Michael Pataki Movies
American actor Michael Pataki's first film credit was 1958's Ten North Frederick. In the early phases of his career, Pataki was reminiscent of a young Rod Steiger; in point of fact, he played the 25-year-old version of the Steiger character in the made-for-TV The Movie Maker (1965). His later television work included the weekly series Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers (1974), as Sand's brother Charlie; Spider-Man (1977), as Captain Barbera; and Phyl and Micky (1980), as Soviet consular official Vladimir Jimenko. The Slavic nature of the last-named role was typical of the sort of characters Pataki played in the 1980s, which included Nikoli Koloff in Rocky IV (1985) and Rocky V (1990). Additionally, Pataki is among those lucky thespians who played guest spots on both the original Star Trek and its 1987 grandchild Star Trek: The Next Generation. On the production side, Pataki was director of the soft-core sex farce Cinderella and the low-budget scarefest Mansion of the Doomed (both 1977), and served as producer of the 1981 TV adaptation of Broadway's Pippin. More recently, Michael Pataki was heard as "The Sewer King" on the animated TVer Batman: The New Adventures (1992). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1958
Ten North Frederick is a generally satisfying adaptation of one of John O'Hara's weaker novels. Gary Cooper plays wealthy businessman Joe Chapin, whose politically ambitious wife Edith (Geraldine Fitzgerald) hopes to ramrod into the White House. To this end, Edith donates tons of money to the party of her choice and forces Joe into a maelstrom of power meetings and high-profile social engagements. Threatening to upset Edith's plans is her daughter Ann (Diane Varsi), who insists upon conducting a romance with an "undesirable" musician. Joe buys off Ann's boyfriend, thereby alienating his daughter. Soon Joe's chickens come home to roost when a rival politician makes public Ann's indiscretions. Adding insult to injury, Edith lets her husband know about her many extramarital affairs. In hoping to win back his daughter's affections, Joe falls in love with Ann's roomate Kate Drummond (Suzy Parker). Finding true happiness and contentment for the first time in his life, Joe is denied even this balm when he becomes mortally ill. Gary Cooper makes a valiant effort at playing a more complex individual than he was accustomed to, succeeding about 75 percent of the time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Cooper, Diane Varsi, (more)
Though several concessions to the censors and the box-office were made in adapting Irwin Shaw's bestseller The Young Lions to the screen, the end result is generally effective and satisfying. Set during World War 2, the film concentrates on three individuals, one German, two American. Marlon Brando plays an idealistic German whose early fascination with Nazism leads to doubt and disillusionment. American entertainer Dean Martin, on the verge of the Big Time, does his best to dodge the draft but ends up in uniform all the same. And American Jew Montgomery Clift, so sensitive that he's practically breakable, must come to grips with anti-Semitism, not only from the Germans but also from his fellow soldiers. Romance enters the picture in the form of Hope Lange as Clift's gentile girlfrind, Barbara Rush as the socialite who shames Martin into joining up, and May Britt as Brando's vis-a-vis. Screenwriter Edward Anhalt was obliged to shoehorn in a boot-camp sequence indicating that the Brass disapproved of the bigoted behavior of Clift's topkick Lee van Cleef (as if racism was a mere aberration during the 1940s), and to "slightly" alter the ending of the book, in which the embittered but still patriotic Brando character, shouting "Welcome to Germany!," machine-guns the Martin and Clift characters (in the film, it is Brando who bites the dust, symbolically dying for Hitler's sins). Maximillian Schell offers a starmaking turn as Brando's cynical comrade, while an uncredited John Banner, "Sergeant Schultz" on Hogan's Heroes, shows up as a pompous burgomeister who feigns ignorance of the hellish concentration camp in his community. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, (more)
- 1961
In the last days of WWII, "90-day wonder" Lieutenant Katell (Dean Stockwell) takes charge of a battle-weary American squadron somewhere in the Pacific Theater. With the arrogance of inexperience, Katell demands that Sgt. Causarano (Albert Salmi) lead an attack against a group of wounded and dispirited Japanese soldiers -- "They are the enemy! First day of the war or the last day of the war!" But a sudden wrinkle in time causes Lt. Katell -- or should we say "Lt. Yamuri" -- to experience an epiphany. Future Star Trek stalwart Leonard Nimoy plays a small role as a radio operator. Scripted by Rod Serling from an idea by Sam Rolfe (Have Gun, Will Travel, Man from U.N.C.L.E. et al.), "A Quality of Mercy" was Twilight Zone's Yuletide offering for the 1961-62 season, making its first appearance on December 29, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Stockwell, Albert Salmi, (more)
- 1963
Following orders, Saunders (Vic Morrow) and his men are forced to stand aside and do nothing when a group of accused Nazi collaborators are summarily executed in a recently liberated French village. Among the condemned is the father of Marie Marchand (Marisa Pavan),who after witnessing the execution becomes hysterical and runs off into the countryside. When it is belatedly proven that Marie's father was innocent, Saunders is assigned to bring her back--not to make amends, but because the girl knows the location of a German tank emplacement. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Mrs. Brown's abominable violin playing causes a short-circuit in Martin's system--and before long, Martin (Ray Walston) is turning transparent every time his landlady hits a sour note. It turns out, however, that the fault is with the instrument, and not the musician. Now Martin must figure out a way to help violin maker Pop Amalfi (Ernest Sarracino) improve his product without revealing his overworldy "interference". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Nelson (Richard Basehart) is conducting Brynov (Edward Asner), the ex-premier of a hostile country, to safety when the escape is detected. The boat they're aboard is blown up and the two, along with a handful of other survivors, end up stranded on a life raft in mid-ocean. With both the Seaview and enemy vessels hunting for them, and a potential traitor in their midst, the admiral discovers precisely how Brynov managed to secure and hold onto power. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The bell of Convent San Tanco is broken, and the nuns are in desperate need of a quick substitute. The enterprising Sr. Bertrille tries to talk casino owner Carlos into helping her recover the convent's original, 200-year-old bell which currently rests on the ocean floor! Carlos' girlfriend du jour is played by future soap opera diva Louise Sorel. Written by Max Wylie and series producer Harry Ackerman, "A Bell for San Tanco" was originally telecast on September 28, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The first season of Mission: Impossible came to a close with the April 22, 1967 episode "The Psychic." Some valuable NATO secrets have been appropriated in a hostile corporate takeover by ruthless industrialist Alex Lowell (Barry Sullivan). The IMF heads to South America, where Lowell has relocated in hopes of selling the documents to the highest bidder. With Cinammon posing as a psychic, the other IMF agents lure Lowell into a cleverly rigged high-stakes poker game. Written by William Read Woodfield and Allan Baltar, "The Psychic" marked Steven Hill's final appearance as IMF head Dan Briggs.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Hill, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1968
To keep a bunch of gangsters from taking over his business, Carlos Ramirez transfers the ownership of his casino to the nuns of Convent San Tanco. Carlos' reasoning is thus: The crooks won't bother the nuns, and he'll be able to sit by in safety and comfort as the sisters solve his present dilemma. Of course, leave it to Sr. Bertrille to figure out Carlos' strategy and to teach him a lesson. Bruce Gordon, best known for his portrayal of Frank Nitti on the original The Untouchables TV series, here spoofs his former image in the role of Morgan. First broadcast on January 18, 1968, "The Hot Spell" was written by James Henerson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Ever anxious to pounce upon potential lawbreakers, Police Captain Fomento installs parking meters near Convent San Tanco. When the meters yield an abundance of marked coins previously in his possession, Fomento suspects the nuns of ripping him off. "Slightly Hot Parking Meters" was written by Elroy Schwartz and directed by Claudio Guzman, both veterans of another fanciful Screen Gems sitcom, I Dream of Jeannie. The episode first aired on December 12, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Tossing wristwatches away, two bikers hit the road to find America in Dennis Hopper's anti-establishment classic. After a major cocaine sale to an L.A. connection (Phil Spector), free-wheeling potheads Billy (Hopper) and Wyatt, aka Captain America (Peter Fonda, who also produced), motor eastward to party at Mardi Gras before "retiring" to Florida with the riches concealed in Wyatt's stars-and-stripes gas tank. As they ride through the Southwest, they take a hitchhiker (Luke Askew) to a struggling hippie commune before they get thrown in a small-town jail for "parading without a permit." Their cellmate, drunken ACLU lawyer George Hanson (Jack Nicholson, replacing Rip Torn), does them a "groovy" favor by getting them out of jail and then decides to join them. Babbling about Venusians, George discovers the joys of smoking grass, but an encounter with Southern rednecks soon proves how right he is about the danger posed by Billy's and Wyatt's unfettered life in a country that has lost its ideals. With the straight world closing in, Wyatt and Billy try to revel in New Orleans with some LSD and hookers (Karen Black and Toni Basil), but the acid trip is shot through with morbidity. Once they reach Florida, Billy raves about attaining the American dream; Wyatt, however, knows the truth: "We blew it."
Produced and directed by two Hollywood iconoclasts with under a half-million non-studio dollars, Easy Rider shook up the languishing movie industry when it grossed over 19 million dollars in 1969; it captured the spirit of the times as it woke Hollywood up to the power of young audiences and socially relevant movies, along with such other landmarks of the late '60s as Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate, and 2001. Shot on location by Laszlo Kovacs, Easy Rider eschewed old-fashioned Hollywood polish for documentary-style immediacy, and it enhanced its casual feel with improvised dialogue and realistically "stoned" acting. With a soundtrack of contemporary rock songs by Jimi Hendrix, the Band, and Steppenwolf to complete the atmosphere, Easy Rider was hailed for capturing the increasingly violent Vietnam-era split between the counterculture and the repressive Establishment. Experiencing the "shock of recognition," youth audiences embraced Easy Rider's vision of both the attractions and the limits of dropping out, proving that audience's box-office power and turning Nicholson into a movie star. The momentarily hip Academy nominated Nicholson for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, and Fonda, Hopper, and Terry Southern for their screenplay. Though none of its imitators would match its impact, Easy Rider remains one of the seminal works of late '60s Hollywood both for its trailblazing legacy and its sharply perceptive portrait of its chaotic times. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
Produced and directed by two Hollywood iconoclasts with under a half-million non-studio dollars, Easy Rider shook up the languishing movie industry when it grossed over 19 million dollars in 1969; it captured the spirit of the times as it woke Hollywood up to the power of young audiences and socially relevant movies, along with such other landmarks of the late '60s as Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate, and 2001. Shot on location by Laszlo Kovacs, Easy Rider eschewed old-fashioned Hollywood polish for documentary-style immediacy, and it enhanced its casual feel with improvised dialogue and realistically "stoned" acting. With a soundtrack of contemporary rock songs by Jimi Hendrix, the Band, and Steppenwolf to complete the atmosphere, Easy Rider was hailed for capturing the increasingly violent Vietnam-era split between the counterculture and the repressive Establishment. Experiencing the "shock of recognition," youth audiences embraced Easy Rider's vision of both the attractions and the limits of dropping out, proving that audience's box-office power and turning Nicholson into a movie star. The momentarily hip Academy nominated Nicholson for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, and Fonda, Hopper, and Terry Southern for their screenplay. Though none of its imitators would match its impact, Easy Rider remains one of the seminal works of late '60s Hollywood both for its trailblazing legacy and its sharply perceptive portrait of its chaotic times. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, (more)
- 1969
- R
In this action film, a racer of three-wheeled motorcycles meets another rider during a weekend competition and finds himself the object of his rival's girlfriend's attention. He rejects her and she retaliates by telling her boyfriend that the hero raped her. In return, the rival and his pals beat up the hero and rape and kill his fiancee. As soon as the hero heals from the beating he avenges her wrongful death. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ross Hagen, Diane McBain, (more)
- 1969
The title character in this episode of The Flying Nun is a light-fingered monkey. When valuable items turn up missing, Police Captain Fomento suspects the nuns of Convent San Tanco. Unaware of the simian's larcenous streak, the nuns think that Sr. Bertrille is the thief. First telecast on February 20, 1969, "The Kleptomaniac" was written by Sam Locke and Joel M. Rapp, and directed by radio's former "Henry Aldrich", Ezra Stone. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
The nuns in general and Sr. Bertrille in particular offer to substitute for popular advice columnist "Dear Aggie." In attempting to solve the problems mailed in by one of her readers, Sr. Bertrille manages to neatly mess up the romantic life of one of Carlos' friends. Featured in the cast are Henry Corden as Ricky Moreles, Mike Pataki as Roberto and Anita Rich as Margareta. Written by Leo Rifkin, "Dear Aggie" was originally telecast on December 31, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Convinced that the nuns of San Tanco don't like him anymore, Carlos vows to turn over a new leaf. His sudden and baffling change in personality-and wardrobe-not only confuses the sisters, but also perplexes his new girlfriend Regina (Sandra Smith). Sr. Bertrille sets about to restore the "old" Carlos-then finds out the actual reason for his epiphany. Originally shown on December 17, 1969, "The New Carlos" was written by Michael Morris. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Series regular Alejandro Rey once more essays the dual role of dapper casino owner Carlos Ramirez and Carlos' monumentally inept lookalike cousin Luis. Hoping to build up Luis' confidence, Sr. Bertrille casts him as Christopher Columbus in an upcoming convent pageant. And that's her first mistake! First telecast on January 30, 1970 (what, not on Columbus Day??), "Hello Columbus" was written by Arnold Horwitt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
- R
A desert location becomes terrifying as a motorcycle gang disturbs a film crew working there. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1971
- PG
Lonely vampire Count Yorga and his bloodthirsty cohorts begin living in a ramshackle mansion located near an orphanage. This slightly fang-in-cheek horror film chronicles what happens when the Count falls in love with a toothsome young woman and tries to make her his bride. Fortunately for her, her boy friend has other ideas. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1971
- R
In this colorful outing, a band of transvestites hop on their Harleys and head for Los Angeles. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1972
- R
The Brute Corps is an alternate title for the no-budget cycle flick The Dirt Gang. Leather jacketed punks Monk (Paul Carr) and Snake (Michael Pataki) raise hell with motorists and innocent bystanders. When they're tired of all that, they take on each other. Let's just say that "Dirt Gang" is an appropriate moniker. If you happen across this American-International potboiler, keep an eye out for ex-Bowery Boy William Benedict as a gas station attendant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
John Vernon, usually cast as a corrupt prison warden, plays a sympathetic (by default!) role in this episode. Escaping from Federal custody, second-echelon mobster Mike Durgom (Vernon) quickly learns that crime boss Nelson Wayland (Gene Lyons) has ordered him killed to keep him from testifying at Wayland's trial. The rest of the episode finds Durgom on the lam from both Wayland and the FBI--in other words, between the proverbial Rock and Hard Place. This is the final offering of The F.B.I.'s seventh season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This dark, violent British production stars Michael Pataki as a brutish vampire apparently lacking in Dracula's powers of seduction, since he finds it necessary to brutally rape a young woman (Kitty Vallacher) in order to sire a child. The product of this unholy mating is a half-human, half-vampire baby boy, bottle-fed on the blood of his now-insane mother (a truly sickening sight) until her eventual death from anemia. Later as a young man, the son (William Smith) is able to spend short periods in daylight, and his bloodlust is considerably lesser than that of his father. Tormented nevertheless by his evil condition, he curses his bloodline and defies his vampire heritage, tracking his father down to the university where he teaches occult sciences. Aside from Pataki's coarse but imposing performance, this low-budget film is a fairly routine genre entry, but the climactic, bloody duel between father and son vampires is quite gripping. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Anna Kosovo (Kathleen Widdoes), a friend of Ben Cartwright, has good reason to be terrified of her antagonistic immigrant husband Nick (Michael Pataki). Trapped in her own house by her husband, Anna-and her young son-must rely upon Ben to rescue them. Written by Preston Wood and Karl Tunberg, this episode is climaxed by a prolonged and tension-filled gunfight. "Frenzy" first aired on January 30, 1972-coincidentally just before the release of the otherwise unrelated Alfred Hitchcock theatrical feature Frenzy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1972
TV-movie perennial Ted Post served as director for the low-budget theatrical feature The Baby. Ruth Roman plays a boozy nutcase who, out of hatred for the husband who ran out on her years earlier, forces her teenaged son (David Manzy) to dress and behave like an infant. Social worker Ann Gentry (Anjanette Comer), understandably put off by the sight of a fully grown boy chewing on his toes in a playpen, sets about to rescue him. When sinister forces try to claim the "baby" from Ann, she resorts to murder. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
