Joseph Campanella Movies

The Bold Ones was the umbrella title given a group of rotating hour-long TV series, which ran from 1969 to 1973. Joining established Bold Ones components The Doctors and The Lawyers in 1970 was The Senator, starring Hal Holbrook as RFK-like Senator Hays Stowe. The pilot for The Senator was A Clear and Present Danger, which first aired March 21, 1970. In this 2-hour "problem drama", Senator Stowe tackles the issue of air pollution after a close friend dies of emphysema. The Emmy-nominated Hal Holbrook, Sharon Acker (as Erin Stowe) and Cindy Eilbacher (as Norma Stowe) carried their roles over to the "Senator" series proper, while Michael Tolan was cast as Stowe's aide Jordan Boyle, the role played in A Clear and Present Danger by Joseph Campanella. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this thriller, television reporter Kate Ryan de Melendez (Amy Irving) investigates the death of two radical Puerto Rican activists, whom she begins to believe may have been framed and murdered by undercover American agents. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

In his TV-movie debut, Stewart Granger plays a philandering photographer whose wealthy wife, Lois Nettleton, catches him in an adulterous situation. Not wishing to give up his cushy life style, Granger rigs a fatal automobile accident for Nettleton before she begins divorce proceedings. She survives the crash, but suffers a loss of memory. Granger must now figure out how to eliminate her before her amnesia passes and she can finger him as her would-be killer. Filmed in Mexico, Any Second Now is highly recommended to anyone who hasn't seen the story before in its many previous incarnations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This sequel to the rampaging-rodent chiller Willard stars Lee H. Montgomery as young Danny Garrison, a neglected kid who finds a new little friend in Ben -- an intelligent rat whose furry minions managed to slaughter most of the cast of the previous film. Proving that one can't teach an old rat new tricks -- just variations on the old ones -- Ben displays his affection for Danny by directing his posse to off anyone who torments him... in the sweetest possible way, of course, since this is a PG-rated endeavor. This film's reputation was secured primarily by the inclusion of Michael Jackson's saccharine title tune, which seems to resonate more profoundly when regarded as a love song for a big greasy rat. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Set in a popular coffee house located in an Italian neighborhood, this romantic comedy comments upon the lives of several young Italian-Americans looking for their place in the outside world. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The FBI wants to shut down a luxurious minimum-security prison, so a high-placed official (Joseph Campanella) sends an undercover agent (Lance Kinsey) to root out any sign of crime. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

Hanley's life is saved by quick-thinking soldier Vince D'Amato (Joseph Campanella), who in the process is killed by enemy fire. Through a series of misunderstandings, D'Amato's nervous friend Wharton (Frank Gorshin) is given credit for his dead buddy's act of bravery , and is recommended by Hanley for the Silver Star. But does Wharton have what it takes to be a real hero--and what, precisely, is the definition of heroism? This episode was written by Richard Maibaum, better known for his script contributions to the "James Bond" film series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Many individuals who have been pronounced clinically "dead" have returned to life with amazing stories to tell. This documentary, hosted by Joseph Campanella, discusses this interesting phenomenon, and people who have had near-death experiences give fascinating personal accounts. Especially intriguing information is offered by Dannion Brinkley (author of Saved by the Light), who had his first near-death experience after being struck by lightning, was resuscitated, and continued to live with multiple medical problems (and an inspiringly positive attitude). He then had a second experience years later, when he "died" in the hospital and again returned to life. Medical experts and well-known authors who have specialized in the subject (notably Dr. Raymond Moody and Dr. Melvin Morse) provide convincing factual evidence that these experiences are real events that occur as part of the transition from life to death, not brain chemical-induced hallucinations or delusions caused by shock. Many individuals (including some very small children) remember similar things, such as being in the presence of a loving being with whom they could wordlessly communicate and with whom they reviewed their lives. A striking aspect of these experiences is that most of the people who have had them seem to no longer have a fear of death. ~ Alice Duncan, All Movie Guide

Although it is far from a perfectly contrived drama, Defiance has its moments of high emotions and rising fear. Tommy (Jan Michael Vincent) takes up temporary housing in a New York neighborhood plagued by a violent gang, the Souls. Tommy is waiting for his next assignment as a seaman and though he tries to avoid the gang and his neighbors, it does not work. Soon he is single-handedly battling the Souls and not only changing their attitudes, but the attitudes of his previously intimidated neighbors as well. They quickly back him up as the one person who can make the neighborhood safe again. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Producer Roy Huggins and director Douglas Heyes, Maverick veterans both, reteamed for the made-for-TV Drive Hard, Drive Fast. Brian Kelly stars as a race car driver who would have been better off sticking to the track. Upon hopping out of his slicked-up auto, Kelly gets mixed up in an unsavory love triangle involving Joan Collins and Joseph Campanella. Before long, Kelly has to keep peeking over his shoulder to avoid being hacked to piece by a machete-wielding assailant. Completed in 1969, Drive Hard, Drive Fast was not telecast until September 11, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Having suffered a fatal heart attack on the eve of her adoring granddaughter's eleventh birthday, a devoted grandmother wages a valiant fight in heaven to return to Earth one last time and celebrate alongside the little girl she loves most. Sarah Miller (Florence Henderson) adores her ten year old granddaughter Katie (Stephanie Patton), and the feeling is most certainly mutual. At the moment Katie is planning her eleventh birthday party, an event that Sarah claims she wouldn't miss for the world. But when Sarah drops dead of a heart attack just before the party and finds herself ascending to heaven, her only thought is how disappointed her granddaughter will be if her "Nanny" isn't there to share in the delicious cake and memorable moments. Sarah isn't particularly religious, though her heavenly guide Ashley (Yanni King) vows to do everything within her power to help secure the skeptical newcomer a short reprieve from death so she can attend the upcoming party. Meanwhile, down on Earth, Katie has an unexpectedly severe reaction to the news of her grandmother's passing. As the day of the party arrives, Sarah is still in a bureaucratic nightmare of cosmic proportions. The paperwork required for her return to Earth is taking forever to fill out, and as she races to ensure that every signature is in place Katie collapses in agony. Just as Katie is being rushed to the hospital, however, Sarah secures her passage to Earth and makes good on her promise to attend at the party. Upon returning to heaven, however, Sarah witnesses a sight that prompts her to pray as never before. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide