Harvey Laidman Movies

In this feature-length episode, the gentlemanly Southern lawyer tries to prove a television news journalist innocent of killing his producer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this episode of the long-running courtroom drama, Matlock must prove that he is not responsible for murdering a Los Angeles judge. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

When a dealer in rare coins is charged with murdering a larcenous employee, America's favorite Southern lawyer (Andy Griffith) takes the case. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The spotlight in this episode is on T.C. (Roger E. Mosley, who coincidentally also wrote the script!), whose daughter Melody (Martina Stringer) is kidnapped for a $300,000 ransom. Forced to sell his helicopter to raise the money, T.C. must also endure the additional trauma of a "reunion" with his ex-wife Tina (Fay Hauser). Meanwhile, Magnum (Tom Selleck) is determined to find out if Tina's current boyfriend was responsible for the kidnapping. Former Diff'rent Strokes regular Shavar Ross (aka "Dudley Ramsey") appears as T.C.'S son Bryant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode, a young man unwittingly falls into the clutches of a slave labor ring, and it is up to the Wildside agents to set him free. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

Matt Dill is The Boy Who Loved Trolls in this 55-minute TV fantasy. Convinced that trolls do indeed exist, Dill makes the acquaintance of one named Ofoeti (Sam Waterston) under a bridge. Alas, Ofoeti will die unless Dill agrees to remain with the troll for all time. Susan Anton and W.H. Macy also star in this engaging children's tale. The Boy Who Loved Trolls was first telecast October 29, 1984, as part of PBS' Wonderworks anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Nervous Norman Willis (Mike Genovese) is an aptly named racketeer who becomes even more nervous than usual when he loses his "little black book", which contains evidence of all his crooked dealings. As it happens, the book is in the possession of Daisy Duke (Catherine Bach), who has picked it up by mistake while gathering together her little-theater rehearsal notes. Pursued by Nervous Norman's minions, Daisy hides out at the home of lovestruck deputy Enos (Sonny Stroyer). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The fourth season of Magnum, P.I gets under way with one of the series' most famous and best-remembered episodes. Honoring his self-promise to spend each July 4th by himself on the high seas, Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) ends up stranded in the middle of the ocean after his surf-ski capsizes. With his friends unaware of his plight (except for some disturbing premonitions), Magnum must somehow keep his head above water until help arrives. . .if it ever does. Throughout this terrifying ordeal, Magnum experiences flashbacks to the more traumatic incidents in his past, including the funeral of his Naval-officer father in 1951, and his brief wartime marriage in Vietnam. Many viewers consider this to be Magnum, P.I.'s finest hour; few will hold it lesser esteem. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

James Best plays a dual role in this episode, as bumbling Sheriff Roscoe and a lookalike criminal named Woody. Having undergone plastic surgery to make himself Roscoe's exact double, Woody kidnaps the sheriff and takes his place. It's all part of a scheme to steal a million dollars from an armored truck--but will Bo (John Schneider) and Luke (Tom Wopat) be able to determine which Roscoe is which in the customary nick of time? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Freed from a Japanese POW camp and safely returned to Walton's Mountain, Ben intends to enter the postwar working world as a professional engineer. His dad John (Ralph Waite), however, wants Ben to give up his plans and become a full partner at the family lumber mill. The situation changes dramatically for both father and son when word comes that Olivia Walton's health has taken a turn for the worse. This episode marks the final series appearance of Ralph Waite. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After a four-year relationship, Quincy (Jack Klugman) still cannot summon the courage to propose to his lady friend Lynne (Sharon Acker), and in fact seems to be deliberately neglected her in favor of his work. During a particularly difficult forensic procedure in which he must clean up after an incompetent colleague, Quincy reflects on his current romantic crisis--and flashes back to the events leading up to the death of his late wife Helen. Appearing as the former Mrs. Quincy is Anita Gillette), who ironically later joined the series as Quincy's second wife Emily. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In a desperate effort to pay his gambling debts, Dr. Shane (Peter Brandon) performs unecessary surgery on an old woman who subsequently dies. Shane then applies pressured upon the dead woman's timid son Irving (Ben Piazza), demanding that he pay for the fatal operation. When Irving refuses, a vicious loan shark proceeds to make his life hell. Clearly, it is high time that Lt. Kojak (Telly Savalas) take a hand in matters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide