Kathie Browne Movies
An attractive blonde actress who scoffed at early typecasting as the pretty ingenue, Kathie Browne was the wife of popular actor Darren McGavin, and a notable talent in her own right. Born in San Luis Obispo, CA, Browne attended L.A. City College while honing her acting skills in numerous local theaters. Spotted by a television director while performing as the lead in a production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, it wasn't long before Browne began working frequently on television. Browne's early roles included appearances in such popular television Westerns as Bonanza and Gunsmoke, and after making her film debut in 1958's Murder by Contract she began a successful film career. Though at first succumbing to the casting agents wishes and appearing in roles where a pretty face and little more was needed, Browne began to branch out in the 1960s with such roles as a scientist on Sea Hunt and a deft grifter in an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Married to McGavin in 1969, the young actress slowly began her fade from the limelight in order to better promote the career of her husband. In addition to being a driving force behind the success of The Night Stalker, Browne would join McGavin in founding their own production company, Formed Taurean Films. Frequently appearing onscreen together, Browne and McGavin would acquire nearly 50 credits together, between film and television. Diagnosed with breast cancer later in life, the strong-willed Browne would make a full recovery and, at age 70, go into full retirement. On April 8, 2003, Kathie Browne-McGavin died in Beverly Hills following a brief illness. She was 63. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide- 1975
Once again, Jim Rockford (James Garner) finds himself neck-deep in trouble when he develops car trouble in a small town. The town in question is Pastoria, where thanks to a series of "misunderstandings" Jim is accused of several crimes, including grand theft auto, narcotics smuggling, statutory rape, and worst of all, posing as an insurance agent! Protesting his innocence on all but the last charge, Jim refuses to cop a plea and demands his day in court. Unfortunately, the entire economy of Pastoria is based upon collecting huge fees from strangers charged with phony crimes--and the powers-that-be aren't about to let Jim mess up a good thing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Newly paroled and working at a group home for convicts' children, ex-prisoner Carl Parkos (Paul Burke) receives word that his oldest son has been killed in a gang fight. It is up to Chief Ironside to prevent Parkos from exacting vengeance against the killer, not so much for Carl's sake as for the man's surviving son. Featured as one of the Parkos kids is juvenile actor Butch Patrick, late of The Munsters and Lidsville. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Though it barely received big-city release (it lay on the shelf for nearly two years before it received any sort of release), The Petty Story did quite well on a regional basis. As indicated by the title, this is the story of the Petty family of stock-car racing fame. Richard Petty, who won over 200 races before his 1993 retirement, stars as himself, while Darren McGavin provides acting relief as Petty's father Lee. The film pulls no punches in charting the turbulent relationship between father and son. For those not interested in domestic melodrama, the film is chock-full of great racing scenes. Also appearing in The Petty Story are Kathie Browne (Mrs. Darren McGavin),Noah Beery Jr. (who went through most of the same paces in Big Fauss and Little Halsey), Lynne Marta and L.Q. Jones. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Petty, Darren McGavin, (more)
- 1973
- PG
In this star-studded Canadian feature, young Johnny (Ron Howard) returns to his home to find out more about his early childhood, and who his father is. He runs headlong into the rivalry between his mother (Cloris Leachman) and her sister (Patricia Neal). What he cannot know is that his inquiries will stir up a hornet's nest among the other villagers. Apparently more than one person in his hometown has something to hide. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1968
After coming into contact with an uncharted planet, a series of mysterious disappearances begins to decimate the crew of the starship Enterprise in this installment of the 1960s science fiction television series. The rash of disappearances begins after a landing party explores the planet Scalos, causing much puzzlement for the Enterprise officers. Kirk becomes privy to the answer when he himself vanishes, however. He finds that he and the other missing crew members have been kidnapped by the Scalosians, an alien species that closely resembles humans but moves at a speed undetectable to human senses. Having been accelerated himself, the newly invisible Kirk must find a way to communicate his discovery to the others and save the Enterprise. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- 1968
After stealing $150,000 from a bank and shooting another officer, rogue cop Fred Hickman (Robert Lansing) offers to give himself up to Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr). Instead, he takes both the Chief and Mark (Don Galloway) hostage, forcing them to accompany him as he attempts to escape. Ironside realizes that his only hope of surviving the ordeal is to convince Hickman's loyal wife Jane (Kathie Browne) that her husband is now irredeemable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
It is altogether fitting that Burgess Meredith, who'd played The Penguin on Batman, should guest-star in this episode, which likewise boasts an "avian" theme. A wealthy man has been murdered, and his faithful manservant (Meredith) has been charged with the crime. To get to the truth of the matter, Ironside (Raymond Burr) must rely upon the dead man's pet myna bird Mr. Micawber, who talks only in riddles--one of which may very provide the solution to the mystery. "Michael Shayne" creator Brett Halliday cowrote this episode, which marks the American directorial debut of Ironside associate producer Jeannot Szwarc, later a fixture of the Rod Serling anthology Night Gallery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Released theatrically in Europe, Hondo and the Apaches was stitched together from the first two episodes of the Hondo TV series, telecast September 7 and 15, 1967. Ralph Taegar plays the title role of western U.S. Army agent Hondo Lane, with Noah Beery Jr. as sidekick Buffalo Baker. Guest-star Robert Taylor is given top billing, but his participation is secondary to the main plotline: Hondo is told to help make peace with Indian Chief Vittoro (Michael Pate), whose daughter--Hondo's wife--had been killed by the Cavalry. Once the peace pipe is smoked, Hondo must deal with a renegade Native American who threatens the peace by randomly attacking settlers. The original TV series Hondo lasted only 13 weeks, knocked off in the ratings by the competing Star Trek. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In the second episode of a three-part story, Presidential emissary Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) has managed to disuade his former West Point comrade General Custer (Robert Lansing) from sparking an Indian war to further his own political ambitions. Shortly thereafter, Chief Crazy Horse (Michael Pate) arrives in Washington to plead for peace and fair treatment of his people from General Sheridan (John Pickard). Alas, Sheridan's philosophy is that the only good Indian is a dead Indian--and this time, Jason may not be able to prevent a bloodbath. Excerpts from "Call to Glory" were later combined with scenes from two other Branded episodes, "Fill No Glass for Me" and "Now Join the Human Race", to form the direct-to-video "feature film" Blade Rider: Revenge of the Indian Nations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In the concluding episode of a three-part story, sinister forces have conspired against both General Custer (Robert Lansing) and Indian chief Crazy Horse (Michael Pate), making a final bloody confrontation at the Little Big Horn all but inevitable. Acting on behalf of President Grant, Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) has received evidence that Indian shaman Sitting Bull (Felix Locher) did not murder a crooked Indian agent as claimed. Racing against time, McCord hurries to convey this information to Custer--who has already gathered his 7th Cavalry for a rendezvous with destiny. Excerpts from "Call to Glory" were later combined with scenes from two other Branded episodes, "Fill No Glass for Me" and "Now Join the Human Race", to form the direct-to-video "feature film" Blade Rider: Revenge of the Indian Nations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Brainstorm is a somewhat contrived but still well done and frightening thriller written and well-directed by actor William Conrad. Jim Grayam (Jeffrey Hunter) is a young scientist who saves Lorrie Benson (Anne Francis) from committing suicide. They fall in love, but Lorrie's husband Cort Benson (Dana Andrews), who had driven her to the brink of suicide before, discovers that Jim has had a history of mental instability and fabricates obscene phone calls and other actions to create the impression that Jim is unstable. The pair decide to murder Cort, using insanity as a defense. The film has a series of interesting plot twists and a plausible ending, and the performances are generally excellent with Conrad's direction maintaining a good pace and an excellent visual style aided by a good, simple musical score by George Duning. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeffrey Hunter, Anne Francis, (more)
- 1965
Dumped by his girlfriend because she thinks he's a crashing bore, Walter Mills (Larry Blyden) decides to completely alter his looks and personality. Thus, he grows a beard and rechristens himself "Philip Marshall," and it is in this guise that he gets mixed up with the attractive Noreen Kimberly (Kathie Browne). Unfortunately, Noreen has a jealous boyfriend named Curly (Berkeley Harris), who threatens to tell Noreen that Walter is a phony -- unless our "hero" joins Curly in a plot to smuggle some stolen jewels out of the country. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Larry Blyden, Kathie Browne, (more)
- 1965
This is the second of two Season Eight episodes in which a "special guest attorney" takes over from Perry Mason (Raymond Burr), who is ostensibly in Europe on business. This time the substitute is Perry's lawyer pal Ken Kramer (Barry Sullivan), who is hired by Lona Upton (Kathie Browne) to bail out her "friend "Maxine Nichols (Nina Shipman). It seems that Maxine has swiped a necklace worth $50,000 from Lona's half-sister Amy (Bettye Ackerman), who in turn is the widow of a yachtsman who'd died several years earlier under suspicious circumstances. But Lona isn't as kind-hearted as she seems: she hopes that Maxine will provide her with the combination to Amy's safe. Instead, Maxine is murdered and Lona is charged with the crime, prompting Kramer to figure out if someone else might have had a motive to bump off the "thermal thief." This episode was removed from the Perry Mason syndication package prepared in 1966, and was not seen again until the mid-1990s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
As originally intended, Kathie Browne was to make between eight and ten Bonanza appearances as widow Laura Dayton, so as to prepare audiences for the wedding of Laura and Adam Cartwright-and the eventual exit from the series of Pernell Roberts. In addition, Guy Williams had been brought in as Adam's (and Roberts') potential replacement, Ben's nephew Will Cartwright. But the series' female fans responded negatively to the notion of Adam taking a bride, while the other cast members reportedly felt threatened by the charismatic Williams' presence on the set. As a result, both Browne and Williams were deftly written out of the show in the episode titled "Triangle." A sequel to the previous week's "The Pressure Game", this installment found Laura and Will suffering the pangs of guilt over their burgeoning romance, which left a temporarily wheelchair-bound Adam out in the cold. Everything turned out happily in the end-except perhaps for Kathie Browne and Guy Williams, who never appeared on the series again. Written by Frank Cleaver, "Triangle" first aired on May 17, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
In this goofy comedy, an architect discovers that a recently purchased antique bottle is the home of a jovial but vexing genie who is more than willing to destroy anyone who would oppose or annoy his new master. This creates problems for the architect as he is more interested in impressing his in-laws-to-be than having his wishes granted. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Randall, Burl Ives, (more)
- 1964
Newly married to his boss' daughter, George Maxwell (Patrick O'Neal) takes a taxi to the home of his former girlfriend, intending to end the relationship with a huge financial settlement. Alas, when George arrives at the girl's home, he finds that she has been murdered. Cab driver Sam Kirby (George Lindsey) is apparently the only person who knows that George was at the dead woman's house on the night of the death, and he figures that he should receive a great deal of money to ensure his silence. But Sam hasn't figured on the resourcefulness of George's demure wife, Mavis (Kathie Browne) -- whose gardening skills come in quite handy in the overall scheme of things. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick O'Neal, Kathie Browne, (more)
- 1964
Kathie Browne makes her third appearance as Adam Cartwright's erstwhile lady friend Laura Dayton. Encouraged by her Aunt Lil (Joan Blondell) to rush Adam into marriage, Laura decides to make her sweetheart jealous by playing up to Adam's cousin Will (Guy Williams). The scheme backfires when Laura and Will fall in love for real. First telecast on May 10, 1964, "The Pressure Game" was written by Don Tait. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
In this sequel to "The Waiting Game", Kathie Browne returns in the role of Laura Dayton, erstwhile sweetheart of Adam Cartwright. A smooth stranger named Ward Bannister (Peter Breck) arrives in town claiming that Laura's husband had willed her a fortune. Unaware that the duplicitous Bannister is harboring ulterior motives, Laura becomes attracted to the man, causing friction between herself and Adam. Katie Sweet) rounds out the cast as Laura's daughter Peggy. Originally broadcast on February 9, 1964, "The Cheating Game" was written by William L. Stuart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1963
Originally telecast December 8, 1963, "The Waiting Game" introduces Kathie Browne in the recurring role of Laura Dayton. When Laura's husband Frank (Wade Preston) is killed, she decides not to reveal this tragic fact to her wide-eyed little daughter Peggy (Katie Sweet), who is anxiously awaiting her daddy's return. Agreeing to help keep Laura's secret, Adam Cartwright finds himself falling in love with her. Written by Ed Adamson, this episode was to have been the first of eight to ten installments leading up to the marriage of Laura Dayton and Adam Cartwright-and, ultimately, Pernell Roberts' departure from the series. But thanks to the protests of Bonanza's female fans, things did not quite turn out as planned. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
Roger Willoughby (Rock Hudson) is a super salesman of sporting goods who sells fishing equipment but knows nothing about the sport. Roger's boss Cadwalader (John McGiver) gets an idea from publicity director Abigail (Paula Prentiss) to enter him in a fishing contest, and the inept angler has a series of comic consequences before he wins the contest with some help from a bear. When Roger admits that his winning the event was merely luck, he turns in the prize and loses his job. Roger eventually wins Abigail's heart and gets his job back. Howard Hawks directs this slapstick comedy with his typical flair -- witty dialogue and effective sight gags included. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rock Hudson, Paula Prentiss, (more)
- 1963
Althhough she is on her deathbed, wealthy Be Be Brent (Anne Barton) is sufficiently hale and hearty to enrage her relatives by leaving the bulk of her estate--one million dollars--to her nurse Hetty Randall (Anne Seymour). The family members hire Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) to contest the will, but instead he ends up with another murder case on his hands. This time, the victim is Justin Grover, and the accused is a girl named Madeline (Sherry Jackson)...whose last name is also Randall. Former "beefcake" leading man Jon Hall, who hadn't appeared on TV since 1958, came out of retirement to play a major role in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
As something of an experiment, Uncle Martin (Ray Walston) decides to fall in love, an emotion unkown on Mars. The object of Martin's affections is an exotic dancer who goes by the name of Peaches Ancream (Kathie Browne). As it turns out, Peaches is quite fond of Martin, but she insists that the man in her life must tell the whole truth at all times--so how will Martin be able to continue covering up his outer-space origins? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
For years, rancher Thad Taylor (Harry Carey Jr.) has lived in terror of his pretty bout domineering housekeeper Lydia (Kathie Browne). Now Lydia has demanded that That marry her immediately--or else. In desperation, Thad turns to Paladin (Richard Boone) to deal with the overbearing Lydia, thus setting the stage for a frontier variation on "The Taming of the Shrew." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
David White, better known to the TV Generation as neurotic adman Larry Tate on Bewitched, is here seen in the radically different role of Tom Carey, former army scout and notorious gunslinger. Now the marshal of a small town, Carey has also become a tin-pot dictator, prompting the citizens to hire Paladin (Richard Boone) to rid the community of the martinet marshal. Only two problems: Paladin and Tom are old friends...and Paladin knows all too well that Tom is much quicker on the draw than he. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Corning Company employee Susan Fisher (Kathie Browne) begins to suspect there's skullduggery afoot involving one of the company's holdings, the supposedly played-out Mojave Monarch Mine. Things get curiouser and curiouser when a woman claiming to be company owner Amelia Corning shows up, grabs two huge satchels of money, and then disappears--only to be followed by another woman, who insists that SHE is Amelia Corning. Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) is brought into the case when Paul Drake (William Hopper) is arrested while investigating the highly suspicious goings-on. Ultimately, the Mojave Mine's foreman Ken Lowry (Michael Harvey) is murdered, and Perry must defend the primary suspect--which brings us full-circle to Susan Fisher again! This episode is based on a novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
