Ralph Senensky Movies
- 1981
Dynasty was set in Denver, and concerned the trials and tribulations of the oil-rich Carrington clan. John Forsythe and Linda Evans were top-billed as Blake and Krystle Carrington, but all the juicy scenes went to the cunning, conniving Alexis Carrington Colby, portrayed with caution to the winds by Joan Collins. Other regulars included Pamela Sue Martin and Emma Samms as Fallon Carrington Colby, Al Corley and Jack Coleman as Steven Carrington, and a mob of others. Originally telecast from January 12, 1981, to May 11, 1989; in October 1991, ABC tried to strike oil twice with the two-hour Dynasty: The Reunion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
This final episode of The Waltons' sixth season marks the return of series regular Ellen Corby, appearing as Grandma Walton for the first time since suffering a stroke in 1977. Back at home after a long hospital stay, Grandma is still unable to speak and is very limited in her movements. She's also quite peeved over the fact that the family won't allow her to even try to recover on her own, and insists upon waiting on her hand and foot. Meanwhile, young Elizabeth Walton (Kami Cotler) discovers she has an admirer in the form of her shy, chubby classmate Clarence (Kenny Marquis). The episode's closing line is one of the truly classic moments in TV history. Ironically, "Grandma Comes Home" also represents the final appearance of Will Geer as Grandpa Walton; Geer died shortly after filming completed, in the summer of 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
While exploring an abandoned mansion, Erin (Mary Elizabeth McDonough) befriends a reclusive artist named Derek Pembroke (Jared Martin), who is haunted by a profound tragedy in his past. Soon thereafter, it is learned that Pembroke is a former mental patient--a disturbing bit of information that comes to light just as Erin turns up missing! And in a somewhat lighter vein, Elizabeth (Kami Cotler) and Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) attempt to capture a wild songbird as a present for Grandma (Ellen Corby)...but must settle for a "mild" one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The New Adventures of Heidi may be set in contemporary times, but it's still the same old yodel-ay-ee-hoo. Johann Spyri's disgustingly spunky moppet Heidi (Katy Kurtzman) is separated from her beloved grandfather (Burl Ives). She is sent to live with hateful relatives in New York City. Before winning over everyone except the audience, Heidi and her cohorts get to warble 10 original songs by Buz Kohan. Made for TV, The New Adventures of Heidi might have been more tolerable had it been interrupted by a pro football game. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), new mother Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) is in a state of panic after her baby son John Curtis Willard disappears. It turns out the infant has been kidnapped by a girl named Cassie (Beth Raines), who has not been in her right mind since the death of her own infant. Elsewhere, the Walton men conspire to keep Olivia (Michael Learned) from finding out that Jason (Jon Walmsley) has landed a piano-playing job in a seedy burlesque house! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
In the first half of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) eagerly awaits the birth of her baby, despite the ominous warnings of a girl named Cassie (Beth Raines), whose own child was stillborn. After a very difficult labor, Mary Ellen delivers a baby boy, and all is well--until the infant disappears from his crib! Meanwhile, Jason (Jon Walmsley) must seek out another job after the Dew Drop Inn burns to the ground. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
An elderly Cherokee Indian, Grandfather Joseph Taskigi (Jerado DeCordovier), arrives at the Walton farm with his grandson Matthew (Ernest Esparza III) in tow. But it isn't a social call by any means: Joseph insists that the Walton barn has been built on sacred Cherokee burial ground, and he demands "return" of the land--going so far as to set the barn ablaze when he is turned down. Arrested and place on trial, Joseph finds that he has a strong and unexpected ally in the person of Elizabeth Walton (Kami Cotler). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Beulah Bondi returns as Martha Corinne, the feisty 90-year-old aunt of John Walton (Ralph Waite). No sooner has she shown up for a visit with John and his family than Martha has set about meddling in everybody's business. Getting the hint that she's no longer welcome, the old lady packs up and leaves, only to suffer a heart attack on the way home. Rather than have people feel sorry for her, Martha begs John-Boy to keep her condition a secret...and to surreptitiously honor her final wishes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Hoping to alert the people of Walton's Mountain of the threat of Nazism, John-Boy prints excerpts from Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf in his newspaper. In so doing, John-Boy incurs the anger of Rev. Fordwick (John Ritter), who worries that Hitler's rantings will "disturb" his flock. Even more opposed to John-Boy's expression of free speech is Mrs. Brimmer (Nora Marlowe), whose late husband, a German national, had suffered from the anti-German backlash in World War One--a backlash that appears to be starting up all over again with a mass book-burning! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Darleen Carr is cast as flighty rich girl Sis Bradford, who regards college as just another lark. Having skipped most of her classes, Sis ends up stealing John-Boy's study notes just before an important exam. Meanwhile, Jim-Bob's new friend Danny (Willie Aames), the product of an unhappy home, begins spending all his time at the Walton house. The episode's two subplots collide head-on when Danny is blamed for Sis Bradford's act of thievery--and Danny's cruel father forces him to apologize for his "crime". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Based on a true story, The Family Nobody Wanted was one of the better ABC Movie of the Week entries of the 1970s. James Olson plays a minister whose main concern is society's outcasts, particularly the youngsters. With the loving help and support of his wife (Shirley Jones), the reverend takes in 12 unwanted children of various colors and creeds. Though it's very hard to find suitable lodging for all these kids, the couple provides a loving environment for their ersatz family. Adapted by Suzanne Clauser from a book by Helen Doss (who is portrayed in the film by Shirley Jones), The Family Nobody Wanted was first telecast February 19, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
In this made-for-TV movie, six persons have won a cruise-ship vacation, but they find that the awards were just a trick to begin a killing game. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Over the protests of his mother Olivia (Michael Learned), John-Boy insists upon entering a seven-day dance marathon with a flightly young lass named Daisy (Deidre Lenihan in her first Waltons appearance). At first, John-Boy is dazzled by the glamour and spectacle of the event, but after a few footsore days on the dance floor he wishes that he'd listened to his mother! In depicting the desperation and broken dreams of the other dance contestants, this episode is a worthy companion to the similarly-themed theatrical feature They Shoot Horses, Don't They? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Season Three of The Waltons begins with the first half of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single, two-hour episode). The great Beulah Bondi (she was James Stewart's mom in It's a Wonderful Life) guest stars as Aunt Martha, the elderly sister of Grandpa Walton (Will Geer). The US Government has evicted Martha and her family from their home, which is slated for demolition to make way for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Although she has been compensated with a new house and patch of land, Martha refuses to budge--and Grandpa and John-Boy (Richard Thomas) are pressed into service to halt the Government construction crew in its tracks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
No sooner has Olivia (Michael Learned) taken a job as a door-to-door salesman to help make ends meet in the Walton home than she discovers she is pregnant...again. As John (Ralph Waite) wonders if the family can afford another child, his youngest daughter Elizabeth (Kami Cotler) makes no secret of her disappointment over being supplanted as the "baby" of the family. Ultimately, the family comes to accept what seems to be The Inevitable--and then an unexpected plot twist puts the situation in a whole new light. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Assembled for television by Playboy Productions, Family Kovack stars James Sloyan, Sarah Cunningham, Andrew Robinson, Tammi Bula and Richard Gilliland. Cunningham plays the central character, the widowed matriarch of a close Chicago family. When her oldest son (Robinson), a city functionary, is accused of bribery, the woman spearheads a concerted family effort to clear the boy of all charges. Sort of an urban Waltons, Family Kovack was the pilot film for a series that didn't take. Its first network telecast, on April 5, 1974, was also its last. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), the Walton men have gathered at the home of Grandpa Walton's elderly sister Martha (Beulah Bondi), whom the government has evicted in so as not to impede construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Although certain authorities have promised to reconsider the eviction, certain others go back on their word--and now the Waltons and the Feds are facing each other down, both sides fully armed. As the lone voice of reason in this standoff, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) does his best to avoid unnecessary bloodshed...only to be the first one caught in the crossfire! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
A post-Andy Griffith Show, pre-Happy Days Ron Howard) guest stars as Seth Turner, the best friend of Jason Walton (Jon Walmsley). Seth has always wanted to learn to play an instrument in his father's band, but it looks as if he won't have the time; he has been diagnosed with leukemia. The concept of death--and the unfairness of it all--is an extremely difficult one for Jason to accept, and it is up to Grandpa to help the boy through this crisis. Featured in the cast as Dr. McIvers is Ron Howard's father Rance Howard. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
John-Boy (Richard Thomas) catches his friend Yancy Tucker (Robert Donner) stealing chickens, but decides not to tell their sheriff. This may prove to be the wrong decision when chicken farmer Charlie Potter (Richard O'Brien) is shot--and Yancy is the only likely suspect. And speaking of thievery, Ben (Eric Scott) gets himself in hot water when he "borrows" one of John-Boy's old poems, "A Winter Mountain", to win a literary competition. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Created by Earl Hamner, A Dream for Christmas is set in the 1950s. African-American minister Will Douglas (Hari Rhodes) moves his family from Arkansas to the Watts section of Los Angeles to take charge of an impoverished church. The attendance, at least at first, is as poor as the congregation. Worse still, the church is slated to be demolished. But it's close to Christmas, a time when miracles have been known to happen. Featured in the all-black cast are Beah Richards, Lynn Hamilton, Robert Do'Qui, Juanita Moore, and Clarence Muse. Appropriately enough, A Dream for Christmas originally aired on December 24, 1973. It was originally designed as the pilot for a never-sold TV series titled The Douglas Family. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Described in the original TV Guide listings as "a young movie and TV comer", Martin Sheen essays another bad-guy role for producer Quinn Martin in this episode. Sheen is cast as Steve Chandler, a novice contract killer who goes into hiding from both the FBI and the Mob after bungling a job. On the verge of starting life anew with girlfriend Marcy Brandon (Meg Foster), Chandler realizes with startling suddenness that his days of freedom (and on earth!) might be numbered. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Penny Fuller guest stars as Jean Scott, an accomplished thief and con artist. Freshly escaped from prison, Jean charms several gullible males into acting as accomplices in a nationwide robbery spree. She needs the money to kidnap her son from her ex-husband and then leave the country with the boy in tow--unless, of course, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) can stop her. Appearing as Jean's son Tommy is a pre-teen idoldom Leif Garrett. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Keith makes a major step in his life when he buys his first car--a 1952 Hudson. At the same time, he is forced to learn the fine art of money management when he must spend, spend, SPEND to keep the ancient auto in the repair shop. As a result, our hero tries and fails to hold down a variety of jobs, from plumber's assistant to vegetable-slicer salesman--all the while attempting to hide his poverty-stricken status from his latest girlfriend Carol (played by a young Annette O'Toole). Song: "You Are Always On My Mind." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
The Partridges are booked to perform at the Two Hall Inn, a small hotel that has been hit by a labor strike. The complications begin piling up when Laurie (Susan Dey) refuses to cross the picket line out of loyalty to the strike leader, who happens to be her former school chum Marc Baldwin (Michael Lembeck). The mess isn't sorted out until Laurie's kid brother Danny (Danny Bonaduce) casts himself in the unlikely role of labor negotiator. This episode represents one of the few joint appearances of future director Michael Lembeck and his comedian father Harvey Lembeck. Song: "There's No Doubt in My Mind". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Returning to college to take a Psychology course, Shirley (Shirley Jones) makes the acquaintance of 19-year-old Paul Bruner (Michael Burns), who mistakes her maternal kindness for true love. Before long, the moonstruck Bruner is ardenty courting the nonplussed Shirley--and he won't take no for answer. In desperation, Shirley enlists the aid of Paul's parents (played by former Dick Van Dyke Show regular Anne Morgan Guilbert and future Three's Company costar Norman Fell) to help her let the boy down gently...with surprising results. Song: "Brown Eyes". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
