Henry Gibson Movies
American comic actor Henry Gibson acted professionally since childhood, but didn't gain prominence until his discovery by Jerry Lewis for a role in The Nutty Professor (1963). Gibson quickly developed a comedy act for TV variety shows, in which he passed himself off as a fey, Southern-accented "blank verse" poet. So convincing was this persona that many viewers believed Gibson was a genuine Southerner, though he actually hailed from Pennsylvania. He played a cruder variation of his yokel character as a patron of the "Belly Button" bar in Billy Wilder's Kiss Me Stupid (1964), and was hilarious as a hip-talking Indian in the Three Stooges' feature film The Outlaws is Coming (1965). Gibson might have continued in small roles indefinitely had he not been catapulted to stardom in 1968 as part of the ensemble on TV's Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, where his introductory "A poem...by Henry Gibson" became a national catchphrase. Gibson stayed with Laugh-In until 1971, whereupon he launched a reasonably successful career as a straight character actor. One of his best film roles of the '70s was Haven Hamilton, a hard-driving, flag-waving country-western star in Nashville (1975). Gibson not only delivered an expert performance but also co-wrote the songs sung by Haven Hamilton, including the deliberately banal Bicentennial ballad, "200 Years", in one of the film's early scenes. Henry Gibson continued throughout the next two decades playing strong movie character parts (the neo-Nazi commander in 1980's The Blues Brothers) and bright little cameos (the closet-smoking security guard in 1990's Gremlins 2). Gibson was also ubiquitously available as a guest star on such cable-TV reruns as Bewitched (he played a leprechaun) and F Troop (he was jinxed Private Wrongo Starr). He died of cancer in September 2009, about a week before his 74th birthday. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The traditional horror anthology makes a triumphant comeback in this collection of four frightfully horrific tales from directors Monte Hellman, Ken Russell, Sean S. Cunningham, John Gaeta, and Joe Dante. When seven strangers accept a mysterious invitation to tour a Hollywood studio lot, they become trapped in a room and discover that their only hope for escape is to reveal the most terrifying tale they know. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Gibson, Jayce Bartok, (more)
- 2003
Henry Gibson guest stars as the Sandman (yes, that Sandman!), who asks Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) to protect him from a Tracer Demon (Darin Heames) bent upon destroying all the dreams in the world. In the process of helping the Sandman, Phoebe is galvanized when one of her worst nightmares suddenly springs to life. Seeing this, the demon decides to use a terrifying array of nightmares (including the requisite chainsaw-wielding maniacs and scary clowns!) to destroy the Charmed Ones. Things take a Freudian turn when the girls realize that the only way to save themselves is to figure out the real meanings of their horrible dreams. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Krause, Julian McMahon, (more)
Actor and comedian Harry Shearer makes his directorial debut with this mock documentary about the slightly sordid pastimes of some of America's wealthiest and most powerful men. Zambesi Glen is a private resort in Northern California whose highly exclusive membership rolls includes high-echelon politicians, leaders of America's military, owners of the nation's biggest corporations, renowned and respected political thinkers, and a handful of celebrity guests; the club's membership is overwhelmingly white and exclusively male. Once a year, Zambesi Glen holds a week-long retreat for its members, and while this gathering features the occasional group discussion of political and economic issues, most of the week is devoted to swilling booze, staging comic skits, performing odd rituals not out of place at a Boy Scout camp, doing business with the prostitutes imported for the festivities, and generally carousing like frat boys on a bender. However, not all is well in this playground for the power elite; feminist groups are protesting Zambesi Glen's "men only" membership policy, and far more embarrassing, a television reporter has found a way to smuggle cameras into the well-guarded resort, giving the world a less than flattering look at what America's leadership likes to do for a good time. The revelers at Zambesi Glen are played by a top-shelf comic cast, including Michael McKean, George Wendt, Henry Gibson, Kenneth Mars, Fred Willard, Howard Hessman, and Bob Einstein; among the female interlopers are Morgan Fairchild, Joyce Hyser, and Ming-Na. Teddy Bears' Picnic was inspired by Harry Shearer's visit as a guest to Bohemian Grove, the real-life men's-only retreat whose members are said to include George W. Bush, Henry Kissinger, Dick Cheney, Malcolm Forbes, David Rockefeller, Casper W. Weinberger, and William F. Buckley, though the film's opening credits humorously disavows any resemblance between Zambesi Glen and Bohemian Grove. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1996
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Superb black-and-white photography highlights this independent drama. John Lee (Peter Alexander) is the son of a Chinese-American father and a French mother, living in California shortly after World War II. John's grandfather was a Chinese laborer brought to America to help lay tracks for the Continental railroad, and John has inherited an obsessive love of trains. When John discovers that the short-line railroad that runs from Merced, California, to the Yosemite Valley is soon to be shut down, he persuades his father to back him as he takes over the line and attempts to restore it. John hires two experienced railroad men to help him run his new railway: conductor Robinson (Henry Gibson and traffic manager Skeeter (Michael Stipe). As he tries to put the Yosemite Valley Railroad back on its feet, he becomes romantically involved with a beautiful park ranger (Jeri Arredondo) and exchanges subtle flirtations with both Skeeter and his sister Wendy (Diana Larkin). However, his all-consuming interest in the railroad prevents these relationships from going anywhere, and his family begins to lose patience with him as he digs himself deeper into a business that seems doomed. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Alexander
- 1996
Celebrating his new job with the Explorer Channel, Paul (Paul Reiser) talks wife Jamie (Helen Hunt) into joining him in an exotic wild-game feast. As a consequence, both Paul and Jamie experience bizarre and colorful dreams, causing them both to re-assess their relationship. Highlights include a number of imaginary interpolations courtesy of the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, capped by Henry Gibson's stirring poem-and-a-half "Ostriches Are Not Clumsy." ~ All Movie Guide
The popular animated duo of cat and mouse team up again to appear this time on the big screen. Homeless, the 'toons end up helping out a young girl who stays with a nasty auntie while she is separated from her father. Will the young Robyn be reunited with her loving father? Will the odd pair make it on the streets? Will they find a home? Those are some of the burning questions that may plague the minds of young viewers of this fun adventure. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Kind, Dana Hill, (more)
- 1992
This unforgettable episode is set at Universal Studios, where Jessica (Angela Lansbury) has arrived to supervise the film version of her novel "Messengers of Midnight." It isn't long before Jessica has had a confrontation with the film's abrasive producer Darryl Hayward (Ron Leibman), who seems to revel in making enemies, among them his leading lady Leonora Holt (Paula Prentiss). While paying a visit to the infamous "Bates Hotel" set from Hitchcock's Psycho, Jessica stumbles across Darryl's dead body--in the shower, of course! Henry Gibson appears as an obsessed fan of Leonora's, who just happened to be in the "Psycho House" when the killing occurred. Naturally, the episode is brimming with "inside" movie and pop-culture references, courtesy of scriptwriter (and future Babylon 5 maven) J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
The cast from the popular television cornball comedy series are reunited when Oliver must save Hooterville from developers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Ward and June Cleaver have nothing on suburban couple Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher. Together with their perfect son, Hanks and Fisher are so clean that they squeak. Thus, when new neighbors Henry Gibson, Brother Theodore and Courtney Gains begin evincing bizarre behavior, Hanks is slightly put out. Fisher thinks that Hanks is getting all worked up over nothing. Hanks and his fellow suburbanites endure all sorts of slapstick misadventures in the vain hope of getting "the goods" on the newcomers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, (more)
- 1988
Cabot Cove's sheriff Amos Tupper (Tom Bosley) certainly has his hands full when his sister Winnie (Anne Meara) shows up on his doorstep, announcing that she has walked out on her husband. Before long, Amos is besieged by Winnie's ill-tempered Kentucky in-laws, who don't cotton to such matters as divorce. Things get worse when a bowl of home-made chowder intended for Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) is laced with poison--and Winnie's former husband dies as a result! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Set during the 1950s, this made-for-cable serio-comedy stars William Petersen as the lovesick manager of a minor league baseball team whose team makes a pennant run. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William L. Petersen, Virginia Madsen, (more)
- 1986
Slow Burn, directed by Matthew Chapman, a well-above average, made-for cable-TV mystery thriller tells the story of a detective and his search for the missing son and ex-wife of his client. Based on a novel by Arthur Lyons, and well-directed by Matthew Chapman this intelligent thriller follows detective Jacob Ash (Eric Roberts) as he investigates the disappearance of Donnie (Johnny Depp) the missing son of his client Gerald McMurty (Raymond Barry) and his ex-wife artist Laine Fleischer (Beverly D'Angelo) during a routine visit to Las Vegas. As the investigation continues Jacob discovers an intricate web of deceit and betrayal that leads to a murder which Jacob must solve. D'Angelo, frequently underrated, is top notch in her role of the frightened woman who may have secrets. Roberts, who can be uneven, is successful in creating an engaging and sexy character who has a good deal of appeal and a good chemistry with D'Angelo. Slow Burn is a surprising, engaging thriller with good performances and an intelligent premise and is highly recommended. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Embarking upon their honeymoon, Quincy (Jack Klugman) and Emily (Anita Gillette) accept the invitation of an old friend, Judge Blake, to spend a "private" weekend at a ski lodge. Alas, the weekend proves anything but private when several other guests, all of them in the law-enforcement business, start pouring into the lodge. Making matters worse, an unknown maniac is murdering the assembled guests one by one--and a raging blizzard has cut off all avenues of escape. Yes, it's "Ten Little Indians", Quincy-style, with a dash of the 1932 film classic The Old Dark House thrown in via guest star Henry Gibson's portrayal of an inscrutably mute caretaker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Magnum (Tom Selleck) is assigned as bodyguard to Carrie Reardon (Kim Richards), a young rising tennis star whose arrogance far outweighs her talent. One of Carrie's many enemies has been making death threats, and seems eager and willing to carry them out as soon as possible. Making the job particularly difficult is that the chief suspect is Carrie's main competitor, tennis pro Ginger Leah Grant (Elaine Giftos)--who happens to be Magnum's former girlfriend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
A curious pure-entertainment offering from the same team responsible for the "Classics Illustrated" TV movies of the 1970s and 1980s, Nashville Grab stars Jeff Conaway as country-western singer Buddy Walker. While rehearsing for a prison concert, Buddy is kidnapped by female convicts Maxine (Betty Thomas) and Rita (Mari Gorman), who force him to accompany them on a cross-country escape in an old van. Adhering to the formula established by the theatrical feature Sugarland Express, the fugitives are hotly pursued by a variety of colorful characters, including Buddy's mercenary agent Ross (Slim Pickens) (who hopes to "merchandise" the kidnapping), the singer's ex-partners Frank (Gary Sandy) and Laurel (Cristina Raines, a goofy detective, a SWAT team, and a TV news crew. Played for laughs--and occasionally getting a few--Nashville Grab debuted October 18, 1981 on NBC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Country superstar Loretta Lynn appears as herself in this episode. Hazzard County is thrown into an uproar when Loretta is kidnapped by a trio of shabby amateur crooks (Henry Gibson, Dennis Burkley Rebecca Reynolds) who demand a ransom of $1136.15! Truth to tell, the kidnappers aren't all that villainous or menacing: they simply want to recoup the money that was cheated out of them by a fraudulent record company. To clear themselves of blame for the abduction, Luke (Tom Wopat) and Bo (John Schneider) set out to rescue Ms. Lynn and see that justice is served all around. Loretta Lynn sings "Y'all Come". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Veteran comedy specialist Hal Kanter milks every chuckle, chortle and guffaw of Stanley Ralph Ross' teleplay for For the Love of It. The story gets under way when the bad guys surreptitiously plant top-secret documents on a model (Deborah Raffin) and a med student (Jeff Conaway). He's crazy about her, while she can't stand him. Even so, the two protagonists are compelled to join forces when the bad guys start pursuing them. The bulk of the film is a zany, Mack Sennett-style chase, replete with goofy sight gags. In addition, this may be the first made-for-TV movie to tap the comedy potential of Elvis imitators. For the Love of It was originally telecast September 26, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Expanding on their Saturday Night Live characters, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as Jake and Elwood Blues, two white boys with black soul. Sporting cool shades and look-alike suits, Jake and Elwood are dispatched on a "mission from God" by their former teacher, Sister Mary Stigmata (Kathleen Freeman). Said mission is to raise $5000 to save an orphanage. In the course of their zany adventures, the Blues Brothers run afoul of neo-Nazi Henry Gibson, perform the theme from Rawhide before the most unruly bar crowd in written history, and lay waste to hundreds of cars on the streets and freeways of Chicago. In case you aren't swept up in the infectuous nuttiness of the brothers Blue, you might have fun spotting film's legion of guest stars, including James Brown, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, John Candy, Carrie Fisher, Steve Lawrence, Twiggy, Paul Reubens (aka Pee-Wee Herman), Frank Oz, and Steven Spielberg. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, (more)
- 1979
Director Joel Schumacher makes like Robert Altman in the made-for-TV Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and Grill. In the tradition of Altman's Nashville, Schumacher's film is a rambling, anecdotal study of an amateur talent show in a tawdry Southern saloon. The link between the two films is strengthened by the presence in Amateur Night of Henry Gibson, who'd played a Porter Wagoner type in Nashville. Among the contestants is country-western singer Tanya Tucker, who also contributed some of the background themes for the film's musical score. Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and Grill was produced by Motown Industries' motion picture division. Sidebar: To improve ratings, the ad copy for this film was headlined "Disco Killer on the Loose!"--then, in smaller type, the copy explained that "killing" was merely a slang term for winning over the audience! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
A Southern big shot (Mitch Ryan) runs his local community like a personal fiefdom. His despotism extends to his abusive marriage to Maggie (Jaclyn Smith). Denied her basic rights as a woman and a human being, Maggie tries to file for divorce, only to run up against a corrupt, good-ole-boy legal system. Her only recourse is to escape from Bogen County without attracting the attention of the paid-off police force. The film's feminist trappings do not entirely compensate for the exploitational nature of the script. Made for TV, Escape from Bogen County first aired October 7, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
In this drama, five beauty aspiring beauty queens are abducted in a hijacked airplane. Also upon the plane is a strain of deadly virus. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
