by former M*A*S*H (1972-83) star Mike Farrell, who met the real-life Adams when the offbeat doctor served as an advisor to the actor's popular TV series. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robin Williams, Daniel London, (more)
- 1997
A once loving, devoted mother changes dramatically after suffering major head trauma during an auto accident. This made-for-television drama is based on a true story and follows the family as they try to cope with their mother's drastic transformation -- caused by severe damage to the area of the brain that controls impulses. The control for the need for sex was particularly damaged, and soon she is behaving in a most unseemly matter. Before long, her sexual craving destroys her family, and only her father remains loyal to her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Missy Crider, Mike Farrell, (more)
Also known as A Deadly Seduction and A Tangled Web, this made-for-TV melodrama stars Cheryl Ladd as Lucinda, a convict paroled in the custody of a hardboiled detective. Ladling on the charm in buckets, Lucinda inveigles the detective's brother, a wealthy widowed attorney, into falling in love with her. After their marriage, the "heroine" hatches a devilishly detailed scheme to kill of her husband, claim his fortune, and then seduce his handsome young son! Fans of The Simpsons will enjoy the performance by Nancy Cartwright (aka the voice of Bart Simpson) as Lucinda's nonplussed younger sister. Vows of Deception originally aired November 12, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cheryl Ladd, Mike Farrell, (more)
- 1994
In this made-for-TV movie inspired by the popular series Hart to Hart, jet-setting Jennifer and Jonathan Hart (Stephanie Powers and Robert Wagner) are attending a party for a successful publisher on his private island resort. Jennifer happens to overhear two men discussing a murder they plan to commit -- and their intended victim appears to be Jonathan. Suddenly the Harts have to find out why Jonathan has become a marked man while staying out of harm's way as they track the killers. Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die also stars Mike Farrell and Paul Williams. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Narrated by Mike Farrell, this film takes a hard look at the problem of ritual child abuse in America. As different cults continue to take root across this country, the instances of the use of children in their rituals grow. This film talks with parents, therapists, children, and law enforcement personnel to shed light on this growing problem and explain warning signs and prevention. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Farrell
- 1991
The made-for-television thriller Silent Motive is about a screenwriter (Patricia Wettig) whose recent script is being used for a series of murders of film-industry executives. Consequently, a police detective (Mike Farrell) immediately assumes that she is the chief suspect behind these gruesome crimes. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In this drama, a divorced dad fights for visitation rights with his daughter after she and her mother are relocated to an unknown locale as part of the Federal Witness Protection program. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ed O'Neill, Mike Farrell, (more)
- 1990
Brenda Vaccaro is featured as Sheila Kowalski Finley, a freewheeling society matron who has the cute habit of taking jewelry that doesn't belong to her. When her husband's chauffeur is murdered during a political fundraiser, Sheila is among the suspects, if for no other reason than she was carrying on an affair with the dead man. Inasmuch as she is an old friend of Sheila, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) sets herself to finding out who really "dun it"--and the suspects this time include the chaffeur's OTHER clandestine lover! (Be assured that Sheila's kleptomania will be deftly worked into the plotline). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Framed for a murder he did not commit, a detective is sent to a prison where each day's survival is a victory. Sickened by the brutality he encounters there, he plans his escape, knowing that only on the outside will he be able to prove his innocence. ~ Mark Hockley, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The made-for-cable Incident at Dark River stars Mike Farrell as a working-stiff family man. When his daughter falls ill, Farrell discovers to his horror that the girl is suffering from toxic poisoning. A local battery factory has been polluting the area with its deadly waste, but when Farrell tries to take legal action, he finds that the law favors the factory. Albert Rubin's slowly paced script leans towards "bad guy vs. good guy" rather than shades of gray, but it successfully hits all the right emotional buttons. The presence of well-known environmentalist Mike Farrell in this sincere, medium-budget effort is a prime example of putting one's money where one's mouth is. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Made for TV, A Deadly Silence was based on the book by New York Times reporter Dena Kleiman. It is the doleful story of Long Island teenager Cheryl Pierson (Heather Fairfield), who in February of 1986 orchestrated the murder of her electrician father James Pierson (Charles Haid). The film does not argue that Cheryl was innocent. It does, however, delve into the deep waters of "extenuating circumstances". With the utmost taste and discretion, A Deadly Silence reveals that, four at least five years, Cheryl had endured sexual abuse at the hands of her father. Over and above the basic story, the film explores the "deadly silence" of incest-a silence often maintained not only by the victim, but by friends and family members who don't want to cause "trouble". Mike Farrell, Richard Portnow, Jeff Corey and Sally Struther costar, while future Friends regular David Schwimmer essays an important minor role. A Deadly Silence premiered April 16, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
In this espionage thriller, American and British operatives team up to learn the real reason behind a KGB officer's defection. The two sides suspect that it's all part of an elaborate assassination conspiracy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1988
In this detective drama, a private gumshoe takes so many little cases that he can barely afford to support his wife and kids. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Dominick Luciano (Thomas Hulce) is the moderately retarded twin brother of highly intelligent young intern Eugene (Ray Liotta). Anxious to become a successful doctor, Eugene finds he must devote most of his time to caring for Dominick. For his part, Dominick has been contributing to the family unit as a trash collector; in fact, it is his earnings that keeps food on the table. All Dominick wants out of life is a house by the lake where he and his brother can be together for all time. But the ambitious Eugene can't always bring himself to share that vision. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Hulce, Ray Liotta, (more)
- 1988
Someone in the upper echelons of network television must have been enamored of or obsessed with French playwright Robert Thomas' Trap for a Lonely Man, since the property was adapted to television no fewer than three times. The 1986 version, Vanishing Act, stars Mike Farrell as a honeymooning husband. When his new bride turns up missing, Farrell angrily demands that the authorities drop everything to find her. Imagine his surprise when Margot Kidder, a total stranger, arrives on the scene, insisting that she is Farrell's wife. Earlier versions of Trap for a Lonely Man included Honeymoon with a Stranger (1969) and One of My Wives is Missing (1976). Originally telecast May 4, 1986, Vanishing Act was cleverly adapted by Richard Levinson and William Link, who slavishly retained Robert Thomas' by-now-familiar final plot twist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Fans of outdoor adventures amid breathtaking scenery and, in particular, fans of dangerous athletic stunts and skiing will particularly enjoy this straightforward New Zealand film. In the story, a world-class skier from Telluride, Colorado accepts an invitation to ski the uncrowded slopes of New Zealand. There, he gets involved in such local pastimes as skiing on active volcanos and glaciers, and he enters into a local skiing competition that is to winter sports what the Iron Man competition is to summer sports: they ski, climb mountains, race kayaks, and then race on foot to the finish line. Hearty outdoor "I dare you" stuff, with nary a villain or an internal conflict in sight; those desiring more emotionally involved films should look elsewhere for their entertainment. The director's 1977 ski documentary, Off the Edge, was nominated for an Academy Award that year, so he knows how to film skiing. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
In this drama, the failed pilot for a TV series, a psychologist endeavors to balance his turbulent personal life, with those of his troubled patients. Unfortunately, he tends to get equally personally involved in both and trouble ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
