Argentina Brunetti Movies
- 1981
Faye Dunaway portrays the Argentinian title character in this four-hour TV biopic. The story traces Evita's rise to power from humble origins; she establishes herself as a radio and film actress, then meets and marries powerful politico Juan Peron (played by James Farentino, a last minute replacement for Robert Mitchum). Peron's iron-fisted rule of Argentina allows Evita to become a political power in her own right. At first she is widely beloved as a "woman of the people", but gradually many of her followers are disillusioned by her use -- and misuse -- of her authority and her influence over Peron. After Evita dies, she is all but canonized by the Faithful, and it becomes more difficult than ever to separate fact from legend. Evita Peron was clearly produced to capitalize on the Broadway musical hit Evita, though the script takes great pains not to copy its theatrical inspiration. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this dark and sometimes sad comedy, Dominick -- an extremely obese man -- is pushed by his sister Antoinette to shed a few pounds lest he end up dead like his cousin. To do so, she helps him enroll in the fanatical weight-loss group, the Chubby Checkers, who will do anything to keep fellow members from over-eating. Another incentive for Dominick is his love for Lydia, a women whom Dominick fears has deserted him because of his obesity.The process of weight loss is torture, and he is left with a painful choice (one that the naturally thin don't always understand), suffer the pain and lose the weight or somehow learn to live with it. After his initial attempts to lose weight end in failure, and he goes on a gigantic food bender (one of the great binge scenes in movie history), in the end, Dominick learns that Lydia loves him for who he is, and he decides that he should do himself the same favor. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dom DeLuise, Anne Bancroft, (more)
- 1978
- R
Several former college students find their former drug experiences catching up with them in an unexpected and terrifying manner in this clever horror outing. Jerry Zipkin (Zalman King) is a bright but troubled man in his late twenties who graduated from Stanford University in 1968 but hasn't had much luck getting his life in order since then. One night Jerry attends a party with a few old college buddies, and is shocked when one of them, Frannie (Richard Crystal), suddenly loses all his hair in a single lump and goes on a bloody rampage. When circumstantial evidence makes Jerry a key suspect in the murders of three women at the party, he sets out to find out what happened, and with the help of another school friend, surgeon David Blume (Robert Walden), he discovers a link between Frannie's bizarre behavior and several similar incidents which recently occurred. In each case, the killers attended Stanford in the late '60s, and all had used Blue Sunshine, a potent but tainted variety of LSD sold by Ed Flemming (Mark Goddard), a bootleg acid chemist who is now a respected mainstream political candidate. Jerry struggles to stay one step ahead of the law as he tries to piece the story together, knowing that another victim of the drug could go insane at any moment. Blue Sunshine was directed by Jeff Lieberman, who has two other cult favorites to his credit, Squirm and Just Before Dawn. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Acting under orders from his supervisor Dr. Astin (John S. Ragin), Quincy (Jack Klugman) fills in for Max Gilliam (Walter Brooke), a vacationing small-town general practitioner. This assignment was supposed to distract Quincy from his incessant crusading and crimesolving. Instead, the exact opposite occurs when our hero gets mixed up in a possible cover-up and conspiracy involving the victim of a car crash. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Elizabeth Christman's novel A Nice Italian Girl was the source for the TV-movie Black Market Baby. Desi Arnaz Jr. plays a slick lothario who is paid by an illicit adoption agency to impregnate impressionable college student Linda Purl. The racketeers stand to make $50,000 by selling the baby to an anxious middle-aged couple. When Arnaz falls in love with Purl and tries to help her keep her baby, the crooks take swift and violent action. Originally titled A Dangerous Love, Black Market Baby was released theatrically overseas as Don't Steal My Baby--a title more appropriate to the overall tawdriness of the film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Purl, Desi Arnaz, Jr., (more)
- 1977
Though not readily apparent, Flight to Holocaust is the feature-length pilot film for a potential TV series. Crashing into the side of a high-rise building, an airplane is precariously wedged in the structure's 20th floor. Dispatched to rescue the survivors are a team of acrobatic troubleshooters, played by female circus performer Fawne Harriman and combat veterans Chris Mitchum, Patrick Wayne, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Paul Williams. As can be gathered by a perusal of the cast list, the film's gimmick was the presence of three second-generation Hollywood stars. After the initial telecast of Flight to Holocaust on March 27, 1977, NBC invited viewers to mail in their opinions of the film. Evidently the verdict was unanimous, since no weekly series resulted. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Lieutenant Kojak (Telly Savalas) investigates the death of police chemist Harry Sentman (Whit Bissell), seemingly in a hit-and-run accident, and becomes convinced it was murder. He finds a connection between the victim and the case of Joey Fiorello (Anthony Ponzini), a police detective serving a prison term for allegedly stealing the evidence in a drug case; and Aaron Fisk (Tige Andrews), a respectable businessman, and Fisk's son Max (Stephen Macht). The Fisks never crossed paths with the detective in his work, but the lieutenant discovers a very personal reason they have for wanting to destroy the officer. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Several inconvent truths about "equal consideration under the law" come to surface as Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) investigate two separate murders. One of the victims was a wealthy and well-connected white foreign businessman; the other was an impoverished black police informant. Judyann Elder delivers a stunning performance as the black victim's embittered wife, who challenges the cops to pay as much attention to her husband's death as to the executive's murder. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
It all begins when a parishioner named Benito (David Hurst) donates a lottery ticket to Convent San Tanco. Though grateful, the nuns cannot accept such a gift, so Sr. Bertrille returns the ticket. When Benito happens to spot Sr. Bertrille flying off into the heavens, he is convinced that she's a saint, and that the ticket has been blessed-a misapprehension that may end up bankrupting not only Benito, but all his friends and relatives. Written by Lawrence Marks, "The Lottery" originally aired April 10, 1969, as the final episode of The Flying Nun's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Ironside (Raymond Burr) comes to the aid of his old friend and comrade-in-arms Al Cervantes (Ricardo Montalban), a Mexican-American police detective accused of murdering an abortionist (which in 1968 was an illegal profession). Although the evidence against Cervantes seems overwhelming, Ironside suspects that the man is being framed. Other key players in this tense drama are crooked lawyer F.A. Hobarth (Robert Alda), shady boxer Valdez (Rafael Campos) and conspicuously missing B-girl Rita (Poupee Boucar). Future Marcus Welby MD costar Elena Verdugo appears as Cervantes' wife. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Vito Scotti, Jamie Farr, Francesca Bellini, and Argentina Brunetti guest-star as a band of gypsies who bring their caravan into Mayberry. Correctly assuming that the visitors are less than honest, Andy tells them to leave, whereupon the gypsies place a curse on Mayberry, threatening to create a drought. Armed with "inside" weather information courtesy of a well-hidden shortwave radio, the gypsies are able to coerce the gullible townsfolk into allowing them to stay-but Andy is not quite so easily hoodwinked. Written by Roland MacLane, this episode originally aired on February 21, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) is assigned to capture escaped bank robber-murderer Robert Charles Porter (Earl Holliman). Going undercover, Erskine quickly learns that Porter is the latest client of a gang that specialize in smuggling criminals out of the US. In the episode's thrilling climax, Erskine finds himself reluctantly sharing a "last ride" with the wounded Porter and his terrified girlfriend Linda (Barbara Luna). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In this well-regarded film noir thriller, Joe Barron (Glenn Ford) is a police detective whose wife Lisa (Elke Sommer) has inherited a stock portfolio from her father. Joe and Lisa go on a spending spree, but when their new holdings fail to pay dividends, Joe finds himself deep in debt. Dr. Horace Van Tilden (Joseph Cotten), a rich doctor who caters to high-society clientele, shoots an intruder in his home, and Joe is assigned to investigate; Joe discovers that Van Tilden has a lucrative sideline selling drugs, and that the shooting victim was actually an addict looking for dope. When Joe learns that Van Tilden keeps his drug money in a safe at home, he sees a way to finally pay off his debts, but his partner, Pete Delanos (Ricardo Montalban), gets wind of Joe's scheme and demands a cut of the action. Matters become more complicated for Joe when he learns that the man Van Tilden shot was married to Rosalie (Rita Hayworth), whom he loved many years ago. The Money Trap was directed by Burt Kennedy, who was best known for his witty and unconventional westerns. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glenn Ford, Elke Sommer, (more)
- 1966
Posing as "Frank Whistler", Kimble (David Janssen) hitches a ride with a small-town minister--only to be involved in a car accident when the minister is accidentally shot and killed by young Gary Keller (Beau Bridges). Though Gary wants to turn himself in to the authorities, his domineering father Steve (Telly Savalas) refuses to let the boy jeopardize his future, so he manipulates the evidence to framed Kimble for the clergyman's death. Now all that remains is for Steve to track down and permanently silence the fugitive Kimble before the police catch up with him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The Appaloosa is one of the more tolerable Marlon Brando westerns, if only because Brando seems to be aspiring to merely entertain rather than offer us a litany of Life Lessons. The title character is a beautiful horse, stolen from buffalo hunter Brando early in the proceedings. The thief is Anjanette Comer, acting on behalf of her nasty boyfriend, Mexican bandit chieftan John Saxon. In his efforts to retrieve his property, Brando is subjected to torture and humiliation by Saxon and his minions. A later foray into Saxon's camp results in a brutal wrestling match between Brando and the bandito. Again left to die, Brando is rescued by Comer, who despises her "lover" and prefers Brando's company. During the violence-laden climax, Brando his forced to choose between Comer and his beloved Appaloosa. Russell Metty's gritty photography does more to sustain the mood of The Appaloosa than Sidney J. Furie's showoffish direction. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marlon Brando, Anjanette Comer, (more)
- 1964
In this western adventure, a sheriff prepares to retire and finds himself forced to deal with his past when he is assigned to round up a gang of outlaws comprised of the sons of the man who raised him after his own parents were killed. The sheriff has to kill one of the desperadoes. The other he will transport to jail on the stage coach. He ends up waiting at the station owned by the parents of his ex-lover. The hapless lawman is watched over by a hired gun who is to make sure the sheriff does indeed deliver the criminal. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barry Sullivan, Marilyn Maxwell, (more)
Tony Randall has the showcase of a lifetime in the marvelous George Pal production The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao. We first see Randall as Dr. Lao, an enigmatic Chinese medicine-show impresario. The doctor brings his travelling show into the frontier town of Abalone, which is chafing under the oppression of land-hungry Clint Stark (Arthur O'Connell). Newspaper editor Ed Cunningham (John Ericson) is conducting a campaign of words against Stark, but he is no match for the land baron's money, power, and hulking henchmen. Nonetheless, Cunningham continues his crusade, all the while attempting to romance icy young widow Angela Benedict (Barbara Eden). All of this is observed with bemusement by Dr. Lao, who has already established himself as a man of many talents by alternating between pidgin-English and eloquent articulation, depending on the circumstances. Each of the townspeople--including the three already mentioned--learn a great many truths about themselves when they attend Dr. Lao's unusual circus. In the course of straightening out everyone's problems, Lao metamorphoses into (1) Merlin the Magician, (2) Pan, (3) Medusa, (4) The Abominable Snowman, (5) Apollonius of Tyana and (6) a Talking Serpent. The combined talents of Randall, puppeteer Pal and make-up wizard William J. Tuttle (who won two Special Oscars) resulted in this captivatingly unique entertainment experience. Curiously, Tony Randall is not fond of Seven Faces of Dr.Lao, and refuses to be interviewed on the subject. Perhaps he was unhappy that much of the philosophy dispensed in the original Charles G. Finney novel The Circus of Dr. Lao was weeded out of Charles Beaumont's script....or perhaps he just didn't like having his head shaved for the part. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Randall, Barbara Eden, (more)
- 1961
This is an interesting biography of the actor known for his gangster roles in films, and though Ray Danton plays the part of George Raft without looking like him in the least, he is still convincing in his mannerisms. Without getting into any in-depth plumbing of the actor's life, the story begins with the young Raft making his way in New York as a dancer and rubbing shoulders with underworld figures. Then he goes to Hollywood where he eventually finds fame in the film Scarface and gets typecast as a gangster. Tiring of this persona but unable to do very much about it, Raft's career starts to decline for quite a awhile before his success in Some Like It Hot. Along the way, his relationships with five different women are pictured in the briefest fashion. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ray Danton, Jayne Mansfield, (more)
- 1961
This episode is based on an actual incident in the life of famed Mexican revolutionary and muralist Gerardo Murino Cornado, aka "Dr. Atl." On the run from the authorities, Atl (played by David J. Stewart) takes refuge in a convent that is allegedly haunted by the ghost of an aztec warrior. Of course, Atl is too intelligent a man to believe in such nonsense--until the Federale who is pursuing him is mysteriously strangled to death. The real Dr. Atl makes a guest appearance in the closing scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Although the talented cast in this uninspired comedy do the best they can with their lines, nothing quite brings The Horizontal Lieutenant to an upright, stand-up-and-take-notice presence. Paula Prentiss as Lt. Molly Blue and Jim Hutton as Lt. Merle Wye are once again paired, this time as officers in action in the Pacific at the end of World War II. Lt. Wye is given the challenge of bringing in a lone Japanese hold-out on an island that was taken by the American forces many months earlier. Though the situation has great potential, pratfalls and the most obvious gags take the place of a more sophisticated humor. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jim Hutton, Paula Prentiss, (more)
- 1960
Jack Weston guest stars as Ciro Terranova, a neurotic gangster who takes over New York's wholesale produce business. Any wholesaler who refuses to purchase Terranova's artichokes at twice their value is roughed up or worse, and of course Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) is unable to persuade any of the victims to testify against the mob. Meanwhile, the tight-fisted Terranova has troubles of his own whe such rival thugs as Frankie Yale (Al Ruscio) and Felix Burke (Robert Ellenstein) muscle into his territory. Ultimately, Ness sends fellow Untouchable Enrico Rossi (Nick Georgiade) undercover in an effort to play one side against the other, culminating in a near-surrealistic showdown at a Halloween party. This episode was originally listed in TV Guide as "Murder by Contract". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
A young artist is determined to make his reputation with an epic painting--only to be killed in battle, leaving the painting half-finished. Then, miraculously and without explanation, the work is completed. A young woma wants to find out how this could possibly happen. . .and so, presumably, does the audience. Featured in the cast is child actor Danny Zaldivar, who as "Danny Bravo" would later supply the voice of Hajji on the classic prime time cartoon series Jonny Quest. This is the final episode of One Step Beyond's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the first episode of a two-part story, Capone lieutenant Frank Nitti (Bruce Gordon) attempts to bribe Chicago mayor Anton Cermak (Robert Middleton) for a piece of the 1933 World's Fair. When Cermak tells him to get lost, Nitti growls "You're dead"--and he means it. As Federal agent Elliot Ness and his Untouchables provide Cermak with round-the-clock protection, Nitti brings in a couple of out-of-town boys to assassinate the Mayor...while a deranged lone gunman named Giuesppe Zangara (Joe Mantell) plans a killing of his own. Parts One and Two of "The Unhired Assassin" were later combined and released theatrically as the feature film Guns of Zangara. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
A onetime pilot, now a convicted killer in the custody of the FBI, is the only hope of an overseas flight carrying a bomb. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1958
A pre-superstardom Charles Bronson plays a US marshal in Showdown at Boot Hill. Tracking down a wanted murderer to a small town, Bronson kills him in a shootout. It develops that the dead man, whose criminal past was unknown to his fellow townsfolk, was a popular and highly respected member of the community. The decedent's friends refuse to identify the body, thereby denying Bronson the opportunity of collecting the reward money. At first angered by this, Bronson is gradually won over to the townspeoples' point of view. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Bronson, Robert Hutton, (more)
