Bill Cosby Movies
African-American entertainer Bill Cosby, in his own words, "started out as a child," the son of an eight-dollars-a-day maid and an absentee father. A product of grinding poverty, Cosby escaped his rundown Philadelphia neighborhood by dropping out of high school and joining the navy. He earned his diploma via correspondence course, then earned a football scholarship to Temple University. Working nights as a bartender, Cosby discovered he had the ability to make people laugh, so he temporarily shelved his plans to become an athletics teacher and set out to become a nightclub comedian. Most black comics of the era used the race issue in their act; this didn't quite work for Cosby, but relating humorous reminiscences about himself and his childhood buddies worked beautifully. After numerous TV guest shots and several top-selling, Grammy Award-winning record albums, Cosby was signed by producer Sheldon Leonard to co-star with Robert Culp in a weekly TV espionage series, I Spy. This was an era of acute racial tension; many NBC executives were wary about a black leading man, and quite a few Southern affiliates threatened not to run the show, but Leonard, a street scrapper from way back, refused to back down. I Spy was a hit, earning Cosby an Emmy. As the series progressed, the camaraderie between Cosby and Culp deepened, and by the end of the series, Culp was talking and ad-libbing in the same low-key, offbeat cadence that Cosby had adopted for his club appearances! After I Spy, Cosby signed a sweetheart deal with NBC, which guaranteed him a two-year run on his next program, whether the ratings were good or not. The Bill Cosby Show cast the star as high school coach Chet Kincaid, and was unusual for the time in that it was a sitcom minus a laughtrack. At times it was a sitcom minus laughs as well, but NBC had made its promise, and Cosby did his best. In the '70s he teamed with actor/director Sidney Poitier to make a trio of popular crime/comedy features: Uptown Saturday Night, Let's Do It Again, and A Piece of the Action. Viewers who think of Cosby in terms of one success after another have forgotten such failed 1970s TV projects as The New Bill Cosby Show and Cos. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there was The Cosby Show, the eight-season wonder that single-handedly rescued the sitcom format from oblivion in 1984 and enabled the woebegone NBC network to crack the Number One slot in the ratings week after week. And there were guest spots on the award-winning children's show The Electric Company and Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1969-84) a superlative Saturday morning cartoon show supervised by Cosby that managed to be what is now called "prosocial" without losing any of the fun. He has also been the long-time commercial spokesman for Jell-O. In the fall of 1996 Cosby returned to prime time TV with yet another The Cosby Show sitcom, again set in New York City and co-starring Phylicia Rashad. Although he has been unable to build a successful movie career, Cosby's TV success has made him one of the wealthiest entertainers in the history of the business. Cosby's success is not limited to the entertainment industry, as he returned to school in the '70s and earned a Ph.D. degree in education and has since become a staunch advocate and supporter of education in the Black community, donating time and money to the cause. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
- Add Mike Douglas: Moments and Memories to QueueAdd Mike Douglas: Moments and Memories to top of Queue
Per its title, the compilation release Mike Douglas: Moments and Memories serves up a collection of nostalgic clips from the popular talk program The Mike Douglas Show. Featured guests include Bob Hope, Bob Newhart, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Steve Martin and a young Billy Crystal. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Lennon, Yoko Ono, (more)
The United States Congress named 2003 the "Year of the Blues" as part of an initiative by several musical education groups to make more Americans aware of the history and heritage of blues music, one of America's most important homegrown art forms. To kick off this celebration of the blues, a special concert was held at New York City's historic Radio City Music Hall, and Lightning in a Bottle documents a memorable evening of music from a star-studded roster of artists. Offering a glimpse at the rehearsals and preparations that went into putting the show together as well as the evening's best performances, Lightning in a Bottle includes appearances by B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Macy Gray, Buddy Guy, Chuck D., Solomon Burke, David Johansen, Jimmie Vaughan and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Alison Krauss, and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Ruth Brown, (more)
- 2004
The third TV cartoon series created by Bill Cosby, the half-hour Fatherhood had less in common with its animated predecessors Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and Little Bill than with the live-action sitcom The Cosby Show. The stories revolved around the Bindlebeep family, headed by Dr. Arthur Bindlebeep and his librarian wife Norma. Arthur was a strictly by-the-book parent with firm and unswerving views about child rearing and discipline, while Norma was a bit more relaxed and pliable. The Bindlebeep youngsters Angie, Roy, and Katherine were basically good, but they still weren't entirely problem-free. A typical situation would find the kids trying to figure out how to explain bad grades, broken toys, or rule infractions to their dad without incurring his wrath -- and the solution was generally "let's tell mom first!" Often as not, however, Walter and Norma became more understanding of their children's transgressions when they unintentionally got into trouble themselves. The series used a delicate blend of cell animation and CGI, and was particularly successful in "individualizing" its characters by giving each one a unique design. Fatherhood was added to the Nickelodeon "Nick at Nite" schedule on June 20, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Blair Underwood, Sabrina Le Beauf, (more)
- 2004
- Add American Drummers Achievement Awards Honoring Steve Gadd to QueueAdd American Drummers Achievement Awards Honoring Steve Gadd to top of Queue
After first hitting the skins at the ripe old age of three, drummer Steve Gadd was already sitting in with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie by age 11. Decades (and a rich career) later, Gadd was honored with an American Drummers Achievement Award. Hosted by the one and only Bill Cosby, American Drummers Achievement Awards Honoring Steve Gadd features Gadd joined onstage by the likes of Will Lee, Tom Scott, and James Taylor for an all-star evening of jazz performances. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
Bill Cosby's gang of childhood pals evolve from standup comedy to an animated cartoon series to real life in this family-friendly comedy. Doris (Kyla Pratt) is a teenager who doesn't fit in with most of her classmates at school, has been depressed since the death of her grandfather, and is disturbed by her foster sister's willingness to remake herself in order to be popular. One of Doris' few solaces comes from watching reruns of the animated television series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, and one day while watching the show she starts to cry, with a tear dropping into her remote. The tear draws big-hearted (and just plain big) Fat Albert (Kenan Thompson) from the animated universe into Doris' real world in hopes of cheering her up and helping her deal with her problems. As Fat Albert and his pals -- Rudy (Shedrack Anderson III), Bucky (Alphonso McAuley), Mushmouth (Jermaine Williams), Weird Harold (Aaron A. Frazier), Dumb Donald (Marques B. Houston), and Bill (Keith D. Robinson) -- adapt to the three-dimensional world and try to teach Doris to believe in herself, they learn that traveling back to the animated world is harder than they thought, which becomes alarming when they start to fade away. The real world also poses some new dilemmas for Fat Albert when he falls in love with Doris' foster sister, Lauri (Dania Ramirez). Bill Cosby co-authored the screenplay for Fat Albert, using his full name, William H. Cosby Jr., and collaborating with Charles Kipps; the project was begun with Forest Whitaker as director, who left midway through shooting, with Joel Zwick taking over in his place. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenan Thompson, Kyla Pratt, (more)
- 2003
- Add TV in Black: The First Fifty Years to QueueAdd TV in Black: The First Fifty Years to top of Queue
Experience television history from an African American perspective as revealing interviews and entertaining clips combine to paint an unflinching portrait of life on the small screen from Amos and Andy to Bernie Mac. These are the programs that forever changed the way race was perceived in America, as told through the words of the stars and creators behind the most popular African-American sitcoms, dramas, and mini-series' ever to grace the small screen. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
The world of stand-up comedy is explored from the perspectives of two very different talents -- one wet behind the years, another already a legend -- in this documentary from TV-commercial director Christian Charles. Comedian follows Jerry Seinfeld and Orny Adams as they navigate their way through the cutthroat world of New York's comedy clubs, each working toward the ultimate goal of an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman. For Seinfeld, hitting the clubs is a way of proving himself after his years of sitcom success; for the up-and-coming Adams, nightly stand-up routines are an avenue to bigger and better things, preferably comedy festivals, talk show appearances, and sitcom roles. The two occasionally cross paths at such Manhattan comic haunts as The Gotham Comedy Club and Caroline's, where they debate ups and downs of the trade. Comedian also reveals many candid, behind-the-scenes discussions between Seinfeld and such comic legends as Chris Rock, Robert Klein, Dave Chappelle, and Jay Leno, as well as rare glimpses of the star's personal life. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Seinfeld, Greg Geraldo, (more)
This military drama is based on the true story of Carl Brashear, who was the first African-American to serve as a diver in the United States Navy. Brashear (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) was born to a poor farming family in the deep South, and joined the Navy in hopes of bettering himself. When Brashear applies for diving school, he first encounters Master Chief Billy Sunday (Robert De Niro), a gruff and tyrannical diving instructor who holds absolute sway over his charges. Sunday does little at first to encourage Brashear's ambitions, and the would-be diver discovers racism in the military is an ugly fact of life when his white comrades refuse to share barracks with him. But Brashear's courage and determination make an impression on Sunday, and the two men become allies as Brashear must fight prejudice, military bureaucracy, and even a crippling injury in order to realize his dreams. Originally announced under the title Navy Diver, Men of Honor also features Hal Holbrook, David Keith, Michael Rapaport, Charlize Theron, and Powers Boothe; Bill Cosby served as an executive producer for the project. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert De Niro, Cuba Gooding, Jr., (more)
- 1999
Bill Cosby guest stars as Phil, the Angel of Reconciliation. Phil's current assignment is to mend the rifts that have separated prosperous car dealer Ben Mangione (Pat Hingle) and his prodigal son Buddy (Josh Carmichael). Ben's anger over Buddy's refusal to take over the family business--not to mention the ill feelings of Ben's son-in-law Frankie (Michael Rispoli), who'd hoped to take over himself--casts a pall over the 35th wedding anniversary of Ben and his wife Sylvia (Joyce Van Patten). Even more irksome is that the habitually late Phil has yet to make an appearance, forcing Tess (Della Reese) to cover for him, and possibly complete his assignment. But this may not be possible; halfway through the anniversary, party, word arrives that Buddy has been killed in a car accident! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this film by director Francis Ford Coppola, Robin Williams stars as Jack, a boy who is growing normally, but at many times the normal rate. In a bizarre flashback, we see that he was born when his mother was only ten weeks pregnant. Kept out of school for years, the neighborhood children consider him a freak, and generally avoid him. He is finally required to go to public school, and we catch up to him as he enters the fourth grade for the first time, a 10-year-old boy who appears to be a fully grown man in his 40s. His classmates tease him mercilessly until they begin to see the advantages of having him around. He must also have some grown-up feelings to go along with his grown-up body, because he asks his teacher out for a date. When she refuses him, he goes off into town and gets into adult-type trouble as he courts nightclub denizen Dolores Durante (Fran Drescher) over the objections of her boyfriend. Teacher Lawrence Woodruff (Bill Cosby) tries (with some success) to help Jack cope with his situation. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robin Williams, Diane Lane, (more)
- 1994
In this made-for-TV whodunit, funnyman Bill Cosby shifts gears as Guy Hanks, a retired New York Police forensics investigator. Though Hanks' girlfriend Barbara (Lynn Whitfield) and smart-mouthed housekeeper Angie (Rita Moreno) do their best to keep Guy busy, his close friend and former boss Sully (James Naughton) lures Guy back into action when he runs across a tough case he just can't crack. The Cosby Mysteries was the pilot film for the short-lived TV series of the same name, which ran for 20 episodes between September, 1994 and April 1995. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Cosby, Lynn Whitfield, (more)
- 1994
- Add The Incredible Voyage of Bill Pinkney to QueueAdd The Incredible Voyage of Bill Pinkney to top of Queue
Bill Cosby narrates this story of Captain Bill Pinkney, the first African-American to sail around the world alone, completing his trip in 22 months. During his journey at sea he kept in touch (via state-of-the-art technology) with students in Boston and Chicago, teaching them about math and geography and teaching them to reach for their dreams. Upon his return from sea, Bill Pinkney was recognized by President George Bush (the Elder). ~ Linda J. Shriver, All Movie Guide
Though not quite as bad as it might have been, the 1994 "reunion" TV-movie I Spy Returns was some distance removed from great. Written by Michael Norell, this two-hour film is set some 25 years after the conclusion of the original I Spy weekly series. Former secret agent Alexander "Scotty" Scott (Bill Cosby), now a romance-language professor at a tweedy California college, is aghast to learn that his feisty daughter Nicole (Salli Richardson) has signed up as a spy with Special Services. Making a beeline to the organization's director Kelly Robinson (Robert Culp), who'd once been his partner in the espionage business, Scotty demands that Nicole be bounced from the program. Kelly merely chuckles and replies that the girl couldn't be in safer hands: Her partner is the organization's most gifted and resourceful young agent-Kelly's own son Ben (George Newbern). Realizing that he will never be able to win an argument with his old pal Kelly, Scotty agrees to join Robinson in surreptitiously supervising Nicole and Ben as they head to Vienna to tackle their first assignment: Providing protection for defecting Russian scientist Cherbakov (Nikalous Parlya) and his wife (Lynsey Baxter). When they discover that their former adversary Baroodi (Jonathan Hyde) is also in Vienna, Kelly and Scotty take an active hand in matters-and the results are, if not hilarious, certainly diverting. The film's high points include the lengthy "bickering banter" exchanges between old pros Culp and Cosby. I Spy Returns originally aired as a "CBS Movie Special" on February 3, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Robert Townsend's superhero action comedy underwent much tinkering during post-production, employing four editors to whip the film into shape. Townsend wrote, directed, and produced this urban fable and also stars as Jefferson Reed, a meek substitute teacher in an inner-city neighborhood dominated by a gang of leather-jacketed, peroxided blonde goons who call themselves the Golden Lords. The residents of the neighborhood feel they can do nothing about the gang. But then a meteor hits Jefferson, who finds that he can fly, has super-strength, and can retain all the information in a book in thirty seconds. As a result, Jefferson, who normally is afraid of heights and runs from danger, becomes a reluctant superhero. The word about the "Meteor Man" gets back to the Golden Lords, who intend to rid the neighborhood of this milquetoast crime-fighter. The Meteor Man contains a cornucopia of cameos appearances, including Bill Cosby, Luther Vandross, Sinbad, Big Daddy Kane and Nancy Wilson. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Townsend, Marla Gibbs, (more)
