Merv Griffin Movies
The son of a tennis pro, California-native Merv Griffin was evidently a born entertainer; as early as age seven, he was staging neighborhood carnivals and churning out his own one-page newspaper. Displaying a gift for music, Griffin was sent to study at a San Francisco conservatory, after which the 14-year-old led his local church choir and supported himself as a professional organist. After rubbing shoulders with the Hollywood glitterati at his uncle's tennis club, Griffin decided to make show business his life. He toured with his own USO troupe during the war, then became a Los Angeles radio pianist and singer. Because he tipped the scales at around 250 pounds, Griffin was billed as "the mystery voice" rather than have the illusion dispelled by publishing his photograph. When a fan visiting his studio laughed out loud at the sight of the porcine mystery voice, Griffin immediately went on a crash diet. It was a svelte and handsome Griffin who signed on in 1948 as a vocalist for Freddy Martin's orchestra; after scoring a hit with a recording of "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Cocoanuts," the boyish baritone was given a contract at Warner Bros.Most of Griffin's movie appearances were in supporting roles, though he did play a substantial male lead opposite Kathryn Grayson in the 1953 Grace Moore biopic So This Is Love. (In 1982, he made a surprise return to movies as the "human punch line" to a running gag in Steve Martin's Man with Two Brains). Entering television in the mid-'50s, Griffin was a featured vocalist on the CBS Morning Show and the comedy/variety programs of Robert Q. Lewis and Kate Smith. He got his first taste of hosting his own TV program at a CBS outlet in Florida, after which he emceed such popular network game shows as Play Your Hunch (1958-1962) and Keep Talking (1960).
Flourishing as his own producer in the early '60s, Griffin launched a daily, hour-long NBC talk show in 1962, which, though popular with the critics, died opposite CBS's soap opera lineup. Griffin's next foray into the chat-show world had more lasting results: in 1965, Westinghouse Broadcasting inaugurated the syndicated nighttimer The Merv Griffin Show, which after a hesitant first few months in which Merv tried to imitate rival Johnny Carson, hit its stride by peppering his showbiz palaver with controversial issues and such volatile guest stars as philosopher Bertrand Russell. The Merv Griffin Show also gave a shot in the arm to the career of irascible British character actor Arthur Treacher, who functioned as Merv's "Ed McMahon."
In 1969, the CBS network, hoping to topple the mighty Carson in late night, offered Griffin his own CBS talk show. Not anxious to leave his comfortable niche, Griffin tried to throw CBS off his trail by demanding to be paid more than NBC paid Carson; to his amazement, CBS agreed. The network version of The Merv Griffin Show began in 1969 -- and ended a scant four years later, as much a victim of network censorship and indecision as lukewarm ratings. Griffin returned to syndication under the Metromedia imprimatur in 1972, remaining in the late-night race until voluntarily calling it quits in 1986. That same year, he sold his Merv Griffin Enterprises to Coca-Cola for a whopping 250 million dollars. Thanks to this deal, to his nurturing of such game-show properties as Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, and to his management of numerous casinos, hotels, and resorts in both L.A. and Las Vegas, Merv Griffin closed out the 20th century as one of the wealthiest entertainer/entrepreneurs on earth, with a total net worth of well over one billion dollars. He died in August 2007 at 82 years old. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Europe's Big Top Circus Stars Live from Hippodrome! features performing their popular acts before an adoring crowd in the celebrated venue. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Randall, Woody Allen, (more)
- 2006
Croatian father-and-son filmmakers Jakov and Dominik Sedlar explore the genius of Citizen Kane director Orson Welles through the examination of lost footage from unfinished projects and interviews with the friends, family, and colleagues who knew him best in this documentary, which delves deeper into the public persona of the actor, director, writer, and editor than ever before. An extensively researched oral and visual examination of the legendary entertainer, Searching for Orson also includes interviews with such filmmakers as Steven Spielberg and Peter Bogdanovich, exploring just how the mastermind of the notorious 1938 "War of the Worlds" broadcast continues to influence future generations of filmmakers even decades after his death. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Bogdanovich, Orson Welles, (more)
Shade, the first feature film from real-life card shark Damian Nieman, who wrote and directed the picture, stars Gabriel Byrne and Thandie Newton as a duo of con artists looking to beat the "Dean" (Sylvester Stallone), a legendary card shark, in a high-stakes poker game. Their first step is hiring two fellow tricksters -- Jamie Foxx and Stuart Townsend -- to provide the smooth talking and to procure the necessary funds. Unfortunately, Larry (Foxx) blows his hand and finds himself with 85,000 dollars worth of debt owed to a local crime boss. Shade premiered at the 2003 CineVegas film festival and also features Dina Merrill and Melanie Griffith. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stuart Townsend, Gabriel Byrne, (more)
- 2003
A revival of the 1970s disco-competition series of the same name, the 2003 edition of Dance Fever was, like its predecessor, executive-produced by Merv Griffin. As before, a panel of celebrities judged the best amateur dancers (individuals or two-person teams), with the winners earning a huge prize. Adding a reality-series twist worthy of American Idol and its ilk, the new version opened with a two-hour episode featuring highlights of the national auditions which yielded the 48 finalists. These worthies competed in the fields of ballroom dancing, hip-hop, salsa, wing, and tap through a subsequent series of elimination rounds taped in Las Vegas, with the ultimate winner(s) receiving a 100,000-dollar grand prize. This time around, the judges included rapper MC Hammer (aka Stanley Burrell), singer-actress Carmen Electra, and choreographer Jamie King. Hosted by Eric Nies, the "new" Dance Fever made its ABC Family Channel bow on July 13, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Nies
- 2002
- Add Ronald Reagan: A Legacy Remembered to QueueAdd Ronald Reagan: A Legacy Remembered to top of Queue
For this up-close-and-personal TV documentary, former CNN Washington bureau chief Frank Cesno was given unprecedented access to the memories of those people whose lives were profoundly touched by former President Ronald Reagan: family members, friends, political colleagues, advisors, fellow world leaders, employees. Bypassing Reagan's Hollywood career and controversial tenure as head of the Screen Actors Guild, the two-hour film focuses on his political career, and the events in his childhood and early adulthood that helped shape his vision and character. Impeccably unbiased, the film explores both the highs and lows of the Reagan administration, giving equal time to his adherents and detractors. Among the fascinating revelations herein are former Soviet premiere Gorbachev's affirmation that no one but Reagan could have successfully brokered the US-USSR peace summits, and the observation by son Ron Reagan that his father, though affable and outgoing, always held back "that last ten percent", refusing to allow anyone to get truly close to him. This evenly balanced film will confirm Reagan's greatness to his supporters, and reiterate the man's shortcomings to his non-supporters; even decades after the Reagan regime, there is no middle ground so far as his friends and foes are concerned. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Sesno, James Baker III, (more)
- 2001
The second of two made-for-TV biopics on the same topic (the first was Side by Side: The True Story of the Osmond Family), Inside the Osmonds was co-produced by Jimmy Osmond and Dick Clark, and as such can be regarded as reasonably accurate, if a tad on the hokey side. Matt Dorff's teleplay recounts the rise in popularity of the singing Osmond clan, from their humble beginnings in Utah onward. The act is strictly stag -- that is, it consisted largely of the Osmond Brothers -- until siblings Donny and Marie break out and matriculate to superstardom. Perhaps inevitably, the Osmond juggernaut begins to collapse under its own weight, due to dissension, jealousy, and the questionable financial escapade of the singers' father, George (played by Bruce McGill). The story ends in a tune-filled concert re-creation, featuring the real-life Osmonds (or as many as could be assembled herein). Standouts in the cast are Thomas Dekker and Patrick Levis as the younger and older Donny Osmond, Janaya Stephens as Marie, and Veronica Cartwright as the siblings' mother, Olive; there are also adequate Hollywood casting-service approximations of musician/politician Mike Curb and the Osmonds' longtime TV director Jack Regas. The abruptness of the continuity suggests that the film was originally much longer than its present two hours. Largely filmed in Toronto, Inside the Osmonds made its ABC network debut on February 5, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce McGill, Veronica Cartwright, (more)
- 2000
Filmed on location in Cannes and Vancouver, this made-for-cable comedy/mystery spotlights Third Rock From the Sun's French Stewart as Nathan Booth, former star of a TV cop series. Arriving at the titular film festival for the premiere of his latest picture, Nathan instead finds himself the principal suspect in a perplexing murder case. Much to the dismay of the local constabulary, Nathan takes it upon himself to investigate the case, using the "vast expertise" of his old scriptwriters as his guide. Taking innumerable satiric potshots at vain actors, mercenary producers, sharkish publicists, and self-enamored European movie critics, the film manages to get most of the laughs that it aims for, though the mystery angle is sometimes lost in the excitement. Produced by Merv Griffin (who also appears more or less as "himself"), Murder at the Cannes Film Festival debuted December 17, 2000 over the E! Entertainment cable service. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- French Stewart
- 1993
- R
Find out how celebrity parties and dinners differ from those attended by most people. Hosts Bernard Erpicum of Spago and Paula McClure introduce the viewer to such basics as the Elegant Winter Meal, the Festive Holiday Dinner and the Afternoon or Evening Get-Together Meal. Tasty recipes for such culinary treats as Rack of Lamb with White Wine Sauce and Glazed Turkey with Rice and Nut Stuffing are shared. A variety of other tips are provided by such celebrities as Rod Steiger, Jon Voight, Dudley Moore and Ed Begley, Jr. Viewers are even shown the proper way to carve a turkey and which dinnerware and wine glasses should be used for various occasions. There's even a special tip on what type of lighting is best for different meals. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
This 1982 made-for-TV version of the Lewis Carroll classic Alice in Wonderland features an all-star cast. Such celebrities as Donald O'Connor, Maureen Stapleton and Eve Arden struggle to perform while buried under mounds of makeup and tons of eccentric costuming as Carroll's alternate-world loonies. Alice in Wonderland was first telecast Oct 3, 1983, on PBS' Great Performances. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Lewis, Madeline Kahn, (more)
- 1982
Some potent comic talent lends credibility to the Canadian Funny Farm. Michael Chapin stars as Mark, a would-be stand-up comedian. Mark leaves his Midwestern hometown behind to try his luck at the California comedy club managed by Gail (Eileen Brennan, doing a superb takeoff of real-life Comedy Store maven Mitzi Shore). Jack Carter and Howie Mandell are among the many funsters who parade past the screen in this uneven but amusing low-budgeter. Funny Farm should not be confused with the 1988 Chevy Chase vehicle of the same name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Miles Chapin, Tracey E. Bregman, (more)
Two women find their friendship tested when one rises from obscurity to success in this glossy remake of Old Acquaintance. Liz Hamilton (Jacqueline Bisset) and Merry Noel (Candice Bergen) are close friends who met while they were freshmen at Smith College in the 1950s. Liz has become a highly respected novelist, while Merry wed Doug Blake (David Selby) and raised a family. While Merry is happy, she can't help but envy Liz for her glamorous career as an author. Merry decides to write a novel of her own, and with Liz's help, the book soon finds a publisher. While Merry's trashy potboiler earns few positive reviews, it's a massive best-seller, and Merry's fame and wealth soon outstrips that of Liz, leading to jealousy between the old friends and problems in Merry's marriage. Rich and Famous was the final picture directed by Hollywood legend George Cukor; the guest list at the party sequences include such literary and cinematic notables as Christopher Isherwood, Ray Bradbury, Paul Morrissey, and Roger Vadim. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jacqueline Bisset, Candice Bergen, (more)
- 1980
- R
The struggle of a has-been singer to work his way back up the charts is the focus of this drama by Robert M. Young with screenplay and music by Paul Simon. Simon plays Jonah, a once-popular singer who now opens for punk rock bands. In the ten years since he had a hit song, Jonah's wife has divorced him, but he still sees his young son as often as he can. With his record company on his back to come up with something that sells, Jonah begins to compromise his own talent when he listens to the advice of a trendy producer. Whether or not he can straighten out his personal life and steer his own ship may depend on his ability to trust his own judgment and adjust to the changing times. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Simon, Blair Brown, (more)
- 1979
- R
Alan Alda wrote and starred in this tale about a big-time politician's struggles with his own morality and the corruption he finds surrounding him. He plays a U.S. Senator, Joe Tynan, who falls for a lovely lady attorney and has an affair that jeopardizes his marriage, and possibly, his career. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Alda, Barbara Harris, (more)
Larry Peerce directed this tired disaster movie about a mad sniper loose in a football stadium. At the beginning, the sniper picks off a cyclist for practice and then takes roost in the top tower of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Sent in to stop the terror is Captain Peter Holly (Charlton Heston), who wants to get his hands on the sniper without endangering the lives of the people in the stadium. Unfortunately, there is a second group of law enforcement officers, a tactical commando group, who want to go into the stadium and rush the sniper -- regardless of the danger such an action would cause to the crowd watching the game. The sniper plans to start blasting at the two-minute warning signal of the football game. Holly has to find the sniper before the two-minute warning is given -- not merely to prevent the killings threatened by the sniper but to head off the tactical force before any other unnecessary deaths are incurred by the force's bulldog techniques. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, John Cassavetes, (more)
- 1975
In this opening episode of Sanford and Son's fifth season, a team of Russian scientists announce that a seismic fault runs smack in the middle of the Sanfords' house. A series of small earthquakes subsequently sets Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx) a-tremble in more ways than one. Certain he will meet his doom in the inevitable "Big One," Fred packs his bags and heads off to Las Vegas -- where, of course, he runs smack-dab into an aggregation of celebrities. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, (more)
When irascible boss T.R. Hollister (Jim Backus) threatens to pull the plug on an underwater environmental living project, employee Fred Miller (Tony Randall) and his wife, Vivian (Janet Leigh), take their family down in the deep to live for 30 days. With all the modern conveniences of a home on land, the family even invites a rock & roll band to get down and record. Merv Griffin (himself) arranges an underwater interview for his television show while Mel Cheever (Ken Berry) schemes to get Fred's job back on dry land. Two of the Miller kids, Lorrie (Kay Cole) and Tommy (Gary Tigerman), join three others (Richard Dreyfuss, Roddy McDowall, and Lou Wagner) in the rock band. Friendly dolphins fend of shark attacks as the land sharks try to scuttle the underwater project in this family film. Music is provided by Jeff Barry. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Randall, Janet Leigh, (more)
- 1955
This video features a collection of game-show episodes dating from the '50s, including "The Price Is Right," "Do You Trust Your Wife," and "Play Your Hunch." The video even includes the original commercials. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1954
Warner Bros.' followup to its 3D hit House of Wax, Phantom of the Rue Morgue bears only the slightest resemblance to its alleged inspiration, the Edgar Allan Poe mystery yarn Murders in the Rue Morgue. Karl Malden delivers one of the hammiest performances on record as mad scientist Dr. Marais, who uses a trained gorilla to exact revenge on those who've wronged him. At the top of Marais' hit list are the many beautiful women who've spurned his advances, including such French pastries as Yvonne (Allyn McLerie), Arlette (Veola Vonn) and Camille (Dolores Dorn). Each of these unfortunate ladies have been given bracelets decorated with bells, designed to attract the homicidal ape's attention. Psychology professor Paul Dupin (Steve Forrest) conducts a private investigation of the killings, only to be arrested for the murders himself by the supremely confident (and rather dense) Inspector Bonnard (Claude Dauphin). This leaves Dupin's sweetheart Jeanette (Patricia Medina) virtually defenseless when she is targetted for extermination by Doc Marais. Outside of such incidental pleasures as seeing Merv Griffin play a French medical student, Phantom of the Rue Morgue offers a vast array of unsubtle 3D "shock" effects, which come off as hilarious when the film is shown "flat" (as it always is these days). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Karl Malden, Claude Dauphin, (more)
- 1954
Reminiscent of Destry Rides Again, this feature is about peaceable young lawyer Tom Brewster (Will Rogers Jr.), who sets up shop in a rowdy western town. Though perfectly able to wield a six-gun, Brewster refuses to use brawn when brain will do. He is galvanized into action when his old pal Wallace Ford is murdered by the villains. Brewster cleans up the town and wins the heroine (Nancy Olsen) in the bargain. One of two Will Rogers Jr. vehicles produced at Warner Bros. (the other was the life story of Rogers' famous father), The Boy From Oklahoma served as the basis for Warners' later TV series, Sugarfoot. Watch for a supporting appearance by a young and callow Merv Griffin! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Will Rogers, Jr., Nancy Olson, (more)
