Bernie Kuby Movies
- 1995
Nathan Lane guest stars as a man who steals Frasier's briefcase. The theft has Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) shaken to his foundations, not only because of the material loss, but because it has damaged his faith in mankind. But that's not the half of it: The thief is now going all over Seattle posing as Dr. Frasier Crane. And here's a puzzler for Frasier fans: Guess the identity of that uncredited celebrity who provides the call-in voice of Denise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Hoping to wreak vengeance against Dan Mattay (Jack Ging) , the football coach who made their lives miserable in high school, Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian (Steven Weber) cook up an elaborate and uniquely humiliating practical joke to pull on Mattay when he makes a return visit to Nantucket. Unfortunately, the boys unwittingly pull off their prank after the old guy has kicked the bucket. Without giving too much more of the plot away, let it be said that rumors of the late Mr. Mattay's "kinky" private life are spreading like wildfire after the Hackett boys have left their mark! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
The long-standing dream of trivia buff Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger) comes true when he is chosen as a contestant on the TV game show Jeopardy! Though he quickly drives host Alex Trebek and announcer Johnny Gilbert crazy, Cliff does quite well during the first round. Meanwhile, back at Cheers, someone has stolen Sam's (Ted Danson) fabled Little Black Book -- and is calling every number listed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Newly arrived in California from New Jersey, teenager Daniel (Ralph Macchio) almost immediately runs afoul of karate-trained high school bullies. He is rescued by Japanese janitor Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), who agrees to teach Daniel how to harness karate for good instead of brutality. The film culminates in a championship karate bout, pitting Daniel against his sworn enemy Johnny (William Zabka) - the cruel and thuggish boyfriend of Ali (Elisabeth Shue) with whom Daniel has fallen in love (and vice-versa). Real-life karate champ Chuck Norris was offered the role of Kreese, the sadistic coach who goads Johnny into fighting dirty, but Norris turned down the role, refusing to be shown utilizing his skills negatively on screen. Vastly popular, The Karate Kid spawned three sequels of rapidly descending merit, as well as a Saturday morning cartoon series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ralph Macchio, Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, (more)
Bad behavior turns deadly in this science-fiction drama. Jennifer (Meg Tilly) is a woman who grew up in the small town of Sutcliffe, which much of her family still calls home. One day, Sutcliffe is hit with a minor earthquake, which doesn't appear to do much damage, but a strange and disquieting turn in the city's collective behavior soon becomes apparent. Jennifer receives a phone call from her mother (Lorinne Vozoff), but while they've always had a cordial relationship, her mother loudly and hysterically berates her, and the call comes to a disturbing conclusion when her mother shoots herself. Jennifer and her husband Stuart (Tim Matheson) rush to Sutcliffe to discover that her mother is seriously injured by still alive. However, it seems as if all boundaries of civility and etiquette have broken down, as violence, crime, and rabid anger rule the usually quiet streets of Sutcliffe. It seems that the earthquake caused the town's milk supply to be contaminated by toxic waste which has an unusual psychoactive effect -- it makes it impossible for people to resist the common anti-social impulses that all people have, but most keep closely in check. Hume Cronyn plays the town's doctor; Bill Paxton, Claude Earl Jones, and Amy Stryker also appear. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Matheson, Meg Tilly, (more)
- 1979
- PG
This is a tragic tale of the slow degeneration of a cancer patient that is filled with pathos and sorrow. Buffy Koenig (Kathleen Beller) is terminally ill with cancer and for the two-hour running time, she goes through several surgical procedures, suffers all the devastating side effects of chemotherapy, and gets unrelentingly worse. Her doctor (Marsha Mason) has a certain amount of conflict herself, but that is nothing compared to the young patient's distraught parents (Ned Beatty and Susan Clark) or her grief-stricken boyfriend (Paul Clemens). ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marsha Mason, Kathleen Beller, (more)
Brian De Palma returns to the mind-blowing potential of telekinesis in the follow-up to his 1976 horror hit Carrie. While vacationing with his psychic son, Robin (Andrew Stevens), and close associate Childress (John Cassavetes), government agent Peter Sandza (Kirk Douglas) survives a terrorist attack, only to discover that it was staged by Childress so he could kidnap Robin for his own nefarious purposes. With the assistance of another psychic (William Finley) and Hester (Carrie Snodgress), an employee at the Paragon Institute for Psychic Research, Peter discovers a telekinetic Chicago high-school girl named Gillian (Amy Irving), who may be able to help him find Robin. Even though they have never met, Gillian can see Robin's memories and experiences telepathically, and she knows that he is in trouble. But Childress knows all about Gillian, too, and he is not about to let Peter's paternal quest get in the way of his plans for harnessing their psychic power. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, John Cassavetes, (more)
Based on Bernard Slade's Broadway play of the same name, this film is about George, a married New Jersey accountant (Alan Alda), and Doris, a housewife (Ellen Burstyn). The two accidentally meet in a Californian country inn in 1951. They have an affair, which they continue for the next 25 years, meeting only once a year for a weekend getaway at the same hotel. Through their long-running love affair, the audience witnesses the changes within America and its lifestyles over the course of a quarter of a century. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ellen Burstyn, Alan Alda, (more)
Recently widowed Dr. Nichols (Walter Matthau) finds himself ill at ease in re-entering the singles scene. Then he meets Ann Atkinson (Glenda Jackson), a patient recuperating from a jaw operation. Freshly divorced from a philandering spouse, Jackson is as reluctant to inaugurate a lasting commitment as Walter--but inaugurate they do, in a hilarious scene wherein Jackson and Walter try to emulate those romantic couples in 1930s movies who were forced by the censors to keep one foot on the floor while lying in bed. It is Jackson who encourages Matthau to stand up for his ideals during a lawsuit involving senile head physician Dr. Willoughby (Art Carney, who is unbearably funny at times). Richard Benjamin rounds off the cast of polished farceurs who add so much sparkle to House Calls. The film was later adapted into a TV sitcom starring Wayne Rogers in the Matthau role, Lynn Redgrave (and later Sharon Gless) in the Jackson counterpart, and David Wayne as a less aphasiatic version of the Carney character. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, (more)
- 1978
Season Four of Laverne and Shirley gets under way with the first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single hour-long special). Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) bid a temporary farewell to Milwaukee so they can accompany Frank (Phil Foster) and Edna (Betty Garrett) on a bus trip to New York. The purpose of the trip is twofold: to attend a lavish Italian festival, and to spend time with Frank's old-world mother (Penny Santon). While Grandma DeFazio is happy to see Frank, she is even happier to see tag-along Squiggy (David L. Lander), who adores Grandma's home-cooked spaghetti. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Alice (Linda Lavin) manages to land an extra job as a nightclub singer. Unfortunately, our heroine's foray into moonlighting takes its toll on her day job at Mel's Diner. Before long, the other staffers must cover for Alice, who can barely stay awake long enough to walk across the floor. Legendary "joke machine" and Dick Van Dyke Show regular Morey Amsterdam appears as Herman in this episode, in which star Linda Lavin sings "But Not For Me". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
- PG
This is Mel Brooks' spoof of over ten Alfred Hitchcock classics, including Psycho, Vertigo, and The Birds (Brooks actually used the bird trainer from that classic suspense movie in making his film). Brooks plays Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke, a renowned Harvard psychiatrist with a concealed fear of heights, or High Anxiety. Thorndyke takes over as the newest director of the PsychoNeurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous after the last director dies under suspicious circumstances. He soon finds himself to be in the company of some very strange colleagues, including longtime Brooks collaborators Cloris Leachman and Harvey Korman, with Madeline Kahn as Victoria Brisbane, the eccentric daughter of a patient at the institute and Thorndyke's love interest. Korman takes on the role of Dr. Charles Montague, a psychiatrist with a closeted habit of his own. Leachman plays Charlotte Diesel, a charge nurse with a dark sneer and tendency towards domination. As Thorndyke heads to a psychiatry conference, he is faced with saving the Institute, his reputation, and his own sanity. Although the film was not well-received by critics, it picked up a 1978 Golden Globe nomination for best picture (musical or comedy) and landed Brooks a nomination for best actor. The movie has a number of cameos, from a young Barry Levinson's spot as an unstable bellboy to a small part by Hitchcock's right-hand special effects man, Albert J. Whitlock, who plays Kahn's father. ~ Rachel Koetje, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn, (more)
Martin Scorsese combined the splashy atmosphere of the old studio musical with an unromanticized marriage story in his valentine to Hollywood and the Big Band era. On V-J Day 1945, newly minted civilian saxophonist Jimmy Doyle (Robert De Niro) meets USO singer Francine Evans (Liza Minnelli) at a dance, but she rebuffs every advance that he makes. A day and a hotel lobby meeting later, Jimmy finally wins Francine over after she uses her pop instincts to save his too-jazzy audition at a nightclub. When she goes on tour with Frankie Harte (Georgie Auld) and his Orchestra, Jimmy tracks her down, taking a job with the orchestra to be with her. Together on stage, they make beautiful music; off stage they marry, but the struggle between two artists begins to take its toll. Unable to understand that Francine's needs and talents are just as important as his, and unwilling to compromise his music for security, Jimmy abandons Francine after their baby is born. Separately, the two succeed even more, as Francine becomes a music and movie star, while Jimmy has a top hit and opens a jazz club. When they are reunited several years later, the pair must decide if their relationship is worth another try. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liza Minnelli, Robert De Niro, (more)
- 1976
- R
Fred Williamson returns as L.A. detective Jesse Crowder in this loose sequel to the previous year's No Way Back. This time, Crowder must escort a government witness (Bernard Kuby) across the country to New York, dodging homicidal gangsters at every stop along the way. Blaxploitation fans will recognize D'Urville Martin (Dolemite) among the cast. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Archie balks at the notion of accompanying Edith to her 30th class reunion at Millard Fillmore High. But he quickly changes his mind upon discovering that one of Edith's former boyfriends will also be in attendance. Watching Archie Bunker sweat through the pangs of jealousy is one of the many pleasures of this multilayered episode, which was scripted by Don Nicholl from a story by Nicholl and Stanley Ralph Ross. "Class Reunion" first aired on February 10, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1972
Endora casts a spell on a unicorn-shaped pin, causing all mortals who come within the pin's vicinity to speak nothing but the truth. Not unexpectedly, this hex wreaks havoc on Samantha and Darrin's dinner party for Darrin's new client, Ed Franklin (Parley Baer) and Ed's wife, Cora Mae (Sara Seegar). Written by Ed Jurist, "The Truth, Nothing but the Truth, So Help Me" was originally telecast on March 25, 1972, as the 252nd and final episode of Bewitched. Even if this once-popular series had not fallen victim to the usual attrition of eight seasons on the air, it would have been killed by ABC's boneheaded decision to reschedule Bewitched opposite CBS' Saturday-night blockbuster All in the Family. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1972
Worried that she's losing her powers, Samantha's lookalike cousin, Serena, decides to settle down to mortal-hood. So that she won't have to bother herself with such exigencies as finding honest work, Serena aims to wed Darrin's wealthiest client, Harrison Woolcott (Peter Lawford). Realizing that such a union would be disastrous, Sam tries to break up the romance, only to be beaten to the punch by one Contessa Piranha (Ellen Weston). Written by Michael Morris, "Serena's Richcraft" first aired on January 22, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1971
Samantha's father, Maurice, must prove that his grandson, Adam, is a warlock, lest the Council of Witches declare the marriage of Sam and Darrin to be null and void. In his efforts to cover up Adam's "mortal-hood," Maurice sets himself wide open for a few startling surprises. This time around, Diana Chesney and Maryesther Denver are cast as "councilwomen" Enchantra and Grimalda. First telecast on December 29, 1971, "Adam, Warlock or Washout?" was written by Ed Jurist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1970
Jack Cassidy guest stars as George Dinsdale, Darrin's newest client. An unregenerate playboy, Dinsdale falls in love with Samantha's lookalike cousin, Serena, and refuses to believe that Sam and Serena are not one in the same. Before she is able to straighten out this mess, Sam is obliged to briefly transform Dinsdale into a parrot. Scripted by John L. Greene, "A Chance on Love" made its first network appearance on March 19, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1970
This sixth episode of an eight-part story arc was largely filmed on-location in Salem, MA. Hopelessly in love with Samantha, a warlock named Waldo (Hal England) creates a duplicate Sam. Inevitably, the presence of two Mrs. Stephenses causes confusion for Larry Tate, while Darrin has to deal with being transformed into a crow. Veteran character actress Anne Seymour appears as Mirabelle. Written by Michael Morris, "Samantha's Bad Day in Salem" first aired on November 5, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1970
Dr. Bombay's new pills have a strange side effect on Uncle Arthur. His "power system" on the fritz, Arthur began transforming into whomever and whatever he happens to be thinking about -- a pony, a demon, a Native American, and finally Superman. Somehow or other, Arthur's out-of-control morphing saves Darrin and Larry's latest advertising campaign. Written by Ed Jurist, "Super Arthur" made its first network appearance on February 5, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
- 1969
Endora casts a spell on Darrin, hoping to make him more "agreeable." As a result, Darrin goes around agreeing with everyone and everything -- ruffling the feathers of his new client, Shotwell (Charles Lane), who hates and despises "yes-men," and concludes that Darrin is either insincere or crazy, or both. You guessed it: Darrin gets fired again and Samantha comes to the rescue. Written by Ed Jurist, "You're So Agreeable" originally aired on December 11, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick Sargent, (more)
