Tim Matheson Movies

Twelve men who belong to one of the world's most exclusive fraternities -- people who've walked on the surface of the moon -- are paid homage in this documentary. Using newsreel footage, rare NASA photographs, and digitally animated re-creations, Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon examines the Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972 which put astronauts on the moon. In addition to explaining the technological know-how necessary to take our fliers to the moon, the film shares the thoughts of astronauts about what they saw and experienced in space, taken from their speeches and writings and read by a cast of distinguished actors, including Paul Newman, Morgan Freeman, Scott Glenn, Bill Paxton, and many more. Narrated by Tom Hanks (who also co-produced), Magnificent Desolation was shot and originally exhibited using the IMAX high-definition film format. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the release of the classic "raunch comedy" National Lampoon's Animal House, the Spike TV cable channel offered this behind-the-scenes special on the making of the film. Amidst a sea of anecdotes concerning the mercurial behavior of the film's star, John Belushi, the documentary offers a number of hitherto unknown factoids. Though filmmakers John Landis and Ivan Reitman, National Lampoon editors Matty Simmons and Chris Miller, and Animal House stars Tim Matheson, Peter Riegert, Karen Allen, and Bruce McGill are among the noteworthy interviewees, the real "star" of the documentary is the original film's script, which spoke more eloquently to its generation than many another more serious efforts of the era. Also featured are outtakes, alternate scenes, and clips from the dead-at-birth TV series spin-off, Delta House (which co-starred a very young Michelle Pfeiffer). The original telecast of Unseen + Untold: Animal House coincided with the DVD anniversary edition of the film, which contains even more bonus material. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Filmed on location in Lake Havasu, AZ, this made-for-cable domestic drama stars Tim Matheson as Al Dodge, a burned-out intellectual working as a handyman and living in a rundown trailer in the middle of the Arizona desert. Some 15 years earlier, Al had abandoned his family and is now living the life of a truculent recluse. All this may change -- or may not -- when Al is visited by Alison (Kristen Bell), his long-estranged teenaged daughter. Doing their best to mend the fences between father and daughter are Al's current girlfriend Sandy (Sean Young) and the requisite "crusty but lovable" widower Auggie Sinclair (Ed Asner). Adapted by Michael De Guzman from his own novel, The King and Queen of Moonlight Bay debuted on the Hallmark Channel on Father's Day, June 15, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Due to the round-the-clock coverage of the World Trade Center tragedy, the beginning of the fall 2001 TV season was delayed on all of the major networks. The first "new" primetime series to be unveiled was CBS's Wolf Lake, a quirky supernatural effort in the tradition of The X-Files and Twin Peaks. Six months after the disappearance of his girlfriend Ruby, Seattle policeman John Kanin (Lou Diamond Phillips receives an anonymous tip that the girl was spotted in the remote Pacific Northwest community of Wolf Lake. Unbeknownst to John (at least at first!), the community is controlled by shapeshifting werewolves, several of whom are locked in a power struggle to attain the coveted title of Alpha Wolf. Working hand and glove with local lawkeeper Sheriff Jack Donner (Tim Matheson), John sets about to solve Ruby's disappearance, while at the same time trying to sort out the strange goings-on in Wolf Lake. Meanwhile, John's 16-year-old daughter Sophia (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), who is herself beginning to exhibit wolflike tendencies, carries on a clandestine romance with local "wild boy" Luke Cates (Paul Wasilewski), the son of powerful industrialist Willard Cates (Bruce McGill), who happens to be the chief competition of local entrepreneur Tyler Creed (Scott Bairstow) for the Alpha Wolf position. The only person who knows all the dark secrets of Wolf Lake is enigmatic biology teacher Sherman Blackstone (Graham Greene. Not surprisingly, the weekly, 60-minute Wolf Lake was executive-produced by an X-Files alumnus, Alex Gansa. The series debuted on September 19, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Married for twenty years, Maggie (Roma Downey) and George (Tim Matheson) have drifted apart and are on the verge of divorce. To prevent this, the couple's kids (and their respective parents) bankroll a second honeymoon vacation on a lush tropical island. But though Maggie and George struggle mightily to rekindle their romance, things don't look good when Maggie is swept off her feet by a local Romeo and George is entranced by a leggy blonde. Evidently at this point the marriage can be saved only by an improbable twist of fate, so guess what happens? Made for TV and originally telecast by CBS, Second Honeymoon was first aired on March 11, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The life of one of the most famous American women of the last half of the 20th century receives yet another retelling in this made-for-TV drama. Raised by a harsh, domineering mother (Frances Fisher) and a charming but unfaithful (and alcoholic) father (Fred Ward), Jacqueline Bouvier (Joanne Whalley) is born into privileged circumstances but learns early on that wealth and power do not guarantee happiness. Jackie falls in love with John F. Kennedy (Tim Matheson), the son of a family even richer and more influential than her own, and is by his side as he becomes President of the United States -- though she soon discovers that, like her father, his charm and position make him very attractive to other women, a temptation he does little to resist. After the assassination of Kennedy in 1963, Jackie becomes America's best-known widow, and is forced to struggle through her mourning in the glare of the public eye. Alone and with expensive tastes, Jackie eventually becomes the trophy wife of Aristotle Onassis (Philip Baker Hall), yet another wealthy and flamboyant man. Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was first aired in two parts on November 5 and 8, 2000, by the CBS television network. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Actor and playwright Stephen Burrows makes his directorial debut with this independent comedy that takes a witty look at the downside of working in the movie business. Steve (Burrows) is a writer, actor, and comic who years ago left his hometown of Milwaukee, WI, for the bright lights of Hollywood and who, after years of struggling, has managed to get his foot in the door of show business thanks to his appearance in a widely seen commercial for a personal hygiene product called "Crotch Fresh." Steve decides to pay a visit to his friends in the Midwest, and while in Milwaukee he meets Sam (Traci Elizabeth Lords), an attractive woman interested in knowing more about his career in entertainment. As Steve and Sam get to know each other, he regales her with a number of remarkable stories about fascistic acting coaches, egocentric producers, and studio heads too young to hold a driver's license. Stephen Burrows was able to persuade a number of his well-known colleagues to appear in Chump Change, including Tim Matheson, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Fred Willard, and Abe Vigoda. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney) keeps a dispute between President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and Vice President John Hoynes (Tim Matheson) from becoming a run-away story in the media, while Sam Seaborn continues to see a high-priced call girl (Lisa Edelstein) despite the warnings of nearly everyone on the president's staff. Political consultant Mandy Hampton (Moira Kelly) is unable to convince her senator client to act in his best political interests. Meanwhile, Bartlett selects Captain Morris Tolliver (Ruben Santiago-Hudson) as his new personal physician. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Habitually abused by her arrogant surgeon husband Thomas (Stephen Lang), successful realtor Elizabeth Cooper (Joanna Kerns) has decided to get a divorce. Shortly after this decision, Elizabeth is in conference with a new client, John Davis (Tim Matheson)--who stops her short by announcing that he is a "hit man", hired by Thomas to murder Elizabeth. But after meeting his potential victim, John has had a change of heart, and is now determined to rescue her from her husband. Togther, John and Elizabeth formulate a plan: She will disappear, he will arrange the evidence to make it seem as if he's killed her, and then he'll trap Thomas into a confession. Although she hates the idea of being so long separated from her beloved children, Elizabeth agrees to the scheme. That things don't go off precisely as intended should at this point be a foregone conclusion. Made for television (and based on a true story to boot!), At the Mercy of a Stranger first aired November 3, 1999, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this comic fantasy for the family, 9-year-old Molly Wilson (Danielle Lombardi and Stephanie Lombardi) is relocated to Ireland when her father Howard (Tim Matheson) inherits an estate in the Old Sod. However, the Wilsons soon learn their new home has earned the nickname "Misfortune Mansion," as nothing good ever seems to happen to anyone who lives there. True to form, Howard learns that he'll have a pay a hefty tax assessment if he wants to stay in his new home. Molly decides what "Misfortune Mansion" needs is a leprechaun to bring them good luck, but when he calls out for one, she ends up with Lucky (Warwick Davis), whose name turns out to be ironic. A Very Unlucky Leprechaun was the first feature from director Brian Kelly. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this high-tech psychological thriller, Tim Matheson plays Jordan Cooper, a college professor and successful author whose life appears to be just the way he'd like. However, one day he goes to the doctor for his annual checkup and discovers all of his computerized medical records have been changed. Before he knows it, Jordan is shipped off to a hospital, scheduled for brain surgery, robbed of his possessions and accused of the murder of his girlfriend. Jordan manages to escape and discovers he's been targeted by Hollis Deitz (Dean Stockwell), an insane and vindictive computer expert who is using his superior hacking skills to ruin Jordan's life. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this haunting made-for-TV drama, a young woman is visited by the troubled ghost of a young girl and asked to capture the person who killed the girl's mother by throwing her off a cliff. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide