Tony Mordente Movies
Tony Mordente was born in New York City in 1933. Trained as an actor, dancer, and singer, his first major credit was in the role of Action in West Side Story, on which he also served as an assistant choreographer. He also had a short-lived recording career around 1960, on Roulette Records, which was hoping to capitalize on the success of West Side Story. Mordente concentrated primarily on stage roles during the early '60s, a period in which he was based in New York, and his only screen role, apart from West Side Story, came in 1963 with a small part in Love With the Proper Stranger. His early television appearances included two episodes of Combat during the series' first season, but it was his role as Genaro Planetta in The Outer Limits episode "The Invisibles" -- one of the most chilling in the series' output -- that showed him at the peak of his powers as an actor. Portraying Planetta, the fidgety, neurotic recruit into a secret society run by alien invaders, Mordente almost managed to steal the show from its star, Don Gordon, and a supporting cast that included such veterans as George Macready and Neil Hamilton, in what should have been an Emmy-nominated performance. Mordente turned to directing after the mid-'60s, and has proved equally adept at handling comedy, drama, or action subjects. He has helmed installments of M*A*S*H, Rhoda, Busting Loose, The Greatest American Hero, Family Ties, Quincy, M.E., The A-Team, Hunter, Matlock, and 7th Heaven, and was responsible for directing 37 episodes of Walker Texas Ranger during the series' first five seasons -- the latter credit puts him in the same league with his fellow West Side Story alumnus Gus Trikonis as a top small-screen action-adventure directorial hand. Mordente has been married to Broadway star Chita Rivera since the 1960s, and their daughter is the actress Lisa Mordente. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide- 1996
One of the most atypical weekly series to emerge from the Aaron Spelling TV factory, 7th Heaven, created by Spelling and Brenda Hampton, has eschewed the sex-and-sin shenanigans of such series as Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place in favor of honest, three-dimensional family values, with generous doses of warmth, heart, humor, and pathos. There can be no doubt that this fundamentally wholesome program has struck a universal chord. The series has not only been lavishly praised by critics, honored by such organizations as the Parents Television Council, the Academy of Religious Broadcasting, and the Anti-Defamation League, and given innumerable industry awards, but it is also one of the most successful offerings of the WB network; indeed, it was the first WB series to run more than seven seasons, and during four of those seasons, it was the network's highest-rated show. Set in the suburban L.A. community of Glen Oak, the series revolves around the Camden family, headed by Eric Camden (Stephen Collins), pastor of the town's Community Church, and Eric's homemaker wife, Annie (Catherine Hicks). In the tradition of The Waltons, loyal 7th Heaven viewers have enjoyed the rare privilege of watching the Camden children grow up before their very eyes. When the series debuted on August 26, 1996, handsome and personable Matt Camden (Barry Watson) was 17 years old; basketball-playing Mary Camden (Jessica Biel) was 13 going on 14; intellectual, inquisitive Lucy Camden (Beverley Mitchell) was 12; happy-go-lucky Simon Camden (David Gallagher) was ten; and precocious Ruthie Camden (Mackenzie Rosman) was five. By the time the series entered its eighth season, the three oldest Camden kids were married and pursuing careers, while the two youngest were seasoned veterans of the school dating scene. (Two more Camden youngsters, twin boys Sam and David, were born halfway through the 1998-1999 season). All of the Camdens, parents included, have had more than their share of setbacks and tragedies (some of them absolutely devastating) as the series has rolled forward, but somehow all of the members of the clan, from patriarch Eric on down, have been able to recover, rally, and persevere with the help and support of their family and friends -- not to mention their inner faith. And unlike so many other TV series which traffic in personal interrelationships, the characters in 7th Heaven are very much a part of the "real" world. During its lengthy WB run, the series has exposed its principals to a wide variety of contemporary issues: teen suicide, racial prejudice, substance abuse, drunken driving, homelessness, negative peer pressure, teen pregnancy, Alzheimer's disease, the Holocaust, the war in Iraq, and the crisis in the Sudan. Eminently suitable for viewers of all ages, but never a mere sop to the "kiddie" trade nor a placebo for the clean-up-TV brigades, 7th Heaven has been and will likely always remain the jewel in the WB crown. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Collins, Catherine Hicks, (more)
- 1991
The 152nd and final episode of Hunter focuses on the titular detective's superior officer, Captain Charles Devane (Charles Hallahan). For reasons that he cannot possibly understand, Devane has been asked to be best man at the wedding of a small-time crook named Jake Hutton (played by frequent Hunter director Tony Mordente).At the same time, several of Hutton's former cellmates are pressuring him to participate in a crime, intending to frame him for murder. Blissfully unaware of all these intrigues is Jake's intended, dance instructor Wanda Crebbs (Jean Kasem). As for Hunter (Fred Dryer)...well, he manages to find himself in the thick of things long before the couple exchanges their final vows. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Coin thief Jack Colefax (Patrick St. Esprit) is himself robbed of a rare coin by a pair of hookers. In his efforts to prevent Colefax from committing murder to retrieve the coin, Hunter (Fred Dryer) finds himself in a potentially explosive situation: one of the hookers turns out to be Jodi Prescott (Kimberley Neville)--the daughter of Hunter's longtime enemy, Councilman Henry Prescott (Alan Fudge). Meanwhile, Novak (Lauren Lane) tries to prevent her friend Pam Sutton (Denise Crosby) from exacting vengeance against the petty crook who robbed and mugged her. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Among the Metro Division officers providing protection for a drug-dealing murder witness (Anthony Ponzini) is Chris Novak (Lauren Lane). At the same time, the Feds have taken a special interest in this witness, especially veteran FBI agent Tom Reed (Mitchell Ryan). As it happens, Reed is Novak's long-estranged father--and as a result, the outcome of the current situation is largely dictated by the long-simmering hostilities between father and daughter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Nina Foch guest stars as Gloria Morrell, an impoverished former film star who yearns to walk on Acapulco beach in the moonlight before she dies. To make this dream come true, Gloria's longtime companion launches a crime spree. Unfortunately, Hunter (Fred Dryer) arrests the wrong man--and as a result the city is slapped with a multimillion-dollar lawsuit by a hotshot lawyer who specializes in obscenely enormous settlements. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Just released from prison, Carlos Delgado (Luis Guzman) attends his grandson's christening, where he is reunited with his mobster father Ernesto (Joe Santos). Though Carlos wants to go straight, Ernesto pressures him into remainng with the Organization for one more "hit"--and to make matters worse, Carlos' own son Tomas (Raymond Cruz) likewise insists that his dad resume his life of crime. As a mobster's son himelf, Hunter (Fred Dryer) takes a special interest in this extreme example of family loyalty. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Two almost-identical bank robberies have resulted in two deaths--and Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) have nary a clue. Gradually, Hunter deduces that there had been an "inside" man at each bank. As it turns out, a beautiful but deadly female criminal (Leslie Bevis), using multiple aliases, has been seducing bank managers into becoming her unwitting accomplices--a fact that comes crashing down upon one of the unfortunate managers, who intends to take the law into his own hands! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Hunter (Fred Dryer) is certain that two unrelated murders are the handiwork of the same man. Sure enough, a former street gang member, paroled from prison after twenty years, is out to eliminate his old "pals" who testified against him. The only person who knows the whole story is Catholic priest Father Jack Struthers (James Sutorius), to whom the killer has confessed. Unfortunately, Father Struther is bound by the rules of confession and can reveal nothing--a fact that the gloating murderer uses to his advantage, over and over again! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Scotland Yard constable Susannah Foster (Rosalyn Lander) arrives in LA to help Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) in their investigation of a double murder. The victims were both prostitutes, and the murderer's MO matches that of a London-based serial killer who goes berserk to the tune of "Brahm's Lullaby." Can it be that a highborn British photographer is a modern-day Jack the Ripper? This episode affords the viewer the rare opportunity of hearing guest star Gary Sinise as he deploys a most convincing British accent! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Did detective Dee Dee McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) kill an innocent man in an alley shootout? All the evidence seems to point in this direction, and even McCall herself cannot be sure of what really went down. In order to clear his partner, Hunter (Fred Dryer) teams up with colorful street hustler Sporty James (Garret Morris), following a trail of fragmentary clues to a big-time gang of jewel thieves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Season Six of Hunter once again finds LAPD detective Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) invoking memories of Clint Eastwood--not by emulating "Dirty Harry", but by getting involved in a gender-switch variation on Play Misty for Me. Erin Gray guest stars as Kate Lawson, host of a nighttime radio fantasy show. A demented male fan, obsessed with Kate, has vowed to be the "only man" in his life by systematically murdering all of her male friends and acquaintances. To flush out the killer, Hunter poses as Kate's lover--only to find himself genuinely falling for her. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
A kiln explosion nearly wipes out an art class attended by Dee Dee McCall (Stepfanie Kramer). Though at first it looks like an accident, McCall receives a tape suggesting that the explosion was deliberately triggered. The subsequent murder of an EPA inspector who had been investigating reports of toxic waste dumping leads McCall and Hunter (Fred Dryer) to conclude that the intended victim of the explosion was elderly art student Emily Hill (Louise Latham)--who happens to be romantically linked with a powerful business mogul. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Acting as talent scout for the Floorem, a tough country-western bar in Dry Creek, Arizona, Face (Dirk Benedict) books what he thinks he is a C&W singer named Cowboy George. Imagine Face's shock and awe when he discovers that he's engaged the services of androgynous rock star Boy George, who shows up at the Floorem with the rest of Culture Club in tow! The presence of Boy George complicates the plans of the club's crooked owner Danforth (L.Q. Jones), who intends to steal the club's payroll during an upcoming concert. In their efforts to foil the robbery, the A-Team must not only escape from jail, but also avoid a few disgruntled patrons who aren't exactly Boy George fans (And how did The Lennon Sisters get mixed up in all this?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Face (Dirk Benedict) is given a trial membership at an exclusive country club, an honor that proves to be a mixed blessing when he finds out that Murdock (Dwight Schultz) is already a guest at the club--and that the A-Team's perennial nemesis Fullbright (Jack Ging) is a fully paid-up member. But that's not the worst of it; another member, crooked bank executive McKeever (Kevin McCarthy), is masterminding an elaborate counterfeiting scheme right on the club grounds. Ingredients vital to the action are a deadly golf game, an escape on a private jet, and a most unusual celebrity "roast." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Hunter (Fred Dryer) continues to search for the link between a Russian defector and the woman he found murdered in his home (whose body immediately disappeared after its discovery!) When a gang of thugs attack him and steal a valuable piece of evidence, Hunter knows he's on the wrong track. The problem now is to stay alive long enough to prove it--and this means butting heads not only with Russian secret agents but also the representatives of a shady Federal spy agency. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Season three of Hunter starts with a bang--actually several bangs--as police detective Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) manages to shoot down one of two escaping murderers. Alas, the other killer gets away thanks to the interference of "gonzo" TV reporter Raoul Mercado (a thinly disguised "Geraldo" type played by Michael Wren). After Hunter has Mercado arrested, the reporter launches a personal vendetta against the detective, publicly raking him over the coals for his violent arrest record. Thus it is that when Mercado is killed by a car bomb, Hunter is Suspect Number One. With this episode, Captain Wyler (Bruce Davidson) is promoted to Deputy Chief; and Garret Morris becomes a regular in the formerly recurring role of street hustler Sporty James. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
The fifth and final season of The A-Team opens with a three-part story, as an injured Hannibal (George Peppard) is captured by the mysterious General Hunt Stockwell (Robert Vaughn). Threatening to put Hannibal on trial for his life if his demands aren't met, Stockwell orders the A-Team to rescue a group of hijacked hostages in Spain. Among those hostages is movie special-effects expert "Dishpan" Frankie Sanchez (Eddie Velez), who was responsible for the on-set "accident" which allowed Hannibal to fall into Stockwell's hands, and Vietnam veteran Josh Curtis (Sandy McPeak), the only person able to confirm that the A-Team had been ordered to rob a bank in Hanoi during the war, and thus were unfairly sentenced to prison. Unfortunately, one of these two worthies will end up stabbing the Team in the back! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
In the first episode of a two-part story, a reluctant Hunter (Fred Dryer) is teamed with sleazy Manhattan detective Jackie Molinas (Dennis Franz), who has allowed cocaine dealer Sally LaPone to escape from his custody during extradition from Los Angeles. While Hunter and Molinas scour the city in search of LaPone, McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) goes undercover as a singer at a night spot owned by drug kingpin Vic Terranova (Dennis Farina). Little does anyone suspect that Molinas himself is in cahoots with Terranova--and he has no intention of bringing LaPone back alive. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
This is the first A-Team episode to feature a famous guest star as "himself," in this case singer Rick James. At James' request, the A-Team forms a protective circle around legendary musician CJ Mack (Isaac Hayes), recently released from prison after serving time from manslaughter. It seems that Mack has been targeted for extermination by the prison's corrupt warden (Peter Haskell) because he knows too much about a sophisticated crime operation headquartered behind bars. Keep an eye out for James Avery (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) in a minor role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
The A-Team goes on a fishing trip, partly for recreation, partly to hide out from the minions of their relentless pursuer Col. Decker (Lance LeGault). Unfortunately, the vacation is interrupted by the arrival of four desperate bank robbers, who have taken ranger Roy Sherman (Ken Swofford) and his daughter Jenny (Kristen Meadows) hostage. The challenge facing the Team is to thwart the villains before Decker can catch up to them. This is the final episode of The A-Team's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
A TV news crew manages to videotape a vicious arsonist in the act. Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) do their best to bring the firebug to justice, but are stymied at every turn by the well-meaning interference of the TV people. Ultimately, howver,. Hunter squares off against the murderous "torch"--who turns out to be a demented Rambo wannabe, armed with a gigantic flame thrower! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
- R
This melodrama chronicles a couple's attempt to deal with a failing marriage in the '80s. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1984
No sooner has the A-Team rescued Face's model girlfriend Rina (Markie Post) from gangster John Turian (Richard Lynch) than she betrays them--to Turian. No, Rina isn't the villain of the piece, but merely an innocent cog in the wheel of a master plan to steal the newest creations of A-list fashion designer Jason Burnett (played by John Moscitta, the phenominal "fast talker" in all those 1980s TV commercials). The best scene finds the team trying to smoke out the mobsters and save the heroine by recruiting dozens of little old ladies from Westside Senior Center to sew a veritable warehouse full of "original" designs. Benji Gregory, later to play little Brian Tanner on Alf, appears as Rina's imperiled son Eric. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
The A-Team is hired by Judy Rogers (Judy Strangis), the cousin of a pilot who has been arrested by the Feds in Venezuela for smuggling cocaine from Colombia. It turns out that the pilot was an innocent go-between for drug kingpin Winston Corliss (Anthony Charnota), who so long as he remains in Colombia will be immune from prosecution. Adopting a wide (and wild) variety of disguises, the A-Team heads South of the Border to execute a daring plan whereby Corliss and his minions will be lured into the clutches of the authorities. This of course means that plane-o-phobic B.A. (Mr. T) will be forced to fly--and this is where Judy Rogers' skills as a hypnotist come in handy! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
The A-Team heads to the small town of Haleyville to aid female fire chief Annie Saunders (Stepfanie Kramer), whose job may be taken away from her by unscrupulous, mob-connected rival chief Roy Kelsey (Paul Gleason). In their efforts to help Annie and find out what Kelsey is REALLY up to, our heroes must avoid capture by Col. Briggs (Charles Napier), the latest in a long line of military antagonists. The best scenes involve "Little Squirt", a revolutionary fire-fighting apparatus (actually a glorified seltzer bottle!) created by the redoubtable Murdock (Dwight Schultz). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
