Leo Penn Movies

While trying to keep the disowned nephew of a slain millionaire out of prison, America's wiliest Southern lawyer stumbles upon clues to an additional pair of murders. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this episode of the series, defense attorney Cromwell thinks that the bizarrely murdered members of an investment club were killed for money. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In 1978, an East German waiter used a toy gun to hijack a Polish airliner heading for East Berlin and forced the pilot to land at an American Air Force base in West Germany. The best-selling book about the ensuing trial of the hijacker -- written by the presiding judge, Herbert J. Stern -- is given film treatment by director Leo Penn. The back story involves a West German contractor working both sides of Germany, who has fallen in love with a woman from East Berlin. The contractor arranges for the woman, her daughter and another man (Heinz Hoenig), who has children living in West Germany, to meet him in Gdansk, Poland, where he will give them false documents allowing them to get into West Germany. When the contractor is arrested, they must make other plans. Sneaking a toy gun on an airplane bound for East Germany, the man compels the pilot to steer the plane to West Germany, where he hopes to seek asylum and see his children. But this is the first time a hijacker has sought asylum in the west and it sets off a political firestorm. The American and West Germany governments have signed an international accord to prevent skyjackings and the Soviet government is pressuring them to prosecute the hijackers to the fullest extent of the law. The United States Justice Department wants a quick trial and hires a tough judge (Martin Sheen), who, they think, will prosecute the case swiftly and be done with it. However, the judge is more than the authorities have bargained for -- he wants the defendants to be given a fair trial and all of the rights guaranteed to them under the Constitution. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

In part one of this two-part episode, Matlock raises eyebrows when he defends a paroled crime lord who was charged with murdering the man who framed him. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this socially conscious drama, an ex-con meets constant opposition from avaricious land owners who want the land on which he has set up a ranch-style juvenile correctional facility. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Marcia Strassman (Welcome Back, Kotter) guest stars as Karen Harmon, a military nurse whom Magnum had known in Vietnam. Now a full-fledged doctor, Karen has been accused of poisoning three of her patients. Naturally, Magnum is anxious to clear her name--but neither Karen nor her husband want him to get involved in the case. Watch for a young Christopher Penn, the son of "Heal Thyself" director Leo Penn, in a pivotal role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A couple find the body of a detective in their apartment, and follow the trail of his killer to Nashville. The film is also known as Country Music Murders. ~ John Bush, Rovi

The Conspirators was one of four Columbo feature-length TV specials irregularly scheduled during the 1977-1978 TV season. The titular conspirators are Irish political terrorists, funded by Americans. Clive Revill is an Irish poet who murders an arms dealer (Bernard Behrens) while the poet is gunrunning to his compatriots in Ireland. The murderer is certain that he's thoroughly covered her tracks--until Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk) shambles onto the scene. Columbo: The Conspirators was filmed at a time when Peter Falk was insisting that he would hang up the lieutenant's raincoat for good; no way. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Sixth and Main is the Los Angeles street corner where on any given day you might find itinerant local "character" John Doe (Leslie Nielsen). Elegant authoress Monica (Beverly Garland) discovers that the supposedly derelict Doe has in his possession several manuscripts, all brilliantly written. John Doe had once been a high-priced screenwriter, but dropped out when he got sick of playing the Hollywood game. When Monica announces that she wants to "rediscover" him, he fakes his own death and disappears. This independently produced seriocomedy is buoyed by character vignettes from a variety of "underbelly" LA types, ranging from bitter junkies to philosophical quadriplegics.. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The inaugural presentation of the syndicated "Operation Prime Time" anthology, the three-part, six-hour miniseries Testimony of Two Men was based on the 1968 best-seller by Taylor Caldwell; it originally aired in three separate two-hour installments. Sprawled over the course of several generations following the Civil War, this epic begins in 1865. It covers the saga of idealistic, straight-arrow Pennsylvania surgeon Jonathan Ferrier (David Birney) and his irresponsible, hot-headed and slightly effeminate younger brother Harald (David Huffman). The Ferrier boys battle over professional ethics (Jonathan campaigns for medical reforms, Harald is interested only a quick financial turnover) and personal peccadilloes. The drama heats up when the philandering wife of one of the Ferriers is charged with murder, precipating a scandal that threatens to rock the medical profession to its foundations. In the climax, a group of envious physicians try to destroy Jonathan when he lobbies for antiseptic operating conditions--and the truth comes out about Harald's dalliance with Jonathan's late wife. Made available for syndication in May of 1977, Testimony of Two Men was seen in most markets on May 9, 16 and 23. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Ingalls children are left in the care of Mr. Edwards (Victor French) when Charles (Michael Landon) takes Caroline (Karen Grassle) on a second honeymoon in the city. Alas, Caroline has no fun at all, worrying as she does about leaving her daughters in the hands of an inexperienced adult. And back in Walnut Grove, Edwards soon learns that there is more to being a "parent" than just having good intentions. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A particularly vicious gang is using heroin to lure young women into prostitution. Investigating this sordid business, a prominent TV reporter is murdered by the criminals. The only hope Kojak (Telly Savalas) to smash the ring and avenge the unfortunate reporter is in the hands of Audrey Norris (Tina Louise), a strung-out hooker whose roommate has also been bumped off. This episode was directed by Leo Penn, the father of actors Sean Penn and Christopher Penn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi