Joyce Brothers Movies
America's most recognizable pop psychologist, columnist, author, lecturer, business consultant, and radio personality, Dr. Joyce Brothers has created a fun side-career making cameo appearances in feature films and television shows. She has been doing this since 1972. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1988
In ALF's most offbeat episode, the obstreperous little alien subs for Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show. It doesn't take long for ALF to alienate Johnny's announcer Ed McMahon and Tommy Newsom, but the "fun" really begins when he matches wits with guests Joan Embery, Dr. Joyce Brothers and Rich Little. All these shenanigans serve as clever method to present a "clip" show comprised of highlights from past ALF episodes. Originally telecast as a one-hour special, "Tonight, Tonight" has since been edited into two half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- R
Here's a "backwards BIG" where, instead of turning younger, this leading man turns into an old man--overnight. Jonathan Silverman plays Seymour, who, shortly after a promising youth full of high-minded aspirations (he'd hoped to become an astronaut), finds himself working in a dead-end office job. And then he goes to sleep to awake the next day with an 80-year-old's body. He looks the same outside, but inwardly he's become and old man. It's not long before he loses his job and is doctor- shopping in a frustrating attempt at finding the medical reason for his premature decline. Somewhat introspective, this film explores our youth-dominated society and examines the perspective of the aged. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jonathan Silverman, Robert Prosky, (more)
- 1989
- PG
In this enjoyable, lighthearted "he's fallen for her" situational, a music professor finds a science department faculty member too deeply engrossed in her inter-species communication studies (she talks to chimps) to even notice him. Since he can't get her mind off her studies, he decides to work part-time for her in the university laboratory. In this way he becomes aware of her dilemma: she's found that her research funds are set to be axed. He's there to help her figure out a way to prove their worth, and maybe spike her interest in him at the same time. There's plenty of clean fun and a satisfying outcome to be had here. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Karen Allen, Armand Assante, (more)
- 1979
Beggarman, Thief is the 4-hour sequel to the ratings-busting miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man; both productions were based on the works of novelist Irwin Shaw. For the purposes of the sequel, a new member of the Jordache clan is introduced: filmmaker Gretchen Jordache Burke, played by Jean Simmons. It is Gretchen's task to keep the family together after the murder of her brother Tom (played by Nick Nolte in Rich Man, Poor Man) and the recent disappearance of her other brother Rudy (Peter Strauss, re-creating his RMPM role). Originally presented in two parts, Beggarman, Thief was first telecast November 26 and 27, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Simmons, Glenn Ford, (more)
- 1986
- R
Comedian Charlie Barnette relates his perspective on college and what it takes to get through it. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
In this thriller, a scientist (Rock Hudson) attempts to engineer the perfect woman in a test-tube and ends up not with a beautiful lover, but instead a ruthless killer. The film is also known as Created to Kill. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rock Hudson, Diane Ladd, (more)
- 1982
In this made-for-TV film, a high-school counselor (Joyce Brothers) faces ineffectual help from administration in combating drugs, so she recruits several students to help in the battle. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Helen Hunt
- 1998
- NR
- Add Elvis is Alive! I Swear I Just Saw Him Eating a Ding Dong Outside the Piggly Wiggly to QueueAdd Elvis is Alive! I Swear I Just Saw Him Eating a Ding Dong Outside the Piggly Wiggly to top of Queue
A filmmaker in dire need of a job takes on an "interesting" assignment -- he's hired to travel the country and interview people who claim to have seen Elvis Presley alive, well and in good appetite after his death in August of 1977. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Dias LeRoy
- 1994
- R
- Add Exit to Eden to Queue
This sexy farce stars Dan Aykroyd and Rosie O'Donnell as Fred Lavery and Sheila Kingston, a pair of cynical detectives investigating the disappearance of a key witness in a diamond-smuggling case. The case leads them to a Club Med-styled S&M resort where dog collars and cat o' nine tails abound; further complicating matters, the smugglers end up on the island as well. The missing witness, photographer Elliot Slater (Paul Mercurio), takes a job as a bondage boy, and he falls in love with the resort manager, Mistress Lisa (Dana Delany. Adapted from Anne Rice's novel of the same name. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Delany, Paul Mercurio, (more)
- 1986
In this made-for-TV movie, a jealous mother tries to break up the burgeoning romance between her son and a young clerk at her husband's jewelry store. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Frasier's conniving agent, Bebe Frazer (Harriet Sansom Harris, in her first series appearance), arranges a big-bucks deal for her favorite client. All Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) has to do is "subtly" endorse a few commercial products as part of his call-in radio show. Trouble is, Frasier wants nothing to do with at least one of these products -- nor is he keen on delivering advertising copy that will make him sound like a buffoon. Fearful of his reputation as a psychiatrist, yet eager to fatten his bank account, our hero finds himself mired in yet another of his many ethical dilemmas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
John Ritter plays an unsuccessful actor who takes a job posing as comic-book hero Captain Avenger at comics stores and conventions. While thus garbed, Ritter foils a grocery store robbery. He skedaddles from the scene when the cops show up, leading witnesses to assume that he is a genuine costumed superhero, the sort that shows up to foil the villains and then modestly retreats after his job is done. Ritter is hired by the mayor's staff, who hope that the Captain Avenger tie-in will help the mayor win an upcoming election. This plan comes acropper, and Captain Avenger finds himself on the outs with the public. Prodded by his girlfriend Anne Archer to be himself and not rely on a costume and mask to gain adulation, Ritter becomes a bonafide hero when he rescues several citizens from a fire. Thanks to the enthusiastic performance of John Ritter, Hero at Large remains amusing even when you know what's going to happen next (a common occurrence in this film). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Ritter, Anne Archer, (more)
John Moffitt directed this silly Canadian comedy about a falsely accused Salem witch (Kelly Preston). Terry Sweeney's script seems to find most of its humor in sex, drugs, and bathroom jokes, none of which are very amusing. Genre devotees will be quite pleased, however, with a cast featuring Barbara Carrera, SCTV member Dave Thomas, Bud Cort, Stuart Pankin, and Anne Ramsey. Dr. Joyce Brothers makes one of her obligatory cameo appearances as well. Preston appeared in another witch film, Janet Greek's Spellbinder, the following year. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Cassidy, Kelly Preston, (more)
- 1996
A pair of lovers have no idea that their affair is overseen and orchestrated by an angel sent by Cupid to see that they remain together in this romantic comedy. Steve, is a youthful college professor with a love of Renaissance poetry and a firm belief that the old poets knew the secret of lasting love. Megan is an opinionated pediatrician who thinks of love only in the most pragmatic terms. Despite their many differences, Cupid knows they were meant for each other and so dispatches his minion to make it so. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This documentary is an homage to Marilyn Monroe, arguably the most famous sex-symbol of the 20th century. The film offers a loving examination of her enduring charm and chronicles the continued devotion of her fans. Rather than present the traditional chronological biography, the filmmakers have chosen to focus on key points in Monroe's career and life such as her rise to stardom. In addition to fabulous stills and film clips, the movie includes interviews with Hugh Hefner, who used Monroe's nude pictures as his centerfold in the first issue of Playboy. Also interviewed are columnist Liz Smith, who discusses Hollywood's attitude toward Marilyn. Finally the film chronicles the ways in which Marilyn has become a cultural icon beginning with Andy Warhol's art and continued showings of her films. The industry surrounding her image is also examined. The film does not offer insight as to why Marilyn Monroe continues to be so popular. It is simply a tribute. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joyce Brothers, David Brown, (more)
- 1990
No sooner has Al (Ed O'Neill) cancelled the family's car insurance than newly-licensed driver Bud (David Faustino) has an accident in the Bundymobile. Bud's story is that the driver of the Mercedes hit him, and the family intends to back him up by appearing in court with a variety of highly suspicious-looking injuries (sister Kelly arrives with a white cane and seeing eye dog). Ultimately, however, the truth comes out, thanks to unwilling witness Marcy. Psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers) appears as the judge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
As Moonlighting begins its fourth season, detectives David (Bruce Willis) and Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) wonder if they should continue their romance after their memorable boudoir tussle in the closing moments of Season Three. As the couple weighs their options, three fantasy sequences play themselves out. In one, David consults Ray Charles in matters of the heart; in another Maddie is given sage advice by Dr. Joyce Brothers; and in the third, the dilemma is reconfigured as a black-and-white episode of The Honeymooners, with David as Ralph, Maddie as Alice, David's brother Richard (Charles Rocket) as Norton and the couple's secretary Agnes (Allyce Beasley) as Trixie! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
The second of two attempts to revive the 1960s TV series The Wild, Wild West (the first was Wild Wild West Revisited), More Wild, Wild West was telecast October 7, 1980. Robert Conrad is back as 19th- century secret-agent James West, while Ross Martin returns to the role of "man of many faces" Artemus Gordon. The principal heavy, played with tongue firmly in cheek by Jonathan Winters, is a mad scientist who plans to create an army of invisible supermen. Victor Buono, who was special guest villain on the very first Wild Wild West episode in 1965, plays a supporting role; carried over from Wild Wild West revisited are Harry Morgan and Rene Auberjonois. Several networks evinced interest in More Wild, Wild West, but Ross Martin's death in 1981 ended all plans for a weekly series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, (more)
- 1993
- PG13
- Add National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 to QueueAdd National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 to top of Queue
The Lethal Weapon series and the rest of the buddy-cop genre receives the parody treatment in this low-brow comedy. Emilio Estevez stars as Jack Colt, the Mel Gibson-like loose cannon, while Samuel L. Jackson assumes the Danny Glover role as Wes Luger, his exasperated partner. Together, Colt and Luger investigate the murder of Luger's former partner (Whoopi Goldberg) and discover a criminal conspiracy led by the nefarious General Mortars (William Shatner). Hoping to mimic the success of the Naked Gun films, director Gene Quintano (of Police Academy 4 fame) loaded the film with broad visual gags, deadpan slapstick, and gratuitous parodies of The Silence of the Lambs, Basic Instinct, and other movies. The attempt to mimic successful parodies proved ineffective, however, as critics and viewers alike found the parody stale and the juvenile humor dreary. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emilio Estevez, Samuel L. Jackson, (more)
The "National Lampoon" franchise is resurrected for another politically incorrect collegiate romp with this R-rated gross-out sex comedy. National Lampoon's Van Wilder revolves around the exploits of its title character (Ryan Reynolds), a seventh-year senior who's made it his goal in life to help each and every Coolidge College undergrad succeed in life -- or at least in bed. Van's charmed life seems to have an expiration date, however; his father (Tim Matheson) has cut off his presumably vast allowance. Financial insecurity doesn't phase the big man on campus, and he soon starts up a lucrative cottage industry as a planner of high-priced campus blowouts. When an enterprising reporter from the college paper gets wind of Van's liberal interpretation of the school's code of conduct, it seems his gig is up -- unless, of course, he can charm the hard-edged Gwen (Tara Reid) into accepting his uniquely skewed world view. In addition to Matheson, Van Wilder features cameos from a number of '80s teen movie stalwarts, including Edie McClurg, Paul Gleason, and Erik Estrada. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ryan Reynolds, Tara Reid, (more)
- 1991
Though Harry (Harry Anderson) is in love with Margaret Turner, he balks at the notion of moving in with her. Meanwhile, Bull (Richard Moll) arranges for matchmaker Wanda Finn (Cathy McAuley in her first series appearance) to find him a wife--in the classified ads--while Christine (Markie Post) mopes around the courtroom in the wake of her divorce. With all this emotional intrigue, is it any surprise that famed psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers makes a guest appearance? This episode was originally scheduled for January 30, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this mild sequel to the 1977 appearance of George Burns as God, the Heavenly Father shows up again, this time to talk to Tracy (Louanne), a young girl whose earthly father (David Birney) is in the advertising business. God's intention is to promote himself among the children first. Tracy comes up with a way to further awareness of the Supreme Being with posters and graffiti that say "Think God." She and her classmates set out on this campaign, but Tracy ends up facing a phalanx of psychiatrists for talking to an invisible God. Being who He is, God decides to finally make an appearance for the benefit of everyone. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Burns, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
