James H. Hill Movies

A short film about a writer who finds it hard to work due to the constant distractions of his dog. ~ All Movie Guide

The Persuaders were a pair of globe-trotting, sophisticated playboys who solved crimes of passion and espionage every week on television. This video contains some of their most memorable exploits. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Although an orphaned fox cub was raised in captivity, it does not get pet privileges when it is the object of a fox hunt. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide

This internationally produced adaptation of Anna Sewell's Black Beauty is essentially a vehicle for Oliver star Mark Lester. The young Lester spends most of the film trying to reclaim his beautiful black horse, which passes through several hands over the course of 90 minutes. All the setpieces of the Sewell original are in attendance, including the showstopping "burning barn" sequence. Walter Slezak is the only truly recognizable actor in the film outside of Lester. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This African adventure presents many interesting sights as it tells the story of a tourist couple who inadvertently find themselves taking care of three orphaned elephants. Later their adventures lead the couple to meet the famous Adamsons (of Born Free fame). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Captain Nemo and the Underwater City thrusts several "name" actors into the specialized world of Jules Verne. Six 19th-century shipwreck victims are rescued by a modernistic submarine. The skipper is Captain Nemo (Robert Ryan), who had not died at the end of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea as viewers had been led to believe. Instead, he has installed a fantastic underwater city, using this subterranean metropolis as a base of operations for his war against mankind. The ambitions of the screenwriters and director are defeated by the tackiness of the film's model and miniature work. Captain Nemo and the Underwater City represented MGM's first Jules Verne epic since its 1929 spectacular Mysterious Island. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Filmed during the production break between the sixth and seventh season of The Avengers, this episode served as the swan song for Emma Peel (Diana Rigg). . .and as an introduction to novice secret agent Tara King (Linda Thorson) (Though, technically, it was not the first episode in which she appeared). On this occasion, Tara assists Steed and Emma as they try to flush out a traitor in their midst. The episode's "gimmick" is a drug which induces amnesia -- and also a loose tongue. The final scene, in which Emma turns over the reins to Tara, is a classic. According to some sources, "The Forget-Me-Knot," written by Brian Clemens, was first shown in England on September 25, 1968, while other sources list January 12, 1969, as its first airdate. Be that as it may, the episode actually debuted on American television on March 20, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Despite the silliness of its premise, this Avengers episode is a winner all the way, thanks in no small part to its top-drawer supporting cast. Lured to a deserted movie studio, Emma finds herself at the mercy of demented producer Z.Z. Von Schnerk (Kenneth J. Warren) and washed-up film idols Damita Syn (Isa Miranda) and Stewart Kirby (Peter Wyngarde). The terrible trio intend to use our heroine as "star" of their latest cinematic masterpiece: "The Destruction of Mrs. Emma Peel." This time around, Steed must rescue Emma from a buzzsaw, a sequence invoking fond memories of the tied-to-the-tracks denoument in the second-season installment "The Gravediggers." Written by (who else?) Brian Clemens, "Epic" was first broadcast in England on April 1, 1967, and in America on April 14 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When he's given an ancient Chinese medallion, a photographer (Robert Stack) has no idea that it contains a map which leads to a former emperor's treasure horde. Unfortunately, several nefarious elements are aware of the fact. The film was originally titled Hell to Macao. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

The attempted assassination of a Middle Eastern potentate is tied in with a company specializing in making fantasies come true. In order to verify this link, Steed becomes a boon companion to the potentate, while Emma joins the ruler's harem. The sight of Diana Rigg in a flimsy harem costume performing "the dance of the six veils" was too much for American censors, which is why "Honey for the Prince" was yanked from ABC's Avengers package. English viewers were privileged to see this Brian Clemens-scripted installment on March 23, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A runaway baby carriage rolls to a halt, revealing that it carries a dead body. Following the trail of clues, Steed and Emma wind up at a dancing school, which is actually the headquarters of an organization that enables enemy spies to infiltrate England. Posing respectively as a potential customer and a dance instructor, Steed and Emma bluff their way into the school -- and of course, nearly end up waltzing into the Next World. Written by Robert Banks Stewart, "Quick-Quick Slow Death" was originally telecast in England on February 5, 1966; though it was not included in ABC's Avengers package, the episode was eventually seen in America via syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A group of high-spirited youngsters finds friendship, love, and music together while working summer jobs at a holiday camp in this Merseybeat musical. Gerry (John Leyton) is a bartender who fantasizes about being a famous pop star. Christina (Grazina Frame) is an upper-class bird who sneaks off to be a waitress against the wishes of her Aunt Winifred (Hazel Hughes), who would rather she keep up her operatic voice lessons with the great Italian maestro Professor Bastinado (Ron Moody). Susan and Jennifer (Susan and Jennifer Baker) are boy-crazy twins who work in the nursery, and Timothy Gilben (Mike Sarne) is the arrogant nightclub singer who signs on as the camp's entertainer before realizing his audience will be a gaggle of preschoolers. The camp's annual talent show is to be televised live this season, so the gang sets aside their jockeying for each other's affections long enough to form a musical group. They need to practice in secret to keep Christina away from her meddling Aunt Winifred, but Gerry's father (Michael Ripper) recognizes the Professor as a Cockney comic from the old music hall days, and the outed Bastinado is forced to help the kids if he wants to keep his secret. British Invasion pop stars Freddie and the Dreamers appear as five musical, madcap chefs and sing two numbers, while Liverpool beat group the Mojos supply some hard teenage blues during a swinging dance club scene. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide