Sam Buffington Movies
- 1959
Millie Crest (Ruta Lee) is in big trouble. Already framed for embezzlement, Millie could also face a charge of "stolen identity" by posing as Fern Driscoll (Helene Stanley), a woman who is supposed to have died in a car accident in which Millie was involved. The beleagured girl has also stabbed seedy private eye Carl Davis (Robert Bray) in self-defense--and now Davis is dead. Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) is going to have to work overtime to earn the retainer (all of 38 cents!) given him by poor Millie (or is it poor Fern)? Based on a 1958 novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner, this episode was remade in 1965 as "The Case of the Fanciful Frail". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Rather than pay a gambling debt owed to Bret Maverick (James Garner), notorious gunslinger Henry Arnett (a pre-Batman Adam West) skips town when Bret shows up. Impressionable Smoky Vaughn (Gary Vinson) incorrectly assumes that Arnett was afraid of Bret's gun, and spreads the word that there's a new "hero" in town. Unfortunately, while basking in undeserved glory, Bret ends up being framed for murder--in a scheme concocted to frame someone else for the same crime. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Afraid to tell his pregnant wife, Francie (Joyce Meadows), that he has lost his entire 80-dollar paycheck in a poker game, stock clerk Irving Randall (John Smith) concocts a story about being mugged and robbed on his way home. As a "convincer" for his wife, Irving goes so far as to report the faux robbery to the police. But things get sticky when the cops arrest a man answering to Irving's description -- which of course he made up out of whole cloth -- and insist that Irving press charges. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Gary Cooper stars in one of his final roles in They Came To Cordura, Robert Rossen's moody study of the thin dividing line between heroism and cowardice. Cooper plays Major Thomas Thorn, a U.S. Army officer in the expedition into Mexico against Pancho Villa. Because he hesitated during a moment of decision in a battle, he has been labeled a coward. His commanding officer, Colonel Rogers (Robert Keith), orders Thorn to recommend five men for nomination for the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in the battle against Villa. Angered that Thorn did not nominate him for the Medal of Honor, Rogers charges Thorn with transporting the men through a broiling and dangerous desert to the rear area of Cordura. They begin the trek accompanied by Adelaide Geary (Rita Hayworth), the daughter of a dishonored U.S. Senator, who is accused of treason since she owned the hacienda where Villa's men stayed. As they travel across the desert expanse, Thorn ponders why these men are considered heroes while he is labeled a coward. As their journey continues, the heroes turn into a mutinous rabble, with Thorn reduced to holding the group at bay with a loaded gun. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth, (more)
- 1959
In dire need of money after being robbed, Bart (Jack Kelly) hires on as boss of a cattle drive. His employer is Abigail Allen (Patricia Breslin), a wide-eyed, seemingly helpless blonde. It is only after two of the drovers die within the first two days of the drive that Bart realizes he's been hoodwinked--and that Abigail is nothing more nor less than a scam artist. Watch for a young Robert Conrad, just before Warner Bros. elevated him to stardom on TV's Hawaiian Eye. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Bret (James Garner) is among the participants when the lovely but larcenous Samantha Crawford (Diane Brewster) organizes a big, no-limit poker game. Before long, Bret is being accused of cheating, and of masterminded a robbery in which the players are cleaned out. Naturally, Samantha has vanished, forcing Bret to venture into Indian territory to bring her back and clear his name. One of the minor pleasures of this episode is the verbal give-and-take between Bret and Samantha, including several pointed comments about marriage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
This biographical drama, chronicles the patriotic exploits of World War II hero Colonel Francis C. Grevemberg, who fought a tough battle against crime and corruption in his home state, Louisiana. He got his chance to serve the state when he was appointed the superintendent of state police by the new governor. Prior to his appointment, Louisiana had been notorious for it's graft, crooked leadership, and criminal underpinnings. Upon accepting his position, Grevemberg vowed to eradicate it from the state governments. It was not an easy task as he met with almost constant opposition from all sides. He and his staff did succeed and Louisiana was a cleaner state. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keith Andes, Maggie Hayes, (more)
- 1958
In the midst of his campaign to bring statehood to his territory, Judge Somervell (John Litel) loses a suitcase which contains some rather volatile documents. The Judge is convinced that Bart Maverick (Jack Kelly) stole the suitcase--and so, apparently, is everyone else in the territory, including an enigmatic young woman named Janet (Bethel Leslie) and a quartet of homicidal thugs. After being kidnapped, beaten and accused of murder, Bart begins to realize that he'd better locate the missing papers in a real hurry...and also find out why they're so valuable. Veteran serial villain Roy Barcroft appears as a mercurial US Marshal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
During a Christmas office party, executive Tony Gould (Joseph Cotten) is confronted in his office by his secretary -- and mistress -- Shelley (Chris White). Fed up with being strung along by the married Tony, Shelley threatens to reveal their relationship if he doesn't divorce his wife immediately. In desperation, Tony strikes Shelley down, killing her instantly -- only to discover that he has locked himself in his office, and will be trapped therein for the next three days. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Those who learned to dislike Conrad Richter's novel The Light in the Forest when it was required reading in high school will be pleasantly surprised by this Disney adaptation. In his second film appearance, James MacArthur plays Johnny Butler, a white youth who was captured by the Delaware Indians in infancy. In 1764, a peace treaty is signed between the Delaware and the British, requiring that all white captives be returned to their families. But 18-year-old Johnny, now known as True Son and now thoroughly assimilated into the tribe, violently resists being torn away from the only life he has ever known. Kindly Indian scout Del Hardy (Fess Parker) tries to help Johnny through his transitional period; the same cannot be said by Johnny's Indian-hating Uncle Wilse (Wendell Corey), who vows to kill every Delaware he meets. Only by defeating Wilse-and, by extention, his own inner demons-will Johnny ever be able to readjust to the white lifestyle without totally turning his back on his adoptive Indian family. Carol Lynley makes her screen debut as Shendandoe, Johnny's white sweetheart; likewise making his entree into films is TV director Herschel Daugherty. Partially filmed on location in Tennessee, Light in the Forest benefited from the expertise of technical advisor Iron Eyes Cody. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fess Parker, Wendell Corey, (more)
- 1958
The plot and title of Unwed Mother are virtually one and the same. Betty (Norma Moore), the heroine, falls for the smooth line of patter delivered by no-good heel Dona (Robert Vaughan). Pretending to be a man of wealth, Dona convinces country gal Betty to give him her paychecks, promising to pay her back as soon as his inheritance comes through. He also assures her that he'll marry her when the time is right. When Betty becomes pregnant, she learns what the audience has known all along about the prevaricating Dona. After putting her child up for adoption, Betty has second thoughts, and thus spends the final reel chasing after the foster parents who've taken charge of her baby. Unwed Mother was originally released on a double bill with the equally unsubtle Joy Ride. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Norma Moore, Robert Vaughn, (more)
- 1958
In this western two wagon masters are wrongfully accused of driving their wagon train in to a Comanche raid and are sentenced to hang. Now they must work hard and fast to prove their innocence. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1957
Invasion of the Saucer Men can't make up its mind whether it wants to be a comedy, a j.d. melodrama or a horror outing. When a spaceship lands in the woods, Johnny (Steve Terrell) and Joan (Gloria Castillo) accidentally run over one of the aliens. In retaliation, the saucer-men kill Joe (Frank Gorshin), an opportunistic boozehound who stumbles across the body. Meanwhile, the hand of the extraterrestrial corpse detaches itself from its body and wreaks havoc on the countryside. But the aliens are foiled when it is discovered that they cannot withstand the glare of automobile headlights! The Saucer Men costumes were designed by Paul Blaisdell, who was certainly capable of better work. Lyn Osborn, the former Cadet Happy on TV's Space Patrol, makes his final screen appearance as Frank Gorshin's drinking buddy. Originally released on a double bill with I Was a Teenage Werewolf, Invasion of the Saucer Creatures was cheaply remade for television as The Eye Creatures (1966). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Terrell, Gloria Castillo, (more)
- 1957
Taxidermist George Tiffany (Henry Jones) is commissioned to stuff a horse named Napoleon, whose body will then be included in a time capsule being prepared by the town of West Warlock. While trying to complete his job, George suffers the constant annoyance of his boorish brother-in-law Wadron (Sam Buffington). Finally, George can stand no more -- at which point he takes advantage of the fact that the time capsule will not be opened for another 100 years. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
When Bret (James Garner) is accused of robbery, he seeks out John Stacey (John Vivyan), the only man who can clear him. Alas, John may not live long enough to provide testimony for Bret's defense: he is slated for a showdown with notorious gunslinger Doc Holliday (Gerald Mohr), who isn't inclined to Bret talk him out of adding another notch to his handle. Film noir icon Marie Windsor has a plum role in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
