Bert Freed
Biography: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Bert Freed (November 3, 1919 — August 2, 1994) was a prolific American character actor, voice over actor, and the first actor to portray "Detective Columbo" on television. Born and raised in The Bronx, New York, Freed began acting while attending Penn State University, and made his Broadway debut in 1942. Following World War II Army service in the European Theatre, he appeared in the Broadway musical The Day Before Spring in 1945 and dozens of television shows between 1947 and 1985. His film debut occurred, oddly enough, in a musical Carnegie Hall (1947). A prominent role was as the villainous Ryker in the television series Shane, in which Freed added a unique touch of realism by beginning the show clean-shaven and growing a beard from one week to the next, never shaving again through the season. Freed played Columbo in a live 1960 episode of the "Chevy Mystery Theatre" seven years before Peter Falk played the role. Thomas Mitchell also played the part on stage prior to Falk's version, which is probably where many of the eccentric Columbo traits originated; only a few were visible in Freed's straightforward interpretation, although the character as played by Freed is recognizably Columbo. He appeared (sometimes more than once) in television shows such as The Rifleman, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Big Valley,The Virginian, Mannix, Barnaby Jones, Charlie's Angels, Then Came Bronson, Run For Your Life, Get Smart, The Lucy Show, Hogan's Heroes, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey, Perry Mason, Combat!, Petticoat Junction, The Outer Limits, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Route 66, Ironside, The Green Hornet, The Munsters, and many, many more. He directed one episode of T.H.E. Cat. Freed appeared as a racist club owner in No Way Out (1950), a gangster in Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town (1950), a Marine private in Halls of Montezuma (1951 film), an Army sergeant in Take the High Ground! (1953), the Police Chief in Invaders From Mars (1953), Sgt. Boulanger in Paths of Glory (1957), the hangman in Hang 'Em High (1968), Max's father in Wild in the Streets (1968), as Chief of Detectives in Madigan (1968), a homosexual prison guard in There Was a Crooked Man... (1970) and Bernard's father in Billy Jack (1971) in which he got "whumped" on the side of the face by Billy Jack's right foot "just for the hell of it." He retired from acting in 1986, and died of a heart attack in Canada in 1994 while on a fishing trip with his son. Description above from the Wikipedia article Bert Freed, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: November 03, 1919
Deathday: August 02, 1994
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Known For
Paths of Glory
1957-10-25
Paths of Glory
Overview: A commanding officer defends three scapegoats on trial for a failed offensive that occurred within the French Army in 1916.
Genres: War Drama History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1957-10-25
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The Goddess
1958-06-24
The Goddess
Overview: A woman adored by the people around her ultimately struggles to be happy with herself.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1958-06-24
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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
1962-10-31
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Overview: A former child star torments her paraplegic sister in their decaying Hollywood mansion.
Genres: Thriller Drama Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1962-10-31
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Billy Jack
1971-05-01
Billy Jack
Overview: Ex-Green Beret hapkido expert saves wild horses from being slaughtered for dog food and helps protect a desert "freedom school" for runaways.
Genres: Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-05-01
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Detective Story
1951-10-24
Detective Story
Overview: Tells the story of one day in the lives of the various people who populate a police detective squad. An embittered cop, Det. Jim McLeod, leads a precinct of characters in their grim daily battle with the city's lowlife. The characters who pass through the precinct over the course of the day include a young petty embezzler, a pair of burglars, and a naive shoplifter.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-10-24
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Madigan
1968-03-29
Madigan
Overview: NYPD detectives Bonaro and Madigan lose their guns to fugitive Barney Benesch. As compensation, they are given a weekend to bring Benesch to justice. While they follow various leads, Police Commissioner Russell goes about his duties, including attending functions, meeting with aggrieved relatives, and counseling the spouses of fallen officers.
Genres: Crime Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-03-29
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Nevada Smith
1966-06-10
Nevada Smith
Overview: Nevada Smith is the young son of an Indian mother and white father. When his father is killed by three men over gold, Nevada sets out to find them and kill them. The boy is taken in by a gun merchant. The gun merchant shows him how to shoot and to shoot on time and correct.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1966-06-10
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The Company She Keeps
1951-01-27
The Company She Keeps
Overview: A lady con artist sets out to steal her parole officer's fiance.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-01-27
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There Was a Crooked Man...
1970-09-18
There Was a Crooked Man...
Overview: Arizona Territorial Prison inmate Paris Pitman, Jr. is a schemer, a charmer, and quite popular among his fellow convicts — especially with $500,000 in stolen loot hidden away and a plan to escape and recover it. New warden Woodward Lopeman has other ideas about Pitman. Each man will have the tables turned on him.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-09-18
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Barracuda
1978-10-16
Barracuda
Overview: Little coastal town is being terrorized by deadly Barracudas.
Genres: Horror Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-10-16
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Wild in the Streets
1968-05-29
Wild in the Streets
Overview: Musician Max Frost lends his backing to a Senate candidate who wants to give 18-year-olds the right to vote, but he takes things a step further than expected. Inspired by their hero's words, Max's fans pressure their leaders into extending the vote to citizens as young as 15. Max and his followers capitalize on their might by bringing new issues to the fore, but, drunk on power, they soon take generational warfare to terrible extremes.
Genres: Comedy Drama Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-05-29
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Halls of Montezuma
1951-01-04
Halls of Montezuma
Overview: Richard Widmark leads an all star cast of marine leathernecks including Jack Palance, Robert Wagner, Karl Malden, Richard Boone and Jack Webb into battle on a heavily fortified island. This action-packed story follows the squad as they pick their way through enemy-infested jungles on a time sensitive mission to find the source of the enemy rockets. As the mission progresses, the squad and leader overcome many challenges as they are transformed into an effective and efficient fighting unit.
Genres: Adventure Drama Action War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-01-04
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Where the Sidewalk Ends
1950-07-07
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Overview: A police detective's violent nature keeps him from being a good cop.
Genres: Crime Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-07-07
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The Desperate Hours
1955-10-05
The Desperate Hours
Overview: Escaped convicts terrorize a suburban family they're holding hostage.
Genres: Crime Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1955-10-05
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Men of the Fighting Lady
1954-05-07
Men of the Fighting Lady
Overview: A writer visits an aircraft carrier during the Korean war to learn more about it and the way it's run. He also gets to find out more about the Navy and Marine aviators themselves, their internal and external conflicts and dangers of their job.
Genres: Drama War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1954-05-07
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The Cobweb
1955-06-07
The Cobweb
Overview: Patients and staff at a posh psychiatric clinic clash over who chooses the clinic’s new drapes - but drapes are the least of their problems.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1955-06-07
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The Atomic City
1952-05-01
The Atomic City
Overview: Spies hold the son of a nuclear physicist (Gene Barry) hostage in exchange for the Los Alamos bomb formula.
Genres: Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-05-01
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Why Must I Die
1960-06-01
Why Must I Die
Overview: A night club singer who is the daughter of a small-town crook is tried and convicted of murder.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1960-06-01
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Fate Is the Hunter
1964-11-08
Fate Is the Hunter
Overview: A man refuses to believe that pilot error caused a fatal crash, and persists in looking for another reason. Airliner crashes near Los Angeles due to unusual string of coincidences. Stewardess, who is sole survivor, joins airline executives in discovering the causes of the crash.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1964-11-08
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P.J.
1968-03-27
P.J.
Overview: Reluctant New York City private eye P.J. Detweiler is hired as a bodyguard to protect Maureen Preble, the mistress of shady millionaire William Orbison. In truth, Orbison plans a deadly intrigue in which P.J. is to play a central part. Meanwhile, complications ensue as P.J. gradually falls in love with Maureen. (Wikipedia)
Genres: Action Drama Mystery Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-03-27
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Red Mountain
1951-11-01
Red Mountain
Overview: Towards the end of the American Civil War, a rebel captain flees to Colorado to join a band of Southern mercenaries. He drags an innocent gold prospecting couple into trouble when the husband is accused of a murder he committed.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-11-01
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Evel Knievel
1971-09-10
Evel Knievel
Overview: Biography of the famed motorcycle daredevil, much of which was filmed in his home town of Butte, Montana. The film depicts Knievel reflecting on major events in his life just before a big jump.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-09-10
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Skag
1980-01-06
Skag
Overview: Pete "Skag" Skagska is a 56-year-old union foreman of a Pittsburgh steel mill until a crippling stroke forces him to stay home and try to put his life back together and deal with family problems.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-01-06
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Norma Rae
1979-03-02
Norma Rae
Overview: Norma Rae is a southern textile worker employed in a factory with intolerable working conditions. This concern about the situation gives her the gumption to be the key associate to a visiting labor union organizer. Together, they undertake the difficult, and possibly dangerous, struggle to unionize her factory.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-03-02
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Then Came Bronson
1969-03-24
Then Came Bronson
Overview: Jim Bronson is a young newspaperman who quits his job following the suicide of his best friend, and sets out on a cross-country trip on his motorcycle in his quest for the meaning of life in which he befriends a runway bride, another searching soul, in this pilot for the TV series of the same name, and theatrically released in some parts of the world including Spain.
Genres: Adventure Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-03-24
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The Subterraneans
1960-06-23
The Subterraneans
Overview: A disillusioned writer explores the subterranean depths of San Francisco's North Beach district.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1960-06-23
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Key to the City
1950-02-02
Key to the City
Overview: At a mayors convention in San Francisco, ex-longshoreman Steve Fisk meets Clarissa Standish from New England. Fisk is mayor of "Puget City" and is proud of his rough and tumble background. Standish is mayor of "Winona, Maine", and is equally proud of her education and dedication to the people who elected her. Thrown together, the two opposites attract and their escapades during the convention get each of them in hot water back home. Written by Ron Kerrigan
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-02-02
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The Gazebo
1960-01-15
The Gazebo
Overview: TV writer Elliott Nash buries a blackmailer under the new gazebo in his suburban backyard. But the nervous man can't let the body rest there.
Genres: Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1960-01-15
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Till Death
1978-02-01
Till Death
Overview: A widower, visiting the crypt that holds the body of his wife, is accidentally trapped therein. That night he finds that she seems to have been cataleptic, rather than dead, and frees her from her coffin. Things, of course, are not what they seem.
Genres: Horror Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-02-01
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Invitation to a Gunfighter
1964-10-14
Invitation to a Gunfighter
Overview: In New Mexico, a Confederate veteran returns home to find his fiancée married to a Union soldier, his Yankee neighbors rallied against him and his property sold by the local banker who then hires a gunman to kill him.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1964-10-14
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The Andersonville Trial
1970-05-17
The Andersonville Trial
Overview: A dramatization of the 1865 war-crimes trial of Henry Wirz, commandant of the notorious Confederate POW camp at Andersonville, Georgia.
Genres: TV Movie Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-05-17
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The Plot to Kill Stalin
1958-09-25
The Plot to Kill Stalin
Overview: In late 1952, an aging and increasingly paranoid Stalin puts in motion a purge against his doctors, with antisemitic overtones. His lackeys, including Khrushchev, Molotov and Beria, fear it will spread to the Politburo, and plan to strike first.
Genres: Comedy Crime Drama Mystery Romance War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1958-09-25
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Invaders from Mars
1953-04-22
Invaders from Mars
Overview: In the early hours of the night, young David Maclean sees a flying saucer land and disappear into the sand dunes just beyond his house. Slowly, all of the adults, including his once loving parents, begin to act strangely.
Genres: Science Fiction Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1953-04-22
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In the Matter of Karen Ann Quinlan
1977-09-26
In the Matter of Karen Ann Quinlan
Overview: Based on a true case, this tells the story of two parents in New Jersey whose daughter has lapsed into a coma from which doctors say she will never recover. The parents must decide whether to keep her alive on life support systems, or to disconnect them and let her die with some dignity left.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-09-26
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The Snows of Kilimanjaro
1952-10-08
The Snows of Kilimanjaro
Overview: Writer Harry Street reflects on his life as he lies dying from an infection while on safari in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Genres: Adventure Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-10-08
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Boomerang!
1947-02-28
Boomerang!
Overview: When a kindly priest is murdered while waiting at a street corner in a quiet Connecticut town, the citizens are horrified and demand action from the police. All of the witnesses identify John Waldron, a nervous out-of-towner, as the killer. District Attorney Henry Harvey is then put on the case and faces political opposition in his attempt to prove Waldron's innocence.
Genres: Drama Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1947-02-28
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No Way Out
1950-08-16
No Way Out
Overview: Two hoodlum brothers are brought into a hospital for gunshot wounds, and when one of them dies the other accuses their black doctor of murder.
Genres: Drama Crime Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-08-16
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Are You My Mother?
1986-03-05
Are You My Mother?
Overview: Teenage girl is stunned to discover that her mother is not deceased, but mentally ill living in an institution.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-03-05
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Breakout
1970-12-08
Breakout
Overview: A prison inmate comes up with a plan to break out in order to be near his wife--and also the $50,000 in stolen cash for which he was originally imprisoned.
Genres: Adventure Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-12-08
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Hang 'em High
1968-04-12
Hang 'em High
Overview: Marshall Jed Cooper survives a hanging, vowing revenge on the lynch mob that left him dangling. To carry out his oath for vengeance, he returns to his former job as a lawman. Before long, he's caught up with the nine men on his hit list and starts dispensing his own brand of Wild West justice.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-04-12
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Love and the Midnight Auto Supply
1977-09-24
Love and the Midnight Auto Supply
Overview: An auto-theft ring decides to help out migrant workers from Mexico with the proceeds from their racket.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-09-24
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711 Ocean Drive
1950-07-01
711 Ocean Drive
Overview: A telephone repairman in Los Angeles uses his knowledge of electronics to help a bookie set up a betting operation. After the bookie is murdered, the greedy technician takes over his business. He ruthlessly climbs his way to the top of the local crime syndicate, but then gangsters from a big East Coast mob show up wanting a piece of his action.
Genres: Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-07-01
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The Strike
1954-06-07
The Strike
Overview: Major Gaylord grapples with a vexing command in the Korean War. Aired by Studio One in Hollywood, sponsored by Westinghouse.
Genres: War TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1954-06-07
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Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town
1950-04-01
Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town
Overview: When Pa wins a jingle-writing contest, he and Ma head for New York City. They they get in trouble with gangsters when they lose some stolen money which they had already agreed to deliver to one of the thugs.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-04-01
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Charlie and the Great Balloon Chase
1981-07-12
Charlie and the Great Balloon Chase
Overview: Charlie Bartlett is a retired railroad worker whose dream of crossing the country in a hot air balloon is encouraged by his grandson Morris O'Neill, who decides to go along for the ride despite the misgivings of his widowed mother whose plans to remarry have left him disenchanted.
Genres: Family Adventure TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-07-12
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Tangier Incident
1953-02-01
Tangier Incident
Overview: Steve Gordon, an American agent posing as a black market operator, is in Tangier on a mission to stop the plans of three atomic-scientists who are there to pool their secrets and sell them in a package to the Communists.
Genres: Action Adventure Crime Mystery Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1953-02-01
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Death Scream
1975-09-26
Death Scream
Overview: Loosely based on the true story of the killing of Kitty Genovese: A young woman's murder is witnessed by fifteen of her neighbors who do nothing to help and refuse to cooperate with the police.
Genres: Crime Drama TV Movie History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-09-26
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Incident at Vichy
1973-12-06
Incident at Vichy
Overview: Adapted from Arthur Miller's play, film focuses on a group of Frenchmen who are detained at Vichy, the capital of France while under Nazi occupation, and "investigated" under suspicion of secretly being Jewish.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-12-06
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Unidentified Flying Objects: The True Story of Flying Saucers
1956-05-03
Unidentified Flying Objects: The True Story of Flying Saucers
Overview: Interviews and documentary footage combine with the fictional story of an air-force pilot who encounters aliens.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1956-05-03
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Shock Treatment
1964-07-22
Shock Treatment
Overview: A private investigator endures the rigors of an insane asylum in order to locate $1 million in stolen loot.
Genres: Drama Mystery Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1964-07-22
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Take the High Ground!
1953-10-30
Take the High Ground!
Overview: Sgt. Thorne Ryan, who once fought bravely in Korea, now serves as a hard-nosed drill instructor to new Army recruits at Fort Bliss, Texas. But is he really the man he is often described as? His fellow instructor, and friend helps him to face the ghosts of his past experiences in Korea. One night in a bar across the border in Juarez, Mexico, Sgt. Ryan meets a lady who begins to turn his life around. Will this be enough to help him deal with the past? Or will he continue to be so hard on his troops?
Genres: Comedy Drama War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1953-10-30
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The Long, Long Trailer
1954-02-19
The Long, Long Trailer
Overview: A newly wed couple, Tacy and Nicky, travel in a trailer for their honeymoon. The journey is a humorous one that could end up destroying their marriage.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1954-02-19
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Twilight of Honor
1963-11-13
Twilight of Honor
Overview: A young lawyer defends a drifter accused of murder that he has already confessed to. He asks a retired, legendary lawyer for help.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1963-11-13
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The Swinger
1966-11-13
The Swinger
Overview: An authoress writes a steaming sex-novel and proceeds to live out her heroine's adventures.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1966-11-13
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