Garrett Morris Movies
Another of Julliard's illustrious alumni, Garrett Morris' first significant professional job was as performer and arranger with the Harry Belafonte singers. Morris went on to appear in such Broadway productions as Porgy and Bess, Hallelujah Baby, and Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death. He also wrote two plays, The Secret Place and Daddy Picou and Marie LeVeau. His first film gig was as a makeup artist on This Property is Condemned (1967); he made his movie acting bow in 1970. After a season's worth of supporting appearances on the 1973-74 sitcom Roll Out, Morris was hired as one of the Not Ready for Prime Time Players on NBC's Saturday Night Live. After his SNL stint, Morris could be seen in film supporting roles, most amusingly as "Famous Amos" takeoff Chocolate Charlie in the otherwise indifferent 1985 horror film The Stuff. He also made a return visit to Broadway, starring in I'm Not Rappaport. Back on TV, Garret Morris was seen regularly as Stan Kemrite on Martin (1992-1994) and on the weekly sitcoms of Ellen Cleghorne and Jamie Foxx. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1993
Flung into a deep depression following his wife's accidental death, jazzman Morris Poole (Michael Madsen) borders on suicide, punishing himself for the tragedy. They had been in the middle of a violent argument when she accidentally fell from an upper-story window. Eventually he gets involved with another gal, who finds the still-depressed Poole pretty hard to figure out, as he just can't keep his mind from his first-wife loss. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Madsen, Lynette Walden, (more)
- 1992
- R
In this darkly funny horror movie, gore and severed limbs abound. It is the story of a young medical genius doing genetic research into regrowing organs. His work is based upon that of his father, a renowned geneticist who was murdered. Before he can continue, he needs a fresher supply of cadavers and his mother is more than happy to help her son. Unbeknownst to him, she and her lover secretly work for an evil bio-chemical company and are behind his father's death. With his mother's help, the boy finally succeeds, but when he finds out his mother's true allegiance he takes the newly developed material and flees. Unfortunately, just before he gets out, the steel door shuts and cuts off his arm. He grabs the limb and then injects the new genetic formula in hopes that it will reattach. It does, but unfortunately, his arm has developed a mind and can attach or detach itself from the boy whenever it feels like it. The young genius ends up befriended by a group of vagabond amputees who live in the sewer system. With their help, the assistance of his arm, and the formula the boy begins working to get revenge. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oliver Reed, Elke Sommer, (more)
Martin Lawrence (Bad Boys, Big Momma's House) plays Martin Payne, a brash radio personality who always speaks his mind, often to the frustration of Gina (Tisha Campbell), his feisty but eternally forgiving girlfriend. Always around are Martin's "hang out partners," Tommy, Cole, and Pam (Tichina Arnold), a co-worker of Gina's. Find out wazzup in the outrageous world of Martin.
- Starring:
- Martin Lawrence, Thomas Mikal Ford, (more)
Nell Carter stars a a popular singer and Dinah Manoff costars as her maid du jour in the made-for-TV Maid For Each Other. A spoiled-rotten widow whose wealthy husband left her penniless, Dinah hasn't quite latched onto the concept of being at someone else's beck and call. As for Nell, she doesn't suffers fools very easily. This situation is fitfully amusing in itself, but the fun really begins when Nell and Dinah uncover an insidious plot involving corporate espionage and murder. Maid for Each Other debuted January 13, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This stylish chiller tells the grim tale of a sleeping vampire, Czakyr, who is inadvertently awakened when his ancient crypt beneath a church is flooded. At the same time, Cindy and Lucy, two teenage girls, prepare to go to college. Cindy is only visiting the town while Lucy is a local. Just before they go, the girls must go for a late night dip in the flooded crypt as this is a local rite of passage. Unfortunately, Lucy's cross falls from her neck and the blood-thirsty Czakyr attacks her while Lucy escapes. Later Father Frank Aldin informs his pal Mark Garnener, a teacher, that Cindy has become a vampire and has made her mother Karen a bloodsucker too. Frank has captured the two and locked them in a room. He feeds them on blooded leeches. Mark decides to investigate this wild claim and with Lucy returns to her home town and finds that most of the residents have become Czakyr's minions. They capture the two invaders, but the two manage to get away. The town drunk, piloting a religious van, picks up the fleeing couple and takes them to an abandoned lumber mill. That night Cindy visits Lucy and asks her to help destroy Czakyr. Lucy has already killed her mother. The next morning Mark and the drunk find that Lucy has disappeared. They race to town to save her and embark upon their final confrontation with the evil bat man and in the end, good does indeed triumph over evil but not before much blood is spilled. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter DeLuise, Ami Dolenz, (more)
The made-for-TV Earth Angel stars Cathy Bodewell as Angela, a prom queen who dies in 1962. Unfortunately, Angela has not always lived up to her name, and her entry into Heaven is held up indefinitely. She is given a chance to redeem herself by returning to earth in 1990, where she is to successfully complete an important mission. Thing of it is, she has no idea what her mission is-though she suspects it has something to do with romance. Clearly intended as a hybrid of Ghost and Peggy Sue Got Married, Earth Angel was first telecast March 4, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cathy Podewell, Cindy Williams, (more)
This black comedy offers a rather twisted version of the classic road movie, as it tells the story of a ten-year-old boy who is determined to win the "Motorama" road game, a promotional effort by a major gas station that promises winners 500 million dollars. In order to win, one simply has to collect enough game cards from Chimera gas stations all over the country to spell out the word "Motorama." Since his parents are not interested in the contest, the lad feels he has no other choice than to steal a bright red classic Mustang and set off across several fictional states to do it by himself. Along the way, he has assorted adventures, and many of them are not at all pleasant, but most of them are very strange. The film features cameos from several notable cult favorites, including Jack Nance, Drew Barrymore, Dick Miller, and even the pop singer Meat Loaf. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jordan Christopher Michael, John Diehl, (more)
- 1989
- R
Dance to Win is set in the outer fringes of Hollywood. A gang of delinquents, jealously observing the "haves", see no way out of their lot other than petty thievery. The gang is redeemed when they are organized into a dance troupe specializing in interpreting vintage rock 'n' roll themes. Charles Gomez, Daniel Quinn and Sally Stewart are among the leading players; the film's choreography was handled by no less than Paula Abdul. Filmed in 1989, Dance to Win remained on the shelf until picked up for cable exposure in 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carlos Gomez, Daniel Quinn, (more)
- 1989
Within a single year, Gilda Radner rose from talented but obscure improv comedienne to "America's Sweetheart" thanks to NBC's Saturday Night Live. The 60-minute video The Best of Gilda Radner is culled from SNL's vintage years, 1975 to 1980. Included are such beloved Radner creations as Roseanne Roseannadanna ("Thought ah wuz gonna die!"), Emily Litella ("Never mind!"), Lisa Looper ("That was so funny I a'most fergot t' LAFFFFF") and, of course, Baba Wawa. We are also treated to Gilda's takeoff of Lucille Ball and her extended "Dancing in the Dark" number with Steve Martin. You may find yourself alternately laughing and crying through The Best of Gilda Radner--crying because this matchless performer left this world much too soon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Upon the death of his barber, Al (Ed O'Neill) must endure the humiliation of visiting a salon and submitting to a stylist. The results inspire Al's family to make several barbed comments about his rather epicene appearance, which son Bud (David Faustino) sums up as the "No Closet Can Hold Me Look." Rather than undergo another assault on his machismo, Al decides to grow his hair long--REAL long. This episode received three Emmy nominations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
- R
Danny Warren (Edward Albert) is a former minor-league shortstop who becomes a narc to uncover drug dealing in this situation comedy. Investigating at a high-school adult-education class, he falls for the tempting teacher Katherine, played by the exotic Barbara Carrera. Danny forgets the reward of $10,000 per arrest when he elects to continue his "education." He joins a colorful group of characters that includes ex-cons, illegal aliens, and brain-dead baby boomers who cause more trouble than their younger counterparts. Swimming classes and wine tasting serve as background for a series of comic catastrophes. Danny soon suspects Katherine's colleague Mrs. Grant (Susan Tyrell) of being in cahoots with the drug dealers, and Katherine and Mrs. Grant have a prolonged fight scene that is memorably funny. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Albert, Barbara Carrera, (more)
- 1987
Emboldened by what he thinks is the right "rhythm", uptight Steve (David Garrison) joins Al (Ed O'Neill) and his buddies for poker night. At game's end, a sweaty Steve emerges the loser, giving up his entire paycheck. Knowing what horrible fate is in store for him if Marcy (Amanda Bearse) finds out, Steve begs Peg (Katey Sagal) to persuade Al to give the money back. Former Saturday Night Live regular Garrett Morris appears as Russ. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In an episode clearly inspired by the "Hurricane" Carter saga, ex-prizefighter Typhoon Thompson (Isaac Hayes) gets out of prison after serving several years for the murder of his manager. Now all Typhoon lives for is to get even with the person whom he claims is the real murderer--and to exact vengeance against Hunter (Fred Dryer), the police detective who sent him up. As dead bodies pile up all over LA, it looks as if Typhoon has embarked upon a killing spree...but Hunter begins to suspect that someone else is responsible for the carnage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
When a small-time businessman (Richard Pryor) needs a loan, he goes to a loan shark and ends up in jail on false pretenses. After feigning madness to get out, he is tossed into the mental ward of a hospital. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Pryor, Rachel Ticotin, (more)
- 1986
Season three of Hunter starts with a bang--actually several bangs--as police detective Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) manages to shoot down one of two escaping murderers. Alas, the other killer gets away thanks to the interference of "gonzo" TV reporter Raoul Mercado (a thinly disguised "Geraldo" type played by Michael Wren). After Hunter has Mercado arrested, the reporter launches a personal vendetta against the detective, publicly raking him over the coals for his violent arrest record. Thus it is that when Mercado is killed by a car bomb, Hunter is Suspect Number One. With this episode, Captain Wyler (Bruce Davidson) is promoted to Deputy Chief; and Garret Morris becomes a regular in the formerly recurring role of street hustler Sporty James. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
A vicious narcotics supplier has dispatched a Hawaii-based hit man known as "Beach Boy" to bump off those Los Angeles drug dealers who have refused to do business with him. Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) are assigned to prevent "Beach Boy" from carrying out his mission--a task that thrusts the two detectives on a deadly odyssey from Malibu to Chinatown. Garrett Morris makes his first series appearance as flamboyant street hustler Sporty James. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
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
- Starring:
- John Belushi
- 1985
The setting is New Orleans, where a prominent jazz musician is killed onstage in full view of a nightclub audience. It turns out that the victim was done in by a rare South American poison. So what does all this have to do with Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury? Well, it seems that a similar murder with the same weapon occurred in one of Jessica's mystery novels--a most embarrassing turn of events, especially since Jessica was in the audience at the time of the real murder! B-picture icons Robert Clarke and Jackie Joseph show up in supporting roles in this episode, which also boasts an unusually strong (for 1985!) cast of prominent African American actors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
When a group of miners discovers a mysterious but delicious white substance bubbling up from the earth, a conglomerate markets the gooey, addictive fluff as a dessert in this tongue-in-cheek horror spoof from former NBC scriptwriter Larry Cohen. When a new product called "The Stuff" begins eating into the market share of traditional frozen desserts, the dairy industry hires former FBI agent Moe Rutherford (Michael Moriarty) to investigate the competition. With the assistance of deposed ice-cream magnate Chocolate Chip Charlie (Garrett Morris), Rutherford discovers that the substance is actually a sentient entity that takes over its victims' minds while eating away at their bodies from the inside. Meanwhile, young Jason (Scott Bloom) realizes that his family's strange behavior has something to do with the dessert product in their refrigerator that refuses to stay in its carton, and he launches a campaign to destroy the threatening confection. Soon Rutherford and Jason must team up with Nicole Kendall (Andrea Marcovicci), The Stuff's unwitting advertising mastermind, and Vietnam vet-turned-militia leader Colonel Spears (Paul Sorvino) to save America from its own sweet tooth. Sorvino and Moriarty would go on to co-star in NBC's hit police procedural, Law & Order. Icy-eyed As the World Turns hunk Brian Bloom appears alongside his brother, Scott Bloom. The Stuff's television connections also extend to cameos from Clara Peller, pitchwoman for the Wendy's "Where's the beef?" campaign, and Abe Vigoda of Barney Miller fame. Actresses Brooke Adams, Tammy Grimes, and Laurene Landon also appear in parodic commercials for the titular dessert. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Moriarty, Andrea Marcovicci, (more)
- 1984
- R
This black comedy centers upon the exploits of a nosy census taker and the family he harasses. The couple he visits willingly let him in the house. Soon they find themselves interrogated with increasingly intrusive questions. They finally reach their limit, get angry, and shoot the census taker in the head. The rest of the story chronicles their attempts to hide the body from an eccentric detective. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Garrett Morris, Greg Mullavey, (more)
- 1984
Once again, the Jeffersons' middle-aged "foster son," Jimmy Townsend (Garrett Morris), is in a heap of trouble. Showing up at the Jefferson apartment with 50,000 dollars' worth of casino gambling chips, Jimmy tells George (Sherman Hemsley) that he won them fair and square. But that's not the same story provided by a pair of tough gamblers who think they've been hornswoggled by a man named "George Jefferson." The final episode of The Jeffersons' tenth season, "In the Chips" is also the series' only episode in which Isabel Sanford (Louise) does not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Marla Gibbs, (more)
- 1983
For several years, George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford) have been financing the education of Jimmy Townsend, the foster son they've never met. Imagine their surprise when "little" Jimmy turns out to be a middle-aged man with an apparent larcenous streak. Former Saturday Night Live regular Garrett Morris makes his first series appearance as Jimmy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1983
The Jeffersons launched its tenth season with episode one of a three-party story. After George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) mocks the gullibility of his neighbor and in-law Tom Willis (Franklin Cover) with his old Navy buddies, the men decide to teach Tom a lesson with an elaborate con job. Sure enough, Tom takes the bait and surrenders the 15,000 dollars he'd been saving as a down payment for a new home. Unfortunately, two of George's "pals" decide to take the con one step farther by skipping with the money and heading for parts unknown. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1983
In the conclusion of a three-part story, George (Sherman Hemsley) and Jimmy (Garrett Morris) fly to L.A. in hopes of retrieving 15,000 dollars which two con artists inveigled out of George's neighbor Tom (Franklin Cover). Jimmy's electronics-savvy cousin (played by Greg Morris, satirizing his character on Mission: Impossible) rigs up a sting operation whereby the two crooks are hoodwinked into believing that California is about to be invaded by a foreign country. The scheme is nearly foiled by the untimely arrival of George's wife, Louise (Isabel Sanford), Tom's wife, Helen (Roxie Roker), and the Jeffersons' housekeeper, Florence (Marla Gibbs). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
