Peter Lawrence Movies

The old Hanna Barbera cartoon adventure series Jonny Quest was given a new coat of paint -- and infinitely better animation -- in this daily, half-hour cable-TV offering, co-produced by Japan's Pacific Animation and several Korean cartoon firms. The basic characters -- spunky teenager Jonny Quest, his scientist dad Benton Quest, his muscular teacher-guardian Race Bannon, his mystical best pal (and now adoptive brother) Hadji, and his little dog Bandit -- remained intact, as did the original series' globetrotting-adventurer premise. This time around, however, there was whole new cast of voiceover actors, including (during the first season, at least) J.D. Roth as Jonny and George Segal as his dad. Also, there was a typically '90s emphasis on computer technology; in fact, Dr. Quest was now described as a "computer genius," ready and willing to use the vast resources of his Quest Foundation, and the limitless opportunities afforded him by his new virtual-reality domain Questworld, to battle the forces of evil. The scripters also broadened the appeal of the series by adding a strong, positive female character, Jessie Bannon, the teenaged daughter of Race Bannon (whose estranged spouse Estella Velasquez also showed up on occasion). Premiering August 26, 1996 and running until April 16, 1997, the 52 episodes of The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest were first-run simulatenously on three different Ted Turner-controlled cable services: TBS, TNT, and The Cartoon Network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Estella Scheele asks the Quest team (minus Jessie) to locate her missing grandfather, a famed ornithologist. The heroes are unaware that Estella actually hopes to locate the legendary "city of gold" El Dorado, and she doesn't care who perishes in the attempt. A startling finale caps this beautifully rendered episode. Bandit, Jonny Quest's faithful bulldog, makes his first Real Adventures of Jonny Quest appearance in "In the Realm of the Condor," which made its American TV debut on August 28, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

New York City is held in the grip of terror when a white tiger escapes from its underground home -- an abandoned subway tunnel -- and goes on a rampage. In their efforts to capture the beast, the Quest team must also contend with a slimy tabloid-TV host named Vince Vance, who intends to milk this potential disastrous situation for all it is worth. Another treat for fans of "real" animation (rather than the limited stuff usually foisted upon TV viewers), "Manhattan Maneater" was originally broadcast on September 2, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Questworld computer system picks up extraterrestrial warnings to stop a series of American space-defense experiments before they begin. Unfortunately, the Quest team learns all too late that the experiments have already been set in motion by the Vice President of the United States -- actually an alien in disguise. Boasting an excellent display of 3-D animation (some of its computerized, but most done the old-fashioned way), "Alien in Washington" made its first cable-TV appearance on September 6, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Philosopher's Stone, which is said to have the power to turn base metals into gold, is located by Dr. Quest, only to be stolen by Quest's duplicitous partner. The villain then kidnaps Jonny, Jessie, and Hadji, intending to use their Purity of Heart to activate the precious Stone. Those celebrated conjurers Faust and Merlin make "cameo" appearances in "The Alchemist," which was first telecast in the United States on September 10, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Dr. Quest utilizes Questworld computer technology to reassemble a shattered statue of the God Apollo. His efforts are interfered with by Quest's perennial foe Jeremiah Surd, who, hacking into the computer system, lures Jonny into a surreal chamber of horrors in which the statue's supernatural powers are summoned to their full, frightening height. The 25th filmed episode of The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, "Heroes" was the 18th episode to be telecast, on September 18, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While flying to Northern Siberia to join the rest of the Quest Team, Jessie is forced to make an emergency landing. Exploring the area, she comes across a ancient colony of Russians, living in a subterranean ice fissure -- and, of course, completely unaware that many centuries have passed since their imprisonment. The best scene finds Jessie "improvising" a hot-air balloon. "Ice Will Burn" originally aired on September 26, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Set in a ghetto neighborhood, the film follows the lives -- and deaths -- of a self-destructive street gang. At times, it looks as though an Important Message will emerge from all the wanton bloodshed. But the principal purpose of the film was to make a swift box-office turnover, not to educate. This direct-to-cable endeavor is unrated, but not recommended for impressionable children. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Based on the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, this modern adaptation follows the trials of a woman who trades her soul for eternal youthful beauty. However, as the woman's appearance does not change, her video screen test ages and decays. This film was made for television ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

Angel (Don Stroud) is the biker who joins a commune of hippies near a small town out West. When the town rednecks attack them in a dune buggy convoy, Angel calls up some of his bad biker buddies to exact revenge. Tremaine (Luke Askew) is the commune leader targeted extermination by the looney locals. Tyne Daly plays a hippie chick and Aldo Ray is the lazy local sheriff who refuses to calm things down in this cycle drama. Music provided by Randy Sparks and Jim Helms. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the seven-part story arc "Marco Polo," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and Kublai Khan (Martin Miller) play a high-stakes game of backgammon. Whoever wins the game will be allowed to lay claim to the TARDIS -- and of course, the Doctor and his friends need the vessel to return to their own time. Meanwhile, the ruthless Tegana (Mark Eden) puts into motion his scheme to assassinate Kublai Khan and lay claim to all of Cathay. And where, in all this intrigue, is Venetian explorer Marco Polo (Mark Eden). Written by John Lucarotti, "Assassin at Peking" first aired on April 4, 1964; alas, none of the episodes in the "Marco Polo" arc are known to have survived. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide