Paul Wayne Movies

Longtime television director David Grossman makes his feature debut with this direct-to-video sequel to the 1997 hit family comedy George of the Jungle. Filling the loincloth originally worn by Brendan Fraser, Chris Showerman plays George this time around. Since the events of the first film, George and Ursula (Julie Benz stepping in for Leslie Mann) have had a son and made a home for themselves in George's jungle kingdom. But George is suddenly called away by his brother Ape who has run up a substantial gambling debt in Las Vegas. Once back in America to help Ape, Ursula encounters Lyle Van de Groot (Thomas Haden Church, reprising his role from the first film) who is in cahoots with Ursula's disapproving mother. When Van de Groot puts her under a hypnotic spell, Ursula no longer recognizes George, just as her mother wants. If that weren't bad enough, while George is busy trying to help Ape and rescue Ursula, a lion is attempting to stage a coup back in the jungle. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

After an argument with the girls, Jack (John Ritter) packs up and moves out. He soon lands a job as a live-in chef for Mr. Layton (Jordan Charney), the boss of his friend Larry (Richard Kline, who is here billed as a Three's Company regular for the first time). Unfortunately, Mr. Layton's wife (Cynthia Harris) has an insatiable appetite -- not for food, but for Jack! Intriguingly, an actress named Janet Wood -- also the character name of Three's Company co-star Joyce DeWitt -- appears in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A plotline that has done yeoman duty in many a two-reel comedy is given another hilarious workout in this episode. It all begins when Jack (John Ritter) purchases an expensive fur jacket for Mr. Roper (Norman Fell) so that it can ultimately be given as a present for Mrs. Roper (Audra Lindley). But before the jacket can be delivered, Chrissy (Suzanne Somers) stumbles upon it -- and guess whom Chrissy thinks the costly gift is intended for? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Devon Ericson guest stars as Jenny Wood, Janet's younger sister. When Jenny pops into the apartment for a visit, Janet (Joyce DeWitt) asks Jack (John Ritter) to take her out. Many, many hours later, Jack somehow ends up in bed with Jenny. It's all quite innocent, of course (this is Three's Company, not Sex and the City) -- but try explaining things to the outraged Janet. (Incidentally, the name of Devon Ericson's character is an inside joke: in the original Three's Company pilot episode, the Janet Wood character was actually named Jenny). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Once again strapped for cash, Jack (John Ritter) lands a job at the flower shop where Janet (Joyce DeWitt) works as manager. Figuring that working for a friend gives him a bit of slack, Jack begins goofing off on the job. But Janet never lets friendship interfere with duty, and soon she is ordering Jack around like a lackey. Inevitably, the air gets mighty thick at the flower shop, and for a while it looks like the relationship between Jack and Janet is doomed. Former Gilligan's Island regular Natalie Schafer makes a cameo appearance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Don Porter, best known to TV buffs for his work as Ann Sothern's boss on Private Secretary and Sally Field's father on Gidget, guest stars as Jack Tripper's highly untrustworthy Uncle Fremont. Immediately charming his way into the hearts of the Ropers, Fremont not only successfully inveigles Mr. Roper (Norman Fell) into giving him a loan, but he also pays off the roommates' rent -- with a rubber check. A frenzied Jack (John Ritter) must figure out a way to get the check back from Roper before it can be cashed. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Janet (Joyce DeWitt) has her heart set on a promotion at the flower shop where she works. That same heart is broken when the job goes to her new co-worker, Chloe (Sandra deBruin) -- and it is especially galling that Chloe was promoted on the basis of her voluptuous figure rather than her experience. It is up to Jack (John Ritter) and Chrissy (Suzanne Somers) to boost Janet's sagging self-confidence...and, incidentally, to convince her not to have certain cosmetic "enhancements" to improve her own looks. J.J. Barry makes his first series appearance as Janet's boss, Mr. Compton. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The roommates are having money problems, and it doesn't help at all that they've been turned down for a loan. Things get worse when the trio returns to their apartment to find that their rent money is missing. Assuming that they've been robbed, the roomies go into full panic-and-retribution mode -- little suspecting that their landlord Mr. Roper (Norman Fell) has taken the money and forgotten to leave a receipt. William Pierson makes his first appearance as Jack's cooking-school mentor Dean Travers. This final episode of Three's Company's first season was adapted from an entry of the series' British sitcom prototype Man About the House. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Christina Hart guest stars as Karen, the niece of Stanley and Helen Roper (Norman Fell, Audra Lindley). Still convinced that his tenant Jack (John Ritter) is gay, Mr. Roper feels it is safe enough to give Jack 50 dollars and ask him to take Karen out on the town. Besides, if Jack turns out not to be gay, Roper will have an excuse to kick him out of his apartment. The fun really begins when Karen is revealed to have a unusually voracious sexual appetite. "Roper's Niece" was originally intended as the final episode of Three's Company's short first season, but ended up being shown as the third entry. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

To get out of proposing to his new girlfriend Judy (Judy Pace), Lamont (Demond Wilson) claims that he needs permission from his father to wed -- and, fortunately, his father is out of town. Undaunted, Judy makes a beeline to Lamont's godfather Grady (Whitman Mayo), cozying up to him so he will grant his consent. As a result, Grady is convinced that Judy has fallen in love with him! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Poor Weenie the Genie (Billie Hayes) has failed in his efforts to protect Lidsville from the machinations of wicked magician Hoo Doo (Charles Nelson Reilly). With tearful defeatism, Weenie sings "I'll Show 'Em" just before running away from home. Angry that his onetime "slave of the ring" has vacated the premises, Hoo Doo threatens to do harm to Lidsville residents Nursie and Scorchy unless Weenie immediately returns. Will Mark (Butch Patrick) be able to say the day? ~ Rovi

Determined to learn to read and write, middle-aged grocer Pedro (Albert Paulsen) makes a shambles out of Sr. Bertrille's convent classroom. Pedro also succeeds in driving a visiting bishop (Oliver McGowan), crazy, which bodes ill for the long-suffering Reverend Mother. Sr. Bertrille discovers that Pedro's sudden interest in literacy stems from his desire to write a love letter to his sweetheart. First broadcast on February 22, 1968, "Cyrano de Bertrille" was written by Paul Wayne. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This very economical remake of the 1952 Errol Flynn vehicle Against All Flags stars Doug McClure in the Flynn role. Cashiered from the royal navy in disgrace, McClure becomes a buccaneer, guiding his loyal crew to an island completely populated by cutthroats. Here he links up with pirate-captain Guy Stockwell and lady-swashbuckler Jill St. John. The plot comes to a head when the pirates conspire to hold lovely Middle-Eastern princess Mary Ann Mobley for ransom. McClure comes to her rescue and routs the rascals, revealing along the way that he's been working under cover on behalf of the king (a fact rather given away by the title). The most fascinating moments of The King's Pirate concern a pair of well-proportioned belly dancers, who keep the other pirates occupied while McClure goes about his business. The camera lovingly and longingly records each bump, grind, and wiggle, allowing the audience to get its mind off the creaky plot contrivances. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi