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John Phillip Law
1937-
Updated 2/2/2007 with more films available on DVD.
biography
Born in Hollywood in September 1937, it's ironic that John Phillip Law had his first success in films as an actor in European films. Raised in the Los Angeles area, the 6'4" blonde youth spent a lot of time at movie studios as a child, where he found frequent but uncredited work as an extra. Upon graduating from high school, Law left California for the University of Hawaii in the mid 1950s. After dabbling in acting in college, Law went to New York after completing his studies and soon found roles on Broadway. Eventually, he found plum roles in the Broadway productions Come on Strong (1962), The Changeling (1964), and the comedy Tartuffe (1965). When he was between Broadway shows, on occasion Law would nab quick roles in Italian films, such as Smog (1962) and Three Nights of Love (1964; with Adolfo Celi). His breakthrough role came in the comedy The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966; with Alan Arkin and Carl Reiner). With his well recevied performance in that film, Law's career took off in the late 1960s, when he was cast in such films as Barbarella (1968; with Jane Fonda, Danger: Diabolik (1968; with Marisa Mell), and The Sergeant (1968; with Rod Steiger). In 1970, when actor Brian Kelly was paralyzed following a motorcycle accident, Law stepped into Kelly's starring role in Columbia's then-schocking release The Love Machine, adapted from Jacqueline Susann's best-selling novel.
the films of john phillip law
The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966)
From the Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming with Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, and Alan Arkin
Hurry Sundown (1967)
From Paramount's seedy drama Hurry Sundown, directed by Otto Preminger
Danger: Diabolik (1968)
As the comic book antihero Diabolik in the Dino de Laurentiis production Danger: Diabolik with Marisa Mell
Barbarella (1968)
From the campy Dino de Laurentiis production Barbarella. LEFT: As Pygar the blind angel. RIGHT: With Jane Fonda as the title character
The Sergeant (1968)
From the then-controversial Warner Bros. release The Sergeant. LEFT: Law with Rod Steiger in the title role. RIGHT: With Philip Roye.
Death Rides a Horse (1968)
From the spaghetti western Death Rides a Horse. LEFT: With Lee Van Cleef. RIGHT: Law as Ryan
The Love Machine (1971)
Columbia's racy release The Love Machine was adapted from the novel by Jacqueline Susann. LEFT: With Clinton Greyn and Dyan Cannon. RIGHT: With Dyan Cannon and David Hemmings
The Red Baron (1971)
From Roger Corman's The Red Baron. Law stars as Baron Manfred Von Richthofen
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974)
From The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, which features effects by Ray Harryhausen
The Cassandra Crossing (1976)
From the disaster thriller The Cassandra Crossing with Burt Lancaster
today
With his career slowing down in the 1980s, John Phillip Law took roles in low budget productions and direct-to-video releases including Night Train to Terror (1985; with Richard Moll), Space Mutiny (1988; with Reb Brown), and Cold Heat (1989; with Britt Ekland). Although he makes fewer films today, John Phillip Law is still active in films. His most recent release is the 2006 drama Vic, which also features Clue Gulager. Now single, Law is the father of a daughter from his 1970s marriage to Shawn Ryan.
The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection, Vol. 4 [DVD] DVD
Four Sci-Fi Channel episodes make their video debut in this four-disc collection. Watch as Mike and the bots go-go their way through the tawdry '60s dance drama "Girl in Gold Boots"; behold the futuristic golf cart chase that climaxes "Space Mutiny"; see how even the Bard isn't safe from riffing in "Hamlet" (1960); and protest baboon defamation in "Overdrawn at the Memory Bank." 8 1/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English; episode introductions; more.
The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming [DVD](1966) DVD
An irreverent and wacky "Cold War" comedy about a Russian submarine that strands itself outside a small New England town, throwing people on both sides into a panic. All-star cast includes Alan Arkin, Carl Reiner, Jonathan Winters, Eva Marie Saint. 126 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby mono, French mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; featurette; trailer.
Barbarella [DVD](1968) DVD
Welcome to the 41st century, where Barbarella, sexy queen of space, battles monsters and robots and handles men as handily as she wrestles with nasty intergalactic villains. Jane Fonda turns in a revealing performance as the heroine in this outrageous adventure based on the famed French comic strip. David Hemmings, Milo O'Shea, John Phillip Law. 98 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby mono, French mono; trailer.
Danger: Diabolik [DVD](1968) DVD
Colorful adaptation of a French comic strip stars John Phillip Law as a master criminal who enjoys pulling off such crimes as detonating tax offices and stealing priceless gold ingots. Marisa Mell, Michel Piccoli and Terry-Thomas also star; Mario Bava directs. 100 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; audio commentary by Law, others; "making of" featurette; music video; theatrical trailers.
Death Rides A Horse [DVD](1969) DVD
A young man looking for the outlaws who killed his parents teams up with an embittered gunslinger after those responsible for his imprisonment in this violent Western tale. Lee Van Cleef, John Phillip Law, Anthony Dawson star. 112 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; trivia; biographies; scene access.
Death Rides A Horse(1969) VHS
A young man looking for the outlaws who killed his parents teams up with an embittered gunslinger after those responsible for his imprisonment in this violent Western tale. Lee Van Cleef, John Phillip Law, Anthony Dawson star. 115 min.
Von Richtofen And Brown [DVD](1971) DVD
Surprisingly lavish biopic from director Roger Corman examines the life of World War I flying ace Baron Von Richtofen. Better known as "the Red Baron," Richtofen became one of Germany's biggest heroes--amassing such aeronautical rivals as Herman Goering in the process. Refusing to stay on the ground and accept a government position, he continued his aerial exploits until he was shot down by Royal Canadian Air Force captain Arthur "Roy" Brown in 1918. John Philip Law, Don Stroud, Barry Primus star. AKA: "The Red Baron." 97 min. Soundtrack: English.
The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad [DVD](1974) DVD
The fabled sailor embarks on a danger-filled quest in this dazzling fantasy-adventure, populated by living statues, ferocious griffins and centaurs, and other Harryhausen-created menaces. With John Phillip Law, Caroline Munro, and Tom Baker ("Dr. Who") as the villain. 105 min. Widescreen (Enhanced) and Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Portuguese Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai; featurettes; theatrical trailers; publicity materials; scene access.
The Sinbad Collection [DVD] DVD
Three-disc set includes "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" (including an exclusive interview with Ray Harryhausen), "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad" and "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger."
A Whisper In The Dark [DVD](1976) DVD
A remote Venetian villa is the setting for supernatural suspense, as a young boy's "imaginary" playmate turns out to be linked to a sinister secret from the family's past. Stylish Italian shocker stars Nathalie Delon, John Phillip Law, Alessandro Poggi, and Joseph Cotten. 102 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: Italian Dolby Digital mono, English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; interviews; photo gallery; poster gallery; theatrical trailer.
The Cassandra Crossing [DVD](1977) DVD
Sophia Loren, Ava Gardner, Richard Harris and Burt Lancaster are four members of an all-star passenger list on board a trans-European train that has been contaminated with an infectious plague by terrorists. Co-stars Martin Sheen and O.J. Simpson as Father Haley. 132 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby stereo; scene access.
Target Of An Assassin [DVD](1978) DVD
Thrill-packed story set in South Africa, where a hospital worker (Anthony Quinn), faced with a fatal illness and desperate to provide for his family, kidnaps a visiting dignitary and must dodge the police and a political assassin. With Ken Gampu, John Phillip Law. AKA: "African Rage," "Fatal Assassin," "Tigers Don't Cry." 102 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; biographies; trivia; scene access.
Target Of An Assassin(1978) VHS
Thrill-packed story set in South Africa, where a hospital worker (Anthony Quinn), faced with a fatal illness and desperate to provide for his family, kidnaps a visiting dignitary and must dodge the police and a political assassin. With Ken Gampu, John Phillip Law. AKA: "African Rage," "Fatal Assassin," "Tigers Don't Cry." 102 min.
Tarzan, The Ape Man [DVD](1981) DVD
Bo Derek is the swinging-est Jane yet in this sexy version of the legend. Dry, wet or undressed, Bo will steal your heart and bulge your eyes. No wonder jungle king Miles O'Keeffe screams, "ah uhh-uhh ah-uh!" Richard Harris co-stars. 115 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; theatrical trailer.
Attack Force Z [DVD](1981) DVD
Mel Gibson stars in this rousing, action-packed war saga about a dangerous mission involving the rescue of a defecting Japanese official from an island in the South Pacific in 1945. The mission seems easy for Gibson and fellow soldiers John Phillip Law and Sam Neill, but thousands of Japanese soldiers and the elements provide cause for trouble. 90 min. Soundtrack: English.
Attack Force Z(1981) VHS
Mel Gibson stars in this rousing, action-packed war saga about a dangerous mission involving the rescue of a defecting Japanese official from an island in the South Pacific in 1945. The mission seems easy for Gibson and fellow soldiers John Phillip Law and Sam Neill, but thousands of Japanese soldiers and the elements provide cause for trouble. 90 min.
Horror Classics, Vol. 6 [DVD] DVD
As a rock band breakdances its way through the "Night Train to Terror" (1985), God and Satan debate mankind's capacity for good or evil (which is depicted through segments from such other Philip Yordan-scripted films as "Death Wish Club," "Scream Your Head Off," "Shiver" and more). John Phillip Law, Cameron Mitchell, Marc Lawrence, Ferdy Mayne star. Also includes "The Devil's Nightmare," "Moon of the Wolf," and "Snowbeast." 6 hrs. total. Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1.
Hindsight(1997) VHS
The old saying goes: "Hindsight is 20/20," but this film proves "Hindsight" is also a steamy erotic tale about Hollywood at its most seductive. An aspiring actor's involvement with a studio executive's wife leads to a series of steamy and ultimately dangerous encounters with her and another gorgeous woman. Cyndi Pass, Kathy Shower and Robert Forster star. Unrated version; 97 min.
My Magic Dog [DVD](1997) DVD
A boy's best friend is his dog...especially when that dog is Lucky, a magical mutt that is totally invisible to everyone except Toby, his 8-year-old master. Watch the fun as Lucky helps Toby save his inheritance from a nasty aunt in this live-action fantasy for the whole family. Leo Millbrook, Russ Tamblyn and John Philip Law star. 98 min.
Mario Bava: Maestro Of The Macabre (2000) [DVD] DVD
For years he was practically unknown, but in recent years Italian director Mario Bava has acquired an incredible following. Here's a concise reason why, as this documentary looks at such masterworks as "Black Sunday," "Black Sabbath," "Baron Blood," "Lisa and the Devil" and more. 60 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
CQ [DVD](2001) DVD
Groovy riff on moviemaking in the psychedelic era from Roman Coppola (son of Francis Ford), centering on Jeremy Davies, a film editor in France in 1969. While working on a sci-fi action epic, Davies is also directing his own personal film featuring himself and girlfriend Elodie Bouchez. When he gets a chance to direct the actioner, Davies begins to fall for Angela Lindvall, the picture's sexy star. Gerard Depardieu, Giancarlo Giannini and Jason Schwartzman also star. 88 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary by Coppola; featurettes; photo gallery; theatrical trailer; deleted scene; documentaries.
Miner's Massacre [DVD](2003) DVD
After discovering a fortune in gold in a dilapidated mine, a group of friends take the loot and think they've struck it rich. However, the pals soon learn the cost of their greed as they fall victim to a legendary curse inflicted by a ghostly miner determined to protect his claim on the wealth. Scare-packed horror tale stars Karen Black, John Phillip Law, Richard Lynch. AKA: "Curse of the Forty-Niner." 86 min. Soundtrack: English.
filmography
Chinaman's Chance (2007) with Timothy Bottoms, Jason Connery, Coolio, Ernest Borgnine, Olivia Hussey, Lorenzo Lamas, Christopher Atkins, Geoffrey Lewis, Martin Kove, Edward Albert, Bo Svenson, Theresa Russell, and Tommy Chong
Vic (2006) with Clu Gulager, Tom Gulager, Carol Lynley, Gregory Sierra, Gary Frank, and Peter Mark Richman; a short directed by Sage Stallone
Three Tales of Terror (2004) with Lamberto Bava
Miner's Massacre (2003) with Richard Lynch, Jeff Conaway, Karen Black, and Martin Kove
CQ (2001) with Gérard Depardieu, Giancarlo Giannini, Billy Zane, and Dean Stockwell
Citizens of Perpetual Indulgence (2000) with Udo Kier, Joe Dallesandro, Holly Woodlawn, Mary Woronov, Mink Stole, and Alexis Arquette
Vic (1999) with Clu Gulager, Carol Lynley, and Gary Frank
Wanted (1999)
Ghost Dog (1997) with Russ Tamblyn
Hindsight (1996) with Robert Forster and Ron Jeremy
Burning Heart (1995)
Angel Eyes (1993) with Erik Estrada, Monique Gabrielle, Richard Harrison, and
Fred Olen Ray
Marilyn Alive and Behind Bars (1992) with Richard Moll and Francine York
Shining Blood (1992)
Alaska Stories (1991)
Little Women of Today (1990)
Nerds of a Feather (1990) with Charles Pierce
Alienator (1989) with Jan-Michael Vincent, Ross Hagen, P.J. Soles, and Robert Clarke
Cold Heat (1989) with Britt Ekland
Gorilla (1989)
Quattro piccole donne (1989)
A Case of Honor (1988) with Timothy Bottoms
The Overthrow (1988)
Blood Delirium (1988) with Gordon Mitchell
Space Mutiny (1988) with Reb Brown and Cameron Mitchell; once featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000
Thunder Warrior III (1988)
Una grande storia d'amore (1987) with Claudine Auger and Sylva Koscina
Moon in Scorpio (1987) with Britt Ekland and William Smith
Striker (1987)
Johann Strauss: The King Without a Crown (1986) with Oliver Tobias, Mary Crosby, Audrey Landers, Karin Dor, and Zsa Zsa Gabor
American Commandos (1985) with Christopher Mitchum
L.A. Bad (1985) with Esai Morales, Janice Rule, and Carrie Snodgress
Night Train to Terror (1985) with Richard Moll and Cameron Mitchell
No Time to Die (1984) with Christopher Mitchum
Tin Man (1983) with Timothy Bottoms, Deana Jurgens, and Troy Donahue
Attack Force Z (1982) with Mel Gibson and Sam Neill
Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981) with Miles O'Keeffe, Bo Derek, and Richard Harris; directed by John Derek
The Best Place to Be (1979) with Donna Reed, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Betty White, Gregory Harrison, Timothy Hutton, Lloyd Bochner, and Madlyn Rhue
Ring of Darkness (1979) with Anne Heywood, Marisa Mell, and Irene Papas
Der Schimmelreiter (1978) with Gert Fröbe
Eyes Behind the Wall (1977) with Fernando Rey
A Whisper In the Dark (1976) with Joseph Cotten
Target of an Assassin (1976) with Anthony Quinn
The Devil's Bed (1976)
The Cassandra Crossing (1976) with Sophia Loren, Richard Harris, Martin Sheen, O.J. Simpson, Lionel Stander, Ava Gardner, and Burt Lancaster
Doctor Justice (1975) with Gert Fröbe
Your God My Hell (1975)
The Spiral Staircase (1975) with Jacqueline Bisset and Christopher Plummer
Open Season (1974) with Peter Fonda, Richard Lynch, William Holden, and Helga Liné
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974) with Caroline Munro
Stardust (1973)
The Last Movie (1971) with Dennis Hopper, Julie Adams, Sylvia Miles, and Toni Basil
The Love Machine (1971) with Dyan Cannon, Robert Ryan, Jackie Cooper, David Hemmings, and Shecky Greene
The Red Baron (1971) with Don Stroud and Robert La Tourneaux
Strogoff (1971) with Mimsy Farmer and Hiram Keller
The Hawaiians (1970) with Charlton Heston, Geraldine Chaplin, Keye Luke, Lyle Bettger, and Chris Robinson
Diary of a Telephone Operator (1969) with Claudia Cardinale
The Sergeant (1968) with Rod Steiger
Skidoo (1968) with Jackie Gleason, Carol Channing, Frankie Avalon, and Frank Gorshin
Barbarella (1968) with Jane Fonda, Anita Pallenberg, and David Hemmings
Death Rides a Horse (1968) with Lee Van Cleef
Danger: Diabolik (1968) with Marisa Mell and Adolfo Celi; featured in the final episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000
Hurry Sundown (1967) with Michael Caine, Jane Fonda, George Kennedy, Robert Hooks, and Burgess Meredith
The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966) with Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, Alan Arkin, Brian Keith, and Jonathan Winters
Three Nights of Love (1964) with Adolfo Celi
High Infidelity (1964) with Claire Bloom and Ugo Tognazzi
Smog (1962)
TELEVISION SERIES
The Young and the Restless, 1973-present CBS TV series. Law portrayed Jim Gringer from 1998-1999
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This page premiered February 5, 2004.
