by Lee Goldberg
A sequel to the classic 1960 thriller Psycho that ignores events portrayed in the two theatrical sequels (released in 1983 and 1986 respectively). Bud Cort is a mental patient who inherits murderer Norman Bate's crumbling (and haunted) motel and reopens it, weeklywith the help of a runaway girl (Lori Petty) he finds living in the place. The proposed anthology would focus on the guests who stay at the motel and their supernatural experiences. The NBC ad campaign proclaimed: "Norman Bates may be gone, but his motel lives on!"
Cast: Bud Coll (as Alex West), Lori Petty (Willie), Moses Gunn (Henry), Gregg Henry (Tom), Kerrie Keane (Barbara), Jason Bateman (Tony), Khrystyne Haje (Sam), Robert Picardo (Dr. Goodlan), Lee DeBroux (Sheriff), Kurt Paul (Norman Bates), Marla Frumkin (Dr. Phillips), Rick Lieberman (Architect), Roger Duffy (Young Alex), Greg Finley (Attorney), also Timothy Fall, Kelly Ames, Peter Dobson, Paula Irvine, Scot Saint James, Nat Bernstein, Buck Flower, Carmen Filpi, David Wakefield, Gart Ballard, Andy Albin, Dolores Albin, Hardy Rawls, Peter A. Stelzer, George J. Woods, Jack Ross Obney, John Kenton Schull, George Skinta, Pedro Gonzales-Gonzales, Robert Axelrod, Chad Jonas.
175. Bell, Book and Candle. NBC 9/8/76. 30 minutes. Columbia Pictures Television. Director: Hy Averback. Executive Producer: Bruch Lansbury. Writer: Richard DeRoy, from John Van Druten's 1950 play and the 1958 feature film.
Gillian Holroyd is a young witch who'd like to forget her supernatural abilities and just work in her art gallery with her bumbling Aunt Enid. Unfortunately, she is constantly hampered by her warlock brother Nicky and his get rich quick schemes—all of which depend for success on her superior ability at witchcraft. To make matters worse, Alex, a New York editor, moves into the apartment above the gallery—and falls in love with Gillian.
Cast: Yvette Mimieux (as Gillian Holroyd), Doris Roberts (Aunt Enid), Michael Murphy (Alex Brandt), John Pleshette (Nicky), Bridget Hanley (Lois), Susan Sullivan (Rosemary), Edward Andrews (Bishop Fairbarn), Dori Whittaker (Melissa).
176. Beyond Witch Mountain. CBS 2/20/82. 60 minutes. Wait Disney Productions. Director: Robert Day. Executive Producer: William Robert Yates. Producer: Jan Williams. Writers: Robert Malcolm Young, B.W. Sandefur, and Hal Kanter. Music: George Duning.
A sequel /pilot based on the Disney movies Escape From Witch Mountain and Return From Witch Mountain. Tracey Gold and Andy Freeman are alien children with psychic powers who, with their families, crash-landed on Witch Mountain. They become separated from the survivors and befriend a man (Eddie Albert) who helps them elude a millionaire (Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.) hoping to exploit their incredible powers.
Cast: Eddie Albert (as Jason O'Day), Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. (Aristotle), Tracey Gold (Tia), Andy Freeman (Tony), J.D. Cannon (Deranian), Noah Beery, Jr. (Uncle Ben), Stephanie Blackmore (Dr. Adrian Molina), Peter Hobbs (Dr. Peter Morton), James Luisi (Foreman), William H. Bassett (Lowell Roberts).
177. Black Bart. CBS 4/4/75. 30 minutes. Warner Bros. Television. Director: Robert Butler. Executive Producer: Mark Tuttle. Producers: Michael Elias, Frank Shaw, and Robert Butler. Writers: Michael Elias and Frank Shaw. Creator: Mel Brooks.
Based on Brooks’ Blazing Saddles. The adventures of a black sheriff and his quick-draw deputy working in a small, bigoted Arizona town in the Old West. Lou Gossett and Steve Landesberg played the roles originated by Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder.
Cast: Lou Gossett (as Black Bart), Steve Landesberg (Reb Jordan), Millie Slavin (Belle Buzzer), Noble Willingham (Mayor Fern B. Malaga), Ruben Moreno (Moonwolf), Ted Lehmann (Mr. Swenson), Gerritt Graham (Curley), Brooke Adams (Jennifer).
178. Captain Horatio Hornblower. ABC 2/28/63. 60 minutes. Director: John Newland. Producers: Julian Plowden and Collier Young. Writer: Donald Wilson, from the stories by C.S. Forester.
Aired as an episode of Alcoa Premiere. David Buck is Capt. Horatio Hornblower (played by Gregory Peck in the 1951 feature film), a British warship captain during the mar between France and England in the early 1800s. Shot on location in England.
Cast: David Buck (as Capt. Horatio Hornblower), Terence Longdon (Lt. Bush), Peter Arne (Nathaniel Sweet), Nigel Green (Brown), Sean Kelly (Lt. Carlon), Jeremy Bulloch (Midshipman Bowser).
179. Captain Newman, M.D. NBC 8/19/72. 30 minutes. Thomas/ Crenna Productions. Producers: Danny Thomas and Richard Crenna. Writer/Creator: Frank Tarloff.
Jim Hutton stars as an unorthodox Air Force psychiatrist along with Joan Van Ark and Bill Fiore, in this pilot based on the movie, which starred Gregory Peck and Tony Curtis.
180. Car Wash. NBC 5/24/81. 30 minutes. Universal Television. Director: Alan Myerson. Executive Producers: Leonard Stern and Arne Sultan. Producer: Bill Dana. Writers: Arne Sultan and Bill Dana.
Based on the 1976 movie Car Wash. The exploits of a car wash owner (Danny Aiello) and his employees, including Rocky, a self-proclaimed ladies' man; Floyd and Lloyd, two aspiring singers and Fingers, a skateboard expert. The other major character is Motor Mouth, a never-seen DJ whose radio show is always playing while they work. Cast: Danny Aiello (as Frank Ravelli), Hilary Beane (Charlene Olson), Stuart Pankin (Last Chance), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Melba), Matt Landers (Rocky), John Anthony Bailey (Lloyd), T.K. Carter (Floyd), Lefty Pedroski (Fingers), Pepe Serna (Viva).
181. Cat Ballou [Pilot # 1]. NBC 9/5/71. 30 minutes. Screen Gems. Director: Jerry Paris. Executive Producer: Harry Ackerman. Producer/ Writer: Aaron Ruben.
The first or two pilots based on the 1965 movie that starred Jane Fonda as a ranch owner who hires Lee Marvin, in his Oscar-winning role as a drunken ex-gunslinger. In the pilot, Cat (Lesley Ann Warren) hires Kid Sheleen (Jack Elam) and his friends Jackson Two Bears (Tom Nardini) and Clay (Bo Hopkins) to help her set up a school and protect her ranch. This pilot, shot for the 1970-71 season, was rejected and wasn't aired until the following year, when the second pilot was offered to NBC.
Cast: Lesley Ann Warren (as Cat Ballou), Jack Elam (Kid Sheleen), Tom Nardini (Jackson Two Bears), Joel Higgins (The Sheriff), Laurie Main (Land Developer), Bo Hopkins (Clay).
181a. Cat Ballou [Pilot #2]. NBC 9/6/71. 30 minutes. Screen Gems. Director: Bob Claver. Executive Producer: Bob Claver. Producer: Jon Epstein. Writer: William Blinn.
A completely revamped attempt to translate the film to TV and, aired the day after the first, was a sharp contrast that probably confused viewers who thought they'd he seeing more of the same. This time Forrest Tucker is Kid Sheleen, hired by Cat Ballou (Jo Ann Harris) to help her protect her recently inherited ranch, where she lives with her adopted, twelve-year-old Indian boy, Jackson Two Bears (Lee Casey). This was made for consideration in the 1971-72 season.
Cast: Jo Ann Harris (as Cat Ballou), Forrest Tucker (Kid Sheleen), Lee J. Casey (Jackson Two Bears), Harry Morgan (The Rancher), Bryan Montgomery (Clay), James Luisi (Spider Levinsky), Bill Calloway (Loopy), Jay Silverheels (Indian Chief).
182. Catch -22. ABC 5/21/73. 30 minutes. Paramount Television. Director: Richard Quine. Producer: Richard Bluel. Writer: Hal Dresden. Based on the book by Joseph Heller and inspired by the 1970 film, directed by Mike Nichols and written by Buck Henry.
Richard Dreyfuss plays Yossarian, assayed by Alan Arkin in the film, who in this pilot is a brash World War II Air Force flyer who finishes his tour of duty but, instead of returning home as he should, finds his rotation papers lost and ends up on a rear echelon base in the Mediterranean. Everywhere he turns he is confronted by insanity and no matter how he schemes to get home, his plans always fail.
Cast: Richard Dreyfuss (as Capt. Yossarian), Dana Clear (Col. Cathcart), Stewart Moss (Lt. Col. Kern), Andy Jarrell (Milo Minderbinder), Frank Welker (Lt. McWatt), Susan Zenor (Nurse Duckett).
183. Christmas Lilies of the Field (aka Lilies of the Field). NBC 12/16/79. 2 hours. Rainbow Productions and Osmond Television Productions. Director: Ralph Nelson. Executive Producer: Ralph Nelson. Producers: Jack N. Reddish and Toby Martin. Writers: John McGreevey and Ralph Nelson, from characters created by William E. Barrett. Music: George Aliceson Tipton.
Billy Dee Williams stars as carpe
nter Homer Smith, who is conned into building an orphanage adjacent to the Chapel he built before--when he was played with Oscar-winning success by Sidney Poitier in the acclaimed 1963 movie Lilies of the Field. Williams wanders off in the end, but not before signing a contract to return if NBC opted for a series. Ralph Nelson directed the original and this sequel, which movie critic Leonard Maltin called a "joyous follow-up."
Cast: Billy Dee Williams (as Homer Smith), Maria Schell (Mother Maria), Faye Hauser (Janet Owens), Lisa Mann (Sister Gertrude), Hanna Hertelendy (Sister Albertine), Judith Piquet (Sister Agnes), Donna Johnson (Sister Elizabeth), Bob Hastings (Harold Pruitt), Jean Jenkins (Mrs. Constance Everett), Fred Hart (Father Brian Connor), Sam Di Bello (Dr. Mike Robles), Timmy Arnell (Josh), Oliver Nguyen (Trang), Regina Simons (Pokey), Julie Delgado (Felicia), Rachel Ward (Jenny), Danny Zapien (Joseph Owlfeather), Adolph() Flores (Rafael Serrano).
184. Crunch. ABC 1976. 90 minutes. Frankovich /Self Productions. Executive Producer: William Self. Producer: Robert Jacks. Writers: Cliff Gould and Charles Larson, from the novel and 1975 film Report to the Commissioner.
A proposed series based on the exploits of a real New York City undercover cop named Crunch, played in the movie and in this pilot by Yaphet Kotto, here is partnered with a young detective:(Stephen Nathan) and working for a tough lieutenant (Richard Venture).
185. Diner. CBS 8/8/83. 30 minutes. Weintraub/Levinson Productions and MGM/UA Television. Director/Writer/Creator: Barry Levinson. Executive Producers: Jerry Weintraub and Barry Levinson. Producer: Mark Johnson. Music: Harry Lojewski.
Based on Levinson's 1982 hit movie, set in 1960 Baltimore, that focused on five young men who are making the awkward transition into adulthood and who gather nightly at a local diner to hash out their problems and grapple with their new responsibilities. The characters include a hairdresser with big dreams, an appliance salesman in his first year of marriage, a sports-addicted newlywed, and a college dropout flirting with alcoholism. Paul Reiser reprises his film role as Modell, an insecure man with a motormouth.
Cast: Paul Reiser (as Modell), James Spader (Fenwick), Michael Binder (Eddie), Max Cantor (Shrevie), Michael Madsen (Boogie), Alison LaPlaca (Elyse), Mandy Kaplan (Beth), Robert Pastorelli (Turko), Arnie Mazer (The Gipper), Ted Bafaloukos (George).
186. Doberman Gang [Pilot #1] Alex and the Dobermans. NBC 4/11/80. 60 minutes. Bennett-Katleman Productions and Columbia Pictures Television. Director: Byron Chudnow. Executive Producers: Harve Bennett and Harris Katleman. Producer: Ralph Sariego. Writers: James D. Parriott and Richard Chapman. Music: Earle Hagen.
Jack Stauffer is a private eye who inherits five trained Dobermans from a carnival and uses them to help him solve cases. In the pilot, the dogs sniff out some stolen art treasures. Variety felt this pilot "bordered on being infantile" and "only the well-trained dogs were impressive." Byron Chudnow, who directed this, also directed the three Doberman Gang feature films.
Cast: Jack Stauffer (Alexander Parker), Taureen Blacque (Barney), Lane Binkley (Denise), Martha Smith (Susan Hamilton), Alan Gibbs (Myers), Don Starr (Preacher), Sari Price (Valley Waman).
186a. [The Dobermans] [Pilot #2] Nick and the Dobermans. NBC 4/25/80 60 minutes. Bennett-Katleman Productions and Columbia Pictures Television. Director: Bernard L. Kowalski. Executive Producers: Harve Bennett and Harris Katleman. Music: Jerrold Immell. Producers/Writers: James D. Parriott and Richard Chapman.
Michael Nouri is a private eye who uses three Dobermans to help him solve crime.
Cast: Michael Nouri (as Nick Macazie), Robert Davi (Lt. Elbone), Judith Chapman (Barbara Gatson), John Cunningham (Roger Vincent), Vivian Bonnell (Speed Queen), Chris Hayward (Speedy Man).
187. Egan. ABC 9/18/73. 30 minutes. Paramount Television. Director: Jud Taylor. Producers: Tom Miller and Ed Milkis. Writer: Abram S. Ginnes. Music: Lalo Schifrin.
A pilot based on the true exploits of N.Y.P.D. detective Eddie Egan, dramatized in 1971 in The French Connection. Gene Hackman won an Oscar for his portrayal of Egan, whose name was changed to Popeye Doyle in the film. Egan later began an acting career of his own, appearing in such series as Eischied and Police Story. This time Eugene Roche is Egan, now an L.A.P.D. detective who defies authority and does things his way. The Egan character was revived again in 1986 as Popeye Doyle, with Ed O'Neill starring.
Cast: Eugene Roche (as Eddie Egan), Dabney Coleman (Capt. Jones), Glenn Corbett (Det. Burke), John Anderson (J.R. King), John Carlin (Devcaux), Marian Geller (Woman), Michael Bell (Bobby), Fred Holliday (Clerk), Ian Sander (Cab Driver).
188. The Flamingo Kid. ABC 6/11/89. 30 minutes. Viacom Enterprises, Sweetum Productions, and Mercury Entertainment Corp. Director: Tom Moore. Executive Producers: Michael Phillips, Richard Rosen-stock, and Michael Vittes. Writer: Richard Rosenstock, based on a character created by Neal Marshall for the popular 1984 film.
Sasha Mitchell stars as Jeffrey, a sixteen-year-old whose blue-collar father (Dan Hedaya) expects his son to follow in his work-a-day footsteps. But when Jeff takes a job at a beach club, he meets a fun-loving car salesman who introduces him to a different life-style, and another perspective on life. The series would depict Jeff's attempts to reconcile what his father wants with what he is learning about the world.
Cast: Sasha Mitchell (as Jeffrey Willis), Dan Hedaya (Arthur Willis), Jerry Orbach (Phil Brody), Todd Graff (Hawk), Carol Locate' (Ruth), Patty McCormack (Mrs. Brody), Robert Costanzo (Angry Man), Carmine Caridi (Harvey), Kellie Martin (Lauren Brody), Taryn Smith (Ellen Brody), Madelyn Cates (Mrs. Gaskin), Jill Klein (Angry Man's Wife), Myra Turley (The Chickenfat Lady).
189. The Flim-Flam Man. NBC 9/1/69. 30 minutes. Twentieth Century Fox Television. Director: Alan Rafkin. Executive Producer: Lawrence Turman. Producer: Herman Saunders. Writer: James Bridges. Music: Don Scardino.
Based on the 1967 motion picture. Forrest Tucker has George C. Scott's movie role of Mordecai Jones, a con man roaming the backwoods of the North and deep South with his able assistant, Curley Treadway (Don Scardino). Together, they swindle the greedy, the dishonest, the gullible—but never an honest man.
Cast: Forrest Tucker (as Mordecai Jonnes), Don Scardino (Curley Treadway), James Gregory (Packard), Elena Verdugo (Mrs. Packard), Gene Evans (Sheriff Slade), Dub Taylor (Weehunt), Lada Edmond, Jr. (Bonnie Lee), Guy Raymond (Buck), Bob Hastings (Meeshaw), Hope Summers (Debbie Packard).
190. Full House (aka Author! Author!). CBS. 9/20/83. 60 minutes. Television. Brownstone Productions and Twentieth Century Fox. Director: Tony Bill. Executive Producer: Marc Merson. Producer: Paul Waigner. Writer: Israel Horovitz. Creator: Israel Horovitz. Music: Fred Karlin
Based on the 1982 motion picture Author! Author! Dennis Dugan assumes Al Pacino's role as a harried New York playwright who has acquired five children—one of whom is his, the four others are from his runaway wife's first three failed marriages. The disorganized, financially troubled father often has to rely on his children to keep the chaotic household—and his life—together.
Cast: Dennis Dugan (as Ivan Travalian), Ari Meyers (Debbie Travalian), Shelby Balik (Bonnie Travalian), Eric Gurry (Igor Travalian), Scott Nemes (Spike Travalian), Danny Ponce (Geraldo Travalian), Kenneth Mars (Arthur Krantz), Miriam Flynn (Bobbie Hall), Roberta Picardo (Mary), James Murtaugh (Eugene), Julie Payne (Mrs. Knopf), Ray Girardin (Ken Adams), Sam J. Cooper (Tony).
191. Friendly Persuasion (aka Except for Me and Thee). ABC 5/18/75. 2 hours. ITC Entertainment and Allied Artists. Producer/ -Director: Joseph Sargent. Executive Producers: Emmanuel Wolf and Herbert B. Leonard. Writer: William Wood, from the books by Jessamyn West and the 1956 motion picture. Music: John Cacavas. Theme: Dimitri Tiomkin.
Richard Kiley and Shirley Knight (assuming the roles played by Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire) are Quaker farmers who, during the Civil War, help runaway slaves reach freedom. Real-life brothers Michael and Kevin O'Keefe portray the couple's eldest sons.
Cast: Richard Kiley (as Jess Birdwell), Shirley Knight (Eliza well), Michael O'Keefe (Josh Birdwell)
, Kevin O'Keefe (Labe well), Trade Savage (Mattie Birdwell), Sparky Marcus (Little Jess well), Clifton James (Sam Jordon), Paul Benjamin (Swan Stebency), Erik Holland (Enoch), Maria Grimm (Lily Truscott), Bob Minor (Burk).
192. Goodbye Charlie. ABC 6/4/85. 30 minutes. Twentieth Century Fox Television. Director: Charlotte Brown. Executive Producer: Pat Nardo. Writer: Pat Nardo, from the play by George Axelrod and the motion picture screenplay by Harry Kurnitz. Music: Charles Fox. Lyrics: Al Kasha and Joel Hirschorn.
Based on the 1959 play starring Lauren Bacall and the 1964 Debbie Reynolds-Tony Curtis movie. In the play and movie, a skirt-chasing mobster named Charlie, killed by a jealous husband, returns to earth as a woman. In the sitcom, a womanizing advertising executive falls to his death—and comes back as Suzanne Somers, a fate worse than death. The reincarnated Charlie .. . now Charlene . . . goes to work as the secretary for the guy (Ray Buktenica) who replaced her when She was a He. But She's still very much He, and best friend John Davidson is the only one who knows the truth.