Perry King Movies

[Tim]

Teddy Roosevelt (that's where the name teddy bear comes from).

Interesting.

[Squad 51]

Indeed. The bear was named after him. Final entry for this series.

Chapter VIII

Additional cast:
Cliff DeYoung as Brian Armagh
John deLancie as Timothy Armagh (son of Sean)

Story:
When Joseph offers Bernadette a drink before telling her of Kevin's death, she becomes paranoid and thinking that he is trying to poison her, she is apologetic and confesses she told Anne-Marie that she was related to Courtney by blood, but she couldn't have known that it would cause Anne-Marie's accident. After she is told about Kevin, she becomes hysterical and tries to throw herself out of a window.
Subdued by Joseph, she says they are all cursed. Bernadette, an alcoholic with severe emotional problems and Anne-Marie, still in a coma, are both sent into care at Woodville.

It's 1912 and Rory Armagh is now a senator, married to Claudia Desmond with four children and plans are under way for his presidential bid.

Joseph's youngest son, Brian has his own financial empire as owner of Xavier Aircraft and Xavier Films. After Joseph suffers a heart attack, he asks Brian to step in as Rory's campaign manager. Rory and Brian go on a coast to coast campaign tour and begin winning multiple primary elections. Winning the Democratic nomination is almost certain for him.

Rory receives a telephone call from Marjorie and he races to her for a passionate reunion. On his deathbed, her father confessed the plan to separate them and she explains it all to Rory. They are just happy that they have found each other again.

Elizabeth dies soon after a visit from Harry, where he discovers that she still loves Joseph. Harry tells Joseph that he wants to retire and travel now that he is 70 and his Emmy is gone.

The powerful financial organization that is backing Rory's bid for the Presidency summons Joseph to a meeting and asks him to have Rory endorse Woodrow Wilson for the Democratic nomination and settle for the Vice Presidential slot on the ticket. Joseph refuses, fearing that he won't live to see Rory elected president.
Joseph telephones Rory to tell him that he no longer has the support of his powerful financial backers. Rory is happy with this news and expresses his intention as President to crush this elite group that uses it's power and money to influence and control world events for financial gain. Joseph cautions him to keep this plan to himself, because it would be suicide for him - and not just politically. Unfortunately, his father-in-law, Charles Desmond has listened in on this call.

Joseph reconciles with his brother Sean and asks for the support of the Labor Unions. Sean agrees to guarantee the Labor vote and it is announced that American Labor endorses Rory Armagh for President.

Rory takes the lead in the race for the Democratic nomination.

Joseph receives a call from Harry, saying he is returning to America on the Titanic and will be back in time to vote for Rory. Joseph receives a final message from Harry delivered by a survivor whose life Harry had saved as the ship was sinking.

With only two weeks left before the Democratic convention in Baltimore, Joseph's hopes and dreams for his son are over when Rory is shot and killed leaving his campaign headquarters in Philadelphia. (taken from here again)

Thoughts: Well, here we are. Rory returns from Cuba, only to find Marjorie gone. Bernadette doesn't take it well when being informed about her son's death, and so she and her daughter go to a sanatory. After a heart attack, Joseph asks his youngest son Brian to help Rory with his campaign. Brian seems to be more his father's son, own companies and money, yet he helps and gets the shock of his life to find out that Rory is actually married to the women but for Rory only Marjorie counts and they reconcile. Still, he's married to Claudia and this marriage doesn't work. When Joseph's people decide to vote for Wilson, Joseph gets angry and steps out, only to speak with his brother Sean again - and to let the labour vote for Rory. After a meeting with Marjorie and the next stop in Philadelphia, Rory talks to Brian, yet at the moment a man in the crowd shots him from a close range and he dies in his wife's arms. Marjorie then goes to Joseph and he accepts their marriage finally. Meanwhile, Harry loses his life on the Titanic. In the end, Joseph is a broken man.

A promo for this last chapter:


Some pics:


I'll stop here and this time I recognized "Q" immediately. I was prepared.

Well, tomorrow then movie time again. Into the year 1977 as well.

[Tim]

Yeah, Q was in this one.

[Squad 51]

Yep, but as mentioned movie time again.

Well, today I watched Andy Warhol's Bad from 1977.

Cast:
Perry King - L.T.
Susan Tyrrell - Mary Aiken
Carroll Baker - Hazel Aiken
Stefana Casini - P.G.

and many more

Story:
Hazel Aiken (Carroll Baker) is a Queens housewife and hairdresser who runs an electrolysis parlor in her home. Hazel shares a home with her sister-in-law and infant child and flicks lit cigarettes at her ineffectual husband. She makes extra money by operating a dirty deeds service, connecting clients with sociopaths who perform the jobs. Hazel only hires women, but when one of them can't do a high paying job, she agrees to interview a drifter L.T. (Perry King) recommended by one of the girls. Hazel also receives unwanted attention from Detective Hughes (Charles McGregor), a corrupt cop who wants her to surrender one of her employees so he can make an arrest. Hazel's female employees like P. G. and R.C. wander in and out of the house and occasionally torture her sister-in-law with mean comments about her weight and absent husband. L.T. delights in this and does nothing to prevent it. When it comes time for L.T. to do his job, which is to smother an autistic child in his bedroom while the knowing parents pretend to sleep, things do not go according to plan. L.T. becomes frustrated when the kid does not respond to him and stares inert into space. Feeling sympathy for the child, he brings him to the parents' bedroom and yells, "Do it yourself!" When he returns to Hazel's to explain that he did not do the job, Hazel calls him "sensitive" and demands her rent money. Detective Hughes is also in the house, to Hazel's surprise, and they argue over their agreement. Hazel calls Hughes "picky", which enrages him and he drowns her to death in the kitchen sink. The sister-in-law walks into the kitchen and dispassionately takes Hazel's key to the dial phone's lock and unlocks it. (taken from here now)

Thoughts: Well, very strange movie and you have to accept that the world is not good at all. Very odd jobs are requested by people and Hazel needs the money and no one lives for free in her house. She's not happy with L.T. in her house, saying to the cop he is her nephew and more, things get ugly. It's all very weird and it seems that the women can do their job, the man not. To his luck, L.T. flees right on time and well, Warhol was a strange character.

Some pics:


I'll stop here now. Way too many pics to find online.

Tomorrow then a great jump to 1984!

[Tim]

Never seen this one.

[Squad 51]

Be glad. It's something for Warhol fans. I watched it because of Perry King.

As said, a jump to Helen Keller: The Miracle Continues from 1984. (right before "Riptide")

Cast:
Mare Winningham - Helen Keller
Blythe Danner - Anne Sullivan
Perry King - John Macy
Vera Miles - Kate Keller
Jack Warden - Mark Twain
Peter Cushing - Prof. Charles Copeland
Jeff Harding - Peter Fagan

and many more

Story:
The relationship between Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, her teacher, was a special one, the first years of which have been dramatized powerfully in William Gibson's ''Miracle Worker.'' The play ended with that magical moment when young Helen, blind and deaf, made the connection between the word ''water'' being spelled into her hand by Annie and the real pump water flowing over her other hand.

The later years were no less fascinating. With Miss Sullivan's dedicated assistance, Miss Keller graduated from Radcliffe and became a world-famous author and public personality. This is the period covered in Operation Prime Time's ''Helen Keller, the Miracle Continues,'' a television movie, starring Mare Winningham as Helen and Blythe Danner as Anne, which is being repeated on Channel 11 tonight at 8 following its Monday premiere.

These were far from being placidly easy years. There were tensions not only between the two women and the rest of the world but also between themselves. John McGreevey's script, based on the Joseph P. Lash book ''Helen and Teacher,'' does touch on some of the more controversial and unpleasant aspects of their lives but the overall production is insistent on being reassuringly inspirational. If things begin to look a bit peculiar, the camera's focus suddenly goes soft, some violins begin playing in the background and the dialogue supplies a bit of comforting uplift. The ''miracle'' will continue, evidently, no matter what.

The fierce strength of the relationship between Helen and Anne is established at the outset as a Mr. Gilman (Alexander Knox) in Cambridge, Mass., is accused of wanting to take over Miss Keller's education for his own gain. Helen's mother (Vera Miles) is summoned and, finding her daughter distraught at the thought of leaving Annie, firmly dismisses the professional educator. A triumphant Annie declares, ''No power on earth could ever separate Helen and me.''

While publicly Helen and Annie prove to be continuing sources of inspiration, their private lives are marked by prolonged bouts of unhappiness. Annie's marriage to John Macy (Perry King) is a disaster. He is the editor provided by The Ladies Home Journal to help Miss Keller write a series of articles that will later form the basis for a book. He is charming and witty and seemingly devoted to Annie, but she is too tied to Helen to spare much time for him or their marriage. Meanwhile, Helen is also beginning to long for romance in her life but when it appears, in the person of young Peter Fagan (Jeff Harding), both her mother and Annie sabotage a plan for an elopement. Later, for reasons of financial support, Annie convinces Helen to go on a vaudeville tour with lectures about her struggles against adversity.

There is much, then, that is questionable, if not horrifying, about the personal life of Helen Keller. But this television film is bent on putting the best possible interpretation on everything. Everybody, with the possible exception of the increasingly alcoholic Macy, is made to appear as sympathetic as possible. When Annie is at her most domineering, Miss Danner can emphasize the woman's own frailties of failing eyesight and consumptive tendencies. Miss Winningham has little more to do than look vulnerable and puzzled, occasionally speaking with what sounds like an East European accent being filtered through clenched teeth. And Helen's mother hovers in the background as some mysteriously protective figure.

Even the shabby vaudeville escapade is given a veneer of lofty inspiration. The customers at the theater are remarkably proper, dressed as if they were attending a formal tea. After Miss Keller delivers her message of hope (''Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much''), the audience rises for one of those stirring ovations so dear to the heart of show business. A triumphant Annie throws her arms around the performer, declaring, ''Helen, I love you.'' Even those viewers militantly determined to be moved by all of this will find it difficult to avoid some nagging questions about the rosy interpretation of events. (taken from here this time)

Thoughts: Well, when a man breaks into a strong bond between women it's not easy. John Macy does so at first and accepts Helen with him being her editor but Anne, the teacher, is the one who he falls in love with but she can't make the decision to remain the teacher for Helen or be John's wife. So, well, John flees into the alcohol and falls down the steps but it's practically the end of their marriage. When Helen falls also in love, with a friend of John's, Peter, her mother and teacher protect her with all costs. Not really a 'happy end' here but for Helen and Anne.

Some pics:


I'll leave it here. Seems to be a half sequel to a movie from 1979.

So tomorrow a minor jump to 1988 with two movies here. Watched one by one, of course.

[Tim]

Peter Cushing was in this one?  Cool!

[Squad 51]

Surprise, surprise. If I remember correctly from IMDB, this was his last TV role.

So, tonight DVD time with Shakedown on the Sunset Trip from 1988.

Cast:
Perry King - Sgt. Charles Stoker
Season Hubley - Officer Audre Davis
Joan van Ark - Brenda Allen
Vincent Baggetta - Sgt. Fuller
David Graf - Officer Jack Ruggles
Joan McMurtrey - Betty Stoker (Lt. Marsh from S&S)
Charles Siebert - Sgt. Gerber

and many more

Story:
Based on a true story, this movie perfectly captures an era gone by and transforms a story of corruption into a riveting drama. On the infamous Sunset Strip, an agressive vice cop's pursuit of a notorious Hollywood madam stirs up a deadly hornet's nest of political scandal.

Los Angeles in the 1940s - a time when everybody had something to sell and a place where every dimly lit street seemed to hide a secret. Sgt. Charles Stoker sees the takedown of the most prominent madam on the strip as his fast track up the chain of command. With the help of his partner and love interest, Stoker catches the Queen of the Strip red-handed. However, he soon learns her political connections make her nearly untouchable. Ignoring the risks to his career - and his life - Stoker pushes harder for evidence to shut down the prostitution ring, until he realizes that his obsession may have gone too far. (taken from my DVD cover)

Thoughts: An obsessed man to get the lady, yet he was ordered to it. Though Charles is separated from his wife, he still seeks her advice and time, especially for his sons and a good colleague, Jack. Betty knows about his affair, yet she only has one wish for him: that he's not a cop. Throughout this whole trial it goes up and down for Stoker, and he certainly feels betrayed by his love interest but he can answer his wife's request. This movie shows an era where all was possible, and to save many bad one good has to go. Unfortunately.

Some pics:


Well, more I can't find. Obviously.

See you tomorrow - still in 1988. lol

[Squad 51]

Here we go again, still in the same year like yesterday.

And tonight then Disaster at Silo 7 from 1988.

Cast:
Ray Baker - Col. Chadwick
Peter Boyle - Gen. Sanger
Patricia Charbonneau - Kathy Fitzgerald
Perry King - Major Hicks
Michael O'Keefe - Sgt. Mike Fitzgerald
Joe Spano - Sgt. Swofford
Dennis Weaver - Sheriff Ben Harlen

and many more

Story:
During routine maintenance of a liquid-fuelled ICBM, the fuel tank is penetrated by a falling spanner. The film traces the efforts of the maintenance crew and associated military and civilian personnel to recover the potentially disastrous situation before the fuel tank is sufficiently depressurised that the stack collapses and explodes. —Mike McBain (taken from IMDB again)

Thoughts: Based on a true incident at the beginning of the 1980, this movie captures the efforts of all involved parties to not let explode the missiles. It was the time when the Cold War was still open, and weapons should protect the people. Sgt. Fitzgerald and his people are always checking it but after a minor incident, the missile starts to get up. Some miscommunication lets the missile explode and hurt several people. All superiors are involved and they try to step down the damage but the local people have their ways. Major Hicks is the highest ranking person there and so he's at the immediate front. All help the best way they could - until the rain stops the bad air.

A promo for this:


Some pics:


I'll leave it here. Can't say yet if I can manage a movie tomorrow night!*

See you then.

*Note: We have a nice supper tomorrow night because of the end of our biking courses for women!

[Tim]

I saw this one, many, many years ago.

[Squad 51]

I thought so, hence this was in 1988!

Some changes about the men: Terry and Ron have gray hair, George a mustache and Russ a beard at the end. And the stylists have done well.
Just bad that there are no pictures to find!

After some research I finally found a picture and that's why I post it now since there's no movie today.

Enjoy! And tomorrow and Sunday then the two parter from 1989!

---

EDIT: Oops, I forgot to mention it's from the mini series The Last Convertible from 1979.

[Tim]

Nice pic.

[Squad 51]

Thanks. This upcoming two parter is based on a novel by A.E. Hotchner.

Well, tonight then the first part of The Man Who Lived At The Ritz from 1989.

Cast:
Perry King - Philip Weber
Joss Ackland - Hermann Göring
Leslie Caron - Coco Chanel
Sophie Barjac - Martine Fauvet
David McCallum - Charlie Ritz
John Grillo - von Behr

and many more

Story:
This is a pretty-darn-good World War II movie. The Germans take over the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Perry King has lived there for years (and, so, is allowed to stay). Later, he befriends Field Marshall Herman Goering; (after noticing that one of Goering's "valuable" paintings is a forgery), he gets hired as his art expert. Later, he gets pulled into the Resistance movement. At this point, the story gets dangerous for him (and continues to the end). Coco Chanel (Leslie Caron) becomes his close friend; he loves one of Coco's models. I enjoy David McCallum's role, as the weak-kneed son of the famed Ritz owner (who also gets involved in the Resistance).

It's a long movie (over 3 hours), so it fully paints each of the characters, and fleshes out the plot. - by dennisg-6 on IMDB

Thoughts: Well, Philip sets up in Paris in 1927 and with his uncle's last will, he's allowed to live at the Ritz for good. We start with 1940 when Germany has occupied France and the higher Nazis like Göring, Göbbels and all are out to steal the French art and its masterpieces for themselves. Philip tries to stay neutral but it gets worse when he falls in love with one of Ms Chanel's girls, Lily from Poland. She asks him for help to flee but he can't, yet as he finds her dead at the hand of the Nazis, he changes his mind slowly. When Göring asks him for his expertise, he begins to become involved more and more since he's an art student. Soon enough, the doors are wide open for the Resistance and he meets Martine again.

A promo for this:


Some pics:


I'll leave it here. Hope to find some still tomorrow.

See you then!

[Tim]

David McCallum from The Man From UNCLE.

[Squad 51]

And later "NCIS" as the coroner there, Duckie Mallard. lol

Now onto the second part.

Since it's the same story, I only add my thoughts here:

Philip becomes more and more involved with the Resistance and by helping Göring and his art, he finds out that someone close to him has to be a double agent. He first suspects Coco but as it turns out it's their mutual friend Armand who also plays tennis. However, Armand invites Philip to his castle where they could talk, yet Philip notices a statue which was in Göring's hands and is now in Armand's. The man wants to kill him but Philip turns the table around and has to flee. Being on the run, he has hunted by the Gestapo and Göring is disappointed. During a nightly chase, involving a motorcycle ( ), Philip and Martine, who the Gestapo followed, they decide to jump into the Seine. Martine remains saved while Philip lets himself caught and in a cell, Göring lets his anger take over. Well, soon Mr Weber should be transported away but Göbbels steps in and let the man transfer to him, yet still Philip manages to escape and for some years helps the Resistance, along with Martine. However, when France is freed in August 1944 he's back at the Ritz, in his room - and Martine and celebrates the victory over Nazi Germany.

Some pics (I hope):


Sorry, there are no more or others which won't work. *sighs*

See you tomorrow, back in 1993!