Howard Caine Movies

The title of this made-for-TV biopic is faintly risible: is there anything about Marilyn Monroe that we don't know by now? Pleasingly enough, the story is told in a straightforward, nonexploitive manner (the affair with JFK warrants no more than a throwaway line). Emmy-nominated Catherine Hicks plays Marilyn, nee Norma Jean Baker. We follow her progress from orphanages and foster homes to her first 20th Century-Fox contract at age 20. Considered "washed up" before her career has gotten off the ground, Marilyn is rescued both professionally and emotionally by her agent/lover Johnny Hyde (Richard Basehart). She rises to full stardom and is the center of attention of two "ideal" marriages, first to baseball player Joe DiMaggio, then to Arthur Miller (neither of whom are depicted on screen). But Marilyn remains a lonely, tragic figure, a victim as much of her own demons as of Hollywood's exploitation mill. Based loosely on Norman Mailer's highly suspect biography of the actress, Marilyn: The Untold Story premiered on September 28, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The first independent production of former studio mogul Jack Warner, 1776 was adapted from the hit 1969 Broadway musical by Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards. William Daniels, Ken Howard, and Howard Da Silva are among the many actors who recreate their Broadway roles. The story is set during the first Continental Congress, when the Declaration of Independence was drafted by such founding fathers as John Adams (Daniels) and Benjamin Franklin (Da Silva). The script attempts to "humanize" these remote historical figures by contemporizing them -- particularly the character of Ben Franklin. Blythe Danner's character of Martha Jefferson is expanded for the film version to allow for an elaborate outdoor production number. After 1776, Warner made only one more film, the 1972 "grunge Western" Dirty Little Billy. On an added note: the picture was originally rated G with its theatrical running time of 141 minutes. It was later expanded to 166 minutes; the added scenes caused the MPAA to re-rate it PG (for language) in 1992. Both versions are available on video. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Hogan and his crew hope to redirect a German rocket to their contacts in England so that the missile can be examined and duplicated. Unfortunately, Hogan finds himself up against two dilemmas: How to get the rocket into Stalag 13 and how to deal with mercurial Russian spy Marya (Nita Talbot), who is now the wife of German rocket designer Dr. Otto von Borneman (Henry Corden). Like so many other episodes of Hogan's Heroes, this one was written by Richard M. Powell. "The Kamikazes Are Coming" first aired on February 21, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Monte Markham essays one of the first of his many "hidden villain" roles as Lt. James Martin, Stalag 13's newest POW. By sheerest luck, Hogan discovers that Lt. Martin is actually a top-ranking Gestapo spy. Alas, it may too late to do anything about it: Martin already has all the necessary information on Hogan's latest espionage assignment. Originally telecast on November 8, 1970, "Eight O'Clock and All is Well" was written by Laurence Marks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of a two-part story, bungling British POW Col. Crittendon (Bernard Fox) is still impersonating his double, the traitorous Sir Charles Chitterly (also Bernard Fox). Though Hogan's plan to scuttle Chitterly's espionage mission receives the unexpected assistance of Sir Charles' wife (Anne Rodgers), he is still worried that Crittendon will not be able to fool Chitterly's bosom companion Adolf Hitler. Meanwhile, the real Sir Charles escapes from Hogan's barracks. Written by Richard M. Powell, part two of "Lady Chitterly's Lover" originally aired on October 18, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Several of Hogan's men are caught in the act of espionage by some Gestapo agents. Even though the Germans inexplicably allow the men to slip through their fingers, Hogan prepares an all-out escape for himself and his crew. And then two of the "Gestapo" officers reveal themselves to be German scientists, hoping to defect to London. John Stephenson and Ben Wright are cast respectively as Professor Bauer and Dr. Reimann (Ben Wright), while ubiquitous Canadian character actor Gordon Pinsent is seen as SS Captain Steinr. Written by Laurence Marks, "The Dropouts" first aired on December 27, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Hogan again finds himself working with (and frequently against) redoubtable Russian spy Marya (Nita Talbot). This time, Hogan's mission is to ship stolen art back to London before the masterpieces can be added to Hermann Goering's private collection. The plan hinges on Marya's ability to convince Sgt. Schultz that he is Goering's exact double. Written by Richard M. Powell, "Fat Hermann, Go Home" made its first network appearance on January 16, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Kathleen Freeman returns to the role of General Burkhalter's homely sister Gertrude Linkmeier, after briefly relinquishing the character to Alice Ghostley in the fourth-season episode "Watch the Trains Go By." Hoping to negotiate the release of captured Underground agent Maria Hoffman (Wendy Wilson), Hogan and his men kidnap Gertrude as a hostage. Though Burkhalter is outraged, Klink is secretly delighted; at least now he won't be railroaded into marrying the General's Wagnerian sibling. Written by Laurence Marks, "Unfair Exchange" first aired on October 24, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

To foil a new German plan to distribute counterfeit money, Hogan must steal the counterfeit plates -- which rest in a briefcase handcuffed to the wrist of an enemy courier. The only solution is to create a diversion by convincing the Germans that an Allied agent has parachuted into Stalag 13. Frequent Hogan's Heroes supporting player Parley Baer shows up in the role of Julius Schlager. Written by Phil Sharp, "The Empty Parachute" first aired on December 5, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Beautiful British traitor Lady Valerie Stanford (Karen Steele) has designed an anti-aircraft weapon for the Nazis. Hogan is ordered to sabotage the weapon, and to do this he must trick Klink into revealing Lady Valerie's whereabouts. But is the lady really the turncoat that she seems to be? Also appearing are frequent Hogan's Heroes supporting players Paul Lambert (as General Riker) and Laurie Main (as Woodhouse). Written by Ben Gershman, "The Big Dish" made its first network appearance on March 8, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

As a birthday present to Col. Hogan, his men take it upon themselves to blow up an ammunitions dump. Unfortunately, they target the wrong location, thanks to false information fed to them by the Gestapo. Hogan must set things right without tipping off the Gestapo -- and make it back to camp in time to blow out the candles on his oversized cake. Written by Arthur Julian, "Happy Birthday, Dear Hogan" originally aired on March 22, 1969, as the final episode of Hogan's Heroes' fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Hogan plots to kidnap General Burkhalter as part of a hostage swap that will free Underground leader Hans Wagner (Chris Robinson). Unfortunately, things go awry, and it is Klink who ends up kidnapped. Worse still, negotiations for the release of Wagner fall through when Gestapo decides that Klink is eminently expendable. Also appearing are Ann Prentiss (sister of Paula Prentiss) as Ilse and Dick Wilson ("Mr. Whipple" of TV commercial fame) as Captain Gruber. Written by Bill Davenport, "The Missing Klink" first aired on January 4, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi