Adam West Movies
Whitman College graduate Adam West began getting his first acting breaks in 1959. That was the year that West, newly signed to a Warner Bros. contract, was cast in the small but pivotal role of Diane Brewster's impotent husband in The Young Philadelphians. After two years' worth of guest-star assignments in Warners' TV product (he was hung by his heels and humiliated by James Garner in a memorable Maverick episode), West accepted the role of Sergeant Steve Nelson on the weekly TVer Robert Taylor's Detectives. In 1962, the series was cancelled, compelling West to free-lance in such films as Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964, as the astronaut who doesn't make it back) and Island of the Blue Dolphins (1964). In 1965, he landed his biggest and best role to date: Millionaire Bruce Wayne, aka the "Caped Crusader", on the smash TV series Batman. Approaching the role with the seriousness and sobriety usually afforded MacBeth or Hamlet, West struck the happy medium between "camp" and conviction. Though in recent years West has apparently basked in the adulation he has received for his two-year stint as Batman, at the time the series was cancelled in 1968, he vowed to distance himself as far from the character as possible, accepting villainous TV and film roles and even fitfully pursuing a singing career. His movie projects ranged from sublime (Marriage of a Young Stockbroker, Hooper) to ridiculous (The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington); no matter what the role, however, West's performance was invariably compared to his Batman work. Finally adopting an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" stance, West began making appearances at nostalgia conventions, supplied his vocal talents to the 1977 animated series The New Adventures of Batman, and publicly expressed disappointment that he was not offered a cameo role in the 1989 big-screen blockbuster Batman (he did however, provide a voice-over for the 1992 Fox TV series Batman: The New Adventures, not as Batman but as a washed-up superhero called the Gray Ghost). Adam West's most recent TV projects have included the weekly series The Last Precinct (1986) and Danger Theatre (1993); he also served as a spokesperson for the Nickelodeon cable network, a service specializing in nostalgia-inducing reruns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Alice (Linda Lavin) has long been worried that her 12-year-old son Tommy (Philip McKeon) may not be growing up in an appropriate environment. Her fears would seem to be confirmed when she finds a picture of a naked woman in Tommy's wallet. Clearly, the time has come to tell Tommy the Facts of Life--and is Alice surprised when Tommy reveals how much he already knows! Former "Batman"Adam West guest stars in this episode, which originally marked Alice's move from a Tuesday-night to a Saturday-night timeslot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
In this installment of the series American Traditions, railroads are explored. Actor Adam West narrates this look at the combining of two railroads. American Traditions: The Golden Spike explores the joining of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads in Promontory Point, UT. ~ Linda J. Shriver, All Movie Guide
Frankie (Trevor Lissauer) is a young man who seems to have hit the jackpot: Moondoggie (Johnny Venocur), a cool -- if a little strange -- dude Frankie met at the beach, throws a wild party at Frankie's parents' house, with two beautiful and sexually adventurous women (Carmen Electra and Deborah Xavier) as invitees. But in the morning, the party people are still at the house. In fact, they have no intentions of leaving. In fact, they are all vampires and they intend to hide out at Frankie's house while dining on the neighbors and pets. Frankie enlists the help of the Big Kahuna (Adam West), a veteran vampire killer and legendary surfer dude, to rid his house of these pesky bloodsuckers. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- 2005
- PG
A well-known level-one angel looking to reunite with his level-six soulmate strikes a special bargain with God in this heavenly comedy featuring some of the best-loved stars of the golden-era of cinema. George Burns (Frank Gorshin) is miserable in heaven. In addition to not being able to smoke his trademark cigars, level-one angel George is also forbidden from cavorting with his level-six love Gracie Allen (Amy Wieczorek). Upon bearing witness to the misery of his forlorn heavenly guest, God makes a proposal to George; save failing musician Steven "Shoomie" Schoomer (Scott Edmund Lane) from completely destroying his life and earn the status that will let him spend eternity with his beloved Gracie. When George arrives back on Earth, he finds Schoomie a commitment-phobic wedding musician with few prospects and little hope for the future. After encouraging Schoomie to make amends with former best friend Howie Gold (David Proval) and embark on a madcap mission to sell a stash of smuggled Cuban cigars, George's plan goes awry as everyone from stealthy assassin Shelleen (Gorshin playing in a dual role) to Fidel Castro himself show a curious interest in the mysterious cigars. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julie Carmen, Rodney Dangerfield, (more)
In 1971, filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles released his third film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, which he wrote, directed, and scored. Despite boasting an all-black cast, an X rating, a low budget, and a decidedly non-Hollywood approach to moviemaking, the ground-breaking independent film went on to gross over ten million dollars while inspiring countless other films of the genre that would come to be called blaxploitation. Mario Van Peebles, the director's son, was 13 at the time and got his first taste of show business with a small role in the film. Over three decades later, the younger Van Peebles directed and co-wrote this film, in which he stars as his father. BAADASSSSS! chronicles the director's struggles to get the film made by highlighting the social roadblocks and production pitfalls Van Peebles faced, as well as the personal sacrifices he was forced to make. Also starring T.K. Carter, Ossie Davis, and Nia Long, BAADASSSSS! premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mario Van Peebles
Tongue-in-cheek humor prevails in Batman, a witty homage to the Dynamic Duo's exaggerated exploits. The Caped Crusaders (Adam West and Burt Ward) are called in as a last resort when the criminal masterminds of the millennium team up to conquer Gotham City by turning the U.N. Security Council into dehydrated dust; among the villains are the Joker (Cesar Romero), Catwoman (Lee Meriwether), the Riddler (Frank Gorshin), and the Penguin (Burgess Meredith). The entire cast is excellent, particularly West and Ward, who distinguish themselves among a standout list with hilariously straight-faced performances. The film includes some truly memorable scenes, highlighted by a particularly tenacious shark with a vertical leap that would put Spud Webb to shame and a bomb on the waterfront with no place to explode (nuns, infants and lovebirds beware!). ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Matchmaker Samantha tries to pair up her friend Gertrude (Kit Smythe) with handsome artist Kermit (a pre-Batman Adam West). In this pursuit, Sam tries to enlist Darrin's aid. Darrin, wrongly convinced that Gertrude is a witch, wants no part of the matter -- and even tries to break up the romance. Ubiquitous 1960s starlet Chris Noel appears as Susan. Written by Roland Wolper, "Love Is Blind" first aired on December 10, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1961
During Ben Cartwright's absence, a woman named Jennifer (Suzanne Lloyd) shows up at the Ponderosa, claiming to be Ben's new wife-and she has a marriage license to back up her claims. The Cartwright boys soon determine that Jennifer has been fleeced by a con artist who has been posing as their father. Determined to reclaim the woman's money and reputation, the brothers head to Crater Plains to confront the imposter-little realizing that they're riding into a neat little ambush. Future Batman star Adam West is seen as Frank Milton, while others in the cast include John McIntire (Sheriff Mike Latimer), William Mims (Ed Bailey), Hank Worden (Old Miner), Mickey Simpson (Miner), Herb Vigran (Bartender) and Clarence Straight (Driver). Written by Richard Newman, "The Bride" was originally telecast on January 21, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
An old fable gets a high-tech update in this computer-animated comedy from Walt Disney Pictures. Chicken Little (voice of Zach Braff) is an earnest young fowl living in the town of Oakley Oaks who one day starts a panic when a falling acorn drops on his head, and he warns everyone that the sky has started to collapse. Chicken Little was wrong, of course, much to the embarrassment of his father, Buck Cluck (voice of Garry Marshall), and now the young chicken is struggling to live down the incident. While his best friends Abby Mallard (voice of Joan Cusack), Runt of the Litter (voice of Steve Zahn), and Fish out of Water stand by him, the school's star athlete Foxy Loxy (voice of Amy Sedaris) never passes up an opportunity to make fun of the diminutive chicken. As a result, Chicken Little tends to keep his more recent discoveries to himself, but what's a bird to do when he uncovers pseudo-scientific evidence that suggests the sky really is starting to fall, in large hexagonal chunks? Chicken Little was directed by Mark Dindal, who previously helmed The Emperor's New Groove for Disney. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zach Braff, Steve Zahn, (more)
- 1988
- PG
Ryan Richmond (Nicholas Strouse) is a lonely teen from Sunnydale, Arizona who believes he is a space alien in this offbeat comedy. Charles (Adam West) and his wife Edna (Candice Azzara) are the new neighbors who reinforce Ryan's vivid imagination. Hugh O'Brien plays a former U.S. vice-president who is embarrassed by Ryan at his daughter's wedding. Hugh Gillin plays Ryan's father who manages a local Holiday Inn that Ryan believes is a spacecraft. Maureen Stapleton and Roddy McDowell make cameo appearances in this uneven teen comedy. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nicholas Strouse, Hugh Gillin, (more)
So how far would you go to win a beauty pageant? That's the burning question of Drop Dead Gorgeous, in which the citizens of Mount Rose, Minnesota gear up for the year's biggest event, the Sarah Rose Miss Teen Princess America Pageant, in which Becky Leeman (Denise Richards) and Amber Atkins (Kirsten Dunst) are the contestants to beat. Becky's mother Gladys (Kirstie Alley), a former beauty queen herself, has instilled in her daughter a drive to succeed at any cost. And Gladys will do anything to help Becky's chances of success. Amber's mother Annette (Ellen Barkin) is devoted to her daughter but drinks, smokes, and swears like a sailor. And while Amber is ambitious and a skilled beautician (a talent that she uses in her part-time job at the local mortuary), her view of the pageant is pragmatic: while boys can get sports scholarships, this pageant may be her only ticket out of town. However, Amber and the other contestants may have underestimated just how badly Becky wants to win -- or just how good she is with a gun. Drop Dead Gorgeous was directed by Michael Patrick Jann, a founding member of the sketch comedy group The State (who had their own series on MTV), and written by Lorna Williams, a veteran of the beauty pageant circuit who claims that nearly everything in the film is based on an actual incident. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirsten Dunst, Ellen Barkin, (more)
- 1974
After the Rampart emergency team subdues a wild bear on a movie set, film star Vic Webster (played by Batman's Adam West) invites the firemen, paramedics and doctors to a lavish Hollywood party. But the crew barely has time to soak in all the glamour when another, more serious crisis occurs. Back at the hospital, Dr. Brackett (Robert Fuller) focuses his energies on a trichinosis victim. And in the field, a man threatens to blow himself up during a shootout with the cops. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Lois develops kleptomania, leading to a wild shoplifting spree. She lands in prison, only to be broken out by Peter and the kids. The Griffins then take refuge from pursuing policeman Joe Swanson by hiding in "Asiantown." Alas, Joe manages to pick up their trail (no great trick, since Peter has become a popular sumo wrestler), whereupon the family retreats to the sewers, where the plot thickens, as it were. So far as we can determine, this is the only American TV cartoon episode of recent memory to reference the names of both Karl Malden and Corey Haim (two treats in one!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Fed up with being shot down by good-looking guys again and again, Meg decided to undergo a fashion makeover. The Griffins are so impressed by the results that they instantly form themselves into a family singing group. They are booked on Saturday Night Live, where Meg makes a rather abrupt transition from girlhood to womanhood. Those keeping track of the series' cultural references should have their hands full in this episode, which includes "quotes" from Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, King of the Hill, The Wizard of Oz, The Empire Strikes Back, Coyote Ugly, MAD TV and the collected works of Garrison Keillor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Lois (voice of Alex Borstein) learns that her sister Carol (voice of Carol Kane) is having a baby and that her husband has left her. Lois and Peter (voice of Seth MacFarlane) go to visit Carol, asking Quagmire (MacFarlane) to baby-sit. When Carol anxiously tells Peter that she's gone into labor, Peter warns her, "You let the kid start calling the shots now and you're screwed." Peter stops at the drive-thru on the way to the hospital. When Lois reminds him that Carol is having a baby, he adds a Kid's Meal to his order. At the hospital, the doctor injures himself, and Peter is called upon to deliver the baby. The experience leaves Peter yearning to experience fatherhood again, and he and Lois decide to have another child. When Stewie (MacFarlane) learns of their plan, he's horrified. He remembers "what happened to Bobby when they added Cousin Oliver to The Brady Bunch." "As God is my witness," he vows, "from this day forward, Peter and Lois shall not conceive." Stewie sets about thwarting his parents' intimacy by crawling into their bed at night. When he attempts to frame Peter by using Lois' lipstick to stain his shirt collars, he gets distracted by his reflection in the mirror and gets busted. "All this time spent trying to keep people from having sex!" he cries. "Now I know how the Catholic Church feels." Eventually, Stewie shrinks himself and his laser gun-equipped "spaceship" to near-microscopic size, and enters Peter with the intention of making all-out war on his sperm. But he's surprised to find a formidable opponent (voice of Wallace Shawn) in one of Peter's seed. This episode features the voice of frequent contributor Gary Cole as Mike Brady. Cole also played Brady in Brady Bunch feature films. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2002
This episode features three short segments based on viewer suggestions. In "No Bones About It," a genie comes out of Peter's (voice of Seth MacFarlane) beer bottle and grants him three wishes. His first wish is to see what Kelly Ripa (who does her own voice) is like off the set. He wishes that he had his own theme music. This wish leads to trouble. While Peter enjoys the "traveling music" that plays as he rides the bus, another passenger takes offense, and threatens to "break every bone" in his body. So Peter makes his third wish -- "I wish I had no bones." The Griffin family is so unhappy with Peter's transformation into an amorphous blob that he tries to kill himself by letting himself down the drain. In "Super Griffins," the family is exposed to toxic waste and develops strange abilities. Stewie (MacFarlane) has telekinetic powers, Chris (voice of Seth Green) can conjure fire, Brian (MacFarlane) has super speed, Lois (voice of Alex Borstein) has super strength, Peter can shape shift, and hapless Meg (voice of Mila Kunis) can grow her fingernails really long in an instant. Despite Lois' call to use their powers responsibly, the Griffins soon run afoul of the authorities, and Mayor Adam West (voice of Adam West) exposes himself to toxic waste in order to do battle with them. In "Little Griffins," the characters are all bigheaded children, in some kind of godforsaken amalgam of Muppet Babies and The Little Rascals. Peter and Quagmire (MacFarlane) spend the night in a haunted house to prove to Lois that each is braver than the other. This episode features the voices of professional wrestler Goldberg, Adam Carolla, Michael Winslow, and Regis Philbin. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Peter has landed a job at a beer factory (What? No Laverne and Shirley reference?), but soon finds that the work is not to his liking. Meanwhile, son Chris nervously anticipates a traditional hazing at his school. Not wishing to suffer the ordeal, Chris runs off to the jungles of South America, where he becomes a local hero by performing songs originally popularized by George Michael--and finds himself betrothed to a tribal chieftan's daughter. Before long, Peter "goes native" as well, but he isn't so far afield of civilization that he can't make a reference to the notorious "The Contest" episode of Seinfeld. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Peter thinks he's suddenly become brilliant after winning a game of "Trivial Pursuit", little realizing that Lois had merely let him win. To let Peter down easy, Brian the dog arranges for his master to get an IQ test. As a result, Peter is classified as "retarded"--and he intends to take full advantage of the fact that the world gives a special pass to Special People. In the same spirit of taste and delicacy, this episode offers a musical performance by a singing tumor, and a knee-slapping reference to the bombing of Hiroshima. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
At a charity car wash organized by Chris (voice of Seth Green), Meg (voice of Mila Kunis), Stewie (voice of Seth MacFarlane), and Chris find a wallet containing some cash. Joe (voice of Patrick Warburton) tells the kids that they have to post a notice about the missing wallet and wait two weeks before they can claim it as their own. Suddenly, a thief grabs the wallet and runs off, sending Joe on a high-speed chase in his wheelchair. Joe manages to retrieve the wallet, but the thief escapes. Joe sinks into a deep depression. It's the first time he's ever "lost a perp," and he considers quitting the police force. Peter (MacFarlane) raises Joe's spirits by convincing Joe to compete in the "Special Peoples' Games" and training him for the decathlon. "Today we'll see some of Quahog's finest athletes struggle valiantly against God's twisted designs," announces Tom Tucker (MacFarlane) on the day of the event. When Joe begins to doubt his chances after falling behind, Peter makes an inspirational speech. "Did George W. Bush quit even after losing the popular vote? No. Did he quit after losing millions of dollars of his father's friends' money in failed oil companies? No. Did he quit after he got that DUI? No...." Determined to see his friend victorious, Peter steals some steroids from the pharmacy and "juices" Joe's water bottle. Their friendship grows strained, however, after Joe wins and becomes a national celebrity, and downplays Peter's contribution to his victory. Meanwhile, Meg, Stewie, and Chris grow increasingly paranoid about who gets to hold onto the wallet, eventually asking Brian (MacFarlane) to watch it for them. This episode features the voices of Tony Danza, Valerie Bertinelli, and Alex Rocco. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2005
The sex-obsessed Quagmire thinks he'd died and gone to heaven when he is propositioned by Loretta, the bored wife of neighbor Cleveland. As for Loretta's husband, he has precisely no idea what's going on--no surprise, since he never has any idea of what's going on. Alerted by Peter and Brian, Cleveland finds out about his wife's indiscretion and plots a unique revenge--once the smoke stops spouting from his ears. This episode offers pop-cultural references to four of the Rocky films, as well as the extremely obscure series Kicked in the Nuts! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Bet you thought that Lois has been ignoring all of her baby son Stewie's attempts to kill these past four seasons, didn't you? In truth, Lois is fully aware of Stewie's homicidal streak--and she holds her husband Peter to blame for not spending enough quality time with his infant offspring. Thus it is that Peter and Stewie make a mutually uncomfortable effort to bond. . .and it's a frightening thing to see. On the other hand, some viewers might get a case of the creeps while watching the episode's subplot, in which Stewie's slacker brother Chris becomes friends with Herbert, one of the weirdest of Family Guy's many peripheral characters. All this, plus quickie references to Michael Eisner, Penelope Cruz, Captain EO and the internet "flash cartoon" Peanut Butter Jelly Time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
The Griffins visit Toys 'R' Overpriced, where they buy Stewie (voice of Seth MacFarlane) his first tricycle. Later, when a teacher is arrested for teaching "crackpot theories" at Meg's (voice of Mila Kunis) school, a news team shows up, and Meg finds herself smitten with news anchor Tom Tucker (MacFarlane). She has a fantasy about him (a parody of the Phoebe Cates pool scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High) and decides to apply for Channel 5's Young Anchor internship program. Thanks to co-anchor Diane Simmons' insecurity about picking a pretty girl, Meg is chosen for the internship, but unluckily, her partner intern is Neil (voice of Seth Green), the nerdy A/V guy who has a massive crush on her. Stewie learns to ride his tricycle, while Peter (MacFarlane) proudly videotapes, until he's distracted by the (American) beauty of a plastic bag blowing around in the wind. Stewie has his first encounter with the concept of bullying when Charlie (voice of Josh Peck) steals his new wheels. Later, when the infamous "Mass Media Murderer," known for killing newspersons, is spotted on top of Town Hall, Tom and Diane give Meg and Neil the story. When it seems like the hapless teens are going to be murdered, Meg gives Neil a kiss, which is captured on videotape. In the nick of time, a superheroic Hugh Downs (doing his own voice) comes to the rescue, and Meg has to deal with the ugly repercussions of that kiss. Soon, Neil is handing out T-shirts at school festooned with the image of their lip-lock, and bringing his parents over for dinner at the Griffins'. This episode features the voice talents of Michael Chiklis and Abe Vigoda, along with references to Mr. Sherman and Peabody and Quantum Leap. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Swept away by a hurricane, Peter and his pals Quagmire, Joe and Cleveland manage to float to safety by using one of Quagmire's sex dolls as a raft (and don't ask what they ate during their ordeal!) Meanwhile, the town of Quahog holds a memorial for the "lost" neighbors, while Peter's wife Lois marries their family dog Brian, who is supporting the family as a used-car salesman. The fun begins when after four months, Peter returns, placing Lois in the awkward position of cheating on her husband WITH her husband! This inside-joke-studded spoof of the Tom Hanks movie Cast Away was ironically bumped from its scheduled September 11, 2005 telecast date due to ongoing news coverage of Hurricane Katrina. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
