What do these all of these classics have in common?

In a name? Writer/director/producer Matthew Jacobs, who has been collaborating and igniting outstanding small and big screen productions since graduating from Britain's National
Film and Television School in 1982 with a subtantial amount of award winning short films.

For ten years, Jacobs was one of the United Kingdom's leading television scribes and directors. In the mid-1990s, he moved his family to Marin County in California to develop a series of movies for Sony Pictures and Paramount, and to work with George Lucas on The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles - the heralded 1992-1996 ABC-TV series pre-quel to the famous Harrison Ford/Steven Spielberg feature film franchise (which will soon to be reignited with a fourth installment set to go into production within weeks).

Jacobs is best known as co-creator of 2001's The Emperor's New Groove (for Disney Animation), writing 1989's deeply disturbing psychological horror feature film Paperhouse (for Bernard Rose), and for penning the 1994 adventures of everyone's favorite collie, Lassie (for Lorne Saturday Night Live Michaels and Paramount).

Jacobs has also produced, directed, packaged and written more than 20 other great television and motion picture projects, including:

Somewhere To Run (1989): A searing drama he wrote about runaways that helped changed the lives of troubled British children and won him the Prix Europa.

Hallelujah Anyhow (1992): An engrossing drama set in the Afro-Caribbean Gospel community of London which he wrote and directed, and which was selected for the Sundance Film Festival, and honored by the Writers Guild of Great Britain as one of the best TV-movies of the year.

Doctor Who (1996): An award-winning Universal/Fox/BBC edition of the small-screen sci-fi classic that he wrote and co-produced.

Mothertime (1998): A darkly-unique and engrossing tale about a daughter rescuing her alcoholic mother which he wrote and directed for BBC TV Films.

Yet, Jacobs' talent rests with creating unique approaches to the classic stories that are familiar to us all.

Sony Pictures entrusted him with their edition of Huckleberry Finn (which Carroll Ballard was set to helm until Disney beat them to the punch in 1999). This script is still regarded as the definitive adaptation that has never been made and has attracted the interest of many great directors.

Maurice Sendak (The Little Beat Movie, Seven Little Monsters) trusted Jacobs with film versions of his work that were developed in the 1990s. In the UK, Jacobs has developed fresh editions of Sherlock Holmes and the Ruth Rendell Mysteries. In recent years, he's been working for Walden Media on a contemporary version of Treasure Island, which Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Holes) is attached to direct.

Also in the works: A few projects for The Wonderful World Of Disney, the first treatment of Rex Havoc (which is now in production at Dreamworks Animation), and My Brother Dale - a comedy series (which sold to FOX-TV in 2002) about a mid-west travelling salesman who every week not only has to make a sale but also has to balance an ex-wife, a new wife and a secret girlfriend who has his name tattooed on her derier.

Then, there's Clive Barker's Thief Of Always (for Universal/ILM), and and the iconic director Francis Ford Copolla’s initial dip in the world of sci-fi with the original spec script, entitled, Mirror (which was sold to Hollywood Pictures).

Jacobs is presently developing his own edition of The Ugly Duckling (simply called, Ugly) with Jim Henson Films, and TheEx - a family dramady he is developing to direct for the new independent
company, SugarBeets Productions.

Throughout all of his phenomenal success, Jacobs has retained his integrity as a human being - a rare quality in the challenging world of the entertainment industry. Indeed, in this land of make-believe, Jacobs is as real and sincere as they come. And he proves that every day, not only with his astounding and ever-increasing body of work, but with his very existence. He fills his days with optimism, wonder and awe - an encourages others to do the same - on and off-screen.

One of the most exciting aspects of Jacob's life and career, is that he dedicates twenty hours a week to those who are seeking personal creative consulting and coaching for the novice, as well as for the established professional.

With his Script-to-Screen Consulting business, Jacobs has assisted many to ignite and sustain their careers in every aspect of the entertainment industry, either as writers, directors, producers and actors. His knowledge of the industry and film and TV production is comprehensive and contemporary, and he provides the essential direction and contacts that will help get an individual's project sold and made.

In short, Matthew Jacobs is living the dream - and he wants to help everyone else do the same.

For more information about Matthew Jacobs and Script-to-Screen Consulting, please feel free to contact him directly (via matthew@script-screen.com), or to visit his website, (http://www.script-screen.com/).

The 1984 film classic (that really is Kung Fu in disguise) that made a star out of Ralph Machhio and reinvigorated Pat Morita's (Happy Days/Mr. T. & Tina) career.

CHILDREN OF THE CORN [8 PM, AMC]

Peter Horton (thirtysomething) and Linda Hamilton (Beauty and the Beast) co-star in this 1984 big-screen adaptation of Stephen King's novel.

ONLY THE LONELY (8 PM, FOX MOVIE CHANNEL]

By far, John Candy's (SCTV) best performance, big-screen or otherwise. This 1991 film also stars Ally Sheedy - and the oustanding cinema legends named Maureen O'Hara and Anthony Quinn.

RAISING HELEN [8 PM, OXYGEN]

Kate Hudson (daughter of Goldie Hawn, of Laugh-In fame) stars in this boring feature from 2004 directed by Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman, etc.), who commenced his career on the small screen (with classics like The Odd Couple, Happy Days, etc.). Garry, of course, is also brother to fellow director Penny Marshall (star of classic TV's Laverne & Shirley, and who also had an early supporting role on The Odd Couple).

It's an all-afternoon-and-night, double-dose, movie-mob-palooza of the original 1972 cinema classic (which earned Marlon Brando his iconic Oscar, and made a superstar of Al Pacino and a semi-star of James Brian's Song Caan).

SUSPECT [8 PM AMC]

Cher once performed alongside her late husband Sonny Bono in the classic '70s CBS variety show, entitled, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. Here, she plays an attorney her places her job on the line by hooking up with a juror, portrayed by Dennis Quaid. Released in 1987 (which - gasp - was twenty years ago). Look for John Mahoney (Frasier's father) in a supporting role.

HONEYMOON IN VEGAS [8 PM, E!]

James Caan makes his second appearance tonight (which see The Godfather above) in this flick from 1992 starring Nicholas Cage a gambler who offers to cancel his debt if he is able to borrow the debtor's fiancee. Today, ironically (I guess), Caan stars in the NBC hour drama, which also has Vegas in the title. Actually, that is the title. Meanwhile, Honeymoon also stars Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City) and Pat Morita (Happy Days, The Karate Kid).

Tim Allen (Home Improvement) stars in this completely charming re-do of the original Disney classic.

YOURS, MINE & OURS [7:30 PM, SHOWTIME, TOO]

Remake of the original 1960s feature film that was the inspiration for the 1970s classic TV show, The Brady Bunch.

PLEASANTVILLE [8 PM, TV LAND]

Before he took over the world as Spider-Man, Tobey Maguire starred in this Twilight-Zone-esque tale about two colorful modern-day teens who are transported into the surreal world of a black-and-white 1950s TV show.

THE KING OF QUEENS [8 PM, CBS]

Not many more opportunties to catch the original network reruns of this soon-to-be-class show before it heads to full-blown syndication-only in the fall.

OVER THE HEDGE [8 PM, HBO]

Bruce Willis (Moonlighting) lends his voice to this funny animated feature from 2006.

ICE PRINCESS [8 PM, ABC FAMILY]

Michelle Trachtenberg (Buffy, The Vampire Slayer) stars in this silly Disney movie from 2005. Ice Castles ("Stay with me?" "You bet."), it ain't. Also stars Joan Cusack.

TAXI [8 PM, FX]

How dare this silly flick from 2004 borrow its title from one of the most revered classic television series of all time? At least the iconic Ann-Margret is along for the ride. Other than that, SNL vet Jimmy Fallon and Queen Latifah should be ashamed of themselves.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART 1 [8 PM. FOX MOVIE CHANNEL]

Satiric king Mel Brooks should have stopped in 1976 with Silent Movie before he took this on in 1981. Thank gosh, there was no Part 2.

TERMS OF ENDEARMENT [8 PM, WE]

A few years after she played Wonder Girl on TV's Wonder Woman, Debra Winger starred alongside Oscar-winner Shirley MacLaine (who kinda'sorta played Endora in the big-screen Bewitched) in this tear-jerker directed by James L. Brooks (who also won an Oscar). Brooks, of course, too, commenced his career on the small screen, as a show runner for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, etc.

THE INTERPRETER [9 PM, HBO SIGNATURE]

In the same year (2005) that Nicole Kidman kinda'sorta played the big screen Samantha in the big-screen Bewitched (which director/co-writer Nora Ephron destroyed), she played in this so-so political thriller.

THE AMITYVILLE HORROR [9 PM, SHOWTIME, TOO]

Dismal retread of what was the silly and boring non-original, original horror movie in the first place.

This poor-man's comedic X-Men take-off features former child-star Kurt Russell and a cameo by Lynda Carter - the best, original Wonder Woman ever.

FLETCH [8 PM, AMC]

Saturday Night Live vet Chevy Chase does an awesome job in this 1985 comedy about the investigative journalist who is a mimic-master of disguise (a character he would revisit in 1989's Fletch Lives). Look for Joe Don Baker (star of the original Walking Tall film franchise) in a supporting role.

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES [8 PM, ENCORE]

Who would have thunk that Fannie Flagg, a game-show star staple in the 1970s (alongside people like Brett Summers and Charles Nelson Reilly, who just passed away a few days ago) had it in her? But she did. First, the book and then this 1991 classic (starring Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy - and a host of others). That's write: She penned them both. Directed by Jon Avnet (The Mighty Ducks, Men Don't Leave).

HIGH SIERRA [8 PM, TCM]

Ida Lupino, who would later direct episodes of many classic TV shows (such as Bewitched) stars alongside screen icon Humphrey Bogart in this cinema classic from 1941. Also starring Arthur Kennedy and Joan Brooks.

ANNIE'S POINT [9 PM, THE HALLMARK CHANNEL]

Everyone's favorite Golden Girl, Betty White (unless, of course, you like the other three) strs in this TV-movie from 2005 about a widow who treks across America with her granddaughter to scatter her husband's ashes.

WALK THE LINE [9 PM, MORE MAX]

Reece Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix are awesome in this big-screen tale from 2005 about the true true-love affaird between country music legend Johnny Cash and June Carter.

Before writer/director Nora Ephron went on to destroy the Bewitched feature film franchise (in 2005), she made completely charming hits like this classic from 1998. Starring Tom Hanks (Bosum Buddies) and Meg Ryan (As The World Turns), both of whom, by the way - at one time - would have made an awesome Samantha and Darrin.

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION [8 PM, AMC]

The extremely funny 1983 classic starring Saturday Night Live vet Chevy Chase (an original Not Ready For Prime Time Player). Also starring Beverly D'Angelo and Randy Quaid (brother to Dennis, who was once married to Meg Ryan, see above). Watch, too, for a supporting appearance by classic TV icon Imogene Coca (Your Show Of Shows).

INSIDE THE ACTOR'S STUDIO: JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS [8 PM, BRAVO]

There's just something so elusive and appealing about the Seinfeld actress. No matter how many times we've seen on her on Leno or Letterman, we've just never been able to tap into her true identity (who she "really is"). Maybe that will all change with this appearance tonight. We shall see. Meanwhile, CBS needs to cancel her sitcom, The New Adventures Of Old Christine. It's horrible. And, as usual, I blame producer/director Andy Ackerman (who also directed and produced the last failing seasons of Seinfeld - and who is also the son of the late, great legendary TV producer/network executive Harry Ackerman (I Love Lucy, Leave It To Beaver, Bewitched - and so many, many more small Screen Gems gems).

FROM DUSK 'TILL DAWN [9 PM, STARZ]

Just shortly after he shot to superstardom on the small screen with ER, and a few years before he became god-like on the big-screen (and larger than life in real life), George Clooney (nephew of music legend Rosemary Clooney) co-starred with Quentin Tarantino (who also directed) in this horror satire from 1996.

Before Michael Keaton went on to star in the Tim Burton-helmed Batman feature film series that commenced to destroy the Bat franchise, and before Nicole Kidman went on to star in the Nora Ephron-helped Bewitched feature film series that went commenced to destroy the Samantha and Darrin franchise, both co-starred here in this reviting tear-jerker from 1993.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL [8 PM, USA]

Here it is, gang: the original 2003 movie that started it all, whatever "all" is. Though ya' wanna' know what "all" really is? A feature film franchise that started out as a ride as Disney Land/World; a too-dark movie franchise that is way-too popular than it should be, because unfortunately, there's nothing better out there. The only redeeming value of what has now grown into a trilogy of films is Johnny Depp's (21 Jump Street) completely entertaining performance.

HONEYMOON IN VEGAS [8 PM, E!]

James Caan (Brian's Song) who now stars in NBC's Las Vegas first gambled in this big-screener from 1992. Also starring Nicolas Cage. Meanwhile, too, also look for Caan tonight in original Godfather feature (8 PM, Bravo), following Inside the Actor's Studio (with his Godfather co-star Al Pacino).

Before ABC stole - 'er borrowed - this as a subtitle for the latest edition of its Bachelor reality series, Richard Gere and Debra Winger (little Wonder Girl sis to Lynda Carter on classic TV's Wonder Woman) were teaching everybody how to make (and certainly end) a movie with this perfect 1982 film.

BATMAN [6:50 PM, MOREMAX]

It took the Bat franchise decades to recover from dingy director Tim Burton's 1989 take on the adventures of The Dark Knight. Thank the good Lord for 2005's Batman Begins starring Christian Bale, which was helmed and co-penned by the great Christopher Nolan.

JACKIE BROWN [7:30 PM, WGN]

Director Quentin Tarrantino's 1997 homage to the blacksploitation films of the 1970s. Starring Pam Grier (as a flight attendent who gets in trouble with the law).

GOLDFINGER [7:30 PM, PLEX]

Before Daniel Craig tore it up as James Bond (and rescued the franchise in the process) with last year's remake of Casino Royale, this 007 classic from 1964 (with Sean Connery in the lead) was the best shaken-and-not-stirred flick in the series.

THE WONDER YEARS [9-10 PM]

Diagnosis: Murder is taking a rest, and this brilliant piece of small screen nostalgia moves in its place (one hour earlier from the 10 spot it previously occupied).

SPIDER-MAN [10 PM, TBS]

The original 2002 feature film that introduced us to the subtle, mainstream, blockbusting charms of Tobey Mcquire. As to why this retro franchise continues to thrive and succeed? Because the Marvel-ous people involved with it respect and remain loyal to the mythology of the original (comic book) material, opposed to say, Nora Ephron, who destroyed the big-screen Bewitched and those goofballs who are putting together the all new, reimagined, too-dark-and-no-fun Bionic Woman series on NBC in the fall.

SHARK [10 PM, CBS]

I nominate this new drama series sarring James Woods as a new future retro classic. It's one of the best new shows of the season. Tonight's episode, entitled, Here Comes The Judge, has Sebastian prosecuting the case of a judge's murdered spouse.

I was sincerely astounded by the series finale of this awesome show. I didn't think they could pull off such a wonderful ending to a series that had fallen off the tracks a little bit its last few seasons. But they did it. And now, every Wednesday, CBS is rerunning back-to-back episodes of what will become the show's final prime-time, original network screenings. Enjoy!

LOOK WHO'S TALKING NOW [8-9:30 PM, ABC FAMILY]

The 1993 sequel to the 1991 movie comeback for both John Travolta (Welcome Back, Kotter/Grease) and Kirstie Alley (Cheers/Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn). And oh yeah - Bruce Willis (Moonlighting) is also back as one of the baby's voices (along with Rosanne).

THE RIFLEMAN [8-9 PM, PLEX]

Let's not forget about this wonderful early TV classic starring the late Chuck Connors.

THE DUKES OF HAZZARD [8-10 PM, CMT]

Apparently, this somewhat iconic series from the 1970s will not seen in reruns for a while. So, this is your last chance to view them if you don't have their DVDs.

JANE DOE: 'TILL DEATH DO US PART [THE HALLMARK CHANNEL, 9-11 PM]

Classic TV's Joe Penney (Jake and the Fat Man) is a regular on this less-worthy entry of Hallmark's new mystery wheel of movies.

Among the acquired shows: Batman, Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, Lost in Space, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Newhart, St. Elsewhere, WKRP in Cincinnati.

According to Rinwald, "These are great series, with favorite characters for which we still have an emotional connection and stories that pull us in and make us laugh or touch our heart. Our primetime programming blocks remain a destination for boomers and their families to watch high-quality programming together, reconnecting with classic television stars, as well as with today’s current names in earlier roles."

"This partnership with AmericanLife TV offers a sensational platform for viewers to both embrace and experience again some of television's most applauded programs," added Twentieth Television's MacDonald.

Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere and L.A. Law will debut in June in an all-new Sunday primetime schedule. The other programs will be airing in varying time slots later this year.

Ok - let's take this home, shall we: Angelina Jolie stars in this action-adventure flick from 2001 th was based on the video-game - and it was a complete prep for her ultimate casting as the big-screen Wonder Woman. Unfortunately, she's now probably too old to play the part (and it would more efficiently serve Warner Bros. to cast an unknown in the super-female lead of Diana Prince). Meanwhile, this Croft movie co-stars Jon Voight, Angelina's Dad in real life, as noneother than Lara's Dad. Sadly, the real-life, off-screen father and daughter are estranged as of this posting.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN [8 PM, AMC]

Is this Arnold Schwarzenegger camp feature from 1982 really deserving of a screening on the American Movie Classics channel? That's a bit of a stretch, wouldn't you say? I guess I'll let it slide because of its brilliant cast of supporting players, including the great James Earl Jones and Max von Sydow.

THE HONEYMOONERS [8:30 PM, TMC]

Here we go again: a complete misstep in the scheduling and content on a classic-oriented network, as this 2005 feature film is everything that a big-screen remake of a small-screen favorite should NOT be.

If you missed last week's series finale of this now "new" classic, here's your second chance.

JOHNNY DANGEROUSLY [8 PM, FOX MOVIE CHANNEL]

A so-so satire on mob-movies starring Michael Keaton, this 1984 big-screen flick also features a host of retro TV favorites, including: Joe Piscopo (Saturday Night Live), Marilu Henner (Taxi), and Peter Boyle (Everybody Loves Raymond). Look, too, for the late Maureen Stapleton who, for the record, was NOT ever a sister to Jean Stapleton (All in the Family).

HOME FRIES [8 PM WE]

A sweet feature film from 1998 starring Drew Barrymore (who would have made an awesome big-screen Samantha in Bewitched) and Luke Wilsom. Also starring Catherine O'Hara (SCTV, Home Alone).

RV [9 PM, STARZ]

Just when we thought Robin Williams' (Mork & Mindy) career was all washed-up, this sleeper (camper?) hit from 2006 proves us wrong. Also starring Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm).

Oh, come on - how can you NOT watch this retrospective?

ENTER THE DRAGON [8 PM, AMC]

There was a massive controversy surrounding Bruce Lee's inability to win the role of Kwai Chang Caine in the original Kung Fu TV series of the 1970s. Yet, it was because of the rejection (by network and studio execs to cast him as the lead in the unique Eastern Western) that he returned to his homeland of China and became a motion picture martial arts legend with films like this classic from 1973. Some things are just not meant to be; other things, meanwhile, seem set in stone from the get-go.

COCOON [8 PM, FOX MOVIE CHANNEL]

Former child-and-classic-TV star Ron Howard (The Andy Griffith Show/Happy Days) came into his own as an adult director with this wonder-filled fantasy (for all ages) from 1985. Starring Don Ameche (who earned an Academy Award), Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn and an additional senior cast of pros.

THE X-FILES [8 PM, HBO2]

Good, but no cigar. Too much like the series. The story just wasn't big-enough for the big screen. But a valiant try. Maybe next time.

PUNCHLINE [8 PM, TV LAND]

TV Land still is screening the movies it should be airing. Though this choice from 1988 is a little better. Here, at least we have classic TV vets Tom Hanks (Bosum Buddies) and Sally Field (Gidget/The Flying Nun) starring alongside one another. But what we really need to start seeing on TV Land, in the way of movies, are reruns of all of those great made-for-TV flicks that the nets used to air in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s.

ANALYZE THIS [8:15 PM, CINEMAX]

Who'da'thunk that classic TV star Billy Crystal (Soap, SNL) would have one day be starring in a big screen flick like this one (from 1999) alongside the likes (and dislikes) of the great Robert Di Niro?

Clearly, Hollywood had forgotten how to dress up and put on a show.

Then came Farrah Fawcett - in a blaze of performance glory, first in the guise of toothpaste commercials and print ads for shampoo, and then - via the unstoppable popularity of Charlie's Angels.

Angels debuted during ABC's own resurgence, which also included Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and The Six Million Dollar Man, the latter of which featured Farrah's then-husband, Lee Majors (transplanted from ABC's Owen Marshall, Counselor-At-Law).

Then came The Poster, featuring Farrah and her million-dollar-smile in that iconic red-swimsuit, with her perfectly-flipped-back-head, and captured in her now-famous full-body-crunch pose.

Other blondes would soon follow, but never take the lead: Cheryl Tieggs, Suzanne Sommers (via ABC's Three's Company), and even Cheryl Ladd, the latter of whom stepped in for Farrah when she left Charlie - and who herself has one of the finest forms in the history of televisiona and film.

Still, none could compare to Farrah - and still can't.

Farrah has a unique quality, beyond beauty, beyond charisma, beyond sex appeal. There's something else going on with Farrah. It's her heart; her special cause, that somehow comes through in her work; her good soul. That is what we all fell in love with. For a guy, she makes you want to be a better man; a stronger man; someone strong enough to protect her - and strong enough to measure up to her standards. It's that true sense of select-inner-power that glides along with her unmatched outer-style; and not just her hair-style (which females have attempted to duplicate, either for personal or professional reasons), but her style, period.

After only a year with Charlie's Angels, she fought for better scripts and found the courage to leave the show for work of more substance. It was one of the most difficult choices of her career to part with her good friends and fellow Charlie-stars Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. But her integrity screamed for more. She made a few feature films (Somebody Killed Her Husband, Saturn 3), and then returned to television with the riveting, award-winning TV-movie, The Burning Bed (broadcast on NBC in 1984). It was then she believed that she arrived as an actress.

Yet, to her millions of fans around the world, she never left.

No matter what challenges she has experienced in the last few years, Farrah still remains the most beautiful bouquet that Hollywood ever sent itself and received. She's not just Charlie's Number One Fantasy Angel, she's EVERBODY'S real angel.

God bless you, Farrah - and thank you for all the joy, grace, glamour, style and talent that you have delivered in countless ways.

The world - within and beyond the entertainment industry - is a better place because of you.

But, really, John (Travolta) - what were you thinking? You would have been better off doing a small-screen reunion of Welcome Back, Kotter than this big-screen turkey. Both you and Marvel Enterprises should be ashamed.

INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO: JOHNNY DEPP [8 PM, BRAVO]

He refused to play the "pretty boy" roles. 21 Jump Street was a springboard for him. And now he is one of the most respected and successful actors in the history of film. My hero. Johnny Depp. And I'd never say those words about Richard Grieco.

STAGECOACH [8 PM, TCM]

The great John Carradine, father to David Kung Fu Carradine, has a supporting role in this classic from 1939. Also starring John Wayne, Thomas Mitchell and Andy Devine.

BABY BOOM [8:30, OXYGEN]

Twenty years before she started to repeat herself in films like Because I Said So, Diane Keaton was actually quite wonderful. As she was in this awesome flick from 1987, which introduced the world to self-absorbed stay-away-from-home moms. Kate Jackson (Charlie's Angels) later starred in a short-term, small-screen edition of this movie.

THELMA AND LOUISE [9:45 PM, ENCORE]

Susan Sarandon (The Rocky Horror Picture Show) and Geena Davis (Commander-in-Chief) go head to head, while Brad Pitt becomes a star in this classic feature from 1991.