Robby Benson Movies
When 13-year-old Robby Benson appeared with "Josephine the Plumber" (Jane Withers) in a well-circulated TV commercial of the late 1960s, he was already a ten-year veteran of show business. The son of a writer and a stage actress, Benson went from the straw-hat theater circuit to the leading role of Oliver in a 1964 Japanese touring production. At fourteen he made his Broadway debut, and at that same time became the first of five actors to play the role of Bruce Carson on the TV daytime drama Search for Tomorrow. In films from 1972, Benson specialized in playing sensitive teenagers with severe emotional and/or physical problems. He also was frequently co-starred in romantic roles with young actress Glynnis O'Connor, notably in the 1973 film Jeremy and the 1977 TV production of Our Town. While his early theatrical films were generally okay, Benson was better served in made-for-TV movies: he was excellent as the dying son of author John Gunther in Death Be Not Proud (1975) and as George Burns' mentally retarded grandson in Two of a Kind (83). Benson endured an awkward period in the 1980s when, except for such career highlights as The Chosen (1981), he seemed to be pulling out the same bag of acting tricks in role after role. An effort to establish himself as a producer resulted in the unsuccessful Die Laughing (1979). He backed away from show business in 1984 when he underwent delicate open-heart surgery; the ordeal seemed to strengthen his resolve to broaden his performing skills. He starred as a tough Chicago cop in a brief TV series Tough Cookies (1986), and in 1988 directed his first film, Crack in the Mirror. Benson's most successful film project of recent years was one in which his face was never seen: as the growling, deep-voiced Beast in the Disney cartoon feature Beauty and the Beast (though touted in some articles as his voiceover debut, Benson had actually been dubbing TV cartoons for several years, notably the 1991 series Pirates of Dark Water). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The third installment in the series of films that began with 2000's MVP: Most Valuable Primate finds the athletically inclined chimp Jack taking to the slopes. After hooking up with some kids in Colorado, the charming chimp is soon tearing up the mountainside on a snowboard. Starring Robby Benson, MXP: Most Xtreme Primate features an appearance pro-snowboarder Bjorn Leines. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Devin Douglas Drewitz, Robby Benson, (more)
- 2001
- Add Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse to QueueAdd Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse to top of Queue
This home video release finds an interesting way to repackage older Disney cartoons. Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse, finds Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and all of the other beloved Disney animated characters unable to leave a holiday party. In order to pass the time, the gang watches a compilation of holiday-themed short films. There is something for every member of the family on this look at Disney older efforts. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
A wide-eyed young boy finds his small-town life turned upside down in the feature directorial debut from actor Danny Glover. Jeremy Sumpter of Frailty stars as Henry, a youngster in rural America who dreams of Hollywood when a big-studio movie crew comes to town to shoot a new picture. Also starring Carl Lumbly and Robby Benson, Just a Dream had its premiere at the 2002 South By Southwest Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Robbie Benson lends his inimitable vocal stylings to this animated feature based on the book by L. Frank Baum. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robby Benson, Dixie Carter, (more)
- 1998
In this TV sitcom, tattooed and body-pierced Joanne (Kelly De Martino), sporting a nose ring, seeks the biological mom she never met -- unhip, suburban Pittsburgh mom Nicki Beck (Kelly De Martino), who works at a local discount chain and lives with her husband Gary (Cliff Bemis) and cute red-headed daughter Ami (Renee Olstead). When Joanne turns up with a claim that she's the daughter Nicki conceived during 1976 Bicentennial celebrations, both are taken aback -- and despite the inevitable and predictable personality conflicts, Joanne moves in. Taped in L.A., this sitcom premiered October 27, 1998 on UPN. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Pete (Jon Favreau) enters a grueling "ultimate fight," leading to a lot of hurt and a fateful decision by Monica (Courteney Cox). Ross' (David Schwimmer) new date Bonnie (Christine Taylor) once had a hair problem -- mainly, she didn't have any. Chandler's (Matthew Perry) new boss gives a whole new meaning to the word forceful. And yes, those two guys in the park are just who you think they are. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Having gone back to smoking, Chandler (Matthew Perry) tries all sorts of things to quit, including a hypnosis tape (from the episode of the same title). Meanwhile, Monica's (Courteney Cox) date yields unexpected results. And Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) finds out that her half-brother Frank Jr. (Giovanni Ribisi) is in love -- and she's none too pleased with the woman in his life. Jon Favreau and Debra Jo Rupp make their first series appearances as Pete and Alice, respectively. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Disgruntled Ross (David Schwimmer) thinks that Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) new co-worker Mark (Steven Eckholdt) is a bit too friendly, while Rachel's former boss Gunther (James Michael Tyler) gets all moony-eyed. Monica (Courteney Cox) dates a poetic and somewhat xenophobic busboy named Julio (Carlos Gomez). And Joey (Matt LeBlanc), anxious to land a job in a Broadway musical, claims on his resumé that he is an expert dancer -- with disastrous results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Tom Selleck returns as Dr. Richard Burke, ex-beau of the much-younger Monica (Courteney Cox). Chancing to meet Richard at the video store, Monica is determined to keep all future encounters on a platonic basis. Meanwhile, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) girds up her courage to read The Shining (provided that Joey [Matt LeBlanc] can wade through Little Women). And Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) latest boyfriend favors shorts that are way, way too short. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Sherilyn Fenn guest stars as Chandler's (Matthew Perry) new girlfriend Ginger, who has an artificial leg and a low gross-out threshold. Meanwhile, Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) former singing partner Leslie (Elizabeth Daily) wants to stir up a promotional blitz for their deathless composition "Smelly Cat." And Ross (David Schwimmer) has still not adjusted to Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) new job -- or her new co-worker Mark (Steven Eckholdt). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Belle and the other characters from Disney's Beauty and the Beast return in this three-part story. Belle and the Beast learn a lesson about how to forgive and forget in "The Perfect Word"; a romantic evening takes a wrong turn -- down a step hill -- in "Fifi's Folly"; and the Beast gives a pet bird its freedom in "Broken Wing." ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robby Benson, Paige O'Hara, (more)
- 1997
Area 51: The Alien Interview fuels the debate as to whether aliens are authentic and seek contact with humankind. Area 51 is a top-secret underground military base in the middle of Nevada whose existence government officials long denied. Some believe Area 51 is the center of the U.S. government's clandestine UFO research. Edwards Air Force Base, famous as a test center for classified aircraft and other exotic weapons, controls the strange site. Area 51: The Alien Interview features footage allegedly smuggled out of Area 51 by a mysterious character known only as Victor. Taken through a one-way mirror, the footage depicts an alien creature being questioned by a United States general and his telepathic aide. Viewers will decide for themselves whether this striking film is a true documentation of government efforts to communicate with aliens or an intriguing hoax. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Monica (Courteney Cox) discovers that her new boyfriend, Ethan (Stan Kirsch), is only a high school senior. Unfortunately, she finds out a bit too late to gently break off the relationship. Meanwhile, Ross (David Schwimmer) is both appalled and let down when he hears about Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) sexual fantasies, and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) discovers that not everyone likes Chandler (Matthew Perry) as much as she does. Somehow or other, everyone winds up in the hospital. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Incredible as it must seem to some, quite a few families and individuals have agreed to give up all or part of their privacy and permit a film crew to record their every act. Therefore, the premise of this send-up of "reality television" is not so far-fetched as might be supposed. In the story, a ratings-hungry television executive (Robby Benson) persuades the Webber family to become subject to this sort of intrusion, in return for lots of money and the opportunity to live in a really fancy mansion. The star of the resulting show is the family's nubile and sexually active daughter (Jennifer Tilly), who takes casts of each of her dates' better body parts in hopes of one day putting together a model of her ideal man. The highly intellectual father in the family is a psychiatrist (Jeffrey Tambor) with some very strange patients, some of whom have agreed to appear on camera as well. The mom (Rita Taggert) becomes a popular role model, even though she feels neglected by the rest of the family, and especially her husband, and the son (David Arquette) just moons around, in mourning for his recently dead girlfriend. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeffrey Tambor, Rita Taggart, (more)
- 1993
- Add Greatest Adventure Stories from the Bible: David and Goliath to QueueAdd Greatest Adventure Stories from the Bible: David and Goliath to top of Queue
From Hanna-Barbera's animated series depicting the tales of the bible, "David and Goliath" tells the tale of David's leadership and determination to follow his God. David uses the strength he finds in his faith and a mere slingshot in defense against the brute Goliath, and is thus able to prevent the people of Israel from becoming enslaved. The video is recommended for older children, along with parental guidance. ~ Sarah Sloboda, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Scientist Robby Benson creates the ultimate home appliance, a computer that handles every conceivable household chore. However, the machine becomes so enamored of its creator that it sets out to murder his wife. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Robby Benson stars as an insane ex-con obsessed with a magazine journalist (Jennifer O'Neill). ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1992
President Abraham Lincoln leads the Union in the fight to end the awful bloodshed of the Civil War. The year is 1863. The president had a continuous struggle with the commanders of his army, and the bloodshed from the fighting at Antietam and Fredericksburg distressed him greatly. 1863 was the year of his Emancipation Proclamation and Gettysburg Address. Listen to the story of the events that led to the amazing address at Gettysburg. Actor Jason Robards brings to life the voice of President Lincoln. PBS originally aired this program, the second of a four-volume set narrated by actor James Earl Jones. ~ Linda J. Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1992
A shrewd politician, Abraham Lincoln had the intelligence, ambition, and principles to grow into his job as president. This is the first of four videos in the Lincoln series, which originally aired on PBS. Produced and directed by Peter W. Kunhardt, this program is narrated by renowned actor James Earl Jones, and features award-winning actor Jason Robards reading from letters, speeches, and diaries. Highlights include period photographs. The other three programs in the series are titled Lincoln: The Pivotal Year, 1863, Lincoln: I Want to Finish This Job, 1864, and Lincoln: Now He Belongs to the Ages, 1865. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 1992
This video is the fourth installment of the Lincoln series, originally aired on PBS. This volume focuses on the last days and hours of Abraham Lincoln's life. Viewers watch as Lincoln's enemies plot their final revenge on the man they believed had dishonored their heritage. The video also reveals how Lincoln's own dreams foreshadowed his murder and how the series of public funerals, following his death, helped fuel his legendary status that has only grown with time. ~ Karla Baker, All Movie Guide
- 1992
By the third year of the Civil War, personal and national tragedy had worn down President Lincoln. However, he focused on his job tenaciously, having a strong sense of history. This is the third of four programs in the Lincoln series, which originally aired on PBS. Produced and directed by Peter W. Kunhardt, this program is narrated by renowned actor James Earl Jones and features award-winning actor Jason Robards reading from letters, speeches, and diaries. Highlights include period photographs. The other three programs in the series are titled Lincoln: The Making of a President, 1860-1862, Lincoln: The Pivotal Year, 1863, and Lincoln: Now He Belongs to the Ages, 1865. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Divorcee Helen Slater doesn't mind single life, but she doesn't like being alone either. Her best pal Kelly LeBrock dutifully sets up a blind date. Outwardly charming doctor Billy Zane is Slater's companion for the evening, and things couldn't be rosier. But it turns out that neither Zane nor LeBrock are dealing from the top of the deck, and before long Slater and her daughter Heather Lind are embroiled in a life- threatening situation. This reasonably involving thriller was scripted by actor Robby Benson. Featured in the cast are Harvey Korman and Alan Thicke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Beauty and the Beast is widely considered the best animated Disney feature of the studio's 1980s/1990s renewal of the form. Based on the classic French fairy tale, it tells the story of Belle (voiced by Paige O'Hara), an intelligent young woman scorned by her townspeople for being a bookworm, weary of fighting off the advances of the arrogant Gaston (Richard White), and dreaming of escape. When her father gets lost in the woods and captured by the forbidding Beast (Robby Benson), a once-handsome prince turned into a monster by a witch, Belle goes off to rescue him. Taken with her, the Beast agrees to release Belle's father if she agrees to stay with him forever. Initially repulsed, Belle soon finds much to appreciate in the Beast's hidden, tender nature. The Beast's servants -- a clock (David Ogden Stiers), a teapot (Angela Lansbury), and a candlestick (Jerry Orbach) -- see Belle as their salvation: if the Beast and a woman fall in love before his 21st birthday, he will be free from the curse. The songs are first-class, the tale is told with sincerity but not sentimentality, and the characters of Belle and the Beast, complex individuals who defy stereotyping and change over the course of the story, are more three-dimensional than in most live-action movies. The eye-popping animation is beautifully rendered, and Beauty and the Beast certainly deserves its place amongst Disney's animated classics. In 2002, a special 89-minute edition of the film was released in IMAX theaters with the addition of a newly animated song, ""Human Again."" ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, (more)
- 1986
In this animated children's feature, the beloved Bible stories of "David and Goliath" and "The Story of Gideon" are told. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
