Charles Maxwell Movies
- 1971
Rip Torn guest-stars as Will Hewitt, a former soldier who was blinded in the last battle of the Civil War. Determined to solve the murder of his brother, Hewitt is given a helping hand by Ben Cartwright's adopted son Jamie. The teleplay by John Hawkins and Robert Pirosh is capped by a truly surprising denoument. Also in the cast are Don Knight as Clayton, Loretta Leversee as Laurie, Charles Maxwell as Keeley, and James Chandler as McKey. "Blind Hunch" first aired on November 21, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1970
Making her second Bonanza appearance, Mercedes McCambridge is cast as wealthy widow Matilda Curtis, who helps Ben Cartwright establish a free school for the children of Ponderosa's employees and tenant farmers. When the schoolmaster is murdered, troublesome student Billy Burgess (a pre-Partridge Family David Cassidy) angrily confesses to the crime. To save Billy from being hanged, Matilda insists that he be placed in her custody without the formality of a court trial. But Ben, unconvinced by Billy's confession, demands that the boy get his day in court-even if it may cost him his life. Comedian Foster Brooks, aka "The Lovable Lush", plays the stone-sober role of Judge Rogers. Originally telecast on February 15, 1970, "The Law and Billy Burgess" was written by Stanley Roberts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1969
The Cartwrights give food and shelter to a bedraggled, impoverish company of army veterans, who have been denied their pensions for various and sundry reasons. What the Cartwrights don't know is that the ex-soldiers intend to get even with the government by robbing the Carson City mint. Complicating matters is the fact that one of the veterans, Sgt. Mike Russell (James Gregory), is an old friend of ranch hand Candy. First broadcast on February 2, 1969, "Company of Forgotten Men" was written by Kay Lenard and Jess Carneol. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1968
Unbeknownst to Hoss Cartwright, the horse he has just purchased previously belonged to a murdered millionaire. As a result, Hoss is railroaded into jail on a murder-theft charge. Threatened with lynching by a band of townsfolk eager to get their hands on the dead man's missing money, Hoss breaks out of jail with the help of black cowboy Child Barnett (Yaphet Kotto), a man who has spent virtually his entire adult life on the run. Others in the cast are John Marley as Sheriff Millet, Harry Hickox as Mayor Bingham, Henry Beckman as Charlie, Bruce Kirby as Chad, and bandleader Frank DeVol as Brother Stoner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1968
Milos Kuro (John Colicos), minister of culture in an Eastern Bloc nation, plans to use an anti-American play to sabotage the peacful negotations between pro-Western premier Leon Vados (Barry Atwater) and the United States. To that end, Kuro, hires a travelling theatrical troupe to do his dirty work. Unfortunately for Kuro, the troupe is comprised entirely of IMF agents (with the exception of Willy, who does not appear in this episode). Written by Lou Shaw, "The Play" was originally telecast on December 8, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1967
Future Hawaii 5-0 regular James MacArthur guest-stars as Jase Fredericks, who tries to protect his inheritance, and his life, from his selfish uncle Bingham (Ford Rainey). The Cartwrights become involved when the conflict between Jase and Bingham boils down to Jase's prize stallion. Patricia Hyland costars as Jase's wife Kathy. Originally broadcast on December 3, 1967, "Check Rein" was written by Robert I. Holt and Olney Sherman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
A horse thief with a price on his head is shot by both Joe Cartwright and his friend, stone-broke farmer Morgan Tanner (Dean Harens). When the authorities arrive, Joe takes full credit for the killing-and claims the reward, which Morgan and his family need desperately. Why is Joe acting in this seemingly cold and selfish manner? Also in the cast are Luana Patten and Regina Gleason as Morgan's wife Lorna and daughter Martha. Written by Frederic Louis Fox, "Credit for a Kill" first aired on October 23 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Spotting a parachute carrying a passenger descending upon the island, Gilligan (Bob Denver) is certain that a rescue party has come for the Castaways. Alas, our hero is wrong again: The "parachutist" turns out to be an experimental Air Force robot. Even so, the Castaways are certain that they can program the robot to return to Hawaii with information leading to their rescue--and this well might have happened had it not been for the bungling of...aw, YOU know who! (PS: The voice of the robot is supplied by Charles Maxwell, usually heard as the ubiquitious "radio voice" in other Gilligan's Island episodes). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob D'Arcy, Charles Maxwell, (more)
- 1966
The Germans capture Saunders (Vic Morrow) and place him in a makeshift prison compound along with three other newly acquired American prisoners: Sgt. Mike Martin (Claude Akins) and privates Coker (Ed Peck) and Murray (Carl Reindel). What Saunders doesn't know is that one of his three fellow POWs is a Nazi spy posing as an American. It is the spy's assignment to befriend his fellow prisoners and worm vital information out of them. Though Saunders knows enough not to reveal any secrets in front of anyone no matter what the circumstances, at least one of his "comrades" isn't quite so careful. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Cowboy Johnny Dolan (Pat Conway) helps Jason McCord fend off three hoodlums in a barroom brawl. However, it turns out that Johnny did not rescue Jason out of the goodness of his heart: He is bounty hunter, and he intends to collect the $5000 bounty that has been placed on McCord's head. The villain of the piece is played by Michael Ansara, formerly the star of the 1959 TV western Law of the Plainsman--a spinoff from another western series, The Rifleman, which of course starred Branded's Chuck Connors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
This is the first of several Branded episodes in which fictional ex-military officer Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) has a significant influence upon actual American history. In this instance, Jason is hired to survey the vast territory of Alaska, recently purchased for the U.S. by William Henry Seward (Ian Wolfe). Jason soon discovers that the supposedly worthless land is rich with gold and oil--and so do a pair of scoundrels who plan to steal Jason's maps and bump him off before he can make his discoveries public. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Tim (Bill Bixby) is anxious to get an exclusive interview with Jakobar (Charles Maxwell), the visiting ruler of the emerging East Asian country of Kobima. Inasmuch as Martin (Ray Walston) had befriended Jakobar's great-grandfather during a previous visit to Earth, he tries to use this "connection" to help Tim. Unfortunately, as a former rebel outcast, Jakobar is distrustful of all foreign powers--including those from other planets. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Pulp novelist Tobias Finch (Walter Brooke) wants to write "The Saga of the Courageous Cartwrights"-but the courageous Cartwrights want no part of such an exploitive project. Undaunted, Finch decides to pen the life story of over-the-hill lawman Reed Laramore (Bruce Cabot), who revels in being "glorified." Inevitably, Laramore causes trouble for everyone concerned when he tries to live up to his own legend. Cowritten by Richard and Esther Shapiro, "A Dime's Worth of Glory" was first shown on November 1, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1962
Ben Cartwright is an eyewitness when ex-convict Jack Groat (Charles Maxwell shoots down the son of Ben's old friend Lem Partridge (Lyle Bettger). Inasmuch as Groat had previously been thrown in prison for the murder of Lem's wife, Lem cannot understand why Ben did not intervene when Groat committed his most recent killing. Determining that everyone including Ben has failed him, Lem vows to avenge the deaths of his wife and son all by himself-but, as usual, there is more to the story than meets the eye. Anne Benton is seen as Caroline, while Edward C. Platt plays Wade. Written by Clifford Irving, "The Guilty" first aired on February 25, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1960
In New Orleans during Mardi Gras, Bret loses several thousand dollars in a card game with the beauteous Felice De Lassignac (Joanna Barnes). To recoup his losses, Bret accepts a job from Felice's aristocratic husband (Charles Maxwell) to deliver a casket containing the body of a dearly departed family retainer. En route to his destination, Bret meets another woman (Roxane Berard) who also claims to be Felice De Lassignac...and before he quite knows what's happening, our hero is up to his neck in an elaborate--and deadly--smuggling scheme. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the 13th episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, John (Tom Tryon) finds himself in the uncomfortable position of mediating an argument between his son Willie (Brian Corcoran) and his new bride Viola (Betty Lynn). This domestic disturbance is temporarily shelved when word arrives that Apache marauders are killing the local ranchers' cattle. Hoping to stem this wave of terror, John pays a visit to his Indian friend Natchez (Jay Silverheels), who is now chief of the Apaches. Alas, the situation is beyond Natchez' control; the person responsible for the present crisis is the renegade Geronimo (Pat Hogan). Much against the wishes of his family, John tries to bring Geronimo out into the open by challenging the Apache to mortal combat. Originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Geronimo's Revenge" and the 1961 episode "The End of the Trail" were edited together in 1964 and released theatrically overseas as a "feature film," also titled Geronimo's Revenge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the 12th episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, widower John (Tom Tryon) has finally wed the lovely Viola Howell (Betty Lynn), thus providing a mother for his children Willie (Brian Corcoran) and Addy (Patricia Gorman). En route to register his land claim, John rescues his old friend Ashley Carstairs (Darryl Hickman) from ambushers. Having returned to Tombstone to deliver the two Kentucky Thoroughbred horses that he promised John a few episodes back, Ashley proves to be much more short-tempered and quicker to use his guns than before. Fueling Ashley's anger is the fact that he himself was once in love with John's new bride Viola. "Kentucky Gunslick" first aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Guest star Larry Gates is cast as Jacob Darien, the leader of a Quaker sect which has purchased land in California. While crossing the Ponderosa in a special wagon transporting the money for the land transaction, Jacob's daughter Regina (Patricia Donahue) persuades her father to have Adam and Hoss Cartwright act as escorts for the Quaker wagon train. Accompanying the Cartwright boys is Adam's new friend Sam Bond (Dennis Patrick)-who secretly schemes to steal the Quakers' funds at the first opportunity. Rounding out the supporting cast is Charles Maxwell as Shenandoah. First broadcast on October 8, 1960, "The Hopefuls" was written by E. Jack Neumann. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1959
Inger Stevens guest-stars as Emily Pennington, the frail and sickly fiancée of itinerant miner Black McCall. Arriving on the Ponderosa, McCall asks that Emily be allowed to stay until her health improves. Hoss grows fond of the girl, but can't shake his fundamental mistrust of McCall's motives. Featured in the cast is Bob Knapp as Emily's brother John. Written by Thomas Thompson,"The Newcomers" originally aired on September 26, 1959. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1959
Rather than pay a gambling debt owed to Bret Maverick (James Garner), notorious gunslinger Henry Arnett (a pre-Batman Adam West) skips town when Bret shows up. Impressionable Smoky Vaughn (Gary Vinson) incorrectly assumes that Arnett was afraid of Bret's gun, and spreads the word that there's a new "hero" in town. Unfortunately, while basking in undeserved glory, Bret ends up being framed for murder--in a scheme concocted to frame someone else for the same crime. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
In the second episode of Walt Disney's ten-part miniseries Elfego Baca, the title character (Robert Loggia), a former gunman who yearns to be a lawyer, has been appointed sheriff of Socorro County, NM. Banking on his reputation as a fast gun, Baca "invites" all the wanted men in the area to come into town and give themselves up. All these men surrender except one, prompting Elfego to launch a manhunt in Apache territory. Originally telecast on the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Four Down and Five Lives to Go" was later edited together with the first Elfego Baca episode, The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca, and released overseas as a theatrical feature. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
Elfego Baca was another of several miniseries developed by producer Walt Disney in hopes of matching the earlier success of the Davy Crockett programs. Originally telecast on the Walt Disney Presents anthology, this newest effort was launched with the first of its ten episodes, "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca." Based on the memoirs of the real-life Baca, the miniseries stars Robert Loggia as the title character, a former gunslinger who becomes a lawyer in 1880s New Mexico. Arriving in the town of Frisco, Elfego Baca subdues a drunken rowdy, much to the delight of the townsfolk and the embarrassment of the cowardly sheriff. Deputized by the local justice of the peace, Elfego learns that he has been marked for death by the drunk's scurrilous friends. The bad guys try to kill Baca with guns and gunpowder, but he proves to have more lives than a cat. Based on a true incident, "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca" was later edited together with the second episode in the miniseries, "Four Down and Five Lives to Go" and released overseas as a theatrical feature. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1956
The Search for Bridey Murphy was inspired by the purportedly true story of a Colorado housewife named Virginia Tighe, who while under hypnosis insisted that she'd lived a previous life as an 18th century Irish housemaid named Bridey Murphy. The hypnosis sessions were conducted under the supervision of Dr. Morey Bernstein, who later wrote a book on the subject. This hastily assembled filmization of Dr. Bernstein's book stars Teresa Wright as Ruth Simmons (Ms. Tighe's pseudonym) and Louis Hayward as Bernstein. Except for the "astral world" sequences, Search for Bridey Murphy adopts a semi-documentary approach, often to the point of tedium. Bridey Murphy herself is portrayed at various ages by Teresa Wright, Ruth Robinson, Denise Freeborn and Hallene Hill. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Teresa Wright, Louis Hayward, (more)
- 1955
Director Harold D. Schuster, heretofore more at home with "outdoor" fare, does a nice job with the film noir trappings of Finger Man. Frank Lovejoy plays the title character, a career criminal named Casey Martin. In exchange for immunity from prosecution, Martin agrees to help the Feds net a larger fish--namely, big-time mobster Dutch Becker (Forrest Tucker). Torn between the two men is good-time girl Gladys Baker (Peggie Castle). The moment she casts her lot with Martin, Gladys seals both her doom and Becker's. Finger Man is stolen hands-down by the saturnine Timothy Carey as Becker's wacko triggerman (reportedly, Carey was nearly punched out by Frank Lovejoy when the latter caught on he was being upstaged). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Lovejoy, Forrest Tucker, (more)
