Thomas Calabro Movies
Actor Thomas Calabro has nurtured a career not only onscreen, but also on-stage, as a member of New York's Actor's Studio and Circle Repertory Lab. He began appearing on television in the mid-'80s, with roles on episodes of Father Dowling Mysteries and Law & Order. In 1992, he joined the cast of a new primetime soap called Melrose Place, which turned out to be a massive hit. Calabro played Dr. Michael Mancini until 1999, becoming the only member of the original cast to remain with the series for its entire duration. He would go on to make many more appearances in various projects, finding continued success in television. He made memorable appearances on Nip/Tuck, Greek, and Without a Trace, and later joined the cast of the movie Locker 13. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
The cast of the hit primetime drama Melrose Place reunite for his Sci-Fi Channel original film concerning a remote ski lodge that is overrun by enormous mutant spiders. Ski season is upon us, and as an ambitious team of Olympic hopefuls arrives at the Lost Mountain Ski Resort to train under a retired Olympic skier (Patrick Muldoon), it begins to look as if they may have a shot at the gold after all. The fun quickly turns to fright, however, when a scientist (Vanessa Williams) from a local government lab arrives with an ominous warning about a top-secret experiment gone horribly awry. It seems that government scientists have succeeded in creating a breed of giant spiders capable of surviving in even the most extreme climates, and somehow the aggressive arachnids have managed to escape from the lab. Now, as the snow begins to fall, the flesh-eating spiders scurry out onto the slopes for a hearty winter snack. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
An aspiring writer and inner city grocery clerk discovers a dark secret about the elderly former scientist who employs him in this chilly shocker inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's Cool Air. Attempting to make ends meet while he works on his latest novel, Sam Jackson lands a job in a run-down grocery store owned by the eccentric Dr. Munoz. A retired scientist who claims to suffer from a rare skin condition that requires him to live in sub-freezing temperatures, Dr. Munoz harbors a satanic secret that may ultimately cost Sam his life; the truth is, Dr. Munoz has been dead for years. Having previously made an occult pact that allows him to remain undead as long as he continues to harvest flesh from the living, Dr. Munoz soon captures Sam and gives him a horrifying ultimatum: join him in his dark quest for eternal life, or suffer the slow, painful death in order to provide him with the flesh he needs to continue walking the Earth. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Thomas Calabro, Ashley Laurence, (more)
- 2004
Professional journalist Lisa (Tracy Nelson) is certain that she has landed the perfect spouse when she weds the brilliant and charismatic widowed author Ty Kellington (Michael Riley). Only gradually does Kellington reveal himself to be possessive and tyrannical -- and only after Lisa's onetime co-worker Matt Thompson (Thomas Calabro) offers her a prestigious radio job does Kellington's dangerous side make itself known to both Lisa and her terrified sister, Beverly (Andrea Roth). Our heroine's access to her friends and family members is completely cut off after she injures her ankle in an accident, rendering her virtually captive to her increasingly unhinged husband. First broadcast in Canada in 2003, the made-for-TV movie The Perfect Husband debuted in the U.S. via cable's Lifetime channel on February 12, 2004 -- only to be hastily retitled Her Perfect Spouse to avoid confusion with another cable effort, The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story, telecast the very same week. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tracy Nelson, Michael Riley, (more)
A single mother whose faith in love died with her former husband learns that Christmas miracles can still happen in director Harvey Frost's warmhearted tale of winter magic. Beth Andrews (Crystal Bernard) is a devoted single mother and advertising executive whose current campaign could put her on the fast track to the big time. The holiday season is here, and in order to sell the latest in video game technology, Beth's campaign needs the perfect Santa Claus. As Beth burns the midnight oil night after night and attempts to convince her young son Jake (Dominic Scott Kay) never to have faith in fantasies, the wistful young man pens a letter to Santa asking for a new dad for the holidays. It seems that up in the North Pole the time has come for Saint Nick to pass along the seasonal responsibilities to his son Nick (Steve Guttenberg), but in order to take the position, Nick must have a Mrs. Claus before Christmas Eve. Upon receiving the Christmas request from young Jake, Nick sets his sights on Los Angeles, and Beth Andrews in particular. Despite his best intentions, it's going to take more than a Christmas miracle to convince the dejected widow that love can still conquer all. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Guttenberg, Dominic Scott Kay, (more)
- 2001
Angel of Death Andrew (John Dye) is unhappy about his latest assignment, which requires him to "collect" young Ben Mason, the last member of a venerable Virginia family, on Ben's wedding day. As his Heavenly predecessor Adam (former series regular Charles Rocket) listens sympathetically, Andrew relates Ben's family history, which is intewoven with an old inn called "Sign of the Dove", once a major link of the Civil War-era Underground Railroad. Meanwhile, Andrew's fellow angel Monica (Roma Downey) tries to talk Nicholas Freeman (Richard Lawson) out of committing suicide--an assignment that turns out to be connected with the foredoomed Ben Mason. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Three guys from New Jersey decide they need some male bonding with their fathers -- whether their fathers like it or not -- in this independent comedy. When his grandfather dies, Richie Gallo (Scott Baio) finds himself thinking about his relationship with his family, and realizes that he barely knows his aging father Jimmy (Dean Stockwell). Richie discusses his emotionally distant relationship with his dad with his pals Al (Carlo Imperato) and Philly (Thomas Calabro), and they confess they aren't much closer to their own fathers -- and their fractured family lives have had an impact on their less-than-stable relationships with women. Richie decides they should get closer to their dads before it's too late, so Richie, Al, and Philly fast-talk their fathers Jimmy, Charlie (Joe Viterelli), and Phil (Alex Rocco) into joining them for a long weekend getaway of family bonding, though the older men are hardly enthusiastic about the idea. Star Scott Baio co-wrote the screenplay for Face to Face, which was based on a story he wrote with Adam Ferrara and fellow cast member Carlo Imperato. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Stockwell, Alex Rocco, (more)
A mutant African cockroach infests a remote Maine island just as young Dr. Ben Cahill (Thomas Calabro) goes there to shake off the effects of his heavy drinking. His first encounter is with Jack Wolk (John Savage), a local who resents Cahill buying his family's dilapidated house. The resentment turns violent and Sheriff Hobbs (Dean Stockwell) is called in to cool things off. When his house turns out to have problems he can't fix, Cahill meets handywoman Nell (Kristen Dalton), who helps him out. But meanwhile, beneath the surface, those cockroaches begin reaching critical mass, attacking first animals and then humans as their numbers increase. The bugs use carcasses in which to breed, and soon they not only cover the ground, they also begin to fly. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Thomas Calabro, Dean Stockwell, (more)
- 2000
E! Entertainment's debut original TV production is an over-the-top depiction of Hollywood decadence and desperation. Five down-and-out women vie for a major award. The five include a drugged-out indie queen; a plumy British actress with a womanizing director for a husband; a porn star looking for a legit turn; an African-American chanteuse whose career is on the skids; and a lipstick lesbian with a wily publicist. The plot twists when a body turns up and all five are suspects. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andrew Airlie, Maria Conchita Alonso, (more)
- 2000
When popular hockey player Matt Clerk dies before his time, he is promptly reincarnated as an Olympic-level figure skater. Only one problem: In his new incarnation, "he" has become a "she" -- Sarah Bryan by name. Retaining his macho-masculine sensibilities despite his curvaceous female frame, the hero (heroine?) has a lot of maturing to do before he's able to go for the gold. Aaron Smolinski plays the protagonist before the metamorphosis, while Nicholle Tom is seen as the "reborn" Sarah. Also in the cast are real-life skating stars Tara Lipinski and Nancy Kerrigan (and please note how no cracks are being made about broken limbs). Made for cable, Ice Angel was first telecast by the Family Channel on March 5, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nicholle Tom, Tara Lipinski, (more)
Don Close made his feature directorial debut with this drama about a trio of working-class Italian-Americans in Queens. The tale begins with childhood misadventures and then leaps ahead to show their adult lives two decades later -- with one unemployed (Andy Fiscella), another (Close) driving an ice cream truck, and the third (James Biberi) involved in criminal activities with a local don (Frank Vincent) that lead to violence. Shown at the 1997 Mill Valley Film Festival. This film is not to be confused with the other Made Men, a 1999 studio actioner starring James Belushi and Michael Beach and produced by the team of Joel Silver and Richard Donner. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don Close, James Biberi, (more)
- 1997
In this made-for-TV movie, Brittney Powell plays Liz, an attractive young woman who is lured into the world of upscale prostitution by the jaded Madame Jacqueline (Deborah Harry). As Liz works her way up the social ladder as a high-priced call girl, she encounters a wide variety of men who have their own reasons for employing her services: David (Thomas Calabro), who cannot satisfy his appetite for sex, Roger (Doug Davidson), who desires the domination his wife will not provide, and Ben (Curtis Armstrong), a lonely but well-meaning divorcee who wants to take Liz away from her profitable but sordid lifestyle. L.A. Johns premiered on the Fox network on June 17, 1997. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brittney Powell, Deborah Harry, (more)
- 1995
In this tense drama, the parents of a runaway girl learn that she is being held captive by a murderous criminal. If they do not meet his demands, their little girl will die. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1995
In this thriller, a soon-to-be-married woman is distraught when someone kidnaps her baby. Things get even worse when the police accuse her of orchestrating the abduction. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tracey Gold, Kyle Chandler, (more)
One of the definitive, landmark shows of the 1990s, "90210" quickly became an important fixture on the FOX and in the popular discourse of adolescents and young adults. The third season's main characters, Dylan, Kelly, Donna, Steve, David, Andrea and twins Brandon and Brenda all attended West Beverly Hills High School. Brandon and Brenda Walsh and their parents, transplants from Minneapolis were the stable nuclear family with strong values; their home was a safe haven for the whole gang and the center of much of the drama. The show dealt with a steady stream of love triangles and other romantic entanglements and occasionally touched on more serious issues as well.
There's a lot happening during the 31-episode 1993-94 season of Melrose Place, the sexy, steamy, outrageous, and slightly-more-grown-up spin-off of Beverly Hills, 90210. Heather Locklear (as Amanda Woodward) -- a late-first-season, ratings-boosting addition to the cast -- fully becomes the show's star this season as she purchases the titular apartment complex, takes over the D&D advertising agency, and sets her sights on Jake Hanson (Grant Show). Philandering doctor Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro) has an affair with Dr. Kimberly Shaw (Marcia Cross, later of Desperate Housewives), divorces Jane Andrews (Josie Bissett), and then takes up with Sydney (Laura Leighton). Billy Campbell (Andrew Shue) still pines for Alison Parker (Courtney Thorne-Smith), whom he jilted for a fling with Amanda -- their boss -- in Season 1. But, this being Melrose Place, that's just the start of it: Jake breaks up with Jo Reynolds (Daphne Zuniga); Michael becomes paralyzed; Kimberly slips into a coma; Sydney becomes a prostitute; and the other soapy twists that were to be the show's trademark come fast and frisky. Features on this set include select audio commentaries by series creator Darren Star and featurettes such as: "Melrose Place - Meet the Neighbors," in which viewers get the inside scoop on favorite characters; a highlight- and lowlight-filled "Melrose Place - The Best of the Worst"; and an overview of the characters' tangled webs, "Melrose Place: Complex Relationships."
A nighttime soap opera about the lives, careers, trials and tribulations of a group of young people living in an apartment building in the trendy neighborhood of Melrose Place. The show was a spin off of Beverly Hills 90210 and starred Heather Locklear as the scheming Amanda Woodward, head of her own advertising agency and owner of the apartment building.
- 1992
This is one of the many made for TV movies revolving around the popular disheveled character created by Peter Falk - Lieutenant Columbo, of Homicide. In this one, the Lieutenant is called upon to use his expertise to help out the family when his nephew's new bride is kidnapped on their wedding night. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Falk, Joanna Going, (more)
- 1991
Originally titled Vendetta: Secrets of a Mafia Bride, this 2-part TV movie stars supermodel Carol Alt as Nancy, the ward of Mafia don Frank Latella (Eli Wallach). Part One gets off to an explosive start when Nancy witnesses her father's murder. Raised by Latella, our heroine lives for the day that she can avenge her dad's death. Little does she know that her own fiancé (Eric Roberts) was the man who pulled the trigger. Syndicated to local TV stations, Family Matter was first made available on May 13, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Roberts, Carol Alt, (more)
- 1990
The then-contemporary "Preppie Murder" case was the obvious inspiration for this 1990 episode of Law & Order. A wealthy and well-connected young man is charged with the murder of his girlfriend. The efforts of Stone (Michael Moriarty) and Robinette (Richard Brooks) to prosecute the case are stymied by a huge publicity blitz, and by the Defense's strategy of putting the dead woman's character on trial. "Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die" was originally telecast October 11, 1990, as a last-minute replacement for the scheduled episode "Poison Ivy" (which was moved up to November 20). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Marilu Henner stars as a Los Angeles police detective in The Ladykillers. Thomas Calabro co-stars as Henner's new partner, who also happens to be her lover. Together, Henner and Calabro attempt to solve the murder of a stripper. No, the title does not refer to the murderer: "The Ladykillers" is a male stripper club, and the victim is certifiably masculine. Also starring Lesley-Anne Down and Susan Blakely, this leering little escapade was first broadcast November 9, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marilu Henner, Susan Blakely, (more)
