Stephen Nathan Movies
- 2003
Unlike her earlier comedy series and specials, in which she "took on" dozens of vivid and distinct characterizations, Tracey Ullman focuses herein on only three of her famous alter egos. First and foremost is faded glamour gal Ruby Romaine, veteran Hollywood cosmetician and shameless dispenser of libelous gossip. In her efforts to gain re-entry into Local 706 of the Hair and Makeup Guild, the heavily wrinkled Ruby crosses paths with two other Ullman creations, Russian émigré Svetlana and actress Pepper Kane, a black woman trying to pass as white (not surprisingly, both ladies are prime targets for Ruby's unending stream of ethnic slurs). Somehow or other, Ruby's return to her days of glory also brings her in contact with such real-life popular culture icons as Debbie Reynolds, Barbara Bain, Cheech Marin, Rose Marie, Jane Kaczmarek, and former Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In producer George Schlatter. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tracey Ullman
- 1999
A resilient attorney in L.A. starts to rebuild her life and career after her husband leaves for greener pastures, taking the firm -- and most of their clients -- with him. Blessed with one loyal associate, she assembles a crew of seasoned, if not altogether aboveboard, counselors who share her zeal for justice in the area of family law. ~ Tim Holland, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kathleen Quinlan, Julie Warner, (more)
- 1997
Sportscaster Terry Bradshaw appears as himself in this episode, in which Ray's wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) is laid low by the flu. With Debra out of commission, it is up to Ray (Ray Romano) to take care of his three children all by himself. Things get sticky when even more "rug rats" are added to the equation. One of the episode's funniest bits, involving a staring kid, is a comedy standby that one can trace all the way back to the 2-reel comedies of the 1930s (not that there's anything wrong with that, of course!) ~ Rovi
- 1996
Ray eagerly looks forward to a "defining moment in the great circle of life"--joing his father Frank (Peter Boyle) and Frank's buddies in their weekly poker game. But rebellious Ray resents his dad's "helpful" advice in the course of the game, and begins making a great show of ignoring Frank. The results: Ray loses every penny to his name, whereupon wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) tries to convince her headstrong hubby to swallow his pride and beg for his money back. ~ Rovi
- 1983
Directed by seasoned comedy man Melville Shavelson, The Other Woman is a "menage a trois" TV movie with a twist. The stars are middle-aged Anne Meara and Hal Linden, and youngish Madolyn Smith. The twist? Linden, a book publisher, is married to half-his-age Smith, a fashion designer. It is Anne Meara, a fiftyish divorcee and aspiring romance novelist, who turns out to be the "other woman!" Ms. Meara cowrote the teleplay for this engaging contrivance, in which everyone is so essentially likeable that we genuinely care how things turn out. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Hal Linden, Anne Meara, (more)
- 1979
Third time may not be the charm when it comes to the annual Shotz Brewery Talent Show. At least that's the opinion of Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams), who are having second thoughts about performing a "human puppet" routine. Could things get worse? You bet they could: directing the show this year are Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander)! Musical highlights include "The Wedding of Jack and Jill" and "All I Need is the Girl". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1978
A dishevelled hobo named Rags (Hamilton Camp) reminds Frank (Phil Foster) that it is time for the Pizza Bowl's annual Yuletide charity dinner. As Rags' fellow bums begin streaming into the diner, Frank realizes that he hasn't got enough money to feed them all--which explains why the tough-talking restauranteur takes a second job as a department store Santa (with Lenny [Michael McKean] and Squiggy [David L. Lander] as his alleged helpers!), while Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) sing for cash in the streets. Musical highlights include such traditional Yuletide tunes as "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "The 12 Days of Christmas". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1978
Well, folks, here's the moment you've all been waiting for: the obligatory Laverne and Shirley "amnesia" episode. Having lost her memory thanks to a bump on the noggin, Shirley (Cindy Williams) thinks that she is actually a famous stripper named Roxy. Taking advantage of the situation, Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander) book "Roxy" to perform at a lodge smoker. Rushing to her roommate's rescue, Laverne (Penny Marshall) ends up "taking it off"--purely by accident! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
In this film, young singer Lauri Robinson (Didi Conn) struggles to make it in the harsh music business while dealing with her romantic problems. The title song from this movie won an Oscar. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi
- Starring:
- Didi Conn, Joe Silver, (more)
- 1976
The aptly named Icky Hector (Greg Antonacci) is tired of being turned down for dates by girls in general and Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams). Out of revenge, Hector scrawls L&S's phone number on the wall of a pool-hall men's room. As a result, our heroines are beseiged by panting male callers--and they begin to plot a revenge of their own, one that requires them to dress in male drag! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The owner of a financially foundering skin-flick production company decides that the only way to save it is to put on a Busby Berkeley-esque pornographic musical -- sort of a Broadway meets Times Square affair. Ribald humor, bawdy songs and plenty of skin abounds in this sophomoric satire that while unabashedly trashy, has developed a bit of a cult following. Songs include: "The First Nudie Musical," "The Lights and the Smiles," "Lesbian Butch Dyke," "Five Dancing Dildos," "Perversion," "Honey, What Ya Doin' Tonight," "I Don't Have to Hide Anymore," "Where Is a Man." ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Stephen Nathan, Cindy Williams, (more)
- 1974
My Three Sons star Fred MacMurray once more finds himself the paterfamilias of an extended family. MacMurray plays Ned Chadwick, a newspaper publisher on a tiny California offshore island. Ned and his wife (Kathleen Maguire) have three daughters and one son, who in turn have provided the elder Chadwicks with numerous grandchildren. The "racial balance" so common to TV-movies of the 1970s is maintained by the Chinese/American fiance (Frank Michael-Liu) of the youngest Chadwick daughter. By the time we're introduced to everyone, the film is half over. Chadwick Family was the pilot film for a potential Fred MacMurray TV series; the networks passed. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1973
Once again, Bonanza ranch hand Candy has been thrown in jail on a trumped-up murder charge. As his trial approaches, Candy must put his life in the hands of attorney Oscar Hammer (Stephen Nathan), a 20-year-old fresh out of law school. The outcome of the trial hinges on the testimony of an eyewitness named Kate (Sally Kemp), who has good reason not to appear in court. Originally broadcast on January 2, 1973, "The Witness" was written by Joel Murcott and Arthur Heinemann. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
The first independent production of former studio mogul Jack Warner, 1776 was adapted from the hit 1969 Broadway musical by Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards. William Daniels, Ken Howard, and Howard Da Silva are among the many actors who recreate their Broadway roles. The story is set during the first Continental Congress, when the Declaration of Independence was drafted by such founding fathers as John Adams (Daniels) and Benjamin Franklin (Da Silva). The script attempts to "humanize" these remote historical figures by contemporizing them -- particularly the character of Ben Franklin. Blythe Danner's character of Martha Jefferson is expanded for the film version to allow for an elaborate outdoor production number. After 1776, Warner made only one more film, the 1972 "grunge Western" Dirty Little Billy. On an added note: the picture was originally rated G with its theatrical running time of 141 minutes. It was later expanded to 166 minutes; the added scenes caused the MPAA to re-rate it PG (for language) in 1992. Both versions are available on video. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- William Daniels, Howard Da Silva, (more)
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