Cliff Osmond Movies
American actor Cliff Osmond was working in Southern repertory, summer stock and children's theatre when he was plucked from obscurity by director Billy Wilder, who cast Osmond as an oafish gendarme in Irma La Douce (1963). Osmond remained a loyal and stalwart member of Wilder's unofficial stock company. He played wannabe lyricist Barney Milsap in Kiss Me, Stupid (1964), flummoxed insurance detective Purkey in The Fortune Cookie (1966), and political stooge Jacobi in The Front Page (1974). After his "Wilder" days, Osmond was seen in such menacing roles as Pap in the 1981 TV adaptation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In 1988, Cliff Osmond wrote and produced the independent feature The Penitent. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1990
While Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) is off vacationing somewhere, her nephew Grady (Michael Horton) and his pregnant wife Donna (Debbie Zipp) agree to take care of Jessica's house. Unfortunately, in past episodes Grady could barely take a breath without getting mixed up in murder, and this episode is no exception: the victim is a peg-legged sailor, who is killed smack in the middle of Jessica's living room! As indicated by the episode's title, the key to the mystery is a valuable artifact...and this time it's up to Grady rather than his aunt to crack the case. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
This campy drama, set in the 1940s, was inspired by a hit song by Barry Manilow. It tells the tale of an aspiring songwriter, Lola, a showgirl, and the sleazy owner of the Copa. Tragedy ensues as the two men duel over Lola's love. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Another feminist western from the early 1980s, Incident at Crestridge has the novelty of a contemporary setting. Eileen Brennan plays a Wyoming woman repelled by the corruption in her city government. She decides to take a stand by running for sheriff. Practically every man in town is a slavering sexist and potential murderer, but Brennan prevails over the opposition. Pernell Roberts costars as the obligatory "big boss" mayor, whose after-hours activities include narcotics, gambling and white slavery. Incident at Crestridge is an okay resuscitation of a venerable movie formula. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Huckleberry Finn joins Tom Sawyer and Jim, a runaway slave, as they escape down the Mississippi River on a raft. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1981
An adventuresome author in 1849 travels to California's Sutter's Fort to work in a saw mill. After gold is discovered, the community is plagued by the antics of greedy treasure seekers. This made-for-television drama is based on the true stories by Bret Hart. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Linda Purl stars as Nellie Bly, famed 19th century female journalist, in this "Classics Illustrated" TV movie. A tireless crusader, Nellie exposes corruption amongst the rich of New York and miserable working conditions amongst the poor. In her most famous exploit, Nellie decides to emulate Jules Verne's Phineas Fogg by travelling around the world in 80 days-or less. Gene Barry, Raymond Buktenica, J.D. Cannon and John Randolph costar, the last-named actor playing Nellie's boss Joseph Pulitzer. Filmed in 1979, The Adventures of Nellie Bly was first telecast June 11, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Could it be true? Is the U.S. government really hiding an alien spaceship in the mysterious Hangar 18? According to the producers at Sunn Classic Pictures, the answer is yes, and this sci-fi drama sets out to prove it. The trouble begins when an orbiting satellite runs into the UFO and it crashes. Inside are alien bodies, and the President, who is busy with his re-election campaign, is most eager to conceal them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Darren McGavin, Robert Vaughn, (more)
- 1979
Beggarman, Thief is the 4-hour sequel to the ratings-busting miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man; both productions were based on the works of novelist Irwin Shaw. For the purposes of the sequel, a new member of the Jordache clan is introduced: filmmaker Gretchen Jordache Burke, played by Jean Simmons. It is Gretchen's task to keep the family together after the murder of her brother Tom (played by Nick Nolte in Rich Man, Poor Man) and the recent disappearance of her other brother Rudy (Peter Strauss, re-creating his RMPM role). Originally presented in two parts, Beggarman, Thief was first telecast November 26 and 27, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Simmons, Glenn Ford, (more)
- 1978
In this family film, based on John D. Fitzgerald's award-winning children's novel, set in Utah during the early 1900s, a young boy has great fun conning his family, friends, and neighbors, until he finds himself in hot water. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1977
This family adventure chronicles the adventures and exploits of George Clark (Denver Pyle), one of the early naturalists. Clark was a friend and peer of John Muir, the man whose writings did so much to encourage the development of the national park system in the U.S. The two men attempt to save Yosemite Valley in California from the lumbermen and managed to get Abraham Lincoln to sign a piece of national legislation which would do just that. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Denver Pyle, John Dehner, (more)
- 1977
This rather complex animated adventure concerns the quest of a toy wind-up mouse and his son to become self-winding.The two accidentally fall off a shelf, and are thrown out with the garbage. Then, they must escape from an evil rat who imprisons them. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1976
It's On the Waterfront, Kojak-style, when sardonic Lt. Theo Kojak (Telly Savalas) investigates a murder on the docks. The victim was a longshoreman, and the killing was obviously linked to corruption within the local labor unions. Unfortunately, none of the other longshoremen are willing to talk to the detective, adhering to the old policy of "D-and-D" (deaf and dumb) when it comes to snitching on one of their own. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Originally produced as the pilot for a prospective TV series and based on a novel entitled Gypsy in Amber, this is the story of a detective, who also happens to be a gypsy, who becomes involved in a homicide case when one of his friends, a fellow antique dealer, is charged with the murder. Interesting and unusual premise. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Emily feels that Bob's weight workshop could use a motivational speaker. Pressed into service is Bob's secretary, Carol, who tells her story of how she lost one hundred pounds after graduating "magna cum lard" from high school. Unfortunately, Carol's words result more in perspiration than inspiration. Also appearing are Cliff Osmondas Leonard de Paolo and Marcia Lewis as Louise Gross. First telecast on October 11, 1975, "The Heavyweights" was written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1975
It looks like the men of Squad 51 will have to pick up the tab for the annual Fireman's Picnic when their star pitcher breaks his arm just before a softball game with a rival squad. Back on the job, the Ramparts emergency team tries to determine the cause of an accident victim's inexplicable seizures, and to save a used-car dealer (Dennis Patrick) from being devoured by his dealership's mascot--a large and none too friendly tiger. Also, a man is trapped in his waterbed, and a stash of moonshine sparks a deadly fire. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
An upcoming election for a departmental welfare committee finds Roy (Kevin Tighe) and John (Randolph Mantooth) running against each other. In various emergency calls, a sculptress (Sharon Gless) summons Squad 51 to help extricate her model from a plaster cast; a beer drinker chokes on a pull tab; and a construction worker is stranded on a hgh crane. And at the hospital, the staff has its hands full with a delirious youngster. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Edith is charmed by her plumber's new assistant, Nick Howard (Cliff Osmond), who compliments her appearance and recites poetry as he works. She is less charmed to discover that Nick is a prisoner at Sing Sing, who is participating in a work-furlough program. But Edith's concern is nothing compared to Archie's outright terror over having a "con" in his house. Scripted by Lou Derman and Bill Davenport from a story by Bud Wiser, "Prisoner in the House" first aired on January 4, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1973
A forbidding old mansion in a residential San Francisco neighborhood is the centerpiece of this grim story. When a young boy disappears, and is subsequently found dead, the neighbors suspect the mysterious recluse residing within the walls of the mansion. It is up to Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas) to bring the mansion's dark secrets to light--and to expose the facts behind the tragedy. The episode's formidable guest cast is headed by Hollywood veteran Lew Ayres, light-years removed from his amiable "Dr. Kildare" characterization. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
What would a late-1960s detective series be without the obligatory "flower child" episode? After Detective Ed Brown (Don Galloway) busts a Haight-Ashbury drug house, he is accused of beating a hippie to death. To clear Ed's name, Ironside (Raymond Burr) follows a trail of clues to a group of outwardly clean-cut students in a private school--and runs up against a vast and sinister conspiracy of silence, involving not only "the kids" but also a few grownups. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Three Guns For Texas is a routine western. Taken from the television series "Laredo," three 30-minute episodes are strung together. The only continuity seems to be the plot of Texas Rangers fighting a renegade band of Indians led by Linda Little Trees (Shelley Morrison). Neville Brand, Peter Brown, William Smith, and Martin Milner also star. The viewer would have to be familiar with the television series, as no character development is given, assuming the public has seen the actors before and is well-versed in the plot. This plodding oater closely resembles the old Republic westerns. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neville Brand, Peter Brown, (more)
- 1968
In the absence of the other nuns, Sr. Betrille nervously holds down the fort at Convent San Tanco all by herself. Meanwhile, Police Captain Fomento dogged pursues fugitive criminal Ignacio Ferrente (Cliff Osmond). Inevitably, once Fomento has left the premises Ferrente takes refuge in the convent, terrorizing Sr. Bertrille and a sick child left in her care. First shown on November 21, 1968, "All Alone by the Convent Phone" was written by Michael Morris. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Hogan's Heroes inaugurated its third season -- and moved from its Friday timeslot to a new Saturday-evening berth in the process -- with the episode titled "The Crittendon Plan." Much against his better judgment, Hogan is ordered to spring his longtime rival Colonel Crittendon (Bernard Fox) from a neighboring POW camp, all because the bumbling Crittendon has unexpectedly drawn up a perfect scheme for destroying a Nazi convoy. Things get even dicier when it turns out that Hogan has the wrong Crittendon! Written by Richard M. Powell), "The Crittendon Plan" first aired on September 9, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
The British title of Billy Wilder's classic comedy was Meet Whiplash Willie -- for, despite Jack Lemmon's star billing, the movie's driving force is Oscar-winning Walter Matthau as gloriously underhanded lawyer "Whiplash" Willie Gingrich. CBS cameraman Harry Hinkle (Lemmon) is injured when he is accidentally bulldozed by football player Luther "Boom Boom" Jackson (Ron Rich) during a Cleveland Browns game. Willie, Harry's brother-in-law, foresees an insurance-settlement bonanza, and he convinces Harry to pretend to be incapacitated by the accident. To insure his client's cooperation, Willie arranges for Harry's covetous ex-wife Sandy (Judi West) to feign a rekindling of their romance. Harry's conscience is plagued by the solicitous behavior of Boom Boom, who is so devastated at causing Harry's injury that he insists on waiting on the "cripple" hand and foot. Meanwhile, dishevelled private eye Purkey (Cliff Osmond) keeps Harry under constant surveillance, hoping to catch him moving around so the insurance company can avoid shelling out a fortune. Wilder and usual co-writer I.A.L. Diamond were at their most jaundiced and cynical here, even if, after a sardonic semiclimax, the last ten minutes succumb to the sentimentality that often marred Wilder's later movies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, (more)
- 1964
In this comedy, a Yankee musician is working in Paris when he encounters a movie star chasing after her naughty French poodle Monsieur Cognac. The name is most apropos for the little doggy is quite the lush when it comes to booze. This suits the hard-drinking musician just fine and the two go out on a bender. Later the star and her father find the toasted twosome. The star begins falling in love with the musician. Despite her father's objections, the two get married. Unfortunately, Mr. Cognac accompanies them on the honeymoon. He becomes quite jealous of the woman's new husband and ruins their wedding night. Because she refuses to relinquish the dog, their new marriage is nearly destroyed. They separate until the husband manages to bring home Pink Poupee, a charming female poodle. Suddenly Mr. C forgets all about his jealousy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Curtis, Christine Kaufmann, (more)
