Roxie Roker Movies
On television, supporting actress Roxie Roker may best be remembered for playing outspoken Helen Willis for ten years on the popular television sitcom The Jeffersons. She and TV husband Franklin Cover comprised the first interracial married couple on network television. But in addition to television, Roker had also found success on stage and in the occasional feature film. Miami-born and Brooklyn-raised, Roker graduated from Howard University with a drama degree and then flew to England to study at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-on-Avon. During the 1960s, Roker supported herself with a secretarial job at NBC's New York office while trying to find acting jobs. Roker launched her drama career off-Broadway in productions such as Jean Genet's The Blacks. Between 1967 and '68, Roker hosted a local community television show, but that wasn't close enough to acting, so she quit to practice her craft full time. With the Negro Ensemble Company she appeared in Ododo and Rosalie Pritchet. In 1974, she earned an Obie and a Tony nomination for The River Niger. In 1975, shortly after moving to Los Angeles, Norman Lear cast Roker in The Jeffersons. In addition to this role, Roker occasionally guest-starred on other series and appeared in television movies. Her feature-film appearances were rare. Roker made her debut in Claudine (1974). In the '90s, Roker resumed her stage career, appearing in a theatrical version of The Jeffersons and then touring opposite Mary Martin and Carol Channing in Legends. Roker's son, Lenny Kravitz is a noted rock musician and record producer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1991
Wings Hauser appears as Wallace Evans, a policeman turned professor who use to teach the Manhattan College criminology course now helmed by Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). In the spirit of friendly rivalry, Evans challenges Jessica to find the person responsible for a series of recent campus muggings before he himself fingers the culprit. The stakes in this "race" are raised considerably when murder enters the picture. This time out, the suspect list ranges from a suspicious-looking busboy to Professor Evans himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Having finally managed to get Lena (Jada Pinkett) to move out of the spare room, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) now turns her attention to her duties as dorm director. Or more specifically, she turns her attention to dumping most of those duties onto her assistant Kim (Charnele Brown). Consequently, Kim doesn't have the time to tell Lena not to cook in her dorm room--and the result is a fire that nearly gets the girl suspended from school. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In this black-and-white, independently produced crime drama, Izzy (Jack Kruschen) is surprised one day shortly after the death of his business partner to discover that he had been using their gumball machine franchise as a cover for selling crack. Though he's a bit long in the tooth to be starting out in such a rough business, he teams up with a middle-aged black man with street smarts (Don Fullilove), and together they cope with the competition for this business he didn't know he had. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Kruschen, Donald Fullilove, (more)
The 1987 portmanteau comedy feature Amazon Women on the Moon lampoons several film genres in general and the 1954 sci-fi cheapie Cat Women of the Moon in particular. Other sketches in Amazon Women include an opening bit with Arsenio Hall; a vignette titled "Son of the Invisible Man" wherein a naked Ed Begley Jr. runs around in full view of the nonplussed supporting cast; the It's Alive parody "Hospital", which offers the spectacle of Michelle Pfeiffer giving birth to Mr. Potato Head; and a Siskel & Ebert takeoff, featuring Arche Hahn as a TV viewer whose entire life is given a "thumbs down." Directed by several hands, including Joe Dante, Carl Gottleib, Peter Horton, John Landis, and Robert K. Weiss, Amazon Women on the Moon also features a satire of the Kroger G. Babb school of "sex hygiene" exploitation cheapies, with syphilis victim Carrie Fisher being counseled by unctuous doctor Paul Bartel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosanna Arquette, Ralph Bellamy, (more)
- 1985
The Jeffersonsmoved from its familiar Sunday-night time slot to a new Tuesday evening berth with this star-studded episode, which takes place in Atlantic City. Hoping to raise enough money to attend her godson's graduation, Florence (Marla Gibbs) heads straight to the gambling tables. Meanwhile, Florence's employer Louise (Isabel Sanford) scours the resort city in search of celebrities -- but when they begin to show up, she fails to recognize them (even Charo). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
Attending a big-league baseball game, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) fulfills a lifelong dream by catching a homer belted out by Reggie Jackson (as himself) -- only to drop the ball in front of thousands of stadium fans and millions of TV viewers. In the days that follow, poor George is a target for public ridicule, with friends and strangers alike razzing him for his slippery fingers. It is up to Louise (Isabel Sanford) to pick up the pieces of George's shattered self-esteem. In addition to Jackson, ballplayers Brian Downing and Mike Witt also appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
Left home alone while everyone else is busily occupied, Tom Willis (Franklin Cover) begins to question his own attractiveness and appeal. Those questions are "answered" when the sister of Mr. Bentley's latest girlfriend lavishes attention on the hapless Tom. This leads to a sexy dream sequence in which Tom is surrounded by a "harem" of genuine Playboy Playmates. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
In this first episode of a two-part story, Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert make return appearances as Lionel and Jenny Jefferson. Back home after an extended trip to Japan, Lionel and Jenny tell their respective parents that they are about to make an important announcement. Naturally, everyone assumes that Jenny is pregnant again -- but the news is not happy by any stretch of the imagination. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
In this second episode of a two-part story, Lionel (Mike Evans) and Jenny (Berlinda Tolbert) shock their respective parents when they announce that they plan to divorce. This bombshell leads to a huge fight between the Jeffersons and the Willises, which does not abate even during family night at Jessica's school. Upset by all the dissension and bitterness, Jessica (Ebonie Smith) runs out of the school and into the mean streets of New York. This episode represented the final series appearances of Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
When George's student trainee, Clark (Larry B. Scott), is unable to get a date for his upcoming high school prom, George's housekeeper Florence (Marla Gibbs) offers to go with Clark to the dance. Upon her arrival, Florence comes face to face with one of her own high school classmates -- who never asked her to the prom, even though she'd wanted him to with all her heart. Veteran cartoon voiceover specialist Arthur Burghardt appears as Mr. Harris. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
To raise money for the Disabled Youth Services, Louise (Isabel Sanford) and Helen (Roxie Roker) stage a talent show with the help of Tom (Franklin Cover), Florence (Marla Gibbs), and Bentley (Paul Benedict). The winner will receive free TV time to promote his or her favorite charitable cause. George (Sherman Hemsley) schemes to use this opportunity to drum up business for his dry-cleaning store. "Off-Off-Off-Off Broadway" was The Jeffersons' 253rd and final episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
When the president of Pelham Publishing retires, Tom Willis (Franklin Cover) is anxious to be appointed in his place. At first, Tom despairs over the possibility that he won't be promoted. Once his dream is fulfilled, however, Tom is still worried: Will he be able to handle the pressures and responsibilities of the job? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
Charlie the bartender (Danny Wells) has the opportunity to multiply his profits by hosting a big party. When Charlie is unexpectedly called out of town, Louise (Isabel Sanford) offers to serve drinks in his place. What Louise doesn't know is that the party is a reunion for a gang of tough, unruly bikers. A strong all-male supporting cast, including Warren Berlinger and Reid Shelton, lifts this episode out of the ordinary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
The ongoing professional war between George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) and his dry-cleaning rival Cunningham results in another round of lavish promotions. This most recent battle proves so strenuous that Cunningham suddenly drops dead. George must now face the unbridled wrath of Cunningham's vindictive widow (played by future L.A. Law regular Susan Ruttan). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
Once again, the wedding anniversary celebration of George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford) is interrupted by circumstances beyond their control. This time around, the Jeffersons are called upon to repair the marriage of their bartender friend Charlie (Danny Wells). This difficult assignment is made even more so by the revelation of a terrible secret: Good-time Charlie is an alcoholic. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
Left at home while the wives spend the weekend at a health spa, George (Sherman Hemsley) and Tom (Franklin Cover) seek out various methods of alleviating their boredom. Our heroes finally decide to set a world record by seeing how many times they can ride up and down an elevator. What starts out as a friendly competition snowballs into a bitter rivalry. An unbilled Edie McClurg is heard as the woman on TV. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
Louise (Isabel Sanford) is upset by the new tenant in 12-C, a young, slim "swinger" named Robin (played by future E.R. regular Kathleen Wilhoite). Her tranquility shattered by Robin's round-the-clock partying, Louise tries to rally her fellow tenants to lodge a formal complaint. She succeeds only in being labelled an "old killjoy" -- and the worst of it is, she's convinced that the accusation is right on target. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
Terrified that she will never get married, Florence (Marla Gibbs) places an ad in the personal column of a singles magazine. Imagine her delight when her ad is promptly answered. Now imagine her open-mouthed astonishment when the man answering the ad turns out to be the Jeffersons' eccentric neighbor Harry Bentley (Paul Benedict). Florence Gibbs' real-life sister Susie Garrett appears as Amanda. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1985
Having finished her first art-class oil paintings, Louise (Isabel Sanford) proudly shows them off to her friends and family. Though they agree that the paintings are (too put it mildly) hideous, they try to spare Louise's feelings by overpraising her work to the skies. When the misguided Louise announces her plans to enter a high-class art show, George is forced to resort to yet another deception -- this one involving a so-called "critic." Danny Wells makes his final series appearance as Charlie the bartender. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1984
Florence (Marla Gibbs) is on cloud nine as she and her church choir prepare to go to an Ohio convention. Alas, the necessary traveling funds, along with the rest of the congregation's money, is stolen by none other than the church's "trusted" minister. Her faith in religion and her fellow man utterly shattered, Florence bleakly faces the prospect of a none-too-merry Christmas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1984
Standing vigil at Jefferson Cleaners after several burglaries, George (Sherman Hemsley) and Louise (Isabel Sanford) manage to trap a pair of youthful thieves. Though George is all for calling the cops, Louise is convinced that she can reform the kids. George is so certain that the young burglars are irredeemable that he promises to write a 2,000 dollar check for the Help Center's children's arts program if Louise succeeds. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1984
In this opening episode of The Jeffersons' 11th and final season, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) is expected to be a donor for the Help Center blood drive. Terrified at the prospect, George pays Ralph (Ned Wertimer), the apartment building's doorman, to donate blood in George's name. When the precious fluid saves the life of Mrs. Wertimer, the wife of the Jeffersons' landlord, George is only to happy to take credit -- but Ralph has other ideas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1984
Ebonie Smith makes her first series appearance as Jessica, the granddaughter of George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford). Louise can't stand it when haughty Mrs. Van Morris (Dorothy Butts), perennial winner of the Volunteer of the Year award, brags about the piano skills of her grandson Van (a pre-Family Matters Jaleel White). Hoping to show up Mrs. Van Morris once and for all, Louise arranges for Jessica (whose musical talent is rudimentary at best) to compete against Van in a piano recital. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1984
Louise (Isabel Sanford) and Florence (Marla Gibbs) trick George (Sherman Hemsley) into appearing on a new hidden-video TV show titled "Bobbles, Bangles, and Booboos." A great many laughs are to be had when George "accidentally" confronts Louise at a massage parlor. But the joke is actually on Louise: the "TV producers" may actually be a gang of clever burglars. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1984
Certain that she will win by a landslide, Louise (Isabel Sanford) runs for the presidency of her apartment building's tenant council. Her confidence turns to panic when Louise discovers that she will be running opposite her own husband George (Sherman Hemsley). Jack Fletcher makes his final series appearance as snooty landlord Whittendale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
