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Roddy McDowall

About: A bright-eyed English actor who launched his career as a child model, Roddy McDowall was born Sept. 17, 1928, in London. At 12, he became a star with a heart-wrenching performance in How Green Was My Valley (1941).As the young actor aged, he made the transition to less precocious roles, famously donning prosthetic makeup to play a talking simian in the Planet of the Apes franchise. He also appeared as a regular guest in popular small-screen fare such as "The Twilight Zone," "Fantasy Island" and "The Carol Burnett Show."In 1960, McDowall earned two major acting awards: an Emmy for an episode of "Sunday Showcase" and a Tony for "The Fighting Cock." Although his performance in the big-budget epic Cleopatra (1963) was widely considered one of his best, a clerical goof on the part of the movie studio likely kept him from earning an Oscar nod. McDowall died from lung cancer Oct. 3, 1998.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Laserblast

Rated: | Views Released Year: 1999

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About: While sulking in the California desert, misfit teenager Billy Duncan (Kim Milford) stumbles on a powerful alien laser weapon, which he uses to wreak havoc on all who have wronged him. The venerable critic Leonard Maltin gave this space oddity a two-and-a-half star review, a fact that gets quite a drubbing by the crew at MST3K in this fan-favorite episode. Watch for Roddy McDowall in a brief cameo as Dr. Mellon.
URL: Mystery Science Theater 3000: Laserblast

James Dean: Hill Number One / I Am a Fool

Rated: | Views Released Year: 1953

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About: Before becoming a cinema icon in Rebel Without a Cause, James Dean struggled and worked his way to the top. This video features two of Dean's early TV appearances -- first as John the Baptist in a flashback story of the Resurrection in the Easter special "Hill Number One" (1951) and then in an adaptation of the Sherwood Anderson play "I Am a Fool" (1954), in which Dean stars as a poor farm boy who falls in love with a rich city girl (Natalie Wood).
URL: James Dean: Hill Number One / I Am a Fool

A Bug's Life

Rated: | Views Released Year: 1998

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About: On behalf of "oppressed bugs everywhere," an inventive ant named Flik (voiced by Dave Foley) hires a troupe of warrior bugs to defend his colony from a horde of freeloading grasshoppers led by the evil Hopper (Kevin Spacey). Little does Flik know that his tough "warriors" are really circus performers... Pixar takes you inside the miniature world of insects for this bigger-than-life adventure.
URL: A Bug's Life

Lord Love a Duck

Rated: | Views Released Year: 1966

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About: A horny high school student (Roddy McDowall) puts his telepathic powers to good use when he employs them to romance a stuck-up co-ed (Tuesday Weld). What's this Prince Charming's secret? He makes all her dreams come true in this comedy that oscillates between light humor and stuff that's a tad darker. Based on Al Hine's novel lampooning Southern California's youth culture. Like, totally, fer sure!
URL: Lord Love a Duck

Mowgli's Brothers / A Very Merry Cricket

Rated: | Views Released Year: 1973

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About: Two classic tales about what's really important in life make this Chuck Jones double bill an animation-fest for the entire family. An orphan learns about loyalty and love from his adopted wolf-family in Mowgli's Brothers (adapted from Kipling's The Jungle Book, with voices by Roddy McDowall). In the second tale, Chester Cricket helps his pals Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse find the true meaning of Christmas (voices by Les Tremayne and Mel Blanc).
URL: Mowgli's Brothers / A Very Merry Cricket

The White Seal / A Cricket in Times Square

Rated: | Views Released Year: 1973

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About: With two timeless tales about helping friends in need, this Chuck Jones animation double feature suits the entire family. In The White Seal (adapted from Kipling's story, voices by Roddy McDowall), a seal pup protects his family and friends from hunters. In the second tale, Chester Cricket goes to New York City, befriends Harry, Tucker and Mario and uses his musical talents to help Mario's family business (voices by Les Tremayne and Mel Blanc).
URL: The White Seal / A Cricket in Times Square

The Loved One

Rated: | Views Released Year: 1965

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About: Based on the Evelyn Waugh novel, The Loved One skewers the U.S. funeral industry and along with it, U.S. values. Soon after a British poet (Robert Morse) arrives at the Hollywood home of his uncle (John Gielgud), the uncle ends up dead. Now, the poet must deal with the crew at Whispering Glades cemetery: Mr. Joyboy (Rod Steiger), the embalmer; a funeral home manager and his twin (both played by Jonathan Winters); and a coffin salesman (Liberace).
URL: The Loved One

The Martian Chronicles

Rated: | Views Released Year: 1980

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About: Based on Ray Bradbury's sci-fi classic, this television miniseries details the wonder and horror of humankind's attempts to establish a new society on Mars. Before long, some colonists learn that an alien life form might exist beneath the planet's surface; moreover, it soon becomes apparent that putting stakes down on Mars might not be appreciated by the current inhabitants. Darren McGavin, Roddy McDowell, Rock Hudson and Bernie Casey star.
URL: The Martian Chronicles

Lassie Come Home

Rated: | Views Released Year: 1943

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About: After falling on hard times, the parents of Joe Carraclough (Roddy McDowall) are left with no choice but to put his adored dog, Lassie, up for sale. The dog is bought by the Duke of Rudling (Nigel Bruce) and looked after by his granddaughter Priscilla (Elizabeth Taylor). Although his new owners are nice, Lassie keeps escaping in order to find his way back to Joe, helped along by farmer Dolly (Dame May Whitty) and handyman Rowlie (Edmund Gwenn.)
URL: Lassie Come Home

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