Howard B. Kreitsek Movies
- 1977
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Rated R for violence, this is another of the promises broken to us by the movie industry. When they promise that we won't have to see something again, why can't they make it happen? Although this, like the Jason movies (Friday the 13th ad nauseam), is followed by a made for TV movie and a series, they really have to be prequels to this "final chapter," as dictated by the fiery conclusion of the movie. The story of a sheriff who just isn't going to take it anymore, it is based on a true story but, as with all Hollywood fare, made larger than life. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bo Svenson, Maggie Blye, (more)
Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser and his trusty club return in this sequel. As with the first, he continues his single handed crusade against organized crime. Violence ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
The star-director team of Charles Bronson and Tom Gries (Breakheart Pass) combine their efforts again on Breakout. Bronson plays Nick Colton, a reckless pilot who heads to an unnamed South American country, in hopes of rescuing imprisoned Jay Wagner (Robert Duvall). Villain Harris Wagner (John Huston), who has framed Jay, has an unlimited supply of henchmen at his disposal, but they're no match for the dauntless Colton. Jill Ireland, Bronson's real-life wife, costars as Duvall's missus. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Bronson, Robert Duvall, (more)
- 1970
- R
A young married couple struggle with their personal problems and their union and the forthcoming birth oftheir unwanted child in this grim domestic drama. Much of the story centers on the husband, a former high school basketball star who is unable to leave the glory days behind and fashion a future for himself and his wife. Though pregnant, the wife is constantly drunk and the two constantly bicker. One night, they have row and the husband takes off to stay with his now-impoverished former coach thereby setting the stage for further turmoil and tragedy. The plot for Rabbit, Run is based on a John Updike novel. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Caan, Anjanette Comer, (more)
This science fiction fantasy is taken from the stories of Ray Bradbury. Carl (Rod Steiger) has a tattooed torso of bizarre illustrations done by his wife Felicia (Claire Bloom). Each one tells a story about the future, and when Will (Robert Drivas) meets The Illustrated Man in a hobo jungle en route to California, Carl warns him not to look too closely at the pictures on his person. One story has Carl, Felicia, Will and another man stranded on a planet plagued by perpetual rainstorms. Another has Will as a marriage counselor who watches in horror while Carl and Felicia's children plan their deaths. The third futuristic saga has Will observing Carl and Felicia on the top of a mountain as they plan to kill their children. After the three stories, Will is plagued by futuristic nightmares of Carl coming to kill him in this depressing and pessimistic film. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Steiger, Claire Bloom, (more)
- 1961
A few unusual performers and actors are among the cast in this otherwise routine teen musical with more rock 'n roll than story. The legendary Zazu Pitts plays the role of Aunt Theodora, the woman who tries to keep her nephew Bobby (Jimmy Clanton) from getting on with his singing career. Bobby's millionaire father owns radio stations, and one day the teen sneaks his song into a station to be played on the air. As in any kid's dream, the tune is an overnight success. The problem is that when Bobby meets the young woman of his dreams, he cannot bring himself to tell her who he really is. Meanwhile, Aunt Theodora has hired a bodyguard -- none other than Rocky Graziano the World Middleweight Boxing Champion, 1947-1948 -- to watch over Bobby. And among the many warblers in the film, two are destined for special fame: Chubby Checker and Dion, who had just left his group Dion and the Belmonts. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jimmy Clanton, Rocky Graziano, (more)
- 1958
Though produced on a shoestring, Country Music Holiday has a lot more going for it than most popular-music melanges of the 1950s. Ferlin Husky stars as Verne Brand, a talented hillbilly warbler who is discovered by fast-talking Sonny Moon (Jesse White). Verne's rise to the top of country-western fame is compromised by the machinations of a predatory Hungarian lass (Zsa Zsa Gabor) who owns 50 percent of the boy's contract. The film boasts some of the strangest casting of any film of its era: Rocky Graziano, for example, costars as a savvy record-company executive, while Patty Duke is seen as Ferlin Husky's kid sister! In addition to Husky, Country Music Holiday offers such rural favorites as June Carter, The Jordanaires, Drifting Johnny Miller, Lonzo & Oscar, the La Dell Sisters and Bernie Nee. In comparison, the strip-joint comedy team of Al Fisher and Lou Marks seems as sophisticated and urbane as Noel Coward. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ferlin Husky, Zsa Zsa Gabor, (more)
- 1957
To anyone born between 1935 and 1949, Mr. Rock and Roll can mean only one person: Visionary disc-jockey and concert producer Alan Freed. Made a few years before Freed ran into deep doo-doo during the Payola investigations, this ramshackle film purports to show how Freed brought R&R to the masses in the mid- to late 1950s. While the legendary deejay sits before a microphone taking requests from his faithful audience, the film cuts away to such musical artists as Lionel Hampton, Ferlin Husky, The Moonglows, Brook Benton, LaVern Baker, Little Richard, Clyde McPhatter, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Chuck Berry and Shaye Cogan. A few cheap laughs are provided by ex-boxer Rocky Graziano and the nightclub comedy team of Fisher & Marks. Though it hardly advances the art of cinema, Mr. Rock and Roll is a must-see cultural time capsule. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
