Robert Klein Movies

This feature-length spin-off of the popular television horror anthology is directed by John Harrison, who directed many episodes of the television series. The film consists of four grisly and gruesome horror teasers. "The Wraparound Story" stars Deborah Harry as Betty, a chef with a kitchen complete with Cuisinart and dungeon. She plans to cook a little boy, who delays his execution by telling Betty three tales of terror. The first tale is "Lot 249," based on the mummy story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The tale concerns Bellingham (Steve Buscemi), a bug-eyed graduate student who has raised a mummy from the dead. The second tale, "Cat from Hell," adapted by George A. Romero from a Stephen King story, deals with a broken-down millionaire (William Hickey), who has made his millions by developing habit-forming painkillers. He is convinced that, since 5,000 cats have been killed in his lab experiments in order to develop his pills, a stray cat has killed his family. He hires a hit man (David Johansen) to track down the cat and rub him out. The third tale, "Lover's Vow," is based on "Woman in the Snow," one of the episodes in Kwaidan.James Remar plays an artist who strikes a deal with the devil and is rewarded with a beautiful wife (Rae Dawn Chong) and a respectful art career. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

At the recommendation of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), a young editor heads to Montana, there to organize the unpublished manuscript of the last novel written by a celebrated, recently deceased author. Unable to make heads or tails of the author's notes, the editor concocts a readable volume from his own imagination. Just as he is poised to tell the world that he, and not the late author, penned the novel, the editor is murdered--and from here on in, it's up to Jessica to solve the crime. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Lensed in New York, the independently produced Secret Space has the look of a theatrical workshop project that was expanded into a feature film. Utilizing a coming of age theme, the story concerns the events leading up to a young Jewish boy's Bar Mitzvah. Raised by secular parents, the boy would like to get in touch with his heritage. He befriends several older folks who are likewise seeking out the true meaning of Judaism. Several well-known stage and TV personalities make cameo appearances in the course of the film's 80 minutes, among them Robert Klein, Phyllis Newman and Virginia Graham; also present is Sam Schacht, veteran of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre. Curiously, Secret Space is not mentioned in the "official" credits of any of the above-mentioned performers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fans of the syndicated 1980s TV series An Evening at the Improv will get a kick out of this commemorative TV special. Budd Friedman, overseer of the Improv comedy club in Los Angeles, takes a back seat to host Robert Klein this time out. Offering their considerable talents to the occasion are such Improv habitues as Billy Crystal, Richard Lewis, Paul Rodriguez, Martin Mull and Robin Williams. This 60-minute video is unrated, but the language gets hilariously salty at times. All-Star Toast to the Improv debuted on the HBO cable service. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This 1986 effort presents comedian Robert Klein's act as presented live at Broadway's Nederlander Theater. ~ All Movie Guide

Based on the book by Virginia Burton, this is a classic story of Man vs. Machine. Mike Mulligan loves his steam shovel Mary Ann and thinks that they can dig more and faster than any man or machine. But when they are replaced by newer equipment, Mike and Mary Ann head to Popperville, where Mike offers to dig the town hall's foundation for free -- that is, if he can't finish it in one day. The townspeople gather around as Mike and Mary Ann dig faster and faster and finish just in time only to be stuck in the deep hole they created. One little boy has an ingenius idea that works for everyone. Recommeded for preschoolers. ~ Heather M. Fierst, All Movie Guide

Assembled long after John Belushi's death in 1982, The Best of John Belushi is at once hilarious and melancholy. From 1975 to 1979, Belushi was a member in excellent standing of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" on NBC's Saturday Night Live. This 60-minute video covers those amazing years, offering such highlights as "Samurai Delicatessen" and "The Honeybees." Best and most poignant of all the scenes is the elegiac "Don't Look Back in Anger". This is the one wherein an aged John Belushi strolls reflectively past the graves of all his SNL costars-then breaks into an exuberant dance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Comedian Robert Klein is taped in concert at NYU. ~ All Movie Guide

Often cited as a rip-off of such "parent-kid personality switch" films of the 1980s as Like Father, Like Son and Vice Versa, this ABC Afterschool Special actually predates those projects by several years. Summer camper Ben Andrews (Scott Schwartz) would like to be a grown-up. Ben's father, Bill Andrews (Robert Klein), a harried movie executive, yearns for the carefree days of childhood. Inevitably, Ben and Bill switch personalities, with uproarious results. Amazingly, no one seems to notice the switch, not even when 12-year-old Ben puffs away on a pipe while heading a movie conference, and middle-aged Bill totes a teddy bear all around summer camp. (One would think that the overacting of both stars would rather give the game away, but we shouldn't be seeking logic here, should we?) Summer Switch is based on a novel by Bruce Rodgers. ~ All Movie Guide

This comedy was filmed in Miami and follows the exploits of three frustrated misanthropes who try to sue the city after their car hits a pothole and ends up totaled. Unfortunately, the city has protected itself with a little loophole. When legal means fail, the three try other methods. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This videotape contains a 1978 episode of the popular sketch comedy, featuring guest host Robert Klein--who performs his uproarious routine, "I Can't Stop My Leg"--as well as an appearance by the Muppets. The musical guest is Bonnie Raitt. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide