Alf Kjellin Movies
Swedish actor/director Alf Kjellin studied for a theatrical career, but was swept into movie stardom thanks to his appearance as a troubled student in the Ingmar Bergman-scripted film Hets (1944), released in the US after the war as Frenzy. Hailed as a "new discovery" (though he'd been in Swedish films since 1937), Kjellin was brought to Hollywood on the strength of Torment, making his American bow in MGM's Madame Bovary (1949). MGM wasn't fond of Kjellin's name, so he was billed as Christopher Kent for Bovary, reverting to his real moniker for such subsequent American films as My Six Convicts (1952). Feeling confined by the second leads and villains he played in Hollywood, Kjellin turned to directing with Girl in the Rain in 1957. Few of his films as a director were memorable, though Kjellin gained an excellent reputation directing such TV series as I Spy in the '60s and Columbo in the '70s. I Spy became something of a crusade for Kjellin; in tandem with director of photography Fouad Said, the director lobbied for the right to use more flexible hand-held cameras rather than the cumbersome boxes then required by the American Society of Cinematographers. (Kjellin was victorious, but the resultant bad photography on many TV shows of the '70s may have caused him second thoughts.) Even as his stock as a director rose in Tinseltown, Alf Kjellin took on the occasional acting role in such films as Ice Station Zebra (1968) and Zandy's Bride (1974). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy is a TV dramatization of the notorious Cold War incident of 1960. The story is told from the point of view of Powers (Lee Majors), an American pilot who was shot down over Russia while taking photographs on behalf of the CIA. The event occurs just before a crucial summit meeting between American President Dwight D. Eisenhower (James Flavin) and Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev (Thayer David). Eisenhower tries to cover up the incident, allowing Khrushchev to make propagandistic hay of the whole affair. Robert E. Thompson's teleplay tends to depict the Americans as jerks, and the Russians as essentially good guys; even Powers' Soviet interrogator, portrayed by Nehemiah Persoff, comes off comparatively sympathetic. Also in the cast are Noah Beery as Powers' father and Lew Ayres as Allen Dulles. Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy was originally telecast September 29, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Now that he's had a taste of performing with Bobby Bigelow's band, Jason (Jon Walmsley) aspires to a career in music. But father John (Ralph Waite), who has plans of expanding his lumber business as "Walton and Sons", is dead set against Jason pursuing his dream. Thus, when the opportunity arises to land a music scholarship with the prestigious Klineberg Conservatory, Jason must send in his application without John's knowledge. The inevitable father-son clash is tempered somewhat by a "disinterested" third party: namely, John-Boy (Richard Thomas). Jon Walmsley performs his own composition, "The Maiden and the Soldier", in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
With schoolteacher Rosemary Fordwick still on her honeymoon, Olivia Walton (Michael Learned) continues to substitute-teach in Rosemary's classroom. One of Olivia's students is a painfully shy youngster named Samuel Miller (Bob Arsic), who has been written off a "slow" because of his inability to read. As it turns out, Sam's problem is not illiterary but poor eyesight--and unfortunately, his parents can't afford to buy him a pair of glasses. Meanwhile, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) has an awkward reunion with his former girlfriend Marsha (Tammi Bula), whose new husband may have only married her for her money. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
There's no doubt about it: the Walton girls are growing up, and at least two of them have developed a healthy interest in the opposite sex. In fact, when John-Boy invites young forestry student Chad Marshall (Michael O'Keefe in his first series appearance) to stay with the Waltons, Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) falls head over heels in love with the handsome visitor. The trouble begins when Mary Ellen's sister Erin (Mary Elizabeth McDonough) also sets her cap for Chad. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Olivia (Michael Learned) is reunited with her namesake Young Olivia Hill (Deborah White), who is deeply in mourning over the death of her husband Bob. The fact that Bob has left his widow with precious few memories of their short time together serves only to make the healing process harder. It takes a a major crisis involving the Waltons' pet cat Calico to coax Young Olivia out of her shell and back into her life. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Although the family is convinced that Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) is a shoe-in at the University of Virginia Nursing School, she may not be able to qualify because she has never taken algebra or chemistry. Normally, Mary Ellen would turn to brother John-Boy (Richard Thomas) to help her pass the entrance exams, but it turns out that algebra and chemistry were his two worst subjects in school. Thus, Mary Ellen solicits the aid of local Public Health nurse Nora Taylor (Barbara Eda-Young)--who happens to have a few problems of her own at the moment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
The Walton family spends a great deal of money to purchase a new suit of clothes for John-Boy's high school graduation. But when their cow suddenly dies, the Waltons desperately need ready cash to replace the bovine. Will John-Boy (Richard Thomas) stubbornly hold on to his graduation suit, or will he do the Right Thing and sell it back? Without revealing the ending, it can be noted that Grandpa Walton (Will Geer) comes to the rescue. Featured in the supporting cast is child actor Jeff Cotler, the brother of series regular Kami Cotler (Elizabeth). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
- PG
Based on Lillian Bos Ross' novel The Stranger and adapted by screenwriter Marc Norman 25 years before he would win the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award for 1999's Shakespeare in Love (along with Tom Stoppard), Zandy's Bride is a romantic Western starring (Gene Hackman) as gruff rural rancher Zandy Allan. Looking more for an extra hand around the ranch than a companion, Zandy sends for a mail-order bride from Sweden. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't get what he expected. When his bride, Hannah (Liv Ullmann), arrives she is anything but compliant, bearing a headstrong attitude that rubs Zandy the wrong way. Although he mistreats her at first, Zandy and Hannah fall in love as hardship hits and they must struggle together for their survival. Also starring Eileen Heckart and Harry Dean Stanton, Zandy's Bride was also released under the title For Better, For Worse. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Hackman, Liv Ullmann, (more)
- 1973
Grandma Walton (Ellen Corby) is pleasantly surprised when she receives a huge bequest--a whole $250!--from a casual acquaintance. Naturally, everybody in the Walton household has a special plan on how best to spend the money, and just as naturally, Grandma intends to be generous with her windfall, not only doling it out to her family but to the rest of the community. But an unexpected development puts a damper on that generosity--and now Grandma is faced with the prospect of being unable to keep her word for the first time in her life. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Using John-Boy (Richard Thomas) as a go-between, blacksmith Curtis Norton (Ned Beatty) carries on a long-distance courtship with city girl Ann Harris (Ivy Jones). Though John-Boy sees no harm in writing Curtis' love letters for the shy Smithy, his tendency to embellish the facts causes big problems when Ann pays a visit to Walton's Mountain. Meanwhile, Olivia (Michael Learned) begins fantasizing about an operatic career while bicycling to her weekly choir practice. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Made for television, Girls of Huntington House stars Shirley Jones as schoolteacher Anne Baldwin. Working at a school for unwed mothers, Anne finds she can't keep her professional life and personal life separate. With no children of her own, she becomes deeply involved in the trials and tribulations of her students. This leads to profound emotional difficulties for all concerned. Adapted from a novel by Blossom Elfman, The Girls of Huntington House first aired February 14, 1973, as an ABC Movie of the Week. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Virtually everyone on Walton's Mountain is profoundly affected when a meteorite falls through the Baldwin sisters' roof. Grandpa (Will Geer) in particular regards the falling star as a grim omen, perhaps of his own imminent demise. Meanwhile, the Baldwins' disreputable cousin Polonius (Iggie Wolfington) tries to capitalize on the astronomical phenomenon by insisting that the meteorite has been sent as warning to the ladies to stop brewing their special moonshine...and to hand their famous "recipe" over to him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Olivia (Michael Learned) strongly disapproves when husband John (Ralph Waite) invites four travelling carnival performers (one of them played by legendary "little person" Billy Barty) to stay with the Walton family. The quartet of "carnies" had found themselves stranded after their manager skipped town with the carnival's profits. Ever so gradually, Olivia warms up to these curious but likeable nomads -- and when the four entertainers discover that the Waltons hadn't had enough money to attend their carnival when it first arrived on the Mountain, a very special performance is staged in the family's barn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Jamie is a member of a boy's club which delights in forcing new members to undergo a grueling initiation process. Unfortunately, one of these hazings results in the death of a hapless teenager. Though the townsfolk blame Ted Hoag (Ronny Howard), a homeless youth, for the boy's death, Jamie and the other members demonstrate their inherent maturity by shouldering the responsibility themselves. Written by Douglas Day Stewart, "The Initiation" first aired on September 26, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
Circuitously commenting upon the drug culture of the 1970s, this Bonanza episode probes the dangers of the onetime "wonder drug" morphine. Future MASH regular Mike Farrell is cast as Dr. Will Agar, who is revealed to be a morphine addict after he inadvertently causes the death of a young patient during routine surgery. Also in the cast are Gary Busey as Dr. Agar's hapless victim Henry Johnson, David Huddleston as Henry's father, Melissa Murphy as Agar's wife Nancy, and Mons Kjellin (the son of director Alf Kjellen) as Agar's son Chris. Written by Stanley Roberts and Jack B. Sowards, "The Hidden Enemy" first aired on November 28, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
Most of this episode takes place in a prestigious San Francisco music conservatory, where a highly unpopular violin instructor has been murdered. Investigating the case, Ironside (Raymond Burr) discovers that there is no lack of suspects. Zeroing in on a trio of decidedly eccentric musicians (one of them played by a young Tim Matheson), the Chief tries to determine the killer's identity by following some cryptic clues left behind in the victim's collection of classical compositions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Where do dreams end and reality begins? That's the question facing research scientist Lloyd Bridges in the made-for-TV Deadly Dream. Each night, Bridges suffers nightmares, in which he is on trial for his life before a mysterious tribunal. The whys and wherefores of Bridges' torment are revealed bit by bit throughout the film's 73 minutes. The Deadly Dream was the September 25, 1971 installment of ABC's Movie of the Week anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Ironside (Raymond Burr) and his team are assigned to escort Soviet spy Hruska (Diana Hyland) to Mexico to exchange for an American scientist (John Archer) held by the Russians. En route, Ironside and Hruska a kidnapped by a gang of Mexican activists. As Ed (Don Galloway) struggles to stall the Russian officials, Ironside endeavors to formulate a plan of escape--all the while becoming increasingly fond of his beautiful prisoner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Posing as double agent William Howard (David Frankham), Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr heads to East Berlin, there to assist in the escape of Lisa Stone (Dana Wynter), the wife of US-based Communist spy John Buchanan (Alf Kjellin). Ostensibly, Lisa is heading to America to persuade her husband to defect. In truth, however, Lisa is a loyal Party member, whose "escape" has been carefully staged--and she intends to murder Buchanan the moment she catches up to him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
- PG
Set in the immediate post-Civil War era, The McMasters stars Brock Peters as a black Union soldier who finds he must figuratively fight the war all over again. Returning to his southern hometown, Peters quickly learns that nothing has really changed: he is a "free"man in name only. Peters' ex-master Burl Ives magnanimously gives the former slave a plot of land, but only Native-American David Carradine and his tribesmen are willing to work for a black man. The "invasion" of Indians serves to stir up the racial divisiveness even farther, thanks to local rabble-rouser Jack Palance. The McMasters was originally released in two versions with two different endings, succinctly summing up the film's "no easy answers" stance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Burl Ives, Brock Peters, (more)
- 1969
- PG
A disgruntled British secret service officer and an aspiring author turn to crime when they are again passed over for prominent career advancements. John Pedley (Fred Astaire) is the agent who has been passed over for knighthood one too many times for his liking. He proposes a plan to university professor Mike Warden (Richard Crenna), who has been fired for taking part in a peace demonstration. With the help of Sylvia Giroux (Anne Heywood), they recruit a retired SS officer and a former Italian fascist as they attempt to hijack a fortune in gold bricks from the British crown. Pedley deals with double-crossing opportunists who covet the gold for themselves. Sir Ralph Richardson, Roddy McDowell and Cesar Romero also star in this engaging crime drama. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Crenna, Anne Heywood, (more)
- 1969
European business tycoon Carl Vandaam (Alf Kjellin) hopes to recoup his lost fortune by building a hydrogen bomb and selling it to the highest bidder. The IMF's mission is to stop Vandaam in his tracks, a strategy that requires Rollin to pose as one of the potential buyers. The more dangerous aspect of the mission is to remove the plutonium from the completed bomb without blowing up everyone and everything in sight. "Doomsday" was written by Laurence Heath; the episode made its network broadcast debut on February 16, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1968
Frequent Mission: Impossible director Alf Kjellin appears in this episode as art museum director Stefan Prohosh, the ousted party chairman of a small Eastern Bloc country. Hoping to regain his power, Prohosh steals a secret alloy which has been welded into a metal sculpture. The IMF's mission is to switch the alloy with a counterfeit sample--an assignment that requires an extremely noisy series of diversions. Scripted by John D. F. Black from a story by Black and Edward DeBlasio, "The Phoenix" was originally broadcast on March 3, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1968
The IMF agents are assigned to recapture $1,000,000 in gold bullion, which was targetted for a pro-Democracy underground group but has been confiscated by the Communists. The money is being held under maximum-security conditions at a hotel where an important chess tournament is being held. Complications ensue when Nicholas Groat (Don Francks), an international thief posing as a chess master, draws up plans to steal the bullion himself. Originally broadcast on January 14, 1968, "A Game of Chess" was written by Richard M. Sakal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
