Gerry O'Hara Movies
British director Gerry O'Hara is known for action, suspense, and exploitation films, beginning with 1961's That Kind of Girl. His more successful movies include the thrillers Maroc 7 (1967) and The Amsterdam Affair (1968), the latter sparked by excellent use of location shooting. His best known films, however, have been the 1979 Joan Collins vehicle (based on her sister Jackie's book) The Bitch, and his 1983 film Fanny Hill. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
Although it claims to be "suggested by an Edgar Allen Poe" story, this British production is basically a remake of Karl Freund's 1932 The Mummy -- but with nude shower scenes. Tony Curtis, in the Boris Karloff role, becomes obsessed with a young blonde woman whom he believes to be the reincarnated spirit of an Egyptian princess. She begins having nightmares, hallucinations, and starts hearing voices, while people around her suddenly start turning up brutally murdered. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
- 1989
- PG
Ten Little Indians, the classic mystery by Agatha Christie, is again adapted, with enjoyable results. The setting of the now familiar mystery is moved to Africa, where the ten guests of a mysterious host are killed one by one as they travel on safari. None of the guests, played with great fun by a cast including Donald Pleasence, Brenda Vaccaro, Frank Stallone and Herbert Lom, know why they have been invited, but as they begin to be murdered, one by one, they fear for their safety and begin to suspect each other. The ending of this wonderful mystery should never be divulged, and the story remains surprisingly fresh despite its many adaptations. This film, while only average, remains highly enjoyable because of the charm and surprise of Christie's wonderful plot and great surprise ending. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donald Pleasence, Frank Stallone, (more)
Gaston Leroux's classic tale of love and suspense gets a face-lift in this horror story loosely adapted from Leroux's novel. Christine (Jill Schoelen) is a young classical vocalist who, in the midst of performing a recently discovered piece by an obscure composer, is struck on the head by a sandbag and wakes up in London in 1884. Eric Destler (Robert Englund) is a composer who is desperate to succeed -- so much so that he sells his soul to the devil in exchange for writing songs that people will love. However, the devil adds a twist to the bargain by horribly scarring Eric's face, which can only be disguised by flesh from a living victim. Living below the London Opera House, Eric works night and day on his music; when he hears Christine's voice he falls in love, he and lures her to his lair. Eric decides that Christine is the perfect woman to sing his music; he coaches her to a perfect interpretation of his work, and he kills anyone who stands between her and success. Future Saturday Night Live star Molly Shannon made her film debut in a small role in the film's modern day sequences. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Englund, Jill Schoelen, (more)
- 1985
- R
In this tale of sleazy romance that turns deadly, novice Kiwi director Denis Lewiston has created an unevenly paced story with several gripping (and groping) scenes. Christine (Simone Griffeth) is an American married to a rich but crass businessman, and unknown to them both, Greg Sandford (Steve Marchuk) is planning to break into their opulent digs and rob them blind. Right in the middle of carrying out his preparations, he arranges for an "accidental" meeting between himself and Christine -- and the sparks of sexual attraction ignite a blaze that not only lands them in bed, but burns up whatever morals Christine may have left. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Simone Griffeth
- 1985
Based on a true story, the three-part British miniseries Operation Julie detailed a massive drug "sting" conducted by British authorities in the mid-'70s. Colin Blakely and David Swift headed the enormous cast as, respectively, Detective Inspector Richard Lee and Detective Superintendent Gosling. The target for the authorities was a covert operation specializing in the manufacturer and worldwide distribution of LSD. As a faithful retelling of the largest undercover drug investigation of its kind in the United Kingdom, the series garnered a huge audience in both England and Europe. After its initial British TV run from November 4 to 6, 1985 (courtesy of Tyne Tees Television), Operation Julie was re-edited and reissued as a 100-minute feature film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Fanny Hill (Lisa Raines) is a buxom country maiden who arrives in the big city and quickly begins an affair with the scion of a wealthy family in this softcore version of an old British tale. When the clan patriarch dies, Fanny is ready to marry her lover until she discovers he has been unfaithful -- that sets her on a course of erotic adventures that begins in protest and ends in great wealth. By the time she has experienced almost every kind of sex imaginable -- or unimaginable -- she is a millionairess. Loosely based on the scandalous, 18th-century novel Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure by John Clelland, Fanny Hill had two different cinematic incarnations in the 1960s (by Russ Meyer and Mac Ahlberg). No one has accused this version of subtle sophistication or profoundly interpretive acting. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lisa Raines, Shelley Winters, (more)
The Harlequin Romance Publishing company produced this weeper about an English lass (Susan Penhaligon) who falls for a reclusive former race car driver (Keir Dullea). ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
Joan Collins stars as Fontaine Khaled in this sleek and sleazy sequel to her sister Jackie Collins's The Stud. Fontaine is the owner of a high class London nightclub, but after having an extramarital affair, her marriage falls apart and she stands to lose her nightclub. As a result, she hits the jet-set circuit, plying her allure for erotic dividends. She also involves herself in smuggling and in rigged horse races, trying any means necessary to obtain the funding to rescue her beloved nightclub from foreclosure. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joan Collins, Michael Coby, (more)
The Brute is a typically fast and furious British "exploitation" film directed by an expert in that field, Gerry O'Hara. Model Sarah Douglas is browbeaten (and beaten in other ways) by her behemoth of a husband. Drastic measures seem to be called for, but to whom can Sarah turn? This slightly unsavory melodrama is unusually well cast, with Julian Glover and Peter Bull prominent among the supporting actors. Also in the cast is Bruce Robinson, who later opted for a career behind the cameras as a writer/director (The Killing Fields, Withnail & I, etc.) The Brute should not be confused with the vastly superior Bunuel picture El Bruto. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Tom Bell plays a disgruntled young Brit who becomes bored by his job and his marriage. Bell impulsively launches an affair with 15-year-old actress Olivia Hussey. But fear not: this isn't going to be "The Joey Buttafuco Story". Rather, both Bell and Hussey are brought to their senses when she thinks she's pregnant. Judy Carne, at the tail end of her Laugh-In-generated fame, is adequate as Bell's loving wife. Director Gerry O'Hara based the screenplay for All the Right Noises on his own novel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Bell, Olivia Hussey, (more)
- 1968
Amsterdam Affair was adapted from the novel Love in Amsterdam by Nicholas Freeling. Wolfgang Kieling heads the cast as Inspector Van Der Valk, called in to investigate a woman's murder. The prime suspect is a novelist (William Marlowe) who had conducted a lengthy affair with the dead woman. The case has been designated as open and shut by the police and the press, but Van Der Valk wants to probe a little deeper. Amsterdam Affair was filmed on location in Holland with an essentially British crew; it was released in the US by the broadcast conglomerate Group W. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Marlowe, Catherine Schell, (more)
- 1967
It's Funny Face meets Rififi in Maroc 7, starring Cyd Charisse as Louise Henderson, an editor for a slick and chic fashion magazine who utilizes her jet-setting life style as a front for an international jewel-smuggling operation. Abetting her in the scheme is the magazine's top photographer and high-fashion cover model. But instead of "Think pink" it's "Think clink" as secret agent Simon Grant (Gene Barry) is sent in to infiltrate Louise's organization. Posing as a safecracker, Simon convinces Louise to let him in to the gang's next operation: a plan to smuggle a priceless gem out of Morocco. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Barry, Cyd Charisse, (more)
- 1966
In this drama, the difficulties of being a young woman during the 1960s are examined. The story centers upon a country girl who comes to London to pursue a modeling career and ends up living with three girls and a young man--who is one of the others' brother. While waiting for her big break, the lass encounters a handsome photographer and finds a mutual attraction. Meanwhile, the other roommates have romantic entanglements of their own. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ian McShane, Francesca Annis, (more)
- 1965
In this political thriller, the trouble begins when a prominent politician finds himself entangled with some shady dealings that threaten to destroy his carefully constructed career. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1965
When a British farmer lapses into a coma, it appears to be the byproduct of a voodoo curse. Sent to the jungles of Kalaya to investigate, Steed uncovers a long-range plan to eliminate all Englishmen in the vicinity. The villains' principal weapons are superstition and a highly developed species of tsetse fly. As usual, Emma finds herself in jeopardy halfway through the proceedings. Written by Philip Levene, "Small Game for Big Hunters" was originally telecast in England on January 15, 1966; the first American telecast took place on April 4 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg, Bill Fraser, (more)
Tony Richardson's adaptation of Henry Fielding's classic novel was one of the most critically acclaimed and popular comedies of its time, winning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film follows Tom Jones (Albert Finney), a country boy who becomes one of the wildest playboys in 18th century England, developing a ravenous taste for women, food, and rowdy adventures. Over the course of the film, Jones tries to amass his own fortune and win the heart of Sophie (Susannah York). Not only does John Osborne's Oscar-winning screenplay stay true to the tone of the novel, but the cast -- including Lynn Redgrave in her first screen role -- tears into the story with spirited abandon, making the movie a wildly entertaining and witty experience. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Albert Finney, Susannah York, (more)
- 1963
Purporting to warn young people of premarital sex, this British drama is exploitation with a capital 'E.' Set in a conservative peaceful village, the drama begins with the arrival of a sexy Austrian girl who proceeds to seduce every man in sight. One of her victims is engaged. When his fiancee finds out, she has an insecurity attack and lets her beloved have sex with her. This results in pregnancy. Later the Austrian hussy gets raped by her steady because he is jealous of her other trysts. To top it off, she ends up contracting a dreaded venereal disease. Naturally all of those who sampled her ample wares get into quite a tizzy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Graham Greene wrote this witty comedy inspired by Cold War paranoia. Jim Wormald (Alec Guiness) is an Englishman selling vacuum cleaners in Cuba on the cusp of the revolution. Hawthorne (Noel Coward), a British intelligence agent, is looking for information on Cuban affairs and recruits Jim to act as a spy. Jim has no experience in espionage and no useful knowledge to pass along, but Hawthorne is willing to pay for his services, and since Jim's daughter Milly (Jo Morrow) has expensive tastes, he can use the money. To keep Hawthorne happy (and his paychecks coming in), he turns in reports on the Cuban revolution that are copied from public documents, "hires" additional agents who don't exist, and presents blueprints of secret weapons that are actually schematics of his carpet sweepers. However, Hawthorne and associate "C" (Ralph Richardson) think that Jim is doing splendid work and encourage him to continue; meanwhile, Capt. Segura (Ernie Kovacs), the elegantly corrupt chief of police, has been fooled by Jim's charade into believing he's a real spy -- and has also become attracted to Milly. Our Man in Havana also features Burl Ives and Maureen O'Hara in supporting roles. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alec Guinness, Burl Ives, (more)
