Severn Darden
Biography: Severn Teakle Darden Jr. (November 9, 1929 – May 27, 1995) was an American comedian and actor, and a founding member of The Second City Chicago-based comedy troupe as well as its predecessor, the Compass Players. He is known from his film appearances for playing the human leader Kolp in the fourth and fifth Planet of the Apes films. His live comedy improv skit under the character of "Walther von der Vogelweide" was influential with two generations of comic performers. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he attended the University of Chicago, where he was a "campus legend" according to poet Paul Carroll. Darden’s offbeat and intellectual sense of humor was a major element in the style of The Second City at that time, and is evident throughout his work. Carroll described him as a combination of surrealistic New Orleans and tough, caustic "Chicago Style" comedy. An example of his offbeat humor is the way he squeezed the phrase "Know thyself" into the seven-character limitation of a New Mexico license plate: NOYOSEF. Darden was a core comedian in Paul Sills' Compass Players, the first improvisation theater in the US; it performed around the Chicago area during the mid-1950s. Sills went on to found The Second City in 1959 and brought in many of the comedians from Compass Players, including Darden.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: November 09, 1929
Deathday: May 27, 1995
Popularity:
Known For
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
1972-06-29
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
Overview: In a futuristic world that has embraced ape slavery, a chimpanzee named Caesar resurfaces after almost twenty years of hiding from the authorities, and prepares for a revolt against humanity.
Genres: Action Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-06-29
Popularity:
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
1973-06-15
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Overview: The fifth and final episode in the Planet of the Apes series. After the collapse of human civilization, a community of intelligent apes led by Caesar lives in harmony with a group of humans. Gorilla General Aldo tries to cause an ape civil war and a community of human mutants who live beneath a destroyed city try to conquer those whom they perceive as enemies. All leading to the finale.
Genres: Action Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-06-15
Popularity:
Saturday the 14th
1981-10-30
Saturday the 14th
Overview: After his family moves to a new house, a young boy discovers a mysterious book that details a curse hanging over the date of Saturday the 14th. Opening the book releases a band of monsters into the house and the family must join together to save themselves and their neighborhood.
Genres: Comedy Fantasy Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-10-30
Popularity:
Jackson County Jail
1976-03-31
Jackson County Jail
Overview: A young woman stumbles into a nightmare land of hijacking and humiliation while driving cross-country from California to New York.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-03-31
Popularity:
Victory at Entebbe
1976-12-22
Victory at Entebbe
Overview: The film is based on an actual event: Operation Entebbe and the freeing of Israeli hostages at Entebbe Airport (now Entebbe International Airport) in Uganda.
Genres: Action Drama History TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-12-22
Popularity:
Justine
1969-08-06
Justine
Overview: In Alexandria, in 1938, Darley, a young British schoolmaster and poet, makes friends through Pursewarden, the British consular officer, with Justine, the beautiful and mysterious wife of a Coptic banker. He observes the affairs of her heart and incidentally discovers that she is involved in a plot against the British, meant to arm the Jewish underground in Palestine. The plot finally fails, Justine is sent to jail and Darley decides to return to England.
Genres: Drama Mystery Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-08-06
Popularity:
The President's Analyst
1967-12-21
The President's Analyst
Overview: At first, Dr. Sidney Schaefer feels honored and thrilled to be offered the job of the President's Analyst. But then the stress of the job and the paranoid spies that come with a sensitive government position get to him, and he runs away. Now spies from all over the world are after him, either to get him for their own side or to kill him and prevent someone else from getting him.
Genres: Comedy Science Fiction Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1967-12-21
Popularity:
Vanishing Point
1971-01-15
Vanishing Point
Overview: Kowalski works for a car delivery service, and takes delivery of a 1970 Dodge Challenger to drive from Colorado to San Francisco. Shortly after pickup, he takes a bet to get the car there in less than 15 hours.
Genres: Action Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-01-15
Popularity:
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
1969-12-10
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Overview: In the midst of the Great Depression, manipulative emcee Rocky enlists contestants for a dance marathon offering a $1,500 cash prize. Among them are a failed actress, a middle-aged sailor, a delusional blonde and a pregnant girl.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-12-10
Popularity:
Why Would I Lie?
1980-08-10
Why Would I Lie?
Overview: Cletus is a compulsive liar. He prefers the term 'fabrication' to lie though. When Cletus becomes a social worker he's assigned the case of a boy called Jorge (with a 'J') who was taken from his mother. Cletus sets out to reunite Jorge with his mother, but to do so he has to fabricate many a story to keep Jorge from being adopted. In search of the mother, Cletus meets and falls in love with a women's advice councillor.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-08-10
Popularity:
The Day of the Dolphin
1973-12-19
The Day of the Dolphin
Overview: Dr. Jake Terrell, who has been training a pair of dolphins for many years, has had a breakthrough. He has taught his dolphins to speak and understand English, although they do have a limited vocabulary. When the dolphins are stolen, he discovers they're to be used in an assassination attempt. Now he is in a race to discover who is the target, and where the dolphins are, before the attempt is carried out.
Genres: Drama Science Fiction Thriller Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-12-19
Popularity:
Wanda Nevada
1979-06-01
Wanda Nevada
Overview: In the American Southwest of the 1950s, middle-aged vagabond Beaudray Demerille survives as a cardsharp who moves from town to town. But his latest victory brings him unwanted spoils in the form of Wanda Nevada, a fiery 13-year-old. At first Beaudray does everything he can to ditch Wanda -- until the girl chances upon a treasure map. But Wanda and Beaudray aren't the only ones after the loot, and they must contend with a ruthless pair of crooks.
Genres: Drama Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-06-01
Popularity:
Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round
1966-10-12
Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round
Overview: A sophisticated con man mounts an intricate plan to rob an airport bank while the Soviet premier is due to arrive.
Genres: Crime Thriller Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1966-10-12
Popularity:
Playmates
1972-10-03
Playmates
Overview: Two divorced men meet and become friends, but unbeknownst to each other, start dating each other's ex-wives.
Genres: Comedy Romance TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-10-03
Popularity:
Cisco Pike
1972-01-14
Cisco Pike
Overview: A down on his luck former drug dealer is forced by a corrupt LAPD policeman to sell 100 kilos of confiscated marijuana in one weekend.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-01-14
Popularity:
The Man Who Died Twice
1973-04-13
The Man Who Died Twice
Overview: A painter who surfaces after having disappeared for seven years finds himself contending with art forgeries and a crooked art dealer.
Genres: TV Movie Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-04-13
Popularity:
I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now?
1975-12-01
I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now?
Overview: Oliver is in trouble. He's been caught embezzling money from his father's company, and unless he can pay back the $250,000 he took (which he can't), he will be fired from his job, arrested and probably sent to jail. Meanwhile, his rich wife has not only refused to bail him out of this mess, she's planning to divorce him. Desperate, Oliver thinks up a way out. He takes out an insurance policy on his wife with him as the beneficiary, then hires a hit man to kill her. The only problem is that because the doctor who performed the examination is an incompetent fraud, the insurance policy is invalid. Desperate to call off the hit, Oliver tracks down the hit man, only to find that he's subcontracted the killing to another hit man. Tracking down that killer reveals that he, too, has hired it out to a third person, and so on, and so on. Just how many people are trying to kill Oliver's wife?
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-12-01
Popularity:
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You
1970-03-25
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You
Overview: An American playwright living in Rome consults a quack psychiatrist to combat his fears of balding and save his failing marriage.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-03-25
Popularity:
Quarterback Princess
1983-12-03
Quarterback Princess
Overview: The Maida family has moved to Oregon, and daughter Tami wants to play quarterback for the high school football team. There's just one problem. She's a girl. With everyone from the coach to her next door neighbor against her, she's out to prove that not only can she can play football, but she can win the state championship. (Based on a true story)
Genres: Drama Family TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1983-12-03
Popularity:
Rendezvous Hotel
1979-07-11
Rendezvous Hotel
Overview: A madcap family caters to assorted unpredictable guests availing themselves of the title resort's advertised bliss in this pilot to a prospective series.
Genres: Comedy TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-07-11
Popularity:
The Double-Barrelled Detective Story
1965-12-31
The Double-Barrelled Detective Story
Overview: Interesting and sometimes funny adaptation of a Mark Twain short story. Hatfield is a carpetbagger who marries the daughter of a prominent plantation owner in order to humiliate him. He mistreats his wife, but she stoically refuses to complain to her father.
Genres: Western Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1965-12-31
Popularity:
The Legend of Hillbilly John
1974-02-01
The Legend of Hillbilly John
Overview: A roaming hillbilly, on a quest to defy the Devil, encounters several supernatural characters and does battle with his silver-stringed guitar.
Genres: Adventure Fantasy Horror Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-02-01
Popularity:
Back to School
1986-06-13
Back to School
Overview: Self-made millionaire Thornton Melon decides to get a better education and enrolls at his son Jason's college. While Jason tries to fit in with his fellow students, Thornton struggles to gain his son's respect, giving way to hilarious antics.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-06-13
Popularity:
The Disappearance of Aimee
1976-11-17
The Disappearance of Aimee
Overview: In 1926, celebrated evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson mysteriously disappeared. She turned up several weeks later and recounted the details of her kidnapping and escape to authorities. Not everyone believed her, however, and she was accused of having gone away to have an affair with a married man. A court hearing took place to reveal the truth.
Genres: Drama TV Movie Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-11-17
Popularity:
A Small Circle of Friends
1980-03-12
A Small Circle of Friends
Overview: In the late 1960s, three Harvard students Jessica, Leo and Nick grow close as they undergo personal changes, but their friendship is jeopardized by romantic feelings both men develop for Jessica.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-03-12
Popularity:
Evita Peron
1981-02-23
Evita Peron
Overview: Aspiring actress Eva Duarte rises from a minor celebrity to the wife of a powerful Argentine dictator, but her all consuming fiery rage, ambition, and hatred eventually become her downfall.
Genres: Drama History TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-02-23
Popularity:
Dirty Little Billy
1972-11-01
Dirty Little Billy
Overview: Clearly influenced by the darker, more sinister style of spaghetti westerns, Dirty Little Billy offers a unique insight into the beginnings of the notorious outlaw Billy The Kid.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-11-01
Popularity:
Never Con a Killer
1977-05-13
Never Con a Killer
Overview: Pilot to the short-lived TV series "The Feather and Father Gang" has Detective Feather Danton and her con-man father Harry teaming up to outwit Runyonesque horseplayer E.J. Valerian.
Genres: TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-05-13
Popularity:
Real Genius
1985-08-07
Real Genius
Overview: When teenage geniuses Mitch Taylor and Chris Knight, working on an advanced laser project, learn that the military wants to use it as a weapon, they decide to thwart the plan.
Genres: Comedy Romance Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-08-07
Popularity:
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
Popularity:
The Movie Murderer
1970-02-02
The Movie Murderer
Overview: An experienced arson investigator takes along his young associate as they try to find an arsonist who is burning down movie sets.
Genres: Drama TV Movie Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-02-02
Popularity:
Outside Chance
1978-12-02
Outside Chance
Overview: An advertising executive finds herself in a small-town jail after being terrorized on a drive from Los Angeles to New York by two hitchhikers who steal her car and leave her unconscious by the roadside. She becomes a fugitive after killing her jailer during a rape attempt and breaking out with one of the hitchhikers who could prove her innocence.
Genres: TV Movie Drama Crime Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-12-02
Popularity:
A Cry for Love
1980-10-20
A Cry for Love
Overview: Divorcee Susan Blakely, with no alimony and two kids to support, begins turning to amphetamines. While at her lowest ebb, she meets an alcoholic and three-time loser in marriage -- who, incredibly, turns out to be the ideal man!
Genres: TV Movie Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-10-20
Popularity:
The Mad Room
1969-05-01
The Mad Room
Overview: Ellen Hardy gets a rude awakening when she discovers that her brother and sister are scheduled to leave their mental institution. As children, they were put there after killing their parents. Ellen, who now lives in the house of an old widow, Mrs. Armstrong, takes them in. But if their secret gets out, it could jeopardize Ellen's plans to wed Mrs. Armstrong's stepson. She struggles with anxiety -- until Mrs. Armstrong suddenly turns up dead.
Genres: Horror Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-05-01
Popularity:
Half Nelson
1985-03-24
Half Nelson
Overview: Rocky Nelson is a New York cop, who after making a major bust and selling the rights of his story to Hollywood decides to try his luck out as an actor. However, when he gets there, the directors think that he is too short to be an actor. He is then approach by someone who offers him a job at a Hollywood security agency, cause he would fit in there being an ex-cop and while working there he could come in contact with some Hollywood heavy-weights who could give him the break he needs. And at the same he gets to live in Dean Martin's guest-house.
Genres: TV Movie Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-03-24
Popularity:
Luv
1967-07-26
Luv
Overview: Depressed by the direction his life is taking, Harry decides to take his own life by jumping off the Manhattan Bridge. At the last minute he's stopped by old friend Milt Manville, a successful stock broker. Milt, however, is facing his own problem: he has fallen out of love with his argumentative wife, Ellen. In a misguided effort to solve both of their problems, he introduces Ellen to Harry, hoping the two will fall in love.
Genres: Romance Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1967-07-26
Popularity:
Mother, Jugs & Speed
1976-05-26
Mother, Jugs & Speed
Overview: To beat out competing ambulance services, an ace driver, an office secretary/paramedic and a suspended cop resort to some outrageous behavior to help people in distress. They're a crew whose condition is even more critical than their clients!
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-05-26
Popularity:
Orphan Train
1979-12-22
Orphan Train
Overview: A dedicated social worker organizes a train trip for a group of slum orphans in 1894, taking them from New York City to the Midwest in search of new families and new lives.
Genres: Adventure Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-12-22
Popularity:
The Telephone
1988-01-22
The Telephone
Overview: Crazy out of work actress Vashti Blue spends all her time in her small apartment with her pet owl and her telephone, which she uses to try and solve all her problems with life.
Genres: Drama Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-01-22
Popularity:
The War Between Men and Women
1972-06-01
The War Between Men and Women
Overview: A sarcastic near-sighted cartoonist, averse to commitment, falls for a single mother of three — the only woman who can stand his strong anti-feminist opinions.
Genres: Comedy Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-06-01
Popularity:
Skyway to Death
1974-01-19
Skyway to Death
Overview: The passengers in an aerial tramway are trapped when the tramway breaks down 8,500 feet in the air.
Genres: Adventure Thriller TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-01-19
Popularity:
Hopscotch
1980-09-26
Hopscotch
Overview: When CIA operative Miles Kendig deliberately lets KGB agent Yaskov get away, his boss threatens to retire him. Kendig beats him to it, however, destroying his own records and traveling to Austria where he begins work on a memoir that will expose all his former agency's covert practices. The CIA catches wind of the book and sends other agents after him, initiating a frenetic game of cat and mouse that spans the globe.
Genres: Comedy Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-09-26
Popularity:
Goldstein
1965-05-07
Goldstein
Overview: GOLDSTEIN, the feature film debut of talented director Philip Kaufman, is an early example of American independent filmmaking from the early 1960s. A fable about an old man with an odd effect on those he encounters, the film is a funny, warm-hearted postcard from an important moment in American cinema. GOLDSTEIN, starring veteran character actor Lou Gilbert, shared the Prix de la Nouvelle Critique at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival with Bertolucci’s Before the Revolution. Cinema deity Jean Renoir called the film "the best American film I have seen in 20 years."
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1965-05-07
Popularity:
Once Upon a Midnight Scary
1979-10-21
Once Upon a Midnight Scary
Overview: "Once Upon a Midnight Scary" is a 1979 television program that aired as part of a CBS television anthology series. The program, hosted by noted actor Vincent Price, features scenes from three stories, including "The Ghost Belonged to Me" by Richard Peck, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving, and "The House with a Clock in Its Walls" by John Bellairs.
Genres: TV Movie Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-10-21
Popularity:
Fearless Frank
1969-12-10
Fearless Frank
Overview: A country boy arrives in Chicago, gets killed by some gangsters, and returns to life with superhuman powers in this satirical look at movie genres.
Genres: Comedy Fantasy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-12-10
Popularity:
To See or Not to See
1969-10-10
To See or Not to See
Overview: A scientist develops an unusual pair of eyeglasses which allows the wearer's mind to see things objectively rather than the usual subjective manner.
Genres: Animation
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-10-10
Popularity:
Play It as It Lays
1972-10-19
Play It as It Lays
Overview: Burned-out B-movie actress Maria, depressed and frustrated with her loveless marriage to an ambitious film director, Carter Lang, who would rather work on his career than on his relationship with her, numbs herself with drugs and sex with strangers. Only her friendship with a sensitive gay movie producer, B.Z., offers a semblance of solace. But even that relationship proves to be fleeting amidst the empty decadence of Hollywood.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-10-19
Popularity:
The Hired Hand
1971-08-11
The Hired Hand
Overview: Harry Collings returns home to his farm after drifting with his friend, Arch. His wife, who had given up on him, reluctantly allows him to stay, and soon believes that all will be well again. But then Harry has to make a difficult decision regarding his loyalties and priorities.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-08-11
Popularity:
In God We Tru$t
1980-09-26
In God We Tru$t
Overview: A naive monk, named Brother Ambrose, is sent by the abbot on a mission to raise $5,000 in order to save their monastery from closing. He goes to Hollywood where he encounters a number of eccentric characters.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-09-26
Popularity:
The Last Movie
1971-09-29
The Last Movie
Overview: After a film production wraps in Peru, an American wrangler decides to stay behind, witnessing how filmmaking affects the locals.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-09-29
Popularity:
Model Shop
1969-02-11
Model Shop
Overview: While trying to raise money to prevent his car from being repossessed, George is attracted to Lola, a Frenchwoman who works in a "model shop", an establishment that rents out beautiful pin-up models to photographers. George spends his last twelve dollars to photograph Lola, and discovers that she is as unhappy as he.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-02-11
Popularity:
The Virgin President
1968-11-18
The Virgin President
Overview: The President of the U.S. is suceeded by his naive, wide-eyed son, and his advisors try to take advantage of the situation by planning to drop an atomic bomb on Manhattan and blaming it on the Red Chinese.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-11-18
Popularity:
Love for Rent
1979-11-11
Love for Rent
Overview: Two small-town sisters go to Hollywood and find themselves seduced by the glamor of the big time and big money as high-priced professional escorts.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-11-11
Popularity:
Werewolves on Wheels
1971-08-11
Werewolves on Wheels
Overview: A biker gang visits a monastery where they encounter black-robed monks engaged in worshipping Satan. When the monks try to persuade one of the female bikers, Helen, to become a satanic sacrifice the bikers smash up the monastery and leave. The monks have the last laugh, though, as Helen, as a result of the satanic rituals, is now possessed and at night changes into a werewolf, with dire results for the biker gang.
Genres: Action Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-08-11
Popularity:
Rooster
1982-08-19
Rooster
Overview: A physically small police psychologist and a physically large insurance detective team up on an arson case.
Genres: Crime Comedy Mystery TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1982-08-19
Popularity:
Bongo Wolf’s Revenge
1970-01-01
Bongo Wolf’s Revenge
Overview: An oddball picture about legendary kooky and colorful Los Angeles fringe eccentric cult figure Bongo Wolf. Through the course of the film, Bongo visits his friends in Hollywood, gives a lecture on vampires and prehistoric man, visits the Count Dracula society, plays his bongo drums...
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-01-01
Popularity: