Charles Isaacs Movies
Charles Isaacs was a prolific comedy scribe whose jokes frequently crossed the lips of such luminaries as Bing Crosby and Milton Berle. Isaacs' impressive rise from local newspaper columnist to renowned sitcom writer would find him in high demand by some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Isaacs found his way to Hollywood after working as a correspondent for Radio Guide magazine. In the years before World War II, Isaacs rose to become head writer of The Milton Berle Show. After enlisting in the Armed Forces, the funnyman wrote for Coast Guard band shows until being assigned to gunner duty; he later wrote for numerous Armed Forces radio programs. Segueing into television in 1950, Isaacs worked closely with Jimmy Durante on the Four Star Revue before penning jokes for Johnny Carson and Red Skelton. Isaacs prominent sitcom work in later years would result in such popular small-screen series as The Real McCoys, Alice, and Harper Valley P.T.A. On December 13, 2002, Charles Isaacs died of cancer in Santa Monica, CA, at the age of 88. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide- 1981
In this final episode of Alice's fifth season, Vera (Beth Howland) brings a bundle of dirty clothes to the laundromat--and returns with a bundle of joy. Someone has abandoned a baby in Vera's laundry basket, and she intends to keep the child (Is it possible that feeding the baby Mel's chili might be construed as child abuse?) Viewers with long memories may remember guest star Irene Arranga as the "wife" of the nerdish Horshack (Ron Palillo) on Welcome Back, Kotter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
If he wants to escort the (latest) girl of his dreams to the school Valentine's Day dance, Tommy (Philip McKeon) must get hold of a tuxedo. Of course, this requires money, and Tommy has next to none of that commodity. Alice (Linda Lavin) and the girls join forces to help the boy get his wish--and then disaster befalls both Tommy and tux. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Telly Savalas takes time off from his Kojak duties to appear as himself in this first episode of Alice's fourth season. All agog when Telly stops over at the diner for a quick bite to eat, starry-eyed Vera (Beth Howland)--who happens to be the only one on duty--can't wait to tell her co-workers. Unfortunately, no one, not even Alice (Linda Lavin), believes Vera's story, and this disbelief snowballs into a near-disaster. Also showing up in a guest bit is Telly Savalas' brother George Savalas, who likewise appeared on Kojak, billed as "Demosthenes". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Mel (Vic Tayback) has come up with what he thinks is a sure-fire promotional gimmick: If his waitresses don't deliver "service with a smile", he'll give out free meals to the customers. Meanwhile, Alice (Linda Lavin) is infuriated that her matchmaking son Tommy (Philip McKeon) is trying to get her hitched to her casual beau Greg (Robert Hogan). As a result, Alice isn't exactly in a smiling mood when she shows up at work--and after a while, neither is Mel! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Vera (Beth Howland) begins taking an art class which require her to sketch nude male models. When Vera's boyfriend Brian (Alan Haufrect) objects to this, Alice supportively takes Vera's side. But Alice quickly changes her tune when she discovers that one of the "au naturel" models is her own boyfriend David (played by Land of the Lost star Spencer Milligan). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Dinah Shore appears as herself in this episode, which was taped back when Dinah had her own popular syndicated talk show. A daily feature of Ms. Shore's program is a cooking session, and Mel (Vic Tayback) has been invited to prepare his own special chili before the cameras. Problem is, Mel can bring only one of his waitresses to appear on the show with him--and thus does a monumental battle for one-upsmanship rage amongst Alice (Linda Lavin), Flo (Polly Holliday) and Vera (Beth Howland). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
As indicated by the title, Art Carney is the guest star in this episode. And yes, Carney is someone's cousin--actually the sixth-cousin of daffy waitress Vera (Beth Howland). Hoping to capitalize on this fact, Vera's boss Mel tries to persuade the actor to endorse a new line of frozen chili called--are you ready?--"Chili Con Carney." And for this Art left The Honeymooners? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Alice (Linda Lavin) and Vera (Beth Howland) both try out for the role of Cinderella in a local children's theater production. Appropriately enough, the production's handsome director Sean (Fred McCarren) is, at age 25, a virtual youngster himself. Despite the fact that both ladies have several years on Sean, Alice and Vera knock each other over vying for his affections. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
After witnessing a robbery, Mel (Vic Tayback) is quick to identify the holdup man to the police. Only after he does his civic duty does Mel learn that the criminal has a history of perpetrating violence--mainly on witnesses to his crimes. Now Mel frets over the possibility that he won't live long enough to see that justice is done (or even to see if the diner closes on time tonight!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Brother George (Walter Chiari) is the Italian monk who is the only one who knows the secret recipe of a popular liqueur. When he feels the local wine merchant won't give him a fair price, he moves to Australia. He meets Alfredo Brazzi (Jack Albertson) and the two agree to a partnership to make the liqueur. Alfredo is unaware George is a monk and that he sends 50% of the money back to his Italian monastery. Alfredo and his son-in-law Tim (Dave Allen) constantly try to steal the secret recipe. They recruit June (Rowena Wallace) for their underhanded cause, but she falls in love with George, also unaware of his religious calling. Finally, the Italian wine merchant travels to Sydney, willing to make a deal with Brother George. The merchant ends up paying double the price he had previously rejected in this amusing comedy. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Chiari, Jack Albertson, (more)
