Sidney Hayers Movies
A prolific, workhorse director whose later credit list reads like a greatest-hits compilation of 1980s television, Sidney Hayers' early focus was on features, though he did helm episodes of the classic British adventure series The Avengers. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1921, Hayers began his film career in the cutting room, editing such features as Romeo and Juliet (1954) and A Night to Remember (1958). He broke into directing with 1958's Violent Moment and kept busy with such features as Circus of Horrors (1960) and Night of the Eagle (1962). With The Avengers, he established himself as a bankable TV director, as well. Hayers' penchant for tension and the macabre often found him stepping behind the camera for such horror-flavored thrillers as Assault (1970), Revenge (1971), Deadly Strangers (1974), and Diagnosis: Murder (1974). After directing episodes of The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries in 1977, Hayers turned his attention almost exclusively to the small screen. Comfortable working on both sides of the pond, the director frequently shifted between the U.K. and the U.S., with stateside work including such '80s series popcorn fare as Magnum, P.I., The Fall Guy, T.J. Hooker, Knight Rider, The A-Team, and Baywatch. Hayers' pace slowed somewhat in the '90s. He died of cancer February 8, 2000, in Altea, Spain. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide- 1986
Under orders from General Stockwell (Robert Vaughn), the A-Team tries to rescue three innocent Americans from the third world country of San Marcus. Their mission is nearly scuttled by a rebellion against the country's despotic ruler, Alexander Martien (Castulo Guerra)--and by the fact that those three Americans aren't quite as "innocent" as they seem. This episode marks the only time that new A-Team member "Dishpan" Frankie Sanchez (Eddie Velez) falls in love (at least on-camera!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In the second episode of The A-Team's three-part Season Five opener, the Team is betrayed by Vietnam vet Josh Curtis (Sandy McPeak) and forced to stand trial for their lives, accused of killing their former commanding officer Col. Morrison and robbing a Hanoi bank. Curiously, Murdock (Dwight Schultz) is not held for trial, and is thus able to secure the services of defense attorney Benny Conway (Byrne Piven). Alas, as the trial progresses, it is painfully clear that the witnesses are lying and the evidence has been manufactured--but who is behind this travesty of justice? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
B.A.'s old college rival Jason Duke (Rick Fitts), now a bank employee, turns up missing. Despite his reluctance, B.A. (Mr. T.) agrees to look for Duke at the request of Jason's wife Debra (Sheila DeWindt), who happens to be B.A.'s former girlfriend. This assignment obliges the A-Team to descened upon Whispering Pines, Arizona, where virtually everyone in town is an accomplice in a scheme to steal gold from a nearby mine. Making matters worse, both Face (Dirk Benedict) and Murdock (Dwight Schultz) try to use the same "con" on the bad guys, neatly cancelling each other out--and nearly getting themselves killed in the process! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Hannibal (George Peppard) is reunited with his old flame Dana (played by Toni Hudson, real-life wife of A-Team costar Toni Hudson), who is the mother of race-car driver Kid Harmon (Ken Clandt). Naturally, Harmon is in dire need of assistant from Hannibal and the rest of the A-Team; one of his racetrack rivals, Kyle Ludwig (Wings Hauser), is the nephew of a vicious gangster, and as such will resort to any means necessary to win an upcoming race. In his efforts to thwart Ludwig, Hannibal becomes a hero to Dana's son--which arouses the jealousy of Dana's current husband Jack (Stuart Whitman), whose anger nearly scuttles the Team's mission. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
The Speedy Delivery Company, a firm run by former Army pilot A.J. (Joseph Hacker) and his blind sister Lisa (Stacey Nelkin) is being forced out of business by a band of baddies led by Ike Hagen (Mitchell Ryan). When the A-Team arrives on the scene, they quickly deduce that Hagen is in league with crooked chemical company executive Durcell (Richard Herd) to set up a site where they can illegally dump toxic waste. Horror movie fans will enjoy the "teaming" of two veterans from the Halloween series, Mitchell Ryan (Dr. Wynn in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers) and Stacey Nelkin (Ellie in Halloween 3: Season of the Witch). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
In yet another futile effort by the higher-ups to keep Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) out of mischief, the two detectives are ordered to act as technical advisors for a TV cop show. Alas, mischief seems to follow our hero and heroine wherever they go--and sure enough, the star of the show turns up murdered, his face horribly disfigured. What begins as a standard murder mystery morphs into a delicious slice of Grand Guignol that could easily have been titled "The Phantom of the Soap Opera." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Terror at Alcatraz indeed! This 1982 TV movie is comprised of two never-shown pilot episodes for the short-lived TV series Fitz and Bones, which was telecast for a couple of months in 1981. Tom and Dick Smothers star as Fitz and Bones, a TV news team with a penchant for getting involved in causes. The main plotline concerns an old man (Tom Ewell) who, disgusted at the ill treatment afforded the elderly in the United States, begins bombing several San Francisco landmarks, including Alcatraz--hence the barely relevant title. A secondary plot (remember that this is a cobbled-together TV movie) concerns a shooting at San Francisco International airport, where the target may have been either the President or a notorious mob boss. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
In the final episode of Magnum P.I's second season, fashion designer Jan Kona (Jill St. John) solicits the help of Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) when one of her two partners is murdered. She suspects that the surviving partner is the guilty party, and that she's next on the list. Meanwhile, a bemused Rick (Larry Manetti) tries to reconcile the glamorous, worldly Ms. Kona with her "past life" as one of his long-stemmed cocktail waitresses. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Frustrated by the lack of progress and apparent indifference of the authorities, Magnum (Tom Selleck) conducts his own investigation of the murder of his friend, a former surfing champ. While the leading suspects are a troubled Vietnam veteran (Wings Hauser) and a notorious (and notoriously elusive) drug pusher, Magnum comes to the conclusion that a third party is the true culprit. Appearing as Sgt. Jordan is Vic Morrow, onetime star of the popular TV war drama Combat, which also featured Magnum, P.I.'s casting director Jack Hogan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
It's hate at first sight when Magnum (Tom Selleck) is hired to protect arrogant prima ballerina Kendall Chase (Andrea Marcovicci), who has been receiving death threats. Despite their mutual animosity, Magnum and Kendall ultimately fall for each other--a plot development almost as unexpected as the revelation that T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) is a lifelong ballet fan! Meanwhile, Rick (Larry Manetti) embarks on an investigation that seems to be separate from the main plotline...but isn't. Cast as Kendll Chase's mentor-manager, guest star Signe Hassso essayed virtually the same role in the earlier and quite similar Starsky and Hutch episode "A Body Worth Guarding". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Condominium is a two-part, four-hour TV adaptation of the novel by John D. McDonald. The setting is a hastily constructed Florida high-rise, assembled at the least possible cost by its greedy owners. An oncoming hurricane threatens to topple the structure and its residents into the ocean. Various degrees of greed, lust, terror and concern are displayed by stars Steve Forrest, Dan Haggerty, Ralph Bellamy, Barbara Eden, Stuart Whitman, Jack Jones and Pamela Hensley. Produced for the syndicated "Operation Prime Time" series, Condominium was first made available to local stations on November 20, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
This TV movie consists of two episodes of Galactica 1980 edited together. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1979
The Seekers was the third and last TV movie based on John Jakes' Kent Family Chronicles (the others were The Bastard and The Rebels). Heading the huge all-star cast is Randolph Mantooth as Abraham Kent, son of elderly Revolutionary War vet Andrew Kent (played by Martin Milner, replacing the first two films' Andrew Stevens), who has resettled in the treacherous Northwest Territory. Part One of this two-part, four-hour production finds young Abraham trying out a series of occupations, while his brother Gilbert (George Deloy) goes into his father's publishing business. Part Two takes us up to the War of 1812, as seen through the eyes of Jarod and Amanda Kent (Timothy P. Murphy and Sarah Rush), who shortly thereafter head westward. Originally syndicated as part of the Operation Prime Time package, The Seekers made its debut during the week of December 2, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Based on the best-selling novel by Anton Myrer, the three-part NBC miniseries The Last Convertible chronicles the lives of five former Harvard roommates, all of whom share the titular Packard automobile. Beginning with the quintet's graduation in 1944, the teleplay by Philip de Guere, Stephen McPherson, and Clyde Ware covers an eventful 30 years, during which time the male protagonists all take turns romancing resident heroine Chris Farris (Deborah Raffin). Perry King is top-billed as Russ Currier, with Bruce Boxleitner as George Virdon, Edward Albert as Ron Dalrymple, John Shea as Terry Garrigan, and Michael Nouri as Jean des Barres. An Emmy nomination was bestowed upon Pete Rugolo's musical score. Originally telecast from September 24 to 26, 1979, The Last Convertible was, incredibly, intended as the pilot for a weekly series, though one would assume that the story possibilities had been pretty much exhausted during the inaugural six hours. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The children's adventure books of Enid Blyton could be described as the British equivalent to America's Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys stories. Most of the Blyton works revolve around a group of resourceful kids who spend their time solving mysteries and capturing crooks, often with next to no cooperation from their flustered elders. One of the more popular Blyton properties is The Famous Five, featuring a quintet of youthful crimestoppers (including one dog). These stories have frequently been adapted for British television, notably in the 1978 miniseries The Famous Five. Updated with contemporaneous dialogue and costuming, the series featured Marcus Harris, Gary Russell, Jenny Thanisch, and Michelle Gallegher as preteen mystery-busters Julian, Dick, Anne, and George, with a canine performer billed as "Toddy Woodgate" in the role of Timmy the Dog. Much imitated and parodied at the time of its original Southern Television release, The Famous Five was also remade as another brief British TV series in 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
The title character in this episode is Purdey (Joanna Lumley), who has been abducted by the Other Side. In order to save Purdey's life, Steed (Patrick MacNee) must agree to hand over top-secret allied defense plans. Unaware that Purdey is in danger, Gambit (Gareth Hunt) reluctantly sets about to "terminate" Steed as a traitor and a murderer. Simon Oates, here cast as Spellman, also played John Steed in a British stage adaptation of The Avengers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, (more)
- 1977
Season two of The New Avengers begins with another revenge-motivated episode. Ten years ago, John Steed (Patrick MacNee) was forced to shoot down his old friend and fellow agent Mark (Clive Revill), who had defected to the East. Since that time, Mark has been slowly dying from his wound, as the bullet works its way towards his heart. But before he cashes it in, Mark intends to wreak vengeance by destroying everyone and everything that Steed holds near and dear--and, of course, Purdey (Joanna Lumley) falls into this category. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, (more)
- 1977
The New Avengers investigate when a high-ranking military officer (Michael Barrington) disappears. Our heroes come across a band of mercenaries led by rogue colonel "Mad Jack" Miller (John Castle), who intends to launch an invasion of the Middle East and thus trigger World War 3. Ah, but Miller has reckoned without the resourceful Mike Gambit (Gareth Hunt), who when the need arises can become a "one-man army." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, (more)
- 1976
Previously seen on two episodes of the original Avengers, those malevolent metallic menaces, the Cybernauts, are at large again. This time, the man behind the Cybernaut invasion is Kane (Robert Lang), a crippled and disfigured double agent who has a score to settle with John Steed (Patrick MacNee). Part of the scheme involves the "rebirth" of the supposedly dead Kane with a new Cybernautic body--and the superpowers that go with it. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, (more)
When a well-known psychiatrist reports that his wife has disappeared, the police discover an anonymous note stating that he has killed her. Under suspicion now of having murdered his wife and done away with the body, he becomes entangled in a suspenseful mystery as he tries to clear his name. One of several such movies, this one stands out of the pack. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1974
What Changed Charley Farthing stars Doug McClure as a wayfaring sailor stopping over in Havana. In the tradition of The African Queen, the sailor becomes a reluctant hero when he is hired to give safe passage out of Cuba to a young woman (Hayley Mills) and her father (Lionel Jeffries). This involves stealing a boat, ducking the authorities, and avoiding bullets. David Pursall and Jack Seddon adapted the screenplay from a novel by Mark Hebdon. What Changed Charley Farthing has been run repeatedly on American television under its alternate title The Bananas Boat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
When three old acquaintances are thrown together after several years, they are shocked to realize that they are looking at each other from different sides of the law. ~ All Movie Guide
This dark drama unfolds in an unnamed community outside of London, where a beleaguered and grief-stricken tavern owner named Jim Radford (James Booth copes with the rape and murder of his young daughter. The remainder of his family shares his distress, and in time, it begins to rip the clan apart. When the young man who is being tried for the crime is let off thanks to paltry connecting evidence, Jim grows desperate and teams up a buddy of his named Harry (Ray Barrett) whose daughter suffered from a like fate - presumably, though not definitively, at the hands of the same killer. The two hone in on the young man who they believe is responsible, kidnap him and torture him in a number of ways. Unfortunately, the youth will not talk and ends up dead. Moreover, in time it becomes apparent that this might not have been the correct individual. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Someone is sexually assaulting and (usually) killing the students of a girls' school. There are entirely too many suspects to make the job of the Scotland Yard detective (Frank Finlay) an easy one. The girls' persistent use of the shortcut through the woods in which the crimes occur has only compounded the problem. Although one of the victims has survived the attack, shock has erased her memory of the event, and the detective's investigations are perforce guided by the vague impressions of the school's art mistress (Suzy Kendall), who witnessed something. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1970
The Firechasers, a British film, was given what was assumed to be an added boxoffice boost by having an American star, Chad Everett, in the lead. Everett is a journalist who is on the trail of the Persons Unknown who set fire to a warehouse. The newspapermen and insurance investigators who work together to find the arsonist are the "firechasers" of the title, rather than the firefighters. Barely released in the US, The Firechasers was given a network TV slot in the Spring of 1972 thanks to the popularity of Chad Everett's Medical Center series. The film was easily bested in the ratings by a repeat showing of Spartacus on a rival network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
