Paul B. Price Movies
This spoof of the 1930s and '40s crime stories ranges from the ridiculous to the sublime as it tells the story of Johnny Dangerously (Byron Thames as the young Johnny, Michael Keaton as the older), a devoted son to his ailing mother (Maureen Stapleton), so ill that she needs money for several operations. Johnny has nowhere to turn, and because gangsters tend to flourish in his neighborhood he goes to work for Dundee, a benevolent godfather-gangster type, in order to cover his mother's medical bills. Johnny hides his association with Dundee from his younger brother Tommy (Griffin Dunne) and goes so far as to pay for Tommy's law school fees -- supporting him until Tommy joins the staff of the local (and corrupt) district attorney's office for Burr (Danny DeVito). When Johnny starts working for Dundee, he clashes with the evil Vermin (Joe Piscopo) right from the beginning, but things only get worse. After Dundee decides to retire, Johnny ascends to the helm, and it does not look like Vermin is going to take that sitting down. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Keaton, Joe Piscopo, (more)
- 1981
George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) squares off against his dry-cleaning rival, Cunningham (Paul B. Price), in the race for the championship of their local bowling league. Unfortunately, just before the deciding match, George's star bowler falls ill. Desperately, George asks his neighbor Tom Willis (Franklin Cover) -- who hasn't set foot in a bowling alley in years -- to take his ailing star's place. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1979
Third time may not be the charm when it comes to the annual Shotz Brewery Talent Show. At least that's the opinion of Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams), who are having second thoughts about performing a "human puppet" routine. Could things get worse? You bet they could: directing the show this year are Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander)! Musical highlights include "The Wedding of Jack and Jill" and "All I Need is the Girl". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
A dishevelled hobo named Rags (Hamilton Camp) reminds Frank (Phil Foster) that it is time for the Pizza Bowl's annual Yuletide charity dinner. As Rags' fellow bums begin streaming into the diner, Frank realizes that he hasn't got enough money to feed them all--which explains why the tough-talking restauranteur takes a second job as a department store Santa (with Lenny [Michael McKean] and Squiggy [David L. Lander] as his alleged helpers!), while Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) sing for cash in the streets. Musical highlights include such traditional Yuletide tunes as "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "The 12 Days of Christmas". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Well, folks, here's the moment you've all been waiting for: the obligatory Laverne and Shirley "amnesia" episode. Having lost her memory thanks to a bump on the noggin, Shirley (Cindy Williams) thinks that she is actually a famous stripper named Roxy. Taking advantage of the situation, Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander) book "Roxy" to perform at a lodge smoker. Rushing to her roommate's rescue, Laverne (Penny Marshall) ends up "taking it off"--purely by accident! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
