RACING WITH THE MOON is a coming of age story set during early 1943, in the small northern California coastal town of Port Muir, where seventeen-year-old “Henry ‘Hopper’ Nash” (Sean Penn) and his best friend “Nicky” (Nicolas Cage) have six weeks remaining until they join the Marines. John Karlen plays Henry’s father, who works as a gravedigger. Richard Benjamin directed the 1984 film. Kritzerland released Dave Grusin’s score in 2013, and it was re-issued by Varese Sarabande in 2017.
In the 1984 horror thriller IMPULSE, after a small earthquake in a quiet town, local citizens start to have bizarre, violent, and self-destructive behavior. This brings "Jennifer Russell" (Meg Tilly), accompanied by her boyfriend, "Stuart" (Tim Matheson), back to her hometown. There she sees her father “Bob Russell” (John Karlen) and her younger brother "Eddie" (Bill Paxton), who still lives on the family farm and assists with the business. Graham Baker directed the film. Paul Chihara's score has not had a release.
In the made-for-television film PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE GLASS COFFIN, “Mason” (Raymond Burr) defends his client, magician “David Katz” (Peter Scolari) from a charge of murdering his assistant, “Kate Ford” (Nancy Lee Grahn), during an onstage illusion. It seems that Kate was pregnant and was blackmailing the married Katz. John Karlen had a supporting role in the film as “Jake Morrison.” Christian I. Nyby II directed the film, which aired on NBC on 14 May 1991. It was the 19th of 30 Perry Mason television films, and was scored by Dick DeBenedictis.
In the action-comedy SURF NINJAS, two boys, “Johnny” (Ernie Reyes Jr.) and “Adam” (Nicolas Cowan), learn from a mysterious warrior (Ernie Reyes, Sr.) that they are the heirs to the throne of Patusan. They set out to overthrow the current monarchy. John Karlen plays the boys’ adoptive father, “Mac.” Neal Israel directed the 1993 release. Two tracks from David Kitay’s score appeared on the Atlantic Records song-track CD.
John Karlen reprised his role of “Harvey Lacey” in the television reunion movie CAGNEY & LACEY: THE RETURN. In the film, “Cagney” (Sharon Gless), now a Lieutenant, re-teams with “Lacey” (Tyne Daly), who has left the force, to search for a cache of missing firearms. James Frawley directed the film, which aired on CBS on 6 November 1994. Dana Kaproff scored the picture.
John Karlen and Tyne Daly in CAGNEY & LACEY: THE RETURN
In the 1984 horror thriller IMPULSE, after a small earthquake in a quiet town, local citizens start to have bizarre, violent, and self-destructive behavior. This brings "Jennifer Russell" (Meg Tilly), accompanied by her boyfriend, "Stuart" (Tim Matheson), back to her hometown. There she sees her father “Bob Russell” (John Karlen) and her younger brother "Eddie" (Bill Paxton), who still lives on the family farm and assists with the business. Graham Baker directed the film. Paul Chihara's score has not had a release.
I can confirm that my wife did not like this picture. She did not like it at all.
In their second reunion movie, CAGNEY & LACEY: TOGETHER AGAIN, the partners must balance their personal demons with the needs of their latest case: the unsolved murder of a homeless man who spent most of his time harassing the residents of an upscale apartment building. John Karlen again appeared as “Harvey Lacey.” Reza Badiyi directed the film, which aired on CBS on 2 May 1995. Nan Mishkin provided the unreleased score and the Emmy-nominated song “All the Days aka Rooftop Source.”
The good ratings continued, and so did the reunion movies, with CAGNEY & LACEY: THE VIEW THROUGH THE GLASS CEILING. In this third outing, the pair grapple with personal issues, such as Mary Beth's estranged father reappearing, and Christine becoming embroiled in city politics. John Karlen again reprised his role of “Harvey Lacey.” John Patterson directed the film, which aired on CBS on 25 October 1995. Ron Ramin scored the film.
In their fourth and final made-for-television movie, CAGNEY & LACEY: TRUE CONVICTIONS, the pair investigate a murder and deal with their complicated private lives. Cagney falls for the man who may be a suspect. John Karlen made his final film appearance in this TV movie. Lynne Littman directed the film, which aired on CBS on 29 January 1996. Ron Ramin scored the film.
In 2016, John Karlen came out of a 20-year retirement to appear in a 7-minute short film called “The Applicant,” which was created 50th Anniversary Tribute to “Dark Shadows.” In the film, a vampire (Christopher Pennock) is hiring a new 'Caretaker', and the right man for the job (Karlen) has come along. Thanks John, for being “Harvey Lacey.”
John Karlen and Danielle Ouimet in DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS
In 2016, John Karlen came out of a 20-year retirement to appear in a 7-minute short film called “The Applicant,” which was created 50th Anniversary Tribute to “Dark Shadows.” In the film, a vampire (Christopher Pennock) is hiring a new 'Caretaker', and the right man for the job (Karlen) has come along. Thanks John, for being “Harvey Lacey.”
John Karlen and Danielle Ouimet in DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS
