Jody Peterson Movies
Mel Brooks does it again with this send-up of vampire films. That Leslie Nielson plays the great blood-sucking count gives viewers a good idea as to what they are in for. This Dracula takes himself very seriously despite the fact that he's a bit of a klutz with a tendency to slip in the bat guano that adorns his castle floor. Staying very close to Bram Stoker's original story, Brooks also pays sly homage to other major vampire film classics, including Nosferatu. Though silly but subtle gags abound in this outing, Brooks has taken great care to recreate the late 19th-century atmosphere in rich detail and harkens back to Hammer horror movies popular during the '50s and '60s. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leslie Nielsen, Peter MacNicol, (more)
Bette Midler stars as a Martha Raye-type entertainer during the World War II era in this big-budget nostalgia piece. Midler plays big-band singer Dixie Leonard, who is chosen to perform at an overseas USO Christmas show by her uncle Art Silver (George Segal), a comedy writer for famed comedian Eddie Sparks (James Caan). Dixie is shuttled to London, where she is thrown on-stage with Eddie, who takes an immediate dislike to her. But her performance is a sensation, and the audience can't stop howling at Dixie's smart one-liner comebacks to Eddie. Dixie is catapulted to stardom, and the repartee between Eddie and Dixie becomes the stuff of legend. The two spar together through World War II, the McCarthy era, and Vietnam. But Dixie stops speaking to Eddie when he fires a writer for being a communist sympathizer and, later, she doesn't speak to him again after he arranges for a reunion between her and her son on the battlefields of Vietnam. Finally, Dixie, now an old woman, is cajoled to appear on a television awards show to reunite with a now decrepit Eddie, age 91. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bette Midler, James Caan, (more)
- 1991
Ben (Jeremy Miller) creates a rap group called "The Fresh Kids"--and much to the family's shock and surprise, dad Jason (Alan Thicke) ponies up $2000 to finance the kids. In the process, Jason also becomes the group's manager, on condition that Ben demonstrate that he's responsible enough to be a "business partner." Ben tries hard, but ultimately slips up--whereupon Jason takes complete charge of the situation, to the satisfaction of absolutely nobody! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In honor of Valentine's Day, Mike (Kirk Cameron) has blown his bankroll to escort Kate (Chelsea Noble) to a fancy restaurant. Imagine Mike's surprise--and dismay--when the couple's waitress turns out to be his ex-fiancee Julie Costello (Julie McCullough)! In the course of this unforgettable evening, the audience finally learns why Mike and Julie called things off at the very last minute (a question frustratingly unanswered in the previous episode "Mike and Julie's Wedding). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Budding "auteur" Ben (Jeremy Miller) casts himself as the star of his own video-movie "The Horror" ("Rated R, and we all know what that means"). The plot involves a baby alligator which grows to gargantuan proportions after being flushed down the toilet, leaving the fate of the world in the hands of a lonely, neglected little boy (Ben, of course). Though Maggie (Joanna Kerns) thinks that the film is Ben's special way of expressing his frustrations in life, Jason (Alan Thicke) is closer to the truth when he determines that the epic is merely an excuse to feature the lissome Laura Lynn (Jodi Peterson) in a skimpy bathing suit! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Maggie's parents Ed (Gordon Jump) and Kate (Betty McGuire) conspire with the Seaver kids to arrange a surprise 20th anniversary part for Jason (Alan Thicke) and Maggie (Joanne Kerns). Alas, the festivities quickly degenerate into a shoutfest involving Maggie's mom and dad, Jason's mom Irma Jane Powell), and the rest of the guests--culminating in one of TV's sloppiest food fights. Even so, the party proves to be a boost for the blossoming relationship between Mike (Kirk Cameron) and Julie (Julie McCullough). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Aspiring actor Mike (Kirk Cameron) lands a part on the TV cop show "New York Heat." Granted, it's not much of a part, but at least he has a terrific death scene. Or at least he HAD a terrific death scene until his role was whittled down to virtually nothing just before airtime! Former Dallas costar Beth Toussaint (aka Tracy Lawton) appears as "New York Heat"'s sexy leading lady Morgan Chase. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Jason's mom Irma (Jane Powell) and her new hubby Wally (Robert Rockwell) hope to play matchmaker for their granddaughter Carol (Tracey Gold) and their gormless investment counselor Ken Singleton (Darren Powell). To foil this scheme, Carol decides to show up at Irma's party with a phony boyfriend. The man selected for this dubious "honor" is none other than Carol's coworker Big Al (Beans Morocco). (Note: The first telecast of this episode was not listed in TV Guide, due to the possibility of an extra World Series game). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
