Edwin Richfield Movies
- 1955
Less than a month after the release of 20th Century-Fox's The Racers, Lippert Productions picked up the American distribution rights for the British A Race for Life. Richard Conte stars as Peter Wells, a onetime champion race-car driver whose career was interrupted by the war. Linking up with an Italian racing team, Wells hope to stage a comeback, while his wife Pat (Mari Aldon) wishes that he'd give up his dangerous profession. Pat finally walks out on her husband, but has a change of heart when he enters the prestigious Grand Prix. Much of A Race for Life is comprised of thrilling genuine race-car footage, culled from various English and European newsreels and documentaries. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Conte, Mari Aldon, (more)
- 1957
The always reliable Griffith Jones is afforded the leading role in the British Account Rendered. Jones plays a victim of circumstance, accused of murdering his wife Ursula Howells. With the police breathing down his neck, Jones endeavors to prove his innocence. He is aided in this effort by the lovely Honor Blackman ("Pussy Galore" in Goldfinger and the first female star of the long-running TVer The Avengers). Account Rendered is based on a novel by Pamela Barrington. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Steed is held on suspicion when several secrets are smuggled out of a tightly secured communications facility. While Steed is under "house arrest" at the luxurious digs of his superior Mother (Patrick Newell, making his series debut), Tara tries to trap the real traitor. She is "assisted" by an incredibly incompetent operative named Watney (Dinsdale Landen). Written by Leigh Vance, "All Done with Mirrors" first aired in England on November 13, 1968, and in America on December 2 of that year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Macnee, Linda Thorson, (more)
- 1967
Steed and Emma attend an auto rally where they participate in a car treasure hunt. But it isn't all fun and games: our hero and heroine are searching for a valuable object, hidden in one of the cars by a murdreed agent. This is the one with the deadly "thrill-ride" sequence, with Emma as the unwilling participant. Written by Michael Winder, "Dead Man's Treasure" originally aired in England on October 21, 1967; its American debut followed on March 13, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg
- 1961
Treating a girl who has ostensibly attempted to jump into the Thames, Dr. Keel discovers that the girl is not the person who was reported to have jumped. Hoping to determine the girl's true identity, Keel and Carol Wilson follow the trail of clues to an East European circus. Figuring largely in the proceedings is one Zibbo the Clown (Kenneth J. Warren), whose jolly face belies his sinister intentions. One of the few Avengers episodes not to feature Patrick Macnee as John Steed, "Girl on the Trapeze" was written by Dennis Spooner and originally aired live on February 11, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
The title refers to a terrifyingly efficient team of professional assassins. Headquartered on the Riviera, the killers welcome a new member to their fold -- John Steed. But despair not, Avengers fans: Steed is merely trying to catch the villains "in the act." Unfortunately, Steed's assistant Venus Smith (Julie Stevens) misunderstands the situation, thereby putting both her life and Steed's in jeopardy. Originally broadcast November 3, 1962, "The Removal Men" was written by Roger Marshall and Jeremy Scott. The episode remained unseen in America until February 1, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
How could anyone steal a huge albino elephant? To solve the mystery, Cathy poses as a hunter and pays a visit to Noah's Arc, a game preserve specializing in supplying animals to zoos. Meanwhile, Steed picks up a few stray clues, including a most unusual pair of handcuffs. Written by John Lucarotti, "The White Elephant" was originally broadcast in England on January 4, 1964; it made its American cable TV debut over 27 years later, on March 22, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Originally (and appropriately) telecast in England on December 25, 1965, this episode was written by Tony Williamson. Plagued by terrible nightmares which seem to be coming true, a rattled Steed asks Emma to accompany him to a Christmas party. Hosting the festivities is Brandon Storey (Mervyn Johns), a collector of Dickens first editions. It soon develops that Storey may be in league with a villainous group of telepaths who have been causing Steed's horrible dreams -- and who intend to kill our hero in order to pry certain valuable secrets from his subconscious. Curiously, the American debut of "Too Many Christmas Trees" took place on August 11, 1966, several months shy of the titular holiday. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1955
The British-filmed The Blue Peter was released in the US under the title Navy Heroes. This was an oblique reference to the protagonist, a wartime hero played by Kieron Moore. Disoriented and aimless after the war, Moore accepts a job as a physical trainer at a school for boys. In helping these kids find their proper niche in society, Moore helps himself to find his own ultimate purpose in life. Filmed in color, The Blue Peter scores best in its exterior scenes, wherein we see the salutary results of Moore's tough but compassionate training methods. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
In this children's movie some kids work to recondition an abused cow. With love and patience they restore it to health, protect it from the wicked rustlers, and enter it in a dairy show. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1963
In this British crime drama, bank robbers accidently detonate a bomb left over from WW II while tunneling into a bank vault. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
John Hurt plays the British jockey Bob Champion in this true story of how Champion overcame cancer and the rigors of chemotherapy for an impressive personal and professional comeback. Just as Champion is in the middle of a vacation in Kentucky, he finds out he has cancer, and, like others before him, submits to the full, painful treatments of multiple injections and radiation, suffering as much or more from the cure as from the illness (these treatments are graphic). Gaunt and nauseous, Champion also endures realistic meetings with his doctors that hold forth no guarantee of a cure. His eventual remission leads to yet another grueling physical schedule to get him back into shape for the Grand National Steeplechase -- a 30-fence, well-publicized race that offers difficult hurdles for both the horses and their jockeys. If the 115-minutes running time of this film were cut in places, it would create a better, trim and slim, fast-paced telling of an even more focused tale. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Hurt, Edward Woodward, (more)
- 1953
The British Conflict of Wings was also released as Fuss over Feathers: Both titles are applicable, but only the second title captures the mood of the proceedings. The story takes plays in a Norfolk-country village, where the populace is up in arms over the announcement that the RAF plans to build a target range. It seems that the village is the site for a bird sanctuary that was allegedly established 400 years earlier by King Henry VIII. Faced with an intractable government and an equally unsympathetic bureaucracy, the villages decide to resolve matters in their own inimitable way. Commendably, the RAF is not cast as the villain of the piece: both sides are well represented in the argument, though audience sympathy understandably leans in the direction of the bird-huggers. Conflict Over Wings was adapted by Don Sharp from his own novel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Gregson, Muriel Pavlow, (more)
- 1954
The Devil's Harbor is a second-string British melodrama starring American film vet Richard Arlen. Arlen is the captain of a small boat that is commandeered by narcotics smugglers. Though he himself is ignorant of the drug traffic, Arlen is hounded by an insurance investigator (Donald Huston). The skipper and the detective team up to track down the crooks who, much to the investigator's discomfort, turn out to have powerful allies in his own insurance company. Devil's Harbor was issued in the states by 20th Century-Fox, in order to free up some of the studio's "frozen funds" in England. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Arlen, Greta Gynt, (more)
- 1972
Making its debut on February 26, 1972, the six-part Doctor Who story "The Sea Devils" is a sequel to the seventh-season adventure "Dr. Who and the Silurians." Though he has finally been thrown in prison by the Doctor (Jon Pertwee), the renegade time lord the Master (Roger Delgado) is still very much a threat to the well-being of the universe. Having effectively taken over the prison, the Master sets in motion his plan to conquer the world, with the help of some sea-dwelling "cousins" of the reptile-like Silurian race. "The Sea Devils, Episode 1" was written by Malcolm Hulke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1972
In the second episode of the six-part story "The Sea Devils," the Master (Roger Delgado) has broken out of prison and headed out to the high seas. Here he hopes to summon a race of bipedal earth reptiles called the Sea Devils. The Doctor (Jon Pertwee) must prevent these creatures from helping the Master eliminate all human life on earth -- though, at present, he isn't quite sure what is going on beneath the waves. Originally shown on March 4, 1972, "The Sea Devils, Episode 2" was written by Malcolm Hulke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1972
In the third episode of the six-part story "The Sea Devils," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) have been called in to investigate the disappearances of several military vessels on the high seas. It isn't long before both of the time travelers are attacked by the Sea Devils, a race of bipedal earth reptiles who have been summoned from the depths by the Master (Roger Delgado) in his latest bid to destroy the human race. Much of this episode was filmed on location, with full cooperation from the Royal Navy. Originally shown on March 11, 1972, "The Sea Devils, Episode 3" was written by Malcolm Hulke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1972
In the fourth episode of the six-part story "The Sea Devils," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) tries to "reach" the title characters, a race of bipedal earth reptiles. Knowing that the Master (Roger Delgado) intends to use the Sea Devils to wipe out all mankind, the Doctor attempts to appeal to the creatures' better nature and advanced intelligence -- just as he'd previously done with the Devils' distant relations, the Silurians. But negotiations quickly break down, and the earth is once more plunged into peril. Originally shown on March 18, 1972, "The Sea Devils, Episode 4" was written by Malcolm Hulke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1972
In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Sea Devils," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) realizes he will never be able to negotiate a truce between the British Navy and the reptilian Sea Devils as long as the Master (Roger Delgado) is stirring up hostilities. Things become even hairier when the Master develops a machine that will enable the Sea Devils to win their battle at sea and to wipe out all mankind. With no other alternative, the Doctor and the Master square off in a fight to the finish. Originally shown on March 25, 1972, "The Sea Devils, Episode 4" was written by Malcolm Hulke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1972
In the conclusion of the six-part story "The Sea Devils," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) has apparently smashed the efforts by the reptilian Sea Devils to destroy mankind. This, however, does not entirely eliminate the perpetrator of the present crisis, the Doctor's old nemesis the Master (Roger Delgado). Nor is the Doctor able to prevent mankind from getting itself into future scrapes of this nature! Originally shown on March 25, 1972, "The Sea Devils, Episode 4" was written by Malcolm Hulke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1984
Colin Baker -- green shoes, orange spats, striped trousers, and all -- steps into the role of the newly regenerated Doctor in the four-part adventure "The Twin Dilemma." In order to accustom himself to his new body, the Doctor hopes to take a brief sabbatical. This, alas, is not to be, as both the Doctor and his companion, Peri (Nicola Bryant) find themselves at the mercy of yet another dangerous adversary. Written by Antony Steven, Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma, Episode 1 was originally telecast on March 22, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, (more)
- 1984
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Twin Dilemma," the Doctor (Colin Baker), not yet accustomed to his new body, briefly goes into exile on a tiny moon, accompanied by his friend, Peri (Nicola Bryant). No sooner have they arrived than they find themselves at the mercy of a gang of intagalactic kidnappers, who have also snatched twin mathematical geniuses Romulus and Remus Sylvest (Gavin and Andrew Conrad). And wait until the Doctor confronts the (literally) slimy leader of the gang. Written by Antony Steven, Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma, Episode 2 was originally telecast on March 23, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, (more)
- 1984
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Twin Dilemma," the Doctor (Colin Baker) and Peri (Nicola Bryant) have been abducted by the giant slug Mestor (Edwin Richfield), who has also kidnapped twin mathematicians Romulus and Remus Sylvest (Gavin and Andrew Conrad). Mestor intends to force the twins to help him unleash millions of deadly Gastropod eggs upon the Universe -- and, of course, the Doctor and Peri must be killed in the process. Written by Antony Steven, Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma, Episode 3 was originally telecast on March 29, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, (more)
- 1984
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Twin Dilemma," the Doctor (Colin Baker) must prevent the giant slug Mestor (Edwin Richfield) from polluting the universe with millions of Gastropod eggs. But will the Doctor; his companion, Peri (Nicola Bryant); and twin mathematicians Romulus and Remus Sylvest (Gavin and Andrew Conrad) manage to live through the ordeal? And how does the Doctor's fellow Time Lord, Azmael, fit into the proceedings? Written by Antony Steven, Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma, Episode 4 was originally telecast on March 30, 1984, bringing season 21 of Doctor Who to a close. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, (more)
- 1956
In this comedy-thriller, a woman returns to the country to see her godmother only to learn that the old woman has mysteriously disappeared. She quickly enlists the aide of a doctor to help her look. Like her godmother, the woman ends up in the clutches of the robbers. The fugitive thieves have been using the godmother's house as a hide-out and home base. The women are saved by the brave doctor and the police squad he brings with him. The bandits are captured and locked away. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
