Gerd Oswald Movies
Berlin-born Gerd Oswald was the son of celebrated German stage and film director Richard Oswald. Gerd began his own career as a child actor and production assistant, continuing in the latter capacity when he emigrated to America with his family in 1938. Like many refugees, the young Oswald was not exactly welcomed with open arms into the Hollywood mainstream. He had to pay his dues (and earn his union membership) as an assistant director for such poverty-row concerns as Monogram Pictures. From there, Oswald was hired as a production manager and associate producer for 20th Century-Fox. Utilizing Fox facilities, but releasing through United Artists, Oswald directed his first picture, A Kiss Before Dying, in 1955. While occasionally handed a big-budget item like Bob Hope's Paris Holiday (1957), Oswald found himself back where he started directorially in the B-picture pool. Some of these low-budgeters, notably Screaming Mimi, had isolated moments that transcended their monetary deficiencies, but others, like Agent for HARM (1966) and Bunny O'Hare (1971), were trivialities that any director could have handled. Gerd Oswald's best and most creative opportunities came on television sci-fi/fantasy series. Though he never directed a Twilight Zone as has frequently been claimed, Oswald was responsible for the first-season Star Trek episode "The Conscience of the King;" and he was a mainstay on The Outer Limits (1963-64) directing such top-rank installments as "OBIT," "Corpus Earthling," "It Crawled out of the Woodwork," "The Form of Things Unknown," and, best of all, "Soldier." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
- R
Would you believe Bette Davis and Ernest Borgnine as a pair of free-spirited hippies on a crime spree? That's the premise of this unlikely comedy starring the two Oscar-winning veterans. Bunny O'Hare (Bette Davis) is an elderly woman living in New Mexico who is trying to keep herself afloat financially while supporting her two grown children, both of whom have fallen into bad straits. Thanks to a mistake by her bank, Bunny is evicted from her home, which is quickly torn down, but not before one Bill Green (Ernest Borgnine) can repossess her commode. Bunny is left with nowhere to go, and Bill allows Bunny to tag along in his trailer after he leaves. Bunny soon learns that Bill was once a bank robber who is still on the run from the law, and she persuades him to show her the ropes so she can steal her nest egg back from the bank. Dressed as hippies, Bunny and Bill pull the job, but rather than escape to Mexico, Bunny decides to stay in the Southwest and rob more banks with Bill to help keep her kids out of hock. Bunny O'Hare also features Jack Cassidy, John Astin, and Jay Robinson; ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bette Davis, Ernest Borgnine, (more)
- 1969
Wayne Newton is the hero of the warm-hearted family feature 80 Steps to Jonah. The piping-voiced Newton is accused of car thievery, but who could doubt the sincerity of that angelic face? On the lam from the cops, he takes a job at a summer camp for blind children. Passing himself off as the new handyman the camp is expecting, the fugitive quickly ingratiates himself with the kids. Soon the cops come calling, but the falsely accused man is rescued by a last-minute confession. Veteran producer/director Gerd Oswald, previously a specialist in taut crime mellers, unexpectedly goes "cute" on 80 Steps to Jonah, though the end result is better than it deserves to be. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wayne Newton, Jo Van Fleet, (more)
- 1967
While doing a routine survey of a seemingly uninhabited planet, the Enterprise is suddenly hit by an inexplicable disruption of physical laws, gravity disappearing and the mass of everything within Spock's sensors suddenly dropping to zero. Captain Kirk is informed that the phenomenon extended throughout the known galaxy and far beyond, but was centered on the planet the Enterprise is orbiting, which suddenly has a single inhabitant. Ordered to investigate, Kirk discovers the man to be Lazarus, according to him the sole survivor of his race, who claims to be in battle against a hideous monster. As he seems to be a raving lunatic much of the time and there is no evidence of any "monster," Kirk is inclined to disbelieve him, except that the same disruption in the fabric of the universe reappears, centered on Lazarus, who seems to change personalities from moment to moment. Kirk and Spock eventually sort out the truth, that Lazarus is really two different people, one from a matter universe and one from an anti-matter universe, one sane and compassionate, the other insanely violent and bent on destroying his counterpart, even if that act results in the destruction of both universes. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Ben Cartwright protects longtime family friend Mary Farnum (Diane Baker) from the drunken rampages of her brutal husband Russ Wharton (Paul Richards). Misinterpreting Ben's kindness, the long-suffering Mary falls desperately in love with the Cartwright patriarch. Also in the cast are Dennis Cross as Monk and Raymond Guth as Goliath. Written by Joel Murcott, "A Woman in the House" originally aired on February 19, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1967
Leslie Nielsen, who had once studied acting under Bonanza star Lorne Greene in his native Canada, is here cast as Sheriff Paul Rowan, an old friend of Ben Cartwright. Driven to madness after twelve hard years on the job, Rowan holes up in a stable, shooting or threatening to shoot anyone who comes near him. Responding to the pleas of the Sheriff's wife Catherine (Nancy Malone), Ben tries to coax Paul into surrending and seeking out the medical attention he so desperately needs. First shown on January 29, 1967, "The Unseen Wound" was written by Frank Chase. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
When two strangers, Sonny (Dick Peabody) and Jesse (Walter Burke), help Ben Cartwright get his wagon out of the mud, Ben invites them to supper at the Ponderosa, then secures them both jobs. Ben's son Hoss immediately bonds with Sonny, who has the strength of Hercules but the mind of a child. A crisis develops when Sonny cannot comprehend the fact that Jesse has been killed-and, according to Sheriff Coffee, Sonny has been known to turn killer himself when he gets confused. The Steinbeckesque teleplay was written by Robert Baron. "Destiny's Child" first aired on January 30, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Captain Kirk investigates a wandering Shakespearean actor who may in fact be a disguised war criminal in this installment of the popular science fiction series. Kirk's suspicions are aroused when he is contacted by Leighton, a former friend and colleague. Along with Kirk and another Enterprise officer, Leighton was one of only three survivors of a massacre on the planet Tarsus IV that was headed by the brutal dictator known as "Kodos the Executioner." After witnessing a performance by the actor Karidian, Leighton suspects that he may in fact be Kodos. Kirk is skeptical, but when Leighton is found murdered, he decides to invite the actor's company to visit the Enterprise, hoping to discover the truth before there are any more victims. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Newly arrived in Utah under the alias "Jim Corman", Kimble (David Janssen) meets unwed mother Ruth Simmons (Kim Darby), whose baby is seriously ill. In his efforts to treat the infant, Kimble meets strong opposition in the form of Ruth's father Joshua (Harry Townes), a religious zealot who objects to any sort of medical treatment. Adding to Kimble's burden of woe is an ambitious deputy named Pete (Tom Skerritt) who is using a team of bloodhounds to track down the fugitive. This episode was originally slated to air on October 11, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
While employed at the winery owned by Pete Crandall (James Gregory), Kimble (David Janssen) happens to be on hand when the leader of a grape picker's strike is murdered by Crandall's treacherous son Carl (Roy Thinnes). As the only witness to the killing, Kimble could easily clear his fellow worker Morales (Carlos Romero), whom Carl has framed for the crime. Unfortunately, Kimble dare not contact the police for fear of being arrested himself, so he enlists the aid of Morale's wife Elena (Pilar Seurat)--while Carl dispatches a team of hired thugs to make certain that no one will ever tell anyone that he pulled the trigger. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
This spy-thriller pokes fun at James Bond movies as it tells the story of a master American spy who must protect a scientist from Russian agents who want his formula for stopping alien spores that turn human flesh into fungus. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Not surprisingly, "A Christmas Story" originally aired on December 25, 1966. Wayne Newton returns to Bonanza in the role of singer Andy Walker, who herein agrees to perform at the annual Oprhan's Christmas Benefit. The fly (or grinch) in the ointment is Andy's crooked uncle/manager Thaddeus Cade (Jack Oakie), who demands ten percent of the proceeds. The Cartwrights attempt to change Thaddeus' mercenary ways with a "virtual reality" restaging of "A Christmas Carol". Also appearing are Mary Wickes as Hattie and Dabbs Greer as Sam. "A Christmas Story" was written by Thomas Thompson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Singer Wayne Newton makes his dramatic debut as Andy Walker, the son of domineering dirt farmer Willard Walker (Malcolm Atterbury). Desirous of pursuing a musical career, Andy is stopped in his tracks by his hidebound father. Ben Cartwright intervenes in this domestic dilemma-and along the way, guest-star Newton warbles such traditional tunes as "Old Joe Clark", "Scarlet Ribbons", "Danny Boy", and "The Old Rugged Cross". Also in the cast are Anne Jeffreys as Lily and Wayne Newton's real-life brother Jerry as Andy's brother Mike. First shown on April 10, 1966, "The Unwritten Commandment" was written by Jo Pagano, William Blinn and Dan Ullman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1965
Written by Dick Carr, "The Spotlight" is a showcase for Viveca Lindfors in the role of long-retired opera diva Angela Drake. Appointed entertainment-committee chairman of the Virginia City anniversary celebration, Ben persuades Angela to come out of retirement for a command performance. Angela is so euphoric that she accepts the offer, neglecting to admit that she has completely lost her singing voice. Sharp-eared fans will hear a brief but pointed "inside joke" referring to recently departed series regular Pernell Roberts (Hint: It has something to do with Shakespeare). Also seen are Ron Randell as Carleton, Winnie Coffin as Mrs. Brown and Jean Determann as Mrs. Finch. "The Spotlight" originally aired on May 16, 1965, and was rebroadcast as the Christmas offering for Bonanza's 1965-66 season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1965
"The Strange One" is Marie (Louise Sorel), who is expelled from a wagon train when she is accused of being a witch. Marie is rescued from her tormentors by Hoss and Joe Cartwright, who offer her shelter at the Ponderosa. Before long, it becomes obvious that Marie is gifted with "second sight"-but does that make her a witch after all? Another well-written (by Jo Pagano and Stephen Lord) lesson in tolerance and understanding, "The Strange One" has not been seen much since its original network presentation on November 14, 1965; more recently, it was removed from the Bonanza package shown on cable's Family Channel because its "controversial" religious undertones did not rest well with that network's chairman Pat Robertson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1965
Virginia City is held in a grip of terror by the vicious family of condemned killer Harry Lassiter (Jack Chaplain. Cold-blooded matriarch Ma Lassiter (Marie Windsor) promises to kidnap one citizen per day until Harry is set free. Things get personal for the Cartwrights when Little Joe is among those abducted by Ma's murderous brood. In addition to guest-star Marie Windsor, another film noir stalwart, John Hoyt, is seen as Major Sutcliffe. First broadcast on December 5, 1965, "Five Sundowns to Sunup" was written by William L. Stuart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1965
In Volume 48 of a collection culled from the 1963-1965 science fiction anthology television series, the lives of a pilot and his wife are saved thanks to a fluctuation of time. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1965
A group of flamboyant Italian acrobats pay a visit to the Ponderosa. Despite his long friendship with Guido Borelli (Cesar Romero), leader of the acrobats, Ben Cartwright is disturbed over Borelli's exhibitions of jealousy whenever his sweetheart Pitina (Ilze Taurins) shows interest in another man-such as Ben's son Joe. When Borelli's younger rival Carlo (Fabrizio Mioni) is stabbed, Guido tries to frame Joe for the act. Lily Valenty rounds out the guest cast as Donna Luisa. Written by Jo Pagano, "The Deadliest Game" was originally shown on February 21, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
In Volume 45 of a collection culled from the 1963-1965 science fiction anthology television series, a futuristic bounty hunter creates an identical twin of himself to help track down his alien prey. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1964
On the night of his wedding in 1929, Harvey Kry (David Frankham) is surprised by an anonymous gift, a box with a single hole containing a lens, through which a strange light emanates. He looks into it and sees a monstrous creature inside, that holds him in the gaze of its single eye -- and then transports the screaming man inside. Thirty-five years later, the Kry house is in decay, occupied solely by Harvey's bride Mary (Miriam Hopkins), now aging and grotesque in her 1920's sequined dress and thick make-up, still awaiting the consumation of her marriage to Harvey. She finds herself entertaining her first guests in years, Gard (Buck Taylor) and Vivia (Melinda Plowman), a young, under-age couple who are eloping, and offers them her bridal chamber. But the box remains in there, amid the unused, still-wrapped gifts; and inside, the creature watches and waits in its own long vigil, to draw others inside. Vivia and, later, her pursuing father (John Hoyt), are both drawn into the box and the void inside, and confront this monster, an extraterrestrial from another space-time continuum, lost in our four-dimensional space and unable to fulfill its mission -- the destruction of the Earth and then our universe. To accomplish this, it needs a human being to help it find its way. Harvey Kry wouldn't do it and, so, has spent 35 years trapped inside the timeless void, looking exactly as he did in 1929, while his increasingly desperate (and insane) bride has waited, and aged, and conspired with the creature. And Vivia is just frightened enough; and her father is just self-centered enough, that one of them might do what it asks. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Miriam Hopkins, David Frankham, (more)
- 1964
When contact is established between Earth and the planet Chroma, located ten light years away, an exchange is proposed between inhabitants of the two worlds. This is to be done by matter-transmitter, using technology provided by the Chromoites -- as it is a dangerous experiment, the first Earth subject, Chino Rivera (Henry Silva), is chosen from the ranks of convicts serving life sentences. As it turns out, both Rivera, who is twice as smart and three times more clever than the project director, Dr. Kellander (Michael Higgins), and the Chromoite visitor, a walking, human-sized crustacean, immensely strong, with nasty claw-like appendages and various openings that gulp, suck, and grind, are up to something other than what they're supposed to be doing, possibly involving murder. Rivera is injured in an escape attempt before he can be transmitted and, while recovering, attempts another breakout, only to find himself accused of killing one of the scientists on the project. Only one of his captors, Dr. Julia Harrison (Diana Sands), believes that he is innocent, and suspects that something far more sinister than even murder is taking place. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1964
In Volume 21 of a collection culled from the 1963-1965 science fiction anthology television series, the alien patriarch of a family searches for clues to the disappearance of his Earth-born children. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1964
In Volume 22 of a collection culled from the 1963-1965 science fiction anthology television series, the crew of a spacecraft bound for Earth must kill a lethal plant attached to the ship before they reach their destination. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Luis Spain (Don Gordon), Genaro Planetta (Tony Mordente), and Henry Castle (Chris Warfield) are three seeming social misfits who are recruited into the ranks of the Invisibles, a subversive underground organization run by an alien race. The Invisibles, small creatures with hard shell-covered bodies and sharp claws, have the ability to invade and merge with any human being, taking over control of their minds and bodies; they have already done this with several high-ranking politicians and other prominent personalities, and are planning on doing it with more, with help from Spain, Planetta, and recruits like them. Spain turns out to be an agent of the GIA (Government Intelligence Agency), sent to infiltrate the ranks of the Invisibles' followers. Cut off from his agency by the murder of his partner (William O. Douglas, Jr.), he is sent on his first mission, the takeover of a top defense department advisor (Neil Hamilton), only to learn that the Invisibles have suspected him from the beginning, and that he is the target, their goal to get one of their own into the ranks of the GIA. Seriously injured and desperately seeking help, Spain turns to his fellow recruit Planetta, with whom he developed a tenuous bond during their indoctrination. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Richard Bellero (Martin Landau) is a brilliant but frustrated scientist, forever failing to find approval from his wealthy, pacifist-oriented father Richard Sr. (Neil Hamilton), even when he develops a practical high-energy laser. Much to the displeasure of his ambitious wife Judith (Sally Kellerman), he has been told by his father that he is being passed over for chairmanship of the family-founded corporation. By accident, however, Richard's laser device draws in an alien being (John Hoyt) who, among other attributes, possesses an invisible force-shield. Judith sees this shield as something that would earn her husband the respect of his father and the world, and the chairmanship of his father's corporation, if he could claim it as his discovery. With help from her servant Mrs. Dame (Chita Rivera), she shoots the alien and takes the control device, a button attached by a vein to the being's body, and activates the shield for her father-in-law; the shield is, indeed, impenetrable, but Judith finds she is unable to deactivate it. With her air running out, it becomes apparent that nothing, including her husband's laser, can get her free. Her father-in-law finds the alien's body, but is killed by Mrs. Dame, an act that stirs the alien -- who is barely alive -- just long enough to rescue Judith. Now freed, she starts to move across the room but is blocked by a barrier that only she sees -- she has gone insane. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
