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
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
- 1974
Dennis Patrick guest stars as Scanlon, a slick-talking bunco artist who cons Archie into buying $2000 worth of aluminum siding. By the time Archie realizes he's been hoodwinked -- or at least, by the time he finally listens to reason -- the siding is already being hammered onto the outer walls of his brick house. Will Archie be able to wrest himself free of Scanlon's "iron-clad" contract? The answer comes from an unexpected source. Written by Ron Friedman, "Archie's Contract" first aired on December 7, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
In the third episode of a four-part story arc, Archie is still out of work as union negotiations continue to go round and round in circles. Despite the Bunkers' nearly empty bank account, Archie is dead set against Edith going to work. When he finally relents, Edith lands a job with dry-cleaning king George Jefferson -- who by no stretch of the imagination could be regarded as Archie's favorite person. Written by Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, and Bernie West, "Edith the Job Hunter" first aired on September 28, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
In order to run for public office, George Jefferson must have all his neighbors sign a petition in his favor. Yes, all the neighbors -- including Archie Bunker. But what will Archie demand in return for his support of George's political aspirations? It was clear when "George and Archie Make a Deal" first aired on November 30, 1974, that Sherman Hemsley (George Jefferson) had outgrown his supporting-player status and would soon have a series of his own. This particular episode was written by David P. Harmon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1973
Archie is delighted to learn that his black neighbors, the Jeffersons, are planning to move. During a farewell party at the Bunker household, Archie finds himself deep in conversation with Henry Jefferson's contentious brother George Jefferson. Amazingly, the two men find they have a lot in common -- especially their mutual disdain for those outside their respective races. This episode came about due to Mel Stewart's departure from All in the Family to star in another sitcom, Roll Out; it also served to introduce Sherman Hemsley as George Jefferson, who would likewise eventually headline a sitcom of his own (bet you can't guess the title...). Written by Don Nicholl, "Henry's Farewell" was first broadcast on October 20, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
Lionel moves out of the Jefferson household after an argument with his parents. Normally, this domestic squabble would be of no concern to Archie Bunker, who would just as soon have all the Jeffersons move away. But Archie hadn't reckoned with Edith, who not only allows Lionel to move in with the Bunkers, but extends him every conceivable courtesy of the house. Scripted by Woody Kling from a story by Jeffrey Mackowsky, "Lionel the Live-In" originally aired on October 12, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
Lionel Jefferson's engagement party promises to be a fun occasion for everyone but Archie, who discovers that Lionel's dad, George Jefferson, does not want to invite him. Even so, Archie attends, only to get into an argument with George's indomitable mother. The episode ends with Archie and George once more finding out they have more in common than either man would wish. Zara Cully makes her first appearance as Mother Jefferson, a role she would carry over into the All in the Family spin-off The Jeffersons. Written by Michael Ross and Bernie West, "Lionel's Engagement" originally aired on February 9, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
His year-long college fellowship at an end, Mike lands a teaching job. At long last, he and Gloria are able to move out of the Bunker house and find a place of their own; in fact, Gloria has promised her parents that she and Mike will locate an apartment within the week. But if Archie thinks that he is rid of his pesky son-in-law, he's in for another disappointment. Scripted by Lou Derman and Bill Davenport from a story by Robert Arnott, "Mike Makes His Move" originally aired on March 8, 1975, as the final episode of All in the Family's fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1978
Mike is offered a lucrative teaching job in Santa Barbara, CA. Excitedly, the Stivics prepare for their big move to the West Coast. But this sudden uprooting has an unexpected effect on Mike and Gloria's relationship with Archie and Edith. Sherman Hemsley makes a "crossover" appearance as George Jefferson. Like many another eighth-season All in the Family episode, this one was written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine. "Mike's New Job" made its first network appearance on March 5, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1974
George Jefferson's contention that Archie Bunker was placed on this earth just to make trouble for him seems to be confirmed when Archie accidentally pays George with a counterfeit 20-dollar bill. Much as it pains him, Archie bends over backward to rectify his error, only to make the situation even worse. Like many another fourth-season All in the Family episode, this one was written by Michael Ross and Bernie West. "Pay the Twenty Dollars" originally aired on March 9, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1975
As indicated by its title, this episode of All in the Family served as the pilot for the spin-off series The Jeffersons. The Bunkers appear at the beginning of the episode to bid goodbye as the nouveau riche Jefferson family leave their middle-class Bronx neighborhood in favorite of a "dee-luxe" apartment on New York's fashionable East Side. Helen Willis and Franklin Cover make their first appearances as the Jeffersons' new neighbors, a "mixed" married couple named Helen and Tom Willis. Written by Lloyd Turner and Gordon Mitchell, "The Jeffersons Move Up" originally aired on January 11, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
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
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- 1992
Included are two episodes from the early-'90s live-action TV series, "High Noon" and "Endangered Species." ~ John Bush, 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
- 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
- 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
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)
- 1983
This talky avant-garde film about a pair of women looking for answers to unformulated questions is a journey through dense, non-stop verbosity partially balanced by good photography and music, a leavening sense of humor, good characterizations by Robbie Coltrane and Dominique Pinon, and a cameo appearance by French philosopher Jacques Derrida (the deconstructionist). Leonie (Leonie Mellinger) and Pascale (Pascale Ogier) travel aimlessly between London and Paris, searching for the origins of ghosts that populate their psyches: from Karl Marx to Franz Kafka, from psychoanalysis to dream analysis, and even the cinema itself, no apparition is left unturned. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pascale Ogier, Robbie Coltrane, (more)
- 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)
