Paul Burke Movies
Another distinguished alumnus of the Pasadena Playhouse, dependable leading actor Paul Burke launched his film career in 1951. Burke's willingness to endure whatever humiliating assignments were dished out by producers and directors earned him the undying respect of his co-workers, and in 1956 he was promoted to television stardom with Noah's Ark, a Jack Webb-produced weekly about a pair of dedicated veterinarians. The abrupt 1960 cancellation of his next series, Five Fingers, fortunately freed up Burke for his most successful assignment to date: the role of dedicated NYPD detective Adam Flint on The Naked City, which ran from 1960 to 1963. He enjoyed another healthy run as Captain (later Major, still later Colonel) Joe Gallegher on 12 O'Clock High (1964-1967). After this last-named series ran its course, Burke returned to film supporting roles, the best of which included Lyon Burke in Valley of the Dolls (1967) and Lt. Eddie Malone in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968). A reliable journeyman actor into the 1990s, Paul Burke has been seen as wealthy patriarch Channing Creighton "C.C." Capwell on the NBC daytime drama Santa Barbara (1984-1992) and in a bit as the Albanian Protestor in the 1990 theatrical feature Tune in Tomorrow. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Tune in Tomorrow is based on Mario Vargas Llosa's novel, Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter. In New Orleans, circa 1951, a news writer for a local radio station, Martin Loader (Keanu Reeves), meets and falls in love with his aunt Julia (Barbara Hershey), a divorced woman who is looking for a new husband. Meanwhile, new-in-town eccentric radio-soap-opera writer, Pedro Carmichael (Peter Falk) has been hired to help boost the station's bad ratings. Pedro begins manipulating Martin and Julia's affair and using it as the basis for his radio show. Director Jon Amiel uses the same story-within-a-story construction from The Singing Detective, the miniseries that he directed for British television. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Falk, Keanu Reeves, (more)
- 1990
Husband and wife producers Richard Goodwin and Christine Edzard return to the same milieu as in their epic version of Little Dorrit in The Fool. This slight story stars Derek Jacobi as Mr. Frederick, a theatrical clerk in the London of 1857, who concocts a monetary scam to bilk the rich. In order to carry off this deception, Mr. Frederick passes himself off as the well-heeled Sir John. But problems arise after he is recognized by some theater people, and he begins to take his false identity a bit too seriously. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Starring:
- Derek Jacobi, Cyril Cusack, (more)
- 1990
The title of this 2-hour Columbo entry is one of the most grievous puns ever perpetrated on the public. The "crown" in question is a gold one, placed in the murder victim's tooth by dentist James Read. Seeking redress against his wife's lover, Read has administered a slow-acting and untraceable poison in the victim's dental crown. Had not Columbo been assigned to the case, Read might have gotten away as clean as a hound's tooth (sorry!) Nancy Walker and Dick Sargent make cameo appearances in Uneasy Lies the Crown, which originally aired April 28, 1990 on ABC's Saturday Mystery Movie series. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1985
Up-and-coming actress Nita Cochran (Alice Krige), who happens to be the niece of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), lands a plum role on a popular TV soap opera. Nita has been cast as a serial murderer--a fact that proves most unfortunate when an actual murder occurs at the TV studio. The victim was Nita's boss, who may or may not have been planning to abruptly write her off the show. . .but it soon develops that Nita was only one of several people with a strong motive. This episode represents the final TV appearance of Lloyd Nolan, whose well-known difficulty in memorizing lines is cleverly woven into the final scene. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1985
Called back to active Naval service by Admiral Hawkes (Paul Burke), Magnum (Tom Selleck) is handed the delicate task of pinpointing and plugging a security leak at a Navy base where a top-secret nuclear submarine is docked. The mission proves to be a painful one when it appears that the source of the leak is the fiancee (Simone Griffeth) of Hawkes' own son Andy (Jeff Yagher)--and things go from bad to worse when circumstantial evidence suggests that Andy himself is the guilty one. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1984
Originally and imprudently titled The Whorehouse Sting, this fact-based, made-for-TV melodrama casts Beau Bridges as federal agent Frank Powell, who makes it his mission to bring slick but deadly racketeer Oliver Sully (Harold Gould) to justice. This undertaking requires Powell and his fellow government functionaries to set up a phony San Francisco brothel (total price tag: $450,000), thereby setting the stage for an intricate extortion "sting". Putting her life on the line along with Powell is professional call girl Kathy Dunne (Farrah Fawcett), who agrees to pose as the brothel's madam. Laced with moments of unexpected humor and capped by an unexpected denoument, The Red-Light Sting debuted April 5, 1984, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1982
In the conclusion of Magnum, P.I's two-part Season Three opener, Magnum (Tom Selleck), and Rick (Larry Manetti) swear vengeance against their old enemy Col. Ivan (Bo Svenson), whom they hold responsible for the death of Magnum's navy friend Mac. Meanwhile, Lt. Maggie Poole (Jean Bruce Scott in her first series appearance) is determined to get to the bottom of an assassination plot, involving both Ivan and a brainwashed T.C. (Roger E. Mosley). The episode's shattering final scene is arguably the most famous moment in the entire eight-year run of Magnum, P.I--and also one of the most chillingly cold-blooded finales in TV history! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1982
In the first half of Magnum, P.I.'s Season Three opener (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode). T.C.'s old war buddy Nuzo (James Whitmore Jr.) shows up in Hawaii with a dire warning for T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) and his comrades-in-arms Magnum (Tom Selleck) and Rick (Larry Manetti). It seems that the evil Soviet torture specialist Col. Ivan (Bo Svenson), who made life hell for Magnum et. al. during their time in Viet Cong POW camp, is still at large--and determined to kill his former prisoners. Unfortunately, Magnum isn't around at first to hear Nuzo's warnings, which fact proves fatal for one of his closest associates. This episode marks the final regular appearance of Jeff MacKay) as Magnum's Navy pal "Mac" MacReynolds (but not by any means the final appearance of MacKay himself!) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1981
The made-for-TV Advice to the Lovelorn stars Cloris Leachman as a "Dear Abby" type newspaper advice columnist. Walter Brooke costars as her editor, who discourages her efforts to follow up her advice in person. But follow she does, trying to untangle the problems of guest stars Melissa Sue Anderson, Lance Kerwin, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Donna Pescow. She even finds time for a romantic episode with special guest star Paul Burke. Intended as the pilot for a weekly series, the 2-hour Advice to the Lovelorn was telecast November 30, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1981
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), Magnum has figured out that the reason he has been summoned to testify in Washington about his old unit in Vietnam is to prevent him from asking any more questions about his lost love Michelle (Marta DuBois), whom he had married during the war--and who was not killed in an explosion as he has been led to believe. It turns out that Michelle is now the wife of a high-ranking Vietnamese general (Soon-Tek Oh), who is presently in Washington negotiating the release of some American POWs. What Magnum doesn't find out until it is nearly too late is that Michelle's life is in grave danger...courtesy of someone known as "The Tiger" ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1981
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour "TV Movie"), Magnum (Tom Selleck) is convinced that he has seen Michelle (Marta DuBois), the woman whom he married in Vietnam during the war--and who had been reported killed in an explosion. His efforts to find out if Michelle is indeed still alive are stonewalled by the US Government, whose representatives--including his frequent associate Mac (Jeff MacKay)--are clearly hiding something. In the midst of this intrigue, Magnum is called back to active duty (with a promotion) and hauled before a military hearing to testify about his old unit in 'Nam...but what is REALLY going on here? Lance LeGault makes his first appearance as Magnum's perennial nemesis Col. Buck Greene. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1981
In this made-for-television thriller, a pair of couples, a U.S. senator among them, are stalked by backwoods snipers while on a white-water rafting trip. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
- 1979
Robin Strand stars as a female narcotics cop transferred to an all-male police squad assigned to patrol the California beaches. Strand's assignment ends almost before it begins when she is targeted for assassination by the Mob. First telecast April 30, 1979, Beach Patrol was supposed to have been the first episode of a weekly series. It wasn't. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Robin Strand, Jonathan Frakes, (more)
- 1978
In this western adventure set in 1903, four imprisoned cowgirls bust out and begin trailing a famed Irish killer who is planning to assassinate President Teddy Roosevelt. Along the way, the foursome encounter many exciting adventures. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
Also known as Little Ladies of the Night, the story focuses on a teenager who runs away from home and finds herself in the sordid world of street-life prostitution. She gains help from a police officer, who is still connected to the underground since he formerly worked as a pimp. ~ John Bush, Rovi
- 1975
- PG
In this thriller, an innocent man is wrongfully committed to an asylum for the criminally insane. While there he learns how to tap into his psychic powers and to affect the lives of others via astral projection. These skills come in mighty handy after he is released and he heads out for revenge against those who framed him. This movie was originally filmed as The Kirlian Force. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Paul Burke, Jim Hutton, (more)
- 1974
Candidate for Murder stars Jimmy Stewart as folksy private detective Hawkins. Paul Burke costars as Hawkins' client, the campaign manager for a charismatic politician (John Ericson). A TV reporter who had threatened to release a damaging story about the politico has been murdered, and Burke is the Numero Uno suspect. Diana Hyland costars as the candidate's fiercely protective wife. Candidate for Murder originated as the March 5, 1974 episode of the Hawkins TV series. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1974
Newly paroled and working at a group home for convicts' children, ex-prisoner Carl Parkos (Paul Burke) receives word that his oldest son has been killed in a gang fight. It is up to Chief Ironside to prevent Parkos from exacting vengeance against the killer, not so much for Carl's sake as for the man's surviving son. Featured as one of the Parkos kids is juvenile actor Butch Patrick, late of The Munsters and Lidsville. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1974
A robbery committed by three men goes horribly awry: one thief is killed, the second escapes, and the third, a lifelong loser named Hardway (Paul Burke), is arrested. While languishing behind bars, Hardway learns that his daughter has been kidnapped--and that the only way he can ransom her is to reveal the whereabouts of the stolen money. Ironside (Raymond Burr) enters the scene in hopes of saving the girl, retrieving the money, capturing the villain--and, just possibly, redeeming the hapless Hardway. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1974
In Anatomy of Terror, a made-for-TV spy mystery thriller, a Korean war vet (Paul Burke) discovers that he is the victim of brainwashing and must depend on the help of his girlfriend (Polly Bergen) to learn the truth. The plot has some interesting twists, but the cast gives uniformly lackluster performances -- not aided by the poor production values and direction of this low-budget thriller. Viewers are advised to watch The Manchurian Candidate which covers much of the same material with more interesting results. Anatomy of Terror was also released as An Echo of Teresa. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi
- 1973
An Echo of Theresa was the first 90-minute entry in the ABC-TV late-night anthology Wide World Mystery. Billed as a "psychological thriller," the videotaped drama stars Polly Bergen and Paul Burke. Bergen and Burke portray a middle-aged couple on their blissful second honeymoon. Ere long, however, the couple is plunged into a nightmare by the spectre of a dead woman -- who seems to know the husband quite well. William Job, Roger Hume and Dinsdale Landen co-star. First telecast January 15, 1973, An Echo of Theresa was rebroadcast several times thereafter. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1973
In this theatrically released episode from the TV series based on the popular feature film, Shaft, the tough New York detective must use all of his experience to solve the case and bring the crooks to justice. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1972
Crime Club was the umbrella title given a series of monthly mystery novels in the 1930s and 1940s. Several films and radio programs ostensibly based on "Crime Club" stories were produced during that same period. The title was revived for a TV pilot film in 1972; this time the "Crime Club" referred to a high-tech crime solving organization which numbered among its members a private detective, a federal agent, a policeman and a judge. In the pilot, the private eye (Lloyd Bridges) and the judge (Victor Buono) pool their skills to solve the murder of a fellow club member. The film failed to lead to a weekly series, but another Crime Club pilot was commissioned in 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1972
Lee Grant plays Mrs. Schuster, wife of a recently murdered Manhattan cop. Lt. Schuster died under a cloud, with intimations that the killing was orchestrated by criminals with whom the Lieutenant was chummy. Mrs. Schuster is forced to vindicate her husband, and to try to emotionally reassemble herself. The film is sustained by the powerhouse performance of Lee Grant, backed by such strong supporting players as Jack Warden, Paul Burke and Eartha Kitt. Lieutenant Schuster's Wife is one of the most convincing and compelling directorial jobs of TV-movie workhorse David Lowell Rich. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
Produced by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg, The Rookies was the pilot film for the popular early-1970s cop series of the same name. The story centers upon the training of three young rookie cops, played by Michael Ontkean, Georg Stanford Brown and Sam Melville. Darren McGavin is their tough-talking, golden-hearted superior officer. When the Rookies series proper debuted in 1972, Ontkean, Melville and Brown were retained in the cast, but Darren McGavin was replaced by Gerald S. O'Loughlin. Also replaced was Jennifer Billingsley as Sam Melville's wife; the new "Jill Danko" was Kate Jackson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Ontkean, Georg Stanford Brown, (more)
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