Born Jules Guy on July 26, 1926, in Powderly, Kentucky, actor James Best was orphaned at the age of 3. He was eventually adopted by a family in Indiana and renamed James Best. Following high school, best enlisted in the Army in the mid 1940s, during which time he began to harbor an interest in acting. After his discharge from the Army, Best trod the boards in stock company plays until he was spotted by a Universal talent agent. He then signed a contract with Universal-Internationall Pictures in 1949. His first film role was a bit part in Hugo Fregonese's film noir flick One Way Street (1950; with James Mason and William Conrad). He followed up in a bigger, credited role in the western Comanche Territory (1950; with Maureen O'Hara, Macdonald Carey, and Charles Drake). After several more film roles, Best and Universal-International parted ways in 1953, and afterward Best freelanced in a number of films and began making frequent television appearances. Although he became identified with western films and television shows, Best has acted in a variety of film genres, including the horror flick The Killer Shrews (1959; with Ken Curtis), war films such as The Naked and the Dead (1958; with Aldo Ray and Barbara Nichols) and Verboten! (1959; with Susan Cummings and Tom Pittman), and film noir crime dramas, including Man on the Prowl (1957; with Mala Powers and Jerry Paris) and Hot Summer Night (1957; with Leslie Nielsen and Colleen Miller). While his film career began to ebb into the 1960s, Best found plently of work on television in such hit shows as Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone, The Fugitive, and Combat!.
the films of james best
Kansas Raiders (1950)
James Best as Cole Youngerin the Universal-International western Kansas Raiders
Air Cadet (1951)
From the Universal-International drama Air Cadets with Alex Nicol, Charles Drake, Gail Russell, Stephen McNally, Richard Long, and Robert Arthur
Target Unknown (1951)
From the Universal-International war flick Target Unknown with Alex Nicol
The Cimarron Kid (1952)
Best as Bitter Creek Dalton in the Universal-International western The Cimarron Kid
Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (1952)
With Lori Nelson and Marjorie Main in the Universal-International series comedy Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair
Hot Summer Night (1957)
With Leslie Nielsen and Colleen Miller in the MGM crime drama Hot Summer Night
Man on the Prowl (1957)
With Mala Powers in United Artists' film noir release Man on the Prowl
Cole Younger, Gunfighter (1958)
From the Allied Artists western Cole Younger, Gunfighter with Frank Lovejoy
Cast a Long Shadow (1959)
From the Allied Artists western Cast a Long Shadow
The Killer Shrews (1959)
From the Allied Artists western Cole Younger, Gunfighter with Frank Lovejoy
Ride Lonesome (1959)
From the Columbia western Ride Lonesome with Karen Steele, Randolph Scott, Pernell Roberts, and James Coburn
Shock Corridor (1963)
With Peter Breck in the Allied Artists drama Shock Corridor
Black Gold (1963)
From the Warner Bros. period adventure Black Gold with Fay Spain
The Twilight Zone (1959-1964 CBS TV Series)
From a season four episode of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone with Laura Devon and Anne Francis titled Jess-Belle. This episode originally aired February 14, 1963
Three on a Couch (1966)
From the Columbia comedy Three on a Couch with Jerry Lewis, Gina Golan, Leslie Parrish, and Mary Ann Mobley
Sounder (1972)
Best as Sheriff Young with Carmen Mathews in the well-respected drama Sounder, released by 20th Century-Fox
The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985 CBS TV Series)
Best as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane with Sorrell Booke and Catherine Bach from the CBS TV series The Dukes of Hazzard, produced by Warner Bros.
james best today
Best is probably known best for his role as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on the hit CBS series The Dukes of Hazzard, which aired from 1979 through 1985. He became so heavily identified with the role that his career suffered, and he has worked only occasionally since the series wrapped. Best's most recent film release is the family film Moondance Alexander (2007; with Don Johnson and Lori Loughlin), which was directed by his son-in-law, Michael Damian. Best is also a noted acting teacher and artist. Now 82 years old, he is currently in semi-retirement.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season Three [DVD](1957) DVD All 39 episodes from the series's third season--including "The Glass Eye" (with Jessica Tandy and William Shatner), "Together" (with Joseph Cotten), "Foghorn" (with Michael Rennie), "A Dip in the Poole" (with Fay Wray), and "Little White Frock" (with Julie Adams)--are collected in a five-disc set. 17 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH). Have Gun Will Travel: The Complete First Season [DVD](1957) DVD All 39 episodes from season one--including "Three Bells to Perdido," "The Colonel and the Lady," "The Bostonian," "Hey Boy's Revenge," and "The Statue of San Sebastian"--are collected in a six-disc set. 17 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; biographies; episode information. **39 episodes on 6 discs. 17 hrs.** Wanted: Dead Or Alive: Season One [DVD](1958) DVD All 36 episodes from the series's debut season--including "The Martin Poster," "Ransom for a Nun," "The Favor," "Sheriff of Red Rock," and "Bounty for a Bride"--are featured in a four-disc set. 16 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; three colorized episodes; documentary; featurettes; photo gallery; biographies. **36 episodes on 4 discs. 16 3/4 hrs.** The Andy Griffith Show: The Complete First Season [DVD](1960) DVD All 32 episodes from the series's debut season--including "The New Housekeeper," "Ellie Comes to Town," "Mayberry Goes Hollywood," "The Beauty Contest," and "Bringing Up Opie"--are featured in a four-disc set. 15 1/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo. **32 episodes on 4 discs. 15 1/4 hrs.** Perry Mason: 50th Anniversary Edition [DVD] DVD Twelve of the series's best episodes--including "The Case of the Wary Wildcatter," "The Case of the Treacherous Toupee," "The Case of the Counterfeit Crank," "The Case of the Shoplifter's Shoe," and "The Case of the Final Fade-Out"--have been collected in this four-disc set. Also included is "Perry Mason Returns" (1985), the TV movie that finds the legal eagle (Raymond Burr), now a judge, stepping down from the bench to defend former secretary Della Street (Barbara Hale) when she's accused of murder. 12 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; featurette; interviews; photo gallery; TV spots; screen tests; more. The Twilight Zone: The Definitive Edition: Season 3 [DVD](1961) DVD All 37 episodes from the third season--including "Two," "It's a Good Life," "Deaths-Head Revisited," "Kick the Can," "To Serve Man," and "I Sing the Body Electric"--are featured in a five-disc set. 16 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary on selected episodes; interviews; promos; DVD-ROM content; more. **37 episodes on 5 discs. 16 hrs.** The Twilight Zone: The Definitive Edition: Season 4 [DVD](1962) DVD All 18 hour-long episodes from the fourth season--including "In His Image," "Miniature," "The Incredible World of Horace Ford," "On Thursday We Leave for Home," and "The Bard"--are featured in a six-disc set. 15 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary on selected episodes; interviews; promos; DVD-ROM content; more. **18 episodes on 6 discs. 15 1/2 hrs.** Daniel Boone: Season 1 [DVD](1964) DVD All 28 episodes from the first season--including "Ken-Tuck-E," "My Brother's Keeper," "The Ben Franklin Encounter," the two-part "Cain's Birthday," and "The Courtship of Jericho Jones"--are collected in an eight-disc set. 24 1/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; featurette; interviews; photo gallery. **28 episodes on 8 discs. 24 1/4 hrs.** Flipper: Season One [DVD](1964) DVD All 30 episodes from the debut season--including "300 Feet Below," "Countdown for Flipper," the three-part "Flipper and the Elephant," "Flipper's Monster," and "The White Dolphin"--have been collected in a four-disc set. 12 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Spanish; trivia. **30 episodes on 4 discs. 12 2/3 hrs.** Honey West: Complete Series [DVD](1965) DVD Based on the mystery novels by G.G. Fickling, this fantastic "Burke's Law" spin-off was TV's first action-drama with a female lead. Join sexy and glamorous private eye Honey West (Anne Francis) as she uses her wits and martial arts skills to investigate a diverse assortment of cases with the help of partner Sam Bolt (John Ericson). Irene Hervey co-stars. <> Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; commercials; photo gallery. 30 episodes on 4 discs. 15 hrs. I Spy: Season 2 [DVD](1966) DVD All 28 episodes from the second season--including "So Coldly Sweet," "Sparrowhawk," "Child Out of Time," "Blackout," and "Cops and Robbers"--have been collected in a five-disc set. 23 3/4 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. **28 episodes on 5 discs. 23 3/4 hrs.** I Spy: Season 3 [DVD](1967) DVD All 26 episodes from the third season--including "Let's Kill Karlovassi," "The Seventh Captain," "Anyplace I Hang Myself Is Home," "The Spy Business," and "Pinwheel"--have been collected in a five-disc set. 22 1/4 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. **26 episodes on 5 discs. 22 1/4 hrs.** The Mod Squad: Season 1, Vol. 1 [DVD](1968) DVD The first 13 episodes of the first season--including "The Teeth of the Barracuda," "You Can't Tell the Players Without a Programmer," "Find Tara Chapman!," "Love," and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Starlet"--are available in a four-disc set. 11 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; featurettes. **13 episodes on 4 discs. 11 1/2 hrs.** The Dukes Of Hazzard: The Complete First Season [DVD](1979) DVD All 13 episodes from the series's debut season--including "One Armed Bandits," "Daisy's Song," "Repo Men," "Deputy Dukes," and "Double Sting"--are featured in a three-disc set. 10 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; documentary; featurette. **13 episodes on 3 discs. 10 1/2 hrs.** The Dukes Of Hazzard: The Complete Second Season [DVD](1979) DVD All 23 episodes from the series's second season--including "Days of Shine and Roses," "Road Pirates," "Find Loretta Lynn," "Return of the Ridge Raiders," and "Southern Comfurts"--are featured in a four-disc set. 19 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; documentary. **23 episodes on 4 discs. 19 hrs.** The Dukes Of Hazzard: The Complete Third Season [DVD](1980) DVD All 22 episodes from the series's third season--including the two-part "Carnival of Thrills," "Mrs. Rosco P. Coltrane," "Along Came a Duke," "The Hack of Hazzard," and "The Canterbury Crock"--are featured in a four-disc set. 19 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary on one episode; featurette. **22 episodes on 4 discs. 19 hrs.** The Dukes Of Hazzard: The Complete Fourth Season [DVD](1981) DVD All 27 episodes from the series's fourth season--including the two-part "10 Million Dollar Sheriff," "Sadie Hogg Day," "Trouble at Cooter's," "Miz Tisdale on the Lam," and "Birds Gotta Fly"--are featured in this nine-disc set. 22 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary on one episode; documentary; featurette; interviews. **27 episodes on 9 discs. 22 hrs.** The Dukes Of Hazzard: The Complete Fifth Season [DVD](1982) DVD While Bo and Luke "race the NASCAR circuit," good-ol'-boy cousins Vance (Christopher Mayer) and Coy (Byron Cherry) take the wheel of the General Lee for most of this season. All 22 episodes from the series's fifth season--including "The New Dukes," "Coy Meets Girl," "Vance's Lady," "Welcome Back, Bo 'n' Luke," and "Daisy's Shotgun Wedding"--are featured in an eight-disc set. 17 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; featurette. **22 episodes on 8 discs. 17 2/3 hrs.** The Dukes Of Hazzard: The Complete Sixth Season [DVD](1983) DVD Having returned at the end of the fifth season, Bo and Luke are back for good, ready for more gulch-jumpin', moonshine-runnin' fun. All 19 episodes from the series's sixth season--including "Lulu's Gone Away," "Boss Behind Bars," "Twin Trouble," "Heiress Daisy Duke," and "Cooter's Confession"--are featured in a four-disc set. 17 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Spanish, French; featurettes. **19 episodes on 4 discs. 17 2/3 hrs.** The Dukes Of Hazzard: The Complete Seventh Season [DVD](1984) DVD All 17 episodes from the seventh and final season--including "Happy Birthday, General Lee," "Robot P. Coltrane," "Cool Hands, Luke & Bo," "Sittin' Dukes," and "Opening Night at the Boar's Nest"--are featured in a six-disc set. 13 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; featurettes; music video. **17 episodes on 6 discs. 13 3/4 hrs.** The Dukes Of Hazzard: The Complete Seasons 1-7 [DVD] DVD **143 episodes on 38 discs. 119 1/2 hrs.** James Stewart: The Western Collection [DVD] DVD Six-disc set includes "Destry Rides Again," "Winchester '73" (1950), "Bend of the River," "The Far Country" (1955), "Night Passage," and "The Rare Breed." Classic Western Round-Up, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD One-time desperadoes Fred MacMurray and Jack Oakie go straight and join "The Texas Rangers" (1936) in their fight to uphold the law in Lone Star territory. When one of their former partners continues his outlaw ways, MacMurray and Oakie are called on to catch him. Lloyd Nolan, Jean Peter co-star. Next, the Oregon Territory of the 1850s is the setting for a bitter rivalry between scout-turned-general store owner Dana Andrews and crooked banker Brian Donlevy--a rivalry that intensifies when beautiful Susan Hayward comes between them--in "Canyon Passage" (1946). Audie Murphy stars as a young Jesse James, who becomes the protege of notorious outlaw William Quantrill (Donlevy) before making history as leader of his own gang, in "Kansas Raiders" (1950). With Marguerite Chapman, Tony Curtis. And, in his fir st starring role, Rock Hudson plays famed frontier badman John Wesley Hardin in director Raoul Walsh's well-crafted Western biodrama "The Lawless Breed" (1953). Julia Adams, John McIntyre and Lee Van Cleef also star. 6 hrs. total on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; theatrical trailers. Classic Western Round-Up, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD Prairie fires, snowstorms, hostile Indians, and a gun-smuggling Joan Bennett are just some of the problems trail boss Randolph Scott has to cope with on a 10,000-head cattle drive to Kansas, in "The Texans" (1938). With May Robson, Robert Cummings, Walter Brennan. Barbara Stanwyck is a gambling queen with a shady past who joins forces with an Army deserter and an old-time miner to face off against a powerful land baron, in "California" (1946). Ray Milland, Barry Fitzgerald also star. Then, Audie Murphy is a gunman who is wrongly accused of helping the Dalton gang in a train robbery--then joins them for real, in "The Cimarron Kid" (1952). With Beverly Tyler, James Best. Finally, Glenn Ford stars as "The Man from the Alamo" (1953), Branded a coward for his actions at the doomed fortress, Ford must fight to prove himself during the Mexican War. Julia Adams, Victor Jory, Hugh O'Brian co-star. 6 hrs. total on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; theatrical trailers. The Adventures Of Ma And Pa Kettle, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride lead the hilarious backwoods brood to the county fair with hopes of winning some tuition money for their college-bound daughter in "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair" (1952). Jim Backus co-stars. Next, the Kettles wind up in the middle of an espionage plot involving secret plans during a trip to Paris in "Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation" (1953). Then, Ma and Pa try to help Elwin, one of their 15 kids, win a scholarship to an agricultural college in "Ma and Pa Kettle at Home" (1954). And, when their cousin becomes ill in Hawaii, Ma and Pa head to the islands to help out in her pineapple factory in "Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki" (1955). 5 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Spanish, French. The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms (1953)/Them! (1954) [DVD] DVD Atomic testing in the Arctic revives a gigantic "rhedosaurus" frozen in the ice for millions of years, and soon the creature is cutting a path of destruction down the streets of New York. Based on a Ray Bradbury story, "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms" features stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen. Paul Christian, Paula Raymond star. And, the landmark sci-fi classic "Them!" chronicles how atomic testing in a New Mexico desert results in ordinary ants being mutated into behemoth killing machines. As the enlarged insects wreak murderous havoc across the Southwest, police sergeant James Whitmore teams with FBI agent James Arness to stop a pair of queen ants before they can give birth to another generation of terror. With Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon. 171 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; featurttes; theatrical trailers. The Caine Mutiny (Collector's Edition) [DVD](1954) DVD Electrifying performances highlight this naval drama based on Herman Wouk's novel. The unstable behavior of U.S.S. Caine commander Humphrey Bogart during World War II forces a group of officers led by Van Johnson and Fred McMurray to reluctantly assume command, leading to a sensational court-martial trial for the mutineers. With Robert Francis, May Wynn, E.G. Marshall, Lee Marvin; nominated for seven Oscars. 125 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French; documentary; audio commentary. WWII 60th Anniversary Collection Box Set [DVD] DVD Four-disc set includes "The Caine Mutiny," "Anzio," "Das Boot," and the History Channel documentary "Dead Men's Secrets: The Secrets of Sea Wolves" examining the Nazis' dominion over the seas during World War II. James Stewart: The Signature Collection [DVD] DVD Five-disc set includes "The Stratton Story," "The Naked Spur," "The Spirit of St. Louis," "The FBI Story," "The Cheyenne Social Club," and "Firecreek." The Paul Newman Collection [DVD] DVD In the role that made him a star, Paul Newman is middleweight boxing champ Rocky Graziano in Robert Wise's Oscar-winning biodrama, "Somebody up There Likes Me" (1956). Steve McQueen co-stars. Newman portrays notorious outlaw Billy the Kid in director Arthur Penn's first feature, "The Left-Handed Gun" (1958). An ambitious lawyer's (Newman) dark past comes back to haunt him while defending a war buddy who's been accused of murder, in "The Young Philadelphians" (1959). With Barbara Rush, Robert Vaughn. Newman plays Ross MacDonald's cool private eye in "Harper" (1966) and again in "The Drowning Pool" (1975) which follows the detective to New Orleans where he tries to find out who's been blackmailing an ex-girlfriend (Joanne Woodward). An easy-going cowpoke (Newman) and his hard-drinking pardner (Lee Marvin) agree to move 200 steer from Mexico to the U.S. to get out of debt, in "Pocket Money" (1972). Finally, "The Mackintosh Man" (1973) stars Newman as a British agent sent to infiltrate a communist group secretly led by a powerful politician (James Mason). 13 hrs. total on six discs. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English. The Films Of Budd Boetticher [DVD] DVD Saddle up for five ace westerns from director Budd Boetticher! "The Tall T" (1957) offers a psychological study with Randolph Scott as a rancher taken captive with a newlywed couple by a gang of outlaws. Richard Boone, Maureen O'Sullivan co-star; based on Elmore Leonard's story. Next, gunman Scott takes over a small town and sets out to kill one of its residents. What's his target's crime? Find out, in "Decision at Sundown" (1957). With John Caroll, Karen Steele. Texas drifter Tom Buchanan (Scott) arrives in a California border town and into the midst of a violent family feud. Each side tries to exploit him, but Scott makes it clear that "Buchanan Rides Alone" (1958). Craig Stevens, Tol Avery co-star. Bounty hunter Scott sets out with a young widow and two reformed outlaws to capture a wanted killer, but none know Scott's real motive. "Ride Lonesome" (1959) co-stars James Best, Lee Van Cleef. After spending 10 years searching for his kidnapped wife, Scott rescues a settler's wife who's been captured by the Indians...but they're not out of danger yet! "Comanche Station" (1960) co-stars Claude Akins, Nancy Gates. 6 1/3 hrs. total on five discs. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; documentary. The Killer Shrews (1959)/I Bury The Living [DVD](1958) DVD No, it's not Shakespeare's long-missing sequel! It's the shocking story of a group of scientists whose experiments create a man-eating strain of rodents (and yes, the shrews are really dogs with fake fangs). With Ken Curtis ("Gunsmoke"), James Best and 1957 Miss Universe Ingrid Goude. Then, new cemetery caretaker Richard Boone discovers that, by putting black pins on unoccupied lots shown on a map of the graveyard, he can kill the site's owner. Stylish, low-budget creeper also stars Theodore Bikel, Peggy Maurer. 140 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; theatrical trailers. Shock Corridor [DVD](1963) DVD Maverick filmmaker Samuel Fuller wrote and directed this unflinching drama that follows reporter Peter Breck into an asylum. Feigning insanity in order to learn the truth about an inmate's death, he soon falls into his own madness. Violent, emotional thriller also stars James Best, Hari Rhodes, Constance Towers. Restored version features special color scenes. 101 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailer. Shenandoah [DVD](1965) DVD Epic western drama with James Stewart as a wealthy Virginia farmer whose opposition to slavery causes him to remain neutral during the Civil War. But Stewart finds himself forced to choose sides when his youngest son is taken prisoner by Union troops who think he's a Confederate spy. Doug McClure, Katharine Ross, Patrick Wayne, Glenn Corbett co-star. 106 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Spanish, French; theatrical trailer. Run, Simon, Run [DVD](1970) DVD After his release from prison for killing his brother, a crime he didn't commit, a vengeance-seeking American Indian goes after the real killers. Burt Reynolds and Inger Stevens (her last film) star in this intense drama. AKA: "Savage Run." 73 min.Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo. Sounder [DVD](1972) DVD Based on the novel by William H. Armstrong, this powerful drama tells the story of a black sharecropper family in the 1930s. When patriarch Paul Winfield is arrested for stealing food to feed his children, wife Cicely Tyson struggles to hold the family together while oldest son Kevin Hooks sets out to visit his father in a prison camp. With Carmen Mathews, Taj Mahal; directed by Martin Ritt. 104 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; Subtitles: English (SDH). Gator [DVD](1976) DVD Burt Reynolds' sequel to "White Lightning," this fast-paced hit continues the adventures of moonshine runner "Gator" McKlusky. Here federal agent Jack Weston gets him to help expose some corrupt politicians. Lauren Hutton and Jerry Reed co-star in this good ol' comedy/thriller. 116 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; theatrical trailer. Semi-Tough (1977)/Gator (1976) [DVD] DVD Two-disc set includes "Semi-Tough" and "Gator." The Brain Machine (1977)/The Astral Fiend [DVD](1977) DVD First, in "The Brain Machine," a government-run experiment in mind control produces a deadly computer, and four scientists become unwitting guinea pigs. Can they possibly escape from the technological terror? James Best, Barbara Burgess and Gerald McRaney star. AKA: "Grey Matter," "Mind Warp," "The E-Box," "Time Warp." Then, in "The Astral Fiend," a convicted murderer in prison learns the secret of becoming invisible and escapes, swearing vengeance on those who testified against him. Robert Foxworth, Elke Sommer and Stefanie Powers star. AKA: "Invisible Strangler," "The Astral Factor." 176 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions. The End [DVD](1978) DVD In this funny dark comedy, Burt Reynolds plays a man who, after learning he has a fatal illness, tries over and over to kill himself. Eventually, he winds up in a psychiatric hospital, where he enlists the aid of fellow inmate Dom DeLuise, who seems a bit overzealous to complete the job. Sally Field, Robby Benson, Joanne Woodward and Kristy McNichol co-star. 100 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English mono, French mono, Spanish mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; theatrical trailer; scene access. Hooper [DVD](1978) DVD The unglamorous and dangerous life of Hollywood stuntmen is portrayed in this comedy from star Burt Reynolds and director Hal Needham (two former stuntmen themselves). Burt plays Sonny Hooper, the industry's premier trick driver, whose body has seen better days and who is roped into performing one last death-defying stunt by a young up-and-comer (Jan-Michael Vincent). With Sally Field, Brian Keith. 100 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English stereo; scene access. The Dukes Of Hazzard: Two Movie Collection [DVD] DVD "The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!" (1997) finds Bo (John Schneider) and Luke (Tom Wopat) back behind the wheel of the General Lee, employing some good ol' boy charm and daredevil driving to thwart a plan to drain Hazzard Swamp and open a theme park. Catherine Bach, Denver Pyle, Sonny Shroyer co-star. Next, the Duke cousins (Wopat, Schneider) help raise money to build a hospital by getting into the music business, but will their Southern-fried sass sell in Tinseltown? "The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood" (2000) co-stars Bach, James Best, Ben Jones. 178 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital Surround stereo; Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French. Hot Tamale [DVD](2006) DVD Dreaming of playing in a salsa band, a Wyoming-based drummer decides to move to Los Angeles to jump-start his career. Stopping at a roadside cafe, he encounters a mysterious stranger who surreptitiously places stolen diamonds in his car. After arriving in L.A., his would-be girlfriend is kidnapped by thugs seeking the loot. Enlisting the help of some new friends to rescue her, he must also contend with problems caused by an alluring femme fatale. Randy Spelling, Carmen Electra, Jason Priestley star. 98 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English. Moondance Alexander [DVD](2007) DVD A dull summer becomes thrilling for teenager Moondance (Kay Panabaker) when she comes across a wandering pony she's convinced could be a champion jumper. The pony's owner (Don Johnson) dislikes the idea at first, but Moondance eventually persuades him to allow her to train him. Based on a true story, this heartwarming drama co-stars Lori Loughlin, Sasha Cohen. 94 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital Surround stereo; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; behind-the-scenes footage; featurette; interviews; music video; theatrical trailer.
filmography
FILM Moondance Alexander (2007) with Don Johnson and Lori Loughlin Hot Tamale (2006) with Randy Spelling, Carmen Electra, and Jason Priestley The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood (2000) with Tom Wopat, John Schneider, Catherine Bach, Rick Hurst, Sonny Shroyer, Ben Jones, and Nicholas Coster Death Mask (1998) with Linnea Quigley The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997) with Tom Wopat, John Schneider, Catherine Bach, Denver Pyle, Ben Jones, Sonny Shroyer, Rick Hurst, and Stella Stevens Hooper (1978) with Burt Reynolds, Jan-Michael Vincent, Sally Field, Brian Keith, Robert Klein, and Adam West The End (1978) with Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Sally Field, Strother Martin, Joanne Woodward, Norman Fell, Myrna Loy, Kristy McNichol, Pat O'Brien, Robby Benson, and Carl Reiner Rolling Thunder (1977) with William Devane, Tommy Lee Jones, and Dabney Coleman The Brain Machine (1977) with Gerald McRaney Nickelodeon (1976) with Ryan O'Neal, Burt Reynolds, Tatum O'Neal, Brian Keith, Stella Stevens, and John Ritter The Savage Bees (1976) with Ben Johnson, Michael Parks, and Horst Buchholz Ode to Billy Joe (1976) with Robby Benson and Glynnis O'Connor The Runaway Barge (1975) with Bo Hopkins, Tim Matheson, Jim Davis, Nick Nolte, and Lucille Benson Savages (1974) with Andy Griffith, Sam Bottoms, and Noah Beery Jr. Sounder (1972) with Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield, and Kevin Hooks Run, Simon, Run (1970) with Burt Reynolds, Inger Stevens, Royal Dano, and Joyce Jameson Firecreek (1968) with James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Inger Stevens, Gary Lockwood, Dean Jagger, Ed Begley, Jay C. Flippen, and Jack Elam First to Fight (1967) with Chad Everett, Dean Jagger, Bobby Troup, Claude Akins, and Gene Hackman Three on a Couch (1966) with Jerry Lewis, Janet Leigh, Leslie Parrish, Mary Ann Mobley, and Gila Golan Shenandoah (1965) with James Stewart, Doug McClure, Glenn Corbett, Patrick Wayne, Rosemary Forsyth, Katharine Ross, Denver Pyle, and George Kennedy Black Spurs (1965) with Rory Calhoun, Linda Darnell, Scott Brady, Lon Chaney Jr., Bruce Cabot, Richard Arlen, and Terry Moore The Quick Gun (1964) with Audie Murphy, Merry Anders, and Gregg Palmer Shock Corridor (1963) with Peter Breck, Constance Towers, and Gene Evans Black Gold (1962) with Philip Carey, Diane McBain, Fay Spain, Claude Akins, and Dub Taylor The Mountain Road (1960) with James Stewart, Glenn Corbett, and Harry Morgan Cast a Long Shadow (1959) with Audie Murphy, Terry Moore, John Dehner, Denver Pyle, Ann Doran, and Stacy Harris The Killer Shrews (1959) with Ingrid Goude and Ken Curtis Verboten! (1959) with Susan Cummings and Tom Pittman Ride Lonesome (1959) with Randolph Scott, Karen Steele, Pernell Roberts, Lee Van Cleef, and James Coburn The Naked and the Dead (1958) with Aldo Ray, Cliff Robertson, Raymond Massey, Barbara Nichols, William Campbell, and Richard Jaeckel The Left Handed Gun (1958) with Paul Newman, Lita Milan, and John Dehner Cole Younger, Gunfighter (1958) with Frank Lovejoy, Abby Dalton, Jan Merlin, Frank Ferguson, and Myron Healey Man on the Prowl (1957) with Mala Powers and Jerry Paris Hot Summer Night (1957) with Leslie Nielsen, Colleen Miller, Edward Andrews, Jay C. Flippen, and Claude Akins Last of the Badmen (1957) with George Montgomery, Keith Larsen, Willis Bouchey, and Michael Ansara The Rack (1956) with Paul Newman, Wendell Corey, Walter Pidgeon, Edmond O'Brien, Anne Francis, Lee Marvin, and Cloris Leachman Calling Homicide (1956) with Bill Elliott, Myron Healey, Jeanne Cooper, and Lyle Talbot Gaby (1956) with Leslie Caron, John Kerr, Cedric Hardwicke, Taina Elg, Joe Di Reda, Ruta Lee, and Narda Onyx Come Next Spring (1956) with Ann Sheridan, Steve Cochran, Walter Brennan, Edgar Buchanan, Sonny Tufts, and Mae Clarke Seven Angry Men (1955) with Raymond Massey, Debra Paget, Jeffrey Hunter, Larry Pennell, John Smith, Dennis Weaver, and Guy Williams The Raid (1954) with Van Heflin, Anne Bancroft, Richard Boone, Lee Marvin, Tommy Rettig, and Peter Graves Return from the Sea (1954) with Jan Sterling, Neville Brand, Lloyd Corrigan, and Alvy Moore The Yellow Tomahawk (1954) with Rory Calhoun, Peggie Castle, Noah Beery Jr., Peter Graves, Lee Van Cleef, and Rita Moreno Riders to the Stars (1954) with William Lundigan, Martha Hyer, Herbert Marshall, Richard Carlson, King Donovan, and Dawn Addams Column South (1953) with Audie Murphy, Joan Evans, Robert Sterling, Ray Collins, Dennis Weaver, Gregg Palmer, and Russell Johnson Seminole (1953) with Rock Hudson, Barbara Hale, Anthony Quinn, Richard Carlson, Hugh O'Brian, Lori Nelson, Gregg Palmer, William Reynolds, Les Tremayne, and David Janssen Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (1952) with Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, and Lori Nelson Steel Town (1952) with Ann Sheridan, John Lund, Howard Duff, Chick Chandler, and Nancy Kulp The Battle at Apache Pass (1952) with John Lund, Jeff Chandler, Beverly Tyler, Susan Cabot, John Hudson, Regis Toomey, Richard Egan, Hugh O'Brian, Gregg Palmer, William Reynolds, and Jay Silverheels The Cimarron Kid (1952) with Audie Murphy, Beverly Tyler, Yvette Duguay, John Hudson, Hugh O'Brian, Noah Beery Jr., and Leif Erickson Apache Drums (1951) with Stephen McNally and Coleen Gray Target Unknown (1951) with Mark Stevens, Alex Nicol, Gig Young, and Joyce Holden Air Cadet (1951) with Stephen McNally, Gail Russell, Alex Nicol, Richard Long, Charles Drake, Rock Hudson, Peggie Castle, and Parley Baer Kansas Raiders (1950) with Audie Murphy, Brian Donlevy, Marguerite Chapman, Scott Brady, Tony Curtis, Richard Arlen, Richard Long, Dewey Martin, and Richard Egan Winchester '73 (1950) with James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, Stephen McNally, Charles Drake, John McIntire, Will Geer, Jay C. Flippen, Rock Hudson, Steve Brodie, and Tony Curtis Peggy (1950) with Diana Lynn, Charles Coburn, Charlotte Greenwood, Barbara Lawrence, Charles Drake, Rock Hudson, Jerome Cowan, and Ellen Corby Comanche Territory (1950) with Maureen O'Hara, Macdonald Carey, Will Geer, Charles Drake, Parley Baer, and Glenn Strange
TELEVISION SERIES
The Dukes of Hazzard, 1979-1985 CBS TV Series. Best portrayed Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane The Dukes, 1983 CBS animated TV series
TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
In the Heat of the Night, episode Sweet, Sweet Blues, originally aired November 26, 1991 B.L. Stryker, episode Night Train, originally aired May 5, 1990 Enos, episode Grits and Greens Strike Again, originally aired December 17, 1980 How the West Was Won, episode Luke, originally aired April 2, 1979 Hawkins, episode Blood Feud, originally aired December 4, 1973 Dan August, episode In the Eyes of God, originally aired October 21, 1970 Lancer, episode Goodbye, Lizzie, originally aired April 28, 1970 Gunsmoke, episode Charlie Noon, originally aired November 3, 1969 The Guns of Will Sonnett, episode Robber's Roost, originally aired January 17, 1969 Felony Squad, episode The Distant Shore, originally aired December 2, 1969 The Mod Squad, episode The Price of Terror, originally aired November 26, 1968 I Spy, episode Suitable for Framing, originally aired March 15, 1968 Bonanza, episode The Price of Salt, originally aired February 4, 1968 The Guns of Will Sonnett, episode Meeting at Devil's Fork, originally aired October 21, 1967 Hawk, episode Blind Man's Bluff, originally aired December 29, 1966 The Green Hornet, episode Deadline for Death, originally aired December 21, 1966 I Spy, episode Lisa, originally aired December 7, 1966 Felony Squad, episode Flame Out, originally aired October 17, 1966 The Iron Horse, episode High Devil, originally aired September 26, 1966 Perry Mason, episode The Case of the Unwelcome Well, originally aired April 3, 1966 The Virginian, episode Letter of the Law, originally aired December 22, 1965 Honey West, episode A Matter of Wife and Death, originally aired October 8, 1965 Burke's Law, episode Steam Heat, originally aired September 29, 1965 Flipper, episode The Call of the Dolphin, originally aired April 4, 1965 Ben Casey, episode A Little Fun to Match the Sorrow, originally aired March 8, 1965 Daniel Boone, episode The Devil's Four, originally aired March 4, 1965 Death Valley Days, episode Hero of Fort Halleck, originally aired October 9, 1964 Rawhide, episode Incident at El Toro, originally aired April 9, 1964 Destry, episode Go Away, Little Sheba, originally aired March 27, 1964 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, episode The Jar, originally aired February 14, 1964 Combat!, episode Mail Call, originally aired February 1, 1964 Death Valley Days, episode Sixty-Seven Miles of Gold, originally aired January 14, 1964 Gunsmoke, episode The Glory and the Mud, originally aired January 4, 1964 The Fugitive, episode Terror at High Point, originally aired December 17, 1963 Bonanza, episode The Legacy, originally aired December 15, 1963 Rawhide, episode Incident of the Rawhiders, originally aired November 14, 1963 Ben Casey, episode Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast, originally aired November 13, 1963 Redigo, episode Little Angel Blue Eyes, originally aired October 29, 1963 Gunsmoke, episode With a Smile, originally aired March 30, 1963 Perry Mason, episode The Case of the Surplus Suitor, originally aired February 28, 1963 The Gallant Men, episode The Warriors, originally aired February 23, 1963 The Twilight Zone, episode Jess-Belle, originally aired February 14, 1963 Rawhide, episode Incident at Spider Rock, originally aired January 18, 1963 G.E. True, episode Open Season, originally aired January 6, 1963 Death Valley Days, episode The $275,000 Sack of Flour, originally aired October 1, 1962 Cheyenne, episode Sweet Sam, originally aired October 8, 1962 Hawaiian Eye, episode Day in the Sun, originally aired October 2, 1962 Cheyenne, episode Satonka, originally aired October 1, 1962 Bronco, episode Then the Mountains, originally aired April 30, 1962 The Rifleman, episode The Day a Town Slept, originally aired April 16, 1962 77 Sunset Strip, episode The Long Shot Caper, originally aired March 23, 1962 The Twilight Zone, episode The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank, originally aired February 23, 1962 Laramie, episode The Runaway, originally aired January 23, 1962 The Twilight Zone, episode The Grave, originally aired October 27, 1961 Surfside 6, episode One for the Road, originally aired October 2, 1961 Whispering Smith, episode The Hemp Reeger Case, originally aired July 17, 1961 Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode Make My Death Bed, originally aired June 27, 1961 The Andy Griffith Show, episode The Guitar Player Returns, originally aired May 15, 1961 Stagecoach West, episode The Dead Don't Cry, originally aired May 2, 1961 The Barbara Stanwyck Show, episode The Choice, originally aired April 17, 1961 Michael Shayne, episode Strike Out, originally aired March 10, 1961 Stagecoach West, episode The Arsonist, originally aired February 14, 1961 Bonanza, episode The Fugitive, originally aired February 1, 1961 Have Gun - Will Travel, episode Quiet Night in Town: Parts 1 and 2, originally aired January 7 and January 14, 1961 Bat Masterson, episode Dakota Showdown, originally aired November 17, 1960 The DuPont Show with June Allyson, episode Love on Credit, originally aired November 17, 1960 The Rebel, episode Deathwatch, originally aired October 23, 1960 Lock Up, episode The Beau and Arrow Case, originally aired October 22, 1960 The Andy Griffith Show, episode The Guitar Player, originally aired October 17, 1960 Stagecoach West, episode High Lonesome, originally aired October 4, 1960 Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode Cell 227, originally aired June 5, 1960 The Rebel, episode Night on a Rainbow, originally aired May 29, 1960 Overland Trail, episode Escort Detail, originally aired May 22, 1960 Men Into Space, episode Beyond the Stars, originally aired May 11, 1960 The Texan, episode Killer's Road, originally aired April 25, 1960 General Electric Theater, episode Aftermath, originally aired April 17, 1960 Pony Express, episode The Story of Julesberg, originally aired March 9, 1960 Wagon Train, episode The Clayton Tucker Story, originally aired February 10, 1960 Laramie, episode Company Man, originally aired February 9, 1960 Wagon Train, episode The Colonel Harris Story, originally aired January 13, 1960 Startime, episode Cindy's Fella, originally aired December 15, 1959 The Lineup, episode Lonesome as Midnight, originally aired November 18, 1959 Laramie, episode The Lawbreakers, originally aired October 20, 1959 The Man and the Challenge, episode Maximum Capacity, originally aired September 19, 1959 The David Niven Show, episode Good Deed, originally aired July 7, 1959 Frontier Justice, episode The Three Graves, originally aired July 6, 1959 The David Niven Show, episode Portrait, originally aired June 16, 1959 Wagon Train, episode The Andrew Hale Story, originally aired June 3, 1959 Black Saddle, episode Client: Nelson, originally aired May 2, 1959 Rescue 8, episode Trail by Fire, originally aired January 13, 1959 Wanted: Dead or Alive, episode Six-Up to Bannach, originally aired January 10, 1959 Behind Closed Doors, episode The Enemy on the Flank, originally aired December 4, 1958 Wanted: Dead or Alive, episode Sheriff of Red Rock, originally aired November 29, 1958 Trackdown, episode Sunday's Child, originally aired November 21, 1958 Bat Masterson, episode Stampede at Tent City, originally aired October 29, 1958 The Restless Gun, episode Jebediah Bonner, originally aired September 22, 1958 The Millionaire, episode The Fred Morgan Story, originally aired September 17, 1958 Target, episode Assassin, originally aired May 30, 1958 Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode Death Sentence, originally aired April 27, 1958 Trackdown, episode The Mistake, originally aired April 18, 1958 Tombstone Territory, episode Guilt of a Town, originally aired March 19, 1958 Climax!, episode The Secret Love of Johnny Spain, originally aired February 20, 1958 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, episode Guys Like O'Malley, originally aired January 10, 1958 Code 3, episode Death in an Alley, originally aired November 19, 1957 Have Gun - Will Travel, episode The Long Night, originally aired November 16, 1957 Trackdown, episode Marple Brothers, originally aired October 4, 1957 Richard Diamond, Private Detective, episode Merry-Go-Round Case, originally aired September 23, 1957 West Point, episode Dragoon Patrol, originally aired July 5, 1957 Sheriff of Cochise, episode Lynching Party, originally aired February 1, 1957 Zane Grey Theater, episode Three Graves, originally aired January 4, 1957 Cavalcade of America, episode Women's Work, originally aired November 20, 1956 Telephone Time, episode The Gingerbread Man, originally aired July 1, 1956 Frontier, episode Out from Texas, originally aired June 24, 1956 The Adventures of Champion, episode Andrew and the Deadly Double, originally aired February 13, 1956 Frontier, episode The Texicans, originally aired January 8, 1956 The Adventures of Champion, episode The Stone Heart, originally aired December 13, 1955 Cavalcade of America, episode One Day at a Time, originally aired November 15, 1955 The Lone Ranger, episode Framed for Murder, originally aired August 4, 1955 Buffalo Bill, Jr., episode The Death of Johnny Ringo, originally aired March 22, 1955 Death Valley Days, episode Million Dollar Wedding, originally aired March 1, 1955 The Adventures of Kit Carson, episode The Phantom Uprising, originally aired January 8, 1955 The Adventures of Kit Carson, episode Frontier Empire, originally aired November 27, 1954 The Gene Autry Show, episode Hoodoo Canyon, originally aired August 17, 1954 The Gene Autry Show, episode Holdup, originally aired July 20, 1954 Annie Oakley, episode Annie and the Outlaw's Son, originally aired July 3, 1954 Annie Oakley, episode Outlaw Mesa, originally aired June 26, 1954 Stories of the Century, episode Little Britches, originally aired June 17, 1954 Hopalong Cassidy, episode Silent Testimony, originally aired February 19, 1954 Hallmark Hall of Fame, episode McCoy of Abilene, originally aired October 18, 1953 Cavalcade of America, episode Night Strike, originally aired April 29, 1953
james best links
James Best.com: The Official James Best Website
Visit this site for information on James Best, including upcoming personal appearances, film and television info, and more. Also, be sure to see the James Best store for merchandise!
