David Graf Movies
Best known to filmgoers for his role as the excitable, trigger-happy Eugene Tackleberry in the long-running Police Academy series, character actor David Graf was highly regarded among filmmakers for his notable and generous contributions to the Screen Actors Guild.Born in Lancaster, OH, in 1960, Graf attended Otterbien College in Westerville before making an early appearance as a struggling actor on the popular game show The $20,000 Pyramid with actress Patty Duke. Taking small roles in such popular sitcoms as M*A*S*H and The Dukes of Hazard in the early '80s, Graf made his film debut in 1981's Four Friends. His big break would come three years later, with his debut as Sgt. Tackleberry in Police Academy, launching a lasting character in a series that would span nearly a decade and six sequels. Keeping frequent work in television through the course of appearing in films such as Guarding Tess (1994) and The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), Graf held recurring roles in the popular Beauty and the Beast, High Tide, and later in the highly praised White House drama The West Wing. Graf also became involved with such Star Trek spin-offs as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.
As a Hollywood representative of the Screen Actors Guild, Graf won the respect of his fellow actors through his tireless efforts to ensure their fair treatment in the vast and intimidating Hollywood system. Fellow board members praised his many active roles in various organizations dedicated to the betterment of conditions within the acting community, noting his service as a testament to Graf's genuine and selfless concern. While attending a family wedding in Phoenix, AZ, in 2001, Graf suffered a fatal heart attack -- just eight days before his 51st birthday. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A slice-of-life view of modern morality filtered through the eyes of a young and down-to-earth porn star, writer/director Ash's character-driven drama offers a unique perspective of the adult film industry. Moon (Juliette Marquis) is one of the most popular adult film stars around, and she finds no fault in using her sexuality as a means of profit. As she continues the process of renewing her contract, Moon's personal life remains a delicate issue due to her father's (James Woods) degeneration due to Parkinson's disease and a blind date (Kip Pardue) who remains hesitant to get close to Moon after learning of her profession. Although she makes a healthy living and sees nothing in particular wrong with her profession, Moon must ultimately reevaluate her life in order to understand what is best for both her and the people she cares most about. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Woods, Juliette Marquis, (more)
- 1999
The catalyst of this story is a little girl named Jamie (Kaleigh Krish), who is trapped in a deep well. In his efforts to rescue the child, a man named Dewey (David Graf) has himself been killed. Performing the autopsy on Dewey, is Dr. Ivan Kroneberger, a cynical, embittered man with no faith in either God or humanity. Monica (Roma Downey) and Tess (Della Reese) encourage Kroneberger to "read" Dewey's body for clues as to how the dead man lived, and why he was willing to give up his life for another person--a most unusual anatomy lesson that may well prove to be the redemption of the doctor, and the salvation of the still-entombed Jamie! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Dan (Josh Charles) finds himself in hot water as an interview he did for Esquire three months ago is just now hitting the stands and implies he supports the legalization of marijuana. When network representatives swoop down and insist on an on-air apology, Dan balks at the thought -- primarily since he fails to see whom the apology should be directed toward. While the show's executive producer Isaac Jaffee (Robert Guillaume) doesn't disagree with Dan's arguments, he also insists on the apology in order to efficiently end the matter. Meanwhile, the same article that got Dan into trouble has also gotten Casey (Peter Krause) worked up with the article's suggestion that Casey is the "uncool" member of the duo. As all of this unfolds, Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) asks Casey to help Jeremy (Joshua Malina) with his first news story, since her impartiality is at risk due to her having a crush on the new analyst, while Dan suspects that he may have an on-staff stalker. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
The divisive issue of abortion is at the center of Citizen Ruth, a political satire that attempts to subject both pro-choice and pro-life forces to equal ridicule. Laura Dern portrays Ruth Stoops, an irresponsible, unemployed woman who's addicted to inhaling household chemicals and has becomes pregnant, for the fifth time. After she is arrested for substance abuse, the judge offers to lessen her sentence if Ruth chooses to abort her child. Ruth agrees, but that night she encounters a group of pro-life activists. They take her under their wing, promising to help her, while secretly planning to make her case public as a symbol for the pro-life movement . When Ruth discovers the deception, she takes refuge with a pro-choice group, sparking a media frenzy. Yet Ruth soon finds her new friends are also only interested in her value as a media icon. Realizing she has been used as a pawn in the abortion rights battle, the apolitical Ruth turns the tables, offering to join whoever will give her the best deal. What results is a frantic, comedic session of wheeling-dealing which argues that activists on both sides have become more concerned with waging political warfare than helping women. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laura Dern, Swoosie Kurtz, (more)
- 1995
- PG13
The Brady Bunch Movie pays tribute to the 1970s TV show while poking gentle fun at it. The Brady family, led by father Mike (Gary Cole), still live in their suburban, split-level home and are still throwbacks to the era that spawned them. Eternally perky wife Carol (Shelley Long) is the perfect homemaker, while the kids' behavior is as wholesome as their loud, time-warp pastel clothes. Meanwhile, the greedy, selfish modern era swirls dangerously around them, embodied in next-door neighbor and real estate agent Ditmeyer (Michael McKean), who wants to buy the Bradys' property and turn the neighborhood into a giant mall. But no amount of money or prodding can persuade the Bradys to give up their home. Director Betty Thomas contrasts the overlit sitcom look of the Brady house interiors (faithfully recreated from the series) with real locations and natural grit for the modern L.A. scenes. The result is a satire that deftly spoofs the idea of staying true to old-fashioned values without ever passing judgment on those values. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shelley Long, Gary Cole, (more)
- 1995
This socially conscious drama chronicles one extraordinary day in the life of an Asian-American woman, Girl. She lives in LA, and on the beginning of this day, she is evicted from her apartment because she hasn't paid rent. She then goes on to a film audition and encounters a horny producer who humiliates her. Later that day, a white motorcycle cop tries to rape her. She escapes and ends up handcuffing him to a tree, putting on his uniform (which naturally fits her to a tee), and stealing his bike. She then goes on to have a number of adventures with different people. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
A man trained for a life of excitement and danger is given a new and unexpected challenge -- minding a grouchy old woman -- in this comedy. Doug Chesnic (Nicolas Cage) is a Secret Service agent who takes great pride in his job, performing his duties with the utmost professionalism and always minding the details. However, his assignment for the last three years has been a severe test of his patience; Tess Carlisle (Shirley MacLaine) is the widow of a former U.S. president who is well-known for her diplomatic and philanthropic work, and Doug has been in charge of her security force. But Tess tends to regard Doug less as a security officer and more as a domestic servant, like her chauffeur Earl (Austin Pendleton) or her nurse Frederick (Richard Griffiths). While Doug regards it as beneath his professional dignity to perform little chores around the house or bring Tess her breakfast in bed, she orders him to do so, and he's in no position to say, "no." Sometimes, Tess even refuses to obey Doug's security instructions, and should he argue his point too strongly, Tess will contact her close friend, the President of the United States, and ask him to give Doug a severe dressing down. So when Doug's three year hitch with Tess comes to an end, he asks to be given a more exciting and challenging assignment. However, Tess has other ideas; she's decided that she likes working with Doug, and she demands that his assignment be made permanent. Director Hugh Wilson also provides the voice of the President. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shirley MacLaine, Nicolas Cage, (more)
- 1994
- PG
- Add Police Academy: Mission to Moscow to QueueAdd Police Academy: Mission to Moscow to top of Queue
In a major stumbling block toward better international relations, America's most laughable police officers are sent to Russia to fight crime in this comedy. In Moscow, master criminal Konali (Ron Perlman) has marketed a new computer game that has an unusual hidden feature -- it allows him to bring down any security system controlled by a PC on which the game has been played, with a string of major robberies as the result. Russian Police Commandant Rakov (Christopher Lee) is at his wit's end about how to deal with the crisis, so he asks for help from the U.S. law enforcement community. However, Rakov's American allies turn out to be Lassard (George Gaynes), Harris (G.W. Bailey), and the rest of the crew from the Police Academy (among them Michael Winslow, David Graf, and Leslie Easterbrook). Claire Forlani also appears in a small role as a Russian beauty. This was the seventh and last film in the Police Academy series, following the departure of franchise loyalist Bubba Smith. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Gaynes, Michael Winslow, (more)
Suture, Scott McGehee and David Siegel's self-conscious exploration of identity and individuality, evokes a flashy remake of Edward D. Wood Jr.'s Jail Bait. Dennis Haysbert and Michael Harris play half-brothers Clay and Vincent Towers. Clay travels to Phoenix to meet with Vincent, whom he hasn't seen in years. Upon seeing one another, they are amazed at their resemblance to each other. Clay remarks, "Isn't it remarkable how much we look alike?" The problem is they look nothing alike: Clay is a black man who could pass for a Dallas Cowboys linebacker, while Vincent resembles Ralph Nader. Nevertheless, after their reunion, the characters in the film have trouble distinguishing between the two, which is good for Vincent. Responsible for a murder, Vincent decides to fake his own death by substituting Clay for himself -- since no one will notice the old switcheroo. Vincent arranges for Clay's body to be discovered in the aftermath of an automobile explosion. Then Vincent can flee and start a new life. Unfortunately for Vincent, Clay survives the accident. Swaddled in bandages and ointments, Clay is attended to by the beautiful Renee Descartes (Mel Harris), a plastic surgeon who busily reconstructs his face. At the same time, his psychiatrist Dr. Max Shimono (Sab Shimono) tries to reconstruct his memories. Before the healing process ends, Vincent tries to get to Clay and make sure that this time he really dies. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Haysbert, Mel Harris, (more)
A father gets a crash-course in the outdoors in this made-for-television comedy for kids. Comedian Bob Saget stars as an urban-living dad who decides to take his son Michael (Brian Bonsall) -- working his way to Eagle Scout -- on a camping trip. Poor dad is well-meaning, but fumbles his way through a series of mishaps. Saget (Full House) served as executive producer for the film. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget, Brian Bonsall, (more)
Corporate women launch a bitter courtroom battle when their avaricious employer tells them that they will lose their jobs if they do not get sterilized. The fight takes the women through a disillusioning jungle of government red tape. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In this drama, a divorced dad fights for visitation rights with his daughter after she and her mother are relocated to an unknown locale as part of the Federal Witness Protection program. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ed O'Neill, Mike Farrell, (more)
- 1989
- PG
- Add Police Academy 6: City Under Siege to QueueAdd Police Academy 6: City Under Siege to top of Queue
Who do you send after a gang of stump-dumb crooks? Who else but the most intellectually-challenged police force in America, in the sixth installment of the Police Academy series. The Wilson Heights Gang, three thieves whose success as criminals is in inverse proportion to their outwardly-displayed intelligence and criminal talent, are managing to terrorize the city in spite of themselves. The increasingly feeble Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) and his much-put-upon second-in-command Capt. Harris (G.W. Bailey) are instructed to bring the crooks to justice; of course, with the Police Academy regulars as their task force, that's much easier said than done. Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, Leslie Easterbrook, Marion Ramsey, and Bruce Mahler are on hand once again as the comical cops; Peter Bonerz, a former regular on The Bob Newhart Show, stepped in as director. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bubba Smith, David Graf, (more)
- 1988
In this drama, a county prosecutor must find the local who killed a murderous ex-con and discovers that he is not going to win any area popularity contests. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1988
- PG
- Add Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach to QueueAdd Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach to top of Queue
America's most inept law enforcement team mixes business with pleasure as they head to sunny Florida in this comedy. The aging and often-confused head of the Police Academy, Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes), has reached mandatory retirement age, much to the pleasure of the devious Capt. Harris (G.W. Bailey), who is still scheming to take over his job. Lassard, Harris, and a handful of the Academy's "distinguished" graduates (including Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, Leslie Easterbrook, and Marion Ramsey) travel to Miami Beach for a special ceremony to commemorate Lassard's years of service as he leaves the force; however, a luggage mix-up puts the clumsy cops in the middle of a massive illegal arms deal. Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach was the first film in the long-running series that did not star Steve Guttenberg (Bob Goldthwait also left the franchise at this point), but most of the other regulars bravely soldiered on without him. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matt McCoy, Janet Jones, (more)
- 1988
In this crime drama set in LA during the '40s, an infamous Hollywood madam is arrested and mayhem ensues as the names of her famous patrons, among them government officials and policemen, are revealed. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
John Moffitt directed this silly Canadian comedy about a falsely accused Salem witch (Kelly Preston). Terry Sweeney's script seems to find most of its humor in sex, drugs, and bathroom jokes, none of which are very amusing. Genre devotees will be quite pleased, however, with a cast featuring Barbara Carrera, SCTV member Dave Thomas, Bud Cort, Stuart Pankin, and Anne Ramsey. Dr. Joyce Brothers makes one of her obligatory cameo appearances as well. Preston appeared in another witch film, Janet Greek's Spellbinder, the following year. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Cassidy, Kelly Preston, (more)
- 1987
- PG
- Add Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol to QueueAdd Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol to top of Queue
In the third sequel to the hit comedy Police Academy, Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) decides that the police force is overworked and understaffed, and he comes up with the idea of recruiting civilian volunteers to work side-by-side with his officers. Of course, with the hapless Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg) in charge of training the new Neighborhood Watch groups, one might reasonably expect things will not go smoothly; meanwhile, the duplicitous Capt. Harris (G.W. Bailey) sets his sights on Lassard's job, and he schemes to get his aging boss out of the way. Series regulars Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, Bob Goldthwait, and Tim Kazurinsky are on board, as is Sharon Stone, who moved on to bigger and better things a few years later. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, (more)
- 1987
Mac (Charlie Robinson) finds himself on the horns of an ethical dilemma when his old Vietnam buddy Hondo (David Graf) is hauled into court after a nightclub brawl. Facing a long prison term, Hondo begs Mac to hack the court computer and delete his prior criminal record. Meanwhile, an elderly Japanese gentleman (Keye Luke) who is slated to receive an honor from the governor drops dead in court after a seven-hour passion marathon with three hookers--and to make matters worse, his body has been placed in a runaway motorized wheelchair! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
- PG
- Add Police Academy 3: Back in Training to QueueAdd Police Academy 3: Back in Training to top of Queue
In this third installment of the slapstick comedy series about novice police officers with less than dubious abilities, two police academies have to compete with each other in order to stay in business. The state's skinflint governor claims he has less money to spread around, so one of the police training academies is going to be axed. Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) calls back some of his former recruits to train the new batch of students, hoping to get the edge on the rival academy. Among the newcomers are brassy Cadet Zed (Bobcat Goldthwait), who is a former gang leader, and his roommate Cadet Sweetchuck (Tim Kazurinsky). Sweetchuck is a wimpy noodle whose Clint Eastwood impersonation is one of the film's most honestly funny moments. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, (more)
- 1985
- PG13
- Add Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment to QueueAdd Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment to top of Queue
In this weak, undistinguished sequel to the successful Police Academy, Mahoney and his cohorts have now graduated from their police training and are ready to tackle real criminals. The first assignment for the enthusiastic former cadets is to halt the graffiti-scribbling antics of a local gang of marauding toughs. The new lieutenant at the station (Art Metrano) is not anxious to see them succeed -- and begins to roadblock their efforts against the graffiti artists. Not to be easily outmaneuvered, Mahoney and friends plot an appropriate revenge. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, (more)
Public safety takes a turn for the worse in this hit comedy, which spawned a long-running franchise. As a crime wave sweeps through a major city, the mayor decides that part of the problem may stem from overly restrictive qualifications for police officers, so she opens the door of the city's Police Academy to anyone who wants to join. Soon, the new class is overrun with misfits and losers, including Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg), who is given the choice of joining the force or going to jail; Karen Thompson (Kim Cattrall), a pretty cadet whom Mahoney has his eye on; Moses Hightower (Bubba Smith), a mountain of a man who likes to tend flowers; and Larvell Jones (Michael Winslow), who has an uncanny ability to imitate the sound of practically anything. Constantly befuddled Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) and his lackey, Lt. Harris (G.W. Bailey), are none too thrilled with their new charges, but as they try to wash their hands of the cadets, Mahoney and his classmates become all the more determined to make good. The surprising success of Police Academy spawned six sequels and two TV series. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Guttenberg, G.W. Bailey, (more)
In this human-scale drama/comedy, a pair of Beverly Hills parents, Albert (Ryan O'Neal) and Lucy (Shelley Long) first come together as a couple interested in writing (she) and teaching (he), but Albert's life takes an upscale turn when he starts both writing and then directing in Hollywood. As he becomes successful, Lucy is forced to burrow into her own writing in self-defense, and after her book is well-received, she is compensated a little for Albert's lack of attention and philandering. After Hollywood and its well-known flaws are sketched out in the increasingly strained marriage, the story reaches its primary focus: Albert and Lucy's 9-year-old daughter Casey (Drew Barrymore) talks to a lawyer because she wants to sue her parents for divorce. She gets no hugs or affection, and precious little attention, and she would prefer to go live with the maid. Given the parents' celebrity, the case receives wide press -- and the family begins to reconsider where it is going and why. Although a bit long, especially in the first half which wanders off course a little, the story is engaging enough (especially for Hollywood buffs) to balance any weaknesses. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ryan O'Neal, Shelley Long, (more)
- 1983
B.A. (Mr. T) comes to the aid of little Maria (Edie Marie Rubio), who along with her ailing mother has been illegally smuggled into the States by a criminal gang. The lead crook is a lout named Presley (Dennis Lipscomb), whose chief henchman is corrupt border patrol officer Taggart (played by Jack Ging, long before becoming an A-Team regular as General Fullbright). Following a plan purportedly hatched by Murdock's pet cockroach Herman (!), the team sets about to rescue the hapless aliens--but first they must rescue their own leader Hannibal (George Peppard). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
While Father Mulcahy (William Christopher) is conducting Sunday religious services in the 4077th's mess tent, AWOL soldier Nick Gillis (Cyril O'Reilly) rushes in to the tent demanding sanctuary. Gillis' refusal to leave the premises may put the kibosh on a long-awaiting special Sunday meal, contributed by a grateful Korean farmer. It looks like the doctors are going to have to make like psychiatrists if they hope to satiate their appetites. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
