Dennis Dugan Movies
American comic actor Dennis Dugan did quite well for himself trading on a bumbling-but-huggable screen image. On screen at least since 1972, Dugan established his screen persona in brief doses in such films as Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976) and Norman Is that You? (1976). In 1979, he was ideally cast as the time-displaced hero in Unidentified Flying Oddball, Disney's updated remake of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Television has always held out a welcome mat for Dugan: he was the star of the short-lived series Richie Brockelman, Private Eye (1977), Empire (1984) and Shadow Chasers (1984), and was a semi-regular as an erstwhile "caped crusader" on Hill Street Blues (when Dugan's character was killed off, many disconsolate viewers wrote in to warn that they'd never watch the show again). Dennis Dugan's film credits of the '80s have been plentiful if not distinguished, including Can't Buy Me Love (1987) and The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 2010
Thirty years after graduating high school, five former basketball teammates gather at the lake house where they celebrated their biggest victory to mourn the passing of their late coach. Over the course of the Fourth of July weekend, the five friends realize that just because they've all grown up and started families doesn't mean that they've lost that old spark. Adulthood is what you make of it, and no one at the lake house is eager to be the grown up of the gang. Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, and Rob Schneider star in a film written by Sandler and Fred Wolf, and directed by Dennis Dugan (I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, You Don't Mess with the Zohan). Maria Bello, Salma Hayek, and Maya Rudolph co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Just before Christmas, idealistic greeting-card writer Allen Karroll (Tom Everett Scott) cooks up a "special moment" wherein he will propose to his sweetheart Carrie (Deanna Milligan) in a public place before thousands of oohing and aahing spectators. Alas, Carrie turns him down flat, so thoroughly humiliating Allen that he ends up hating the Yuletide season. Not long afterward, Allen is visited by four disreputable-looking ghosts, including a very hip Jacob Marley (or is it Bob Marley?) Can it be that our hero has morphed into a latter-day incarnation of Ebenezer Scrooge? Not quite: All of the ghosts have come to the wrong address. Turns out that the real Scrooge of the piece is Alex's nasty next-door neighbor Zeb Rosecog (Wallace Shawn), who'd once been CEO for the company which employs Alex. His curiosity aroused, Allen overcomes his intense dislike for Zeb to investigate the source of the man's misanthropy--and in so doing learns a lot about himself. A clever spin on an all-too-familiar fable, Karroll's Christmas was produced for cable, and was originally telecast December 14, 2004 by the A&E network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Loosely following the format of ABC's 1969-74 comedy anthology series Love, American Style, Aaron Spelling's first Love Boat set sail September 24, 1977 with the series' intertwining stories all taking place aboard the cruise ship Pacific Princess, captained by Gavin MacLeod. Spelling Television updated the concept in this 1998 romantic comedy series with Captain Jim Kennedy III (Robert Urich) retired from the Navy and now at the helm of the luxury liner Sun Princess. There's a full crew of regulars on board, and Kennedy's 15-year-old mischievous son Danny (Kyle Howard) roams the ship while it cruises about in search of love, Caribbean style. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Urich, Joan Severance, (more)
- 1997
Two roommates, both strippers, are murdered, sending Simone (Jimmy Smits) and Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) off on another trail of contrary clues. Tipped to a possible assassination by ex-cop Sheedy (Jason Andrews), Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) wants to pose as a hitman to catch the perp, but it is determined that Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) would be better casting. Jill (Andrea Thompson) and Diane (Kim Delaney) deal with a possible diamond necklace robbery. And Diane is more convinced than ever that a baby is on the way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
The squad must deal with a murder witness (Kathleen Doyle) who obviously is not playing with a full deck -- and who is subsequently kidnapped on orders from the suspect's lawyer. Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) and Martinez' (Nicholas Turturro) investigation of the latest in a series of cab robberies unearths a dangerous sibling rivalry. Jill (Andrea Thompson) wonders if her close relationship with Cohen (Michael B. Silver) is a good idea when he tries to strike a bargain with a crooked attorney. And, with Gina out on pregnancy leave, the squad tries to adjust to the new temporary PAA, the ambitious Naomi Reynolds (Gabrielle Fitzpatrick, in her first series appearance). This is the "Pop Goes the Weasel" episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Peter Falk returns as America's favorite rumpled detective. In this episode, the cigar-toting Lt. Columbo investigates a radio-talk-show host suspected of killing a member of his own staff in order to prevent his daughter, who also works at the station, from moving to New York to become a writer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Falk, William Shatner, (more)
- 1994
In this television remake of Disney's zany feature, a teenager under a magic spell keeps turning into a sheepdog, much to his father's chagrin. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ed Begley, Jr., Scott Weinger, (more)
- 1994
Investigating the murder of a chiropractor's wife, Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and Simone (Jimmy Smits) suspect that the victim's husband is the guilty party. Elsewhere, Simone's friend (Isabel Glasser) finds out that her young son is hiding a gun, and while moonlighting as a security guard, Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) is attracted to the person he is protecting, who lives in mortal fear of her father. This is the legendary NYPD Blue episode in which, while sharing a shower with his lady love Sylvia (Sharon Lawrence), Andy Sipowicz unabashedly displays his bare backside (and viewers couldn't say they weren't warned). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Janice Licalsi (Amy Breneman) is blackmailed into cooperating with the Mob. Feeling that Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) didn't do enough to prevent the drug-overdose death of his brother, Martinez' father (Luis Guzman) takes the law into his own hands. And the very married Detective Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) celebrates his 40th birthday by going ice-skating with gorgeous administrative assistant Donna Abandando (Gail O'Grady). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Colleen Dewhurst guest stars as Betty Russell, a famous divorce lawyer better known as "The Barracuda." Exhibiting a hitherto well-hidden conscience, Russell hires Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) and David (Bruce Willis) to reunite Lydia and Nathan Kraft (Jane Hallaren, Lawrence Pressman), whose union Betty may have wrongly rent asunder. A special gift and an unanticipated murder both figure into the story, as does a discussion wherein the two stars ponder the possibility of staging a nude scene to improve Moonlighting's ever-sagging ratings! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
After a two-month hiatus, Moonlighting returned for its final volley of episodes in a brand-new Sunday night timeslot (so new that theme-song performer Al Jarreau was allegedly unaware that the series had moved, forcing the cast to perform the opening-credit vocals!) This episode finds David's troublesome brother Richard (Charles Rocket) hiring Blue Moon to find his fiancée Carla McCabe's (Rita Wilson) ex-business partner Benny Largo (Michael Speero), who has apparently absconded with all of Carla's dough. As a bonus, we hear plenty of references to the mysterious "Anselmo Case"--so many that the cast gets sick of hearing them, and says so! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
This final episode of Moonlighting finds Bert (Curtis Armstrong) and Agnes (Allyce Beasley) getting married, just as David (Bruce Willis) is breaking up with Annie (Virginia Madsen), the cousin of his partner and former lover Maddie (Cybill Shepherd). At the same time, the Blue Moon Detective Agency closes its doors, whereupon ABC network executive Walter Whitebread (Mark L. Taylor) solemnly begins dismantling the set. An eleventh-hour effort to save the Agency--and the series--is foiled by the demographic evidence supplied by big-time Hollywood producer Cy (played by Dennis Dugan, billed under his Moonlighting character name of Walter Bishop). Even worse--the Anselmo Case (you remember the Anselmo Case) may never be solved! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
In this first episode of a two-part story arc, Virginia Madsen guest stars as Maddie's married cousin Annie Charnock. When David (Bruce Willis) goes to great length to help Annie with her problems, Maddie assumes that it is because David is in love--not with Annie, but with Maddie! This episode was cowritten by longtime David Letterman associate Merrill Markoe), and features a very significant cameo appearance in the elevator scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Still grieving over her miscarriage, Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) buries herself in her work, while David (Bruce Willis) ponders the option of leaving town. Among Maddie's many cases involves Joan Spring (Cristina Raines-Crowe), who is worried that she will lose her husband to his ex-wife. Once again, what starts off innocuously enough as a case of domestic discord quickly deepens into a murder investigation--two murders, in fact. This one ends with a perilous balloon chase (yes, a balloon chase!) high above the Mohave desert. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
David (Bruce Willis) finally meets Walter (Dennis Dugan), the man whom Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) has impulsively married. Rather than get angry or exhibit jealousy, David generously offers to throw a bachelor party for Walter. That David might have an ulterior motive is evidenced when the stripper hired for the party doesn't show up--and Bert Viola (Curtis Armstrong) takes her place! Highlights of this episode include a chaotic hospital scene, and the formation of "The Royal Order of Napkin Heads." Also: Brooke Adams makes a return appearance as Terri Knowles, the pregnant woman whom David met in a Lamaze class a few episodes back. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
In the last episode of Moonlighting's fourth season, Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) returns to work after ending her brief marriage to Walter Bishop (Dennis Dugan). Her first post-nuptual case involves a public-relations man who wants to find his partner's lover, who has proven a major business distraction by penning gushy romantic letters. As Maddie and David (Bruce Willis) react differently to these letters, their assistant Bert Viola (Curtis Armstrong) broods over the fact that the Moonlighting fans have still not warmed up to him! The proceedings close as the entire cast frantically ad-libs a musical number when the writers go on strike. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Pregnant with David's baby, Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) has decided to return from Chicago to LA via train--but she's still not sure whether or not she and David should resume their relationship. En route, Maddie meets a dweebish fellow passenger named Walter Bishop (Dennis Dugan), to whom she pours out her heart--and a generous supply of story exposition. Meanwhile, Agnes (Allyce Beasley) and Bert (Curtis Armstrong) anxiously await Maddie's return so that they can fill her in as to what occurred in the episodes she has missed--little suspecting that Maddie has a bit of startling news of her own! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Hunter (Fred Dryer) investigates when journalist Ralph Ormond (Richard Gilliland), who holds evidence that will put a Mob boss away for good, is reportedly killed in a car bombing. Actually, it's a case of mistaken identity: while the city mourns an innocent bystander, the very-much-alive Ormond intends to sell his evidence and retire to a life of ease--far, far away from Los Angeles. But Hunter puts a crimp in this plan and sees to it that the guilty--ALL the guilty--will suffer! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In a modern twist on the classic "old-dark house" genre, Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) are trapped by a raging storm in the mountain home of a murdered financier. Every member of the dead man's family had good reason to see him dead--and accordingly, every member is under suspicion. As the victim's relatives are systematically bumped off throughout the night, Hunter arrives at the conclusion that he'd better solve the mystery in a hurry lest he be the next to die! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
In this adventure a professor of anthropology and a reporter join forces to look into a strange occurrence with supernatural implications. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1984
There was once a time within living memory when people eagerly awaited a TV-movie starring Mister T. The Toughest Man in the World casts the former Laurence Turand as nightclub bouncer "Bruise" Brubaker. Marshmallow-soft on the inside, Bruise befriends a group of underprivileged kids at a youth center. The film bears a marked resemblance to Mister T's Saturday-morning cartoon series; whether it is better or worse is left to the viewer. I pity the fool who missed The Toughest Man in the World when it was first telecast on November 7, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Charles' (David Ogden Stiers) keeps Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and B.J. (Mike Farrell) awake all night. Alas, when they can't sleep, neither can the rest of the camp. But Colonel Potter (Harry Morgan) has a more serious matter on his hands, when he discovers that his son-in-law Bob (Dennis Dugan) has been unfaithful to Potter's beloved daughter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
