Alan Simpson Movies

A young fairy princess sets out to restore her kingdom to its former glory after a group of fairies abuse their magical powers, sowing the seeds of discontent among the other inhabitants of the enchanted domain. Wherever Princess Lillifee travels, shimmering stars and gorgeous butterflies are sure to follow. Her entire life is dedicated to making Pinkovia the most beautiful kingdom in all the land, but lately the Fairies of Pinkle have been engaging in mischief that's driving their neighbors crazy. Perhaps with a little help from her trusty pig Pupsi, Princess Lillifee will find a way to keep Pinkovia an enchanted paradise where everyone can live happily ever after. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Lorelei (Lauren Graham) is none too thrilled to find out that her interior decorator was previously hired by Emily (Kelly Bishop). Luke (Scott Patterson) adjusts himself to the rules of the Gilmores' "movie night" (Casablanca is the main attraction, as indicated by the episode's title), even as Lorelei tussles with Luke's cell-phone policy. Meanwhile at Yale, Paris (Liza Weil) squares off against her highly antisocial roomie Janet (Katie Walder); and, still unable to get over her breakup with Jess, Rory (Alexis Bledel) impulsively decides to date a guy who doesn't appeal to her at all. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Having spent virtually all of her 15 years enwrapped in a sheltered, pampered existence, Lily Greeley McAllister (Alison Lohman) was not quite prepared for the emotional jolt attending the suicide of a strange man in the dining room of the Greeley family's luxurious Pasadena home. Lily was equally unprepared for the blasé, unconcerned reactions of the Greeleys to this appalling spectacle. Attempting to find out why the man killed himself and why no one seemed to care all that much, Lily began to methodically unearth a number of unsavory family secrets -- and in the process, put her own future in dire jeopardy. Mike White of Dawson's Creek, Freaks and Geeks, and Chuck and Buck fame was the guiding creative force behind this bizarre weekly blend of Beverly Hills 90210 and Dallas, while actress Diane Keaton helmed the series' pilot episode. Others in the cast included Natasha Gregson Wagner and Mark Valley as two branches of the Greeley family tree, and Dana Delany as Catherine McAllister. The 60-minute Pasadena debuted September 21, 2001, on the Fox Network. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The ghost of Frank Capra must have smiled when he saw Dave, an amusing and effective update of one of Capra's favorite themes -- the scrupulously honest little guy who becomes a force for good against a corrupt system. Dave Kovic (Kevin Kline) runs an employment agency and seems to genuinely enjoy finding work for people who need it. He also bears a striking resemblance to the president of the United States, Bill Mitchell (also played by Kline) and occasionally gets work as a Bill Mitchell impersonator. One day, Dave gets a call from the Secret Service -- for security purposes, they want to hire him to act as a decoy for an upcoming appearance by the president. All goes well, but later that evening President Mitchell suffers a massive stroke while in bed with his mistress. Wanting to keep the matter a secret, two of the president's top advisors appeal to Dave to stand in as Bill Mitchell until he regains his health. One of the men behind this scheme, Bob Alexander (Frank Langella), hopes to use Mitchell's absence to promote his own right-wing political agenda, but after a few weeks "in office," Dave decides it's time to promote some changes of his own that will help increase employment and keep homeless shelters open. Dave also finds himself growing fond of Ellen Mitchell (Sigourney Weaver), the President's wife, while Ellen sees in Dave the idealism her husband left behind years ago. Dave features numerous cameo appearances by politicians, Washington insiders, and journalists; Oliver Stone also appears to explain a conspiracy theory regarding sudden changes in Bill Mitchell's behavior. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Fred and Lamont Sanford (Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson) head to a mobile clinic to get free x-rays. The results reveal that one of the Sanford men has TB, but the x-rays are mixed up and neither Fred nor Lamont knows which of them is the unlucky party. Naturally, Fred goes through one of his elaborate "I'm comin', Elizabeth!" death's-door routines, but things take an unexpected turn when the x-ray results are sorted out. Based on a 1970 episode of the British sitcom Steptoe and Son, "A Matter of Life and Breath" first aired on February 11, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Lynn Hamilton makes her first series appearance as widow Donna Harris, who intends to march elderly junkman Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx) down the altar. Describing Donna as "the barracuda," Fred's son, Lamont (Demond Wilson), does everything he can to break up the geriatric romance. The episode was inspired by "The Stepmother," a 1963 installment of the British sitcom Steptoe and Son, excerpts of which previously aired in America on a 1964 broadcast of The Jack Paar Program. "The Barracuda" was originally shown on March 17, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Herculean efforts by Lamont Sanford (Demond Wilson) to make something special out of his dad's 65th birthday seem doomed from the start. Not only does dad Fred (Redd Foxx) want to bury the fact that he's growing old, but the hot spots chosen by Lamont for their evening on the town -- a bar, a movie house, and a Chinese restaurant -- meet with the irascible junk dealer's hearty disapproval. At last fed up by Fred's constant complaining, Lamont grants the old man his wish: to be left alone. Based on "Sixty Five Today," a 1963 episode of the British sitcom Steptoe and Son, "Happy Birthday, Pop" first aired on January 21, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Fred (Redd Foxx) and Lamont (Demond Wilson) are used to being in debt, but they aren't accustomed to the hostile aggressiveness of their creditors. The inevitable day arrives when virtually everyone to whom the Sanfords owe money descend en masse upon their junkyard, with the cops in tow. For a while, it looks as though Fred and Lamont have lost their property -- but that's when Fred's acting ability, coupled with a convenient legal loophole, comes to the rescue. Adapted from a similarly titled 1965 episode of the British sitcom Steptoe and Son, "The Great Sanford Siege" was originally broadcast on March 3, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx) wants a color TV, but his son Lamont (Demond Wilson) spends their available cash on a new car. To convince Lamont to trade in the car for a TV, Fred goes into another of his legendary acts, feigning amnesia. Peter Bonerz, still several months away from his co-star stint on The Bob Newhart Show, is here cast as a doctor. Adapted from "The Colour Problem," a 1970 episode of the British sitcom Steptoe and Son, "TV or Not TV" first aired on March 24, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A collection of English humor in the form of sketch film are provided on this film which was assisted by comedians Feldman and Chapman. ~ Rovi

Joe Orton's black comedy farce has been adapted to the screen in a fast-paced, but ultimately ineffective, adaptation. Hywel Bennett and Roy Holder are two lay-abouts named Dennis and Hal who decide to improve their lot in life by robbing a bank. After pulling the job, they have to hide the loot -- and where else but in the casket of Holder's recently deceased mother? Unfortunately, although the boys hide the money, they can't hide the casket, so they opt for stashing it in the bathroom of the hotel run by Holder's father (Milo O'Shea). All is well until wacky Inspector Truscott (Richard Attenborough) arrives to investigate. Snapping at his heels is Fay (Lee Remick) -- a sexy nurse looking for the loot. Soon, the father's hotel becomes a cacophony of stomping feet and slamming doors, with the loot and the corpse in a farcical shell-game, one step ahead of discovery by the inept Truscott. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

This British comedy comes from Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, writers of the hit television program Steptoe and Son. Harry H. Corbett (who played Steptoe, Jr. on the tube) is Hemel, a canal-cruising bargee who is dead-set against marriage. He goes about his freewheeling ways until he finds out that he has impregnated one of his playthings (Julia Foster). Unfortunately for him, the young woman's father (Hugh Griffith) is the lock-keeper and he is not about to get out of this predicament without a vow or two. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi