David Hemmings Movies
When the film version of the Broadway musical Camelot was released in 1967, critics had a jolly old time lambasting director Joshua Logan for casting non-singers in the leading roles. While it's certainly true that Lynn Redgrave, Richard Harris and Franco Nero seemed to suffer from Tin-Ear Syndrome, the critics were most unfair in picking on the fellow who played Mordred: David Hemmings. The son of a cookie merchant, Hemmings was a successful touring boy soprano at age nine, performing with the English Opera Group. He briefly left the musical world when his voice changed, studying painting at the Epsom School of Art and staging his first exhibition at 15. He returned to singing in his early 20s, first in nightclubs, then on the musical stage. Easing into acting, Hemmings appeared as misunderstood youths and belligerent "Teddy Boys" in a number of British programmers before attaining international stardom as the existential fashion photographer "hero"of Antonioni's Blow-Up (1966). With 1971's Running Scared, the indefatigable Hemmings began yet another new career as director; he has since helmed theatrical and made-for-TV films in England, Australia and Canada. With business partner John Daly, Hemmings formed the Hemdale Corporation for the express purpose of allowing the actor to do pretty much what he pleased both before and behind the cameras. In later years, he added novel writing to his considerable list of accomplishments. David Hemmings was the former husband of American actress Gayle Hunnicutt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A woman anticipating a blessed event suspects the forces of darkness might be involved in this tale of terror. Heather Graham and James Purefoy play a couple who desperately want to have a baby; unfortunately, she has been diagnosed as infertile, and the couple can't afford the medical treatments that might allow her top conceive. Good fortune appears to be smiling on the couple when they are given an opportunity to receive free treatments at a mysterious fertility clinic. The woman is soon the expectant mother of twins, but as her due date draws nearer, she begins to suspect something is wrong, and that she has become the unwilling victim of a pact with evil. Blessed also stars Andy Serkis, Stella Stevens, and David Hemmings. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Australian filmmaker Paul Goldman directs the comedy The Night We Called It a Day, based on the actual events during Frank Sinatra's 1974 tour stop in Sydney. Joel Edgerton plays Rod Blue, a long-haired rock promoter in Australia during the '70s. He hopes to save his floundering career by spending all his money booking Frank Sinatra (Dennis Hopper). But when Sinatra arrives with his girlfriend Barbara Marx (Melanie Griffith), he insults the locals by calling reporter Hilary Hunter (Portia de Rossi) "a two-dollar whore." Union leader and future Australian prime minister Bob Hawke (David Field) tries to cancel the tour unless he apologizes, and it's up to Rod and his assistant Audrey (Rose Byrne) to step in and save the tour. Tom Burlinson performs Sinatra's vocal parts. The Night We Called It a Day was shown at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Hopper, Melanie Griffith, (more)
As the BBC forensics drama Waking the Dead enters into its second series, the Cold Case team attempts to capture a frightening copycat serial killer, delves deep into the dangerous London criminal underworld, attempt to solve the murder of a prominent Home Officer Advisor while being audited by the Home Office, and makes a series of unfortunate mistakes while attempting to finally bring closure to an unsolved murder case. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
The classic Burt Reynolds football-behind-bars flick The Longest Yard crosses the pond and gets an appropriate British accent in the process in this rough-and-tumble mixture of sports and action-comedy. Danny Mehan (Vinnie Jones) was one of the biggest stars in British football (what Americans call soccer), until he was caught rigging a game during a championship tournament. In the wake of this scandal, Danny's career takes a nosedive and his life spins out of control, until he finally ends up in prison for three years on an assault and battery conviction. Danny discovers there are a number of football fans behind bars who still hate him for fixing the game, but Danny has one powerful fan in this prison. The warden (David Hemmings) is a devoted football supporter with a taste for gambling; he's been trying to assemble a semi-pro team comprised of the prison's guards, but Danny is just smart enough to know this would seal his fate with his fellow prisoners. Instead, he offers to put together a team of inmates, who can play practice games against the guards. A new inmate, Sykes (John Forgeham), gets wind of Danny's idea and arranges an exhibition match between Danny's new team and the guards, though Sykes' motivation is more than just good fun. A powerful bookie, Sykes lost a fortune on the game Danny threw, and expects betting to be heavy for this game. If Danny and his men win, Sykes could make back the fortune he lost, but if the guards come out ahead, Danny's goose is cooked. Can Danny turn a gang of losers, misfits, and violent psychopaths -- including muscle-bound lunatic Monk (Jason Statham), creepy but loyal Billy the Limpit (Danny Dyer), tough guy Massive (Vas Blackwood), pyromaniac Nitro (Robbie Gee), and enthusiastic but out-of-shape Raj (Omid Djalili) -- into a proper team with a fighting chance of winning? Mean Machine was produced by Matthew Vaughn, who was also behind Guy Ritchie's tough-but-stylish crime comedies Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Star Vinnie Jones, by the way, enjoyed a career as a professional footballer in Great Britain before turning to acting. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vinnie Jones, Jason Statham, (more)
While vacationing in Paris, Park Avenue socialite Helen Hollander (Connie Sellecca) cannot shake the feeling that she is being watched. Helen's instincts aren't failing her: Ever since disembarking from her plane, sinister-looking characters have been monitoring her every move. Flippant private eye Hank McCay (Ed Marinaro) tries to help Helen shake her pursuers, but he's not so good a detective that he notices the highly volatile contents of our heroine's suitcase. A US-Hungarian coproduction, the lighthearted TV-movie thriller Passport to Murder made its first appearance over NBC on March 7, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Premiering on NBC in 1989 and continuing for five seasons, Quantum Leap gained a cult following for its ability to balance the qualities of science fiction with the hour-long television drama format. Each episode features a different adventure as Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) leaps through time, into different bodies, hoping to someday leap home. Along the way, Sam rights wrongs of the past with help from his hologram companion, Al (Dean Stockwell). In Quantum Leap: Pilot - 1956 viewers are able to see where it all began. Despite the fact that it isn't ready to be tested, Sam chooses to try out the accelerator and leaps into the body of a test pilot with little of his memory intact. After saving the pilot's family, Sam leaps, but rather than leaping back into the accelerator, he finds himself inhabiting the body of a minor league baseball player in 1968 with the task of winning the last game of the season. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, (more)
- 1988
In this episode of the Disney series, which appeared as a presentation of "Magical World of Disney," Davy and President Andrew Jackson reminisce about an Indian uprising they helped put down 25-years before. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1987
During a non-stop flight to London, a valuable necklace is stolen and the courier hired to guard the necklace is poisoned. One of the passengers is Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), who of course offers her services to Scotland Yard as they try to retrieve the gems and catch the killer. Among the main characters in this melodrama are a famous actress, a taciturn former police officer, and a furtive-looking tourist couple. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Looking forward to a passionate reunion with his erstwhile LA-based fiancee Cynthia Farrell (Dana Delany), Magnum (Tom Selleck) is torn away at the last minute by a pressing business matter. Cynthia is understandably put out to discover that Magnum has been hired by a sexy actress named Andrea Lisa Blount). As it turns out, all thoughts of romance must be held in check--perhaps permanently--as Magnum tracks down a sleazy porn director whom Cynthia accuses of making "snuff" films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Murder She Wrote meets "Sorry Wrong Number" in this chilling episode, set on a dark and stormy night. When the storm causes the telephone wires to get crossed, several persons receive calls that they shouldn't be hearing. One such person is Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), who is stuck in her home with an ailing back. Picking up the phone, Jessica overhears two men plotting a murder--but is unable to convince anyone that she isn't just imagining things! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Three on a Match refers to a trio of Louisiana prison farm inmates. Patrick Cassidy plays a naive computer whiz, David Hemmings is an erudite con artist, and Bruce A. Young is a macho muscle-flexer. The threesome bides its time until a chance for escape. Pursued by the sadistic "Boss" (Everett McGill), our heroes take to the treacherous river rapids--and beyond. It's Cool Hand Luke meets Deliverance in this TV movie written and directed by the creator of Magnum PI, Don Belisarrio. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Werewolf was the pilot film for the Fox network TV series of the same name. John J. York plays Eric, a handsome young man who is bitten by a werewolf. He must find the source of the lycanthropic bloodline if he's to save himself from a lifetime of requiring sudden shaves and baying at the moon. Offering to help Eric is sea captain Chuck Connors, who turns out to be the centuries-old wolfman whom York seeks. Adding to our hero's travails is a bounty hunter by the name of Alamo Joe (Lance Le Gault). We're tipped to the fact that we shouldn't take Werewolf all that seriously by the character name given Chuck Connors: Janos Skorzeny, the same name as the vampire portrayed by Barry Atwater in the classic 1971 TV movie The Night Stalker. Werewolf premiered on July 11, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
First telecast May 8, 1987, Harry's Hong Kong was the pilot film for an unsold TV series. The title character, played by David Soul, was a soldier of fortune at-large in the titular port city. The owner of an elaborate offshore casino, Harry Petros solves mysteries and straightens out other people's problems with the help of his Chinese-American secretary Sally (Jan Gayn Boyd) and police superintendent Max Trundle (Mike Preston). In his first, and last, adventure, Harry tackles a murder case with organized-crime overtones. Harry's Hong Kong was later syndicated as China Hand. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Pat Sajak and Vanna White appear as themselves in this episode, in which Murdock (Dwight Schultz) goes on Wheel of Fortune and wins $28,000 and a Hawaiian vacation. Unfortunately, he won't have a lot of time to enjoy his winnings--not after being abducted by a group of mean claiming to be CIA operatives, who want to recruit Murdock for a top-secret mission. When the rest of the A-Team finds out that Murdock is being hornswoggled by a gang of crooks out to steal a Soviet gunner, it's off to Las Vegas for a bang-pow finale at the Silver Horse Casino. (Trivia note: One of the other Wheel of Fortune contestants is played by Bill Nuss, who wrote this episode!). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Using the defective of a Russian ballet dancer as a subterfuge, Soviet intelligence agent Shasta Kovich (William Smith) hires the A-Team to locate and neutralize renegade Russian officer Pedavich (Gene Scherer). Aided by a group of American "Com-symps", Pedavich is planning to set off World War III a stolen satellite doomsday device. So vital is this mission that Hannibal (George Peppard) begs the assistance of his nemesis Gen. Fullbright (Jack Ging)--who agrees to help, but only if the A-Team will surrender to him once the job is done! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
The title character in this episode is a boozy ex-boxer (played by Paul Gleason), who is currently being persecuted by a gangster named Fats (John Hancock). At the request of his old pal Hulk Hogan, B.A. (Mr. T) tries to help Fats out for the sake of the old drunkard's son Jeffrey (Billy Jayne). Former Chicago Bears player William "Refrigerator" Perry also appears in this episode, in which the A-Team manages to get kidnapped twice -- by two different gangsters! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Deputy DA Carol Baldwin (Kathleen Lloyd) thinks that she has envisioned sinister omens, indicating that her next case will be her last. Though at first Magnum (Tom Selleck) is certain Carol is imagining things, he soon finds himself the only line of defense between Carol and a demented stalker who bears a long-standing grudge against her family. Elsewhere, T.C.(Roger E. Mosley) and Rick (Larry Manetti) come to the rescue of Higgins, who is forced to pose as the owner of Robin's Nest when several of his old school chums come calling. This episode was directed by actor David Hemmings (Blow-Up), who also appears in the role of Lord Binkie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Produced for the syndicated "Operation Prime Time" anthology, The Key to Rebecca is a two-part adaptation of the Ken Follett novel. Cliff Robertson stars as a British major who is determined to capture an elusive German spy during World War II.The spy in question, played by David Soul, has disguised himself as a British subject and is squirreled away somewhere in Cairo. Robertson hopes to draw Soul out with the help of exotic dancer Lina Raymond and the more "wholesome" but no less attractive Season Hubley. Soul responds to this by kidnaping Hubley, hoping to use her as a shield while he makes his escape. Also appearing in this 4-hour escapade is Robert Culp, bizarrely cast as General Rommel. Key to Rebecca was first made available to local TV stations the week of April 27, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Heavily disguised for a new assignment, Hannibal (George Peppard) is mistaken for a skid-row wino named Jim Beam (Elisha Cook Jr.)--and vice versa. It soon becomes obvious that someone is trying to murder Beam. . .but why? To solve this mystery, and to rescue Hannibal in the process, the A-Team sets up a skid-row mission called the Road to Hope, with Murdock (Dwight Schultz) tearing a passion to tatters as street preacher Harry Dean Hanover (when he isn't trying to pass himself off as the Invisible Man, that is!). Look for future X-Files regular Mitch Pileggi in a small role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
The henchmen of crooked land developer Phillip Chadway (Ray Wise) make a big mistake when they use strongarm tactics to force the elderly tenants of a Chicago apartment building to vacate the premises. It seems that one of those tenants is a certain Mrs. Barracus (Della Reese)--who happens to be the mother of a certain short-tempered "A-Teamer" by the name of B.A. (Mr. T). As a consequence, B.A.'s fellow Team-mates take it upon themselves to champion the tenants' cause, and to teach Mr. Chadway a valuable (and very painful) lesson! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Season Four of The A-Team begins with part one of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode). Despite increasing threats of capture by their old nemesis Col. Decker (Lance LeGault), the A-Team agrees to help Judge Mordente (Dana Elcar), whose daughter Lori (LaGena Hart) is being held hostage so that Mordente will render a "not guilty" verdict upon mob boss Joe Scarlett (Robert Miranda). The plan involves Hannibal (George Peppard) posing as a gangster in order to infiltrate Scarlett's gang, as well as the "borrowing" of a mob limo for an escape vehicle. Ultimately, both the Team and the kidnapped girl wind up in Italy, where things really begin to percolate! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Country-western singer Lacy Fletcher (Dennis Weaver) hires Magnum (Tom Selleck) to locate five lost love songs, written by the legendary George Lee Jessup just before his fatal plane crash in 1954. The investigation hits a roadblock when Laurie Crane (Susan Oliver), the fabled inspiration for the songs, not only insists that the tunes never existed, but also denies that she ever even met Jessup. This episode can be regarded as a family affair, with guest star Dennis Weaver's sons Robby Weaver) and Rusty Weaver appearing respectively as the late Georgie Lee and as the younger Lacy Fletcher. And there's also a whole lot of singin' goin' on, with Robby Weaver performing his dad's compositions "Cheatin' Kisses" and "I Just Want to Hold You", and singer-songwriter Amanda McBroom rendering the standards "Texas (When I Die)" and "When Will I Be Loved". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Not long after he lost that "chicken run" to James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955), actor Corey Allen switched professional gears to become a prolific film and TV director. Allen was responsible for putting television perennials James Brolin and Lisa Hartman through their paces in Beverly Hills Cowgirl Blues. Brolin plays a Beverly Hills cop who teams up with a luscious female private eye from Texas (Hartman, of course). While Brolin prefers peace and quiet, Hartman insists upon rooting out the murderer of a debutante-turned-hooker. Since both stars were gainfully employed on other TV series when Beverly Hills Cowgirl Blues first aired on October 5, 1985, we hesitate to suggest that this film was the pilot for a potential series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
In the middle of Murdock's regular therapy session, his psychiatrist Dr. Richter (Richard Anderson) is kidnapped. Immediately, Murdock (Dwight Schultz) alerts his A-Team colleagues, who launch a search for Richter in the treacherous jungles of "Curaguay." The rest of the episode is an extended lampoon of Apocalypse Now, replete with a megalomanic rogue army officer named Mack Stoddard (Geoffrey Lewis). And let us not forget the Team's attractive travelling companion (Jeannetta Arnette), a woman named Betty (or is it Sarah?) who claims to be Richter's daughter--as well as several other people. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
