American Gothic 1988  R, 89 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Director: John Hough
Cast: Rod Steiger, Yvonne De Carlo, Sarah Torgov, Mark Lindsay Chapman, Fiona Hutchison, Michael J. Pollard, William Hootkins, Terry Kelly, Mark Ericksen, Caroline Barclay
The number of vacationers on a remote island dwindles as psychotic family members (Rod Steiger and Yvonne De Carlo) kill off the tourists–one at a time.
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Biggles 1986   PG, 95 min.
Genre: Adventure / Sci-Fi
aka: Biggles: Adventures in Time
Director: John Hough
Cast: Neil Dickson, Peter Cushing, Alex Hyde-White, Fiona Hutchison, Marcus Gilbert, William Hootkins, Daniel Flynn, James Saxon, Francesca Gonshaw, Alan Polonsky
1980s' entrepreneur Jim Ferguson (Alex Hyde-White) suddenly finds himself back in World War I. It turns out that he has a "time twin," British war pilot Biggles (Neil Dickson). Since each such twin is obligated to help the other when needed, Jim helps Biggles destroy a German super weapon. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | Good spirited fun that doesn't take itself too seriously | C-McK 02/26/2007 | Bringing Capt. W.E. Johns' fictional flying ace to the big screen was the intention of writers Kent Walwin and John Groves, and with John Hough's direction, they partially achieved this.
What followed was 89 mins (according to the DVD) of fast paced adventure with many twists and turns. This charming film offers much for film buffs who are partial to subtexts and imagery but gives a neat blend of chocks away hocum with science fiction romp. It is an unusual premise for Biggles to be involved in time travel but it works nicely.
Without going into microscopic depth, the film has a promenant Good Vs Bad element, a sinister plot,absolutely exhilerating ariel footage created especially for the film, a touching if brief love story and has a young and talented cast with the ever watchable and brilliant Peter Cushing in what was to be his last film.
Actor Alex Hyde White (son of late British actor Wilfred Hyde White) is the main character but it is Neil Dixon who shines as Biggles, giving the character his "pip-pip, chocks away " cheeriness and creates a solid character. Peter Cushing's Air Commadore William Raymond remains out of the central action but he is pivitol in the plot and his scenes are a treat to watch ( when he meets Biggles in present day, he has tears in his eyes when he says "How I've missed you, old friend"-utterly superb).
A little info regarding the other actors - Francesca Gonshaw (who plays Biggles' love interest, Marie) was at the time appearing in BBC comedy 'Allo 'Allo from the pilot in 1982 to the end of series 3 in 1986-7 as a french waitress at Cafe Rene. It is my belief that the reason she left the show (to join Howards' Way) was due to fear of type casting. In 'Allo 'Allo her character was called Maria, and her character in "Biggles" is strangely called Marie. It is a shame that Miss Gonshaw has not been seen on television or film since 1990, an actress of considerable beauty and acting ability has now dissappeared from TV radar. Sad.
Daniel Flynn, who plays Ginger is the brother of Gerome Flynn currently appears in The Bill as Super Int. Heaton. Flynn is an actor who has a great deal of talent and has managed to keep in the running with work on TV.
I could go on but all this info is available on IMDB.com
"Biggles- Adventures in Time" is a film that should be watched with an open mind and with a sence of fun. I enjoyed watching it partially for its views of London in 1985 ( when the film was in production) but also for the "before they were half famous" look at the acting talent. Having the DVD in my possession, there are a number of features like the "Making Of" documentary , TV slots at the time and actor Biographies which give insight to the fact that this film was intended to rival Raiders of the Lost Ark, Gremlins and Ghostbusters (according to an interview with Dixon on the DVD), and the fact that the film premier was attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales gives the impression that the makers thought it would be a blockbuster- far from it, I'm afraid.This is what I mean about the writer and director "partially "succeeding.
My advice to you is this - if you are interested, find a copy of the film and watch it. use your own judgement and offer your own opinion. That is what I did and am about to add a full stop to my review, hope you do the same. |
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Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry 1974  PG, 93 min.
Genre: Action
Director: John Hough
Cast: Peter Fonda, Susan George, Adam Roarke, Vic Morrow, Eugene Daniels, Roddy McDowall, Lynn Borden, Kenneth Tobey, William Campbell
Larry (Peter Fonda) is a star, sports-car driver who picks up Mary (Susan George) and Deke (Adam Roarke). They hold up a grocery store to steal money for a new car, and the chase is on as they elude the California Highway Patrol.
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Escape to Witch Mountain 1975 G, 94 min.
Genre: Family / Adventure / Fantasy / Sci-Fi
Director: John Hough
Cast: Eddie Albert, Donald Pleasence, Ray Milland, Kim Richards, Ike Eisenmann, Walter Barnes, Reta Shaw, Denver Pyle, Alfred Ryder, George Chandler, Lawrence Montaigne, Shepherd Sanders, Don Brodie, Terry Wilson, Dermott Downs
In this Disney film, orphaned adolescents, brother and sister Tony and Tia Malone (Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards), have unusual psychic powers but suffer from amnesia, which prevents them from being aware that they are space aliens. Evil millionaire Aristotle Bolt (Ray Milland) realizes that Tony and Tia have supernatural powers and tries to exploit them. Aristotle holds them in his mansion against their will–until Jason (Eddie Albert), who is grieving over his wife's death, takes Tony and Tia in his RV on a cross-country trek during which Aristotle is in hot pursuit. After the RV is transformed into a space ship, they arrive at Witch Mountain where long-hidden secrets are revealed.
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Eyewitness 1970  PG, 95 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
aka: Sudden Terror
Director: John Hough
Cast: Mark Lester, Lionel Jeffries, Susan George, Tony Bonner, Jeremy Kemp, Peter Vaughan, Betty Marsden, Peter Bowles, Anthony Stamboulieh, Joseph Furst
Ziggy (Mark Lester) and his sister live in a lighthouse run by their grandfather. Known for stretching the truth, no one believes Ziggy when he witnesses the assassination of an African leader by two policemen. But the (fake) policemen know he is telling the truth, and now he, his sister, and her boyfriend are on the run as the chase begins. Not bad, with good scenery.
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The Lady and the Highwayman 1989 N/R, 93 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: John Hough
Cast: Emma Samms, Oliver Reed, Hugh Grant, Claire Bloom, Christopher Cazenove, Lysette Anthony, Michael York, John Mills, Ian Bannen, Gordon Jackson
Based on Barbara Cartland's novel, this is the tale of a 17th-century romance between a highwayman (Hugh Grant) and a woman (Lysette Anthony) he saved from her brutal husband (Hugh Grant). With the reinstatement of Charles II (Michael York) as King of England, problems interfere with the romance.
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Return from Witch Mountain 1978 G, 93 min.
Genre: Family / Adventure / Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Director: John Hough
Cast: Bette Davis, Christopher Lee, Kim Richards, Ike Eisenmann, Jack Soo, Denver Pyle, Richard Bakalyan, Anthony James, Ward Costello, Christian Juttner, Brad Savage, Stu Gilliam, William Bassett, Pondexter Yothers, Jeffrey Jacquet
In Disney's sequel to "Escape from Witch Mountain," teenagers Tia (Kim Richards) and Tony (Ike Eisenmann) leave Witch Mountain and visit Los Angeles for a vacation. They meet mad scientist Victor (Christopher Lee) who realizes that Tia and Tony have supernatural powers, and he kidnaps Tony with the intent of brainwashing him into helping him and his accomplice Letha (Bette Davis) accomplish their evil deeds. But, Tia uses her telepathic powers to contact Tony, and she and a gang of kids (Christian Juttner, Brad Savage, Pondexter Yothers, and Jeffrey Jacquet) set out to rescue Tony.
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Treasure Island 1972 G, 94 min.
Genre: Family / Adventure
Director: John Hough
Cast: Orson Welles, Kim Burfield, Walter Slezak, Lionel Stander, Rik Battaglia, Paul Muller, Maria Rohm, Aldo Sambrell, Angel del Pozo, Jean Lefebvre, Michel Garland, Adolfo Thous, Alibe, Jose Luis Chinchilla, Victor Israel
Jim Hawkins' (Kim Burfield) treasure map is the key that gets him involved with the band of pirates headed by Long John Silver (Orson Welles) in this adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale.
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Twins of Evil 1971 R, 87 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller / Drama
Director: John Hough
Cast: Peter Cushing, Mary Collinson, Madeleine Collinson, Dennis Price, Kathleen Byron, Isobel Black, Damien Thomas, David Warbeck, Harvey Hall, Katya Wyeth, Alex Scotgt, Judy Matheson, Luan Peters
In this final film of the Hammer Films' trilogy based on Sheridan LeFanu's "Carmilla," the twin Playboy centerfolds Madeleine and Mary Collinson play twin sisters Frieda and Maria who are sent to stay with tough Uncle Gustof (Peter Cushing) who is a witch hunter. Unfortunately, he lives next to a vampire castle, and Frieda must have a look at the castle. Before you know it, she is out sucking blood and involved with satanic rites. The uncle comes to the rescue.
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The Watcher in the Woods 1980 PG, 100 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Director: John Hough
Cast: Bette Davis, Carroll Baker, David McCallum, Lynn-Holly Johnson, Kyle Richards, Ian Bannen, Eleanor Summerfield, Richard Pasco, Benedict Taylor, Georgina Hale
While an American family is living in an English country manor, they learn that their daughter resembles the long-dead daughter of their bizarre neighbor.
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| 1. American Gothic (1988)
2. Biggles (1986)
aka: Biggles: Adventures in Time
3. Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974)
4. Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)
5. Eyewitness (1970)
aka: Sudden Terror
6. Howling IV: The Original Nightmare (1988)
7. The Incubus (1982)
8. The Lady and the Highwayman (1989)
9. The Legend of Hell House (1973)
10. Return from Witch Mountain (1978)
11. Treasure Island (1972)
12. Triumphs of a Man Called Horse (1983)
13. Twins of Evil (1971)
14. The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
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