Virginia Graham Movies
- 1988
Lensed in New York, the independently produced Secret Space has the look of a theatrical workshop project that was expanded into a feature film. Utilizing a coming of age theme, the story concerns the events leading up to a young Jewish boy's Bar Mitzvah. Raised by secular parents, the boy would like to get in touch with his heritage. He befriends several older folks who are likewise seeking out the true meaning of Judaism. Several well-known stage and TV personalities make cameo appearances in the course of the film's 80 minutes, among them Robert Klein, Phyllis Newman and Virginia Graham; also present is Sam Schacht, veteran of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre. Curiously, Secret Space is not mentioned in the "official" credits of any of the above-mentioned performers. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1986
This comedy drama examines a fading film star who divides her time between the couch in her psychiatrist's office and her memories of past glories. The latter are told in a series of episodes with cameo roles by well-known names: Kaye Ballard, Sammy Davis, Jr., Anne Meara, and many others. At one moment , the scenery shifts to Argentina and elsewhere for a few episodes based on her search for a leading man. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kaye Ballard, Sheila MacRae, (more)
- 1982
- PG
This dismal sci-fi comedy is based on a novel by Kurt Vonnegut and features Jerry Lewis and Madeline Kahn in dual roles as wealthy, respected parents who give birth to two gigantic, and ugly twins. The appalled parents try to keep them hidden away for they do not know that their "children" are really alien ambassadors who have come to help make the Earth a better place. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jerry Lewis, Madeline Kahn, (more)
Andy Griffith makes a spectacular film debut in this searing drama as Lonesome Rhodes, a philosophical country-western singer discovered in a tanktown jail by radio talent scout Patricia Neal and her assistant Walter Matthau. They decide that Rhodes is worthy of a radio spot, but the unforeseen result is that the gangly, aw-shucks entertainer becomes an overnight sensation not simply on radio but, thereafter, on television. As he ascends to stardom, Rhodes attracts fans, sponsors and endorsements by the carload, and soon he is the most powerful and influential entertainer on the airwaves. Beloved by his audience, Rhodes reveals himself to his intimates as a scheming, power-hungry manipulator, with Machiavellian political aspirations. He uses everyone around him, coldly discarding anyone who might impede his climb to the top (one such victim is sexy baton-twirler Lee Remick, likewise making her film debut). Just when it seems that there's no stopping Rhodes' megalomania, his mentor and ex-lover Neal exposes this Idol of Millions as the rat that he is. She arranges to switch on the audio during the closing credits of Rhodes' TV program, allowing the whole nation to hear the grinning, waving Rhodes characterize them as "suckers" and "stupid idiots." Instantly, Rhodes' popularity rating plummets to zero. As he drunkenly wanders around his penthouse apartment, still not fully comprehending what has happened to him, Rhodes is deserted by the very associates who, hours earlier, were willing to ask "how high?" when he yelled "jump". Written by Budd Schulberg, Face in the Crowd was not a success, possibly because it hit so close to home with idol-worshipping TV fans. Its reputation has grown in the intervening years, not only because of its value as a film but because of the novelty of seeing the traditionally easygoing Andy Griffith as so vicious and manipulative a character as Lonesome Rhodes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, (more)
