John Stephenson Movies

Adventure is only limited by imagination in this exciting animated fantasy from The Goonies writer Chris Columbus. Warmly welcomed to the Kingdom of Slumberland by the king himself, young Nemo is christened heir to the throne and given a magical key that will open any door in the kingdom. Though Nemo is warned not to open the one door with the power to destroy Slumberland, temptation proves too strong and the king is kidnapped as a black cloud of nightmares washes over the formerly idyllic dreamscape. Now, if Nemo is to reverse his error and bring the king back alive, he must rally his friends and journey deep into Nightmare Land to face his ultimate fear. Will dreams ever return to Slumberland, or has Nemo's folly set into motion an irreversible, eternal echo of nightmares and chaos? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Popular action figure G.I. Joe was reinvented in animation form in this pilot for the daily syndicated cartoon series of the same name. In keeping with the new marketing strategy established by Hasbro Toys, "G.I. Joe" was no longer an individual, but instead a team of specially trained guerilla fighters, led by Clayton M. "Hawk" Abernathy. The villains of the piece were the members of Cobra, led by Cobra Commander and his Darth Vader-like lieutenant (and frequent rival), Destro. In their first adventure, the Joes were obliged to collect three rare elements vital to a weapon that would counter Cobra's deadly M.A.S.S. device, which allowed the bad guys to transfer matter anywhere at any time for their own evil purposes. Written by Ron Friedman, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero was made available as either a two-hour animated special or as a five-part miniseries, bearing the individual episode titles "The Cobra Strikes," "Slave of the Cobra Master," "The Worms of Death," "Devil's Cauldron," and "The Stake in the Serpent's Heart." The miniseries version was originally shown on American television from September 12 through 16, 1983. It was followed in 1984 by another miniseries, G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra, and in 1985 by the daily syndicated G.I. Joe series proper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

J.R.R. Tolkien's classic book about the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins and his unexpected adventures came to life in this animated, televised adaptation by Rankin-Bass Productions. Enthusiasts of Tolkien's lengthy and more demanding Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as adult readers of The Hobbit, may be disappointed by this somewhat simplified adaptation of the book, though children and first-time readers of Tolkien will appreciate its whimsical introduction to the fictional world of Middle Earth.

As the story goes, "In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit...." Bilbo Baggins would much rather relax in his comfy hobbit-hole or take long walks in the Shire than have adventures. After all, "adventures make one late for dinner." Unfortunately, Gandalf the Wizard shows up one day with other plans for Bilbo. Gandalf introduces Bilbo to a rag-tag band of dwarves whose leader, Thorin Oakensheild, asks Bilbo for help in recovering his family's treasure from the fire-breathing dragon Smaug. Bilbo meekly accepts the offer, and soon finds himself on a long journey through Mirkwood forest, to Smaug's dark lair in the Lonely Mountain. Along the way, the unlikely band is captured and nearly eaten by trolls, shackled and prodded by goblins, tied-up in webs and hung from trees by giant spiders, and finally imprisoned by the swarthy, distrustful woodland elves of Mirkwood. With keen hobbit-wits and a magic ring he finds in the goblin caves, Bilbo manages to free the band on several occasions and helps them recover their lost inheritance.

Understandably, much detail was omitted from Tolkien's novel to fit this made-for-TV adaptation -- most notably the story of the group's encounter with Beorn the shape shifter, and the somewhat complex issue of the Arkenstone, a legendary gem which Bilbo steals from Smaug's treasure-trove unbeknownst to the dwarves. Rankin-Bass Productions made another foray into Middle Earth several years later with The Return of the King, picking up where animator Ralph Bakshi left his unfinished adaptation of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. ~ Anthony Reed, All Movie Guide

The latest patient of ambitious psychiatrist Norman Jessup (William Smithers) is lifelong lawbreaker Charlie Blake (Dean Stockwell). In his efforts to advance himself, Dr. Jessup has no qualms about exploiting Blake's criminal past. These efforts prove to have their dangerous side when Jessup impedes a rape-murder investigation conducted by detectives Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

For its third animated-cartoon presentation, ABC Afterschool Special offers a streamlined adaptation of Edmond Rostand's romantic play Cyrano de Bergerac. The best swordsman and wittiest raconteur in all France, Cyrano de Bergerac (voiced by José Ferrer, recreating his most famous Broadway role) also has one of the largest noses known to man, and it is for this reason that he is reluctant to declare his love for the beautiful Roxanne. This, however, does not prevent Cyrano from helping his handsome but somewhat cloddish friend Christian win Roxanne's hand, simply by surreptitiously feeding flowery dialogue to Christian while the latter pitches woo. Cyrano was produced by the busy Hanna-Barbera studios. ~ All Movie Guide

Imprisoned mobster Gunther Schell (H.M. Wynant) is the only person who knows where a stolen cache of money is located. Before the IMF can reach Schell, he is sprung from jail by a mob-controlled "underground railroad", which specializes in robbing its clients before smuggling them out of the country. To put both Schell and the "underground" out of business --- and, incidentally, to recover the stolen millions --- Jim Phelps poses as a wanted murderer. Peter Mark Richman also appears in this episode as criminal mastermind Hargreaves. Originally aired on October 28, 1972, "Underground" was written by Leigh Vance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In a comic re-enactment of the Joe Louis/Max Schmeling heavyweight bout, Kinchloe is pitted against Luftwaffe champ Bruno (Chuck Hicks) in a boxing match. Since Hogan needs to prolong the fight as a diversion for his latest espionage height, it is imperative that Kinch "goes the distance." Real-life boxing referee Frankie Van also appears in this episode, playing (what else?) a referee. First shown on January 23, 1970, "The Softer They Fall" was written by Laurence Marks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hogan wants to find out the contents of a truck brought into Stalag 13. Under cover of darkness, Hogan and his men learn that the truck is overloaded with confiscated French art masterpieces bound for the collection of General Metzger (Gavin McLeod, in one of his many Hogan's Heroes guest stints). The next step: recover the art and discredit the general. Written by Laurence Marks, "The Collector General" first aired on March 9, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When he gets a poor discipline rating, Klink brings in tough sergeant Reinhold Franks (Milton Selzer). At first, Klink is pleased that Franks has gotten the POWS in line -- but his pleasure turns to pain when the ambitious sergeant schemes to have Klink transferred to the Russian front. It is up to Hogan to simultaneously discredit Franks and cast the incompetent Klink in a good light. Written by Phil Sharp), "Colonel Klink's Secret Weapon" was first broadcast on March 24, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The local PTA is staging the deathless romantic drama "Romerorock and Julietstone" as a fundraiser. Wilma is to play Julietstone, but she falls ill just before curtain time. With the "help" of The Great Gazoo, the show goes on all the same, with "Romerorock" Fred performing the balcony scene with a leading lady who looks a lot like his pal Barney! The script for this episode was written by George O'Hanlon, best known to Hanna-Barbera fans as the voice of George Jetson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fred is thrilled when he is invited to spend a weekend on the yacht owned by his boss Mr. Slate, but the thrills dissipate quickly when he finds out he is expected to paint the vessel. The situation worsens when Fred causes the yacht to run aground on a deserted island, stranding himself, his boss, his wife, and Barney and Betty. "Claiming" the island as his own, Fred soon proves to be a less than efficient leader, but when a second emergency arises he manages to save the day--and his job. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

General Burkhalter sets up a trap whereby a security leak is traced to Stalag 13. This gives Burkhalter enough ammunition to replace Klink with a tougher and more efficient camp commandant. It is up to Hogan to discredit the replacement and ferret out the "mole" within his own ranks. Familiar Hanna-Barbera voice-over actor John Stephenson, a frequent Hogan's Heroes guest star, is here cast as Major Kohler. Written by Laurence Marks, "Information Please" first aired on December 23, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoping to improve his lot in life, Fred moves his family into Bedrock Towers, an all-automated luxury high rise. In order to live in the Towers rent-free, Fred agrees to work as the building's "Resident Stationary Engineer"--or janitor to you. The fun begins when Fred's boss Mr. Slate takes up residence in Bedrock Towers' penthouse apartment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide