Gene Nelson Movies
Nineteen-year-old Leander Berg billed himself as Gene Berg when he made his professional debut as a skater in Sonja Henie's LA-based ice show. He was still Gene Berg when, while serving in World War II, he was featured as a dancer in the 1942 Broadway revue This is the Army. It wasn't until the 1948 stage musical Lend an Ear that Gene Berg reemerged as Gene Nelson. Signed to a 20th Century-Fox contract in 1947, Nelson co-starred in several of that studio's Technicolor song-and-dance fests, then moved on to the musical unit at Warner Bros. His best-known filmusical assignment was as high-kickin' cowpoke Will Parker in the 1955 superproduction Oklahoma. After briefly attempting to establish himself in dramatic roles, Nelson turned to directing. He called the shots in several Sam Katzman productions of the 1960s, notably the Elvis Presley vehicles Kissin' Cousins (1963) and Harum Scarum (1965), and the 1965 Hank Williams Sr. biopic Your Cheatin' Heart. He also directed dozens of TV episodes, working on such weeklies as The Rifleman, The Donna Reed Show and Mod Squad. There was talk that a serious injury in the mid-1950s had forced Gene Nelson to forego dancing in favor of directing; if so, he was sufficiently recovered in the 1970s, displaying his still-impressive terpsichorean skills in the Broadway musicals Follies and Good News. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1961
Well-made considering its six-day shooting schedule, this "B"-grade cops 'n robbers drama by Jack Leewood features Gene Nelson as Dan, an ingenious thief living on the edge at the moment. Dan has just cheated a mobster out of some stock in order to use it as collateral on a loan -- and now he has to save himself by replacing the stock with the money its worth. In order to do that, he figures out a complex scheme to steal some diamonds from a display case in a museum, use them to get an insurance sum, and put the real diamonds back before his fake substitutes are found. He co-opts a few people to help him on this plot, and the action begins. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Nelson, Merry Anders, (more)
Cloris Leachman and Martin Balsam star in this TV movie as an over-forty married couple, both of whom maintain busy outside careers. Content with their peaceful, childless existence, the couple is thrown for a loop when, after 18 years of marriage, Leachman becomes pregnant. Beyond the understandable concerns over the health of her baby, she is not keen on the prospect of giving up her job--nor is she particularly responsive to the misguided advice of her friends and family. A Brand New Life premiered on February 20, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1948
Jason (William Holden) is a World War II veteran going to college on the GI Bill in the hope of bettering himself. He has recently married his sweetheart, Peggy (Jeanne Crain), who has learned that they're having a baby. However, money is tight for the young couple, and inexpensive housing is at a premium in the post-war boom times. Peggy meets Professor Henry Barnes (Edmund Gwenn), an instructor at the college who lives alone in a huge house. Barnes is convinced that the best years of his life are over, that he has no purpose in life, and that our culture has sacrificed its highest ideals. But Peggy convinces Prof. Barnes to let her and Jason stay in his attic. As the newlyweds try to turn the cobwebbed space into a home, the professor gets to know his tenants better, and their enthusiastic optimism rubs off on him, giving him a sense that there are things left to be accomplished and reasons to go on. Apartment for Peggy reunited director George Seaton with actor Edmund Gwenn, who had clicked the previous year in the classic Miracle on 34th Street. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edmund Gwenn, Jeanne Crain, (more)
- 1954
A car with two men visible in it pulls up to a Los Angeles service station at night, with a single attendant (Dub Taylor) working. As he starts to pump the gas, he doesn't see the third man come around the side until it's too late and he's knocked cold. The trio carries out their robbery but before they can finish, a motorcycle cop rolls up. A gun battle ensues, and one of the robbers is shot, as is the police officer. Now a manhunt is on for the trio, all escapees from San Quentin who were making their way south; the other two give the wounded man enough money to get to the apartment of a former cellmate of one of them, Steve Lacey (Gene Nelson). But Lacey is genuinely trying to go straight and live a clean, honest life with his wife, Ellen (Phyllis Kirk), and wants nothing to do with anyone he knew in prison, or with harboring an escaped prisoner. He's even more unhappy when Dr. Otto Hessler (Jay Novello), another ex-con and a veterinarian, arrives to treat the gunshot victim. But when the hood dies, matters get even more complicated -- Lacey's life becomes a nightmare as the police arrive, led by the hardboiled Det. Sgt. Sims (Sterling Hayden), who doesn't believe that any hood ever goes straight. Sims doesn't believe that Lacey's claim of knowing nothing of the escapees, and is ready to send him back to prison on a parole violation -- even though his parole officer (James Bell) believes him -- when he won't cooperate. And worse still, the other two escapees, Doc Penny (Ted de Corsia) and Ben Hastings (Charles Buchinsky, aka Charles Bronson), force their way into Lacey's home, insisting on hiding out there and threatening Ellen. And as they're now a man short, they want Steve's help on a major heist they're planning -- and will kill Ellen if he doesn't cooperate. Soon Lacey is up to his neck in a daylight bank robbery, timed to the minute, and his wife is at the mercy of a mentally deficient, sexually deviant confederate (Timothy Carey), while the police still seem to be following every trail but the right one. Steve realizes that he is the only one who is going to be able to save himself or his wife from this nightmare, and isn't convinced that he'll get out of it alive -- but by then, between being put on him by Sims and his unwanted companions, he's prepared to die in order to save Ellen. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sterling Hayden, Gene Nelson, (more)
- 1972
The family in "flight" is played by Rod Taylor, Dina Merrill and Kristoffer Tabori. While taking an airborne vacation to Mexico, the family crash-lands somewhere in the Baja peninsula. Having taken the vacation as a means to patch up a variety of differences, the family is forced to pull together to survive. At times, however, it looks like no one will return to tell the tale. Made for television, Family Flight debuted October 25, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Adapted by Moss Hart from the novel by Laura Z. Hobson, this film stars Gregory Peck as recently widowed journalist Phil Green. With a growing son (Dean Stockwell) to support, Green is receptive to the invitation of magazine publisher John Minify (Albert Dekker) to write a series of hard-hitting articles on the scourge of anti-Semitism. In order to glean his information first hand, Green decides to pose as a Jew. As the weeks go by, Green experiences all manner of prejudice, the most insidious being the subtle, "gentleman's agreement" form of bigotry wherein anti-Jewish sentiments are merely taken for granted. Green's pose takes a toll on his budding romance with Minify's niece Kathy (Dorothy McGuire), who comes to realize by her own example that even those who insist that they harbor no anti-Semitic feelings are also capable of prejudice. Watching from the sidelines is Green's lifelong Jewish friend Dave (John Garfield, in what may be his best performance), who despite his inherent rage over the iniquities of racism has learned to be philosophical about the failings of his fellow man-but not to the extent that he's willing to give up the fight against blind hatred. Though warned by several Jewish film moguls that to produce the film would merely "make trouble," 20th Century-Fox chieftan Daryl F. Zanuck (who was not himself Jewish) saw the project through to its conclusion. The wisdom of Zanuck's decision was proven when Gentleman's Agreement not only made a fortune for Fox, but also won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Elia Kazan) and Best Supporting Actress (Celeste Holm). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, (more)
- 1962
Scientist Alex March (John Agar) is working on developing what he hopes will be a new, non-lethal form of nerve gas -- but following an accident in his lab, he discovers that not only is the gas deadly, but also that it has invaded his entire body, and his touch is instantly fatal to any other living thing. He also realizes that the only thing keeping him alive is the partial immunity that he has developed over the course of months of work, which will soon wear off. He goes into hiding in his employer's home, hoping that a cure can be found, but he's already begun to go mad, tormented by the deaths he's caused and the mounting pain as the gas begins to affect him. Finally, the gas transforms him into a scaly, misshapen creature (vaguely resembling the Lizard from Marvel Comics, who was also, interestingly, a stricken research chemist). He goes on a rampage through suburban Los Angeles while the police hunt for him, and his fiancée (Paula Raymond) desperately hopes that he'll come to his senses long enough to surrender and allow himself to be confined to a hospital. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
Elvis Presley plays singer/actor Johnny Tyronne in this formulated quickie directed by Gene Nelson. While on a promotional tour of Pakistan, Johnny is drugged, kidnapped, and whisked away to a mythical Middle East country. Jay Novello plays the scheming Zacha who vows (for a price) to help Johnny in a world that is 2,000 years behind the times and sealed off from the outside world. With the help of Baba (Billy Barty), they hope to get Johnny back to the comforts of the modern world. Elvis shows off some neat karate moves, but he looks bored and resigned to the fact no one in Hollywood (or Colonel Tom Parker) will give him a serious screen role. Filmed on sets that were originally used for Kismet (1944) and Cecile B. DeMille's silent classic The Ten Commandments. As for the songs, only Mirage and Hey Little Girl are memorable. The generous Presley, perhaps feeling nostalgic, donated $50,000 to the motion picture relief fund after completing the film. On hand at the celebrity press conference were such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Bud Abbott, and silent-screen veteran Chester Conklin. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Mary Ann Mobley, (more)
- 1959
Patricia Medina returns as aristocratic Englishwoman Diana Coulter, a character introduced in the earlier episode "The Lady". Receiving an invitation to Diana's wedding, Paladin arrives to discover that the woman is being forced against her will to wed B.G. (Theo Marcuse), a boorish Texas rancher whom she's been trying (and failing) to "gentrify." Championing Diana's cause, Paladin must also fight off his own feelings toward the woman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
A small town in the Midwest goes in big for the folk music craze that followed in the wake of the twist. The thin plot has some romantic interplay between two amorous couple, but mainly the film serves as a showcase for some non-offensive music from the collection of stars. Johnny Cash, Sheb Wooley, The Brothers Four and George Hamilton IV are some of the musical acts featured. Wooley, famous for his novelty tune "Purple People Eater", co-wrote the title song with musical supervisor Fred Karger. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Breck, Ruta Lee, (more)
- 1965
The three astronauts chosen by NASA to make America's first spacewalk are Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman), Roger Healey (Bill Daily) and George Conway (yes, that's Dabney Coleman). Unfortunately, it looks as though Tony will be scrubbed from the mission thanks to a nervous Jeannie (Barbara Eden), who is worried that he will never return to earth. In order to "save" her Master, Jeannie causes all sorts of mischief during Tony's psychiatric exam--conducted, of course, by the ever suspicious Dr. Bellows (Hayden Rorke). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
J. Carroll Naish guest stars as Jeannie's great-grandfather, Bilejik the Djinn. Upon learning that Tony (Larry Hagman) is involved in an experiment to extract fresh water from salt water, Jeannie (Barbara Eden) summons forth Bilejik, who invented the same process back in ancient times. Of course, the formula that the old Djinn comes up with has a very strange taste--and effect. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Whisked back to ancient Persia, Tony (Larry Hagman) must avenge Jeannie's honor for an insult committed by Ali, the Killer of Giants (played by "giant" actor Richard Kiel). Though Tony may well be killed by Ali, he can take comfort in the knowledge that Ali will then be killed by Jeannie (Barbara Eden). The befuddled astronaut also meets Jeannie's parents (Florence Sundstrom, Henry Corden) who find Tony to be a bit "odd"to suit their daughter! This and the following seven episodes includes a different opening credits sequence, in which the familiar "dancing Jeannie" animation is replaced by a narrated recap of the events which led up to Jeannie adopting Tony as her master (that's Paul Frees as the narrator, by the way). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Although Tony is by now accustomed to Jeannie, it embarrasses him to have her waiting on him hand and foot like a slave--harem outfit and all. Ever anxious to please her Master, Jeannie decides to become a 100% American Woman, using information gleaned from a magazine article. Naturally, in her eagerness to do everything right, our heroine succeeds primarily in doing everything wrong, beginning with her efforts to land an "ordinary" job. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
The first season of I Dream of Jeannie kicks off with the now-famous episode (originally filmed in black and white) wherein the space capsule carrying astronaut Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman) crash-lands on a deserted island. As Tony surveys the surrounding area, he stumbles upon an ancient-looking bottle--out of which pops a gorgeous, harem-clad genie (Barbara Eden), who has been trapped inside the bottle for 2000 years (or 2500 years, who's counting). Gratefully, the beautiful "Jeannie" conjures up a navy helicopter to rescue Tony and deliver him back to his base in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Tony of course is certain that the entire incident was the result of his imagination--until he finds out that Jeannie has loyally followed him to his home, hoping to remain there permanently! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
While working as a technical consultant on a film about astronauts, Tony (Larry Hagman) begins going out with the star, gorgeous Rita Mitchell (Nancy Kovack). Seething with jealousy, Jeannie (Barbara Eden) decides to win Tony back by going into the movies herself. There's only one teeny-tiny problem: Genies can't be photographed! This is the first episode to open with the now-familiar animated "Dancing Genie" credit titles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
The ubiquitous Jeannie (Barbara Eden) pops up uninvited at a party on board a yacht which Tony (Larry Hagman) is attending. Angrily, Tony reprimands Jeannie, whereupon she disappears in a puff a smoke. Alas, when Tony is unable to account for Jeannie's whereabouts later on, he ends up in jail on a murder charge! Watch for Richard Webb, TV's onetime "Captain Midnight", as Colonel Brady, and for Sandra Gould, Bewitched's future Gladys Kravitz, as a cleaning lady. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Taking time off from Lost in Space, Billy Mumy guests as Custer Jamison, an 8-year-old neighbor boy who considers astronaut Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman) as his personal hero. Dropping in unannounced at Tony's house, Custer witnesses Jeannie (Barbara Eden) floating about in mid-air. When the kid tells his parents about this, Dr. Bellows (Hayden Rorke) offers to psychoanalyze Custer, hoping to prove once and for all that something very strange is going on the Nelson household. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1947
I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now is the heavily laundered musical biopic of sentimental songwriter Joe E. Howard. As played by Mark Stevens (whose singing voice was dubbed by Buddy Clark), Howard is a humble 19th century organ salesman who rises to Broadway fame as the composer of maudlin ballads like "What's the Use of Dreaming" and jaunty ditties like "Hello My Baby". Along the way, he enjoys several romantic interludes, but it is fresh-faced American chorine Katie (top-billed June Haver) who lands Howard as her hubby. In real life, Joe E. Howard, who lived well into his eighties, was married several times; he was also a notorious "lifter" who regularly claimed credit for songs he never wrote (including this film's title tune!) But producer George Jessel chooses not to let the facts get in the way of a good story, maintaining a policy established by his earlier The Dolly Sisters and sustained through such subsequent musical life stories as Oh, You Beautiful Doll The I Don't Care Girl. Singer/dancer/director Gene Nelson makes his screen debut as Tommy Yale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lenore Aubert, Truman Bradley, (more)
- 1973
Ross Martin guest stars as Damien, a nightclub psychic who lately has been experiencing disturbing visions of fire and flame. Ironside (Raymond Burr) becomes interested in what Damien has seen (and what he WILL see) when the psychic insists that he can predict where an arsonist who is terrorized San Francisco will strike next--but are Damien's powers real, or is there something more sinister afoot? Ironically, this episode was written by one Judy Burns! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The death of an ex-serviceman appears to be accidental, but Ironside (Raymond Burr) suspects murder when he finds six GI dog-tag numbers scratched in the dead man's watch case. It turns out that five former soldiers are desperately trying to cover up their complicity in a robbery which occurred several years before. Ironside's assistant Ed risks his job--and his life--to bring the criminals to justice. Martial arts icon Bruce Lee appears as a karate instructor in this episode, which is climaxed by a heart-pounding showdown in San Francisco's huge cable-car barn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Elvis Presley plays a double role in Kissin' Cousins. When the U.S. government wants land owned by the hillbilly clan headed by Pappy Tatum (Arthur O'Connell), they send Air Force Lieutenant Josh Morgan (Presley), a cousin of the Tatum's, to try and secure the land for a proposed missile base. Josh comes face-to-face with Jody Tatum, his blonde-haired look-alike. Glenda Farrell plays Ma Tatum, and distaff interest for Elvis is provided by Cynthia Pepper, Yvonne Craig, a busty Beverly Powers, and Hortense Petra. Watch for Maureen Reagan as one of the Kittyhawks, a group of desperate, man-hungry females out to get some love. This film was the first of the low-budget movies that would unfortunately plague the rest of Elvis' movie career. The song selection also reflects a decline in the quality of both recording and acting parts offered to Presley. Once he fulfilled his contractual obligations for the forgettable features, Elvis ended his film career and devoted his efforts exclusively to live shows and recording. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, (more)
- 1958
In flashback, the Maverick brothers explain to Dandy Jim Buckley (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) why it wouldn't be healthy for them to set foot in Texas. It seems that, back during the Civil War, both Bret (James Garner) and Bart (Jack Kelly) had signed on as trail bosses for a cattle drive. After meeting resistance from female rancher Laura Miller (Aline Towne), our heroes are forced to shoot one of Laura's hired guns--and soon they're on the lam from the law, charged with murder. The Mavericks' search for a mysterious "tall man" who may have witnessed the shooting is a fascinating precursor to Richard Kimble's pursuit of the elusive "One-Armed Man" on the later TV series The Fugitive--which, like Maverick, was produced by Roy Huggins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Based on actual events from 1948 and made into a TV movie in 1983, this story concerns a corrupt Georgia businessman (Andy Griffith) who murders an employee and thinks he has gotten away with it. The local lawman (Johnny Cash) has other plans, but needs to gather enough evidence to prove his case. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1987
During a non-stop flight to London, a valuable necklace is stolen and the courier hired to guard the necklace is poisoned. One of the passengers is Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), who of course offers her services to Scotland Yard as they try to retrieve the gems and catch the killer. Among the main characters in this melodrama are a famous actress, a taciturn former police officer, and a furtive-looking tourist couple. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
