Special Sub-Topic: The ABC Movies of the Week Click Here To Play: The ABC Movies of the Week

1972-Belinda Montgomery discovers her late mother has made a pact with Satan to marry her off to a demon. Also starred Shelly Winters, Robert Foxworth, Jonathan Frid and an early appearance by Diane Ladd:

The Devil's Daughter. Frid (best known from 'Dark Shadows' as Barnabas Collins) played Montgomery's mute servant. Other stars included Abe Vigoda (who filmed during his stint on 'Barney Miller), Ian Wolfe and Joseph Cotten.

1975-Elizabeth Montgomery stars in this true story of a woman accused of killing her parents in turn-of-the-century New England:

The Legend of Lizzie Borden. Fresh from her long running series, 'Bewitched', her role as Lizzie Borden was a jolt to many of her fans. Borden's sister, Emma, was played by Katherine Helmond (later a star of the sitcoms 'Soap' and 'Who's The Boss'). Also, look for a cameo by Oscar-nominated actress Gloria Stuart ('Titanic').

1972-Years before 'Animal House', Connie Stevens starred as a sexy waitress who is begged to be housemother to a fraternity house, much to the consternation of the dean (Charles Nelson Reilly):

Call Her Mom. This also starred Jim Hutton, Gloria DeHaven and Van Johnson as the college president.

1972-Wisecracking gritty reporter Darrin McGavin is convinced a vampire lives in modern-day Las Vegas. His editor, the mayor and the police chief think he's nuts:

The Night Stalker. Produced by 'Dark Shadows' creator Dan Curtis and co-written by sci-fi and horror legend Richard Matheson ('The Incredible Shrinking Man', 'The Twilight Zone' and others), the exploits of Carl Kolchak became a short lived series called 'Kolchak, The Night Stalker'. Following him from the movie was Simon Oakland as his editor.

1973-Desi Arnaz Jr. searches for a cure to girlfriend Season Hubley's seemingly terminal illness:

She Lives!. What I remember most from this 'Disease-Of-The-Week' movie was it featured a great soundtrack, including Harry Chapin's 'Circle' and the first airing of Jim Croce's 'Time In A Bottle'. Shortly before the film aired, Croce died in a plane crash, giving longevity to an otherwise lackluster film. Chapin died in a car accident in 1981.

1976-This Emmy-award winning movie featured John Travolta as Tod Lubitch, afflicted with a rare immune deficiency and forced to live in a sterile environment:

The Boy In The Plastic Bubble. 'Bubble' featured a great soundtrack by Paul Williams and co-starred Glynnis O'Connor, Robert Reed and Diana Hyland (Travolta's girlfriend at the time). Tragically, Hyland died of cancer in March, 1977, before learning she had won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress. A visibly moved Travolta accepted the award for her.

1981-One of the first TV movies to deal with the subject of bulimia, it starred a very young Jennifer Jason Leigh:

The Best Little Girl In The World. In the movie, the disorder was called 'bulmarexia'. Leigh's father was played by Charles Durning, her mom by Oscar winner Eva Marie Saint ('On The Waterfront'). Cameos were played by Ally Sheedy and future Oscar winner Helen Hunt.

1974-When Scott Jacoby accidently kills a neighborhood girl, mother Kim Hunter hides him away in the house. Unfortunately, she dies and a new family moves in, not knowing they still have a resident:

Bad Ronald. Hunter was better known as Zera in the 'Planet Of The Apes' series of films. 'Bad Ronald' also starred Dabney Coleman and sisters Cindy and Lisa Eilbacher. Really, a pretty disturbing movie.

1971-Brian Keith is a successful stockbroker who buys a deserted town and opens it to people who need a new lease on life:

Second Chance. A star-studded cast including Elizabeth Ashley, Kenneth Mars, William Windom, Pat Carroll, Avery Shreiber, Juliet Prowse and Roosevelt Grier.

1973-Stockard Channing makes her TV debut as an ugly girl who undergoes plastic surgery to become beautiful...and vengeful against those who mistreated her.

The Girl Most Likely To.... Co-written by Joan Rivers, this black comedy also starred Ed Asner as the detective chasing Channing, Jim Backus and a couple of former 'McHale's Navy' castmates, Carl Ballentine and Joe Flynn.

1971-This classic TV movie details the true story of two pro football players who face their differences, a career-threatening injury and then a deadly disease, together:

Brian's Song. Possibly the best of the movies listed here, 'Brian's Song' was based on the book 'I Am Third', written by Chicago Bears running back great Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) about his friendship with Brian Piccolo (James Caan), who later succumed to cancer. This movie features a great supporting cast (Jack Warden and Shelley Fabares) and an unforgettable music score by Michel Legrand. A tear-jerker of the first degree.

1969-Seven blind survivors of a plane crash in a remote wilderness try to make their way back to civilization:

Seven In Darkness. A rare foray into serious acting for lead star Milton Berle. Others supporting include Leslie Ann Warren, Dina Merrill, Alejandro Rey, Barry Nelson and Arthur O'Connell.

1971-Elizabeth Ashley's son continues to call her on the phone...even after his death:

When Michael Calls. This thriller also starred Ben Gazzara and future Oscar winner Michael Douglas.

1974-Cloris Leachman, playing a juror in a murder case, believes the defendant is innocent, only to discover the real killer is her own husband:

Death Sentence. Originally titled 'After the Trial' the movie underwent the name change before its original airing. Also starring Nick Nolte.

1966-Young Martha Hyer is haunted by the portrait of her deceased mother, to the chagrin of father Don Ameche and stepmom Zsa Zsa Gabor:

Picture Mommy Dead. 'Mommy' was directed by B-horror legend Bert I. Gordon and released two years before the debut of the MOTW in very limited areas. What I remember most, even to this day, is the creepy childrens' verse that ran throughout the movie, 'The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out, in your stomach and out your mouth...'. Eeeeuuugh.