John Astin Movies
American actor John Astin was the son of Dr. Allen V. Astin, director of the National Bureau of Standards. Evidently inheriting his intellectual bent from his father, Astin was a voracious reader and mathematician, at one point in his high school career mastering an entire semester's worth of study in one evening (that's his story, anyway). A part in the senior play at Johns Hopkins University (where he was majoring in math) cemented his desire to act, and in 1952 Astin did graduate work in dramatics at the University of Minnesota, where he appeared in 40 plays in and around the campus, played the violin, and gambled incessantly (and badly). With $100 in his pocket, Astin headed to New York, where he did janitorial work in theatres until securing a role in the off-Broadway Threepenny Opera for a princely $15 per week. Better money came Astin's way when he started doing voice-over work for animated commercials; in 1961 he extended his acting skills to films in a small but memorable part as a smarmy social worker in the Oscar-winning West Side Story. In 1962, Astin was teamed with Marty Ingels on the blue-collar sitcom I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, which despite a loyal following failed to garner ratings. The show did, however, establish Astin as a reliable laugh-getter, leading to a more successful run as Gomez Addams, the macabre but passionate paterfamilias on The Addams Family. This series ran from 1964 to 1966, after which Astin spent a great deal of time touring the country in theatrical productions - often living out of a van, a lifestyle he seemed to thrive upon. Joining Astin during his barnstorming days was his second wife, actress Patty Duke, who called herself Patty Duke Astin for the duration (Astin and Duke raised a son, Sean Astin, who grew up to become a popular film actor in his own right). The marriage ultimately dissolved due in part to Astin's bohemian point of view, though while the union lasted both Astin and Duke were tireless workaholics who were rarely without acting gigs. John Astin hasn't had a steady TV series since "Operation Petticoat" in the late 1970s, but he is still much in demand on TV and in regional theatres - and as of 1994, he was still playing Gomez Addams con brio on a Saturday-morning Addams Family cartoon series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
- Add The Untold Secrets of Television's Greatest Hits to QueueAdd The Untold Secrets of Television's Greatest Hits to top of Queue
The Untold Secrets of Television's Greatest Hits offers stories about the productions of eight famous programs. Among the shows discussed are Cheers, L.A. Law, Hill Street Blues, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, he Addams Family, The Munsters, and I Love Lucy. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
A small-town history teacher with a decidedly different approach to public education raises the ire of a stuffy biology teacher who's looking to win the "Teacher of the Year" award in this made-for-television family-oriented comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and David Paymer. Mr. D (Reynolds) doesn't just teach history, he lives it; and his passion for the oft-dreaded subject is infectious. Though the kids and the faculty all love Mr. D, biology teacher Matt Warner (Paymer) views the newly arrived educator as little more than another roadblock in his path to take the "Teacher of the Year" prize. The son of wildly popular educator Stormin' Norman (John Astin) -- a man who had achieved the astonishing feat of winning the top teacher award for 43 years in a row -- Matt Warner is desperate to prove his worth as a teacher by following in his fathers formidable footsteps. When Warner learns a secret about Mr. D that could bring the newly arrived teacher down and place Warner directly in position to take the Teacher of the Year title, the entire town of Fallbrook learns an important lesson that can't be taught in a textbook. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Paymer, Ryan Reynolds, (more)
Charlatan Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) has genuine psychic powers, but he doesn't use them to help people. Rather, he generates cases for his supernatural private-eye firm by harassing a group of hapless ghosts (including a dearly departed Wild West outlaw and an undead judge played by John Astin) into staging hauntings and poltergeists in the homes of likely marks. Bannister's world turns on its head when he starts noticing real hauntings around town -- ghostly assassinations that seem to be tied to the execution 20 years earlier of a brutal serial killer. Lucy Lunskey (Trini Alvarado), the wife of one unlucky victim, teams up with Bannister to get to the bottom of the killings and find out what shut-in Patricia Bradley (Dee Wallace Stone) and her witchy mother (Julia McCarthy) have to do with the sinister spree. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, (more)
- 1995
- R
Sean Astin stars as the title character in this creepy made-for-cable adaptation of the Kurt Vonnegut classic. Set in a future America, where a small, elite group controls the masses, teen Harrison Bergeron is chosen to lead a movement that promotes mediocrity. Christopher Plummer stars as John Klaxon, the mastermind behind the attempt to uniformly dumb-down Americans. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Hollywood is abuzz with the news that a film completed back in 1960, but shelved after its director died mysteriously, has been rediscovered and restored. This takes place at a studio that has become a target for a wide variety of movie pirates--and not a few dedicated film buffs. When one of those buffs is killed, Jessica suspects that a murder has been committed, and that this killing is tied in with the death that occurred way back in the sixties. Featured in the cast is a young James Caviezel, who a decade later would star in Mel Gibson's controversial The Passion of the Christ. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
- R
In the tradition of Mel Brooks, this Italian comedy offers an episodic parody of classic thrillers and horror movies. Film includes cameos from several stars including Mel Brooks, John Astin, Larry Storch, Phyllis Diller, John Carpenter, and John Landis. The story begins as director Ezio Greggio is being stabbed ala Psycho in his shower. Before he dies he recaps the events leading to his death. The scene was L.A. and FBI rookie Jo Dee Fostar has been assigned to interview psycho inmate Dr. Animal Cannibal Pizza. Meanwhile Fostar's girlfriend swipes $400,000 bucks from her boss and ends up hiding in the Cemetery Hotel, run by Antonio Motel. Inspector Balsam investigates cases of dead hotel victims. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dom DeLuise, Ezio Greggio, (more)
Some teen girls take to the road in this made-for-cable remake of the 1956 original. Set in 1957, three guy-crazy friends take to the road in a stolen car, trying to track down one of their ex-lovers before he goes off into the Navy. The film is part of Showtime's "Rebel Highways" series of remakes. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Rudd, Julie Bowen, (more)
- 1994
Preparing for an important college exam, Jamie (Helen Hunt) is unable to sleep. While trying to lull his wife back to dreamland, Paul (Paul Reiser) succeeds only in locking Jamie and himself out of their apartment, leading to an all-night odyssey from basement to rooftops. Highlights include the tango performed by that guy who looks and acts like John Astin, and an unexpected celebrity drop-in at Riff's. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
- Add The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. [TV Series] to QueueAdd The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. [TV Series] to top of Queue
A "western" in name only, the short-lived Fox Network series The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. was actually a wild and wooly fantasy/sci-fi outing, with more in common with Jules Verne than Zane Grey. Set in the early 1890s, the series starred Bruce Campbell as the titular Brisco County Jr., a Harvard graduate who had journeyed westward to track down the gang that had killed his father, legendary lawman Brisco County Sr. The younger Brisco knew that the culprits were the minions of the scurrilous John Bly (Billy Drago), an outlaw who possessed awesome, almost otherworldy powers, and who was much despised by the "robber barons" of the Westerfield Club, owners of the local mines. Offering his services to these millionaires, Brisco was given an unlimited budget and access to all manner of marvelous new inventions (so new that many of them wouldn't be invented for the next forty or fifty years or so!), many of them the creations of the eccentric Professor Albert Wickwire (John Astin). Unfortunately, the villains were likewise equipped with futuristic paraphernalia, so Brisco and his assistant, nervous Westerfield Club lawyer Socrates Poole (Christian Clemenson), often as not had to rely on their own wits to get out of scrapes. Also in the cast was Julius Carry as black bounty hunter James Lonefeather, aka Lord Bowler, who wanted to get Bly before Brisco did; thus, sometimes he worked with our hero, sometimes against him. Other semi-regulars included dimwitted by affable thief Peter Hutter (John Pyper-Ferguson), gorgeous soldier-of-fortune Dixie Cousins (Kelly Rutherford); and Brisco's faithful horse Comet, who in certain ways was the smartest character in the cast. Predominent throughout the series were the mysterious orbs, which possessed unique powers that could be used for good or evil, depending on who was in control of them. It was eventually revealed that the orbs were artifacts from the distant future (2056 AD, to be exact)--and so, for that matter, was the seemingly indestructible John Bly. Played in a rip-roaring dime novel fashion, even unto dividing its action into "chapters" and ending most episodes with a "continued next week" cliffhanger, the 60-minute The Adventures of Brisco County debuted August 27, 1993, ending its run exactly one year and one day later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Campbell, Julius J. Carry III, (more)
So many screenwriters have surreptitiously updated the works of Mark Twain with contemporary jargon and "political correctness", without saying they've done as much, that it's a bit refreshing to see an admitted, all-out updating of Twain. Scenarist Chrstopher Sturgeon has transplanted the characters and situations of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn into a modern-day setting that accomodates both Hannibal, Missouri and Las Vegas, Nevada! The "Huck" counterpart, played by Chauncey Leopardi, escapes his abusive stepfather in the company of a cardsharp named Injun Joe-played herein by genuine Native American Graham Greene. Featured in the cast are such surefire laughgetters as Joe Piscopo and John Astin, the latter cast in the "Widow Douglas" role (you have to be there). As audacious and stilted as it sounds, Huck and the King of Hearts works, and works beautifully. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chauncey Leopardi, Joe Piscopo, (more)
- 1992
- PG13
This lightweight horror movie is geared towards younger audiences as it follows the exploits of a little boy who is firmly convinced that the woman his father plans to marry is really a horrible monster in disguise. It all begins when his rather dull architect father George, as compared to young Todd's highly imaginative and much-loved grandfather, takes a job designing the immense country home for the seductively beautiful Denise. In time, Todd begins believing that scaly green monsters called tropopkins, are living in the forest near her house. Suddenly, his mother mysteriously vanishes and Todd is sent to live with his grandparents while his father completes his job. Six months pass and George returns with Denise, his new fiancee in tow. Things happen that cause Todd to suspect this step-mother-to-be is the leader of the tropopkins. No one believes him and Todd is sent into therapy. He remains convinced though and continues trying to postpone the wedding until he, his grandfather, his older sister and her boy friend Phlegm and can figure out how to destroy her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Thicke, Robin Riker, (more)
The low-budget "Killer Tomatoes" series closed with this fourth chapter starring a returning John Astin as the resurrected Professor Gangrene, who resurfaces in France to continue his ongoing plot for world domination through the care and maintenance of the title fruit. Hoping to bank on his sidekick's resemblance to King Louis XVII (long prophesied to return to his throne), Gangrene sends his armies of tomato-monsters (who sport snarling, feral faces and one-liners this time out) to eliminate those who stand in his way. Among them is the nominal "hero," a has-been actor (Marc Price) spurred by the vacillating affections of winsome Parisian Marie (Angela Visser) to join the French army against the Juicy Red Menace. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Dan (John Larroquette) is convinced he's a goner when a pair of street punks (Richard Coca, Chico Montez) hold him hostage at knifepoint. But rescue may soon be at hand! Enter a strange-looking man calling himself VHK 937 (Michael McManus), who claims to be a visitor from the future--and who is armed with a genuine laser gun. Less serious but no less vexing than Dan's plight is the dilemma facing Bull (Richard Moll): a severe case of hiccups. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
- R
In this gory and violent black comedy, a quartet of teenage zombies begin terrifying an employee at the local morgue until he figures out that they would rather party than eat people. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Grimes, Cheryl Pollak, (more)
This third entry in the dumbfoundingly silly "Killer Tomatoes" series continues the low-budget franchise's tradition of bombarding audiences with endless inane sight gags, horror movie in-jokes, and "nudge-nudge, wink-wink" comic asides. This installment finds flamboyant mad scientist Professor Gangrene (an enthusiastically hammy John Astin) up to his old tricks. The madman responsible for the near-annihilation of humanity by the title fruit, Gangrene is currently masquerading as the host of trashy talk show "Talk of the Town," through which he mounts a temporarily successful media campaign restoring the red-stained reputation of the much-maligned tomato. Fortunately for an unwary populace, the professor's plot for world domination is foiled by hard-bitten detective Boyle (Rick Rockwell) and eminent "tomatologist" Dr. Kennedy Johnson (Crystal Carson). Though not as funny as the previous installment, Return of the Killer Tomatoes (which featured a young George Clooney in deadpan mode), this is still a mildly entertaining romp. The pulpy red menace would soon return for yet another sequel, but not before inspiring a silly animated kiddie-TV spinoff. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
Where the original Gremlins was a horror film spiked with comedy, Gremlins 2: The New Batch is essentially a black comedy, with a couple of horrifying touches. As the film starts, the fantastical trinket shop in Chinatown, which sold the Mogwai in the first film, is demolished by a crazed multi-media businessman called Daniel Clamp (John Glover). The heroes from the first movie, Billy (Zach Galligan) and Kate (Phoebe Cates), happen to work for Clamp in his huge high-rise. They find the Mogwai within Clamp's building, but not before he has accidentally spawned legions of mischievous, lizard-like Gremlins. Soon, the Gremlins are wreaking havoc throughout the building. In the original film, their misdeeds were violent, but here they're also goofy and satirical. Director Joe Dante has filled the film with quick verbal and visual jokes, which, for many, makes Gremlins 2: The New Batch a satire and inversion of the typical horror film. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, (more)
- 1990
The Night Courters believe they has scored a coup when they arrange for Mel Torme to sing at Harry's 40th birthday party. Alas, as the big evening approaches, it looks like the Velvet Fog will be a no-show. And the fault lies with Harry (Harry Anderson) himself: honoring duty over adulation, the Judge has jailed his idol Mel for nonpayment of traffic tickets! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In this final episode of Night Court's seventh season, pregnant public defender Christine (Markie Post) suddenly goes into labor. This being a 1990s sitcom, it is virtually a requirement that her labor pains must occur at the least opportune moment and under the direst circumstances. In this instance, our heroine is trapped in a faulty elevator with Judge Harry T. Stone's (Harry Anderson) wacky father Buddy (John Astin, in his last Night Court appearance) and a highly nervous court visitor named Alexander Tobin (played by Stephen Furst, the former "Flounder" in National Lampoon's Animal House and the future Vir Cotto on Babylon 5). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Harry's daffy dad Buddy (John Astin) begins dating Amanda Caldwell (Karen Morrow), a fun-loving millionaire's widow. As Buddy and Amanda dance several nights away, Harry (Harry Anderson) wonders if he should inform the widow about his father's history as a mental patient--if she doesn't know already, that is! Meanwhile, Dan (John Larroquette) has lost his money, his home and his Mercedes, and is reduced to living in his increasingly gamy-looking office. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
As Night Court launches its seventh season, Judge Harry T. Stone (Harry Anderson) invites his father Buddy (John Astin) to move with him after Buddy is released from a mental institution. The arrangement soon proves to be more than Harry can handle--and Buddy's not so keen on living outside the "system" either. Meanwhile, slimy prosecutor Dan Fielding (John Larroquette) conspires with shady real-estate agent Mark Colson (Charles Levin) to get their mitts ona rent-controlled Park Avenue apartment owned by an elderly gent (King Moody) who presumably isn't long for this world. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
In the first episode of a two-part story, Christine (Markie Post) is shocked by the behavior of Judge Harry T. Stone (Harry Anderson), who seems poised to accept a bribe from mob boss Marty Cologne (John Aprea). What Christine doesn't know is that Harry is participating in a sting operation against Cologne on behalf of the Feds. Unfortunately, Harry's self-proclaimed stepfather Buddy (John Astin) doesn't know this either--and when he finds out, he glibly spills the beans to Cologne! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Harry (Harry Anderson) is placed in protective custody after incurring the wrath of mob boss Marty Cologne. Unfortunately, Harry's life is in the hands of Tim Bond (Timothy Stack), arguably the klutziest Federal agent in the history of law enforcement. At the same time, Harry tries to adjust to the news that former mental patient Buddy (John Astin) is his biological father! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
In 1989, Simon Dutton brought back the long-running character of Simon Templar, AKA The Saint, with a series of six two-hour action films, produced for (and originally shown on) television in the UK. The second feature in the series, The Blue Dulac, sees Templar en route to Paris, the City of Lights, where he uses the titular blue gem - once the property of the Russian czars - as the bait to trap a murderer and thief who loves to mix and mingle with the French aristocracy. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 1988
- PG
- Add Return of the Killer Tomatoes! to QueueAdd Return of the Killer Tomatoes! to top of Queue
It has been 25 years since the last Killer Tomato has been squished into sauce. To this day the tasty red fruit are banned, and some folks fall in to paroxysms of fear at the mention of tomatoes. Still the general public has been lulled into believing that they are finally safe from the genetically engineered scourge. The purpose of this sci-fi sequel is to prove them wrong. The trouble begins when a pizza delivery boy (the pizzas only use non-tomato-base sauce) falls in love with a beautiful girl. Little does he know that she is the assistant of wicked Professor Gangreen who has engineered a brand new kind of tomato that can assume human form. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Starke, George Clooney, (more)
- 1988
Christmas or no Christmas, Harry (Harry Anderson) is forced to put Roz (Marsha Warfield) behind bars when she unwittingly hands out a sleighful of toys, brought into court as evidence, to a group of orphans. Bringing charges against Roz is Scroogelike toy manufacturer McCracken (Jordan Charney), who is clearly in dire need of ghostly visitations and an epiphany. Adding to Harry's Christmas Eve woes is the sudden arrival of his self-proclaimed stepfather Harry (John Astin). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
