Franklin Cover Movies

Brain Donors is a game attempt to redo the Marx Brothers' A Night at the Opera in a contemporary setting. John Turturro plays the "Groucho" character, a shifty lawyer (he's even given a Grouchoesque three-barrelled moniker). Bob Nelson is the "Harpo" counterpart, a puckish handyman. And Mel Smith completes the trio as a Chico-like cabbie. All three conspire to save a failing ballet company on behalf of dowager Nancy Marchand, who does a film-length impersonation of Margaret Dumont. At times, Pat Proft's script comes off more like a 3 Stooges short than a Marx Brothers romp, but that's not so bad. What hurts the film is its fluctuating pace, which shifts into neutral just when it should go into hyperdrive. Will Vinton's Claymation opening titles supply some of the film's biggest laughs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

"Greed is Good." This is the credo of the aptly named Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), the antihero of Oliver Stone's Wall Street. Gekko, a high-rolling corporate raider, is idolized by young-and-hungry broker Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen). Inveigling himself into Gekko's inner circle, Fox quickly learns to rape, murder and bury his sense of ethics. Only when Gekko's wheeling and dealing causes a near-tragedy on a personal level does Fox "reform"-though his means of destroying Gekko are every bit as underhanded as his previous activities on the trading floor. Director Stone, who cowrote Wall Street with Stanley Weiser, has claimed that the film was prompted by the callous treatment afforded his stockbroker father after 50 years in the business; this may be why the film's most compelling scenes are those between Bud Fox and his airline mechanic father (played by Charlie Sheen's real-life dad Martin). Ironically, Wall Street was released just before the October, 1987 stock market crash. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi