Joe Roth Movies
A onetime communications major at Boston University, producer/director Joe Roth worked as a production assistant with several San Francisco-based film companies. Utilizing several of the improvisational comics who had worked with him at Los Angeles' Pitchel Players (he ran lights while they got laughs), Roth produced an inexpensive "TV of the future" spoof called Tunnelvision. The film did well on its first release in 1976, and even better in later years by virtue of its stars-in-the-making cast, which included Chevy Chase, Betty Thomas, Howard Hesseman, and Ron Silver. After several years' worth of low-budget but high-grossing films like Bachelor Party (1984) and Moving Violations (1986), Roth made his directing bow with Streets of Gold (1986). Forming Morgan Creek productions with partner Jim Robinson, Roth continued his winning box-office record with such films as Young Guns (1988) and Dead Ringers (1989). In 1989, Roth made Coupe de Ville. That same year, he became chairman of 20th Century Fox's theatrical film division, toting up more hits (White Men Can't Jump, Die Hard 2, Sleeping With the Enemy) than misses (Barton Fink). His last months at Fox were marred with disappointments like Toys (1992) and Hoffa (1992), but Roth had gained a strong reputation for having the uncanny knack for attracting and mollifying some of the biggest and most difficult talents in Hollywood; one magazine characterized him as "filmmaker friendly." From Fox, Roth moved to Disney's Caravan Pictures unit, raking in the bucks with productions like Angels in the Outfield (1994). In September of 1994, Joe Roth replaced Jeffrey Katzenberg as Disney CEO, and in so doing became the first director ever to hold that position in a major studio; he proved his worthiness for that position almost instantly with the smash Yuletide release The Santa Clause (1994).Producing a number of moderately successful films through the latter 1990s, Roth returned to the director's chair in 2001 with America's Sweethearts. Scripted and produced by Billy Crystal, America's Sweethearts spun the humorous tale of a movie star couple's bitter split on the eve of embarking on a press junket to promote their latest film. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1979
In the future (the distant year of 1997), the United States of America is in crisis. The oil shortage has grown to epic proportions, leading to people living in their cars and bicycling to work. Cigarettes and meat have been outlawed, gold coins are needed to operate common household appliances, and the Western White House (located in a luxury apartment in California) has been forced by economic necessity to operate round-the-clock tours for vacationing Chinese citizens. The economy is deep trouble; President Chet Roosevelt (John Ritter) has borrowed four billion dollars from Native American tennis shoe manufacturer Sam Birdwater (Chief Dan George), and he's foreclosing on the loan. When a media expert, Eric McMerkhin (Peter Riegert), is summoned for advice (since despite all hardships, Americans refuse to give up their televisions), he suggests a telethon. It's a great idea, except the President's assistant Vincent Vanderhoff (Fred Willard) is in cahoots with the United Heb-Rab Republic, a sinister coalition of Israeli and Arab nationals who want to snap up America if the debt can't be paid. He ensures that the show is stocked with endless ventriloquists and insists on Monty Rushmore (Harvey Korman), a washed-up, drug-addicted television personality as host. The star of the popular sitcom "Both Mother and Father," he is sure to self-destruct over the grueling 30-day-and-night telethon schedule. Despite terrorist attacks and the kidnapping of President Roosevelt, the patriotic spirit prevails and American citizens dig deep and pledge their gold to the cause. This outrageous farce (based on a play by Firesign Theatre alumni Philip Proctor and Peter Bergman) features cameos from Elvis Costello, Jay Leno, Meat Loaf and the Del Rubio Triplets, and is narrated by George Carlin. The Beach Boys, Eddie Money, and Nick Lowe contribute to the musical soundtrack. ~ Fred Beldin, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Riegert, Harvey Korman, (more)
In this youthful drama, a high-school senior aspires to become a track star while simultaneously dealing with the other travails of youth. One of his best friends is drafted and ends up getting killed in Vietnam. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Scott Jacoby, Deborah Benson, (more)
- 1977
- R
The Big One finally hits California and as it slides into the waiting Pacific a television news team with anchor people Walter Concrete and Barbara Halters is there to record the resulting chaos and help themselves to whatever is left. This satire features performers from such noted comedy troupes as the Ace Trucking Company, FireSign Theater and Second City. The Tubes provide the music. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Philip Proctor, Peter Bergman, (more)
- 1976
- R
This futuristic parody on television is made up of various sketches, and features some early performances of later well-known comics. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi
- Starring:
- Philip Proctor, Howard Hesseman, (more)
Rating Systems
Blockbuster
BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C.
2013 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.
Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation. 2013 Rovi Corporation.