Sam Denoff Movies
This teen comedy from Disney is based on a popular novel by Meg Cabot and directed by Garry Marshall. Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is a teenage klutz who's openly mocked by the popular Lana Thomas (pop singer Mandy Moore). In fact, Mia's only friend at her exclusive prep school is the socially outcast Lilly (Heather Matarazzo). Mia's life takes a dramatic turn, however, when her mom announces that her late biological father was in actuality the crown prince of a small European nation, Genovia. Now Mia is the sole heir to the throne, and her grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews) wants to tutor the awkward teen in royal behavior. It's a daunting task given Mia's lax table manners, poise, and hair care, but the girl perseveres with some makeover help from her grandmother's security chief Hector Elizondo) and a style expert (Larry Miller). In the meantime, Mia's romantic affections are torn between the handsome, popular Josh (Erik Von Detten) and the more appropriate Michael (Robert Schwartzman), who also happens to be Lilly's brother. The Princess Diaries is the second film from Whitney Houston's production shingle after the television version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, (more)
- 1983
Two giants of American TV comedy--Dick Van Dyke and Sid Caesar--were teamed for the first (and thus far last) time in Found Money. Forced into early retirement, bank executive Max Shepherd (Van Dyke) befriends bank guard Sam Green (Caesar) who likewise has been given the sack. Since both men have been cheated of their pensions, Max and Sam plot an intricate revenge. They will use their combined "inside" know-how to rob the bank, then cleanse themselves of perfidy by redistributing the wealth to the needy. Originally telecast December 19, 1983, Found Money was directed by former Dick Van Dyke contributor Bill Persky; it was co-written by actor Richard Sanders, of WKRP in Cincinnati fame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
In this comedy, a divorced hacker tries to make his son proud by setting the world's record for non-stop roller-skating. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In keeping with producer Carl Reiner's edict, "Always leave 'em laughing," the final episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show (though not the final one to be shown) is one of the series' funniest outings. Assigned to write a cowboy sketch for his boss Alan Brady, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) dreams up an elaborate "High Noon" Western-spoof casting himself as a sheriff slated for a showdown with notorious outlaw "Big Bad" Brady (Reiner, of course). The show's entire cast joins in on the dream sequence, with Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) performing a spirited (and interminably repeated) rendition of "I Don't Care," Buddy (Morey Amsterdam) showing up as Rob's deputy, Sally (Rose Marie) appearing as the local saloon gal, and Richard Deacon, Jerry Paris, Larry Mathews, and Ann Morgan Guilbert likewise cavorting about in Old West costumes. The script contains more classic gags and one-liners than one can shake a stick at, and as the bonus, includes the only Dick Van Dyke Show sequence to be filmed out-of-doors." The Gunslinger" is everything a great series finale should be...even if it wasn't telecast as the series finale! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Reiner, Richard Deacon, (more)
- 1966
After five long years, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) finally finishes his autobiography. As he prepares to submit the masterpiece to a publisher, the series' cast revels in selected chapters -- thereby cuing lengthy excerpts from such past Dick Van Dyke Show episodes as "Where Did I Come From?," "The Attempted Marriage," and the unforgettable "That's My Boy??." This final episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show (but not the final one filmed) comes full circle when Alan Brady (Carl Reiner) options Rob's book as a possible TV situation comedy! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Reiner, Richard Deacon, (more)
- 1965
In one of the series' best-ever episodes, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) is the victim of a practical joke perpetrated by Buddy (Morey Amsterdam) and his prankster pal Phil Franklin (Lennie Weinrib). At first delighted by the notion of ribbing Rob, Buddy is suddenly seized with paranoia as he wonders what sort of revenge Rob has planned for him. With a sharkish smile, Rob insists that he isn't going to do a thing to get even -- but then, Buddy is visited by a suspicious-looking IRS agent with the unlikely name of William Handlebuck (Alvy Moore). For full enjoyment of this episode, you must put it in a paper bag, wave it around your head, and scream like a chicken! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Rob (Dick Van Dyke) thinks he's been ripped off when Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) purchases four costly "eider down" pillows from a guy named Lawrence Wiley (Alvy Moore). Our hero's suspicions are confirmed when he concludes that the pillows are actually stuffed with cheap chicken feathers. When Wiley refuses to refund his money, Rob takes the matter to court, acting as his own lawyer and generally proving the old "fool for a client" adage in front of surly Judge Taylor (guest star Ed Begley Sr.). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In this marvelous spoof of "Beatlemania," singers Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde guest star as The Redcoats, a wildly popular British rock duo who've signed to appear on "The Alan Brady Show." Unfortunately, the Redcoats' horde of screaming teenaged fans make it impossible for the boys to rehearse -- or for that matter, to stay in a Manhattan hotel room. Producer Mel (Richard Deacon) comes up with a solution to the latter problem: The Redcoats will spend their week in the States at the home of Rob and Laura Petrie (Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore). Chad & Jeremy perform "I Don't Want No Other Baby But You" and "My, How the Time Goes By." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Rob Petrie's younger brother Stacey (played by Dick Van Dyke's real-life brother Jerry Van Dyke) is facing two major crises. First, he hopes to make a go of the dingy coffee house that he's bought to promote his singing career. And second, he must gear up for his first meeting with his "fiancée" Julie Kinkaid (Jane Wald), with whom he has been corresponding for months -- signing his letters "James Garner!" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Season five of The Dick Van Dyke Show opens with one of the series' best episodes -- and an Emmy Award-winner to boot. While in the audience of "The Johnny Patrick Show," Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) is coerced to join host Patrick (Dick Curtis) on-stage, even though she's been warned that Johnny specializes in getting his guests to make embarrassing statements. True to form, Patrick maneuvers Laura into revealing that Alan Brady (Carl Reiner), the comedian boss of her writer husband Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke), wears a toupee. The climax of this episode contains some of the funniest lines ever written for the show, beginning with Alan's melancholy farewell speech to a row of expensive hairpieces, and culminating with Laura's far-from-helpful reference to "needy bald people"! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Reiner, Richard Deacon, (more)
- 1965
Billy De Wolfe guest-stars as a zany pet beautician (yes, pet beautician) in this canine spin on "Pygmalion." When a sketch on "The Alan Brady Show" involving a huge, ugly dog is cut just before air time, the staff is stuck with the aforementioned dog -- and of course no one wants to take care of the mutt. No one, that is, except Rob (Dick Van Dyke), who in moment of reckless abandon is convinced that the dog would make a wonderful pet for Laura (Mary Tyler Moore). When this turns out not to be the case, it's time for an "extreme makeover," doggie-style. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billy De Wolfe, Richard Deacon, (more)
- 1965
During a magazine interview, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) recalls his first job interview with Alan Brady (Carl Reiner) -- which, quite frankly, he can barely remember at all. It seems that, just before the all-important interview, Rob, then a radio DJ, had participated in a stunt wherein he was obliged to broadcast nonstop for 100 hours. Naturally, this required him to go without sleep -- and by the time he presented himself to Alan Brady, Rob was, to put it mildly, a gibbering shell of his former self! This episode was originally slated to air on April 7, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Reiner, Fred Clark, (more)
- 1965
Rob (Dick Van Dyke) is startled to hear a new song named "Bupkis" being played on the radio. It seems that, back in his Army days, Rob and his pal Buzzy Potter (Robert Ball) had written the song. When he picks up a record of "Bupkis," Rob discovers that he has not been given co-writer credit -- and he intends to do something about this oversight, not to mention claiming his piece of the royalties. Future Mission: Impossible regular Greg Morris is seen as a funky musician. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Ball, Greg Morris, (more)
- 1964
In the conclusion of a two-part story, lovable convict Lyle Delp (Don Rickles) arranges for the staff of "The Alan Brady Show" to give a special performance for the men at the state penitentiary. Dressed in a convict costume for a dance routine with Laura (Mary Tyler Moore), Rob is mistaken for a genuine prisoner and locked up with a bunch of showbiz-happy inmates. The episode's musical highlights include "In Them Old Cotton Fields Back Home," "Sweet Sue," and -- delightfully appropriate to the prison setting -- "I've Got Your Number." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Lee Philips guest stars as Drew Patton, the suave, swinging bachelor publisher of the classy girlie magazine "Emperor." Impressed by Rob's writing talents, Patton offers Rob (Dick Van Dyke) a permanent gig with his magazine. Rob, of course, is delighted at the prospect, which is more than can be said for his wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore)! Listen for a neat inside joke involving a sexy female secretary named Sam (the role Mary Tyler Moore once played on the old TV series Richard Diamond, Private Detective). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee Philips, Tracy Butler, (more)
- 1964
Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) warns Rob (Dick Van Dyke) that if he plays an early-morning round of golf, he'll wear himself out and be unable to attend a party that evening for Laura's relatives. Rob pooh-poohs this notion and heads to the links -- coming home hours later with the head cold to end all head colds. Rather than admit that Laura was right, the severely congested and highly feverish Rob puts in an appearance at the party, with catastrophic results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Hitherto seen from the back only, series creator Carl Reiner makes his first full-face (and credited) appearance as Alan Brady, the boss of comedy writer Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke). Hoping to persuade Alan to appear on a cultural TV show, Rob applies a bit of reverse psychology -- and seriously jeopardizes his job in the process. Coming to the rescue (or so she thinks) is Rob's neighbor Millie (Ann Morgan Guilbert), who inaugurates a one-woman letter writing campaign to keep Alan happy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Rob (Dick Van Dyke) and Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) have always been proud of the fact that their respective parents have never been "intrusive" in-laws. All this changes when the elder Petries and the elder Meehans each buy a separate family cemetery plot -- and both Rob's and Laura's folks expect the couple to "share" their respective plots when the time comes. A huge family squabble erupts, whereupon Rob comes up with a brilliant solution (after first vetoing the notion of inventing a "longevity serum"). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- J. Pat O'Malley, Isabel Randolph, (more)
- 1964
Is Jerry Helper (Jerry Paris) -- dentist, neighbor, best friend, loyal husband, and devoted father -- having an affair? That's the conclusion arrived at by Rob (Dick Van Dyke) and Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) when they spot Jerry at a restaurant, sitting at a table with a beautiful blonde who is decidedly not his wife Millie (Ann Morgan Guilbert). Once the comic byplay wherein Rob and Laura try to avoid being spotted themselves by Jerry is over, two problems remain: how can they learn the truth about the situation, and what can they possibly say to Millie? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Paris, Ann Morgan Guilbert, (more)
- 1964
Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) is mortified when a portrait of herself, painted many years earlier as a present to Rob (Dick Van Dyke), shows up at a local art gallery. In flashback, she recalls how she posed for the painting fully clothed -- but when the masterpiece was finished, there she was on canvas, standing with arms outstretched, naked as a jaybird! Series creator Carl Reiner appears as the perpetrator of "October Eve," eccentric Russian artist Serge Carpetna. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Reiner, Ann Morgan Guilbert, (more)
- 1964
In this classic episode, Rob (Richard Deacon) becomes obsessed with the notion that he's going bald. A trip to the barber (Ned Glass) doesn't provide much comfort, though Rob does come home with a hair-restoring formula that rather resembles a salad (and smells like one too). The situation is brilliantly played to the hilt with an unforgettable "double nightmare" climax, which not only sends the audience up the garden path twice, but also manages to throw in a quickie spoof of The Amazing Colossal Man! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Ned Glass, (more)
- 1964
Broadway favorite Eddie Hodges guest stars as Roger McChesney, the teenaged babysitter for Ritchie Petrie (Larry Mathews). Unbeknownst to Ritchie's parents, Roger is hopelessly in love with Laura (Mary Tyler Moore). In their efforts to find out why Roger is so moony-eyed, Laura and Rob (Dick Van Dyke) unwittingly make things worse for the boy -- and when the truth comes out and Roger announces that he's leaving town, a guilt-ridden Rob and tries to talk him out of so rash a move. In an unexpected musical highlight, Eddie Hodges performs the old Phil Harris song hit "The Thing." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Hodges
- 1964
In the opening episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show's fifth season, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) painfully explains how he wound up in a hospital bed. It all started when, while at a local bar, Rob and Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) were accosted by an obnoxious drunk. In his efforts to protect Laura, Rob gets decked -- whereupon Laura unexpectedly uses a judo move to subdue the drunk. When word leaks out about Laura's feat of strength, Rob is understandably embarrassed, and he goes to great lengths to prove that he and he alone is the man of the family (though one look at Laura in her capri pants could have solved that mystery without any further trouble!). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Berry, Paul Gilbert, (more)
