Robert Guillaume Movies
The product of a tough, impoverished upbringing, African American actor Robert Guillaume fought his way out of the St. Louis slums by virtue of talent, persistence and an unwillingness to bow down to anyone. After military service and college, Guillaume held down short-term jobs ranging from cook to streetcar conductor, all the while training his voice for potential musical comedy work--training that paid off with his first Broadway show, 1961's Kwamina. Among his many stage credits were the musical versions of Golden Boy (with Sammy Davis Jr.) and Purlie Victorious, and the long-running review Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. When New York stage work was scarce, Guillaume created his own opportunities by giving one-man concerts. After guesting in several of the black-oriented TV sitcoms of the 1970s, Guillaume was cast in 1977 as the imperious, outspoken family retainer Benson in the daytime-drama parody Soap (the actor would be first to admit that many of Benson's more contentious traits sprang from Guillaume's own prickly personality). The role won Guillaume a 1978 Emmy as "Outstanding Supporting Actor." In 1979, Guillaume carried over his Soap role into his own starring series, Benson, which ran until 1986 and which won Guillaume another Emmy, this time as "Outstanding Lead Actor." Robert Guillaume also headlined the appropriately titled 1989 series The Robert Guillaume Show, wherein for approximately five months he starred as divorced marriage counselor Edward Sawyer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1995
Happily Ever After introduces this ethnically diverse version of a classic tale. When Hanselito and Gretelita become lost in a tropical wilderness, they pool their wits to find shelter. When it turns out the house made of candy is home to a witch, the two manage to escape by working together. The Hispanic characters guarantee a worldwide audience for this oft-told tale. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Only HBO would have thought of staging the story of Rapunzel in New Orleans. The classic story is brought back to life with a Cajun/African-American twist. Also adding new zest to this animated gem are the voices of Whoopi Goldberg, Tisha Campbell, and Meshach Taylor. In this updated version, Rapunzel is captured by the evil diva Zenobia to become her apprentice diva. Never fear -- the story does end happily as Rapunzel is rescued by a brave prince. This updated fairly tale would have the Brothers Grimm wondering "why didn't we think of that?" ~ Amy Lewis, All Movie Guide
- 1995
HBO updates another classic tale in their Happily Ever After Fairy Tales for Every Child series. This time, the story of The Emperor's New Clothes is refreshed and brought back to life. The emperor is tricked by weavers to spend the village's money on a non-existent "fabric of dreams." The parable ends with a lesson in favoring honesty over vanity. Robert Guillaume narrates. ~ Amy Lewis, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Robert Guillaume of Benson fame guests as Pete Fletcher, a fast-talking car dealer who hires Will (Will Smith) on an impulse. Will proves so adept at his new job that Fletcher tries to talk him into quitting college so he can work for the dealership full-time. When word of this reaches Will's mom Vy (Vernee Watson-Johnson), she embarks upon a terrifying campaign of Righteous Anger--and no one, but no one is spared her wrath! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
One of the most popular Disney animated musicals, The Lion King presents the story of a lion cub's journey to adulthood and acceptance of his royal destiny. Simba (voiced first by Jonathan Taylor Thomas, then by Matthew Broderick) begins life as an honored prince, son of the powerful King Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones). The cub's happy childhood turns tragic when his evil uncle Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons) murders Mufasa and drives Simba away from the kingdom. In exile, the young lion befriends the comically bumbling pair of Pumbaa the warthog (voiced by Ernie Sabella) and Timon the meerkat (voiced by Nathan Lane) and lives a carefree jungle life. As he approaches adulthood, however, he is visited by the spirit of his father, who instructs him to defeat the nefarious Scar and reclaim his rightful throne. Borrowing elements from Hamlet, classical mythology, and African folk tales, The Lion King tells its mythic coming-of-age tale with a combination of spectacular visuals and lively music, featuring light, rhythmic songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, and a score by Hans Zimmer. Embraced by children and adults alike, the film also spawned hit songs ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight", "Circle of Life") and a hit Broadway musical. In late 2002, The Lion King was re-released in the large-screen IMAX format. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, (more)
- 1994
Soap, a late-'70s sitcom, ruthlessly imitates the overdramatic vices of daytime drama by creating absurd twists in plot and breaking the logic-enforced rules of dramatic writing only previously skirted by the very soap operas it parodies. Featuring famous comedic performers like Billy Crystal, Richard Mulligan, and Robert Guillaume, the program found popularity with empathetic fellow soap critics, but controversial publicity before the show's debut thwarted potential for high success. In "Jessica's Wonderful Life," excerpts from celebrated Soap moments are incorporated into the tale of Jessica's life, as she reflects on it with Bea Arthur's character, who serves as heaven's gatekeeper. The chaotic development of events proves that there is still much tumult for Jessica to deal with on Earth, and thus the end of her life is reconsidered. ~ Sarah Sloboda, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This episode in the Reading Rainbow series explores the world of shadows. The featured book, My Shadow, inspires the crew to look at how shadows can affect work and play. A guest on the show, Andrea Davis, explains how people in the arts, especially photographers like her, are very aware of the role of light and shade in their imagery. Host LeVar Burton also takes a look at shadow puppets, with the help of a guest puppet master. Among the other books reviewed by the young critics are Shadows and Reflections, Shadow Graphs, and I Have a Friend. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LeVar Burton
- 1994
This collection of highlights from the satiric sitcom Soap follows the strange life and far stranger death of tennis pro and Lothario Peter Campbell (Robert Urich). Jessica Tate (Katherine Helmond), who was having an affair with Peter, is arrested after he's murdered, and she and her brother-in-law, Burt Campbell (Richard Mulligan), who was also Peter's stepfather, try to figure out who really was to blame. Perhaps Corrine (Diana Canova), Jessica's daughter and rival for Peter's affections? Chester (Robert Mandan), Jessica's cuckolded husband? Danny (Ted Wass), Burt's son who's become an executioner for the mob? Jodie (Billy Crystal), Danny's cross-dressing brother who is nursing a broken heart? Chuck (Jay Johnson), the deranged ventriloquist? Or maybe it was the butler, Benson (Robert Guillaume)? Before long, the investigation into Peter's death takes a back seat to the comic complexities of the tangled emotional affairs of the Tate and Campbell families. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1994
An updated version of a classic gem. Little Red Riding Hood, or "Little Red Happy Coat," is a young girl on her way to deliver a snack to her grandmother's house. On her trip through the wood, she encounters a wolf who wants Little Red Riding Hood to be the snack. In addition to a new cultural twist, HBO also includes the voices of major and unexpected celebrities in this series. ~ Amy Lewis, All Movie Guide
Robert Townsend's superhero action comedy underwent much tinkering during post-production, employing four editors to whip the film into shape. Townsend wrote, directed, and produced this urban fable and also stars as Jefferson Reed, a meek substitute teacher in an inner-city neighborhood dominated by a gang of leather-jacketed, peroxided blonde goons who call themselves the Golden Lords. The residents of the neighborhood feel they can do nothing about the gang. But then a meteor hits Jefferson, who finds that he can fly, has super-strength, and can retain all the information in a book in thirty seconds. As a result, Jefferson, who normally is afraid of heights and runs from danger, becomes a reluctant superhero. The word about the "Meteor Man" gets back to the Golden Lords, who intend to rid the neighborhood of this milquetoast crime-fighter. The Meteor Man contains a cornucopia of cameos appearances, including Bill Cosby, Luther Vandross, Sinbad, Big Daddy Kane and Nancy Wilson. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Townsend, Marla Gibbs, (more)
A highly principled African-American independent filmmaker hides his early profession because his films never became popular. This Wonderworks drama chronicles what happens when the former filmmaker's niece finds his old films in a trunk and then begins researching her uncle's contributions. She then helps teach him to become proud of his refusal to make films that exploited his actors. The girl also learns the value of working on a team. The video comes with a handy viewer's guide to promote discussion after the film. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1992
When Freddie (Cree Summer) goes camping with Shazza (Gary Dourdan), Ron (Darryl M. Bell) tries to renew his relationship with Kim (Charnele Brown)--who at the moment is having problems in her anatomy class. Unable to participate in a dissection without becoming nauseous, Kim turns to her lab partner Spencer Boyer (Michael Ralph in his first regular series appearance) to boost her confidence. Alas, though Kim seems to have solved her classroom problem, her romantic life is still in shambles. Meanwhile, Charmaine (Karen Malina White) is the latest in a long line of series regulars to find employment at The Pit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
As Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) prepares to make his valedictory speech at Hillman's graduation ceremony, he must also cope with the likelihood that Whitley (Jasmine Guy) will be leaving him to accept a job in New York. Meanwhile, Ron tries to keep his dad from finding out that he isn't eligible to graduate by purchasing a cap and gown and going through the motions of attending the ceremony--a clever ruse that works for, oh, approximately one whole day. This "cliffhanger" episode brings the fourth season of A Different World to a close. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
His friends organize a farewell roast for Walter (Sinbad), who announces that he is leaving Hillman to accept a job in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Ron (Darryl M. Bell) learns to his horror that he is ineligible to graduate because he has skipped a required history course. Sinbad makes his final series appearance in this episode, which includes highlights from the second-season offerings "I've Got the Muse in Me" and "Breaking Up is Hard to Do". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Canadian Mountie Louis Burke (Jean-Claude Van Damme) is assigned to a bizarre case where prison inmates are being murdered. Sent to the jail to investigate while undercover as a prisoner, Burke is hot on the trail until one of his former busts, the Sandman (Patrick Kilpatrick), is transferred to the same prison. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Claude Van Damme, Robert Guillaume, (more)
- 1989
A wealthy woman (Robin Givens) is stalked by her ex-boyfriend, who escaped from an asylum. He traps her in her penthouse. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1989
The terrible crash of Delta Airlines Flight 191 provides the basis of this made-for-TV drama-in-real life. The disaster occurred at Dallas in 1985 and during that fateful night many of the ordinary passengers, crew, and rescue workers became true heroes as they worked together to save lives. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Haid, Angie Dickinson, (more)
After earning rave notices for powerful supporting turns as a pimp in Street Smart (1987) and an alcohol abuse counselor in Clean and Sober (1988), actor Morgan Freeman began his ascent to stardom with this, his first lead role in a major motion picture. Freeman is real-life high school principal Joe Clark, a tough, harsh educator and administrator who in 1987 is given a nearly impossible task by his old friend, school superintendent Dr. Frank Napier (Robert Guillaume). Clark is asked to reform inner city Eastside High School in Paterson, NJ, a hotbed of delinquent kids and drug dealers. Considered the worst school in New Jersey, the state is threatening to take control of Eastside away from the local school board. If Clark can straighten out Eastside in time to get the school's basic-skills test scores up, he can have the job permanently. Although Clark's tyrannical approach and hard-line policies alienate many members of the staff and the community, his uncompromising campaign gets results and even makes him famous, much to the chagrin of his powerful enemies. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Morgan Freeman, Robert Guillaume, (more)
- 1987
The last of the four Perry Mason movies telecast in 1987, The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel rounds up veterans Raymond Burr (as Mason) and Barbara Hale (as Della Street), with comparative newcomers William Katt (as Paul Drake Jr.) and David Ogden Stiers (as the "Hamilton Burger"-style prosecutor). The accused murderer in this outing is Susan Wilder, a reporter for a sleazy tabloid. The victim is the rag's hateful publisher, Robert Guillaume. Other suspects include Guillaume's ex-lover, and a banker who was ruined by the tabloid's half truths. Unlike most of the Perry Mason TV movies of the 1980s, The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel doesn't play fair with the audience; vital clues and character motivations are withheld from the viewer, robbing us of the pleasure of trying to second-guess the methodical Mr. Mason. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
- PG
In a sequel to They Call Me Bruce (1982), Johnny Yune plays Korean Bruce Won who, while searching for an American GI who previously saved his life, ends up taking a ten-year-old orphan under his wing. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Yune, David Mendenhall, (more)
Nick Randall (Rutger Hauer) is a modern-day bounty hunter who goes after notorious terrorist Malak Al Rahim (Gene Simmons) in this action feature. Nick is called on after Malak disrupts Los Angeles with a series of fatal bombings. William Russ plays Nick's friend and retired LAPD lieutenant Danny Quintz, with Robert Guillaume as CIA agent and former partner Philmore Walker. Nick tries to avoid being one of many caught in Malak's murderous bloodbath. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rutger Hauer, Gene Simmons, (more)
- 1985
The expensively mounted miniseries North and South was originally telecast in six two-hour installments between November 3 and 10, 1985. Four screenwriters--Douglas Heyes, Paul F. Edwards, Kathleen A. Shelley, Patricia Green--were called upon to fashion a workable script from John Jakes' sprawling best-seller. The story covers the two decades prior to the Civil War, beginning in 1842. Real-life historical events are filtered through the eyes of two rival clans: the Mains, a South Carolina plantation-owning family, and the Hazards, a family of Pennsylvania industrialists. While top billing goes to Kirstie Alley as "Northern Belle" Virgilia Hazard, most of the footage is devoted to the fluctuating friendship between Orry Main (Patrick Swayze) and George Hazard (James Read). The huge guest-star cast includes Gene Kelly (in his TV miniseries debut), Elizabeth Taylor, Leslie-Anne Down, David Carradine, Robert Mitchum, Jean Simmons, Hal Holbrook (as Abe Lincoln) and Johnny Cash (as abolitionist John Brown). The recipient of seven Emmy nominations, the 561-minute North and South was filmed back to back with its equally lengthy sequel, North and South, Book II. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirstie Alley
