Richard Landau Movies
The son of noted agent Arthur Landau, producer and screenwriter Richard Landau has been involved with films since the mid-'40s. He got his start working for his father and then became a screenwriter. During the '60s, '70s and '80s, Landau also penned scripts and produced a number of television shows including episodes for The Six Million Dollar Man, and The Incredible Hulk. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1986
Christmas Eve was actually first telecast on December 22, 1986, but nobody cared about the "error" then, so why should we? Making her first television appearance in 23 years, Loretta Young (her ageless beauty undimmed by her silvery hair) plays a wealthy New York matriarch who learns that she is dying. This strengthens her determination to be reunited with her three grandchildren, whom she hasn't seen in 16 years thanks to a bitter argument with her avaricious son Arthur Hill. As Hill wages a court campaign to have Young declared incompetent and thus get his mitts on her millions, private eye Ron Leibman races against time to locate her lost grandkids before Christmas. Do you honestly think you'll get through Christmas Eve without a box of Kleenex handy? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
An ambitious sci-fier from the Disney folks, The Black Hole takes place in the future. A quintet of space travelers stumble across a "black hole." Not wishing to be sucked into the void, the crew prepares to flee, but stops long enough to investigate a mysterious space vessel near the entrance of the hole. Manning this craft is mad scientist Dr. Hans Reinhardt (Maximillian Schell), who intends to explore the black hole in hopes of finding the universe's energy source. The cast includes Anthony Perkins, Robert Forster, Yvette Mimieux, and others. The Black Hole marked one of the Disney company's first PG-rated films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, (more)
- 1974
Future Newhart costar Mary Frann is cast as female FBI Agent Pat Driscoll. Inspector Lewis Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) is on the trail of a serial killer whose victims have all been members of the same college sorority. Inasmuch as Pat Driscoll is a former member of the benighted sorority, she agrees to set herself up as bait to trap the elusive psycho. This episode was directed by series regular Phillip Abbott. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Syndicate chieftan Rudy Keppler (John Vernon) leaves the security of his Caribbean hideway and sneaks back into the States. He plans to kill Nick Thomas (Vic Mohica), the young hood who has murdered Keppler's brother in a Mob power play. Striking while the iron is hot, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) hopes to persuade Keppler to get even in a nonviolent fashion by testifying against his former colleagues--but Keppler isn't buying. A young Joan Van Ark appears as a duplicitous Syndicate moll. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
The wife and daughter of travelling salesman Baxter Flynn (Alllen Garfield) are unaware that he is carrying on a secret life as a compulsive gambler--and paid mob informant. When Flynn witnesses a double murder, Ironside (Raymond Burr) is determined to force the man to give testimony against the killers. Only one problem: If Flynn shows up in court, his dirty little secrets will be revealed to the world, resulting in disgrace for his family--and, very possibly, instant death for himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Produced by Dan "Dark Shadows" Curtis, this TV adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic spine-chiller Frankenstein remains fairly faithful to its source. Robert Foxworth stars as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who comes to grief when he "plays God" by creating a human being from spare body parts. The monster, played by Bo Svenson, is doomed from the start, not only by fate but by his inherited homicidal nature. Susan Strasberg and Heidi Vaughn co-star as the two unfortunate women in Dr. Frankenstein's life. Originally telecast in two parts on ABC's late-night Wide World of Mystery anthology, Frankenstein debuted January 16 and 17, 1973. It was later pared down to a traditional two-hour, single-part TV movie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Foxworth, Susan Strasberg, (more)
- 1972
En route to Los Angeles to pick up a prisoner, Sgt. Ed Brown (Don Galloway) runs into trouble in a small town. Losing his temper with a pair of hostile local cops, Ed ends up booked on a misdemeanor, thrown into jail, and subjected to some rough treatment at the hands of the local constabulary. Realizing that he himself has been just as brutal with suspects in the past, Ed begins to question his future as a police officer. Ultimately, Ironside (Raymond Burr) shows up and offers to post bail--but Ed refuses, preferring to work out the situation by himself. Directed by star Raymond Burr, this is one of several Ironside episodes featuring an original song by Marty and David Paich, in this case "The Other Side", performed by James Griffin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
In this second half of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), Ironside (Raymond Burr) is in the hospital awaiting an operation that may cure his paralysis--or bring about his death if things go wrong. In typical fashion, the detective is able to put aside his own worries and solve a number of problems facing his fellow patients. Meanwhile, a homicidal drug thief steps up his efforts to bump off Ironside, who is the only witness to his most recent killing. The huge guest cast includes Joseph Cotten as the chief surgeon, Troy Donahue as a priest, former child star Margaret O'Brien as a patient, and future Jaws costar Lorraine Gary as a nurse. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Ironside departs from its usual one-hour format with this extended episode, originally telecast in a two-hour slot and later syndicated as a two-parter. While witnessing a murder committed by a drug thief, Ironside (Raymond Burr) incurs a shock to his spinal chord which may enable doctors to operate and cure his paralysis. The bad news is that the operation might also kill the detective--if the homicidal thief doesn't knock him off first! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this western, a cavalry sergeant is wrongly court-martialed. To reclaim his good name, he takes over a patrol that just lost its leader in an Indian attack. He leads the regiment to Fort Courageous, but is appalled to discover that the Indians attacked and massacred all but one of its inhabitants. The hardy little group must now fight the renegades on their own. The ex-sergeant plans a brilliant strategy that culminates in winning the Indian's respect. They leave the fort alone and peace is restored. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1965
The Seaview is sent on a recovery mission, to pick up a space capsule with a top secret "passenger" -- a robot. But no sooner is it aboard than the mechanical man runs amuck, killing anyone in its path and attempting to destroy the sub. Complicating the struggle for survival is the robot's inventor, Dr. Brand (Michael Constantine), who won't let Nelson and Crane do their jobs saving the ship. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1964
A toy manufacturer bequeaths his company, and his fortune, to his unattractive daughter Alice (Anne Whitfield)--on condition that she be married or at least engaged within a year's time. Miraculously, a handsome artist claims to be in love with Alice, proving his ardor by painting her as a beauty. Alas, it turns out that the romance is a sham, engineered by Alice's Uncle Harry (Ford Rainey) as part of a scheme to gain full control of the company. When Harry turns up murdered, Alice is convinced that she killed him during an argument, and so are the police--but Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) has his doubts. This is the final episode of Perry Mason's seventh season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
The Seaview is assigned a mission in the Aegian Sea, to investigate a series of research ship disasters, and an attempt to destroy the sub. Captain Crane (David Hedison) goes undercover in a small seaside village and finds that someone is prepared to kill anyone who asks (or answers) too many questions. He and Nelson (Richard Basehart) follow the trail to Zeraff (Hurd Hatfield), a mad inventor who has built a huge and powerfully armed undersea installation and plans to rule the world, even if it means destroying a good portion of it in the process. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1964
In Volume 40 of a collection culled from the 1963-1965 science fiction anthology television series, the speedy evolution of an alien culture is observed through a professor's telescope. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1961
When Carl (James Best), the son of former Ponderosa foreman Will Reagan (Will Wright), is reported killed, Adam Cartwright decides to investigate. Riding to the border town of Plata, Mexico, Adam has ostensibly arrived to claim the body, but is actually seeking out the reasons for Carl's sudden death. As expected, he learns a lot more than he bargained for-but he may never live to tell about it. Featured in the cast are Frank Silvera as El Jefe, Ziva Rodann as Maria, Arthur Batanides as Pablo, and the estimable Veda Ann Borg as Beulah. Written by Richard Landau, "The Fugitive" first aired on February 4, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1959
- NR
Wanted: Dead or Alive was a western television series that first established Steve McQueen as a star. McQueen played Josh Randall, a bounty hunter who searched America for outlaws. In "Reunion for Revenge," Randall has to protect a man in his custody from two criminals seeking revenge. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
Lt. (jg) Ken Braden (James Garner) is a US Navy frogman and underwater demolitions expert who is assigned to a vital mission, and to a submarine captained by Commander Stevenson Edmond O'Brien. But Stevenson is a CO who may have seen too many men die -- the two immediately come into conflict over Braden's presence on the boat and his mission, a top secret foray into Japanese waters that jeopardizes the boat. The captain, in his strict adherence to regulations, makes it as difficult as possible for Braden to carry out his assignment, and Braden doesn't make matters easier between them by speaking his mind. And the crew's low morale only makes matters worse as the voyage progresses and the dangers around them mount. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Garner, Edmond O'Brien, (more)
- 1959
This rodeo songfest finds Jackie (Mamie Van Doren) in love with Kelly (Jeff Richards) as they perform on the traveling rodeo circuit. Cool Man (Arthur Hunnicutt) is the likeable rodeo veteran. Jackie carries the torch for Kelly, who plays hard to get. Kelly plans to leave his bronco busting life behind before injuries and age catch up with him. Liz (Carol Ohmart) is a rich divorcee with eyes for Kelly. Van Doren sings five songs, and Tex Williams plays himself singing "Song Of The Rodeo". Johnny Olenn sings the title track and "You Lovable You". ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mamie van Doren, Jeff Richards, (more)
- 1958
In this drama, six daring truckers must transport unstable, highly explosive rocket fuel through a dangerously bumpy, rugged country. The film centers on their individual reasons for making the trip. These are presented via flashback. Though most of them need the money, one of the truck drivers is actually the fuel's inventor. During the fuel's development, a freak accident caused the death of his family. All but one of the drivers safely make it to their destination. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Keith, Dick Foran, (more)
- 1958
This is one of the more off-beat entries into the Frankenstein sub-genre, in that it features the original Creature, Boris Karloff (who really hams it up) playing the disfigured grandson of the famed mad baron in a style that combines gothic horror with the awe and fear created by the newly dawned atomic age. The story begins in the title year and finds Victor the III living in the ancestral castle and strapped for the cash he needs to resurrect his grandfather's experiments. He needs a fortune because this time he wants to use atomic power to bring the monster to life. To scare up the needed cash, he lets a television crew come to his famous digs to shoot a show. He ends up getting a lot more than money from the cast and crew and eventually he succeeds in creating a brand-new Creature. Unfortunately, the monster proves to be as volatile as his predecessors, and tragedy for both master and creature ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Boris Karloff, Tom Duggan, (more)
- 1957
Drugs are the focus of the exploitation film set in the Los Angeles harbor. The plot centers around a villain's evil scheme to raid a ship and abscond with surplus war drugs. To help him get backers for the heist, he begins showing criminals a slide show depicting his scheme. A young woman accompanies one of the leader's gang members as he takes the slide show to various gangsters. The woman falls in love with an ambulance driver and gets him involved in the scheme. During the actual caper, the mastermind is killed, the drugs are safe, and the driver and the woman walk away from the whole thing unscathed. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Russell, June Blair, (more)
- 1957
Producer Howard W. Koch's impoverished Bel-Air company lensed this quasi-horror film somewhere in California's Death Valley. Affecting a none-too-convincing British accent Mark Dana stars as Captain Storm, heading a colonial escort to a lonely archeological dig in Egypt in 1902. Along the way, the party, which includes the American wife (Diane Brewster) of the chief archeologist (George N. Neise), encounters a mysterious girl, Simira (Ziva Shapir aka Ziva Rodann, "Miss Israel of 1957), who warns them not to mess with the dead. They do anyway, of course, drawing the ire of the Gods. One by one, the scientists are decimated by Simira's brother Numar (Alvaro Guillot), who is the reincarnation of the tomb keeper and grows older by the minute. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Dana, Ziva Rodann, (more)
- 1957
Boris Karloff amiably walks through his undemanding starring role in Voodoo Island. Lensed in Hawaii, the film casts Karloff as Phillip Knight, a professional skeptic who enjoys skewering those who believe in the supernatural. Accompanied by his secretary, Sara (Beverly Adams), Knight arrives on a tiny Pacific island to disprove claims that a voodoo curse has invested itself in the community. After several horrible murders, however, it looks as though there really is voodoo activity in the region. Characters essential to the action are Elisha Cook Jr. as a zombie-fied petty thief, and a rather surly carnivorous plant! Some prints of Voodoo Island have eliminated a subplot involving lesbian interior decorator Claire Winter (Jean Engstrom). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Boris Karloff, Beverly Tyler, (more)
- 1957
Anne Bancroft was several years away from her 1962 Oscar win when she starred in the compact murder mystery The Girl in Black Stockings. The scene is a posh Utah resort hotel, where several beautiful women are mysteriously killed. Suspects include lawyer David Hewson (Lex Barker), his secretary Beth Dixon (Anne Bancroft), nasty hotel owner Edmund Parry (Ron Randell), and Parry's sister (Marie Windsor). Among the victims is Mamie Van Doren. The Girl in Black Stockings was adapted from a short story by Peter Godfrey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lex Barker, Anne Bancroft, (more)
- 1956
Tired of the humdrum routine at a staid British woman's prison, brassy American chorine Angela Booth (Beverly Michaels) busts out. Scotland Yard decides to allow Angela to roam free, hoping that she'll lead them to her partner in crime, who unbeknownst to her is a notorious traitor and killer. Blonde Bait was originally released in Great Britain as Women without Men. For American consumption, a few new scenes were shot, featuring Hollywood actors Jim Davis, Richard Travis, and Paul Cavanagh. Direction of the finished product was credited to the film's editor, Elmo Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Beverly Michaels, Jim Davis, (more)
