LeVar Burton Movies
African American actor LeVar Burton was a 19-year-old UCLA drama student when he was catapulted into international fame. On January 23, 1977, Burton made his professional debut as young Kunta Kinte, the protagonist of the classic TV miniseries Roots. He went on to give first-rate performances in such TV movies as Dummy (79) and One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story (78). Among LeVar Burton's more conspicuous TV appearances in the past decade have included his hosting chores on PBS' Reading Rainbow (83- ) and his regular role as sightless Lieutenant Geordi LaForge on the syndicated Star Trek: The Next Generation (87-92). He has continued playing Lt. LaForge in the feature film versions of Star Trek. Burton is also a published author. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1992
True-life stories can be more dramatic than fictional ones, and Sam the Sea Cow by Francine Jacobs features a real life-and-death situation for its hero. In Reading Rainbow: Sam the Sea Cow, Jason Robards narrates the tale of Sam, a manatee who becomes wedged in a sewer drain. The Miami Seaquarium comes to his rescue and provides a happy ending. At Sea World in Florida, LeVar Burton takes a good look at manatees, lending a hand as another manatee is released. The importance of wetlands is pointed out to him as he visits a wildlife refuge. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1992
The variety of sea life is the subject of the featured book in Reading Rainbow: Seashore Surprises. Viewers can travel to the beach with LeVar Burton as he accompanies two naturalists who check the organisms -- both plant and animal -- living at the sea's edge. Burton uses the informative book by Rose Wyler as a guide as he beachcombs. The naturalists provide commentary as he investigates mangrove swamps and underwater grass beds. In the review segment, youngsters analyze the merits of Is This a House for Hermit Crab?, The Seashore Book, and What's Inside?. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1992
The inspiration for Rechenka's Eggs came from author Patricia Polacco's Russian grandparents and her observations of Canada geese. The story is read by Viveca Lindfors and concerns Babuska, an elderly Russian woman who decorates eggs, and a goose, Rechenka, who has been injured and is under Babuska's care. Both art and science are covered by LeVar Burton as he discusses the parts of an egg and how the painting of eggs can be regarded as art. Other books reviewed on the program include Stefan & Olga, The Talking Eggs, and I Made It Myself. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1992
For a shy mouse, dancing can be a bit out of character, but when Sophie sees dancers in a window, she is determined to learn. After consulting some how-to books, she gets the confidence to try the steps. While dancing, she meets Lou and they become a team. This featured book in the Reading Rainbow series is Sophie and Lou, written by Petra Mather and read by Lola Falana. Host LeVar Burton also decides to learn the mambo and hip-hop, with help from professional dancers. Dances from other countries are shown, including Irish step dancing, aboriginal dances, and Bali's ritual dancing. Other books in the program include Dancing With the Indians, Cordelia, Dance!, and Lion Dancer. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1992
The need to escape from the everyday world is one of the topics in this episode of Reading Rainbow. Ruby Dee reads Tar Beach, the featured story by Faith Ringgold in which a young girl fantasizes that she can fly high above Harlem. Host LeVar Burton talks to two individuals who indulge in their hobbies on rooftops: a gardener who has created a lovely environment and a pigeon keeper. Viewers also visit the George Washington Bridge and hear about bridge workers, who spend their days high in the air. Other books discussed in the episode include I'm Flying! by Alan Wade and On Sleep by James Sage. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1992
The appeal of mud and clay for young children is unmistakable, and in Reading Rainbow: Piggy in the Puddle, viewers will learn how the claymation process works. The featured story by Charlotte Pomerantz is told with this process, as artists Becky and Cody demonstrate how they produce the characters from clay, then film individual action frames of the animation. In other segments of the program, there is mud racing, and footage of youngsters making clay creatures. Books reviewed by the kids include {-The Hippopotamus Song{, Oink, and This House is Made of Mud. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1992
In The Wall by Eve Bunting, a young boy visits the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC, to honor his grandfather. The creator of the memorial, Maya Lin, appears as a special guest in this episode of Reading Rainbow and talks about the way the design evolved and how it has affected her life. Viewers also visit Mount Rushmore and learn about its construction. Also introduced is artist Juan Sanchez, who is working on a mural to memorialize Louis Armstrong. In the book review section, My Grandson Lew, Tillie and the Wall, and All Those Secrets of the World are analyzed. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1992
Several different perspectives on adoption are presented in this Reading Rainbow episode. The featured book is Through Moon and Stars and Night Skies, written by Ann Turner and read by Andrew Lei, who is adopted. One family talks about the adoption of their baby, while a young girl and her mother discuss her questions about her real parents. Two young boys reveal their thoughts about the adoption process. There are many adjustments to be made in the adoption process, but the program shows that the end result is the same -- a family whose members love one another. Other books reviewed include Free to Be a Family: A Book About All Kinds of Belonging and Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers: A Collection of Family Poems. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1991
"Rain of Terror" and "Dead Seas" are the two episodes included in this video featuring the ecology-minded superhero. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In this eye-opening program, host LeVar Burton seems to be caught in a terrible snowstorm while rock climbing. But is he really? There are many ways in which studios create the illusion of action, and Burton explains the special effects tools used to deceive the audience. In the featured book Opt: An Illusionary Tale, optical illusions are shown and Burton talks about how they can fool the eye. Reading Rainbow: Opt, An Illusionary Tale also offers a segment with a painter, whose works are stunningly realistic. This thought-provoking series encourages children to enter the stimulating world of reading. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1991
A number of works related to snow are featured in this episode of the Reading Rainbow series, including Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, written by Robert Frost and read by Richard Courtney, and Winter Morning, written by Ogden Nash and read by Lena Horne. Lacey Chabert also reads Karla Kuskin's Snow, and host LeVar Burton goes sledding, snowshoeing, and sleigh riding in keeping with the show's snowy theme. Young viewers also learn about the Iditarod, the grueling sled dog race in Alaska, as a trainer explains that teamwork between the dogs and the driver is the key to success. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1991
The featured book of this program deals with time travel, and LeVar Burton goes to a special park to talk with people from the past, including Thomas Edison and a cave woman who invented eating tools. In Alistair's Time Machine, read by Arnold Stang, Alistair creates a machine that takes him back to medieval times. This series of programs points out the importance of reading skills, while presenting entertaining segments related to the main story. A group of kids are asked to talk about their dream machines, and the book reviewers discuss The Many Lives of Ben Franklin and Find Waldo Now. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1991
The many uses of wire are explored in Reading Rainbow: Galimoto, as the series continues in its quest to promote reading among the very young. In Galimoto, which is read by Hattie Winston, a young African boy looks for bits of wire in order to construct a toy truck, a galimoto. Host LeVar Burton journeys to New Mexico for a look at the wire sculpture created by an artist there, and features a segment on a family who have a high wire act for the circus. My First Activity Book, The Little Pigs' Activity Book, and Look at This are reviewed by the team of kid critics. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1991
Work is the topic of Reading Rainbow: Fox on the Job, as Fox needs to buy a new bike, and gets a job to make enough money. However, it's not as easy as it seems, and he learns a lesson or two. Various occupations are discussed, and LeVar Burton offers footage of people as they go about their business. The series points out the pleasures of reading and is well-suited for preschoolers and young students through fourth grade. Each episode has a feature book, celebrities from time to time, trips to sites related to the topic of the show, and entertaining activities. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1991
A young girl is the heroine in Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express, a true story about a train in peril, saved from certain disaster by Kate Shelley. Young viewers travel along with host LeVar Burton as he rides the Coast Starlight up the California coast. He checks out the various functions of specific cars on the train, including the dining car and the sleeper. Brian Dennehy appears as the guest reader. Other books covered in this episode include The Little Engine That Could, The Polar Express, and The Train to Lulu's. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In this episode of the popular Reading Rainbow series, Madam Pompenstance becomes an unusual entrant in a headdress contest when she unwittingly picks up a miniature ship on her head. Lady With the Ship on Her Head by Deborah Nourse Lattimore is read by Marilyn Pasekoff. In other segments related to heads, LeVar Burton is the head news reader who introduces features on the brain, a hair salon, and hats. A group known as "the Greatful Heads" sings "I Ain't Got No Body," and the kid critics review An Enchanted Hair Tale, Moag-Moag, Space Barber, and The Flyaway Pantaloons. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- Add Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 05 to QueueAdd Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 05 to top of Queue
Set in the 24th century and decades after the adventures of the original crew of the starship Enterprise, this new series is the long-awaited successor to the original "Star Trek" (1966). Under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the all new Enterprise NCC 1701-D travels out to distant planets to seek out new life and to boldly go where no one has gone before.
- Starring:
- Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, (more)
- 1991
The author of the featured book Raccoons and Ripe Corn, Jim Arnosky, invites LeVar Burton to his home state of Vermont, where they discuss the inspiration for the story. They take a hike, observing signs of animals such as beavers and raccoons. The book is read by Julia Barr and involves raccoons and mice that raid a cornfield in Reading Rainbow: Raccoons and Ripe Corn. Arnosky's other books about wildlife are also covered, including Deer at the Brook and Come Out Muskrats. The child-reviewed segment looks at My First Nature Book, Bird Watch, and Tree Trunk Traffic. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1990
This performance video features LeVar Burton, Ruby Dee and Cameron Mitchell reading great poems by Tennesee Williams, James Dickey and others. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1990
- Add Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 04 to QueueAdd Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 04 to top of Queue
Set in the 24th century and decades after the adventures of the original crew of the starship Enterprise, this new series is the long-awaited successor to the original "Star Trek" (1966). Under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the all new Enterprise NCC 1701-D travels out to distant planets to seek out new life and to boldly go where no one has gone before.
- Starring:
- Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, (more)
- 1990
In Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, written by John Steptoe, two lovely women in Africa go before a king to see which will be chosen for a wife. Will it be the grumpy, ill-tempered one or the pleasant, mild-mannered one? This episode of the Reading Rainbow series features Phylicia Rashad as the guest reader, while host LeVar Burton gets lessons in how to play African instruments. The program highlights African culture, visits Central Park in New York, and watches a group known as "Forces of Nature" perform a lively dance number. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1989
In addition to promoting literacy, the Reading Rainbow series frequently features books with a scientific focus to help children in the primary grades broaden their interests. The Egyptian method of preserving bodies is the topic of Reading Rainbow: Mummies Made in Egypt, as host LeVar Burton invites viewers to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to explore its large mummy collection. Viewers will learn that CAT scans allow scientists to see what is beneath the wrappings and observe as researchers reconstruct the face of a mummy with the scans as a guide. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1989
The Reading Rainbow series emphasizes the fun of reading for preschool through fourth grade students. Each episode features exceptional books, field trips, and other activities related to the topics of the selected stories. This episode features The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth, written by Keshia Knight Pulliam and read by Joanna Cole. In the story, Mrs. Frizzle and her adventurous students journey deep into the Earth, where they learn about the world of geology. Viewers also travel with host LeVar Burton to the California Caverns to examine the strange geologic formations found in caves. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1989
Dinosaurs and baseball are part of the stimulating mix in this episode of the series Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo, as LeVar Burton and his young assistants present another entertaining show. The featured book is read by Edward Asner and features a family that brings back a dinosaur from their African safari vacation. Bob turns out to be a natural at baseball. The Oakland A's spring training camp offers baseball tips, and viewers also get to see the Bombers and Bengals, softball teams made up entirely of girls. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
