Martin Short Movies
The son of a steel-executive father and concert violinist mother, Ontario native Martin Short attended McMasters University, where he graduated in 1972 with a degree in social work. If you haven't spotted Short at your local youth center or settlement house, it's because he decided to pursue a performing career, encouraged by his fellow McMasters classmates Eugene Levy and Dave Thomas. Making his professional debut in a 1973 Toronto production of Godspell, Short joined Levy and Thomas at the Second City improv troupe in Edmonton, Alberta in 1977. Two years later, Short made his first film, Lost and Found, and also co-starred on the critically lauded but little-seen American sitcom The Associates. It was while appearing on SCTV Network 90 from 1982 through 1983 and Saturday Night Live from 1984 through 1985 that Short attained stardom with such distinctive comic characterizations as supercilious showbiz promoter Jackie Rogers Jr. and pointy-headed nerd Ed Grimley (this last-named character was spun off into an amusing Saturday morning cartoon series in 1989). He also scored big yocks with his devastating, dead-on impressions of such icons as Jerry Lewis and Katharine Hepburn (a lifelong Jerry Lewis fan, Short was invited to join Lewis as co-host of a cable-TV Martin and Lewis retrospective in 1993; he has yet to share the spotlight with the real Ms. Hepburn). Though an extremely likeable screen presence, the puckish Short has, like many of his Second City brethren, frequently been cast in films far beneath his talents, hitting bottom with 1994's Clifford. Happily, he has been extremely well-served in such films as Three Amigos (1986), Innerspace (1989), and the 1992 remake of Father of the Bride, in which he had an unbearably funny cameo as epicene wedding planner Franck Eggelhoffer. In 1993, Short made his Broadway debut, assuming the old Richard Dreyfuss role in a musical adaptation of the 1977 film The Goodbye Girl. The following year, Martin Short had another go at television, headlining the weekly (but not for long) Seinfeld rip-off The Martin Short Show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2008
- Add Comic Relief: The Greatest... and the Latest to QueueAdd Comic Relief: The Greatest... and the Latest to top of Queue
Comic Relief: The Greatest... and the Latest features a number of performances by some of the most talented comics of their day performing for a charity that collects money for the homeless. Among the performers who appear on this release are Sarah Silverman, Lewis Black, Jon Stewart, and David Cross. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, (more)
- 2005
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Saturday Night Live: Lost and Found - SNL in the '80s documents a turbulent decade for the long-running sketch comedy show. The eighties began without creator Lorne Michales at the helm, but still produced Eddie Murphy. By the middle of the decade Michaels returned, but his first season back was a bumpy one for both fans and critics. This program features famous skits by a number of popular performers including Dana Carvey, Jon Lovitz, and Phil Hartman. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phil Hartman, Billy Crystal, (more)
- 2005
Comedian Martin Short plays it straight (more or less) in the role of prickly Canadian psychic Sebastian Ballentine (Martin Short). Called into the SVU offices to assist in the search for an abducted teenager, Ballentine quickly drives Detective Stabler (Christopher Meloni) up the wall with his snotty, superior attitude--and his many irritating eccentricities. But Stabler may be able to turn the tables when his colleagues begin to suspect that Ballentine knows a lot more about the kidnapping than he's letting on. A bizarre plot twist caps this offbeat episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
On the eve of his wedding, medieval Prince John (Sean Maguire), known as "Prince Charming" to his friends, is caught in a compromising situation with an alleged damsel in distress. As punishment for his indiscretion, John and his lackey Rodney (Martin Short), a wannabe wizard, are subjected to a "frogging" -- that is, they are transformed into frogs, and doomed to remain that way forever unless John can persuade a beautiful maiden to give him a kiss. Through a wrinkle in time, the amphibious John and Rodney find themselves in 21st century Manhattan, where, miraculously, our heroes are restored to their human selves when John is kissed by a flamboyant actress named Margo (Bernadette Peters). But there's still one more proviso to the frogging curse: In order to remain a human, John must get Margo to marry him. Alas, John isn't in love with Margo, but instead is enamored of a young lady named Kate (Christina Applegate) -- the living image of the Prince's long-ago sweetheart Princess Gwendolyn (also Christina Applegate). Meanwhile, Rodney has issues with his own lady love, Margo's wardrobe mistress Serena (Andrea Martin). Filmed in 2001 and subsequently released overseas, Prince Charming finally made its American TV debut on July 13, 2003, via the TNT cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
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This four-hour fantasy miniseries, elaborating on the Arthurian legend and filmed in England and Wales, offers a portrait of the wizard Merlin (Sam Neill), following his life as a youth (Daniel Brocklebank) to his later conflicts with the evil Queen Mab (Miranda Richardson) and his love for Nimue (Isabella Rossellini), who is kidnapped by Lord Vortigern (Rutger Hauer). Amid battles and displays of magic and mysticism (courtesy of London's Framestore and the Jim Henson Creature Shop), Merlin strides the English countryside encountering Excalibur, the unbreakable sword, and a Camelot cast of colorful characters including the morphing manservant Frik (Martin Short), Morgan le Fey (Helena Bonham Carter), King Arthur (Paul Curran), Lancelot (Jeremy Sheffield), and Guinevere (Lena Heady). Premiered April 26, 1998 on NBC. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sam Neill, Isabella Rossellini, (more)
- 1996
This 1996 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Martin Short and features musical guest No Doubt. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Short, No Doubt, (more)
- 1996
Comedian Martin Short takes a break from moviemaking to provide tips and hints to parents interested in taking extra steps to ensure their children's safety at home. Short uses humor and fun to draw viewers into this useful video that also features home remedies for common household accidents. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
In this animated children's film from Amblin Entertainment, a group of four dinosaurs, including a tyrannosaurus rex, a triceratops, a hadrosaur, and a pterodactyl, are brought forward in time to New York City to entertain and befriend the children. However, when the dinosaurs are threatened by an evil circus owner, it is up to their young friends to save the day. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Goodman, Blaze Berdahl, (more)
The mock heavy-metal band Spinal Tap (actually comedians Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer) return to duty in this made-for-TV sequel to Rob Reiner's 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, filmed to promote the group's album Break Like the Wind. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, (more)
- 1992
- Add Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories, Vol. 5: Patrick's Dinosaurs to QueueAdd Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories, Vol. 5: Patrick's Dinosaurs to top of Queue
In this made-for-cable TV feature, the stories Patrick's Dinosaurs and What Happened to Patrick's Dinosaurs?, by Carol Carrick, are included in this children's program. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1990
A cast of celebrities gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Earth Day. It is an entertaining special that points out the crisis state of our planet's environment. It provides scientific facts and detailed analysis. The show provides ways in which everyone can participate in saving the planet. There are ways we can do this everyday with the choices we make. It strives to make us all take responsibility for the condition of the environment. The cast entertains and teaches through comedy, singing, and storytelling. The Earth Day Special is an entertaining motivational tool that encourages everyone to do their part in saving the earth. ~ Beth Deki, All Movie Guide
- 1986
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This 45-minute retelling of the Johnny Appleseed story was produced for Shelley Duvall's American Tall Tales and Legends. Martin Short is beautifully cast as John Chapman, the legendary figure who planted apple trees all over country. The story's lighthearted approach makes even the "death" finale palatable. Molly Ringwald plays Johnny's lost love, while Rob Reiner makes a supporting appearance, probably as a favor to his friend and colleague Christopher Guest, who directed. Johnny Appleseed was originally telecast on Showtime Cable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Originally telecast October 4, 1986, Really Weird Tales was meant to be a satirical spin on the old Twilight Zone series. SCTV regulars John Candy, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara and Joe Flaherty head the cast of this 90-minute comedy anthology. The tenor of the project can be gauged by the first playlet, "All's Well That Ends Strange," the story of a wastrelly lothario uncovering a Horrible Secret. Laughs? Of course there are laughs. All that's missing in Really Weird Tales is the strong storytelling sense that Rod Serling injected into his Twilight Zone. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
There's quite a mystery in Maxwell's shop as he discovers food missing, yet money has been left in payment. Who's taking all the food during the night? Reading Rainbow: Animal Cafe provides the solution, and host LeVar Burton visits workers who ply their trades during the night shift in New York City. Then he goes to a bat cave in Texas, where a scientist explains the feeding habits of bats. The series is aimed at preschoolers and students up to fourth grade, and stresses the fun of reading. In the segment devoted to kid-reviewed books features Night Markets: Bringing Food to a City by Joshua Horwitz. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1986
This 1986 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short and features musical guest Randy Newman. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, (more)
- 1984
This video is one volume in a series that chronicles the history and activities of organized crime in America. Mob presence in the political and business infrastructures of cities like New York and Chicago gave the Mafia the power base needed to run illicit activities, such as gambling and bootlegging. A phenomenon of the modern era of Mafia business is its infiltration into legitimate commerce, as a cover for illegal activities. The video looks at some of these practices and government measures to stop them. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1984
This video is part of a series that traces the history of organized crime in America. Patterned after the model of the Family in Sicily, mafia activities in America centered in large industrial centers, such as New York and Chicago. Part of the mob's success was its ability to deliver jobs. It was only natural that its influence would be felt in organized labor. The film looks at those ties and practices, and the unsolved case of Jimmy Hoffa. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1984
This video is part of a series that investigates the history and activities of organized crime in America. The migration of Sicilians to America brought with it members of the Family, a highly organized subculture that controlled the political power structure of the western region of Italy. The concept transferred well to America, in both New York and Chicago. This volume looks at the success of the mafia in the gambling mecca of Las Vegas, where organized crime gained a stronghold. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1984
From Warner Home Video, this dark exposé is an in-depth look into the shady underworld of the Mob. Starting with the government's prohibition of alcohol that gave the mob its foothold in the underbelly of America, to the illicit high-stakes drug wars that take place on the streets of today, this production shows the gangsters and thugs that rose to notoriety within the violent world of organized crime. Filmed in color and black-and-white with hi-fi sound, this Crime Inc. video is the "start of an empire" for the Thames Video Collection and HBO. ~ C. Dwayne Smith, All Movie Guide
- 1984
This program is volume three in a seven-part series that investigates the history and activities of the Mafia. Owing its rise to power to the Prohibition Era and the public's desire for illicit substances, organized crime has since branched out into many other ventures, both legal and illegal. In this volume, the subject is the law enforcement network, and its efforts to control the racketeering activities of the Mafia. Archival news clips, photographs, and personal accounts illustrate some of the highlights of the fight by the F.B.I. and its allies against the corruption of organized crime. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
In this made-for-TV comedy an unemployed stand-up comedian is tossed out by his girl friend and so gets a job driving a limo. He is still determined to win her back, and nothing, not even his inadvertent involvement with two hit men, will stop him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
