Sherman Hemsley Movies
Sherman Hemsley is best remembered for playing George Jefferson, the lovably pompous, little loud-mouth who made a fortune from his dry cleaning business and moved from Queens to a posh Manhattan high rise in The Jeffersons, a popular sitcom that ran ten years on the CBS network. Before becoming an actor in the late '60s, Hemsley worked for the U.S. Post Office. He started out on the New York stage where his first break came from playing Gitlow in the Broadway musical Purlie (1970). Television producer Norman Lear was impressed by Hemsley's performance and so created George Jefferson for him. Originally designed as an African-American alter ego/foil to his blustery, bigoted Archie Bunker character on the smash hit All in the Family, Hemsley's George became so popular that he and his family were given their own series in 1975.Following the series' demise, Hemsley played an egotistical, loud-mouthed deacon/lawyer at the First Community Church of Philadelphia who tried to keep the new minister, Reverend Gregory, from taking over what he viewed as his personal domain, on Amen. The series broke ground by being the first hit sitcom centered on religion and ran from 1986 to 1991. In between his series work, Hemsley occasionally played supporting roles in feature films after making his debut playing Rev. Mike in the comedy Love at First Bite (1979). Most of his subsequent films have been low-budget affairs such as Stewardess School and Club Fed. While Hemsley continues to appear frequently on television as a guest star and has even starred in such failed series as Townsend Television (1993) and Goode Behavior (1996-1997), he has yet to recapture the success he had during the '70s and '80s. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
A small town bands together to save the life of a heroic dog named Semper Fi while dealing with such common issues as unruly teens and precocious youngsters in this affectionate story about man's best friend. Semper Fi is a golden retriever that has recently received a grim diagnosis by the vet. Now, in order to live, the ailing pooch will need to receive some expensive surgery. Nevertheless, the kids in this family aren't willing to let their furry pal die without a fight, and before long the fifteen year-old daughter begins planning a massive, community wide yard sale to fund the operation. As the holidays draw near and even the grumpy neighbor proves to be a valuable friend, a sudden emergency finds this faithful companion willing to give up his life for the sake of his loving masters. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Phil Vassar, (more)
- 2005
Once again, the Griffin household is invaded by Peter's crabby father Francis, an old-line Catholic who hates anyone who doesn't adhere to his own peculiar set of religious values. In his efforts to re-convert the family, Francis causes little Stewie to become a "bubble boy." As a result, rebellious Peter attempts to establish his own religion, with "The Fonz" from Happy Days as his new Deity. Without revealing any more, please note that the episode's star-studded voice cast includes Marion Ross and Tom Bosley--and before we forget, Gary Cole is back as obstreperous boss-man Bill Lumbergh, the character he'd played in the movie Office Space (Shucks! There's no space left to mention Jaws: Fire Island). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, the screenwriting team who penned Ed Wood, The People vs. Larry Flynt, and Man on the Moon, made their debut as directors with this broad comedy. Norm MacDonald stars as a chauffeur who decides to get revenge on his wealthy boss by kidnapping her dog. Produced under the titles Pittsburgh, Ballbusted, and Foolproof, Screwed also stars Danny De Vito, Dave Chappelle, Sherman Helmsley, Elaine Stritch, and Sarah Silverman. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Norm MacDonald, Dave Chappelle, (more)
- 2000
Like most teenagers, 14-year-old Scott Marshall (Michael J. Pagan) feels like a misfit "freak" within his own family. In this instance, however, circumstances are a bit different. Practically every member of the Marshall family possesses super-powers and leads a double life as a costumed hero. His dad, Jim (Robert Townsend, who also directed this film), is an orthodontist by day and the crime-busting Bronze Eagle by night. Even Grandpa Marshall (Sherman Hemsley), now in retirement, can recall the good old days when he battled the forces of evil as the Steel Condor. Alas, poor Scott possesses none of his parents' or his siblings' special powers -- in fact, he's so clumsy that he is in danger of being washed out of his school's soccer team. But Scott eventually proves that there's more to heroics than mere muscle power when he's called upon to rescue his family from a gang of techno-villains. Up, Up and Away made its Disney Channel cable TV bow on January 22, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael J. Pagan, Robert Townsend, (more)
- 1996
In the conclusion of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's series finale, Will (Will Smith) may not have anyplace to stay in Bel-Air when the Banks mansion is put up for sale and the rest of the household leaves town to pursue their separate dreams. "Stuck on the soft side of life", Will hasn't made any plans for the future--and now that the time has come to say goodbye, he can't. Among the prospective buyers of the Banks home are Diff'rent Strokes regulars Arnold (Gary Coleman) and Mr. Drummond (Conrad Bain, and George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford), with maid Florence (Marla Gibbs) along for the ride! Don't miss the classic "turning off the lights one last time" closing gag! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
When Will (Will Smith) and Lisa (Nia Long) announce their engagement, Philip (James Avery) offers to pay for their honeymoon--provided that the couple see a relationship counselor before taking any further action. Just as Philip expects, both Will and Lisa discover that they are polar opposites in many respects, forcing them to seriously reconsider their wedding plans. At the same time, they must also put up with another couple that has shown up in the counselor's office--the eternally squabbling George and Louise Jefferson, played (as ever!) by Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford). Elsewhere, Hilary (Karyn Parsons) tries to hire Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell) away from her family. This is the first of three consecutive episodes in which series regulars Daphne Maxwell Reid (Vivian) and Ross Bagley (Nicky) do not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "The Golden Child" and "The Last Temptation of Ethyl." ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
A has-been wrestler (Hulk Hogan) spends most of his time fishing, but decides to become a bodyguard to make some money. He is hired by a rich professor (Austin Pendleton) to supervise his children, but the wrestler finds that the kids are more than he bargained for. An evil scientist (David Johansen, aka Buster Poindexter) decides to kidnap the professor's children as a blackmail scheme to gain control of a microchip capable of taking over the world. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hulk Hogan, Sherman Hemsley, (more)
- 1992
Originally seen on Saturday instead of the series' usual Monday-night slot, this episode launches a new story arc in which Philip (James Avery) does his best to unseat elderly Judge Carl Robertson (Sherman Hemsley). Even though Philip essentially owes the Judge his career, it is becoming painfully obvious that Robertson is senile--sometimes hilariously so, other times dangerously so. Meanwhile, the plot proper focuses on Will, who becomes the willing "love slave" of a plain but very wealthy girl named Lindsey (Michole White) who showers him with expensive gifts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
The political campaign between Philip (James Avery) and Judge Robertson (Sherman Hemsley) begins in earnest--deadly earnest, as it turns out. Will (Will Smith) seriously jeopardizes his uncle's chances when he is hauled into jail to account for $2000 worth of unpaid parking tickets. Though he may be senile, Judge Robertson isn't stupid, and he intends to exploit Will's "indiscretion" to the fullest in public! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "High Noon" and "Endangered Species." ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "Don't Cross the Boss" and "Wesayso Knows Best." ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1992
It's election night, and incumbent Judge Robertson (Sherman Hemsley) handily defeats opponent Philip Banks (James Avery). This comes about because of the outrageous pack of lies told by Robertson against Philip in the course of the campaign. An angry Will (Will Smith) shows up at Robertson's victory rally and tells him to "drop dead"--whereupon the senile old judge instantly does so! The rest of the episode deals with a guilt-stricken Will and a not-so-unhappy Philip, who ironically is called upon to deliver Robertson's eulogy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series. "Mighty Megalosaurus" finds a new member in the family, while "Hurling Day" concerns a frustrating mother-in-law. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "The Howling" and "The Mating Dance." ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "Power Erupts" and "A New Leaf." ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "When Food Goes Bad" and "Fran Live." ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
Familiar faces from television sitcoms abound in this kids-at-camp TV-movie. John Ratzenberger stars as Colonel Marv Schector, a former accountant who fulfills his life-long dream to run a summer camp. Typical teen shenanigans soon get underway, in the vein of 1985's Poison Ivy. G. Gordon Liddy makes an unusual comedic appearance in a subplot about the mistaken identity of a camp inspector. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- PG
In this slapstick horror comedy, two goofy African-American cops are sent to a rundown, lonely Southern plantation to evict the residents so the mansion can be razed and a freeway erected in its stead. Unfortunately, the "residents" are all ghosts, who have been there since the Civil War, and they are not about to leave. When the film was distributed, director Lee Madden billed himself on the credits as Alan Smithee, the approved pseudonym of the Directors Guild of America that has been used since 1967 by directors not wanting to give their real names on certain films. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Luis Avalos, (more)
- 1986
In this youthful film, to juvenile delinquents must spend a year in a military academy. They immediately begin driving their superior officers crazy. The film is also titled Combat Academy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Culp, Keith Gordon, (more)
- 1986
- R
Columbia Pictures spent as estimated $8 million dollars on this laughless sex comedy that crashes and burns before ever leaving the ground. Two bumbling boneheads who are kicked out of flying school decide to remain airborne by becoming stewardesses. Bathroom humor, sight gags, and the prerequisite nudity are the lowlights of this forgettable film. The only interest is the appearance of former Playboy bunny Yuliis Ruval. This dog makes Porky's seem like Shakespeare. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brett Cullen, Mary Cadorette, (more)
- 1985
The Jeffersonsmoved from its familiar Sunday-night time slot to a new Tuesday evening berth with this star-studded episode, which takes place in Atlantic City. Hoping to raise enough money to attend her godson's graduation, Florence (Marla Gibbs) heads straight to the gambling tables. Meanwhile, Florence's employer Louise (Isabel Sanford) scours the resort city in search of celebrities -- but when they begin to show up, she fails to recognize them (even Charo). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
