Jane Lambert Movies
- 1985
Less a sequel than a pointless remake (the original was actually titled Criminally Insane), this weird little film stars Priscilla Alden in the title role, which she might easily have researched by watching a few John Waters films. We join the story to find hefty, snack-crazed Ethel Janowski a regular fixture at the asylum since her committal more than a decade ago for the murder of her grandmother -- and anyone else who dared to stand between her and the refrigerator. Unfortunately, her dietary requirements seem to have depleted the hospital's budget to such an extent that they are forced to farm her out to a lower-security facility, where the cooking is far superior...and it's binge time again for the large-boned psychopath. Amazingly, this direct-to-video obscurity was followed two years later by yet another sequel, Death Nurse. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
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)
Adapted by Larry Gelbart from the novel by Avery Corman, the film stars John Denver as Jerry Landers, the assistant manager of a grocery store who is chosen by God (George Burns) to spread the Word to the rest of the world. Not surprisingly, Jerry is soon labelled a basket case: even his loving wife Bobbie (Teri Garr) doubts her husband's sanity. But there's enough evidence on Jerry's side for a panel of prominent clerics to demand that the hapless fellow prove in court that he's the agent of God. Donald Pleasence was supposed to have an extended supporting role in the film, but the first cut ran too long, and Pleasence's dialogue was eliminated -- but not Pleasence himself, who retains his prominent billing and is seen doing precisely nothing in several scenes. Netting $30 million on its first run, Oh God was followed by two lesser sequels, both featuring Burns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Burns, John Denver, (more)
- 1976
Grandpa (Will Geer) and Grandma (Ellen Corby) find themselves on opposite sides of a civic battle when the historic Whitley House is slated for demolition. Believing that the old house can be renovated, Grandma starts up a petition to that effect. Trouble is, Grandpa has already signed a contract to destroy the house in order to bring extra money to the family business. Caught in the middle of this brouhaha is John-Boy (Richard Thomas), who must write a newspaper editorial on the crisis--stating his own opinion! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Inside jokes abound in this classic Sanford and Son episode, which spoofs not only the series' derivation from the British Steptoe and Son but also pokes fun at recent real-life contract squabbles between the Sanford producers and series star Redd Foxx. It all begins when Fred (Foxx) and Lamont (Demond Wilson) find out that a new television series which closely resembles their own lives is in the works. Spurred on by a hotshot lawyer (Robert Guillaume), the Sanfords head down to the TV studio where the first episode of "Steinberg and Son" is in production. The best moment: Fred Sanford's TV counterpart "Max Steinberg" (Lou Jacobi) refuses to go before the cameras until he gets a window in his dressing room. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, (more)
- 1975
- R
The first of two films focusing on the demented antics of Crazy Fat Ethel (also immortalized in Crazy Fat Ethel II) concerns the obese psycho and her murderous rampage after being released from a mental institution. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1974
- R
The sequel to The Harrad Experiment focuses on the students of a sexually-progressive college who spend the summer finding a practical application for what they've learned. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
