Bob Newhart Movies
A Chicagoan from head to toe, American comedian Bob Newhart started his workaday life as a certified public accountant after flunking out of law school. As a means of breaking his job's monotony, Newhart would call his friend Ed Gallagher, and improvise low-key comedy sketches. A mutual friend of Newhart and Gallagher's, Chicago deejay Dan Sorkin, tape-recorded some of these off-the-cuff routines and played them for Warner Bros. records. Newhart suddenly found himself booked into a Houston nightclub -- his first-ever public appearance. Armed with telephone-conversation routines which delineated how Abe Lincoln would be handled by a publicity agent, or how Abner Doubleday would have fared trying to sell baseball to a modern-day novelty firm, Newhart recorded his first comedy album in 1960 -- which evidently struck a nerve with fellow white-collar workers, since it sold 1,500,000 copies. The hottest young comic on the club-and-TV circuit, Newhart was offered starring roles in situation comedies, but felt he wasn't a good enough actor to make a single character interesting week after week. Instead, he signed in 1961 for NBC's The Bob Newhart Show, a comedy-variety series which nosedived in the ratings but won an Emmy. Fearing that TV would eat up all his material within a year or so, Newhart went back to nightclubs after his one-season series was cancelled. Sharpening his acting skills in TV guest spots and in several films (his first, 1962's Hell is For Heroes, was so unnerving an experience that Bob repeatedly begged the producers to kill his character off before the fadeout), Newhart felt emboldened enough to attempt a regular TV series again in 1972. This Bob Newhart Show cast the comedian as psychologist Bob Hartley - an ideal outlet for his "button-down" style of dry humor. Six seasons and several awards later, Newhart was firmly established as a television superstar; this time around he wasn't cancelled, but ended the series on his own volition, feeling the series had exhausted its bag of tricks. Most popular sitcom personalities had come acropper trying to repeat their first success with a second series, but Newhart broke the jinx with Newhart in 1982, wherein Bob played author Dick Loudon, who on a whim decided to open a New England colonial inn. Newhart was every bit as popular as his earlier sitcom, and, like the previous show, the series ended (in 1990) principally because Newhart chose to end it. This he did with panache: Newhart's final scene suggested the entire series had been a bad dream experienced by Bob Newhart Show's Bob Hartley! A third starring sitcom, 1992's Bob, found Newhart playing a cult-figure comic book artist; alas, despite excellent scriptwork and the usual polished Newhart performance, this new series fell victim to format tinkering and poor timeslots. Even so, Bob Newhart has gone from humble CPA to comedy legend - and he did it all without raising his voice. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1977
Volunteering his services, Bob heads to the local slammer to counsel five men about to be paroled. His efforts to reach out to these lost souls is stymied by the most outspoken of the cons, who refers to Bob as a "suit that's fat-mouthin'." Trouble is, Bob is in complete agreement. Taurean Blacque, Allen Case, Ric Mancini, Wyatt Johnson, and Bert Rosario are cast respectively as Arthur Tatum, Steve Kopelson, Al Brolio, Richard Hawkins, and Reubin Ortiz, while H.B. Haggerty makes an appearance as "The Hammer." Written by Ziggy Steinberg, "Ex-Con Job" first aired on October 1, 1977; it was followed in January of 1978 by a sequel of sorts, "Son of Ex-Con Job." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
The fifth season of The Bob Newhart Show ended on March 19, 1977, with the news that Emily Hartley was pregnant. This somewhat significant plot point was conveniently forgotten when the series launched its sixth season on September 24, 1977. Written by Glen and Les Charles, the opening episode, "Bob's Change of Life," found the Hartleys moving into a new apartment. This is but one of many mid-life crises which led Bob to indulge in a few intense sessions of self-analysis. The supporting cast includes Martha Scott as Bob's mother and Charles Thomas Murphy as George Simmons. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
With the help of Bob and a bottle, henpecked Mr. Petersen (John Fiedler) stands up to his wife. The consequences are enormous, not only for the Petersens, but also for Bob. Toni Lamond appears as the much-discussed but seldom-seen Doris Petersen, while Larry Goldman is cast as the cop. Scripted by Glen and Les Charles and directed by the series' comedy consultant, Dick Martin, "Who Was That Masked Man?" first aired on October 15, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Two separate plot strands are loosely entwined in this episode. At the office, Bob consuls a ventriloquist named Danny James (Sam Kwasman), whose dummy wants to break up the act. And on the domestic front, Jerry is terrified of being dumped by his "perfect" girlfriend, Jackie Windsor (Hope Alexander-Willis). Also in the cast are Roger Etienne as the waiter, Sondra Theodore as Girl #1, and Jordan Michaels as Girl #2. First telecast on October 8, 1977, "A Jackie Story" was written by Lloyd Garver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
For only the second time in five years, Bob is forced to raise his rates. Likewise for the second time in five years, his patients react unfavorably to the increase; not only do they boycott his Christmas party, but also Mr. Carlin puts out a "contract" on Bob by hiring a professional pie thrower (Rik Pierce). Meanwhile, Jerry and Howard are likewise having trouble entering into the spirit of the season, due to an argument sparked by a misguided hockey puck. The supporting cast features Ben Freedman as a Santa named Saul. First telecast on December 24, 1977, " 'Twas the Pie Before Christmas" was written by Phil Davis. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Once again breaking his self-imposed rule of never consulting his friends, Bob offers advice to Carol's husband, Larry Bondurant (Will Mackenzie). Suggesting that the discouraged Larry open his own travel agency, Bob never dreamed that his advice would be acted upon so quickly. Nor did he imagine in his wildest dreams that Larry would set up his new agency in Bob's medical building, converting the reception area into a Polynesian paradise. Written by future Family Ties creator Gary David Goldberg, "The Mentor" originally aired on March 5, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Saddled with a close-mouthed patient named Twillmer (Richard Libertini), Bob encourages the man to open up and "let it all out." Unfortunately, Twillmer reveals that he has embezzled an enormous sum of money -- and Bob is bound by his doctor-patient confidentiality oath to keep mum about this little indiscretion. Others in the cast include Frank Maxwell as Sgt. O'Conner and J. Jay Saunders as Williams. Written by Earl Pomerantz, "Shallow Throat" first aired on November 26, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
It seemed like only yesterday that Bob and Emily celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary (actually, it was in an episode which aired approximately ten months earlier, in February of 1977). And now here they are, blowing out the candles on their tenth anniversary cake. On this momentous occasion, both Bob and Emily wonder what life would have been like had they married other people -- and a brace of fantasy sequences shows them what life would have been like. The supporting cast features Morgan Fairchild as Linda Bianca and E. William Parker as Marcus. Written by Lloyd Garver, "Grand Delusion" first aired on December 17, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Mr. Carlin is in love again; this time the lucky (?) woman is one Andrea Duff (Mary Ann Chin). Hoping to appear more exciting to the new woman in his life, Carlin enlists Bob's aid in fabricating a spectacular "life story." The result is a wide-ranging farrago of a resumé which claims, among other things, that Carlin invented gravy. Written by Gary David Goldberg, "Love Is the Blindest" first aired on January 8, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
Two fantasy novels by Margery Sharp were combined for in the Disney animated feature The Rescuers. The title characters are a pair of mice, Bernard and Miss Bianca. A little girl named Penny has been kidnapped by Miss Medusa. When the human law enforcement officials fail to locate the child, Bernard and Miss Bianca take over with the help of several colorful animal companions. In classic Disney tradition, the comedy element is offset by moments of genuine terror. Voices are provided by Bob Newhart (Bernard), Eva Gabor (Miss Bianca), Geraldine Page (Madame Medusa), Jim "Fibber McGee" Jordan, John McIntire, George "Goober" Lindsay, Joe Flynn (who died in 1974, not long into the four-year production), and a host of others. It scored at the box office, more than compensating for the $8 million investment and the half-decade of work it took to complete the film. In fact, The Rescuers remains one of the most popular of the Disney cartoon films produced after the death of Uncle Walt. A heavily-computerized sequel, The Rescuers Down Under, appeared in 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
The fifth season of The Bob Newhart Show offers even more fun, laughs, and neuroses with Chicago psychologist Bob Hartley (Bob Newhart), his wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette), the Hartley's airline-pilot neighbor Howard Borden (Bill Daily), Bob's dentist friend Jerry Robinson (Peter Bonerz), and Bob and Jerry's newly married receptionist Carol Kester Bondurant (Marcia Wallace). Some of the season-five episodes are among the series' best, and several are acknowledged classics in the situation-comedy field. "Caged Fury" is the one in which the Hartleys miss their neighbors' Fourth of July Bicentennial celebration when they're trapped in a storage locker; "The Slammer" finds Bob and his school buddy Cliff Murdock (Tom Poston) reliving old times and landing behind bars as a result; "Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson" focuses on the newly retired Jerry Robinson's efforts to locate his birth parents; "The Ironwood Experience" has Bob agreeing to give a lecture at a sex seminar, little imaging that his audience will show up naked as jaybirds; "Death Be My Destiny" is the famous "epiphany" episode in which Bob has a heart-to-heart with Death (played by series producer Tom Patchett) after nearly perishing in an elevator mishap; and "Desperate Sessions" finds Bob taken hostage by the nicest bank robber in TV history. The season ends with the "teaser" episode "You're Having My Hartley," in which Emily announces that she is pregnant. This was intended as the last-ever Bob Newhart Show episode, inasmuch as the star planned to hang it up after five seasons; however, at the last minute the series was renewed forcing the writers to figure out a way to "un-impregnate" Emily. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Bob is none too happy by the service in his apartment -- or rather, the lack of service. Fed up with a furnace that won't heat and faulty plumbing, Bob stages a sit-in on the behalf of his beleaguered fellow tenants. The crisis is compounded when Bob's most neurotic patient, Mr. Carlin, purchases the apartment complex. Written by David Lloyd, "The Great Rent Strike" made its first network appearance on October 23, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Future WKRP in Cincinnati regular Howard Hesseman makes a return appearance on The Bob Newhart Show, this time in the role of Bob's new patient, Mr. Plager. Described as "mildly neurotic with compulsive tendencies," Plager is welcomed by the rest of Bob's therapy group with open arms. Alas, those arms quickly fold up when it is learned that Plager is gay. Written by Patricia Jones, "Some of My Best Friends Are..." first aired on October 16, 1976, as the series' 100th episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
William Redfield guest stars as Howard Borden's brother, Gordon, a bird-sanctuary warden with a history of claiming things that rightfully belong to Howard. Arriving in Chicago to witness the mating ritual of two rare whooping cranes, Gordon makes himself right at home in Howard's apartment. Unfortunately, brother dear also begins making the usual moves on Howard's fiancée (and Bob's sister), Ellen. Written by Gordon and Lynne Farr, "Warden Gordon Borden" originally aired on January 17, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Carol decides to go to night school in pursuit of a degree in psychology. Not only does this upset the routine in Bob's building, but it also drives the inhabitants to distraction as Carol insists upon analyzing everyone in her immediate vicinity. But, as usual, Bob has problems that go far beyond the obvious ones. Featured in the cast are Will McKenzie as Carol's husband, Larry, and Paul and Claudia Bryar as the Firmans. Written by Sy Rosen, "Guaranteed Not to Shrink" first aired on February 7, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
The enterprising Mr. Carlin gets Bob and Jerry involved in a shady real-estate scheme, wherein an old tenement will be razed to make room for a new development. Oh, the money is good, but the end result will be the eviction of an old man named Arbogast (Malcolm Atterbury). Will conscience once again make a coward out of Bob? Written by Michael Zinberg, "No Sale" made its first network appearance on January 3, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Tom Poston returns in the role of Bob's prankish college chum Cliff Murdock, aka "The Peeper." Arriving in Chicago, an uncharacteristically somber Cliff announces that his wife has left him. Bob invites Cliff to make the Hartley's home his own -- and, as usual, he does. Some of the outtakes for this episode are funnier than the episode itself, and that's saying a lot. Future Hill Street Blues co-star Veronica Hamel appears as Rosemary. Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses, "Peeper-Two" originally aired on February 28, 1976, as the final episode of The Bob Newhart Show's fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Bob's legal hassles and headaches begin apace when he advises a shy patient named Mr. Herd (Oliver Clark) to be more assertive. The strategy works so well that Mr. Herd ends up suing Bob. In the meantime, Emily is fiercely determined to fight a traffic ticket -- and she expects Bob to support her every inch of the way. Written by Sy Rosen, "Birth of a Salesman" made its CBS network debut on February 14, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Finally getting custody of his son Howie, Howard must now face the problem of proper child care when he isn't around. At first, Howie is left in the hands of Bob and Emily, who in turn hire a gorgeous babysitter named Mitzi Margolis (Brooke Adams). Howard is so impressed by Mitzi that he asks her to remain in his home on a permanent -- and definitely nonprofessional -- basis. Also in the cast is Amzie Strickland as Mrs. Walhauser. Written by WKRP in Cincinnati writer Hugh Wilson, "The Boy Next Door" first aired on February 21, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
This week, Bob is besieged from all sides. Not only is Carol threatening to give notice to two of her four bosses, but Howard has given Bob a bad-taste gift -- and he expects to be praised for his largesse. Completing the canvas is the unscheduled appearance of a human fly. Shirley O'Hara appears as Debbie Flett. Written by Gary David Goldberg of Family Ties fame, "Et Tu, Carol?" originally aired on October 30, 1976, as the final episode in The Bob Newhart Show's familiar 9:30 p.m. Saturday time slot; thereafter, the series would be shown one hour earlier. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Now that he is retired, Jerry can devote his energy to locating his birth parents. Alas, his first two efforts -- distributing leaflets and advertising on a local wrestling show -- failed to yield results. Down but not out, Jerry embarks upon a world tour to locate the couple who gave him up for adoption years earlier. Without giving the ending away, it can be noted that Fred D. Scott appears as Mr. Robinson and Lucy Landau is cast as Mommy. First shown on December 4, 1976, "Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson" was written by Gordon and Lynne Farr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Bob is aghast to discover that his mother and father are separating after 47 years of marriage. The reason: Mr. Hartley loves to fish, and Mrs. Hartley (Martha Scott) does not. Worse still, Mom wants Bob and Emily's advice on reentering the dating scene. Also in the guest cast is John Holland as Brian McDermott. Written by Sy Rosen, "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" first aired on December 11, 1976, as the first episode in a two-part story arc. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
In the conclusion of a two-part story arc, Bob is still fretting over the breakup of his parents' marriage. Counting on the holiday spirit to heal old wounds, Bob invites both his mother and father to Christmas dinner at the Hartley apartment, hoping to bring them back together (provided, of course, they aren't too busy to attend). Martha Scott and Barnard Hughes repeat their roles as Martha and Herb Hartley. Written by Gordon and Lynne Farr, "Making Up Is the Thing to Do" originally, and appropriately, aired on December 25, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Written by David Lloyd, this episode finds Bob, Jerry, and Howard volunteering to lead a brace of orphans on a rugged camping trip. Their long journey ends with but a single step, as the heroes set up camp in a Chicago parking lot. Also appearing are Sorrell Booke as Perlmutter, Michael Le Clair as Phil Dorigo, Tierre Turner as Wally Carson, and Fil Formicola as the Man at the Elevator. The first Bob Newhart Show to air in the series' earlier 8:30 p.m. Saturday time slot, "Send This Boy to Camp" was originally broadcast on November 6, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Bob turns amateur detective when his expensive new tape recorder turns up missing. Deducing that there's a thief at large, Bob places everyone -- friends and family members alike -- under suspicion. But the solution to the mystery is embarrassingly close to home. Originally shown over the CBS network on November 13, 1976, "A Crime Most Foul" was one of several Bob Newhart Show episodes written by veteran comedy scrivener, Sy Rosen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
