Harry Jackson Movies

In this film based on a true story, Burt Lancaster plays Robert Stroud, a withdrawn prison inmate who cures a sick bird that flies into his cell and eventually becomes a world-renowned ornithologist -- all while serving a life sentence. An overbearing warden (Karl Malden) eventually transfers Stroud to the notoriously brutal prison on Alcatraz, but he is able to continue his research, abort a riot, start a romance, and eventually get his story out through a determined reporter (Edmond O'Brien). Directed with his usual solid craftsmanship by John Frankenheimer, Birdman Of Alcatraz tells a quietly moving tale for which Lancaster, Telly Savalas (as one of Stroud's fellow inmates), and Thelma Ritter (as Stroud's mother) all received Oscar nominations. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide

Once seen in childhood, the January 1, 1960 Twilight Zone episode "The Four of Us Are Dying" can never be forgotten. Set in a surrealistic New York City (replete with flashing neon signs and forced-perspective streets), the story concerns one Arch Hammer (Harry Townes), a two-bit hood gifted with the ability to change his facial features. In rapid succession, he assumes the personalities of two recently deceased individuals -- jazz musician Johnny Foster (Ross Martin) and murdered gangster Virgil Sterig (Phillip Pine) -- for his own financial and sexual gain. But Arch comes to grief when, pursued by Sterig's killers, he transforms his face into that of punkish prizefighter Andy Marshak (Don Gordon). Enchancing the episode's dramatic clout is a brilliant performance by Beverly Garland as a nightclub singer and a driving musical score by Jerry Goldsmith. "The Four of Us Are Dying" was written by Rod Serling from a story by George Clayton Johnson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Blaming his daughter Sally (Anne Whitfield) for the death of her brother, Pa Ellis (George Mitchell) forces the girl out of their home. Soon, however, Pa regrets his harsh words and begs her to come back. And on a dark and stormy night some seven years later, a truck driver (Pat McCaffrie) picks up a hitchhiking Sally, follows her directions, and takes her home--where a shocking surprise awaits him. This classic episode was inspired by the centuries-old legend "The Vanishing Hitchhiker." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Sexual misconduct in white-collar suburbia is the topic of this routine melodrama involving two neighboring couples. Architect Larry Coe (Kirk Douglas), unhappy with his wife Eve's (Barbara Rush) fixation on their bank balance, starts taking an interest in Maggie Gault (Kim Novak), whose husband has been losing interest in her. The two steal several illicit moments together, but this activity has not gone unnoticed. Good ol' neighbor Felix (Walter Matthau) figures that Eve might be feeling a little neglected, so he decides to move into the picture. Richard Quine's direction is an asset to an otherwise clichéd tale. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

While travelling on a stagecoach, Bart Maverick (Jack Kelly) strikes up a conversation with Ann Saunders (Pat Crowley), an Easterner who claims to have come West to meet her cousin. En route, the coach is robbed, and Bart cannot help but notice that Ann seems to be acquainted with one of the masked holdup men. Things get even curiouser when Ann helps the robbers escape from jail, leaving Bart to face the wrath of the authorities. Former cowboy star Don "Red" Barry plays a sheriff in this episode, which was written by western-movie veteran Winston Miller. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Although Army major Frank Lessing (John Archer) left behind a suicide note before his death, Sgt. Joseph Dexter (Paul Picerni) is charged with Lessing's murder. Exercising his legal prerogative, Dexter demands a civilan lawyer to defend him at his Court-Martial--and that's where Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) comes in. But by the time Perry has arrived at the Army base to confer with his client, Dexter has been murdered as well! The outcome of this case hinges upon a payroll robbery committed years earlier in the Philippines. Making certain that this episode remained "by the book" throughout was technical advisor Lt. Allison A. Conrad, who receives special screen credit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

On behalf of his current client, Perry (Raymond Burr) is endeavoring to reach an acceptable financial settlement for a hit-and-run accident. Somehow or other, this assignment leads to a morass of intrigue involving blackmail, a frameup, a missing witness, a secret marriage--and the murders of two guys named Hollister (James Seay) and Pitkin (Harry Jackson). Based on a 1949 novel by Perry Mason creator Erle Stanley Gardner, this episode features one of the most repulsive "surprise" killers in the series' history. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In some ways, the coming-attractions trailer for The Monolith Monsters is more exciting than the picture itself. The plot gets under way when a meteor crashes in the desert, leaving behind huge black chunks. While being analyzed in a science lab, the crystaline stones are accidentally drenched with water, whereupon they begin to grow to gargantuan dimensions. In a twinkling, these monster monoliths are running amok, "petrifying" whomever and whatever gets in their way. A sudden rainstorm further exacerbates the situation, causing the monoliths to grow to hitherto unimagined heights. Can the world be saved by the saline solution which the scientists are hurriedly developed in the lab? The notion of killer rocks was certainly a novelty: it would have been nice if Monolith Monsters had consistently lived up to the promise of its premise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Long before she was "domesticated" as Consuela in TV's Marcus Welby MD, Elena Verdugo was the hip-swinging heroine of Panama Sal. The story finds Sal Regan (Verdugo) singing and dancing for her supper in a low-class Panamanian dive. Wealthy Dennis P. Dennis (Edward Kemmer) takes a liking to Sal, and decides to do the "My Fair Lady" bit. He takes the girl back to the States, where, after teaching her the social graces, he makes her famous as a high-toned supper club songstress. Along the way, Dennis falls in love with Sal, much to the dismay of his wealthy pals, who try to break up the romance. Not meant to be taken seriously, Panama Sal is an enjoyable diversion from the waning days of Republic Pictures. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Despite the lighthearted promotional campaign mounted by 20th Century-Fox when the film was first released, The Kid from Left Field is not a comedy. The title character is young Christy Mathewson Cooper (Billy Chapin), the son of former big-league ballplayer Larry Cooper (Dan Dailey), who is now reduced to hawking peanuts at the ballpark. Securing a job as a batboy with a team called the Bisons, Christy amazes the players and management by giving them tips on how to win games. What no one knows is that Christy is passing along information provided by his father. Impressed by Christy's apparent expertise, third baseman Pete Haines (Lloyd Bridges) tells team secretary Marion Foley (Anne Bancroft) about the boy. She, in turn, tells Bisons owner Whacker (Ray Collins), a "Bill Veeck" type ever on the alert for a new publicity gimmick. Whacker promptly appoints the pint-sized Christy as manager of the team, replacing the ill-tempered Billy Lorant (a truly venomous performance by Richard Egan). Larry is about to spill the beans concerning Christy's baseball knowledgeability, but he decides not to, considering himself a burnt-out has-been. And that's all that can be revealed without giving away the ending. Its whimsical premise notwithstanding, Kid from Left Field is treated as a straight drama, with several near-noir long shots of the shadow-drenched ballpark. The film was remade for television in 1978 as a vehicle for Gary Coleman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Producer/writer Philip Dunne adapted the screenplay of Way of a Gaucho from the novel by Herbert Childs. Largely filmed on location in Argentina, this is the story of Martin (Rory Calhoun), a freewheeling gaucho of the 1870s. Resenting the incursions of civilization, Martin accidentally kills a man while asserting his independence. To avoid a prison sentence, he signs up with the army, but soon deserts to form an outlaw band. Salinas (Richard Boone), Martin's former commanding officer, makes it his mission in life to bring Martin to justice. Gene Tierney co-stars as socialite Teresa, who stands by Martin through thick and thin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jean Peters is at her feisty best in Anne of the Indies. Harboring a grudge against all men (and not without reason), Anne becomes "Captain Providence," one of the most notorious pirate leaders of the Spanish Main. Anne is pursued by French captain Pierre la Rochelle (Louis Jourdan), who intends to bring her to justice. To this end, La Rochelle makes romantic overtures to Anne, but she gloms onto his scheme and abducts the captain and his wife Molly (Debra Paget). After leaving her victims to die on a desert island, Anne relents and rescues them. She later fully redeems herself (at great personal cost) during a battle with her fiercest rival, Blackbeard (Thomas Gomez). Few actresses could have pulled off the contrarily-written title character in Anne of the Indies with as much determination and conviction as Jean Peters; surprisingly, the actress was reportedly never comfortable before the cameras, often insisting that she'd rather be a schoolteacher! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide