Marcia Wallace Movies
Actress and comedian Marcia Wallace began her career as a stage actress, appearing with the improv troupe The Fourth Wall and in off-Broadway plays in the late '60s. After a guest appearance on the Merv Griffin Show, Wallace began a thriving TV career playing secretary Carol Kester Bondurant on The Bob Newhart Show and making countless appearances over the coming decades on game shows like Hollywood Squares and To Tell the Truth, as well as shows like Full House and The Young and the Restless. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
Uprooted from her comfortable San Francisco home and transplanted to a generic Southern California suburb by her two well-meaning moms, open-minded high-school sophomore Tru despairs at being surrounded by close-minded football players and air-headed Paris Hilton wannabes until she gets the idea to combat small-town intolerance by co-founding a local chapter of the Gay-Straight Alliance. Life in her new town isn't easy, so in order to fend off boredom, Tru frequently escapes into fantasy. But whether she's retreating into a picture-perfect, Leave It to Beaver-style household with two mothers and two fathers or dancing in the streets West Side Story-style, Tru's depressive new surroundings always remain the same once she's snapped back to reality. When the star quarterback at her new high school begins paying special attention to Tru, her initial elation is soon tempered by the revelation that he's actually just another closet case in search of a sympathetic shoulder to cry on. Though Tru is at first frustrated by the prospect of putting on a false front in order to protect the athlete's true sexuality, she decides to address the homophobic attitudes of her new classmates directly by opening a local chapter of the Gay-Straight Alliance. As the movement begins to gain steam, however, Tru is forced to reconcile her unguarded position on sexual orientation with the private pledge she has made to her closeted classmate. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Najarra Townsend, Bruce Vilanch, (more)
They've kept television viewers laughing for nearly 20 years, and now the most popular animated family on the small screen makes the leap into theaters as Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, ad Maggie embark on their first-ever feature-length adventure. Directed by David Silverman and written by a whole host of Simpsons veterans including Matt Groening and James L. Brooks, The Simpsons Movie also features special guest appearances by Albert Brooks among others. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, (more)
- 1998
Her ongoing chemotherapy forces Murphy (Candice Bergen) to appear in public wearing a wig. This is humiliating enough for her without having to bare her soul on a weekly basis with her cancer support group--and accordingly, Murphy refuses to let her guard down with the other group members no matter how much they chip away at her veneer. Featured in the supporting cast are real-life cancer victims Tracy Nelson, Gail Strickland, Marcia Wallace andWendie Jo Sperber. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Michelle (the Olsen twins) is comfortable with the notion of being best friends with Teddy (Tahj Mowry), but she balks at the idea of his being her temporary boyfriend on Valentine's Day. Confused about what to do, Michelle turns to the eternally unlucky-in-love Steph (Jodie Sweetin) for advice. Meanwhile, Becky (Lori Loughlin) worries that the romance has gone out of her marriage; and will Danny (Bob Saget) finally pop the question to Claire? This episode marks the final appearance of several familiar characters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Michelle (the Olsen twins) is certain that there will be nothing but fun-and-games when Joey (David Coulier) agrees to act as substitute teacher at her school. But Joey takes his job very seriously, and before long a humiliated Michelle finds herself exiled to the principal's office. Meanwhile, it looks as though Danny is going to be lead guitarist in the new band organized by Jesse...until a talented newcomer named Viper (David Lipper) comes along. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
When Michelle's favorite art class is cancelled, Joey (David Coulier) decides to run for president of the PTA. Unfortunately, his opponent is the imperious Mrs. Carruthers (Marcia Wallace), who has all the power and influence on her side. Michelle's best friend Denise (Jurnee Smollett) comes to the rescue by inviting her somewhat famous uncle to entertain at Joey's campaign rally. Without giving too much of the plot away, let it be said that guest star Little Richard performs "Keep A Knockin'". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
After 18 years of psychotherapy, Frank (Joe Regalbuto) is thrown for a loss when his analyst Dr. Larkin (Debra Mooney) declares that he is "cured." Feeling cast adrift, Frank turns to Murphy (Candice Bergen) for moral support. It would appear that Frank couldn't have picked a better time, what with Murphy finally hiring what she regards as the "perfect secretary." This last-mentioned character is played by none other than Marcia Wallace, reprising her role as Carol from the old Bob Newhart Show--and speaking of Bob (everybody take a drink!), the episode's writers haven't forgotten him either. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
When Michelle (the Olsen twins) announces that her bicycle is missing, the entire Tanner household embarks upon a frantic search. Fortunately, Danny (Bob Saget) soon comes back home with a bike in tow. Unfortunately, both Jesse (John Stamos) and Joey (David Coulier) likewise return with identical bikes, and as a result all three men face accusations of thievery from neighborhood "watchdog" Mrs. Carruthers (Marcia Wallace in her first series appearance). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Anita Morris guest stars as Freddie's mom Joni, who insists upon interfering in her daughter's life--and in the lives of all of her daughter's friends. As for Freddie (Cree Summer) herself, she's more mixed up than ever over her feelings toward Ron (Darryl M. Bell) and Shazza (Gary Dourdan). Meanwhile, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) is forced to work at a pancake house on Christmas day in order to afford a Yuletide gift for husband Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- R
Though representing a slight step upward in budget from the previous two Ghoulies installments, this is still a rather silly exercise in childish fart jokes and rubbery monster effects. The title critters are mini-demons summoned forth from a demonic chamber pot (seriously!) by the occult-obsessed Dean of Glazier University. However, the ancient vessel is currently being used by the Beta Theta Zeta fraternity for a more (ahem) practical purpose. The ghoulies eventually cut loose on campus, and the surrounding frat-boy bacchanalia seems to have made them even more obnoxious than usual. The creatures' Satanic antics are first thought to be creative Hell Week pranks, but they are eventually discovered and defeated by the nominal hero and heroine. One of Vestron's last productions before the company went belly-up, this languished in distribution limbo for several years. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1990
While Bart Simpson (voice of Nancy Cartwright) has never been a star student, his grades have been slipping even further than usual, and his teacher Mrs. Krabappel (voice of Marcia Wallace) warns him that if his marks don't improve, he might fail history and be left back rather than graduate to the fifth grade. Bart intends to study before his big test, but Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta) persuades him to watch some television with him first; by the time Bart finally cracks his books, he's nearly fallen asleep. The next morning, Bart is convinced he can't pass and fakes being sick; Bart gets answers for the test from Milhouse (voice of Cartwright), but Milhouse turns out to be a bad choice, and Bart gets an F. Desperate to pass his class, Bart makes a deal with class brain Martin (voice of Russi Taylor) -- if Martin shows Bart how to be smart, Bart will show Martin how to be cool. Martin, however, turns into a party animal and fails to live up to his end of the bargain, and Bart prays to God for a reprieve on his test. To Bart's astonishment, a freak snowstorm causes school to be cancelled the next day, and while all his friends are out having fun, Bart studies like he's never studied before in a last-ditch attempt to pass the fourth grade. "Bart Gets an F" was first aired on October 11, 1990. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
An average housewife (Susan Blakely) is transformed into a werewolf after being seduced by a stranger (John Saxon). Only her daughter and friend can save her from remaining an animal forever. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Susan Blakely, John Saxon, (more)
An otherwise boring and unpopular Louise is enamored with Brad, the star of the high-school football team, but her feelings are not reciprocated. One week before her birthday, she visits a psychic and is told she has latent, genetically predisposed witch abilities that will blossom on her sixteenth birthday. Soon she finds the information to be true and uses her powers to gain the typical teen goals: popularity, revenge on cruel teachers and other meanies, and high-school football star Brad... ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robyn Lively, Dan Gauthier, (more)
- 1988
This is the second of four "Day in the Life" episodes, in which the Night Court staff must process a huge number of cases before a midnight deadline. Upping the stakes on this occasion is a Texas millionaire (Pat Corley) who has agreed to finance an orphanage if the staff can successfully try 207 cases within the time allotted; also, Dan (John Larroquette) stands to win a large an office pool if he's guessed the correct number of convictions. Keep an eye out for those "Three Stooges" nuns! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Jessica's niece Victoria (Genie Francis) and the girl's husband Howard (Jeff Conaway), previously introduced in the first-season episode "Birds of a Feather", make return appearances here--and, as before, the couple promptly embroils Jessica (Angela Lansbury) in a murder case. This time, the victim was Victoria's advertising-executive boss, a notorious womanizer. Victoria falls under suspicion when it turns out that her late boss had intended to "lend" her to his newest client, the hedonistic owner of a questionable fast-food chain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Having made the big move from ABC to NBC, Taxi opens its fifth season with a "Shloogel." And what's a shloogel? Well, it's what newlyweds Latka (Andy Kaufman) and Simka (Carol Kane) call a "group blind date" back in their own country. And it's quite an experience for the folks at the Sunshine Cab Company, as Alex (Judd Hirsch) is paired up with a woman (Carlene Watkins) with whom he'd like to spend the rest of his life (or so he thinks); Tony is teamed with a "dream girl" who proves to be a nightmare (Anne de Salvo); Louie (Danny DeVito) finds out that his blind date (Murphy Cross) is genuinely blind; Elaine (Marilu Henner) is attracted to a gormless nerd (Wallace Shawn); and Reverend Jim (Christopher Lloyd) ends up with actress Marcia Wallace (as herself) -- and celebrates the occasion by singing his own special version of the Bob Newhart Show theme! Although the characters don't know it yet, this episode will prove to have a far-reaching influence on the rest of season five. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1981
Marcia Wallace (The Bob Newhart Show) is cast as professional fitness trainer Barbara Terranova, who can only afford to pay private eye Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) for one day's service. Thus it is that Magnum is faced with the formidable task of locating Barbara's missing fiance--who has been targeted for murder!--within 24 hours. Fortunately, Magnum is able to work out a "barter" deal with Barbara, who agrees to train him for the upcoming "Ironman Triatholon" in exchange for a few extra days' detective work; unfortunately, Barbara is a VERY strict taskmaster (or is that taskmistress?), This is the final episode of Magnum, P.I.'s first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
In this made-for-TV farce, the urban phenomenon of the traffic jam and the effect it has on the lives of the participants is examined. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
In this socially conscious, satirical made-for-television drama, a con-artist becomes one of the nation's top televangelists. The film is also known as K-GOD. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Following the astonishing (and, to some, appalling) success of the 1978 TV movie Rescue From Gilligan's Island, most of the cast of the popular 1960s sitcom Gilligan's Island were hired for two additional "reunion" films. The second, Castaways on Gilligan's Island, finds Gilligan (Bob Denver), the Skipper, too (Alan Hale Sr.) the millionaire (Jim Backus) and his wife (Natalie Schafer), the movie star (Judith Baldwin, subbing for a recalcitrant Tina Louise), the Professor (Russell Johnson) and Mary Ann (Dawn Wells) back on the flyspeck island whence they had recently been rescued. This time, the castaways decide to turn their tiny isle into a tourist resort. This leaves the door wide open for guest stars Tom Bosley and Marcia Wallace as a straitlaced vacationing couple. The Castaways on Gilligan's Island blew its network competition out of the water on the occasion of its debut on May 3, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
With Bob out of town on a lecture tour, Emily is terrified that she will succumb to the temptation of having an affair with her old flame, Steve Darnell (David Hedison). To prevent this, Emily turns to Jerry and Howard for help -- and how much help they are. Written by Laura Levine, this was one of several sixth-season episodes in which Bob Newhart did not appear. "It Didn't Happen One Night" first aired on February 18, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzanne Pleshette, Bill Daily, (more)
- 1978
Jerry Fogel is cast as Paul Billingham, aka "Ralph Alfalfa the Happy Farmer" of Chicago radio fame. Though a huge success on the airwaves, Billingham harbors a dark secret: He stutters. Now that he has been offered a TV job, Billingham is terrified that the bizarre physical subterfuges he uses to speak coherently into the microphone will be exposed -- so naturally, he goes to Bob for advice. Written by Andrew Smith, "Easy for You to Say" originally aired on February 11, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1978
The Bob Newhart Show ended its six-season, 142-episode run with the aptly titled "Happy Trails to You." The show opens as Bob assumes his new responsibilities as a psychology professor in a small Oregon college. In flashback, Bob recalls how he bade farewell to his friends, colleagues, and patients back in Chicago. Best scene: The impromptu rendition of "Oklahoma." Bob Newhart's real-life father-in-law, character actor Bill Quinn, appears as Dr. Wyler. Written by Glen Charles, Les Charles, and Lloyd Garver, "Happy Trails to You" originally aired on April 1, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1978
Bob and his fellow doctors look forward to honoring Carol as "Secretary of the Year." Their enthusiasm is dampened when Carol, hoping to expand her professional horizons, quits her job and goes to work for Bob's pet patient, real-estate agent Elliot Carlin. Featured in the cast are Madeline Fisher as Miss Pringle, Jerry Terry Bell as Gary Johnson, Joe George and Mert Rich as the Angry Men, and Neil Flanagan as Mr. Stevens. Written by Lloyd Garner, "Carol Ankles for Indie-Prod" originally aired on March 4, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
