Charles R. Rondeau Movies
In Night Train, also known as Train Ride to Hollywood Harry Williams, head singer for Bloodstone, a modern rock group, is hit on the head and imagines he's back in the Hollywood of the 1930s. On a coast-bound train, Williams rubs shoulders with reasonable facsimiles of such long-gone greats as Gable, Bogart and Laurel and Hardy. Among the impressionists roped into this patchwork epic are Guy Marks and Bill Oberlin, whose costumes are at least as funny as their lines. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Love, Willis Draffen, (more)
- 1974
Andrew Williams and David Williams, the 14-year-old nephews of singing star Andy Williams, appear as themselves in this episode. Enjoying great success as a singing-twin act (They look alike, they dress alike, they even walk and talk alike--you could lose your mind!), Andrew and David nearly break up when both boys fall for Laurie Partridge (Susan Dey). So intense is the sibling rivalry that not even Laurie's mom Shirley (Shirley Jones) can resolve the problem (a television first!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
The terror begins when dewey-eyed Peggy O'Malley (Lynne Marta) enters the United States after a flight from Canada, her leg encased in a plaster cast. But Peggy has not broken or even sprained anything: she is using the phony cast to smuggle a 20-dollar plate, stolen from the Canadian mint, past US customs. All the while, the hapless girl is pursued by the man who killed her boyfriend, and who will leave a trail of death in his wake while tracking her down. By the time Kojak (Telly Savalas) picks up the villain's trail, a doltish innocent bystander (Chuck McCann) has been swept up in the intrigue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Hoping to get acquainted with Dina (Kathy Cody), the pretty new girl in school, Keith (David Cassidy) opts for the sneaky approach. Adopting a pseudonym, Keith declares his affection for Dina in the school newspaper advice column written by his sister Laurie (Susan Dey). The plans backfires spectacularly when Laurie figures out what Keith is up to--and all because he signs himself "Onely" rather than "Lonely"! Songs: "I've Been Alone Too Long", "The Bicycle Song". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Keith (David Cassidy) falls in love yet again, this time with pretty-but-pompous cello player Rachel Weston (Barbara Sigel). An avowed enemy of rock-and-roll, Rachel insists that Keith stop squandering his talent and switch to classical music. The result is a juicy slice of pseudo-intellectual drivel titled "Partridge's First Concerto for Cello in D Major"--and a ton of wasted money as Keith pays for innumerable recording sessions with classically-trained professionals. Songs: "I'm Into Something Good" and "When I Grow Up". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Jackie Coogan takes over from Ray Bolger in the role of Shirley Partridge's father Mr. Renfrew (now named "Walter" rather than "Fred"), while Rosemary DeCamp recreates her portrayal of Shirley's mom Amanda. The plot gets under way when Grandma Amanda goes to work as the Partridge's maid, if only to escape the rampant chauvinism of Grandpa Walter. Shirley (Shirley Jones) tries to patch up the argument between her dad and mom, succeeding only in sparking a gender-supremacy argument that divides the entire family. Finally, Reuben (Dave Madden) is enlisted to resolve the issue--but this requires him to impersonate a burglar! Songs: "Workin' on a Groovy Thing" and "Grandma". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Alan Bursky appears as Reuben Kincaid's nephew Alan, a natural-born foul-up who has never succeeded at anything. When Reuben (Dave Madden) leaves town, Alan is put in charge of managing the Partridge's next concert--and, true to form, disaster piles upon disaster for the family, both professionally and personally. Hoping to salvage what is left of Alan's battered ego, Laurie (Susan Dey) encourages him to fulfill his lifelong dream of doing standup comedy...if only he can overcome his fear of audiences. Song: "That's the Way It Is with You". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Enrolling in a college sociology class, Keith (David Cassidy) falls in love with 23-year-old coed Dory Kimmel (Brooke Bundy). Even after discovering that Dory is married, Keith does not lessen his determination to win her over, convincing himself that she's willing to leave her husband for his sake. The "fun" really begins when Keith comes face to face with that selfsame husband! Songs: "I Heard You Singing Your Song" and "A Secret in My Heart". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
After a routine heist, two-bit car thief Artie Fowler (Mark Alaimo) is killed in cold blood. Kojak suspects that there's something bigger than a standard robbery going on--especially after Artie's girlfriend Maria (Lara Parker) lets slip that an upcoming "caper" will make fools of the authorities. It turns out that a $500,000 heist is in the works, masterminded by mob leader Hugh Jellicoe (Paul Lambert) and an unknown party whose theatrical bravado astonishes even the professional crooks. Future Dallas costar Ken Kercheval appears in a significant role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Enemy agent James Reed (David Sheiner) intends to steal the plans for a new missile guidance system. The IMF is assigned to hoodwink Reed into pilfering a set of bonus plans. Endangering the mission is escaped mental patient Hecker (John Beck), who believes that IMF agent Dana is his former girlfriend. Watch for raspy-voiced cult actor Percy Helton in a typically fleeting role (one of his last). Originally telecast on January 16, 1971, "The Missile" was written by Arthur Weiss. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 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)
- 1967
Robert Vaughn (Napoleon Solo) does not appear in this episode, wherein Illya and fellow agent Jules Cutter (Richard Beymer) re-enroll in U.N.C.L.E.'s secret island training school. The two spies conduct a search for a T.H.R.U.S.H. agent who has been planted amongst the trainees, and who has already committed murder to steal an important code book. The main suspects include Melissa Hargrove (Susan Odin), John Saimes (Chris Robinson), and a suspiciously mature trainee named Harry Williams (Charles McGraw). Scripted by Donald A. Brinkley and Jack Turley from a story by Brinkley, "The Survival School Affair" originally aired on November 20, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The first of Mission: Impossible's multipart adventures, "Old Man Out" began its two-episode run on October 8, 1966. The IMF agents disguise themselves as a carnival troupe in order to rescue 80-year-old freedom fighter Anton Cardinal Vossek (Cyril Delevanti) from an impregnable Balkan prison. Aiding the agents this time out is Briggs' old friend Crystal Walker (Mary Ann Mobley), a hire-wire artist. Part One of "Old Man Out" was written by Ellis Marcus. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Hill, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1966
Thanks to an unexpected loophole, the men of F Troop discover that they're not legally enlisted in the Army. Thus it is that every man in Fort Courage takes a powder, leaving Captain Parmenter (Ken Berry) alone to guard the fort. The situation gets dicier when the hositle Shug Indian tribe decides to mount an attack, forcing Parmenter to do some quick improvising to convince the invaders that the fort is fully manned. Former "Great Gildersleeve" Willard Waterman appears as ex-commander "Cannonball" McCormick. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Captain Parmenter (Ken Berry) arranges a surprise party to mark Sgt. O'Rourke's 25th year in the Army. Entering into the spirit of things, Agarn (Larry Storch) digs up several of O'Rourke's old friends and comrades-in-arms for an elaborate "This Is Your Life"-style celebration (a cute trick, considering that This is Your Life wouldn't make its radio debut for another eighty years at least!) This is the classic episode in which an old dirty joke is cleaned up to explain how the Hekawi tribe earned its name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
This final episode of F Troop's first season--and the final one filmed in black and white--opens with a takeoff of the TV western Branded, as Sgt. O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker) is unceremoniously stripped of his rank. In flashback, we discover the reason for O'Rourke's disgrace: It seems that he had taken pity on town drunk Charlie (Frank McHugh), who wanted to make a good impression on his daughter Cindy (Linda Foster). This resulted in an elaborate ruse wherby Charlie was passed off as the commander of Fort Courage--with disastrous results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The IMF agents arrive in the Iron Curtain country of Lubjanka. Their mission: to topple the regime of dictator Janos Karq (William Keene), "The Butcher of the Balkans." The success of their scheme depends upon the photographic memory of embittered ex-agent Barrish (Albert Paulsen). If all else fails, the IMF will be forced to rely upon "Alternate Plan X59"--which may mean certain death for all concerned. Written by Robert Lewin, "Memory" first aired September 24, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Hill, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1966
In Part Two of "Old Man Out," the IMF is still posing as a carnival troupe: Briggs as a mind reader, Cinnamon as his assistant, Willy as a strongman, Barney as a clown, and freelance agent Crystal Walker (Mary Ann Mobley) as a high-wire artist and Rollin as a light-fingered roustabout. It is all part of a plan to rescue Iron Curtain freedom fighter Cardinal Vossek (Cyril Delevanti) from a high-security Balkan prison. The plan hits a snag when Vossek is moved to solitary confinement. The solution to this crisis may well rest in the curious calliope tune which is heard over and over throughout the episode. Written by Ellis Marcus, Part Two of "Old Man Out" was originally broadcast on October 15, 1966.
October 15 1966.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
October 15 1966.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Hill, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1966
Nehemiah Persoff guest-stars as Prince Iben Kostas, absolute ruler of a tiny Middle Eastern country whose income derives solely from a famous gambling casino. In order to prevent Kostas from raising the money necessary to wage war upon a neighboring oil-rich country, the IMF must arrange to break the casino's bank. The amount needed to destroy Kostas was $1.5 million, which was real money when this episode first aired on October 22, 1966. "Odds on Evil" was written by frequent Mission: Impossible contributor. William Read Woodfield ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Hill, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1966
Andrew Duggan guest stars as Major Chester Winster, the Army's new Inspector General. An avowed Indian hater, Major Winster hopes to use his revolutionary new weapon, the Chest-Winster 76 ("the gun that will win the west") to wipe out every tribe on the frontier--including the peace-loving Hekawis. To prevent this, O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker) and Agarn (Larry Storch) improvise a clever sabotage scheme. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In this spoof of the then-current "spy craze", Fort Courage becomes a hotbed of espionage intrigue when Agarn (Larry Storch) is chosen to test a new secret bulletproof vest. Before long, the vest is stolen, and the prime suspect is slinky female spy Lorelai Duval (Abbe Lane). Pat Harrington Jr. gives a standout performance as bumbling, gadget-laden superspy B. Wise, a dead-on takeoff of Get Smart star Don Adams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The good news is that F Troop is about to receive a citation for its high morale. The bad news is that everyone at Fort Courage is mad at everyone else -- and you can cut the angry silence with a knife! This episode is best known for an outtake (never seen on TV but shown at network-affiliate meetings) in which several of the male regulars begin "camping" their roles with lisping voices, limp wrists and swiveling hips (surprisingly, the most convincing performance along these lines is delivered by veteran western star Bob Steele!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Henry Gibson guest stars as Private Wrongo Starr, the Army's most notorious jinx. The men of F Troop are terrified that Private Starr will wreak disaster upon them; after all, he has only recently finished a hitch with Custer at the Little Big Horn. Meanwhile, another infamous character shows up at Fort Courage: Hermione Gooderly (Sarah Marshall), aka "The Black Widow", whose last four husbands have all died mysteriously. (While the source of the character name "Wrongo Starr" needs no explanation, it perhaps should be noted that "Hermione Gooderly" is a play on the name of British actress Hermione Baddeley, the sister of Upstairs, Downstairs costar Angela Baddeley.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
To prevent his sweetheart in Pasaic, New Jersey from marrying a horse-car conductor, Agarn (Larry Storch) sends the girl a letter claiming that he has killed the infamous Apache warrior Geronimo (Mike Mazurki). Alas, Agarn sets him self up for a scalping when Geronimo learns of the deception and goes on the warpath again. Jackie Joseph, then the wife of series regular Ken Berry, appears as Agarn's girlfriend Betty Lou MacDonald. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
At the behest of Col. Watkins (Parley Baer), Captain Parmenter (Ken Berry) makes it his mission in life to track down the source of the Hekawi Indians' bootleg whisky. Little does he realize that the "firewater" is stored right under his nose at Fort Courage. Rather than have another of their business enterprises scuttled, O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker) and Agarn (Larry Storch) hatch a scheme to convince Parmenter that the booze is emanating from a "natural" source. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
