Dean Jones Movies
After a four-year hitch with the Air Corps, Dean Jones worked the nightclub and cabaret circuit as a blues singer. It was, however, as an actor that Jones was signed to an MGM contract in 1956; he spent the next four years essaying showy supporting roles in films like Tea and Sympathy (1956), Jailhouse Rock (1957) and Torpedo Run (1958). He made his first Broadway appearance in 1960, then went on to star in the TV service sitcom Ensign O'Toole (1962). Jones spent the next several years in light leading-man assignments in such Disney fare as The Ugly Dachshund (1965) The Love Bug (1968) and The Boatniks (1970). He returned to TV in 1970 as host of What's It All About World (1969), then scored a Broadway hit as the central character in the Steven Sondheim musical Company. In 1971, it was back to sitcom-land with the 13-week TVer Chicago Teddy Bears. Throughout the 1970s, Jones became increasingly involved in religious activities; this was reflected to a large degree in his sincere portrayal of Charles Colson in Born Again (1978). He made yet another TV comeback in Disney's Herbie the Love Bug in 1982, the same year that he published his autobiography, Under Running Laughter. Dean Jones remained busy as a film character actor into the 1990s, most delightfully in the atypical role of the vivisection-happy villain in Beethoven (1992). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The first feature film based on author Lois Leppard's Mandie books, Mandie and the Secret Tunnel begins in the year 1899, when a young girl named Mandie escapes to a mansion where she will discover the secrets of her past, while simultaneously learning what the future holds. Perhaps with the help of her Cherokee friends, young Mandie will learn to overcome life's hardships while celebrating great triumphs as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Jones
- 2005
- Add International Bible Society: Acts, Part 1 [ to QueueAdd International Bible Society: Acts, Part 1 [ to top of Queue
The International Bible Society and Pathway Media team to bring viewers the very best of the Bible in the most historically accurate manner possible with this film shot on location in Morocco, Tunisia, and South Africa and designed to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. A film that offers both entertainment value and spiritual nourishment, Acts offers a verbatim translation of one of the Bible's most compelling tales and stars James Brolin as Peter, Dean Jones as Luke, and Jennifer O'Neill as Lydia. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Jones, Henry O. Arnold, (more)
- 1997
This 1997 remake of the '60s successful, sequel-spawning The Love Bug (the highest grossing film in the U.S. in 1969) includes a cameo by Dean Jones, star of the original Love Bug. Herbie, a 1963 VW Bug with personality, is saved from destruction by former race-car driver Hank Cooper (Bruce Campbell), who sees the car has special talents. Conceited Scotsman Simon Moore III (John Hannah) creates an evil vehicle named Horace the Hate Bug and sends it after Hank and his girlfriend, auto journalist Alex (Alexandra Wentworth). Clarence Williams III is seen as an eccentric garage owner, and Monkee Mickey Dolenz appears as a racing promoter. The remake first aired November 30, 1997 as part of ABC's Wonderful World of Disney series. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Campbell, John Hannah, (more)
- 1996
A new bio-computer, loaded with vital DNA information, is used in a crisis simulation to test the defense capabilities of a military installation. Unfortunately, the computer develops its own intelligence and goes out of control, threatening to trigger an ecological disaster of apocalyptic proportions. An all-star voice cast distinguishes this episode, which made its first cable TV appearance on December 23, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Quinton Flynn, John deLancie, (more)
- 1996
This made-for-TV movie is staged in the form of an ongoing news report, unfolding in "real time." The year is 2014, and the men and women of the Global News Network are covering the final two hours of the first manned space mission to Mars. Suddenly, before an audience of billions, things begin to go horribly awry: Eugene Slader (Keith Carradine), captain of the spaceship "Destiny", falls ill and the ship's computer malfunctions. But what seems to be an unavoidable tragedy is revealed to be a massive corporate conspiracy when a group of protesters "hijacks" the telecast with the intention of exposing the whole truth. In the tradition of the similar Special Bulletin, the film is capped by a surprise ending that is both shocking and eminently logical. Unfortunately, NBC chose to premiere Special Report: Journey to Mars on March 25, 1996, directly opposite ABC's Academy Awards telecast--meaning that probably the only people who saw it were the Martians (unless, they too, wanted to find out if Bravehart would beat out Apollo 13 for the Best Picture Oscar). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Kirk Cameron stars in this made-for-television remake of the 1970 movie. Cameron stars as Dexter Riley, an under-average college student whose brain gets filled with the information from a super computer. He uses his newly found wisdom to sweep some college quiz tournaments, much to the chagrin of his suspicious competitors. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Cameron, Larry Miller, (more)
Living up to its tagline, "Payback can be deadly," this installment in the popular-on-video Kickboxer series follows the travails of a displaced fighter out to avenge his friend's death. Stepping in for former hero Sasha Mitchell -- who in turn stepped in for original Kickboxer Jean-Claude Van Damme -- is Mark Dacascos, playing Matt Reeves, the longtime buddy of David Sloan (formerly Mitchell, here played by an uncredited actor). When he finds out that Sloan was murdered after refusing to join a nefarious boxing organization, Reeves travels to South Africa to get Bollen (Greg Latter), the evil leader of the cult-like federation. Redemption: Kickboxer 5 was given the "Redemption" prefix upon its 2003 video release. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
Feeling that something is lacking in their lives, the family of suburbanite Charles Grodin adopts a stray St. Bernard puppy. The cute lite beast grows up to be the less-than-cute Beethoven, a sloppy, slobbery, oversized and extremely destructive animal. Beethoven also brings with him a lot of hidden baggage in the form of evil veterinarian Dean Jones, who'll stop at nothing to steal Beethoven for the purposes of his insidious lab experiment. Several sequels followed, beginning with 1993 Beethoven's Second. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, (more)
- 1992
That madcap gang from the popular TV teen show, Saved by the Bell, head for Hawaii to save the tiny resort of Kelly's grandfather from an avaricious developer. Mayhem, and romance ensue. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, (more)
- 1989
The terrible crash of Delta Airlines Flight 191 provides the basis of this made-for-TV drama-in-real life. The disaster occurred at Dallas in 1985 and during that fateful night many of the ordinary passengers, crew, and rescue workers became true heroes as they worked together to save lives. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Haid, Angie Dickinson, (more)
- 1988
Dean Jones stars as the elderly John, the last survivor among the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, in this spiritual drama. As John labors with a group of fellow inmates at a penal colony on the island of Patmos in 96 A.D., he shares his memories of traveling with the Son of God, from their first meeting to witnessing his crucifixion at Calvary. St. John in Exile was also produced by Dean Jones, and based on a one-man show in which he appeared on-stage. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Jessica (Angela Lansbury) accepts the invitation of her niece Carrie (Kate McNeil), the wife of astronomer Leonard Palmer (Dean Jones), to be on hand for the return of a long-lost comet. Thrilled at the prospect of witnessing this stellar phenomenon, Leonard takes a long look through his telescope -- but doesn't like what he sees. Soon thereafter, Carrie's ex-boyfriend, business executive Drake Eaton (Steven Ford), turns up murdered...and Leonard is the prime suspect. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
While visiting her cousin Abby (Lynn Redgrave) at lavish Langley Manor in the deep South, Jessica is among those present when patriarch Denton Langley (Dan O'Herlihy) is accidentally killed during a fox hunt. What is puzzling about the situation is that Langley's normally docile horse was startled enough to throw the man to his death. Later on , Langley's daughter is also killed, and all evidence points to a single, and very unusual, suspect: Langley's beloved pet dog (and sole beneficiary) Teddy! Country singer Roger Miller appears as the local sheriff. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
In this made-for-TV sequel to When Every Day Was the Fourth of July, a Jewish family fights prejudice in their New England community in the years before World War II. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Taking a breather from his usual horror and science-fiction endeavors, producer/director/writer Dan Curtis reminisces about his childhood in When Every Day Was the Fourth of July. Set in Bridgeport, Connecticut in the 1930s, the film concentrates on attorney Dean Jones and his 9-year-old daughter Katy Kurtzman. Responding to Katy's fervent pleas, Jones takes on the case of mute handyman Geoffrey Lewis, who has been accused of murder. Curtis would follow this ficitionalized flashback with his 1981 production The Long Days of Summer. Made for television, When Every Day Was the Fourth of July first aired March 12, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
In this musical fantasy, the Brothers Grimm, accompanied by some of their most famous creations, wander through a magical forest. Characters appearing include Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rumpelstiltskin. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1973
There's little chance that the made-for-TV Guess Who's Sleeping in My Bed? will ever be confused with either Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (67) or Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? (63). The plot: Dean Jones divorces Barbara Eden, but finds that he can't live in the style to which he's accustomed without his ex-wife's income. Circumventing Eden, Jones ingratiates himself with his children and convinces them to allow him to move back in. Eden, meanwhile, has a new "significant other" in the form of Kenneth Mars, but since Mars has never gotten the girl in any previous film, it's no trick to guess the outcome of this story. Guess Who's Sleeping in My Bed? is elevated by the direction of the always inventive Theodore J. Flicker, who once upon a time gave us that imperishable movie satire The President's Analyst (68). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
In this comedy-drama, President Lincoln temporarily abandons his inaugural tour to visit a little girl who wrote him a letter asking him to grow a beard. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1970
This Swiss-made film, in the '70s Disney vein, concerns a scientist (Dean Jones) looking for the cure for the common cold. Instead, he discovers the secret of invisibility, and must struggle with his faithful sheep dog to keep the formula from being captured by evil forces. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
Those who worried that the Disney studio would collapse without the presence of the late Uncle Walt were put at ease when the profits starting rolling in for The Love Bug. The "star" is Herbie, a lovable little Volkswagen with a personality all its own. Abused by a bad guy race-car driver (David Tomlinson), Herbie is rescued by a good guy racer (Dean Jones). Out of gratitude, Herbie enables the luckless good guy to win one race after another. The real fun begins when the ruthless hot-rodder connives to get Herbie back through fair means or foul. Based on a story by Gordon Buford, The Love Bug inspired two equally lucrative sequels, Herbie Rides Again and Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Jones, Michele Lee, (more)
Blackbeard's Ghost was one of the first Disney productions released after Walt's death. Peter Ustinov stars as the eponymous wraith, who returns to Earth to come to aid of his descendant, elderly Elsa Lanchester. The villains want to kick Lanchester and her friends out of their group home so that they can build a crooked casino. Good guy Dean Jones evokes the spirit of Blackbeard to thwart the bad guys. The supporting cast ranges from Richard Deacon to Gil Lamb, while Peter Ellenshaw performs the visual effects with mattes, miniatures, and process screens. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Ustinov, Dean Jones, (more)
