Here are some TV movies from 1974 I've seen at some point. I'll give a brief note on what they are about...or what I think they were about...it's been a long time for most of them, so my memories may not be too accurate.
Going over the list of 1974 TV movies, I can see where these provided a real influence on my 11/12 year old worldview. Theses movies dealt with civil rights, racial issues, teen prostitution, American history, rape, sex, sexual politics, alcoholism, mental illness, dysfunctional families, among other topics. Not to mention the additions to genres such as disaster films, horror films and a couple of comedies. Some long running series got their start in 1974 as well.
1974
Going over the list of 1974 TV movies, I can see where these provided a real influence on my 11/12 year old worldview. Theses movies dealt with civil rights, racial issues, teen prostitution, American history, rape, sex, sexual politics, alcoholism, mental illness, dysfunctional families, among other topics. Not to mention the additions to genres such as disaster films, horror films and a couple of comedies. Some long running series got their start in 1974 as well.
The
Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
Two part film dealing with a 110-year-old woman's reminiscences about her life dating from slavery to the civil rights movement. This movie may have been overshadowed by Roots a couple of years later, but it is compelling viewing.
Based on the Ernest Gaines novel.
Two part film dealing with a 110-year-old woman's reminiscences about her life dating from slavery to the civil rights movement. This movie may have been overshadowed by Roots a couple of years later, but it is compelling viewing.
Based on the Ernest Gaines novel.
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
Born Innocent
Linda Blair followed up her Exorcist role with a series of teen in trouble films, including Sarah T. Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic and Sweet Hostage. Born Innocent dealt with the problems of a teenage runaway. Linda did end the decade with a turn to lighter fair, the roller skating epic, Roller Boogie.
Born Innocent
A
Case of Rape
I can only try to remember what I thought about this movie about a wife and mother (Elizabeth Montgomery) who is raped and how her and her family deal with the aftermath. My mother thought I was too young to watch this at the time, though I did eventually see the whole thing.
I can only try to remember what I thought about this movie about a wife and mother (Elizabeth Montgomery) who is raped and how her and her family deal with the aftermath. My mother thought I was too young to watch this at the time, though I did eventually see the whole thing.
A Case of Rape
The
Day the Earth Moved
Cleavon Little and Jackie Cooper lead a good if not all-star cast in a TV version of the popular disaster movie trend. And someone write a Wikipedia article on this movie right away!
Dracula
Dark Shadows producer Dan Curtis was not a fan of the old Universal horror movies and decided to make his own. I can't honestly remember how successful his 1974 Dracula was.
Cleavon Little and Jackie Cooper lead a good if not all-star cast in a TV version of the popular disaster movie trend. And someone write a Wikipedia article on this movie right away!
The Day the Earth Moved
Hurricane
And another in the disaster movie TV sweepstakes. This one had Larry Hagman and one of the last roles for TV's Sgt. Carter, Frank Sutton! And would someone get on writing a Wikipedia article on this one as well?
Hurricane
Dracula
Dark Shadows producer Dan Curtis was not a fan of the old Universal horror movies and decided to make his own. I can't honestly remember how successful his 1974 Dracula was.
Dracula
The
Execution of Private Slovik
This drama about the only American deserter executed during World War II was definitely on the "Did you see that?" list the week it was aired. At least it was at my school.
This drama about the only American deserter executed during World War II was definitely on the "Did you see that?" list the week it was aired. At least it was at my school.
The Execution of Private Slovik
The
Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped
I'm not sure how this Karen Valentine in a bikini with a ribbon delivered as a present to businessman Richard Long movie would play today. It was certainly okay with me at the time!
I'm not sure how this Karen Valentine in a bikini with a ribbon delivered as a present to businessman Richard Long movie would play today. It was certainly okay with me at the time!
The Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped
The Great Niagra
Can you survive going over Niagra Falls in a barrel? This was the main question this movie proposed. I seem to remember the answer being no.
The Great Niagra
Houston, We’ve Got a Problem
Before there was Apollo 13, the TV movie of the week took a stab at this story shortly after it happened. I didn't remember Sandra Dee being in it!
Houston, We’ve Got a Problem
It
Couldn’t Happen to a Nicer Guy
An attractive woman forces a doughy everyman (Paul Sorvino) at gunpoint to have sex with her. Whoa! A guy getting raped by an attractive woman? I think what I may have learned watching A Case of Rape may have been unlearned by It Couldn’t Happen to a Nicer Guy.
An attractive woman forces a doughy everyman (Paul Sorvino) at gunpoint to have sex with her. Whoa! A guy getting raped by an attractive woman? I think what I may have learned watching A Case of Rape may have been unlearned by It Couldn’t Happen to a Nicer Guy.
It Couldn’t Happen to a Nicer Guy
Locusts
A movie set during the Depression where we essentially wait until the Locust attack at the end of the movie. Ron Howard was in it.
Locusts
The Missiles of October
Taped movie about the Cuban Missile Crisis seemed really good at the time. I've never referred to William Devane (as JFK) as anything except "The Kennedy Guy" ever since.
The Missiles of October
The Morning After
TV's lovable Dick Van Dyke did well on his few forays into drama (similarly to Andy Griffith). This one had Dick as an alcoholic.
The Morning After
Savages
If Pray for the Wildcats wasn't enough of Andy Griffith as a heavy in 1974! Savages cast Andy as a wicked sportsman who hunts a young guy for sport in the desert. I think that's what this was about.
Savages
The
Sex Symbol
Voluptuous Connie Stevens as a Marilyn Monroe-like sex symbol.
Voluptuous Connie Stevens as a Marilyn Monroe-like sex symbol.
The Sex Symbol
The Stranger Within
Barbara Eden also made an occasional dramatic turn in TV movies. This time she plays a pregnant woman with two hearts who might be....Satan!
Wonder Woman
Barbara Eden...Connie Stevens...Karen Valentine gift-wrapped...none of these beauties could quite compete in 1974 with Cathy Lee Crosby as Wonder Woman, in this pilot series that didn't sell. Nothing against Lynda Carter or Gal Gadot, but Cathy Lee will always be Wonder Woman to me. I was going to re-watch this one for this month's blog, but couldn't find a copy of it. Considering the couple of rather cheesy clips I did manage to find, it may be for the best that it remain a fond but remote memory.
Barbara Eden also made an occasional dramatic turn in TV movies. This time she plays a pregnant woman with two hearts who might be....Satan!
The Stranger Within
Wonder Woman
Barbara Eden...Connie Stevens...Karen Valentine gift-wrapped...none of these beauties could quite compete in 1974 with Cathy Lee Crosby as Wonder Woman, in this pilot series that didn't sell. Nothing against Lynda Carter or Gal Gadot, but Cathy Lee will always be Wonder Woman to me. I was going to re-watch this one for this month's blog, but couldn't find a copy of it. Considering the couple of rather cheesy clips I did manage to find, it may be for the best that it remain a fond but remote memory.
Wonder Woman
The
Migrants
Another 30's drama from this year with Ron Howard. I may be confusing this one with The Locusts. Give me a break, it's been over 40 years!
Another 30's drama from this year with Ron Howard. I may be confusing this one with The Locusts. Give me a break, it's been over 40 years!
The Migrants
Get
Christie Love!
"You're under arrest, sugar!" Teresa Graves as the cop that was clearly influenced by Pam Grier's film roles didn't last as long as it probably should have as a series.
"You're under arrest, sugar!" Teresa Graves as the cop that was clearly influenced by Pam Grier's film roles didn't last as long as it probably should have as a series.
Little
House on the Prairie
The pilot for this series was clearly successful and has been in reruns and in books by Laura Ingalls Wilder at a library near you ever since.
The pilot for this series was clearly successful and has been in reruns and in books by Laura Ingalls Wilder at a library near you ever since.
Little House on the Prairie
The
Rockford Files
Another pilot to a successful series with Jame Garner as detective Jim Rockford. Had one of the all-time great opening themes.
Another pilot to a successful series with Jame Garner as detective Jim Rockford. Had one of the all-time great opening themes.
The Rockford Files
Senior
Year (Sons and Daughters)
In a just world, the nostalgic Sons and Daughters would have had a long TV run and Happy Days would have lasted about 10 episodes (the shelf life of Sons and Daughters), but nobody ever said life was just.
In a just world, the nostalgic Sons and Daughters would have had a long TV run and Happy Days would have lasted about 10 episodes (the shelf life of Sons and Daughters), but nobody ever said life was just.
Sons and Daughters
Smile Jenny (Harry O)
David Janssen had many TV roles,but it was hard to not always picture him as Richard Kimble, the Christ figure from The Fugitive. Harry-O indeed!
Harry O
It was never quite the same for TV movies after 1974...but I will proceed to the next year.
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