Marion Ross Movies
Marian Ross dreamed of stardom from childhood, going so far as to change the spelling of her first name to Marion because she thought it would look nicer on a marquee. When her family moved from Minnesota to California, the 16-year-old aspiring actress plunged into the busy world of amateur theatricals in the San Diego area. She was voted Outstanding Actress at San Diego State University in 1950, then went on to work at the prestigious La Jolla Playhouse. Mel Ferrer, La Jolla's resident director, recommended that Ross try her luck in Hollywood. She worked steadily in TV and films from 1953 onward, but stardom was still outside her reach. Ross played a succession of maids, nuns, nurses, and that nebulous classification, the Heroine's Best Friend. She showed up in small roles in such films as Forever Female (1953), Lust for Life (1955), and Operation Petticoat (1959), earning the respect of her fellow workers but very little in the way of public recognition. "I've always had a way of not attracting attention," she would note with resignation later in life. On television, Marion played unstressed recurring roles on such series as Life with Father, Mrs. G Goes to College and Mr. Novak. She finally achieved stardom as Marion Cunningham, mother of 1950s high-schooler Richie Cunningham, on the weekly sitcom Happy Days. What started out as a shaky midseason replacement in January of 1974 ended up ABC's number-one hit; Ross hitched her wagon to the ever-rising Happy Days star until its final episode in 1983. During this period, she reactivated her stage career, with considerably more success than she'd enjoyed in the 1950s. Ross' post-Happy Days TV gigs included a 1986 guest shot as the new bride of Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod) on The Love Boat and the brief 1989 series Living Dolls. In 1991, Marion Ross earned an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of archetypal Jewish mother Sophie Berger on the TV "dramedy" Brooklyn Bridge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 2009
Idealistic florist Laurel (Marla Sokoloff) faces romantic woes when she's torn between two suitors (Terry Maratos and Kieren Hutchison). Her meddling grandmother (Marion Ross) thinks a handsome doctor is the perfect match for her granddaughter, but Laurel's not so sure. ~ Brie Hearn, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marla Sokoloff, Marion Ross, (more)
After spoofing disaster films in Airplane!, police shows in The Naked Gun, and Hollywood horrors in Scary Movie 3 and 4, producer David Zucker sets his satirical sights on the superhero genre with this anarchic comedy lampooning everything from Spider-Man to X-Men and Superman Returns. Shortly after being bitten by a genetically altered dragonfly, high-school outcast Rick Riker (Drake Bell) begins to experience a startling transformation. Now Rick's skin is as strong as steel, and he possesses the strength of ten men. Determined to use his newfound powers to fight crime, Rick creates a special costume and assumes the identity of The Dragonfly -- a fearless crime fighter dedicated to keeping the streets safe for law-abiding citizens. But every superhero needs a nemesis, and after Lou Landers (Christopher McDonald) is caught in the middle of an experiment gone horribly awry, he develops the power to leech the life force out of anyone he meets and becomes the villainous Hourglass. Intent on achieving immortality, the Hourglass attempts to gather as much life force as possible as the noble Dragonfly sets out to take down his archenemy and realize his destiny as a true hero. Craig Mazin writes and directs this high-flying spoof featuring Tracy Morgan, Pamela Anderson, Leslie Nielsen, Marion Ross, Jeffrey Tambor, and Regina Hall. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Drake Bell, Sara Paxton, (more)
One woman's day goes all to pot in this resinous comedy from independent filmmaker Gregg Araki. Jane (Anna Faris) is a college dropout and aspiring actress who suffers from a certain lack of ambition, doubtless reinforced by her fondness for marijuana. One morning, Jane wakes with a busy day ahead of her -- she has a big audition, she has to pay the electric bill on her apartment to prevent the power from being shut off, and she needs to pick up some pot after paying her debt to her dealer -- and decides to take the edge off her anxieties by getting a little stoned. Under the influence, the cupcakes her roommate Steve (Danny Masterson) has made for his friends to enjoy at the weekend's Sci-Fi convention look too good to resist, and she gobbles them down. What Jane doesn't realize until it's too late is that the baked goods were laced with some especially strong marijuana, and what starts as a pleasant buzz turns into a world-class high that refuses to go away. As Jane struggles to make her way through the day, fate keeps throwing her into strange and surreal situations involving police officers, Steve's lovesick best friend, and a rare original manuscript of The Communist Manifesto. Smiley Face also stars Adam Brody, John Krasinski, Jane Lynch, Michael Hitchcock, John Cho and Roscoe Lee Browne. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Faris, Roscoe Lee Browne, (more)
- 2005
Once again, the Griffin household is invaded by Peter's crabby father Francis, an old-line Catholic who hates anyone who doesn't adhere to his own peculiar set of religious values. In his efforts to re-convert the family, Francis causes little Stewie to become a "bubble boy." As a result, rebellious Peter attempts to establish his own religion, with "The Fonz" from Happy Days as his new Deity. Without revealing any more, please note that the episode's star-studded voice cast includes Marion Ross and Tom Bosley--and before we forget, Gary Cole is back as obstreperous boss-man Bill Lumbergh, the character he'd played in the movie Office Space (Shucks! There's no space left to mention Jaws: Fire Island). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
In the series' 100th episode, Lorelei (Lauren Graham) finds her life falling apart even as her parents' marriage comes back together. The situation really boils over when Christopher (David Sutcliffe), the father of Lorelei's daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel), squares off against Lorelei's current beau Luke (Scott Patterson). Unfortunately, this violent showdown couldn't have come at a less appropriate occasion: the wedding ceremony in which the reconciled Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) renew their vows! Despite all this friction, Rory still finds time to warm up her relationship with Logan (Matt Czuchry). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Richard (Edward Herrmann) is devastated when his mother Trix unexpectedly dies (though Marion Ross quickly returns to the series in the new role of cousin Marilyn), but this pales in comparison to Emily's (Kelly Bishop) reaction upon unearthing evidence of how truly and deeply Trix despised her. With her parents in no condition to think straight, it falls to Lorelai (Lauren Graham) to plan the funeral, right down to selecting the guest of honor's underwear. Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson) finds it impossible to keep his problems to himself -- and is rapidly losing customers as a result. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Originally telecast in tandem with "The Passion of the Wick", this aptly titled episode marks the series finale of The Drew Carey Show. At virtually the same moment that she agrees to marry Drew (Drew Carey), Kellie (Cynthia Watros) goes into labor. Racing against time so that Kellie's son won't be born a bastard, Drew hastily arranges a hospital-room wedding, then seeks high and low for a priest to perform the ceremony. Unfortunately, the only priest available is currently administering the Last Rites to a dying patient--and he isn't about to be distracted by anything as mundane as marriage until the aforementioned patient expires! In the tradition of Seinfeld, this climactic episode goes full circle by repeating the final gag of the very first episode--just before the "fourth wall" is smashed for the umpteenth time, and the Drew Carey Show cast streams out of the studio to greet their many fans. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Though telecast back-to-back with "Baby Face" on July 21, 2004, this episode was originally intended as The Drew Carey Show's ninth-season opener on June 2 of that year. With his marriage to Lily over virtually before it has begun, Drew nonetheless goes off on his Mexican honeymoon, mainly mull over his relationship with Kellie. So that the occasion won't be a total loss, Oswald (Diedrich Bader) and Lewis (Ryan Stiles) head South of the Border as well. After checking into Drew's hotel, Lewis falls in love with a girl named Carmelita (Iyari Limon), unaware that she's a hooker. Also: the viewer finally gets to see what caused the untimely demise of Drew's dad George (Stanley Anderson), an event alluded to in several previous episodes--all telecast wildly out of sequence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Lorelai (Lauren Graham) is so preoccupied with getting the Dragonfly up and running, and Rory (Alexis Bledel) is so busy trying to catch up with her college class work, that the two Gilmores keep missing each other on the phone. Nor is this the only problem facing the main characters in this episode: for example, Lorelai's dad Richard (Edward Herrmann) is shocked when his mother Trix (Marion Ross) suddenly treats him as disdainfully as she does his wife, Emily (Kelly Bishop). And having been kicked out of her own house, Lane (Keiko Agena) is making a total nuisance of herself on the Yale campus. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
In flashback, Drew (Drew Carey) recalls the events surrounding the death of his father George (an event that wouldn't be seen until a few episodes later, indicating that this particular installment was originally broadcast out of sequences). First off, Drew is shocked to discover that his late dad never mentioned him in his diary. But worse is to come when, in his efforts to arrange a US Marine Corps funeral for George, Drew is stymied by a mixup in caskets--and as a result his dad is laid to rest in a coffin embossed with the logo of the rock group KISS (it even plays a rendition of "God Gave Rock and Roll to You". First telecast in tandem with "At Your Cervix", "Sealed in a Kiss" must hold a record for the largest number of bad-taste jokes within a single half-hour, covering everything from Vietnamese war guilt to leaving a baby alone in a hot car! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
The ninth and final season of The Drew Carey Show was what is known in showbiz as a "burnoff", with ABC running the last 28 episodes as quickly as possible to compensate for higher costs and lower ratings. Thus, the season opener, "Drew Hunts Silver Fox", was shown in tandem with the second episode "Eye of the Leopard", just as all of the Season Nine episodes would be telecast back-to-back over a fourteen-week period in the Summer of 2004. The plot of "Silver Fox" finds both Drew (Drew Carey) and Oswald (Diedrich Bader) attempting to marry off their respective mothers Beulah (Marion Ross) and Kim (Adrienne Barbeau) to a wealthy widower named Woody. Unfortunately, Woody turns out to have a lot of "baggage", making him a most unappealing catch indeed. (Incidentally, this episode reveals that Drew's dad George has died, but the actual episode in which this occurs would not be seen for several more weeks). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
In the first half of Touched by an Angel's series finale, Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey) is at long last on the verge of being promoted to supervisor. First, however, she is required to pass one last test--and it's a formidable one indeed. Monica must somehow restore hope and faith to the profoundly grief-stricken citizens of Ascention, where all the children have been killed in a school explosion. Curiously, several of Monica's former "clients" have apparently settled in Ascention, including mentally challenged Joey (Paul Wittenberg), the sole witness to the tragedy. And what exactly is the story of happy-go-lucky handyman Zack (Scott Bairstow), who shows up in town just in time to be accused of setting off the explosion? Guest star Randy Travis sings "When Mama Prayed". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
In the conclusion of Touched by an Angel's two-part series finale, it appears as though Monica will fail her final test to become a Heavenly Supervisor. The town of Ascention remains entrapped in the grip of bitterness and hatred following a schoolhouse boiler explosion which killed all of the town's children. Worse still, genial handyman Zack (Scott Bairstow), the only person in town with a positive outlook on life, has been accused of deliberately causing the tragedy and put on trial for his life. Even with Monica's fellow angel Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli) and her old friend Mike (Patrick Duffy) handling his defense, the cards are obviously stacked against Zack--especially since the prosecuting attorney is really Satan in disguise. But what seems to be a hopeless situation takes a unexpected turn in the final moments...and there is a startling revelation at the very end. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Lily (Tammy Lauren) accepts Drew's marriage proposal, just in time for the wedding that Drew (Drew Carey) arranged long before he'd found a wife. But things take an ominous turn when Lily's mother (Jan Devereaux) forbids any member of her family to attend the ceremony; and meanwhile, Kellie (Cynthia Watros) is having a much tougher time than usual suppressing her own feelings toward Drew. Meanwhile, Mr. Wick (Craig Ferguson) resurfaces from obscurity as "Scotty McRaincloud", a born-again Christian weatherman. This episode was originally telecast in tandem with "Love Is in the Air" as the finale of The Drew Carey Show's eighth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
- PG13
- Add Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star to QueueAdd Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star to top of Queue
In keeping with his background in television sitcoms, Sam Weisman directs the cameo-filled comedy Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. Dickie Roberts (David Spade) was a child actor on the hit TV show "The Glimmer Gang" and remains remembered for a particular catch phrase. Now in his thirties, he finds work as a parking valet and spends time with other nominal child stars (enter cameos by Danny Bonaduce, Corey Feldman, and the like). Wanting to make a comeback, he manages to get an audition with director Rob Reiner. When the role requires him to be normal, he decides to hire a normal family in order to relive the childhood he missed out on. He ends up with sleazy salesman George Finney (Craig Bierko) and his loving wife, Grace (Mary McCormack). Dickie shares a room with their two kids: sunny daughter Sally (Jenna Boyd) and impressionable son Sam (Scott Tessa). Former child star Alyssa Milano appears as Dickie's girlfriend, Cyndi. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Spade, Mary McCormack, (more)
- 2003
When Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) fails to call her, Rory (Alexis Bledel) goes "stag" to a high school hockey game, where she links up with Lane (Keiko Agena) and her sham boyfriend Young Chui (Samson Yi) -- and also gets her first look at her ex-beau Dean's new girlfriend, Lindsay (Arielle Kebbel). Elsewhere in town, the Doose family descends upon the Inn for a family reunion. And Emily (Kelly Bishop) digs up an old scandal with which she hopes to neutralize her irksome mother-in-law Trix (Marion Ross). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Emily (Kelly Bishop) is upset when her troublesome mother-in-law Trix (Marion Ross) shows up at Richard's (Edward Herrmann) 60th birthday party...especially upon discovering that Trix has rented her house to the rock band Korn. Meanwhile, Rory (Alexis Bledel) tries to persuade Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) to accompany her to Stars Hollow's Winter Carnival, but Jess balks because Dean (Jared Padalecki) might be there -- a contingency that thrusts Rory back into Dean's arms for what seems to be the millionth time. And in her efforts to keep her musical activities secret from her mother, Lane (Keiko Agena) begins her band rehearsals in Lorelai's garage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Inasmuch as Drew (Drew Carey) is still seeking a bride for his pre-planned wedding, his mom Beulah (Marion Ross) helpfully sets him up with a blind date named Amy (Kristin Dattilo). She's a sweet girl and all, but there's one odd little quirk: Amy likes to dress up as a squirrel during sex. Meanwhile, Oswald (Diedrich Bader) is led to believe that he's a psychic, inspiring Mimi (Kathy Kinney) to place several sizable bets at the race track. Originally scheduled to air on October 14, 2002, this episode is appropriately preceded with a performance of the theme song by the Squirrel Nut Zippers! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
It's Mother's Day in Cleveland, and all of the gang's moms have arrived to celebrate--including Kate's new stepmom, who looks just like her. The ladies' arrival coincides with the launching of an anti-pornography website which publishes a list of Ohio's biggest porn users--and among those listed are Drew (Drew Carey), Kate (Christa Miller), Oswald (Diedrich Bader), Lewis (Ryan Stiles) and Mr. Wick (Craig Ferguson). Mortified, the moms move back in with children to exert a "good influence", but succeeding only in driving everyone crazy. The whole thing ends up in court, with Drew and his friends suing the anti-porn site, and their moms defending it! The episode's best gags are self-referential comments about the glittering array of "guest moms", including June Lockhart, Marion Ross, Adrienne Barbeau, Phyllis Diller)...and Richard Chamberlain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Drew's parents Beulah (Marion Ross) and George (Stanley Anderson) allow their personal problems to interfere with a visit to baby Gus. Confessing to Mimi (Kathy Kinney) that George has never satisfied her sexually, Beulah is advised to tell her husband face-to-face--with disastrous results. It falls to sons Drew (Drew Carey) and Steve (John Carroll Lynch) to try to iron out the situation by maneuvering their parents back into the bedroom. Elsewhere, Lewis (Ryan Stiles) and Oswald (Diedrich Bader) enter the Warsaw's Battle of the Bots contest, using a robot with a pronounced homicidal streak! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Though she despises her wealthy cousin Vanessa (guest star Kathie Lee Gifford), Mimi (Kathy Kinney) loves Vanessa's money, so she decides to make her cousin the godmother of her son Gus--and in case you're wondering, Drew (Drew Carey) is the godfather. Mimi's husband Steve (John Carroll Lynch) is upset over the notion that Vanessa and not Drew may end up raising little Gus in the event of a disaster (which could happen any minute now). But this becomes a moot point when Gus disappears just before the christening, all because of a convoluted scheme hatched by Lewis (Ryan Stiles) and Oswald (Diedrich Bader) to have portraits taken of themselves in astronaut costumes! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Finally fed up with having abuse (and other things) heaped upon him, Drew (Drew Carey) quits his job at the cafeteria and returns to the store, only to find that his old cubicle is now occupied by a frozen yogurt machine. But salvation may be on the way when Drew's brother Steve (John Carroll Lynch) reveals that their late Uncle Cecil has left them small but substantial amounts of money in his will--provided that each heir pass a specific test. In Drew's case, he will collect $10,000 if he is married within 72 hours. Are Drew and Kate willing to go through a wedding ceremony that neither one really wants, or will honor, courage and integrity prevail? (Hint: the climax of a story involves a phony drunken minister and two strangely familiar "best men"). With this episode, John Carroll Lynch becomes a regular in the hitherto recurring role of Steve Carey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
When this second annual "spot-the-mistakes" show was originally telecast on March 21, 1999, the home viewers were invited to send in their lists of deliberate errors spotted throughout the episode, with the usual Big Prize awarded the person who tallied up the biggest list (38 was the "topper"). The plot proper involves the death of the gang's favorite barber Phil, occuring just before Drew's parents are scheduled to arrive in Cleveland to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. At Phil's funeral, Drew (Drew Carey) is confronted with what seems to be irrefutable evidence that his mom Beulah (Marion Ross) once had an affair with the deceased barber--but the truth is even more startling! Meanwhile, Mimi ghoulishly keeps tabs as Mr. Wick orders the store employees to participate in a compulsory blood drive. (Note: the syndicated version of this episode removes one of the original "mistakes", involving the animated ABC network logo). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
