Don Reid Movies
In the wake of their surprise hit Malcolm, Australian screenwriter/photographer David Parker and director Nadia Tass concocted an equally delightful follow-up, Rikky & Pete. Rikky (Nina Landis) and her brother Pete (Stephen Kearney), feeling like misfits in their hometown (as indeed they are), head for a remote mining community. Here it is hoped that Rikky will at last discern her direction in life, and that Pete can work on his Rube Goldberg-ish inventions in peace. Well, now, if everything went as planned, there wouldn't be any movie, would there? Not quite as fresh and spontaneous as Malcolm, Rikky and Pete still possesses an eccentric charm all its own. Be advised, however, that the film is rated R, and may not be altogether appropriate for kids. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Stephen Kearney, Nina Landis, (more)
Woody Allen's gentle and nostalgic tribute to the glory days of radio and coming-of-age during World War II plays like Fellini's Amarcord filtered through Neil Simon. The nominal star is Seth Green as Joe, a teenage Jewish boy, growing up with a house full of relatives in Brooklyn. Allen cuts between Joe's working class neighborhood of Rockaway Beach, Queens, and the glittery and glamorous world of radio in Manhattan. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mia Farrow, Seth Green, (more)
- 1983
Phar Lap, the legendary New Zealand-bred racing horse, is as well-known today for his mysterious death as for his fabulous accomplishments in life. Beginning at the end, the film flashes back to the day that Phar Lap, despite his lack of pedigree, is purchased on impulse by trainer Harry Telford (Martin Vaughan). Phar Lap loses his first races, but Telford's faith in the animal is unshakable. Suddenly the horse becomes a winner, thanks to the love and diligence of stableboy Tommy Woodcock (Tom Burlinson). American-promoter Dave Davis (Ron Leibman) arranges for Phar Lap to be entered in several top races, where his "long shot" status results in heavy losses for the professional gamblers. Just after winning an important race in Mexico, Phar Lap collapse and dies; though the film never comes out and says as much, it is assumed that the horse was "murdered" by the gambling interests. The film is based on a book by Michael Wilkinson. The real-life Tommy Woodcock appears in the film as an elderly trainer. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tom Burlinson, Martin Vaughan, (more)
- 1982
- R
Based on John Embling's book Tom, the Australian Fighting Back is set in a hellhole of a slum school. Most of the teachers have given up on the "unreachable" students. Not so idealistic John (Lewis Fitz-Gerald), who channels all his energies into elevating the intelligence and self-confidence of unruly 13-year-old Tom (Paul Smith). The latter actor is so good that it's hard to believe that Fighting Back was his first film. This sincerely-intentioned drama should not be confused with the like-vintage American actioner Fighting Back (aka Death Vengeance). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Paul L. Smith, (more)
- 1980
In this made-for-TV "roman a clef", Joe Don Baker stars as Tommy Vanda, a Hoffa-esque labor leader. Told in flashback, the film recounts Vanda's humble beginnings on the Chicago docks, where he gains fame and notoreity amongst his coworkers and his bosses by spearheading a wildcat strike. Rising to top dog of the Cartage Union, Tommy doesn't care whon he has to crush on the way up the ladder. Inevitably, Tommy's peccadilloes catch up with him, resulting in federal charges, an arrest, and (remember who he's supposed to be) a mysterious disappearance in the night. Written by Ernest Tidyman of The French Connection fame, Power was telecast in two two-hour installments by NBC on January 14 and 15, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1979
Peforming an autopsy at the request of a grieving family, Quincy concludes that a 17-year-old girl died in a botched abortion. Further evidence indicates that Ronald Shafer (John Dehner), the doctor who performed the surgery, was drunk at the time. But in his efforts to learn all the fact, Quincy is stymied by Shafer's colleagues and friends, who form a protective wall of silence around the veteran surgeon. The supporting cast includes two TV-series favorites from the 1960s, Anne Francis (Honey West) and June Lockhart (Lassie, Lost in Space). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1978
Because He's My Friend was directed for Australian television by American TV veteran Ralph Nelson. Karen Black and Keir Dullea play the parents of a mentally retarded teenager (superbly played by Warwick Poulson). The boy's condition effects the marriage both adversely and positively. The film takes on a happier aura when a normal teenager becomes the handicapped boy's close friend. Because He's My Friend is an effective companion piece to the like-vintage Australian TV movie Tim, as well as the 1977 ABC Afterschool Special presentation Hewitt's Just Different. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1977
Though not readily apparent, Flight to Holocaust is the feature-length pilot film for a potential TV series. Crashing into the side of a high-rise building, an airplane is precariously wedged in the structure's 20th floor. Dispatched to rescue the survivors are a team of acrobatic troubleshooters, played by female circus performer Fawne Harriman and combat veterans Chris Mitchum, Patrick Wayne, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Paul Williams. As can be gathered by a perusal of the cast list, the film's gimmick was the presence of three second-generation Hollywood stars. After the initial telecast of Flight to Holocaust on March 27, 1977, NBC invited viewers to mail in their opinions of the film. Evidently the verdict was unanimous, since no weekly series resulted. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1977
- Add Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1977 to Queue Add Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1977 to top of Queue
Country-music legend Johnny Cash is joined on-stage by friends and family for this musical holiday celebration. Along with Christmas favorites performed by the likes of June Carter Cash and The Statler Brothers, The Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1977 feature a rendition of "This Train Is Bound for Glory" by The Man in Black with Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison Carl Perkins in memory of the late Elvis Presley. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- Starring:
- Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, (more)
This musical documentary of Jesus's life, filmed mostly in Israel, takes a nondenominational but conservative religious approach to the story. Johnny Cash and Larry Murray wrote the script, and the film was produced by June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash. The music includes songs by John Denver, Kris Kristofferson, Joe South, and Christopher Wren. However, most of the singing, and all of the narration is Cash's. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Starring:
- Robert Elfstrom, Johnny Cash, (more)
- 1973
"Nightfall" is the code name of a widespread terrorist attack planned by a secret organization called the Pendulum. The IMF must learn the nature of the attack, and also bring down Pendulum leader Gunnar Malstrom (Dean Stockwell). As an interesting change of pace, the viewer is given far more plot information than the IMF in the course of the story. Written by Calvin Clements Jr. and originally telecast on February 22, 1973, "The Pendulum" was the last Mission:Impossible episode to be filmed, though not the last to be aired. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1970
Apparently Carl Betz had no immediate offers after wrapping up the TV series Judd for the Defense. Thus it was that Betz scurried off to the Mysterious East to film the modestly budgeted actioner That Lady From Peking. The "maguffin" in this one is a potentially explosive tell-all diary. Betz isn't the only one looking for this item; leading lady Nancy Kwan and a few less attractive, more disreputable types are also on the trail. Featured in the cast are onetime teen singing idol Bobby Rydell and perennial comic foil Sid Melton. That Lady From Peking was directed by Eddie Davis, who cut his teeth on such low-cost 1950s TV series as Highway Patrol and Sea Hunt. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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