Alan Lake Movies
In this run-of-the-mill horror film, it is the Christmas season, and derelicts who need money for food and/or booze get jobs playing Saint Nick in the city's department stores. An insane killer has taken a strong dislike to these Santas and either violently does them in or disfigures them in very ugly ways. A Scotland Yard detective (Edmund Purdom, also the director) has been assigned to capture the serial killer, but when he is unable to get results fast enough, he is replaced by Sgt. Powell (Mark Jones). The list of suspects includes the Scotland Yard detective, a reporter who happens to be on the scene just after one of the crimes is committed, and another fellow who was also around for several of the attacks and is indirectly related to one of the victims. The puzzle will hopefully be solved while some Santas (Father Christmas in England) are still around. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edmund Purdom, Alan Lake, (more)
- 1979
Jackie Collins screenplay falters in this so-so melodrama about a soccer player and his road to fame and fortune. Rod Turner (Ian McShane) is a has-been soccer whiz who one day gets a second chance to reach for the brass ring. He joins a team owned by a playboy rock star (Paul Nicholas) and managed by Jake (Adam Faith), a vicious, mean-spirited devil. In spite of the manager and a suddenly complex personal life as he gets involved with the rock star's girlfriend (Suzanne Somers), Rod is determined to make this second chance work. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ian McShane, Suzanne Somers, (more)
- 1978
The Doctor (Tom Baker) and Leela (Louise Jameson) materialize on the deck of the R1C, a spaceship from the dying planet Minyos. Under the leadership of Commander Jackson (James Maxwell), the ship's crew has embarked upon a desperate search for their species' "race bank" in hopes of revitalizing their world. At least that's the story that the Doctor (Tom Baker) is told by the Minyans -- but he has good reason to be wary. Beginning its four-episode run on January 4, 1978, "Underworld" was written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, (more)
- 1978
In the second episode of the four-part story "Underworld," the Doctor (Tom Baker) has his doubts concerning the avowed mission of the Minyan spacecraft R1C. According to Commander Jackson (James Maxwell), the R1C crew is in search of their sister ship P7E, containing the Minyans' "race bank," with which they hope to repopulate their dying, war-ravaged planet. Though Jackson is telling the truth, he doesn't know that the R1C is being lured into a trap. First telecast January 11, 1978, "Underworld, Part 2" was written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, (more)
- 1978
In the third episode of the four-part story "Underworld," the Minyan space ship R1C has located its sister ship P7E, containing the "race bank" with which the ancient Minyan astronauts hope to revitalize their race. Alas, the P7E is under control of a malevolent computer, which has no intention of yielding its race banks. In fact, unless the Doctor (Tom Baker) acts quickly, everyone on board the R1C will perish -- including the Doctor and his companion Leela (Louise Jameson. First telecast January 18, 1978, "Underworld, Part 3" was written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, (more)
- 1978
In the conclusion of the four-part story "Underworld," the evil computer in charge of the Minyan "race bank" on the space ship P7E is determined to prevent future Minyan procreation by destroying the sister ship R1C. Since both the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Leela (Louise Jameson) are on board the R1C, it is imperative that he prevent this catastrophe. To foil the computer and its robotic servants, the Seers, the Doctor again relies on his own quick-wittedness and ability to mentally outmaneuver his enemies. First telecast January 18, 1978, "Underworld, Part 4" was written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, (more)
- 1978
- R
Shortly before her untimely death at age 33, British sex symbol Mary Millington starred in Playbirds. The film concerns danger and intrigue in the world of sex-magazine publishing, a plot device that allows for acres and acres of nude female flesh. A villain is a serial killer, preying on the cover girls of Playbird magazine. Glynn Edwards and Gavin Campbell costar in this low-low budgeter, which rather refreshingly has no artistic pretensions whatever. Please don't be shocked when we tell you that Playbirds is rated R. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
British glam rock superstars Slade made their collective acting debut in this downbeat drama about a pop group's struggles with success. In the late '60s, Barry (Dave Hill), Paul (Jim Lea), and Charlie (Don Powell) are musicians who are barely making a living playing pub dates, weddings, and socials backing up egocentric vocalist Jack Daniels (Alan Lake). One night, the boys find themselves opening for a ghoulish show band called The Undertakers, and a prank played on their lead vocalist, Stoker (Noddy Holder), backfires and leads to a car chase which lands both groups in jail for the night. After a long night of thinking, Barry, Paul, and Charlie decide that they have no future with Daniels, and bring new pal Stoker aboard as their singer. Calling themselves Iron Rod, the new quartet clicks musically, but manager Ron Harding (Johnny Shannon) doesn't care for their new style and stops booking the group. Robert Seymour (Tom Conti), a marketing man from a wealthy family who thinks there's quick money in pop music, enters the picture and informs the band that he can make them major stars. Wary of Seymour but eager for success, the group signs a new management deal, and after Seymour changes their name to Flame and gives them an image makeover, the band scores a hit record and is soon playing a series of sold-out shows. But as fame beckons, tensions rise between the musicians and is not at all helped when Harding reenters the picture. Slade members Jim Lea and Noddy Holder wrote a set of original songs for the film, two of which ("Far Far Away" and "How Does It Feel") became hit singles in the U.K. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Noddy Holder, Dave Hill, (more)
- 1968
Filmed during the production break between the sixth and seventh season of The Avengers, this episode served as the swan song for Emma Peel (Diana Rigg). . .and as an introduction to novice secret agent Tara King (Linda Thorson) (Though, technically, it was not the first episode in which she appeared). On this occasion, Tara assists Steed and Emma as they try to flush out a traitor in their midst. The episode's "gimmick" is a drug which induces amnesia -- and also a loose tongue. The final scene, in which Emma turns over the reins to Tara, is a classic. According to some sources, "The Forget-Me-Knot," written by Brian Clemens, was first shown in England on September 25, 1968, while other sources list January 12, 1969, as its first airdate. Be that as it may, the episode actually debuted on American television on March 20, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Albert Finney both directs and stars in the "alienation" comedy-drama Charlie Bubbles. The eponymous Bubbles (Finney) is a trendy and fabulously wealthy novelist. Indulged at every turn, and able to indulge in his wildest fancies, Charlie is bored by his privileged existence. He staves off ennui by drinking and carousing with best-buddy Smokey Pickles (Colin Blakely) and by having a fling with his secretary Eliza (Liza Minnelli, in her screen debut). Billie Whitelaw delivers the film's best performance as Charlie's vitriolic wife. Directed in the "mod" fashion popular at the time, Charlie Bubbles sometimes resembles a music video without the music. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Albert Finney, Colin Blakely, (more)
- 1966
Gypsy Girl was originally released in England as Sky West and Crooked. With this production, John Mills became a one-time film director, guiding his daughter Hayley through a screenplay written by Mills' wife Mary Hayley Bell. Radically cast against type, Hayley plays a mentally traumatized young lady living in a remote North Country rural community. She falls in love with a handsome gypsy (Ian McShane), which stirs up the prejudices of her family and neighbors. In the end, it is the gypsy boy who rescues Hayley from being institutionalized. Less grim than one might expect, Gypsy Girl takes its time telling its story, though the acting makes up for any lulls. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hayley Mills, Ian McShane, (more)
- 1965
At one time, The Dave Clark Five were considered the Beatles' key rivals in international pop stardom, and so, when the Fab Four made a smash at the box office with A Hard Day's Night, Mr. Clark and his partners followed with Catch Us If You Can (also known as Having A Wild Weekend). Dinah (Barbara Ferris) is a famous model and actress who is getting tired of life in the limelight and wants to take a break. While shooting a commercial spot for meat, she meets Steve (Dave Clark), a stuntman. Dinah and Steve hit it off and decide to head to an island to get away from it all (bringing along four of Steve's friends, Mike Smith, Lenny Davidson, Denis West Payton, and Rick Huxley, who -- surprise! -- play music with him). Before long, Dinah is reported missing and everyone is looking for her, making their getaway anything but tranquil. While A Hard Day's Night launched director Richard Lester into international success, Catch Us If You Can was the feature debut for John Boorman, who similarly went on to bigger and better projects. Songs featured include "I Can't Stand It," "Catch Us If You Can," and "Having A Wild Weekend." ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dave Clark, Barbara Ferris, (more)
